Author’s Bio: Natalina wrote her first romance in collaboration with her
best friend at the age of 13. Since then she has ventured into other genres,
but romance is first and foremost in almost everything she writes.
After earning a degree in tourism and foreign
languages, she worked as a tourist guide in her native Portugal for a short
time before moving to the United States. She lived in three continents and a
few islands, and her knack for languages and linguistics led her to a master’s
degree in education. She lives in Virginia where she has taught English as a
Second Language to elementary school children for more years than she cares to
admit.
Natalina doesn’t believe you can have too many
books or too much coffee. Art and dance make her happy and she is pretty sure
she could survive on lobster and bananas alone. When she is not writing or
stressing over lesson plans, she shares her life with her husband and two adult
sons.
DL: What inspired you to write your book?
NR: I’m not sure. This book started as a flash fiction piece of MM
(male on male) contemporary romance about a blind date. I had been itching to
write a shifter romance but even though I loved the idea of a human shifter, I
hated the fact that the market was overloaded with hairy animal shifters
(bears, dogs, wolves, tigers). I love challenges and I figured I would write a
shifter story with an unusual animal. Many years ago, I watched a great movie
about a woman who shifted into a hawk and since I absolutely love hawks I
decided that my shifter would be a hawk. The contemporary romance turned into a
MM shifter romance about two fated lovers who have a lot more to worry about
than the fact that one of them shares his body with a hawk.
DL: Describe your writing process? Do you use an outline or let it
flow organically?
NR: No outlines for me. In
fact, the few times I tried to plan my book I got bored with the story before I
even started writing it. So I just let it flow. I start with an idea or a
character and then I write it. It can get a little hairy at times, but so far this
method—or lack thereof—has served me well.
DL: What do you think makes a good story?
NR: For me it’s a mixture of
things: good characters, great chemistry, a smart plot with some surprises (and
if possible, a bit of intrigue and/or mystery), and good writing. A story that
keeps you on your toes and wanting more. A bit of humor doesn’t hurt either.
DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in
any way either growing up or as an adult?
NR: As a kid I had a
love/hate relationship with the Grimm’s Tales. My grandmother used to read them
to me and I think they influenced me into writing stories that are magical but
disturbing at some level. Later as a teen I read a ton of mysteries thanks to
my dad. Agatha Christie quickly became a favorite. I loved the way she blended
her own kind of humor with unconventional characters and a lot of mystery. As a
grown-up I fell in love with Austen. I know it sounds like a cliché but Jane
Austen’s writing is just inspiring. She mixes humor with romance and social
commentary, plus a bit of mystery. You
may be noticing a pattern, lol. The formula for me is Humor + Romance + Mystery
+ Unconventional characters = great story.
DL: If you were hosting a diner party which three authors would be
your dream guests?
NR: Living authors? Well,
Kate Morton for sure (her mystery imbued historicals), possibly Sophie Kinsella
(lighthearted at the surface with a deeper message beneath), and J.K. Rowling
(magic genius). But there are so many more, including many Indie writers.
DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?
NR: I’m not sure I have one
or whether I am successful at all. I have found that finding the kind of
audience that loves your kind of writing is paramount and building a good
following. Other than that I don’t think there is a magic formula. A lot falls
to luck. The one thing that stands true is that a writer must be willing to
spend a lot of time (and money) in marketing.
DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?
NR: Don’t give up. If writing
is your passion, don’t ever give up. It’s easy to get discouraged in this
business. Surround yourself with a tribe of like-minded authors and support and
cheer each other on. It will make all the difference, believe me.
DL: How about sharing an excerpt from Infinite Blue?
NR: Here you go:
Not sure of what to do, Cai closed his fingers
around his companion’s hand and sighed. “Why the unusual name?”
Shahin chuckled softly. “My mom’s idea of a smart
play on words. Our flock comes from Spain and our family name means falcon in
Spanish, so she looked for a first name that had a similar meaning. A friend of
hers was from somewhere in Africa and told her Shahin meant hawk.”
“Your name means Hawk Falcon?” Cai laughed.
Somehow the name fitted him. There was a sense of the wild in the younger man,
something not quite tamed.
Shahin shrugged. “That’s my mother for you. Always
complicating things that should be simple.”
“I like it,” Cai said, his voice shrinking to a
whisper. “Can I call you Sha?”
The other man’s blue eyes glinted like diamonds as
he bent over slightly to touch Cai’s lips with his. The breath caught in his
throat. “Love that you’ve given me a nickname,” Shahin murmured against his
lips, sending shivers of pleasure down Cai’s spine. “Yes, call me Sha.”
It had been a quick, gentle kiss and yet Cai’s
heart had taken off in a race against itself. Shahin’s lips were still
tantalizingly close and yet too far. Cai wanted to wrap his arms around the
other man’s shoulders, pull him against him, and kiss him until they ran out of
air. It had been far too long.
DL: What’s on the horizon for you?
NR: My next book will be
published April 2 and I am currently working on two others. A paranormal
romance and a MM Urban Fantasy. The last book in my one and only series, The Jewel Chronicles, will also be published
sometime this year. And expect to see me at many book events throughout the
year.
DL: Where can readers learn more about you and your book(s)?
NR: They can get more
information here:
·
Book Buy Links:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2v92Hpt
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2OaqtIT
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2ve2VLU
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2n6oyt9
iBooks: https://apple.co/2rBXjs6
Nook: http://bit.ly/2IZ3xhe
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2IucIFD
It’s been a pleasure
having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you
and your work.
Thank you for the opportunity :)
ReplyDeleteHello Natalina! You're quite welcome. Thanks for sharing your story with my readers.
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