Monday, April 23, 2012

Interview with Natalie Star + Giveaway

About Natalie:

Three years ago if you told me one day I would love to read and I would write a book that would be published, I would have told you you were crazy-out-of-your-mind. Since then I have read 130+ books and written 2 complete novels (one of which is being published) and I have 3 more in the works.
When I'm not reading or writing, I can be found with my husband supporting my two children on the soccer fields. Or maybe running around with my camera taking photos while camping and/or hiking. Or lastly, and most probable - I'm watching movies on Netflix while simultaneously perusing Facebook. Our family resides in the state of Virginia along with our old-unintelligent-diabetic cat named Lucky.

Interview:

  1. Are your characters based off any friends or family?
No, my characters are straight from my imagination! 

  1. Rain or Snow?
I LOVE snow! Ask my kids, if it snows when they are sleeping I run outside and take photos. And if there is no school the next day, I wake them up and make them go outside with me. I don’t know why, maybe it’s because I’m a winter baby.

  1. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
I really didn’t read much as a child or a teen. But when I joined the library summer reading program one summer (by peer pressure from my friends who enjoyed the hobby), I enjoyed reading Judy Blume’s books.

  1. What time period in history would you want to visit?
Egyptian times back when Cleopatra was alive! Egypt fascinates me. My husband and I took a weeklong trip there back in 1995, and I found it even more interesting than I thought I would.
           
  1. In one sentence explain why we should read The Keeper?
          The Keeper is a unique paranormal romance that will suck you in with intriguing twists and turns— many you won’t see coming.  

  1. What inspired you to become an author?
I just sat down one day on a whim in my late thirties and started writing. My very first story was an epic fail. I cannot do a contemporary YA love story. Then when the idea for The Keeper happened, it felt like the most natural thing to sit and write a paranormal romance. Go figure.

  1. Would you rather write stories or read stories?
I don’t think I can choose between the two, because it depends on my mood. There are some days my characters won’t shut up, and I have to write what they tell me. Then on the days when they take a break, I get to enjoy reading.

  1. Too hot or too cold?
            Ask my husband, I am always too cold! In fact sitting here typing this I wish I was wearing socks. My feet are freezing!
  1. Describe yourself in one word.
First word to pop in my head, crazy! Haha! Okay, for a real answer, I will say creative. Not just in the writing sense. Although, The Keeper was pretty creative. But I’ve always enjoyed arts and crafts, scrapbooking, and photography. So, yeah, I will go with “creative”.

  1. Do you have a play-list for The Keeper? If yes what is your favorite song on the list?
I think I am the only author who doesn’t have a play list. Music doesn’t influence my writing or my stories in any way, shape, or form. I enjoy all kinds of music though, mostly the kind I can dance to. I love to go dancing. Also, there is nothing better than tunes you can sing to while on a long drive!

  1. What is your favorite past time (excluding writing, or reading).
I love photography! It’s even better when I can combine it with family road trips, hiking, and camping.

  1. What movie and/or book are you most looking forward to this year?
Hmmm. Movie? The Hunger Games was a biggie for me, but saw that (and really enjoyed it). Then there is Breaking Dawn, Part Two!

For a book, I can’t name just one…so we need to say books:
City of Lost Souls, by Cassandra Clare
Black Dawn, by Rachel Caine
Nevermore (the last Maximum Ride), by James Patterson


Lauren, thank you for this interview, the questions were great! Some of them really had me thinking. Whew! J

Thank you so much for being here Natalie! J I find that I am also cold all the time… it can be quite annoying!!  From your writing and our conversations I think creative applies nicely, you definitely have to have creativity to come up with a story line like The Keeper!


Click here to read my review of The Keeper.


Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Posted by at

25 comments:

  1. HeatherApril 23, 2012 at 4:29 PM

    Yay for winter babies! *high-five* I'd love to visit Egypt some time, that had to have been amazing. Best of luck the The Keeper, it sounds excellent. Off to check it out right now.

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    1. LaurenApril 23, 2012 at 10:23 PM

      Egypt does sound awesome! :) I was a fall baby: I guess I have the best of both worlds (;

      Delete
    2. Natalie StarApril 23, 2012 at 10:38 PM

      *high-fives* Heather back! Thanks girl! =)

      SIDE NOTE: I usually don't chat with the on going interview/giveaways so people can voice their opinions on what they think without me around, but rest assured if it's not your cup of tea I am cool with that.

      And Lauren, I totally meant to send you a pic of me on a camel to go with this interview. I forgot!

      Delete
  2. ZanibApril 23, 2012 at 5:54 PM

    Winter baby? Count me in, and I am in love with egyptian history! The Keeper sounds really interesting, can't wait to get my hands on it.

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    1. LaurenApril 23, 2012 at 10:25 PM

      Egypt is definitely fascinating, I love how they have such a presence. I would LOVE to visit the Nile! The Keeper is amazing, definitely get your hands on a copy!

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    2. Natalie StarApril 23, 2012 at 10:42 PM

      Elle ~ I threw in a little Egyptian "mention" in The Keeper =) I couldn't resist.

      Egypt and the Nile are like no other place I've ever been. Felt like I was on another planet.

      *blushes* at Lauren's kind words :)

      Delete
  3. GeorgetteApril 23, 2012 at 6:05 PM

    I'm a winter baby, and love Egyptian/World History. Hope i win it. Thanks for the guest post and giveaway!

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    1. LaurenApril 23, 2012 at 10:26 PM

      Thanks for entering Georgette! :)

      Delete
    2. Natalie StarApril 23, 2012 at 10:44 PM

      Yay, Georgette another winter baby! :)
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. M.A.D.April 23, 2012 at 6:14 PM

    Well, by golly, I'm a summer baby and I've always longed to visit Egypt, to stand beside the Sphinx and to take an evening tour of their famous Valley of the Dead! :D
    Congrats on the Keeper, it sounds great and I'm going to add it to my TBR list!

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    Replies
    1. LaurenApril 23, 2012 at 10:27 PM

      Don't worry... summer baby status notwithstanding we'll let you stay ;)

      Delete
    2. Natalie StarApril 23, 2012 at 10:52 PM

      M.A.D. ~ I'm sad to say out of the whole Egyptian experience, the only thing I was...hmmmm...how do I put this?
      ...I was not disappointed, but maybe sadly surprised that the Sphinx wasn't as large as I thought it would be in person. Still cool, nonetheless, to see it though! :)

      So happy you put The Keeper on your TBR list! I hope you enjoy it!

      And I just have to say that I am freezing at the moment. Sat all evening in cold wet weather to watch my daughters soccer game. I can't get warm :(

      Delete
  5. KateApril 23, 2012 at 11:44 PM

    I'm a little jealous that you've been to Egypt.

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    Replies
    1. Natalie StarApril 24, 2012 at 12:07 AM

      Awww don't be, just put it on your wish list and maybe one day you will get there! :)

      Delete
    2. LaurenApril 24, 2012 at 3:56 PM

      I'm jealous too... although I would feel unsafe in any foreign country!!

      Delete
    3. Natalie StarApril 24, 2012 at 6:55 PM

      Yeah, I did feel a little uneasy, and that was how many years ago? Nowadays I think it's probably worse, but given the opportunity I would do it again! :)

      Delete
  6. Sian BarnettApril 24, 2012 at 8:05 AM

    The Keeper sounds great :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Natalie StarApril 24, 2012 at 1:45 PM

      Awww thanks, Sian!

      I can't take full credit for the blurb (if that's what you're talking about). My editor's helped me with it. It was very hard for me to put 224 pages into a few paragraphs LOL.

      I hope you get to read it one day! If you like the blurb, then you will think the book is even better ;)

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
    2. LaurenApril 24, 2012 at 3:57 PM

      The book is even better than the blurb!! :)

      Delete
  7. aldelei89April 27, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    Egypt is one of my dream destinations. :) the pyramids of Giza and all.. i wanna see a sphinx! HAHA

    and a paranormal romance with lots of unpredictable twists and turns would be a great read.. thanks for the chance to win a copy of it. :)

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    1. Just NatalieApril 27, 2012 at 3:24 PM

      I've been to over a dozen different countries and Egypt is by far my favorite. Hmmm I might have to add some photos of Egypt to my fan page on facebook for everyone to gander at.

      Thank you for commenting Aldelei89! =)

      Delete
  8. silverywebApril 27, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    My family and I love watching documentaries about Egypt, it is so fascinating, from the pyramids, to the mummies, and the rich history. Thank you for the guest post and givewaway. It is always interesting to get a glimpse into the writer behind the stories.

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    1. Just NatalieApril 27, 2012 at 3:27 PM

      Yes, me too! And I can't help but grab a National Geographic magazine when something Egyptian is on the cover!

      I love to chat about me, my family, my travels... anything you want to know, just ask ;)

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. Michelle SedeñoApril 30, 2012 at 3:06 AM

    I want to win coz the book's interesting!

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    Replies
    1. Just NatalieApril 30, 2012 at 2:16 PM

      Thanks for commenting Michelle! Hope you have a wonderful day! =)

      Delete

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