Fallen Angel Reviews is excited to welcome a new author making waves and taking no prisoners in the world of erotic romance. Nathalie Gray is here with us this evening and we want to give her a big welcome from Fallen Angel Reviews!! Hi Nathalie, I want to thank you for taking a breather from your massive workload of coming soon projects to sit with us this evening.

Okay, where are the peanuts? I want some peanuts, dammit! What kind of place doesn’t give peanuts to its guests! *surprised look on her face* Oh, are we on? So sorry, er, um...hi! Yeah, lots coming soon from me. If I don’t give a stage to the voices in my head, they tend to take over. No one in my house wants that.

In your introduction I used the term “new” rather loosely. I have to tell readers, just in case they aren’t aware, that with your new book, Bain’s Wolf, you will have six published novels with Ellora’s Cave alone. Not to mention the dozen plus coming soons, completed, or in progress books you have under your belt. So Nathalie can we now move you over to the master’s section with the other wizards of writing?

Nope. I’m not moving from my Newbie Seat. I like it here, ‘cause it’s lower and I get to see up the writing wizards’ noses. Way too fun to move. But yeah, Bain’s Wolf is number six. If anyone would’ve told me, just last year even, that I would’ve published six novels in the span of a year, I would’ve smacked them upside the head just for teasing. But I have to thank my Ellora’s Cave editor, Madame M. for that. She brings it all out of me, all the kooky characters, the twisted storylines, the pestilential villains...and she never laughs at me when I goof. And oh, can I take my size nine-and-a-half foot and put it into my mouth!

Something that has stood out when I think of a Nathalie Gray book is the type of heroines you create. The commonality in all of your released works is strong, resourceful, and technically savvy women. Yet they are still sexy and uninhibited. How did you come up with such an appealing balance that works and keeps readers running back for the next great woman you will grace us with?

I like strong people, not necessarily loud and pig-headed, just strong in their knowledge of themselves and others. It’s a question of taste, really. I don’t like sniveling heroines or overbearing jackasses for heroes. If a heroine takes half the book to look the guy in the eye, then shoot me now because that book will have a close encounter of the plaster kind with one of the walls! On the other hand, nothing tickles my inner Chihuahua more than getting my hands on a book where the h/h are equals, where there’s give and take and a sense of balance between the two. That’s probably why I come up with those characters in my own books.

As a “new” author I want to know if you have any creative input with your cover art. Your books have such visually appealing covers that it’s hard to move from the cover to the actual story. “Not too hard of course”

Ahhh, the cover art. Now THAT is one of my favorite things in the whole world (except watching cute soccer players stretching). At Ellora’s Cave, an author is asked to fill out a form where you can put as much detail as you want (character description, a scene you think encompasses well the story, settings, mood, etc). Aren’t they just, like, the super best?! Ellora’s Cave, she rocks. Me, I put enough detail to make three books! All of my covers are fantabulous. They’re all different from one another, I mean, you can’t compare Hot Target to Timely Defense to Demo Derby, but they’re all face-melting!

You’ve written stories with vampires, shifters, in futuristic worlds, and sci-fi realms that some of us average people could never have dreamed of. Which genre is your favorite and where does your motivation for such great stories come from?

Futuristic is my favorite, and believe it or not, historical (especially with paranormal elements like Wolfsbane). There’s a lot of freedom in writing speculative fiction. You get to be the Evil Overlordess of the Most Supremest Exatificated Dominion...you define the laws of nature, of the entire cosmos, MWA HA HAAA!!! Sorry, got carried away. But seriously, with spec fiction, you have free reign. As long as everything is plausible and that you don’t spring crazy stuff like suddenly-the-hero-remembers-that-this-button-will-annihilate-all-the-bad-guys-in-the-galaxy on your readers. My motivation is simple: I love those stories; love to read them, so I love to write them.

To date Nathalie you’ve published with Ellora’s Cave only. Are there any plans in the works to contract with a mainstream print publisher or another well known e-publishing company?

I have what I call My Big Honking Books. They’re “straight” fantasy stories, no love, just action, that I submit to other publishers. We’ll see where it takes me. I have all the creative liberty I want with Ellora’s Cave, can write stories with all the love I want, with as many people as I want...I know a good deal when I spot one, baby. Plus, I’m loyal to a fault. My first readers, the ones who took a chance on me when I had nothing to show, who gave life to my second career are the ones for whom I write. Unless the erotic romance readers kick my a$$ to the curb and stop buying my books, I’ll write for them as long and as hard as I can. *Anyone has a tissue?*

Bain’s Wolf is your current release. Can you tell FAR readers a little bit about the story? What can we expect from this highly anticipated book?

Ooooh, Bain’s Wolf is the story of one of my most reviled and e-mail-generating villains. In book one, the guy was odious, a real brute. But he had his reasons, see, and I always felt that I’d shortchanged him by not giving him the opportunity to tell us about his life. He’s had an interesting one, so I felt that the readers would trust me enough to present him to them in another light. Plus, he’s yummy, so there! In Bain’s Wolf, you can expect danger, a secluded and menacing man, a mended soul, redemption in the arms of one kooky woman, and old evil to finally relent and give the guy a break!

By the way congratulations on the numerous nominations and awards your first three titles received. Of all the nominations is there one that has a special place in your heart? Or is there a coveted award you feel is an indicator of you “making it” as a writer that you want to see on your award shelf one day?

Is there a contest somewhere where they give trophies in the form of golden penises? I think I’d like one of those. Imagine you put a thing like that on your mantelpiece...imagine the face on your friends when they come around for coffee...oh man, that’d be priceless. I cherish every single review, e-mail and award I get. Every *single* one. That a reader takes the time to e-mail me and tell me they liked (or didn’t) one of my books has as much weight and tickles my inner Chihuahua the same as receiving an award. So keep them coming!

Since your fan base comes from all over the world are there any plans to publish your stories in multiple languages?

Not that I know. But Ellora’s Cave has started a line of Spanish titles! Go check it out.

Do you see erotica becoming as mainstream as the Harlequins of the past or do you feel erotic stories will be for a specialized reader base only?

Mainstream fare, yes, definitely. I think it’s already happened, as a matter of fact. People are acting all “wooo, ooh la la” but it’s been there for ages and ages. But you know what, I don’t get involved in all the mud-slinging and blog exchanges about where erotic romance is going and where it should be “allowed” and whatnot. I just write what the voices in my head tell me to. All that political crap, I leave to my betters.

As you look over your year of what I’m sure was full of crazy deadlines, edits galore, multiple releases, and a readership that continues to expand, what path do you see your writing career taking and what are some of your plans for the future?

2005 and 2006 were c.r.a.z.y.! But in a fun way! Deadlines and edits are fine by me, I’ve always been able to meet the first and love doing the second. As for my readership, I’m getting e-mails on a regular basis now, my books appear in magazines, I have folks who come to my site from all over the world! Writing is a riot! Plans for the future include but are not limited to: world domination, writing until my fingers bleed, convincing the voices in my head to use a recording device so I can get some sleep, keep doing what I do now.

Now that we’ve talked about your books a little our readers would love to have a personal look at the woman behind the work. On your website are pictures of some pretty interesting places. As a Canadian who now lives in Germany, what are some of the fascinating places you’ve had a chance to visit?

Yeah, an uprooted French Canadian in Germany...I used to have a funny accent, you should hear it now. The one place that has a special place in my heart is London. You hear about London and you think, it’s so big, it’s gonna be nasss-teeee. It’s not only one of the most gorgeous and dignified cities in the world, the people are SO friendly! My men and I would take the subway (the Tube, over there) and get lost or whatever, and every time we’d stop someone to ask for help, they’d unfailingly be nice and helpful. Coming from such a big city, I wasn’t expecting that. London rocks! I also love Italy. The men, I tell you, the men. *sigh*

Just because you made this bold statement about soccer players being the sexiest men on the planet. I have to ask if you had to pick the sexiest three from this gene pool of athletic talent who would they be?

Just three? My, you’re just being evil there, Rachelle! Let me see. The first three who come to mind are Luis Figo (Portugal), David Beckham (England) and Fabio Cannavaro (Italy).

And on a funny note, compared David Beckham and my cover for Bain’s Wolf...is it me having wet dreams awake or do they look alike?!

When you are in need of some alone time, what are your favorite ways to relax and let loose?

I lock myself in the bathroom and read in the tub. Yes, it sounds corny and, well, a bit unsophisticated, but when you have a seven year old running around loose and asking a ton of questions from where do planets come from and why are your legs jiggly, you’ll take your down time where you can. Oh and chocolate. I love chocolate in any shape, flavor or form. Do they have soccer players made of chocolate? Better yet, chocolate-covered soccer players...ahhhh.

I’ve taken up a lot of your time so far, but wondered if you could tell our readers about some of the upcoming projects you’re working on?

Okay, I’m, like RIGHT NOW, working on Femme Metal 3...so folks, stop e-mailing me and threatening to paint my toenails pink, I’m working on it. If Ellora’s Cave contracts it, it should come out some time next spring. Then I have two historical books, back to back (one is a tortured knight returning from the crusade, and another time travel/humor...imagine a lawyer stuck in medieval Europe...oh yes, he shall suffer). I have a futuristic/werewolf trilogy coming out this January (first book, anyway), and I’m part of the Torrid Tarot series, my card is Il Tempo (or The Hermit in some other decks) and it’s about a world that exists only during the carnival in Venice then goes into oblivion after those eleven days...now imagine falling in love with one of the guys on the other side...yeah, quality time takes a whole new meaning, right! My strange brain is also percolating another series, this one paranormal, with lots of beautiful men and smart ladies. So many story ideas, such a short lifespan for humans!

Nathalie, thank you for taking time to sit down with me this evening so our readers and your fans could get to know you better. Before we leave could you let us know where we can find additional information about your amazing books and any upcoming chats, appearances, or book signings?

Info on my books starts with my site (I have links to just about everything) at www.nathaliegray.com Ohh, almost forgot, I’ll be making a fool of myself up close and personal on the next RT Convention in Houston. I’m going to TEXAS, baby! I can’t wait and intend to meet with as many people as I can. So if you see this tall gangly geek with platinum-spiky hair, it’s me! Come say hi : ) Upcoming chats, oh yeah, plenty of that. Here it is in semi-logical manner:

- Love Romances Cafe Yahoo group, 10 October, 10 pm ET
- Writerspace EC chat, 23 October, 8 pm ET

Thanks Rachelle, you ladies at Fallen Angel Reviews rock! *Now can I have my peanuts?*

Interviewed by: Rachelle