Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Guest Blogger Natasha Moore -The Exhibitionist


Titles are so important, not just to draw readers’ interest in a story, but the title for me is often a jumping off point. Several years ago I noticed there were a lot of book titles like The Alchemist, The Reincarnationist, and The Alienist. As an erotic romance author, I couldn’t help but wonder what a story titled The Exhibitionist would be like.

So I set out to write it.

Now I’m in no way an exhibitionist. I’m one of those people who stay out of the spotlight, shy and quiet. A lot, in fact, like my heroine, Lydia, at the beginning of the story. She feels invisible and fights back in the only way she knows how. By daring someone to see her.

I have a lot of fun writing heroines who are not like me. Or at least heroines who dare to do things I could never do myself. Dance naked on the balcony of an apartment building? No way! But there must be enough of an exhibitionist in me that I can imagine what would drive someone to do something like that. And I can imagine what my heroine would feel when she realizes someone is watching her.

And I can envy her just a little bit. I could never be that brave.

My story didn’t end up with the title The Exhibitionist, in the end the story was too emotional for that. The title is See Me, and it is available now from Samhain. This is the blurb:

Through the eyes of desire…

These days, Lydia is feeling increasingly restless, and tired of being invisible. No one at work notices the nose-to-the-grindstone colleague dressed in business drab. Her neighbors don’t even know her name.

No one knows she burns off her frustration by dancing to her favorite music, alone in her apartment. No one knows her closet is a wardrobe divided: monochrome and flats by day, silk and stilettos by night. No one knows her secret ritual has slowly evolved into private stripping…then dancing naked on her tiny balcony, daring someone—anyone—to notice.

Then, at the apartment across the way, the curtains move.

Wes can’t believe what he’s been missing by working the night shift. He is drawn to the amazing woman whose every sensual move makes his body ache. And when she catches him watching, the evening explodes into an erotic fantasy. Afterward, though, she confesses she’s not all she seems. No way is this fiery siren as boring and unlovable as she claims.

And no way is he going to let her go without convincing her she is brave, beautiful…and the face he wants to see every morning.

Warning: Contains erotic dancing, stripping for a stranger, hot sex on the balcony, and lots of sexy shoes.

Thanks to the Nine Naughty Novelist for having me here today. Do you like to read or write stories about characters like you? Or would you rather live vicariously through a heroine who dares to do what you never could?

Natasha

SEE ME – Available now

FLAUNT IT – Coming soon

BOUND BY DESIGN – Still available

www.natashamoore.com

Natasha Moore fell in love with the written word as soon as she could read. As she grew up, she discovered romance and now enjoys the chance to add some extra sizzle to her stories. She writes sexy contemporary and erotic romance for Samhain, Ellora’s Cave and Red Sage. She lives in New York State with her real life hero who is happy to tell everyone that he’s her inspiration. They travel in their RV whenever possible. The great thing about writing is she can take it anywhere.

5 comments:

Meg Benjamin said...

Hi Natasha, welcome to the Naughty Nine! Yeah, I'd agree--having heroines who can do all the things we wouldn't do ourselves is definitely one of the bonuses of being a romance author!

Terri H said...

I love a heroine who is brave enough to do the things I would never do. Dancing naked on a balcony certainly fits in that category. :) This story sounds great, and I can't wait to read it.

Natasha Moore said...

Thanks for having me today, Meg.

Hi Terri. Hope you enjoy it :)

kelly said...

Welcome to the Naughty Nine, Natasha! This sounds like a great story - I totally love writing heroines who do things I wouldn't do and exhibitionism is definitely one of those things!

Natasha Moore said...

Hi Kelly! Thanks!