Nina Rowan/Nina Lane-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Writing as Nina Lane: a multi-published author of elegant, romantic and often raunchy erotica. She used to write novels under the name Natasha Rostova and has published stories in anthologies such as “Best Women’s Erotica” and “Erotic Travel Tales.” Her work has been translated into both German and Japanese. She loves hot, lengthy descriptions, exotic locations, and tension stretched to breaking point.

Follow Nina Lane: Website / Facebook / Goodreads /

Writing as Nina Rowan:  Originally from California, Nina Rowan holds a PhD in Art History from McGill University, Montreal, with a specialization in 19th century French and Russian art. She began writing when she was an undergraduate at UCLA and lived a dual life as a student and a pseudonymous erotica author. She has studied Indian and Southeast Asian art and film, worked as a curatorial assistant at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and traveled in India and Europe.

A librarian-at-heart, she also holds an MA in Library and Information Sciences, a course of study that renewed a deep-seated interest in folklore and fairy tales. In addition to being an eternal student, or likely because of it, Nina possesses an abiding love for research that involves dusty, old books. She also thinks popcorn should be one of the four food groups. She lives in Wisconsin with her atmospheric scientist husband and two children.

Follow Nina Rowan: Website / Facebook / Twitter/ Goodreads

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Nina: I’m originally from California and now live in Wisconsin (where it’s much colder!). I’m a life-long student who has spent more years in college than I would like to admit, and I have degrees in Art History and Library Sciences. I’m the mother of two young children, and I’ve always been a collector of children’s picture books which I now share with my own kids.

I love popcorn, cooking competition shows, and traveling. One of my favorite trips was a visit to St. Petersburg, Russia, where I attended a month-long writing seminar. It’s no coincidence that my heroes are half-Russian! I read mostly when I’m waiting for my son to finish his karate lessons. I still love John Cusack and follow him on Twitter. I love to bake but never do because I’d eat way too much, and I’ve recently started a work-out boot camp that is both kicking my rear end and making me feel great.

TRC: You bio states that you have a PhD in Art History with a specialization in 19th century French and Russian Art. How has your degree aided your writing career? Storyline premises and ideas?

Nina: For me art history is all about visual storytelling, so that has definitely informed my writing as opposed to my career as a whole. When studying art history, I write about things like how different artists use materials, structure, texture, lines, and subjects to tell a story. I think about why artists chose to depict certain people, objects, or moments in time, or what methods they use to portray the setting and characters. When writing and researching historical romances, I ask myself similar questions in the hopes that such details will contribute to the overall integrity of the story. Also, looking at 19th century art can definitely spark ideas, especially since a lot of my ideas start with a specific scene.

TRC: Many authors face challenges in writing or getting their books to publication. What are some of the difficulties your have faced in your writing career?

Nina: I’ve always enjoyed writing about time periods and settings that are outside the norm (ie, not 19th century British), so that’s been a bit of a challenge since those are difficult to sell in traditional publishing. I’ve also had trouble pinning myself down to a specific genre, so I think it’s taken me longer to find my “writing voice” than I would have liked. Having said that, I now have wonderful collaborators and supporters with my agent, editor, and writing partners, not to mention the Grand Central team, so that’s a testament to the fact that difficulties can lead you right where you are supposed to be.

TRC: A STUDY IN SEDUCTION (written as Nina Rowan) was your September 2012 release. Would you please tell us something about the premise of this historical romance storyline?

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Nina: *A Study in Seduction* is a sexy Victorian romance centering on Lydia Kellaway, a brilliant mathematician, and Alexander Hall, a viscount fighting a family scandal. When Lydia challenges Alexander to a wager for a locket that contains a shattering secret, they clash in a war of resolve and hearts. Only one of them can win, but will the battle destroy their love?

TRC: Your storyline has been described as a sensual historical romance. What do you consider the differences between the usual historical romance novels and the addition of sensual to the categorization?

Nina: I think sensual historical romances are more explicit when it comes to descriptions of sexual attraction and the actual sex itself. I also think sometimes the female characters in sensual romances are more sexually experienced or in touch with their sexuality. That said, all romances center around the premise of both physical and emotional attraction, so I really think it’s just a matter of what the author chooses to emphasize or what direction serves the characters and plot the most effectively.

TRC: January 2013 saw the release of your erotic novel AROUSE: A Spiral of Bliss Novel written under the name Nina Lane. Would you please tell us something about the storyline premise?

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Click HERE for our review of AROUSE.

Nina: AROUSE is the first book in my new Spiral of Bliss series. It’s an erotic romance series, but it’s a bit different because it focuses on a married couple struggling with sudden difficulties in their blissful, lusty relationship. Professor Dean West is a brilliant scholar of medieval history, and his wife Olivia is utterly devoted to him…until she discovers that he has kept a secret from her for the duration of their marriage. The books focus on how Liv and Dean overcome mistrust and doubts, not to mention unexpected temptations, as they fight for both their love and each other.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the Spiral of Bliss series?

Nina: At least three, which will focus on Liv and Dean’s story. If readers enjoy the series, however, there are several other characters who have their own
stories to tell, and I’d be more than happy to write them down!

TRC: Where do you believe the line is drawn between erotic fictional romance vs sensually sexual storylines?

Nina: I think erotic romance has a stronger sexual “hook” — meaning that sex is a more intrinsically important aspect of a couple’s relationship. Whereas a sensual storyline may be explicit but sex is used less as a mechanism for a character’s arc and the progression of the couple’s relationship.

TRC: A PASSION FOR PLEASURE (Nina Rowan) is your April 2013 and second release in your Daring Hearts series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Pre-Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Click HERE for our review

Nina: *A Passion for Pleasure* involves Sebastian Hall, the second son of the Earl of Rushton. Sebastian is a renowned, affable musician who is suddenly confronted with the loss of both his career and his inheritance. Desperate for a new purpose in life, Sebastian agrees to help his brother Darius with a clandestine task. As part of this, he seeks out Clara Winter, a widow who works at her uncle’s Museum of Automata. Clara has a desperate, heart-wrenching goal of her own, and when she realizes Sebastian can help her attain it, she makes him an offer that will change both their lives forever.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Nina: Right now I have three, but there are 5 Hall siblings who all have stories to tell!

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends or, other authors. With whom do you bounce idea and why?

Nina: I have three great critique partners (Bobbi, Melody, and Rachel) who are awesome and help me a lot with brainstorming and figuring out character arcs. My editor Selina McLemore at Grand Central is a fantastic sounding board, and she knows what will resound well with readers and what likely won’t.

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Nina: Interesting question! I really just want to keep writing good books about characters and subjects that interest me. If I had to pick five specific life-related things, it would be to raise my children well and see them happily in high school and college, to be a successful writer, have traveled to places I’ve never been before, stay happy and healthy, and finally enjoy cooking as much as I do eating.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Nina: I’m working on book 3 of the Daring Hearts series, which involves the youngest Hall sibling and only sister, Talia Hall. She has forever been in love with their childhood friend James Forester, Baron Castleford, and finally she decides it’s about time he knows it!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Thanks for taking the time to interview me! I always love hearing from readers too, so anyone is free to write to me at nina@ninarowan.com

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Pizza

Favorite Dessert
Ice cream. Hands down.

Favorite TV Show
Next Iron Chef.

Favorite Movie
The Princess Bride.

Last Movie You Saw
Skyfall. (wow!)

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark, no question.

Last Vacation Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC.

Favorite Flower
Lantana.

Do you have any pets?
We used to have a dwarf hamster named Harry who has since left us, but we might get another one soon.

TRC: Thank you Nina for taking the time to answer our questions.Congratulations on the release of your latest novels. I am definitely looking forward to the next instalment in the Spiral of Bliss series.

Nina is offering a copy of A PLEASURE FOR PASSION and a copy of AROUSE (ebook or paper-winner’s choice) for giveaway. There will be TWO winners each receiving ONE of the books offered for giveaway.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment

3. Giveaway runs from April 3 to April 6, 2013

4. Giveaway is open to US and CANADA only.