Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
UNCHAIN MY HEART is book 2 in my Mephisto series. Here’s a bit about it:
What’s a bad girl to do when the world won’t let her be good …
With her thirtieth birthday looming, actress Natasha Bernard wants to reinvent herself as something other than Hollywood’s favorite villainess. When she hears rumors that a tell-all exposé reveals details of her love life with her rockstar ex, she decides to put a stop to it. Even if that means confronting his bandmate, Richard Mac—the man who let the world brand her with a scarlet 'A.'
She's his nemesis ... his secret obsession ... and the only woman who can incinerate his life ...
Guitarist Richard Mac is a control freak, whether he’s working on a new album or using his custom leather toys in the bedroom. When “Hurricane” Natasha storms back into his life, he risks everything to claim her. But he can’t risk losing control and letting her guess his darkest secret … that she’s the one woman he’s always wanted and could never have …
Do you have a favorite character?
Don’t tell Sloan (the hero of book 1) but Richard Mac is secretly my favorite. It isn’t just the long Viking hair (though that helps.) I enjoy his dry sense of humor and the layers to his personality. He’s much quieter than Sloan, but there’s so much going on beneath the surface. He’s the quintessential bad boy—rock guitarist with a wicked reputation and a penchant for kink, but beneath that rough surface he has a brilliant mind and a loyal heart.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all? Did the character become the hero/heroine of their own book?
YES! Readers who read ROCK MY HEART, Mephisto book 1, met Richard Mac, Sloan’s frenemy and bandmate. Mac totally started out as the villain before I realized I had a series on my hands. Let me tell you, I was 100% insane to have Sloan’s ex-wife end up as Mac’s love interest. I can’t tell you how many times I thought my head was gonna explode as I was trying to write the dang story.
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
I did initially try the traditional publishing route. I got some good feedback from a couple of agents before receiving those dreaded rejection letters. I finally decided to indie-publish last year, and I’m so glad I made that decision. I have zero regrets. Indie publishing requires a ton of work. But this way, I have complete control over every aspect of my career.
Do you regularly send out a newsletter? How are you recruiting new subscribers? Do you have a reader magnet?
I don’t send out newsletters as often as I should. Need to get over that mindset of not wanting to bother people and remind myself that the people who sign up *actually* want to hear from me! I just wrote an adorable bonus chapter featuring Sloan and Maddy (the couple from book 1) as a reader magnet. Readers can sign up here to get that free bonus chapter and hear from me: https://BookHip.com/JNFRWTT
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
I pour a cup of coffee, sit at my laptop, and write. I try to aim for at least 1000 words before I take a break. Some days it flows. Some days it doesn’t. Some days my process is analog, with a 3-subject notebook and a pen. Freeing my brain from staring at a screen gives my muse “permission” to write shitty first drafts. I’ve recently been experimenting with voice-to-text apps, such as Otter, but the transcription fidelity isn’t high enough yet for my needs.
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
I wish I was a “plotter.” Alas, I am an unrepentant “pantser.” Often, I’m in the midst of a scene when some new twist happens or some tiny detail becomes plot relevant, and I have one of those “Eureka” moments. It’s fun when it works. And frustrating the other 98% of the time. I’ve gotten better about outlining before I dive into writing the story, with the knowledge that my outline will inevitably be revised along the way as I become better acquainted with my characters.
What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
Marketing or bust! I cannot overemphasize the importance of understanding marketing, writing to market, and creating a consistent brand message, especially as an indie author. Your book can be the most amazing thing in the English language, but without a marketing push, it’s likely to fall into the depths of the Amazon rankings very quickly. I’ve also learned there are a metric f*ck-ton of people out there marketing themselves as indie publishing “professionals”. Some of them may have the credentials to be worth whatever they’re charging. But it is way too easy to build yourself a fancy website and bill yourself as an “expert” on the internet. In other words, indie authors need to DO THEIR RESEARCH before investing in anything that promises to help them with their career.
Is your book(s) in Kindle Unlimited or is it wide? What percentage of royalties does page reads represent if in KU?
My books are in Kindle Unlimited. Easily 80-90% of my earnings this last year have been KU payouts. I have mad respect for the authors who are finding success by going wide. I’ve heard it’s possible, but incredibly difficult.
What’s next for you?
I need to dive into Mephisto book 3, which features Micah Donovan, the band’s broody, moody, mysterious drummer … and his plucky paparazzo love interest.
Unchain My Heart
Nadia Blair
(Mephisto, #2)
Publication date: May 10th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
What’s a bad girl to do when the world won’t let her be good …
With her thirtieth birthday looming, actress Natasha Bernard wants to reinvent herself as something other than Hollywood’s favorite villainess. When she hears rumors that a tell-all exposé reveals details of her love life with her rockstar ex, she decides to put a stop to it. Even if that means confronting his bandmate, Richard Mac—the man who let the world brand her with a scarlet ‘A.’She’s his nemesis … his secret obsession … and the only woman who can incinerate his life …
Guitarist Richard Mac is a control freak, whether he’s working on a new album or using his custom leather toys in the bedroom. When “Hurricane” Natasha storms back into his life, he risks everything to claim her. But he can’t risk losing control and letting her guess his darkest secret … that she’s the one woman he’s always wanted and could never have …
Author Bio:
Nadia Blair writes steamy contemporary romance featuring outrageous bad boys and gutsy girls who give as good as they get. She has a thing for snappy dialog, humorous situations, and swoon-worthy happily-ever-afters.
When she's not having conversations with fictional people, she enjoys summer thunderstorms, top-shelf whiskey, and rockin' out to a classic guitar solo.
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