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NBH: In my opinion, book reviewers are often given too much power in that readers base their buying habits on them. If a reviewer says a book is good, readers are more apt to buy it. If they say a book is bad, readers will avoid it like the plague. That is not always a good thing on which to base one’s book-buying because reviewers are people, too. They have good and bad days like everyone else and they are reflected in their reviews. Reviews are also subjective and are based on the reviewers’ opinions, prejudices, life experiences, etc. Some reviewers are fair, others are too happy to berate an author’s work. There’s a popular notion that some reviewers are frustrated authors who were unable to get their books published. That could have a grain of truth in it because some reviewers chop up books like crazy and find every fault with them. I think the best reviewers look at the technique, then critique the books, but also find some good in them. However, there are many more good and fair reviewers than bad.

In terms of online reading groups and literary discussion groups, I say God bless them! They are the best thing to happen to authors since computers and the Internet. They have embraced the authors with open arms and have done a lot to spread the word about their books. They make authors feel like a million dollars when they organize events around them and draw readers who enjoy the written word. I am a member of several online book clubs, including an erotica book club. I’m also a part of innumerable literary discussion groups. They are great because they help authors stay in the loop and it’s wonderful to meet people in person after you’ve spoken with them online. About your question relative to me reviewing, the answer is yes. I’m a Senior Reviewer for Romance In Color and I also review for QBR Magazine.

ACR: I’ve heard a lot of authors either don’t have time to read others, and some who don’t want to get distracted by reading while working on their own stuff…Do you read your contemporaries? If so, who do you admire most, and why?

NBH: I read an eclectic mix of genres and authors. Some of my favorites are:

John Grisham -- because he makes the law as interesting and nail-biting as it can be. He’s a wonderful writer.

Brenda Jackson -- I lose myself in her work because it epitomizes romance and she is an expert when it comes to writing spicy love scenes, I’m in for a treat whenever I read her books.

Beverly Jenkins -- because not only is she a first-class writer, but I learn so much history when I read her works.

Rochelle Alers -- because she, too, captures the essence of romance and makes it her own in her novels. Her writing mechanics are impeccable and her writing has that special something something that keeps me riveted.

Gwynne Forster -- Very few writers can match her incredible skills. She has an incredible command of the language. Put all of that together with a great story and her work is a pageturner.

Donna Hill -- because she has a wonderful gift of writing and does it well. Her work is highly emotional and has kept me up nights as well as made me shed some tears. She did her job as an author if she is able to make that happen. Thus, I am able to identify with her rich characters.

Leslie Esdaile--because like Donna, she takes readers to the depths of the characters’ soul and makes you feel what they feel. Also, her stories are downright funny. She has a gift of humor.

Loure’ Bussey -- because her romances are ultra glamorous and she transports readers to a place of perfect love and peaceful romance. This creates a special world and holds them captive until the end.

Tracy Price-Thompson -- because her stories are slices of life and boast universal themes. Her stories are also pageturners and are humorous without her even realizing how gifted she is for writing comedy.

ACR: That’s a powerful group of writers you have there! Do you consider yourself a “romance writer?” Describe your writing style.

NBH: Yes, I consider myself a romance author in every sense of the word. I follow the romance formula to the letter. My writing style is light and romantic. I can tell that I have a journalism background because journalists have a certain style in their writing. It’s straightforward, not too flowery and gets straight to the point. I’m sure that others will recognize that as well. I didn’t intend to do so, but my work always contains suspense or crime elements in it. I aimed to write straight contemporary romance novels, but I wound up writing romantic suspense novels. I have no idea how or why that happened. I try to keep my style accessible and real and the themes universal so that readers from all walks of life can identify with my books.

ACR: As I’m constantly telling you, I love your writing style! I met you for the first time at the recent Romance Slam Jam in Atlanta trying to get information from you to do this interview…what was your impression of seeing a man there who professes to want to learn the romance genre?

NBH: It warms my heart to see a man reading romance novels and enjoying them. I think a man who wants to know more about the romance genre should be commended because he’ll probably hear a lot of smack from his boys about reading “those kind of novels.” Such a man is probably warm, sensitive and open-minded as well as a diehard romanticist. Frankly, that’s my kind of man and I’d say there’s nothing with a man openly reading romance novels. I love to see men perusing the bookstore. I always smile at them and usually, we strike up a conversation about them and those men know their romance books and are passionate about them!

ACR: Who impressed you most there and why?

NBH: Three people impressed me most there. They were:

1. Tracee Garner - This young lady is most impressive because she doesn’t feel sorry for herself and let her disability get in her way of what she wants to do. She’s positive, dedicated and is a very hard worker. I know that life isn’t easy for her at times, but she puts that on the back burner and deals. She had a dream of being a published author and she went for it. She finished the book and sold it. Whenever I feel like having a pity party, I think about her and that gets me back on track. And she is the nicest, sunniest person one could ever meet. In my opinion, she’s truly a light and an inspiration.

2. Sha-Shana Crichton - Some agents are into that profession for the money and their authors become numbers. The ones selling the most books will receive the most attention. I didn’t get that impression about her. She talked about how she talks to authors when it is convenient for them. She also talked about how she gets the deals for her authors that will result in longevity and build their careers, not necessarily garner them the fattest royalty purse. That spells vision, in my book, and I foresee a great career for her if she continues in that vein. I believe she will become one of the most in-demand agents real soon.

3. Brenda J. Woodbury - Besides being a wonderful person and a friend, she’s also a fantastic listener. We bonded on an emotional level this Slam Jam because we had a common experience that we could share with each other. Talking to her gave me strength. I was impressed with her because she didn’t allow a terrible life event to make her stop living. Instead, she became a romance reader, publicist, fan and it opened her up to a whole new world. She’s one of the nicest and most supportive people I ever met.

ACR: By your own projections and aspirations, what’s in the future for you as far as your career is concerned? What are you working on now?

NBH: For my future, all I can hope for is the best. I am working on securing an agent and I have spoken to someone about becoming my publicist. I have written proposals for a couple of novella anthologies and will be pitching them to various houses shortly. I hope to become more well-known in the industry and with romance readers. Currently, I’m completing my second novel and plotting my third. I have an idea for a family and will be creating them in a minute. I write down tidbits here and there. I’m also pulling together the pieces for a pre-writing notebook for a book idea that has haunted me for years. I believe that is the book of my heart. Every author has one. I’m also taking a promotional workshop for authors as well as teaching a class on characterization for an online group called Authors Supporting Authors Positively (ASAP). I am co-chairperson of the promotions department for that organization, along with Donna Hill. I will also be teaching a class on point-of-view for the Shades Of Romance Magazine website. I’m currently working on learning new desktop publishing software that will allow me to create even more promotional items to promote my work. I almost forgot. I am working on a book about writing the ethnic romance. It is nearly completed. Slowly but surely, I am setting up a promotions design business called Count It All Joy Promotions so I can design promo materials for authors. My business will be up and running soon. I think that’s all for now. As you can see, my plate is full! On a final note, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank The Romer Review for taking the time to interview me. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be forever grateful.

ACR: It certainly was my pleasure, Nathasha. I wanted to capture the essence of the real you, and to give readers, yet another good author who deserves shelf life among the preferred literati.