Guest Author, Antonia Van Zandt. What's a nice girl like you...

We are excited to welcome Guest Author, Antonia Van Zandt today!

I'm going to turn things over to Antonia to tell us whatever she wants us to know...or perhaps what we most want to know, but might be hesitant to ask...lol...

What’s a Nice Girl Like You…

OK, I’ll finish off the question. “What’s a nice girl like you doing writing naughty books?”

Depending on who is asking, and the circumstances we find ourselves in, my answer varies from, “I enjoy doing the research” (usually accompanied by a grin and a wink), to “Well, if E.L. James can make a fortune out of it, why shouldn’t I have a go?”

Responses vary. To the latter, many people nod their heads in agreement while still giving me sideways looks, as if to say, “Does she, or doesn’t she?”. To the former, I have received some interesting propositions…

There is however, one common denominator that writers of sexy fiction continually encounter, that writers in other genres don’t. The majority of people we meet believe we can only write about erotic (and exotic) sex if we are at it like rampant bunnies day and night, experimenting with every conceivable position (and some inconceivable ones), trying out sex toys of every possible shape, size and configuration and lounging around in see through negligees. Oh, and if we include bondage in our stories, we must have clamped nipples, whips, handcuffs, and piercings in interesting places.

Oh, please!

Did J.K. Rowling go to a school for witches? Was Agatha Christie Belgian? Did H.G. Wells transport himself millions of years into the future and then come back to tell the tale of his time machine?

So, why oh why, do so many people believe you can only write about - shall we say – creative sexual practices if you’ve actually done it all and can’t get enough of it?

In my latest novella, Seducing Amanda, my main character is a loner. She’s not had the easiest of lives and she is relieved to be rid of both a controlling, bullying father and an abusive husband. She is swept away by the attentions of a beautiful, mysterious couple who just appear one day but seem to have been part of her house since long before she inherited it.

The story popped into my head one day as I was in what I call ‘muse’ mode. This is when I try not to concentrate on anything in particular, but just relax and let thoughts swim around in my head. I find it creatively productive. It helps that I live in an old house that creaks at night and has plenty of dark corners. It lends quite a lot to the imagination. The character of Amanda came to me first and then this ghostly couple, bringing sizzling passion and joy into her life.

Is she me? No. In no way does she resemble me, either physically or psychologically, nor does she resemble anyone I know. Are the couple based on anyone I know? No. Have I ever been made love to by a ghost? No. All the ideas poured into my head and my fingers tapped away at the keyboard until the story spilled out, with a beginning, a middle and an end.

It’s unashamedly adult and erotic, with a certain poignancy (particularly at the end). I hope my readers enjoy it and if they want to try out some of the bedroom action in the privacy of their own homes, I wish them much pleasure. Let me know how you get on…

Thank you, Antonia, for joining us, for sharing your talents and for spicing up the day after Christmas!

Readers:  It's not too late to buy yourself or someone else the holiday gift of Antonia's new book, Seducing Amanda.  Here is a a blurb on the book.  Enjoy!

Seducing Amanda – Antonia van Zandt

A lonely girl, a haunted house and a ghostly passion from the past…

Escaping from a disastrous marriage, Amanda Dalton seeks a chance to heal her troubled mind at Dalton Manor, the rambling Victorian mansion recently inherited from her aunt. Her new home seems the perfect place to recuperate, but the house has a secret or two of its own. A mysterious couple comes to call--a beautiful man and woman who share their passion and encourage Amanda to explore her deepest sexual fantasies. But who are they? Where have they come from? Why won’t they tell her their names?

When Amanda discovers she is not the first to enjoy a ménage a trois with the couple, she’s drawn in ever deeper. She combs the house for clues to their identity, her desire to learn the truth becoming an obsession. But her work proves fruitless. With Christmas coming, Amanda knows she will soon have to make a decision--one that will determine the rest of her life. The snow is falling as she sips her wine. In the corner of her room, the lights twinkle on the Christmas tree near the fire. All is still and quiet. Until there’s a knock at the door…

Buy Links

Amazon.com 
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes and Noble
All Romance Books

Antonia's Author's Bio

Antonia van Zandt grew up in the ancient city of Salisbury and is related to deposed European royalty. She now lives in Vienna, Austria with a collection of family paintings and a menagerie of cats

Web Links

www.antoniavanzandt.blogspot.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/antonia.vanzandt
https://twitter.com/AntoniavanZandt_._