Character Interviews,  Gay or MM

Character Interview: Nat Seddon from Burning Ashes @HLewisFoster #RLFblog #LGBT

Burning Ashes
H Lewis-Foster, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. we’re
excited to interview your character, Nat Seddon from the book, Burning Ashes.
Genre: Gay Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover artist: Leah Kaye Suttle
Length: 200 pages
Heat rating: Sensual
Tagline: Sporting rivalry turns to passion in a tale of true
love and cricket.
Blurb: Intelligent and confident, Australian cricketer Nat Seddon
is one of the world’s best bowlers. He’s openly gay, but keeps his private life
to himself, with everything under control. But on the last day of his team’s Ashes
tour of England, he meets Scott
Alverley, England’s
promising new batsman. Nat tries not to be attracted to Scott, but he can’t help
finding the privileged young man handsome and endearing. Nat is tempted by a little
end of tour fun, but finds himself playing agony uncle to a virgin. Instead of going
home to bask on a beach, he spends a wet week in the north of England with Scott.
Try as he might to resist, he can’t help falling hopelessly in love.
The hectic sporting calendar is a persistent obstacle to their
growing romance; Nat and Scott are rarely even on the same continent. They make
the most of the time when they can be together, but the months apart take a toll
on Scott, professionally and personally. The possible solutions are nearly unthinkable,
but if they are willing to make sacrifices that will change their lives forever,
they might hold on to the love they found in the Ashes.
Buy links:
Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4255
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Burning-Ashes-ebook/dp/B00FS1RTXC/
What are your main characters’
names, ages, and occupations?
Nat and Scott are professional cricketers. Nat Seddon is 27 years
old and plays for Australia,
while Scott Alverley is 21 and plays for England.

Interview with Nat Seddon

Tell us about yourself.
Hi there. My name’s Nat Seddon. I’m a professional cricketer
and, as I’m sure you can tell from my accent, I play for Australia. I’m a fast bowler, which
means I have to keep myself pretty fit, and at six feet five, there’s quite a lot
of me to keep fit. I love cricket, but when I’m not playing or training, there’s
nothing I like more than curling up with a good book and a glass of wine.
Tell us about Scott.
I know this’ll sound really soppy, but Scott is the only man
I’ve ever loved. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t a virgin when we met, but my sexual
partners had always been friends and nothing more. But then I met Scott and everything
– and I mean everything – changed. I don’t
mind admitting I was a bit uptight before I met Scott. I was always in control of
my life and I didn’t let anyone get too close. We spend so much time travelling
in this job, I didn’t want the heartbreak of a long-distance relationship, but the
moment I met Scott, well…I tried so hard not to fall for him, but there wasn’t a
damn thing I could do about it.
Scott couldn’t be more different from me. He’s got wavy blond
hair and he’s quite slender for a sportsman. And let’s face it, he could be a catwalk
model. I still get shivers just looking at him sometimes. He’s the most beautiful
man I’ve ever met–and the scattiest. He’s so disorganized and he comes up with the
daftest ideas. You’d never think he passed his exams with flying colours at that
posh school he went to. But he’s also the sweetest, kindest man I know. He’ll probably
drive me nuts when we finally get to live together, but I don’t care. I love him
and that’s all there is to it.
What do you think is your strongest point?
I think most people would say it’s my dedication to my work.
I dread to think how many hours I’ve spent in the gym and the practice nets over
the years. I want to help my team win, whatever it takes, and I suppose I’ve brought
that same dedication to my relationship with Scott. I hate it when we’re apart just
as much as he does. I guess I’m not capable of doing anything by halves.
What was it like where you grew up?
I grew up in Brisbane.
My mum is a doctor and my dad’s a barrister, so I had a pretty comfortable childhood.
I went to a good school and I had some great friends, so I really can’t complain.
I got a bit of stick when I came out, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Mum was amazing.
She was so supportive, whereas Dad…let’s just say I steer clear of my father if
I can. He’s never come to terms with what he calls my ‘lifestyle choice’. The truth
is he can’t stand the thought of his only son with another man. We’re civil to each
other for Mum’s sake, but that’s as far as it goes.
As a child, who was your best friend? Tell us about him/her.
My best friend at school was Andy—he’s a writer now and still
a good mate. We had so much fun together and got into all sorts of scrapes. I told
Andy I was gay when we were fifteen—he was the very first person I told. He shook
my hand in this really grown up way and said, “That’s all right, mate. Makes
no difference to me.” Then he got together with our other friends, Mark and
Barry, and they swore to beat the crap out of anyone who gave me any trouble. I
was big enough and strong enough to look after myself, but it was great to know
they were all on my side.
Describe a place of perfect refuge.
That would have to be Honeysuckle Cottage, Scott’s parents’ place
in the Lake District. We went there the day after
we met, and we really got to know each other there. It was where we made love for
the first time too, and you never forget that. There’s an open fire and cozy sofas,
and shelves overflowing with books. The views of the countryside are breathtaking,
and the housekeeper, Mrs B, keeps the fridge stocked with delicious food, which
Scott is only too happy to cook. So I’d be glad to hide away with Scott in Honeysuckle
Cottage any time. Good food, good books and the man I love. What more could a guy
want?

About the Author

H Lewis-Foster has worked with books,
in one form or another, since leaving university. As a keen reader of gay fiction,
she decided to try writing herself, and is now the proud author of several short
stories and a debut novel.
H. has lived in various parts of the
UK and has recently moved to
the north of England,
where she’s enjoying city life, especially the theatres and cinemas. She tries not
to watch too much television, but is a big fan of Downton Abbey, and while she’s
writing, she loves listening to Test Match Special (where they spend far more time
talking about cakes than cricket!)

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