It was great to speak with award-winning author Natasha D. Frazier about her literary works, including her new novel, With Every Breath, Book 1, McCall Family Series, which was released on October 5, 2021. “I'm excited about Nina and Andrew's story,” Natasha says, “and I’m glad that it is now in the hands of readers.”
Back Cover Description
She has nothing to lose, but loving her could cost him everything. Is he willing to risk it all a second time around when she has less than thirty days to live?
Renowned motivational speaker Nina Marie Robinson has received a grim prognosis. With the little time she has left, she’s giving one last commencement speech at her alma mater Jackson State University and taking a well-deserved vacation to the Bahamas. Nina is also determined to show her college sweetheart she’s still in love with him, but can she convince him to drop everything and board that plane with her?
Andrew McCall is one step away from being promoted to professor at Jackson State University. If anything goes wrong, Andrew will find himself in the last place he wants to be—chief executive officer of McCall Resorts as his father’s successor. When Nina comes to town and requests that he accompany her to the Bahamas, will he have to choose between the woman he’s always loved and everything he’s worked for?
Character Interview
What is the title of your book? How did you come up with the idea for it?
I love second chance romances! I had a general idea about writing a second chance romance with college sweethearts that would reunite on a vacation but hadn’t quite come up with how it would happen. Earlier this year, I experienced sudden onsets of dizziness. At times, it felt like I was dying when the room would spin, and I hadn’t moved from my seat or bed. Scary thought! My doctor diagnosed me with vertigo and prescribed medicine and exercises for the dizziness.
After that, it hit me!
Boom!
I amped it up a thousand and put my main character, Nina, in a situation where she had to determine what was most important to her and decide what to do about it. Then, With Every Breath, was born.
Tell us about your main characters
Nina Marie Robinson and Andrew McCall are college sweethearts who reunite under somber circumstances. Nina is a motivational speaker who spent about ten years of her adult life encouraging women from all walks of life. But when she's diagnosed with terminal cancer, the only thing on her mind is reaching out to Andrew to make sure he knows she's always loved him and to spend the rest of her days with him. Andrew is at the pinnacle of his career in education at Jackson State University. In his mind, he's on track to becoming a tenured professor. All he has to do is perfect his research paper. If he isn't promoted, he promised his father he'd come home and run the family business, McCall Resorts. But leading his father's company is the last thing he wants to do. He's always loved Nina, but when he sees her again, he isn't too quick to open his heart up to her, especially because that interferes with his career plans. Nina asks Andrew to accompany her on a trip to the Bahamas and he'll have to decide if spending a couple of weeks with her is worth him potentially missing out on his promotion.
What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing this book?
Sometimes we live like we have a limitless amount of time, but when faced with the reality of our mortality, we change, and that’s what happens to Nina. That’s also what I’d like readers to know after reading this book. Our time on earth is limited. If you love someone, tell them. Share your love and the beauty that is you with the world while you still can. And remember, above all else, that God loves you and is always with you. You are called for His purpose.
Which scene in your book was the hardest to write?
The hardest scene(s) to write had to be when Nina received her diagnosis. I wanted to ensure I was being sensitive with the storyline and capture her true feelings because it is a touchy subject with the pain being very real for those who’ve had this health issue.
If your book became a movie who would play the characters?
Excellent question! This is the first book I've written where I cast my characters before I began the writing process. I even had the “cast” taped to my wall so they could speak to me during the writing process.
· Kim Brockington as Nina Marie Robinson.
· Aja Naomi King as Danielle Adams, Nina's assistant
· Lance Gross as Andrew McCall
· John David Washington as Darius McCall, Andrew's brother
· Ernie Hudson as Jeffrey McCall, Andrew's father
· Alfre Woodard as Rose McCall, Andrew's mother
Which scene in your book moved you the most?
Nina had pretty much given up, but Andrew had enough faith on her behalf to do what she didn’t have the will or strength to do. Against her wishes, but for her benefit, he sought another opinion. I love how he took her burdens upon his shoulders. That’s about as much as I can say without spoiling the story. 😊
What message do you hope readers will get out of reading your story?
God is sovereign and in control of everything in our lives. Even when things aren’t going our way, trust Him. Our story may not end the same as Nina and Andrew’s, but God has purpose for us, in everything we go through, to draw us closer to Him.
About Natasha
Natasha D. Frazier fell in love with love around the age of twelve because of artists like Babyface, Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and New Edition. Around sixteen when her mother purchased a romance novel and left it lying around the house untouched, Natasha read it and a spark for the written word had been ignited. Since 2012, Natasha has penned both fiction and devotional titles.
She believes that writing is one of her life’s purposes and contributions to the world. She feels accomplished when she can get a few words written and like blah when life gets in the way. Her hope is that at the end of every novel, readers will feel like they’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket with a mug of their favorite coffee/tea/warm drink.
Natasha is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Jackson State University Houston Area Alumni Chapter. She resides in Houston, TX area with her husband, Eddie Frazier, Jr. and their three children, Eden, Ethan, and Emilyn. Her greatest joy and commitment is to her family who she hopes to inspire above all else. One of her many mottos in life is: Faith removes limitations.
Connect with Natasha
Autographed copies: https://bit.ly/Breath13
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craves.2012
Website: http://www.natashafrazier.com/
