US readers take shine to Kiwi author

SUCCESS A BOON: Natalie Anderson's book, Ruthless Boss, Royal Mistress was placed 108th in a list published by USA Today, based on sales in the week to January 3.

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A Timaru woman's romance novel has made the top 150 books sold in the United States over the New Year.

Natalie Anderson's book Ruthless Boss, Royal Mistress was placed 108th in a list published by USA Today, based on sales in the week to January 3. The mother of four was delighted yesterday with the placing.

"It is a really big deal to me, especially when you see names like Stephen King and JK Rowling on the list."

Her book about "a billionaire businessman who teaches a spoiled heiress a lesson", has just been released in America by her publisher, Harlequin Presents.

USA Today has changed the way it tracks sales of books to include the romance novels. Anderson's book was one of six Harlequin Presents romance books to make the January 3 list.

"There are several Harlequin writers in New Zealand who are very successful so I think more New Zealanders will be hitting the list," she said.

The busy novelist moved to Timaru last January. She is currently working on her 14th romance novel, writing mainly at night when her husband is home.

"Now that the youngest [twins] are three they have started pre-school which gives me some time to write during the day."

She started writing after she had her first child seven years ago, and sold her first book in October 2006.

"My grandmother lived with us when I was growing up and she was a voracious reader of everything and she used to read a lot of Mills and Boons and I would read them, too.

"I liked the romance novels because they were fun and entertaining and there was happiness in them. I like the happy ever after stories."

She often gets letters from readers who say her stories gave them a nice escape from reality.

She finds inspiration for her books everywhere.

"At the end of the day the characters are still just people. They may have a jet-setting lifestyle but they are still dealing with the same issues or fears of rejection, of fear, of loss, that we all have."

- © Fairfax NZ News