“A Day in the Life” with Calgary author N.L. Blandford

If you meet N.L. Blandford, you’ve met a new friend. Natasha connects with people in a refreshingly engaging manner. Likewise, in reading her book, The Perilous Road to Her, you find characters that you immediately care about.

But that’s not the only thing that makes Natasha‘s debut novel a reflection of her – she’s warm and captivating and cares about social issues. In fact, her compassion for survivors of human trafficking has lead her to donate portions of the proceeds from this book’s sale to organizations that support them. A music fan, you’ll often hear her sing a few bars of the song tickling her brain.

A fiercely devoted sister and aunt, loving wife, and generous friend; Natasha will joyfully help out with a shoulder to cry on, an errand run, or a child distracted by an enthusiastic playmate. Personally, I can attest to having leaned on her for all of the above reasons and more — and she just keeps making me feel cared for and loved.

When she’s not working on her next book, you’ll find Natasha enjoying her day job as a fraud investigator, snuggling her cat Sebastian, hanging with her beloved husband, or walking her dog Watson. She also enjoys movies, reading a good book, or spending precious time drinking tea with friends.

N.L. Blandford - I had some fun with the photoshoot to find the right picture for the back of my books. This one wasn’t it, but I made everyone around me laugh!
N.L. Blandford – I had some fun with the photoshoot to find the right picture for the back of my books. This one wasn’t it, but I made everyone around me laugh!
N.L. Blandford - Authors tend to read with a more analytical mind. I tag prose I think was well written, reflect on what makes it beautiful, and how I might be able to improve my own skills.
N.L. Blandford – Authors tend to read with a more analytical mind. I tag prose I think was well written, reflect on what makes it beautiful, and how I might be able to improve my own skills.
Leaving the city to edit a manuscript is one of my favourite ways to get away from the distractions of everyday life. This was taken in October 2020 when I was in Canmore to edit The Perilous Road to Her.
Leaving the city to edit a manuscript is one of my favourite ways to get away from the distractions of everyday life. This was taken in October 2020 when I was in Canmore to edit The Perilous Road to Her.
N.L. Blandford - The pandemic means I work from home. I get up an hour early and write. Then I close one laptop and open the other. It may have been more than a year, but books still make a great laptop stand! Daily I find inspiration in the quote from Alicia Keys, from her memoir More Myself. Imposter syndrome can take many authors over, even myself. I try hard to wear my own kicks.
N.L. Blandford – The pandemic means I work from home. I get up an hour early and write. Then I close one laptop and open the other. It may have been more than a year, but books still make a great laptop stand!
Daily I find inspiration in the quote from Alicia Keys, from her memoir More Myself. Imposter syndrome can take many authors over, even myself. I try hard to wear my own kicks.
N.L. Blandford - Sebastian and Watson guard me most days while I investigate fraud for a financial institution.
N.L. Blandford – Sebastian and Watson guard me most days while I investigate fraud for a financial institution.
N.L. Blandford - When I am not working, or writing, I build miniatures. My sister-in-law got me into them and I find it very relaxing. The fine detail helps me focus on the task at hand, and not the stress of my day.
N.L. Blandford – When I am not working, or writing, I build miniatures. My sister-in-law got me into them and I find it very relaxing. The fine detail helps me focus on the task at hand, and not the stress of my day.
N.L. Blandford - Sebastian inevitably wants to sit on my lap while I am working, or writing.
N.L. Blandford – Sebastian inevitably wants to sit on my lap while I am working, or writing.
N.L. Blandford - My first batch of books that I gifted to beta readers and family. I used a pen name and I still have not gotten used to a different signature.
N.L. Blandford – My first batch of books that I gifted to beta readers and family. I used a pen name and I still have not gotten used to a different signature.

Which ‘hood are you in?

I have lived in Mount Pleasant for the past three years and am grateful to have found this neighbourhood. My husband and I enjoy daily walks with our dog, Watson, where we explore the diverse architecture. We are close to shops, restaurants, and our friends three blocks away. We spend many a weekend in their backyard watching movies.

What do you do?

This year marked my 15th year with a financial institution where I investigate fraud. However, I have added the author to my resume. There have always been stories inside my head begging to be put on the page and I now have the courage to share them with the world.

What are you currently working on?

The Perilous Road to Freedom is the next book in The Road Series. Without spoiling The Perilous Road to Her, it is a continuation of Olivia Beaumont’s battle with human traffickers. Olivia fights to maintain the desire to survive and her own mental demons, who urge her to give up.

The first draft is complete and now I edit, edit, edit!

Where can we find your work?

Calgarians can find The Perilous Road to Her at the local bookstore Owl’s Nest Books. It is also available worldwide on Amazon, Indigo (Kobo), Google Play Books, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble.

People can find me on Instagram / Twitter and my website.