AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Georgina Cross
Today, I’m excited to bring you my interview with author Georgina Cross, who crafts suspenseful fiction featuring resilient heroines and twisting, nail-biting plots. Georgina is a prolific writer who already has three thrillers under her belt and is hard at work on her next two novels. When she agreed to take time out of her increasingly busy schedule to chat with me about her latest release, NANNY NEEDED, about a woman who takes a job as a nanny for an impossibly wealthy Manhattan family, only to discover she’s walked into a web of deception and dark secrets, I was—well—thrilled. So, without further ado, here’s more about Nanny Needed and Georgina’s life as a successful author of suspense.
THE FULL SYNOPSIS
Nanny needed. Discretion is of the utmost importance. Special conditions apply.
When Sarah Larsen finds the notice, posted on creamy card stock in her building's lobby, one glance at the exclusive address tells her she's found her ticket out of a life of long hours waiting tables for little pay.
At the interview, the job seems like a dream come true: a glamorous penthouse apartment on the Upper West Side; a salary that adds several zeroes to her current income; the beautiful, worldly mother of her charge, who feels more like a friend than a potential boss. She's overjoyed when they offer her the position, signing the NDA without a second thought. These are important people, after all--they can't be too careful about who they hire.
In retrospect, the notice in her lobby was less an engraved invitation than a waving red flag. For there is something very strange about the Bird family. Why does the beautiful Mrs. Bird never leave the apartment alone? And what happened to the nanny before her, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances? It soon becomes clear that the odd behaviors Sarah initially dismissed as the eccentricities of the wealthy are hiding something much darker and more sinister. But by then it's too late for Sarah to seek help--she's become complicit in their secrets. And, after all, discretion is of the utmost importance.
“Wild, unpredictable, and utterly absorbing, Nanny Needed is a gasp-out-loud thriller that will make your head spin.” — Samantha M. Bailey, number one best-selling author of Woman on the Edge
THE INTERVIEW
Paulette: Hi, Georgina! Thanks so much for joining me. Can you tell us about what inspired you to write your latest novel?
Georgina: My latest novel came out last October called NANNY NEEDED. I got the idea to write it while my sister was living in New York City. We used to walk all over the city and would often find ourselves in the Upper East or West sides. I remember standing on the sidewalk and staring up at the tall apartment buildings to the penthouses and wonder who lived there. Are they happy?... and what if they’re not? In order to get a sneak peek behind the walls of a particular family, the idea of a nanny came to mind. But in this book, it’s not the nanny everyone should be worried about.
Paulette: I’ve had some of the same sorts of thoughts when I’ve visited New York—all of those fabulous mansions and townhouses, with their livery-clad doormen and the implied exclusivity. You can’t help but wonder what goes on behind those gilded facades. It’s a fascinating premise for a novel.
If you could live there, would you?
Georgina: I would love to live in New York City! And it would be even more grand to live in a penthouse on West 78th Street the way NANNY NEEDED is set. I love everything about New York: the energy, the vibe, the ability to walk everywhere and take in all the sights & sounds. It’s such an electric place. I also have this weird desire to jog through Central Park one day—for whatever reason, that’s always seemed like something I’d want to do. Maybe at the next ThrillerFest Conference, I’ll sneak away from some of the panel discussions and take a loop through a small section of the park.
Paulette: That sounds like a wonderful excursion. I’ve only ever taken a carriage ride through Central Park (typical tourist thing to do!), but I agree that it’s absolutely magical. New York is such an awe-inspiring place. I love that almost everything you’d ever need is within walking distance in the city. I’ve tried to convince my husband to at least visit someday, to see what he thinks. I never feel more alive than when I’m in New York. To me, with its diversity, culture, and energy, it’s a place that symbolizes the very best of the American spirit, and I cannot wait to go back soon. Maybe someday I’ll write a historical gothic set inside one of those stunning Beaux-Arts mansions!
There are several contemporary gothic themes in Nanny Needed, which I absolutely love—and the twists are constructed so well. Can you tell us a little about your writing process? Are you a planner, a pantser, or a little of both?
Georgina: I often wish I could be a pantser, but it turns out it’s better if I plan and have some sort of outline so I don’t have a story that ends up all over the place. And when I say outline, it’s nothing lengthy or formal, but more like bullet points for each chapter. A loose roadmap where I at least know how the beginning and ending will be and can also have an idea of how the beats, twists & turns will play out in the middle also. Because of my contracts with two different publishers, I write every day, seven days a week, and even (sadly) take my laptop with me on vacation. It’s the only way to keep the wordcount up and make sure I turn my drafts in on time. I also do love the writing.
Paulette: I am in awe of how beautifully and effortlessly you seem to juggle everything you do. It’s often said that busy people get things done, and that’s certainly the case for you. Authors are some of the most driven people I know—we could work 24/7 and still have work we could be doing—whether it’s drafting, revising, outreach, or promotion. I do hope you have to time to take a real vacation, without any work, someday!
Speaking of work, is there anything new you’re working on that you can share with us?
Georgina: I have two more books coming out within the next year. Since I publish with two different publishers, the next book will be coming out September 4 with Bookouture, Hachette Publishing, and the title is still to be determined. It’s about two estranged sisters, except that the older sister dies tragically in a house fire and it’s determined in her will that she left her teenage daughter to the younger sister. But why would she have updated her will that way? They haven’t spoken to each other in years. As the story progresses, we soon learn what caused the sisters to split up and how a deadly choice they made years ago is coming back to haunt them.
The other book I have coming out is called ONE NIGHT with Bantam, Penguin Random House, and will be published January 3, 2023. This book is set in a house my husband rented several years ago on the Oregon coast where we had all the family stay in one place. While everyone was happily playing board games and taking walks along the beach, I kept thinking about how it would be a fantastic setting for a murder. Imagine: house on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a storm brewing, a family stuck inside, and on the floor bleeding is the man accused of killing their daughter. They have one night to decide what to do: forgive him or take justice into their own hands.
Paulette: I can’t wait! That last location has me in a swoon, just imagining the vibes. I love the Pacific Coast—it makes for such a dramatic setting. Much of your work has a touch of domestic life—you masterfully showcase how quickly the everyday lives we often take for granted can become a nightmare. Your characters navigate such high-stakes, personally consequential situations. Watching them maneuver through their choices and actions makes for a compelling, page-turning reading experience.
In closing, I’ll ask one of my very favorite questions: What are you reading right now?
Georgina: I’ve been reading a lot of advanced copies and providing blurbs which is one of the most fun aspects of being an author. Getting the chance to support other authors and promote their work is such a wonderful experience. With that said, I recently read an ARC of All Dressed Up by debut author Jilly Gagnon which is a combination of Clue meets Shari Lapena’s Unwanted Guest. The book explores a weekend getaway where guests take part in a two-day murder mystery game. However, fiction and reality collide when guests begin to suspect that real murders are also taking place. I’m also going back and re-reading all of Gillian Flynn’s books. It’s been several years since I last touched her pages and I’m drawn back to her writing style, the grit, and creepiness of it all. Plus, it’s fantastic writing to inspire me in my own work!
Paulette: Reading advanced copies and endorsing my fellow authors is one of my favorite things to do as well. I’m always looking for ways to pay things forward, when I can! Thanks so much for all you did to support me in my debut year, and thanks for joining me today for this interview, Georgina! I wish you much continued success with your future projects.
Nanny Needed is available wherever books are sold, and you can also purchase it online from: Penguin Random House, BookShop, and Amazon
Georgina Cross is the author of ONE NIGHT and NANNY NEEDED (Bantam, Penguin Random House) and the Amazon Bestselling author of THE STEPDAUGHTER, and THE MISSING WOMAN (Bookouture, Hachette Publishing). Two more books are set for publication in 2022. Georgina is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and the Founder & President of Susie's Wish Inc. which sends patients with life-threatening illnesses to the beach. Married to David, they spend their weekends filled with kids' basketball tournaments, scary movies, and trying new restaurants with their combined family of four sons.
More info on Georgina and her books: Instagram: @georginacrossauthor, Twitter: @gcrossauthor, Facebook: @GeorginaCrossAuthor, and her website: Georgina-Cross-Author.com