Amanda says, “Thank you for
having me on your blog today. I really appreciate it.
I guess when it comes to
promoting myself, I am the woman in the corner of a room with a glass of fizz
holding a bookmark, hoping someone will notice.
So here's my bookmark, and I'm
drinking a mug of tea!
My name is Amanda J Ward and I
am the author of The Thrilling
Adventures of Pann Haggerty; a short story series about an Englishwoman
of a 'certain' age who takes a year off to travel around America in an RV in
search of new experiences and perhaps love. They are fun and quirky, and the
best compliments I have had is that my mother, mother in law and daughter have
read them. Which is really amazing.
I have a full length novel out
in September called Without Saying A
Word.
The good guy gets his girl!
After being in love with his older neighbour Laura since they met a year ago,
Rhean Tate, Viscount Kirkleigh seizes his chance to make her his, when her past
reappears threatening her and her children’s safety. This thirty-four year old
male virgin, whisks her into marriage vowing to protect and cherish Laura and
her family, with his name and noble family connections.
Will Laura feel overwhelmed
by Rhean and run away. Her abusive marriage left her with scars on the inside
as well as on the outside, or will she allow her barriers to crumble and be the
woman and wife they both deserve.
I live in England with my
husband, our three young children and two mad cats called Arthur and Merlin. I
write mostly romance, but am dipping my toes in a few uncertain waters such as
a regency time-shift which is all planned out. This is the first story in the Fitzroyal novels set around
three siblings and their widowed mother.
A couple of years ago I
entered New Voices run by M&B. I also entered last year with Her Reverend Majesty, about a
vicar who marries a king of a foreign country and has to choose between her
vocation or love. Unfortunately, although a lot of people were complimentary, it
didn't make the final. So, later on that year I joined NANO where Laura and
Rhean's story was being written. I managed to finish it early this year and I
had an R&R from one publisher. However, when I was asked by Trestle to
submit, I got an immediate response that they could have it. Roll on
September when Bonkers in Boston
and Without Saying a Word
come out.
I'm by no means a regular
writer. I don't have a set time of day when I can write. Each day in my home is
completely different as to how, when and if I can get anything done. The past
few weeks have been manic as the kids have been off school. It's only now in
the week before they go back, that I am able to catch up and do reviews etc.
I am a HUGE reader. I have
been reading since I can remember, and there were times when I am sure my
mother despaired at me for hoarding books under my bed. Before my father died,
we used to go to the library together every Saturday, with me trotting after
him pulling the shopping trolley. He would fill it up with war books. My
grandmother was a reader of romantic fiction. I found some in her spare room
one day when I was eight and snooping. Since then I have been hooked. My
favourite series is still the Temptation
line of Harlequin books, but there are authors I am exceptionally loyal to. I
adore historical fiction and royalty books. I have DVDs about them and
biographies lining my bookcase. Phillippa Gregory, Anne O'Brien, Marguerite
Kaye, Michelle Willingham and Sophie Perinot top my list there.
My influences writing wise
come from my friends, and also what I like to read and watch. I am a HUGE
Gilmore Girls, Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Sci Fi and Big Bang Theory
fan.
When I write Pann, for some
reason, I see it as a sitcom. I think that's the best way to describe the
series, and I like working to a deadline for some reason. The worst thing about
me is that I procrastinate like mad. It is really dreadful. Finding other
things to do rather than sit in front of the screen and get words to appear on
it from my head. For some reason I love working in peace and quiet. I guess
it's because I talk to myself when I type and the looks I get from my children
and husband, and the cats too are very offputting. Yes, there are days when I feel I have no
talent for writing and that what I do is absolute rubbish. How do I cope? I
walk away from what I'm doing for a time.
Any advice? Don't give up.
Here is an teaser from Pann Haggerty Volume Three Bonkers In
Boston.
Hope you enjoy it!.
When Joe came back to the meeting house for her less than half an hour
later. He was laden down with bags. Hoping he got the right things for her,
upon seeing the sight before him, stopped dead, lifted his face to the sky and
whispered
"Oh Jeez not this. Not here. Not now"
For standing on the steps was Pann. She had a union jack cap on her head
and and a frilly apron around her. She was handing out slices of cake and
plastic cups of tea to anyone that would take it. A broad smile lit up her
pixie like face and she was obviously having a fantastic time. Laughing and
chatting to tourists and residents alike.
"What do you think you are doing Crazy Lady?" Joe said slowly.
"Well, duh" Pann mocked him. "What does it look like. I'm
having a tea party. Where better to have one. Than here!" She announced
taking a bow. Cutting a piece of sunken, lopsided cake, Pann put it on a napkin
and handed it to Joe.
"I knew you were up to something" Joe muttered taking a bite of
the cake. It tasted much better than it looked.
"You can't have a tea party without cake" Pann said stubbornly.
Joe took a deep breath.
"Wrong revolution darlin. That was the French one" He informed
her.
"And the tea party?" asked Pann, totally confused by all the
history being thrown at her.
"To do with taxing of tea. Crates of it were thrown overboard and into
the river"
"What an absolute waste of perfectly good tea" Pann sniffed. She
sat down with her own cup and munched on her cake.
Joe couldn't resist taking a photograph of her.
"Say Tea Party" he teased. Pann stuck her tongue out at him. Joe
continued taking photographs anyway. She
pulled up her jeans at one point exposing red socks.
"Pann what are you wearing?"
"Red socks. You said Boston was the home of the red socks. So I am
wearing them because I'm in Boston".
"Pann, you crazy Englishlady. When I said Boston was home to the red
socks, I meant the Red Sox. A baseball team" Joe said slowly and carefully
so she would understand.
"Baseball" Pann thought for a moment. "Is that like
rounders?"
"You have to be kidding me! You've never heard of baseball?" Joe's
voice was incredulous.
"Of course I have. You hit a ball with a round stick. Then run around
the field and touch bases. That's rounders" The tone of her voice dared
him to argue the toss.
"What about football?" Joe decided to open the can all the way.
"Rugby" Pann countered
"Soccer?"
"Football" Pann was evidently enjoying her banter with him.
He sat down on the steps and put his head in his hands.
"Save me from crazy Englishwomen" He pleaded to no-one in
particular.
"Sorry pal. You're on your own" Came a retort from a passer by.
Pann sat down beside him and snuggled up. She gave a sigh of happiness.
"That was fun" She giggled girlishly sipping another cup of tea.
Well there you go. A sneak
peek at what Pann is like. If you want to read more, you can catch up with Pann
on these links.
Thanks for having me and
hope to hear from readers soon!"
