Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers

The Woman in the Corner

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 to could they 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. A sneak peek at what Pann is like. If you want to read more, you can catch up with Pann on.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrilling-Adventures-Pann-Haggerty-ebook/dp...

in the US