Hi all,
Hope you’re all having a good week. Have started properly at the new job this week, so been a little tiring but hey, weekend is here – and it’s off to a great start as I have the fab Amanda Mariel dropping by to chat about her upcoming new release. If you’re looking for a fun historical romance, then look no further 🙂
Thanks for being here, Amanda. So, let’s start with you telling us a bit about yourself.
Bestselling, Amazon All Star author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.
Amanda lives along the Lake Huron shoreline in northern Michigan with her husband and two kids. She holds a Master of Liberal Arts Degree with a concentration in literature and has a long-standing love affair with sugary junk food.
Hehe, yup, I think junk food is slightly essential for an author (or maybe that’s just my excuse!) Do you have a particular writing routine, or any special rituals?
I almost always write in my kitchen but on occasion I take my lap top into the family room and write from my couch. Normally I like it quite when I write but every so often I will put on music.
Tell us about the genre you write in, and what drew you to it.
I write historical romance in the Victorian, Regency, and medieval time periods. Johanna Lindsey is directly responsible because hers was the first historical romance book I ever read and it started my love affair with the genre. When I started writing I never even considered any other genres.
Ooh, sounds like fun eras to write. Are there any particular authors or books that have really inspired you?
Johanna Lindsey! LOL. I have devoured every book she has ever penned.
I do love Johanna Lindsey. I remember Once and Always being one of the first romances I ever read and it definitely helped hook me on the genre 🙂 Speaking of hooked, what five things could you never do without?
This is a hard question! My family is always first and foremost. They are followed by my lap top and internet connection. Books of course rank high on my must have list and I think I will finish off with sweets. I love my junk food.
Lol, definitely a list after my own heart there. Tell us a bit about your new release.
Scandalous Redemption is book three in my bestselling Ladies and Scoundrels series. It is about two very different people with their own life scars and how they work through them to find love in each other’s arms. There is a lot of emotion in this one!
Ooh, we do like all the feels 😉 Where did your inspiration for it come from?
The heroine in Scandalous Redemption first showed up in Scandalous Intentions and I just knew she had to have her story told. The hero has been in every book so far and I always planned to write him a book, I just did not know who is heroine would be until she showed up.
Claudia and Henry’s story is part reality and a lot of fiction. I pulled from my real life experiences and those around me as I crafted their story.
Sounds intriguing! What did you find most enjoyable about writing it?
The characters! Henry is a very proper Victorian gentleman and Claudia is his exact opposite. She is spunky and more than a bit scandalous for a Victorian lady. They were tons of fun to write.
Hehe, I do love a historical heroine who can still hold her own 🙂 What was the hardest part about writing it?
The emotions that surfaced in me as I told their story. At two points I had to stop writing and set it aside for a day to catch my breath and regain my composure. Some of the situations just hit to close to home and taxed me as a result.
Aww, it can be a bit traumatic sometimes when the writing really gets to you – I think that means it will get to the reader as well though! Who’s your favourite character in it? (I know, I know, favouritism!)
That is so hard to answer! The Duchess of Abernathy has been a favorite of mine since I started the series. She will have the final book in the Ladies and Scoundrels series, but this one is not hers. I am going to say Claudia is my favorite for this book. As I said she is spunky and scandalous which makes her a lot of fun.
She sounds like it 😉 Just in case anyone isn’t convinced yet, why should we run out and buy it right now?
LOL! Betas readers have called it the best one yet. I completely agree with them, but then, I am partial.
Hehe, I think it’s hard not to be when you’ve already got so attached to your charcters – but I know I’m definitely convinced 🙂
If you want to know more, the book details are here:
Blurb
She never wanted him…
Ruined by scandal, Claudia Akford survived years of marriage to a cruel brute. Widowed, she is determined to regain her standing in society, but Lord Shillington personifies temptation. Kind and gentle, yet masculine and sinfully handsome, he would make the perfect lover, but he wants more than she is willing to give.
He needed her…
While Henry Shillington knows a little of the beautiful but notorious Lady Claudia Akford, he is struck by her kindhearted, accomplished, and witty demeanor. The more time he spends in her company, the more he dreams of a future with her. But the lady resists his honorable overtures, and a mistress will never do for him.
Can two wary people overcome past hurts, an old scandal, and social strictures to embrace true love?
Scandalous Redemption releases on the 31st May but you can already pre-order your copy here:
Don’t forget to follow Amanda on social media to stay updated on her news and releases:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorAmandaMarie1
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/AmandaMarieAuth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10209362.Amanda_Marie
Website: http://amandamarieauthor.wix.com/amandamariel
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bQgkbr
Take care x
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