Ramblings From This Chick: Interview with Author Amanda Forester and Giveaway

Monday, September 15, 2014

Interview with Author Amanda Forester and Giveaway

Meet author Amanda Forester, author of A Winter Wedding.

Amanda Forester holds a PhD in clinical psychology and a Masters degree in theology. As a psychologist, she has worked as a clinical researcher and a university instructor (what they call you when they don’t want to give you tenure). None of which has anything to do with writing romance novels. After trying for many years to stop the internal storylines floating around her head, she finally gave up and wrote one down. Now when she is caught daydreaming and talking to herself she can just say, “I’m plotting a scene for my next novel,” which sounds so much better than, “I’m hallucinating and responding to internal stimuli.”

Amanda lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, three lazy house pets and one destructive puppy who is part yellow lab part tornado.

Amanda enjoys writing historical romance and splits her time between the rugged Highlands of medieval Scotland and the lively banter within the drawing rooms of Regency England. She enjoys researching the history almost as much as the writing, and attempts to provide the reader with a glimpse of the historical reality, though usually without the fleas. She enjoys sharing her passion for romance and history and loves hearing from readers.

Find Amanda at:

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
Thanks for inviting me here today! I have a PhD in psychology and worked many years in academia before discovering that writing historical romance was way more fun. Whether in the rugged Highlands of medieval Scotland or the decadent ballrooms of Regency England, I enjoy stories that are fast-paced, filled with wit, intrigue, and romance. When I'm not writing, I enjoy camping, scrapbooking, eating chocolate, and flying on zip-lines (ok, I did it once last weekend but I thought I needed to sound more exciting!).

Did you always want to be a writer?
Unlike many writers who emerge from the womb knowing that they are destined to pen the next great American novel, it never occurred to me until relatively recently to try to publish a book. Sure, I always had ideas for stories running around my head, but I thought everyone did. It wasn't until my husband was deployed to Iraq for 14 months and I was beyond stressed for his well-being that a friend gave me a historical romance novel. I loved it! Soon I was hooked and consumed books like chocolate. Even better, I recognized the books I was reading were a lot like the stories I had rampaging through my head. I discovered that I think in historical romance novel! I started writing and have had a great time with it!

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
I'm somewhere in between - a Plotster, a Panter (hmm, that sounds like something else). I tend to have an idea of my characters, where they start and where they are going. I have an outline sketch to start, but then I try to let my inner muse take over. Sometimes I'm amazed at what I write, having no idea when I began the scene where I was going with it.

Where do your ideas come from?
It's hard to say where ideas come from, they just emerge, especially when I'm supposed to be thinking about something else! My characters seem to have minds of their own, sometimes refusing to do what I want. I once tried to kill off a stable master, but he refused to die. In the end, it turned out to be the right choice because I needed him later I the book. I've learned to just go with it.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
The Duke of Marchford hires Penelope to find him a wife-and traitorous spies!

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
I love historical fiction - I guess that's an obvious answer. I also enjoy mysteries and adventures, especially ones with more of a humorous bent. I love books that sweep me up into a great adventure, fun romance, and give me a laugh.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
I read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in junior high and it was been my favorite ever since. Such a classic. I defy anyone not to fall in love with Mr. Darcy! My next favorites are regencies by Georgette Heyer. I especially enjoy the comedy of Cotillion and the Corinthian.

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Sometimes I find the romantic scenes the hardest to write...and sometimes they are the easiest. Sometimes the connection scenes are the most challenging. I often know where I'm at and where I'm going, but figuring out how to get from one to the other can be a challenge.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
I would have to choose the aforementioned Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and Shakespeare - whoever the real bard was!

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
In A Winter Wedding there was one lady for whom Penelope could not make a match. Lady Kate was a hardened case, so naturally I had to take her on myself. She has been giving me trouble and protesting quite a bit, but I have a few surprises for her. And if that doesn't work I'll be forced to trap her into marriage. It's for her own good, I hope!

If you could have dinner with any literary character - who would you choose?

I hope you will enjoy reading about Penelope and Marchford in A Winter Wedding. To get you started in the series, the first book in the trilogy, A Wedding in Springtime is being offered FREE for a limited time, and A Midsummer Bride is currently only $1.99. I love to hear from readers so come visit me at my website, facebook, or twitter.

This adventurous duke...

The Duke of Marchford requires a suitable bride, but catching spies for the Foreign Office takes up most of his time. Not wanting to face another London season as an eligible man, he employs the notorious Madame X to find him a match.

Has met his match

Miss Penelope Rose knows the rules of marriage among members of the ton better than most. Her own unsuccessful attempts at matrimony did not stop her from becoming London’s most exclusive matchmaker. Marchford proves to be a difficult client, but as he draws on her social expertise to help him flush out a dangerous traitor, they find that falling in love may be the riskiest adventure of all.

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