Thursday, January 31, 2013

Blog Tour: Interview w/ Amanda McIntyre + Giveaway!

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, AMANDA! :)



Author by trade, storyteller by heart


Whenever you embark on anything creative, it is the passion that gives spark to the flame of determination. My passion is in taking the ordinary and creating something extraordinary. It is what has fueled my life in many ways from an office career to motherhood, being a newspaper columnist and stepping into writing fiction. My love for penning"character-driven" stories-many of them romance- allows me to explore the potential and possibility that lives deep inside each of us.

Referred to by reviewer as a "true artist in the writing realm" I am humbled and also challenged to stay fresh, be unique to my voice, and listen to my readers.


I am honored to be published internationally, in audio, in E-book and in print. I currently write steamy contemporary and historical romance.

 
 
Where to Find Amanda:


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The_Book_Queen: Hi Amanda! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 
 
Amanda: I’m a mom of four, married to my high school sweetheart, have had a plethora of jobs from insurance to newspaper columnist. I am an avid supporter of the Fine Arts in schools and have a passion for art and nature. I love stage and screen musicals, lighthouses, Great Lakes Shipping history, and am a tapophile (someone who loves old cemeteries and tombstones.) And I find the best part of writing is doing the research!



TBQ: If you couldn't write, what would you do? Do you have a hidden talent that many people do not know about, or perhaps a dream job that was pushed into the back of the “closet” years ago?

A: :) I always wanted to be an artist for Disney. The type where you draw each cell, but life happened and my path wound around a bit differently. After a variety of jobs, (that have all helped me in some facet) marriage, then children, it was when I had my twins that I searched for a job that I could do at home. That led to my seven year stint as a weekly columnist for the importance of Fines Arts education in schools, which led to being online, then to becoming a book reviewer, magazine editor and finally an author. I always say that I really just “paint pictures with words.” I really do give a great deal of credit to my art teacher in high school for encouraging my creative side.



TBQ: Your newest release, Fallen Angel, is part of the Sweet Magnolia series. Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?
 
A: Well, I hope readers will enjoy the journey of Shado and Angel. ;) It is set in the winter, specifically at Christmas, but the holiday aspect takes a backstage to the actual story of a man searching to find his life/his heart again after the tragic death of his brother. And a woman from another time, who wants desperately to find a man that she has fallen in love with through the words of a song. The Magnolia series are steamy, character-driven, time-travel romance, with fun secondary characters, poignant moments and a bit of paranormal. My take on TT comes from watching too much Torchwood and Dr. Who, I’m afraid and having an interest in the psychology of my characters. In this series, time travel is achieved through the help of a strange little man who acts as a conduit to helping people toward the place where they will meet their hearts desire. Sometimes that may be the guy next door, but it might take you to another era entirely—and that’s where things can get pretty interesting.;) (Sounds great!)



TBQ: You've written books from a variety of genres over the years, from historical to contemporary. Are there any genres, or themes, that you haven't written yet, but would someday like to try?  

A: I once told myself that I would NEVER write erotic romance, then I got my first real break with Harlequin when they asked me to write for their Spice line. The experience has broadened my writing, took me deeper into the minds of my characters, and gave me whole new batch of research certainly!  I tend to mix my genres as well—good or bad, I find it interesting. And to that end, its not so much that I have other ‘genres’ I’d like to write, but I do have stories I want to write. I simply don’t have enough hours in the day.;) (*sigh* I know...)



TBQ: You've been interviewed many times over, as well as having answered countless answers from individual readers over the years. Is there a question that you've never been asked, but wish that you had?  

A: I’ve had some great questions asked of me(present group included!) but I can’t honestly say that there’s something specific that I’ve wanted to be asked, but I’ll probably start thinking about that now that someone has mentioned it! LOL



TBQ: I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. :) But I have to ask: What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?

A: I have my TBR pile and my “keeper” shelf like anyone else;) I am a very eclectic reader (same is true with my music and movie preferences!) On my keeper shelf; Christmas Knight(Christina Skye,) Pink Moon (Steph Ann Holm,) Colony (Anne River Siddons,) Roan (Jennifer Blake,) Morning After (Suzanne Forster) to name a few. I have countless other books and authors from Heather Graham to Sally Mackenzie, from Judi McCoy to Lori Foster, --far too many to name them all.


 
TBQ: Have you ever fallen for a hero, either from one of your books or from another author? If so, who is he and what drew you to him?

A: Interestingly, this is my “candy thermometer” as it were, for how I’m doing when writing my heroes or heroines. If I haven’t “fallen in love” with the hero, if I haven’t found a connection to my heroine—then something isn’t right, the book isn’t where it should be. That said, one of my first loves was Gabe Russell. The young farmer whose family farm was taken from him in a foreclosure. His tenacity to do whatever it took to get his farm back, his pride, his integrity and belief in himself is quite often the “formula” I use in creating my heroes. The fact that he was a dark-eyed hunk of steely cowboy might have also had something to do with it;) (Maybe just a little bit... :) I'd happily take him! :) )


 
TBQ: What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?

A: Well Most immediately I’m working on releasing my first book, UNFINSHED DREAMS (hero described above) And I’ve got a new series featuring the lives and loves of three would-be brothers trying to maintain their stepfathers ranch. It’s working title is called, THE KINNISON LEGACY and is set in the small rural town of End of the Line, Montana. It too, has a host of fun and quirky characters that create all manner of havoc for the three young men. (Ooh--I can't wait, they all sound great!)

 

SPEED ROUND:

 

A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?
Secluded island

Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?
Can’t I have both?:) (*nods* A perfect answer. There is nothing wrong about being greedy in this case!)

Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?
An affair? Let’s see, who would pose more of a challenge? Probably the English Lord, because I’d love the chance to break down that staunch aristocracy and because I have an aversion to massive swords and all the brutality of the Celtic medieval era. ("an aversion to massive swords"...My inner 12-year-old boy just had a very, very inapropriate thought....I'll keep it to myself. LOL)

Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?
Cold winter nights.

Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness?
Definitely in the mountains.

If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be?
Wow, good question, that’s usually the one I ask!;)  It would be in the past, perhaps the late 1800’s.

Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
I’m an artist, the cover catches my eye first, then I read the blurb. (I'm the same way.)

Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel? (aka, Quickie or Slow Build Up?) Again with the either/ or…ok, probably the slow build up, which doesn’t necessarily mean “sweet” *wiggling eyebrows* (Very true! *smirks*)

And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:

  • Don’t tell me I can’t do something, I will set out to prove you wrong.
  • I don’t ever want to grow up.
  • I love to dance!

 

TBQ: Thanks so much for stopping by, Amanda, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion? :)

 

A: Thanks so much for having me! I invite you to check out my web home. ere you can sign up for more fun with my monthly newsletter, friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and GoodReads!

 

If you could time travel, what era or location would it be and why? What eras would you like to see more of in books?

 

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Fallen Angel by Amanda McIntyre
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC (November 27, 2012)
Series: Sweet Magnoli, 2
Genre: Time Travel Romance

A hunger gnaws at Angel Marie Sutter to find the man behind the soulful music she heard played on piano at the Sweet Magnolia. Following her heart, desire takes her on a fantastic journey. When she becomes a witness to murder, she finds herself under the forced protection of a scarred detective. Her gentle healing brings the past to his present in timeless passion, but will she be able to hold onto this precious gift, or will a killer take it all away?

 
Shado Jackson is a lone wolf undercover cop carrying guilt over the death of his brother. When a mysterious, beautiful woman becomes eyewitness to a murder, his job is to protect, not fall in love. But when his brother’s killer again threatens to take what’s precious from him, Shado must find him before time runs out.
 
 
 
 

Where to Buy:
More Info:



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One winner will be chosen at random from comments to receive a signed copy of WILD & UNRULY, the first book in my TALES OF THE SWEET MAGNOLIA time travel romance series!


How to Enter:
  • Leave a comment on this post--answer Amanda's question! :)
  • Be sure to follow the rest of the tour (find it on the sidebar of Amanda's site)!


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Thanks so much for stopping by today, Amanda! I really enjoyed our interview, and I hope the readers do as well! I can't wait to read your books--no matter the genre! :)



Don't forget Amanda's Question:

If you could time travel, what era or location would it be and why?
 
What eras would you like to see more of in books?
 
 
 

Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

6 comments :

Carol L said...

Loved the interview and can't wait to start reading your Magnolia series Amanda. I'd probably go back to Scotland during the 1700's. I love Highlanders and the beauty of Scotland. But of course that's only knowing I could get the heck back. lol I really couldn't do without many appliances or hot showers :)
Carol L

Lover Of Romance said...

I just loved the interview, and I just found a new author I want to try out. Thanks for sharing!! :)

bn100 said...

1800s England to visit Jane Austen


bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

The Book Tart said...

Fun interview!
I love the 1940s..retro pinup clothing and men in suits and fedoras... But I wouldn't have wanted to live through WWI. So I'd like to visit and go shopping!
(((Hugs))) Kat

Amanda Mcintyre said...

have you seen the version of Pride & Prejudice with Kiera Knightly? Lovely! Thank you for stopping by and my thanks to the Book Queen for having me! BN100 you are the winner at my blog hop today! Congratulations!

Amanda said...

Lover of romance, please send me your email to arrange for your choice of either Wild & Unruly or Fallen Angel (may I suggest W & U as its the first book in the series? I have 2 winners today! And Carol, you won on Tuesdays blog hop!! LOL I want everyone to read these books!! ;)) my email: amandamcintyre.author at gmail dot com