Interview & Contest with author Amanda Forester

Today we welcome historical romance author Amanda Forester to RomFan Reviews.

Tell us a little about your newest release A Wedding in Springtime.

Five minutes into Miss Eugenia Talbot's presentation at court, notorious rogue Mr. William Grant makes her laugh before the queen, ruining her debut. To hush up the scandal, Genie needs to make a brilliant marriage, and fast.  Genie's aunt hires a matchmaker to find a suitor—anyone except the infamous William Grant—but amiable Genie shows a disturbing tendency to follow her heart.  When a traitor creeps closer, threatening to ruin more than just her reputation, Genie and Grant are drawn into a dangerous world of deceit and intrigue, where losing their hearts could mean their ultimate undoing.

Is this the beginning of a new Regency Series and if so what is up next?

Yes, this is the beginning of a three book series following Regency couples brought together by a mysterious matchmaker to London's elite society.  The next book, Midsummer Bride is scheduled to be released November 2013, followed by Winter Wedding in 2014.  I am also excited to be writing some crossover novellas that connect my medieval Highlander books with my Regencies.  Highland Bride's Choice will be coming out as an e-book this fall and will tell the story of how the ancestors to my Regency heroes married Campbell brides.

If you could go back in time where would you go?

Tough question!  There is so much I would like to do and see.  As a writer I would love to visit Regency London and actually see, hear, feel, taste, do all the amazing things of that age.  Which makes me wonder - in 200 years would people want to come back in time to visit us?

What do you hope readers take with them after reading one of your stories?

I hope my readers have a fun time reading my stories and feel encouraged, hopeful, and refreshed.  I started reading romance novels during a stressful time in my life and they helped give me a needed break, some hope, and a laugh, which helped me through some rough times.  If I can give that experience back to someone else I would be very happy.

Did you have any other careers before devoting yourself to being a full-time writer?

Ah, the day job.  When I'm not writing about my Regency rogues I work part time as a research psychologist.  I think working in the field of psychology has been helpful in creating believable characters.  Even the villains don't think of themselves as such.  Everyone needs to have a credible back story, even if it never makes it to the page, I need to know it so I can understand the character from their own unique point of view.

What’s something fans would find fascinating about you?

Gosh, I'm not sure spending hours upon hours typing away at the computer gives me a lot of time to be fascinating!  Let's see, I have had bad luck (or good luck depending on how you look at it) getting caught in electrical storms when enjoying the great outdoors.  I've been caught on the top of a mountain ridge, in a canoe in the middle of a lake, and on a mountain trail with a grizzly bear.  Yah, maybe that's why I don't go hiking so much any more... 

What books or authors have most influenced your life?

When it comes to Regency romance my two bigger influences are Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.  Both have inspired me greatly by creating a world I wanted to live in.  Another influence, though it might sound strange, it my love for Masterpiece theater mysteries.  I love the rich historical settings and of course the mystery.  I like to put a bit of a "who-done-it" in every book.

Do you work on one project at a time? Or do you multi-task?

My brain is happy when I can work on one project at a time but that is not always possible.  Usually I am living somewhere betwixed and between.  For example, right now I am blogging about my newest release, A Wedding in Springtime, while I am doing copy edits for Midsummer Bride, at the same time as I am writing Winter Wedding.  Makes me dizzy just thinking of it.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How has that childhood dream affected your career?

I wish I could say I wanted to be a writer but it never crossed my mind!  When I was a kid I wanted to be a teacher, because I wanted to be like my mom.  As I grew up I realized I could embody many of the attributes of kindness, compassion, intellectual curiosity doing many different occupations, such as research and yes - writing.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers? 

 I find my white board to plot out stories to be very helpful.  I have recently tried writing with Scrivener, which I have found helpful as well.  These tools are great, but one of the most important things is to live a balanced life.  The brain doesn't work well when you are so tired your head hits the keyboard.  Sleep, exercise, good food, friends, and hobbies other than writing are all important.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?

I once asked an acquaintance who was going to Scotland to tell me how me how it smelled.  Lots of things I can get from the internet, but how a place smells is not one of them.  It made perfect sense to me at the time, but I think she must have thought I was crazy! 

Please share any links you would like listed in the Interview. Website, blog, Facebook, Twitter.

Thank you for inviting me to chat!  I love to hear from readers so come visit me at my website, facebook, or twitter.

Contest:

Amanda is giving away one copy of A Wedding in Springtime.  Leave a comment with your email address to be entered.  Contest is open to US and Canada residents only and a winner will be drawn on May 8th.  Remember to include your email address or your comment will not count.