Thursday, November 14, 2013

Susan Macatee ~ Character Interview ~ Thoroughly Modern Amanda

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Welcome to another Character Interview for one of my fellow 'Roses', who, like me, has one of their ebooks going to print from The Wild Rose Press. This is a fun way to get to know a protagonists from their stories, and one lucky commenter will win a copy of the featured author's print book. So join me every Thursday this month for your chance to win some great books!

This week I have the pleasure of featuring Susan Macatee!

Susan Macatee started writing for publication after her youngest started kindergarten. Once she decided she wanted to write romance fiction, she joined several RWA chapters. She's also a member of the Scandalous Victorians, a small writing group that specializes in Victorian set romance. You can check out their group blog here, Slip Into Something Victorian.

Susan's American Civil War romance stories are not your typical Gone With the Wind variety. Hers encompass everything from time travel, ghosts and vampires, to women soldiers. But, diverse as Susan's stories are, love always finds a way to win out in the end.


Today I'm interviewing Amanda Montgomery from Susan's spicy 159 page time travel THOROUGHLY MODERN AMANDA, just released in print through The Wild Rose Press.


Hello, thank you for being here with us today. Can you tell us your name?

Amanda Montgomery

Where are you from, Amanda?
I was born in Mason, Virginia.  
Can you describe yourself in 7 words?
I am ambitious, impulsive, creative, determined, imaginative, resourceful and passionate.

Definitely my kind of heroine. One who can take care of herself.
What is your main occupation right now?
I write stories and articles for the Carver Weekly, a magazine.
Where are you living?
In a small Pennsylvania town called Carver.
How did you feel when you first set eyes on the love of your life?
When I met Jack, I thought he was a workman who'd gotten hurt. He seemed confused and disoriented, but something about him was strange and exciting. I felt compelled to come to his aid.

And I dare say, he was lucky that you found him.
If you could travel, where would you go?
I long to go to the future, where Jack comes from. I want to be a modern woman and the life he describes is beyond exciting.
Do you have a hobby?
I like to help my step-mother in her garden.
What is your main goal?
I want to be a reporter for a big city newspaper.
 
Thank you, Amanda, for taking the time out to answer my questions. I sure hope you find the excitement you crave. It was great to get to know you a little better and to get a little insight into your story THOROUGHLY MODERN AMANDA now available in print through The Wild Rose Press.

Here is the beautiful cover:

 
 
 
Blurb:

Believing anything is possible, magazine reporter Amanda
Montgomery dreams about being a modern woman in a
nineteenth century world, much like her exceptional
step-mother. But society expects well-off young ladies to
focus on finding a suitable husband and raising a family.
And then Jack appears--with no past and unconventional
ideas. Does he hold the key to another century as well as
her heart, or is she destined to stay in her own time?

Construction worker Jack Lawton wants to preserve an old
home that's scheduled for demolition.  But when he sneaks
inside for a final look, a loose beam falls on the head, and
upon waking, he finds himself in the arms of a beautiful
woman.  His only problem--he's no longer in the twenty-first
century. Can he find his way back home? Does he really
want to?
 
 
Excerpt:
"Mother, before I leave for work, I'd like to have a word with you in the parlor."

Erin quirked a brow, but nodded. With the cook occupied at the sink, she gathered her skirts and followed Amanda from the room.

At the parlor door, Erin frowned. "Is there a problem, Amanda?"

She nodded and opened the door to the empty room. She had to find out the truth about Jack and was sure Erin knew more than she admitted.

Motioning her step-mother to take a seat on the settee, Amanda waited, tapping her foot.

Erin sighed, eyeing her. "So, tell me what's wrong."

"Where did Jack come from, Mother?" Amanda propped both hands on her hips.

Erin spread her hands. "How would I know? From his clothing and the place you found him, he must be a workman. But I don't understand why no one else was in the house at the time. He surely wouldn't have been working alone." She shook her head. "And he doesn't seem to remember anything except his name."

Amanda bit her lip. "I don't believe you, Mother. I heard you and Jack talking upstairs."

Erin's eyes widened, but she said nothing.

"He was saying something about the future. And he also uses those phrases peculiar only to you."

"Amanda, I told you those were only stories I made up to entertain you when you were a child."

"So I believed. But no longer. You have a connection with Jack."

"I never met the man before. I swear." Erin raised her hand.

The door creaked open, startling Amanda. Her father stood in the foyer.

"Something wrong, Will?" Erin asked.

Her father stepped into the room. "I was just upstairs with Jack. He needs attending to."

"I'll go." Erin stood. "There are breakfast leavings in the kitchen if you're hungry."

He nodded. "I'll get a quick bite, then I have to get to the bank." He stepped forward and kissed Erin on the lips.

Her step-mother’s face flushed. "See you tonight."

Her father pecked Amanda's cheek, then stepped out, leaving the door ajar.

Amanda grasped Erin’s arm. "I'll see to Jack, Mother."

Erin's brows rose. "Nonsense. You get yourself ready for work, I'll take care of Jack."

Amanda scowled. "But they can do without me for a half hour. You can get started on your new book."

Erin opened her mouth, but hesitated. "I'll have plenty of time to work after I take care of him."

Amanda huffed and left the room. She'd catch her father before he left for the bank, but intended to see Jack and question him further.
 

THOROUGHLY MODERN AMANDA is available at:
 
And now available in Print

**Giveaway**

Susan would love to give away an autographed print copy of THOROUGHLY MODERN AMANDA to one lucky commenter (US shipping only). Please leave a comment with contact information, and she'll announce the winner in the comments section here tomorrow!
 
Good luck!
 

6 comments:

Susan Macatee said...

Thanks for hosting me and my heroine, Amanda, on your blog today, Donna!

Donna Michaels said...

I'm happy to have you, Susan.
I enjoyed 'interviewing' Amanda. And you know how much I love your fabulous cover.

Best of luck!

Mindy said...

Hi Susan :)
Awesome interview and excerpt!
I like heroines who aren't shy and retireing. Amanda is a riot & her mother Erin is sooo sneaky about Jack

Thanks for the awesome contest.

Mindy :)
Birdsooong@comcast.net

Susan Macatee said...

Hi, Mindy! I love these characters, and Erin was such a spitfire in the first book, I had a great time crafting her step-daughter in her image.

Susan Macatee said...

Mindy, you've won the print copy of Thoroughly Modern Amanda! I've sent you an email. Congrats!

Donna Michaels said...

Congratulations, Mindy!
Thank you to Susan for the interview and to everyone for leaving comments.