New Years Blog Thingy, with... Amy Andrews

I love Amy Andrews. No really, I do. When I told her on twitter to go blend frozen berries with vodka and cranberry juice and then to report back to me, she did it. You really have to respect that in a romance writer. The ability to stretch beyond the normal drinking range and to experience something new and wonderful with lots of Vitamin C. I bet she never gets colds now. But besides the booze, she writes great romances. They’re heartfelt and hot. Last year’s Taming the Tycoon was fan-f*cking-tastic. So let’s meet her…

Amy is an award-winning author who has written thirty-two romances for Harlequin Mills and Boon in both the Medical and RIVA/Presents lines. She wrote her first book at the age of twenty-two while unemployed and freezing her butt off in the UK, largely because it involved being able to stay in bed with her electric blanket. One twelve year apprenticeship later she finally got "the call".

 

To date she's sold over a million books and been translated into thirteen different languages. In 2010 she took out the sexy category in the prestigious Australian Romantic Book of the Year Award affectionately known as The Ruby.

She's recently launched a couple of separate writing ventures with the release of Sister Pact a contemporary women's fiction novel that she wrote with her sister Ros Baxter and was published by Harper Collins Australia as well as the very exciting release of her first category romance, Taming the Tycoon, with Entangled Publishing.

In what she euphemistically likes to call her spare time, Amy works part time as a paediatric intensive care nurse and was on the national executive for Romance Writers Of Australia for six years during which time she organised two national conferences and undertook a two year term as president. She's been married for twenty-two years and has two teenagers. She lives on acreage on the outskirts of Brisbane with a gorgeous mountain view but secretly wishes it was the hillsides of Tuscany.

What did you learn in 2012? 

That I need to diversify with my writing. And the Mayan’s know shit.

What were some of your highlights of 2012?

The release of Taming the Tycoon my first non-Harlequin category romance. The launch of Sister Pact, the women’s fiction book published by Harper Collins that I co-wrote with my sister, Ros. Some really great, thought-provoking reviews for How To Mend A Broken Heart – not your typical category romance. The RWAust conference at the GC where, btw, I met one Kylie Scott for the first time. The Harlequin Escape launch in Sydney. That the world did not end on my birthday – Mayans Schmayans.

What have you got planned for 2013, publishing or otherwise?

Write at least 5 category romances. Write another book with my sister. Sell a romcom of mine that’s been around forever. Dip my toe in the self-pub waters with the sequel to Sister Pact as well as another romcom. Attend a writing for TV workshop put on by Epiphany in Melbourne in February. Attend ARRC beginning of March. Cross the Nullarbor in luxury train to attend the RWAust conference in Freemantle in August. Stay on for a few more days to attend a lovely author retreat on Rottnest Island. Cross visiting any and all Mayan temples off my travel wish-list.  

Any movies, books and suchlike being released in 2013 that you're really looking forward to?

Well I’m looking forward to Skin pinging onto my iPad very much considering I’ve had it pre-ordered for what seems like ever! And Les Mis is definitely on my must-see list this January. I also have seasons 2,3,&4 of Friday Night Lights awaiting my viewing pleasure and yes, alright, the commencement of S5 of Walking Dead. Other than that I’m looking forward to the release of the revised Mayan calendar.

Taming the Tycoon

- Amazon, B&N.

Real estate tycoon Nathaniel Montgomery is one deal away from making his first billion and fulfilling a promise to his dying father. Nothing will stop himfrom tearing down the decrepit St. Agnes hospital and erecting posh condos in its place. Not even the crystal-wearing, health food store owner whose publicity stunt lands him in the hospital.

After her brush with death five years ago, child prodigy Addie Collins learned what’s truly important—health, happiness, and the two-hundred-year-old rose garden at St. Agnes. To make amends for the accident, she agrees to pose as Nathaniel’s girlfriend at his eccentric grandmother’s birthday party.

But Addie has an ulterior motive. To repay her debt to the universe, she must show him there's more to life than making money. Nathaniel hates to lose, but as she breaks through his defenses, losing himself in Addie's arms might be exactly what this tycoon needs…

Baby, it's Cold Outside

- Amazon, B&N.

Four novellas from four of the biggest names in romantic fiction!

Kate Hardy's 'TIS THE SEASON TO KISS SANTA
With the help of a sprig of mistletoe and some snow angels, a recently single pastry chef teaches a highly successful and sexy Scrooge the true meaning of the holidays on a snowy Christmas Eve that quickly heats up.

Heidi Rice's 'TIS THE SEASON TO GO SHOPPING
When a Christmas Day blizzard strands an up-and-coming marketing manager and her boss's very off-limits, very hot playboy son in his department store, the two toe the line between naughty and nice as they unwrap their holiday presents—and each other!

Amy Andrews’s ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR KISSING
A down-on-her-romantic-luck kindergarten teacher plans to drown her New Year’s Eve sorrows in a gallon of spiked eggnog, but the arrival of her best friend's sexy brother threatens to melt the snow piling up outside the tiny Vermont cabin.

Aimee Carson’s ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE TEMPTED
After the worst year ever, a jilted music manager rings in the New Year alone, swearing off men forever. But things get complicated when her brother's best friend, the perfect man with the perfect body, tempts her to break her vow—if only for one hot night!

The Devil and the Deep

- Mills&Boon.

Author Stella Mills has writers block. Her swashbuckling debut romance was a mega hit - and the world is crying out for a sequel. Problem is, her sexy-as-sin hero was based on childhood friend Rick Granville, who's never looked at her that way.

So being forced to spend weeks on adventurer Rick's luxury yacht could be just the cure - forget Johnny Depp, pirate Rick is pure perfection! Of course, spending night and day with Rick could be sailing too close to the wind