Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an award-winning author of two previous books, Mind Waves, the first book in the Mind Hackers series, released in 2016 by The Wild Rose Press, and Charmed By Charlie, released in 2017 by Boroughs Publishing Group. The second book in the Mind Hackers series, Cross Waves, is currently up for preorder (special ebook price of $2.99 on Amazon until its release) and comes out Oct. 19. Last year, I wrote a contemporary rom-com that finaled and won it’s category in the Stiletto contest. You can see more about all the awards my books have received here: https://amandauhl.com/awards-honors/.
I am drawn to the paranormal, because I am a bit paranormal myself. I was born at home in a 150-year-old house that is rumored to be haunted. I had several ghostly experiences myself while growing up. As I got older, I discovered I had the knack for predicting the future and telling people about themselves —whether through dreams, palm-reading, hand-writing analysis, Tarot readings, and even hypnosis (which happened quite by accident)! I call this my “hidden” talent because I don’t get paid (I have a full time corporate job) and I don’t do it on a regular basis. Because I’ve had numerous bizarre, real-life experiences, I am able to channel these incidents into my paranormal books, which are set in contemporary times. Readers often ask me if the world I have created is real.
When I’m not reading or writing, my two favorite pastimes are searching for beach glass (I have quite a collection) on the Lake Erie shoreline and riding my bicycle through the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park with my husband and three children. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, which has come in handy as I record my own audiobooks, and a Masters in Marketing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Cross Waves, is part of a paranormal romance series called Mind Hackers. The contemporary fantasy world the book is set in was inspired in large part by my day job, where I manage communications and training in a cyber security department for a large corporation (I have since moved onto the data area. Not quite sure that will inspire anything:) Cross Waves took four years to write and publish and just received it’s first review from Reader’s Favorite and it’s five stars. The reviewer said “…. a fascinating and irresistible paranormal romance. From the beginning, the conflict between Geneva and Rolf held me spellbound, and I couldn’t put the book down until I found out how their dilemma was resolved.” https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/cross-waves. I worked hard to keep the reader guessing with this book and hope they enjoy it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I work strictly from my iPad and don’t own a laptop. I like the ease and convenience and I take it with me everywhere. Because I have a challenging day job, I need to use every spare minute to write. The tablet gives me that convenience.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many authors I have read and enjoyed through the years. I started out as a pre-teen reading historical fiction by Georgette Heyer, Marion Chesney and Mary Balough. As my “psychic talents” developed so did my interest in the paranormal and I became a BIG fan of Jayne Ann Krentz, especially her futuristic romances written under the pen name, Jayne Castle. I also enjoy Christine Feehan’s dark vampire romances. I’m happy to say I’ve gotten the chance to meet and talk to both of these authors in the last couple of years.
On the lighter side, I love Sophie Kinsella, especially her attempt at writing a light-hearted paranormal called “Twenties Girl.” I hope they turn that one into a movie.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a new paranormal series called “Healing Kiss.” I have completed the synopsis and will start writing the story shortly. Here’s the blurb:
To save her dying sister…
Lillian Milano has an extraordinary ability. She channels energy from the powerful to heal the sick. But her gift puts Lillian and those she loves in danger from an organization that will stop at nothing to experiment on her. When her sister Hannah becomes dangerously ill, Lillian discovers the one person with enough vitality to save her sister’s life is computer genius and billionaire Tristan King. But being near him threatens to destroy the walls she’s built around her heart.
She strikes a bargain with a billionaire.
Tristan doesn’t believe in the supernatural or in Lillian’s gift. He doesn’t trust easily and is wary of emotional entanglements with the opposite sex. But his mother’s autoimmune disease is slowly killing her, and he’s tried everything to find a cure, even channeling his money into experimental drug companies. Maybe something Lillian does can help? Fine, he’ll play her game. He’s not heartless. But as the pair work together, they soon find out the stakes are much higher than either Lillian or Tristan anticipated. So high, the choices they make will either destroy their lives or heal their hearts.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best tools for promoting my book have been my newsletter and my author Facebook page. I also run a private Facebook group called Amanda’s A Team, where active readers can get access to inside news and giveaways and help promote my books.
Newsletter —> https://amandauhl.com/social-media/
Facebook Author Page —> https://www.facebook.com/amandauhlauthor
Amanda’s A Team —> https://www.facebook.com/groups/1968453683426411
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! Creativity takes courage, and publishing a book is not for the weak. There is a lot of competition for reader’s attention. Like running a marathon, you need to practice and train and continue to hone your skills. Join a writers group, make friends of other writers, find a critique parter, enter your work in contests, incorporate feedback, and above all, keep writing, In the end its not about the prize, it’s about the journey.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stephen King offers great advice in his book, “On Writing.” He says if you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. He also says you have to keep writing even when you don’t feel like it. And you must overcome self-doubt, which plagues all artists. Says King, “If you write (or paint or dance or sculpt or sing, I suppose), someone will try to make you feel lousy about it, that’s all.”
What are you reading now?
I am reading Jane Austen’s “Persuasion,” which I can’t believe I’ve never read before. It’s fantastic. I’m also reading a Chicken Soup for the Soul book called, “Listen to Your Dreams.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
I signed with a literary agent in January and am looking forward to exciting new ventures.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hmmm…just three or four? Oh, boy. I’d have to take the Bible, and some classics like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Lucy Maud Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables.”
Author Websites and Profiles
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