Hailing from the Midwest, Amanda McIntyre, (also known as Pamela Johnson), is a
multi-genre author of several novels, anthologies, novellas and short stories as
well as nonfiction. Since her first published novel in 2001, she has been the recipient of several Highly Recommended Reads nominations and has had a featured book (Unfinished Dreams) at Midwest Book Reviews and its syndicated show, Booktalk.

Reviewers describe her work as “superbly sensual, powerful, emotional and character-driven.” While she is living her fantasy of storytelling, October 2008 will see the release of her single-title erotic historical, Diary of Cozette, from Harlequin Spice, followed by her second Spice novel, Tortured, in 2009.

Amanda joins us this month and share her thoughts in an interview with Host Lorie on writing for SPICE, and her new ebook, Diary of Cozette.

Ques:  You've received your first review for "Diary of Cozette", tell me, how did it feel to read the words persuasive and beguiling, and were you expecting such a positive first review?

Ans:  I was over the moon! I write very emotional, character-driven stories and with each one I hope I evoke any number of emotions from the reader.  This too, was my maiden voyage at first-person POV, so to receive these words in particular in describing my story is a huge thrill.

I think every author secretly holds their breath waiting for those first reviews. Regardless of the brain knowledge we all have that reviews are subjective, I still believe we feel a measure of affirmation when we get a good one.  I actually was not expecting this particular review, so was doubly thrilled when I heard the feedback!  I know RT reviewers are tough and I can only hope the rest area as wonderful!

Ques:  For those who don't know yet, what is "Diary of Cozette" about?

Ans: These are the diary entries of Cozette, a young English woman living in the mid-late 1800's, who goes from being an orphan in danger of being sold through the white slave trade of England, to living on the streets and then to befriending a wealthy noble woman who invites her to live with them as their maid servant. Her journey is tumultuous, sensual, adventuresome, and we see her grow, from her experiences in these passages, from a naive young woman to a savvy woman who refuses to be what society expects her to be. The social dynamics of this particular time in London with regard to women I found extremely interesting.  Prostitution was not illegal, but it was not accepted as  proper form for a woman. Even though the very men of affluence that spoke out against it, were the very ones who lay their money down to accept such services.  There was a veener to the society, polished and proper on the surface, it only covered much of the scratches and flaws beneath. This is Cozette's story of survival really, through this time period, her experiences, her lovers, and the friendships that mold her into the woman she becomes.  It is a story of depth, passion and persuasion, of what we want to be and how others see us. I hope that it satisfies readers on many different levels.

Ques:  Your Spice Brief Mirror Mirror is contempory and yet Cozette, along with your current online read are historical. Do you enjoy switching between eras and do you find your writing style/habits differ as well?

Ans: I do enjoy writing in different genres and I feel it keeps my perspective fresh. Of course with Historical, I have more research involved.  I love writing historical because of the greater social restrictions of the past.  It makes breaking the rules so much more fun!<g>

As far as writing habits, or style, those pretty much remain the same.  I write more from a character-driven mode than a plot-driven mode, so I focus on the emotions, background, reactions, of the characters no matter what genre I write.

Ques: The cover for Diary of Cozette is just gorgeous. How many times have you pulled it out so far just to look at it?

Ans: Isn't it?  Honestly, I have heard grumblings from authors about their cover art not being at all what was depicted in the book, but I have been fortunate enough thoughout my career for the covers to be just exceptional work done by talented artists.  I fell in love with Diary of Cozette the first time I saw the mock up and after receiveing my author copies and holding it my hands, it is just such a perfect portrayal of this book. Vey lush, very sensual, very Victorian.

Ques: What inspired "Diary of Cozette"?

Ans: I love researching history for the unknown and rearely spoken of incidents that affected people in the past. Books and the internet, along with adaptations on television and in movies, offer a huge palette of colors to choose from in writing a book. I spend hours researching facts and stories of people, myths and legends--all of it fascinates me.

Interestingly, I wrote this story one evening , around midnight, just after a rain. I don't recall know what I was thinking specifically, but I pictured this laundry room off the kitchen of a Victorian English Country home. There, an impressionable young woman is painstakingly washing her mistress's table linens by hand, when one of the guests of the manor comes down to get something to eat.   What happens between them is a sensual, erotic moment cast in a very daily setting. I won't say more.  I had several other scenes plotted out as well using this same woman in a dairy style form of her experiences and sexual awakening. My editor, Susan Swinwood, graciously asked if I would like to write them as a full novel using that diary format. I had never done a first-person POV story before , but I loved her idea, my characters, and the challenge!

Ques:  I understand you have another Spice release coming next fall and it's title is "Tortured". What can you tell us about that?

Ans:  First let me say that Susan Swinwood is a visionary in the publishing world. She has really challenged me to broaden my scope of what I always considered as "erotic" writing.  The idea for Tortured came to me again in one of those moments when the image of a woman popped into my head and I wondered to myself, "What is her story?" 

Complex, adventurous, sensual, edgy--My heroine, Sierra lives in Medieval Ireland during the days of the Saxon takeover.(Dark Ages 491 A.D.)  Her mother, a Druid widow, possessed the gift of sight and was advisor to the Briton king, when his rule is overthrown, by the Saxons.The New king rids the village of all male children who might by lineage, threaten his rule, but Sierra's brother is kept hidden by her mother, until by accident he is discovered , bringing a chain of events to Sierras life that will change her life forever.  Spared only because of her gift of sight, she is imprisoned at the Saxon fortress due to her violence toward his guards and sentenced to live in the oubliette and be the executioners apprentice.  She soon becomes void of emotions, guarding herself against hope until she meets a Roman prisoner who gives her reason to hope again.

Ques: You also have an Anthology coming up I understand "Winter's Desire" is it too soon to share anything about that?

Winters Desire is the first in what I hope is a series we have dubbed "Celtic Spice."  I asked Kristi Astor (Kristina Cook) and Charlotte Featherstone if they might be interested in doing an anthology project for Spice and we came up with the premise of using the ancient Celtic festivals as our focal point and deriving our stories-each set in different historical time settings-- around the traditions, myths, or legends. It has been a delightfully serendipitous endeavor and we are working on others that we hope to offer to Spice in the future. My particular story called "Winter Awakening" is set in the Middle Ages in England when the rift between England and Ireland is simmering.

Ques:  Everyone always asks about "The Call." How did you learn of your first sale, and how long did it take you to fully believe it?

Ans:  I had published a few books prior to Susan contracting  Diary of Cozette, but I consider "the call" from Harlequin Spice as the one that has been the pivotal point in my writing career.  As far as "how long did I take to fully believe it", I am still pinching myself! My coming to Harlequin is quite simply the things that dreams are made of and I don't mean that in a corny way--this opportunity to write for the granddaddy of all romance publishers  is a gift I do not take for granted.

Ques: I read that your work has been described as "superbly sensual, powerful, emotional, and character-driven." Does that feel as good as it sounds?

Ans: I don't know if I ascribe such wonderful words about my writing to my feelings as much as I put them in front of me as reminders to make the next book just as good, if not better.  I use them as inspiration and challenge and I am thrilled when a reviewer/reader really enjoys my story enough to offer such praise.

Ques:  As I read you list of accomplishments and interests within this industry I noted "Crumbs in the Keyboard"and I have to ask; how was it, wrangling so many authors?

Ans:  Not easy. But well worth the resulting book. Our seventy-eight authors were comprised of beginner, aspiring and seasoned authors from all walks of life and each lent their own experiences in juggling writing with the challenges in their lives.What is fun now is to see how many of those authors went on to be highly successful authors.  I learned something from every one of those women and it was an honor to work with them.

We received support, encourgement from my writing heroes, Fern Michaels and Stella Cameron for this book.  It was a labor of love about two years in the making and I have a list of authors who have emailed me to say anytime I want to do a "Crumbs II" to let them know. I think that speaks well of what the project meant to them as well.

Ques:  Do you have a favorite character? And yes, I know that's like asking you to choose a favorite child.

Ans:  Of mine that I have written?  Likely the one I am currently writing or just finished, only because like you stated, it like that favorite child. I have bits and pieces about all the characters that I have written that endear them to me.

Heroes: Gabe, for his midwestern,laid-back smile, Dryston, for his reckless courage, Eros, for his polished playboy demeanor who is as vulnerable as the rest, Roan for his integrity and tenacity, White Eagle for his beliefs and love of family, William for the tragedy that befalls him when trying to save Cozette--I admit I am a sucker for cowboys and medieval/Celtic heroes. I have other heroes as well, but those are a few.

Ques:  What are your writing plans/goals for the future?

Ans:  To make my next book as good as, if not better than my last ;)

I am awaiting word on a proposal from Spice on a series called The Masters and the Muses, set during the time of the Pre-Raphelites. basically , the stories behind the women they used for their models. And we are putting together the next in the Festival Celtic Spice anthology, we hope will be picked up by Spice.

Ques:  If you could tell a reader about your work in only a few words, what would they be?

Ans:  Passionate, sensual, emotional, character-driven.

Ques:  If you could give one piece of advice to someone, about anything at all, what would it be, and why?

Ans:  The same that author, Virgina Brown gave me when I was starting out--"Never forget from whence you came."

Never taken anything for granted, dont get full of yourself thinking you know it all or that you "deserve" to be treated as a celebrity. Be flexible, be humble, be patient. Love your work, pour your heart and soul into it, and never stop learning.(that is a Picasso saying I live by)

Ques:  What's your favorite movie, and why?

Ans:  Oh see now you are talking to a movie aficionado here--I have very eclectic taste in movies and a lot of favs as a result!  This interview isn't long enough to cover them all I'm afraid---however,  I would have to say, "Meet Me in St Louis."  From stem to stern, I love this movie and always have. The era, the music, the clothing, and grandeur that was "everyday" at least in this neighborhood. The fact that it is set in the Midwest, in one of my favorite cities likely has much to do with it!  But I never tire of watching the interaction between the characters and the obstacles they must face, both alone and together.

Ques: Do you have a favorite book?

Ans:  No, but I have several favorite books<g> I'm afraid that my tastes in books run about as eclectic as my taste in music and movies!

Fiction: those I have read and re-read:  Christmas Knight (Christina Skye) Colony (Anne River Siddons) The Morning After (Suzanne Forster) Your Wish is My Command (Donna Kaufmann) The Night Slayer books(Robin T Popp)anything by Phillipa Gregory.