I decided to start featuring an author each month as I do for my Blogoversary month. The first author to be spotlighted is Mandy M. Roth.
I haven’t had the opportunity to read many of Mandy’s books but I know a few people who have, and when I was doing research for this post, I realized that Mandy M. Roth had written quite a few books, under her name, some pen names and these books sound amazing. I found Mandy M. Roth through the Happily Everlasting series, which she started with three other authors.
Below is a quote from Once Hunted, Twice Shy.
This quote shows just some of Mandy fabulous sense of humor. Along with how she puts her characters in the funniest situations.
“How about I shove my sunflower up your whoops-a-daisy?” As the ridiculous question left his lips, he remembered what Polly had done and cringed.
Penelope’s expression lightened more. “Your what up his what?”
Hugh grunted.
Curt smiled wide, looking entirely too pleased with himself for Hugh’s liking. “Dare I ask what is going on with you?”
“Eat your vegetables,” snapped Hugh, meaning anything but that. His mouth and brain didn’t want to connect.
Curt snorted. “This is an interesting change. Are you going to double dog dare me next?”
“Caramel fudge,” returned Hugh, his anger growing, but he found he was unable to articulate it the way he used to. “Fiddlesticks.”
Penelope beamed. “I like it. I’m going to have to use that one. My go-to is typically ‘hold the pickles,’ but I see room for improvement.”
Wait. She liked this side of him?
Great.
Roth, Mandy M.. Once Hunted, Twice Shy: A Cozy Paranormal Mystery (The Happily Everlasting Series Book 2) (Kindle Locations 1141-1150). Raven Happy Hour, LLC. Kindle Edition.
Without further ado, here is:
My Interview with Mandy M. Roth
Thanks for having me!!!!
Writing Style
What do you love most about your writing process?
I hate to be bored and with writing, no two days are the same.
Do you like music or silence?
I listen to music. I’m a huge fan of music of all styles and genres and have extensive playlists devoted to each of my series and books. I started putting some of them on Spotify so readers could take a peek behind the “listening curtain” as well. My playlist for Everlasting can be found here.
Go to Spotify for Everlasting Mix
Do you have goals of certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes?
I know my end due date for a book to go to an editor, and I know the final word count range. From there I just sort of wing it.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
I know the start and end points of a story, but I never know the ride the book will take to get there until I’m in it and writing.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Kiss of death for me are interruptions.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I’ve been published for nearly fifteen years now and have made so many great author friends that I’m not sure I could list them all. I know I’m going to forget some but here are a few I tend to talk/interact with often (if not daily in some way) Michelle M. Pillow, Jaycee Clark, Jana DeLeon, Kristen Painter, Denise Grover Swank, Shannon Mayer, K. F. Breene, Steve Konkoly, Deanna Chase, Violet Vaughn, A.G. Riddle, Theresa Ragan, Christine Bell, Nick Webb, Gena Showalter, Yasmine Galenorn, Robyn Peterman, Renee George, Eve Langlais, Laurann Dohner, and all the amazing authors in Romance Authors Marketing Network (RAMN). I’m sure there are a ton more I forgot to list. Everyone I surround myself with is full of encouragement without being “yes” people. They aren’t afraid to tell me like it is or to hold my hair should I need to be sick. LOL
How important are character names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?
Names in my books are hugely important to me. I base the choice off a number of things. Meaning, sound, how it looks with other names from the book (often names that are too closely spelled can be confusing when reading fast), etc.
Have you ever made up a character’s name?
Yes. I make up names for them often.
Book/Series
What is your favorite part of the Happily Everlasting Series and/or your new spin-off Bewitchingly Ever After Series?
The chance to work with so many talented authors and the challenge of flexing my writing muscles and writing books with no sex, no cursing, and without a lot of on-screen violence.
Is anything in your series based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?
Petey and his sayings all come from my paternal grandmother. Hugh, Curt, and Sigmund have a strong friendship bond that I based off my friendship with my bestie (the awesomely talented Michelle M. Pillow). Wilber and his antique shop are based off my maternal grandfather (no longer living). He used to fix pocket watches and grandfather clocks.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write for Don’t Stop Bewitching and why?
Petey is always a ton of fun for me to write but I’d have to say the surprise breakout for me was Blackbeard. I had a lot of fun playing with real history and fiction.
How did you come up with the title?
I’m a giant music nerd, so it was quick and easy. The trick was getting me to stop coming up with titles (I think I have a list of a 100 more).
If you could spend time with a character from one of your Series whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
A road trip in Sunshine (hippie van from Don’t Stop Bewitching) for sure! It would be awesome to drive cross country with the gang.
When you are writing or building a character, do you like to find a photo of a celebrity or random person to help you build the character or is it all from your imagination?
Yes. I often find photos and will note if it’s the eyes that I like, the lips, etc. And from there the characters morph in my mind into something more/different. They become alive.
What project are you working on now?
I’m working on Sig’s book from Everlasting/Bewitchingly Ever After.
Do you have any other books coming out this year?
Yes. Healing the Wolf (Shadow Agents), Wrecked Intel (Immortal Outcasts) and then a couple of surprises.
Cozy Mysteries
Check out the reviews for the Happily Everlasting Series:
New Series
Bewitchingly Ever After which the first book is available now. Check out my Giveaways for a chance to win a copy. (INSERT BUTTON for the giveaway)
Other Books
I haven’t had the opportunity to read more of Mandy’s series, but my Mom has some them on her TBR list. Mandy has written a lot of books. And since I am a sucker for good cover art, so many of them look good. I saw Daughter of Darkness Trilogy. Which has a 15th-anniversary edition that will be totally revisited, revamped, revised, and re-edited. And released in April of 2019, I think I just found three books for April.
Coming April 1, 2019
2nd book April 15, 2019
3rd book April 29, 2019
If you have time check out some of Mandy M. Roth’s other series you can follow the link below.
Where to find Mandy M. Roth
If you would like to know more about Mandy check the links below:
Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Vimeo Goodreads Amazon
Thank you again, Mandy, for agreeing to do the interview and being a featured author on my blog.
Until the next time, happy reading!
Leave a Reply