Today I have something a little different to share, it is obviously book related 🙂

Sandwiched in amongst two appointments I managed to get to spend an hour at the Literary Lunch segment of the Hellys Festival in Helston Cornwall. I finally got to meet author Amanda James. I have tried on a previous occasion to listen to her talk but work always manages to get in the way and make it impossible, this time I was not going to be deterred.

I have been a fan of Amanda since last year when I first discovered her books. I have been on a couple of Blog Tours with Bloodhound Books and have just signed up for the next one. When I see an email from Sarah Hardy at Bloodhound with the name Amanda James attached I accept straight away, I don’t read the synopsis, I just accept.

The setting for the Literary Lunch is a little unusual, a marquee at the side of the re-purposed Cattle Market in Helston, it had various things going on and though it took me a little while, I finally found the right place. It was an intimate gathering and had a relaxed and friendly feel to it.

Amanda is a lovely, warm and friendly person who made me feel very welcome , and I could have quite happily chatted to her for a while if I didn’t have to shoot off for my next appointment (the dentist for a check up grrrr)

The event started with a short introduction about how she made her way into writing full-time as well as being published and giving some advice to a fellow audience member / author.

Amanda’s talk was based around things that she feels are some of the important factors that she puts in her books. She now lives in Cornwall and has found the landscape is something that become a character in its own right. This is something I feel that comes through very strongly in her books. Cornwall is a very visual place with so many different sights and also the corresponding sounds and smells. Amanda explained how she finds it important to include some of these details into her stories.

She gave several short readings to highlight key-points of her talk. She included readings from Another Mother, Rip Current and The Calico Cat. Using these readings to highlight various things you want in a book, such as suspense, excitement, intrigue, the importance of setting, having a baddie and also the twist. Her main point was that the reader should feel that these aspects should feel believable and realistic and not forced or contrived in any way. Not every book has all of these elements and each author has their own way of writing and the things they personally like to include.

I had a wonderful hour listening to Amanda talk as well as being able to contribute a couple of things myself. If you ever find yourself with the opportunity to go and see and listen to Amanda then please do, she is a really lovely person. Also a mention to her husband who took the photo at the start of my post, thank you very much xx

I have still to read Rip Currant, and I do have it on my kindle TBR, yes even my kindle has a To Be Read (ASAP) Category 🙂 I mentioned that I had read some of Amanda’s previous books and if you would like to see my thoughts on those follow the links below.

The Calico Cat

Another Mother

Behind The Lie

About the Author:

Amanda James has written since she was a child, but never imagined that her words would be published. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dream of becoming a writer came true.

Amanda has written many short stories and has six novels currently published. Her time travelling debut – A Stitch in Time was published in April of 2013 and has met with great success.

Amanda lives in Cornwall and is inspired every day by the beautiful coastline near her home. Five suspense/mystery novels are set there, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Summer in Tintagel and the Behind the Lie – April 2017 pub – HQUK ( HarperCollins) 2018 Another Mother, and Rip Current – Bloodhound Books. The Calico Cat – family drama/coming-of-age out now with Bombshell/Bloodhound.

Amanda can usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.

Follow Amanda on her – Blog – Twitter – Facebook

I you want to read any of Amanda’s books (and you should of you haven’t already) you can find them at good book shops and I am including the link to her Amazon Author Page HERE to make it even easier for you 😊

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx