Welcome historical romance author Wendy May Andrews... *GIVEAWAY*

Hi, Wendy! Great to have you here today and to be a part of your ongoing tour - wishing you lots of sales and success with your new release, THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE! Let's kick off with my questions...

1.) What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a kid, my family loved to watch hockey together. I never aspired to be a hockey player but I still wanted to be involved. I thought driving the zamboni would be the best job ever. I still think it would be pretty cool but I’m not sure if it would be as fun as I dreamt of when I was young. It certainly would have been cold. And I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed having everyone watch me impatiently waiting for me to hurry up and finish so they can get back to their game. I think I landed in the best possible job.

2.) Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?

All of the above? ;-) I love to mix coffee and hot chocolate together for an extra sweet boost.

3.) What genre do you typically read? Why?

I will read any genre except horror and paranormal. I have been in love with words since I discovered them as a toddler. I will read anything including the ingredients list on the cereal box (not the best way to start your day). Non-fiction is not my favourite, though. I prefer the escape provided by reading fiction. I love mystery/thrillers like Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books. I also love sweet romance, especially regency historicals like those by Georgette Heyer. She was my inspiration for why I write regencies myself.

4.) Share a favourite childhood memory.

Maple candy on the snow is one of my ultimate childhood memories. In the spring, when the maple sap starts running, but you can still find snow in the woods, we would take a sled out and find a clean pile of snow, filling the sled. Then my mom and dad would boil the maple syrup until it begins to thicken. When it got to the right consistency, they would pour it on the snow in ribbons of deliciousness. The snow would make it harden and we would scoop it up, twirling it onto forks. It was a once a year indulgence that we looked forward to all winter.

5.) Do you have any shameless addictions? ie. Tea, Books, Shoes, Clothes?

Books!! They are my weakness. I have to work really hard at reining in my addiction or I will get nothing done. If I don’t keep it under control I could read more than a book/day! But we would be overrun with dust bunnies and there would be no food in the house. And of course, no more books would be written by me.

6.) What do you think is the biggest challenge of writing a new book?

Fleshing out the characters is my biggest challenge – making them into three dimensional people with back stories and issues – WHY did they do what they did… The ideas for the plot are never an issue for me, but deepening my characterization is what I work at the hardest. There’s always an explanation as to why people are the way they are, and I just have to figure it out, even for fictional characters.

7.) Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages a day?

Yes, I will usually have a word count goal for every writing session. It could be as little as 500 words to as high as 7,000 but each writing day has a goal – I am very goal/task oriented so it works for me. Some people hate deadlines but I tend to thrive on them. Everyone has to figure out what works best for them.

8.) What are your thoughts on writing a book series?

I think series writing has its own unique challenges. I’ve just started writing series so I’m still figuring it out. But I did write a couple sequels so I think it would be similar. You have to really fact check the first book to make sure you have the details right like descriptions and timing. Your blonde in book one can’t suddenly become a brunette in book three without an explanation J I know some readers love series and I have two in the works now. I’ve written the first draft of the first book in each of the new series. Once I’ve edited the first books, then I will start on the second before releasing the first ones. I’m really excited about both my new series. It’s going to be a new adventure!

The Reluctant Debutante

by Wendy May Andrews

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GENRE: Historical Romance (Regency)

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BLURB:

The Duke of Wychwood seeks retribution from the Earl of Pickering. When he finds out the earl has a beautiful young niece, the duke thinks to involve her in his feud, but is shocked to discover he is attracted to her.

The orphaned niece of the earl, Lady Victoria, serves as governess to four of his children and is made to feel like an interloper in her own home. A chance encounter with the duke affords her the opportunity to enter Society, but to take it means risking what little security she has.

Revenge and love don't sit well together, to have a future can they learn to give up the past?

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EXCERPT

chapter 3 – first sparks 

Victoria was beginning to feel quite miserable. She was soaked from head to toe, most of her body immersed in the water. Her heavy skirts were feeling like lead weights as they pulled her towards the current. Her boots were slowly sinking into the sludge on the river bottom. And the gorgeous stranger was now looking at her appraisingly.

“Can you reach my hand?”

Victoria felt a shiver slither up her back at the sound of his deep voice as he leaned down for her.

Wishing there were some other way, Victoria looked at him then up and down the river once more. Unfortunately, the riverbanks had not changed in the last few minutes and there was still no way to get up the bank on her own. Turning back to the stranger, she gritted her teeth and stretched out her hand.

Bryghton was struck by the young woman’s beauty. Her remarkable eyes held so much expressive emotion. He could tell she was scared and embarrassed but she had the wit to realize she had little choice if she wished to be rescued from her precarious position. The duke knew that not too much farther downstream the river deepened considerably.

The feel of her cold little hand in his large, warm one sent a strange sensation through him, but he knew this was not the time to be distracted. Despite her slight frame, her soaking clothes were weighing her down considerably, and effort would be required to get her out. In a similar gesture to hers, he too gritted his teeth and yanked on her arm.

With a plop, and after a swift scrabble up the bank, Victoria landed on the edge of the river next to the impeccably dressed, handsome stranger. Blushing again, she offered a shy, hesitant smile as she pushed herself to a seated position.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Best-selling author, Wendy May Andrews, has been in love with the written word since she learned to read at the age of five. She has been writing for almost as long but it took her some time before she was willing to share her stories with anyone other than her mother.

Wendy can be found with her nose in a book in a cozy corner of downtown Toronto. She is happily married to her own real-life hero, who is also her best friend and favourite travel companion. Being a firm believer that every life experience contributes to the writing process, Wendy is off planning her next trip.

She loves to hear from her readers and can be found at her website (wendymayandrews.com), on twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Website & Blog: http://wendymayandrews.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyMayAndrews

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyMayAndrews

Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/WendyMayAndrews

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Debutante-Sweet-Regency-Romance-ebook/dp/B073582R58/ref=sr_1_3