Amy Manemann grew up in the rural community of Clinton, Iowa where she still resides with her husband and their two children. An active participant at her church she enjoys spending time with her children, writing and getting engrossed in a good book. Although brief, my visit with Amy relates the professionalism with which she writes. You can visit her website at http://amymanemann.webs.com/ and her book Deadly Reunion is available at Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/IBTOF6
Hello Amy, Welcome to my website.Let’s find out more about you and your work.
Barbara: What prompted you to write your first book?
Amy: Why, the desire to tell a story of course! Actually what started it all was the beginning talks of having our first high school reunion. High school wasn’t exactly a high time in my life so I had a lot of trepidation about this. Instead of burying my proverbial head in the sand, however, I took my fears and traumas from my high school days and spun them into a more humorous light.
Barbara: What’s your biggest writing challenge?
Amy: Finding time to write! I currently work part-time at a medical office, am the Mini Drill Sergeant at the World Literary Café , have my own website that I run and have two very active children. Life is busy and juggling it all can be a challenge but it’s worth it in the end. That and the characters in my head don’t stay quiet for too long. Eventually they like to come out lol
Barbara: How important do you think social media is today with regards to you as a writer?
Amy: Very important. I think it enables writers another outlet for our voices to be heard.
Barbara: Do you have a regular writing routine? If so, what is it?
Amy: Nope, I wish I could say I have this fantastic writing routine that would make every author foam at the mouth but alas, I have yet to establish such! I write when I can, when creativity strikes me and when the kiddos aren’t yelling “Mom! He hit me!”
Barbara: Tell us about your book.
Deadly Reunion (A Taci Andrews Mystery)
Smart mouthed Taci Andrews is an investigative reporter for the Riverdale Times with a lot on her plate. Between receiving a dreaded invitation to her fifteen year high school reunion, her best friend’s divorce drama and her own solitary dating status her fun meter is pretty much pegged.
When Taci’s partner goes missing while covering a missing child feature she is suddenly thrown into the story of her career, which oddly enough delves into a past she would rather forget. She soon finds herself squaring off against a malicious class Barbie Doll, the High School Quarterback and a steamy Fireman from her past whose deep blue eyes are still enough to curl her toes.
Concerned about the disappearance of his friend’s daughter, Firefighter Tony Parsons returns to his hometown of Riverdale to see what is being done with the case. Having a few connections with the police force he decides to pull in a few favors, running into former classmate Taci Andrews in the process. His last memory of Taci was back in high school when she’d given him a black eye for feeling up her shirt. He had to admit the grown up version of Taci was even better than the adolescent version and when he learns she’s covering the story for the Times he decides to tag along.
Despite babysitting three hyped up children, having a disastrous date night, receiving an ominous warning and nearly getting blown up, the sparks that quickly ignite between Tony and Taci are hard to ignore, despite their best efforts. As they delve deeper to uncover the deadly truths surrounding the sleepy town of Riverdale, the old feud that rested between them for ages begins to give way to an unexpected passion.
But new feelings for one another or not they both have a job to do and a missing child to find. Can they put their feelings aside to solve the case or will they be next on the missing person’s list?
Barbara: Which writers inspire you?
Amy: Chelsea Cain, Sue Grafton, Johanna Lindsey, Melissa Foster and Stacy Eaton to name a few. It’s an eclectic list for sure, but each of them bring a different aspect to the table that draws my attention.
Barbara: What’s the most helpful piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?
Amy: To never give up on your dreams, courtesy of my father who passed away 11 years ago this June. It was a phrase he used while I was growing up and I would have given up on my dreams of becoming a writer had I not been reminded of that phrase.
Barbara: What is the biggest challenge to publication?
Amy: That depends if you’re looking at traditional or indie publishing. The biggest challenge with traditional publishing is actually getting your foot in the door, a near impossible feat but I’ve heard it can be done. For indie publishing the biggest challenge is getting your book to format correctly when uploading. Oh! And editing. NEVER underestimate the power of a good editor!!
Barbara: Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?
Amy: My children. They are by far the greatest thing I have accomplished to date and are my biggest cheerleaders.
Barbara: What are you currently working on?
Amy: Now that is a loaded question! I am getting Deadly Science ready for publication, I’m working on the third 
installment of the Deadly Series (Deadly Politics) and have started researching my next book series, Serial Sinners. Soooooo nothing too strenuous!
Thank You, Amy, for spending time with us today. Good Luck with the new book.
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