Amanda Prowse's Blog, page 2

Amandababble Week Forty-Six

Happy Easter! Hope your days have been chocolate filled and peaceful. Although if its anything like our house, you will spend the days catching up on chores and running around like a loon, which makes you busier than you would be at work!

I spent the first part of the week chained to my laptop while everyone seemed to be outside enjoying the sunshine! At least that’s how it felt, worth it though as I am making massive headway with my lovely new novel, set in New York and London – its great spending time in Central Park and Greenwich Village – even if it is only in my head!

In real life – I went to the cinema with my wonderful niece Amelie this week. We went to see Rio2 – was it any good? Ahh, well, you will have to ask Amelie, those big old comfy chairs and dimmed lighting meant I was asleep before the first words were spoken and she nudged me awake when it finished. At a shade over seven quid, it was a very expensive nap! I couldn’t help it; think it’s an age thing. Any chance for a nana nap and I’m off.

The Major has been teaching the boys to drive and he seems remarkably unscathed, bar the odd mumbling in his sleep of ‘turn right when its clear, I said when its clear!’ …and a few more grey hairs around the temple and a slight stutter and a bit of a jitter to his usually steady palm. I have to keep reminding him of the money we are saving and that he is doing a fine thing for our sons. Not sure he’s convinced and in truth I feel a little bit guilty that he is the one in the passenger seat and not me, but I HAVE got a book to write.

Easter holidays of my youth always seemed hot and long and spent outside – bliss. And yes, I know this is more likely down to the rose tinted specs with which I view my childhood – all I can say is, amen for those specs!  I was glad to see my two packing up a picnic and heading off to the great outdoors with their trusty mate Charlie (my favourite – would happily trade him for both mine ;) – I asked if they needed sandwiches making? Buns? A flask of tea? A firm NO rang out as they left the house looking remarkably spruced up for a day of yomping – almost as if they were meeting members of the fairer sex, although I didn’t dare enquire.

It seems the modern idea of a picnic is vodka jellies, a quart of Jack Daniels and a case of beer – oh and a few paltry burgers to char on the disposable bbq. They staggered home some eight hours later, ordered pizza, slept a bit and then hit a club. And didn’t return until the wee small hours, when the whole wide world was fast asleep… except for their mother who was staring at the ceiling waiting for the tell tale key in the door!

It wasn’t quite the Famous Five experience that I had envisaged for my offspring in this glorious weather.  I asked who had shown them how to make vodka jellies? Dad. Who got you a crate of beer? Dad. Who gave you the money for pizza… you guessed it, a hat trick for the Major. Funny, I suddenly feel less guilty about those extra grey hairs and nervous tic that he has developed. In fact think it’s time he took the kids for a drive around the block…

Thank you for all the lovely feedback on the freebie preview of my next novel, Will You Remember Me? There is a FREE PREVIEW for anyone that has missed it here on my website where you can also sign up for the newsletter etc and get more freebies, news and updates www.amandaprowse.org – so dig in and have a read, really hope you like it. I think it’s a goody…

Chocolate for breakfast is practically the rule over Easter right? Off to unwrap the kids Easter eggs, you snooze you lose!

Mandy x

 

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Amandababble Week Fourty-Five

What a glorious week, have you noticed that even the most difficult of days is made magnificent when topped and tailed with a bit of sunshine? Lovely.

It’s been the London Book Fair this week – lots of frenzied activity and discussion of all things booky, where those who write, print, publish, edit, sell and buy books, gather for a few days of hectic meetings, rich lunches and a glass or two of Pinot Grigio to wash away the long day…

It’s a bit like being at a wedding where you are talking to one long lost relative when another pops up at their shoulder, causing you to line up your conversations. You end up with a queue snaking away from you, all with the same thing to say:

‘Lovely to see you!

‘And you!’

‘I love your new cover!’

‘Me too!’

I had a fabulous time with my agent on Monday, making plans and talking about my forthcoming books, very exciting. I then rushed to St. Christopher’s Place and had a wonderful afternoon of laughing and drinking tea with my best mate, special times.

I have also been writing, a lot – and have nearly finished my festive novel ‘Christmas for One’ – the Major always knows when I am writing something romantic and sweet as I become very loving and smiley. This has been the case this week as my heroine romps around New York having the time of her life… it was very different when I was engrossed in What Have I Done? When he would often be greeted with a grunt or a dirty look! Poor thing.

It’s very similar to when you dream your other half has done something bad and you give them the cold shoulder upon waking – I mean we all do that right?! Only my books take a little while to write and I am so entrenched in the story that it’s like I’m in it! Luckily for the Major, this happy phase continues for at least another two chapters, he will therefore have a sunny, smiling, attentive wife until Wednesday… and then things take a bit of a turn. He has been warned.

My boys are revising and learning to drive. I don’t think there is a door that hasn’t been slammed, a stair that hasn’t been thudded upon or a swear word that hasn’t been uttered. It’s like living in a simmering stew of hormones and tension. Not that I care, I may be here in body but my mind is in New York having a lovely time, until Wednesday that is.

This week has seen the year anniversary of my beloved Nan’s death come and go. I think about her a lot but more so this week, re-playing that day in my head. We all arrived at my mum’s without prior arrangement, bringing cake and banter, our collective conscious told us to gather. And the day took on something of a celebration as we recounted, shared and laughed about our wonderful Nan. We reminded ourselves that dying in your eighties is an absolute privilege and considered just how grateful we are for the foundations she lay for us.  Still miss her though x

I am like most of the world, hypnotised by the Oscar Pistorius trial. I had no intention of watching or listening, but I am hooked. The one consistent element of admiration each and every day is the dignified way in which Reeva’s mother sits in front of him, a reminder of the beautiful, beautiful life he took. What an incredible woman. I think Mr Nel is fascinating to watch, if someone had killed my child, I would want them grilled by him. He asks the questions that we have all raised over the dining table and in coffee shops. Gripping stuff. At the end of every day and amid the spectacle, I remind myself that someone lost their life in the most horrific way and I think of Reeva.

Right, this isn’t helping my word count. A quick cup of coffee and then I shall hit the study and start tip tapping in earnest.

May your day be happy, full of sunshine and peaceful.

Today is like a little taster of the summer that feels tantalizingly within reach and even the idea of that fills my tummy with joy!

Love love

Mandy x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

 

HongKongbabble Week Forty-Four

Phew and breathe! I’m home again and loving it – even in the rain and cold!

Hong Kong from the Fenicular at Victoria Peak

The world feels like a very small place sometimes. I sit here tip tapping my blog and this time last week I was in Kowloon Hong Kong, enjoying the sights and smells of such a vibrant, busy city. My last week in New Zealand was wonderful. Auckland was very kind to us in terms of weather and it made working and exploring truly wonderful.

Hong Kong Harbour

I did the Good Morning TV Show on the NZOne network with the lovely Jeanette Thomas who was fabulous. I love it when you say so much more during the ad breaks than you do on screen, she was funny, warm and gorgeous and is definitely top of my list of people to drink wine with when I return in a few months time! We discovered new areas of Auckland that we had been too busy to explore a few months ago, like the arty Ponsonby with its plethora of cafés, bars and fabulous vintage shops and then the lovely village feel of Eden, where I climbed the sides of Mount Eden Maungawhau, the ‘Mountain of the Whau tree‘ in Māori.

I climbed the sides of Mount Eden Maungawhau.

It is the most serene place. I watched fascinated as a flight of Swallows swooped in beautiful formation down into the basin and back out repeatedly. It was stunning and moving. I couldn’t tear myself away. It was as ever wonderful to see my books in so many fabulous stores like Whitcoulls, Paper Plus, Arcadia and The Women’s Bookshop in Ponsonby. Harper Collins out did themselves and I was whisked from one engagement to the next.

Auckland

The highlight was probably a dinner with all the key Kiwi booksellers, where wine and good book banter flowed, ending in a heated discussion that flew back and forth about what books were better as films! The list wasn’t long, trust me, but we decided that probably the works of Ian Fleming and Roald Dahl were the winners. My own particular favourite being the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, which I still love (not so keen on the re-make!) x

I’ve been back for a couple of days, just long enough to reacquaint myself with the boys and tackle the laundry mountain that awaits after any time spent travelling. Back to earth with a bump. This morning I jumped up and set off early with my shopping trolley to go and stock up on fruit and veg from a lovely local shop that opens early and has the BEST produce for a fraction of the supermarket prices. I arrived and filled my arms with oranges, avocados, blueberries, a pineapple, a big fat Galia melon and other goodies. I paid and the sweet man helping me opened my trolley, only for us both to discover that my kids, while I was away, have used my trolley as a laundry basket. No, I don’t know why either. But I was mortified, standing with a queue behind me while I tried to hide their pants, pyjamas and grubby jeans and stuff my produce in my bag. Grrrrr….

I’ve been beavering away since I returned (and while I was away) on my novel ‘Christmas for One’, which comes out… at Christmas – who could have guessed! It’s a lovely romantic romp set in New York that I am really enjoying, lovely to re-visit special places in the city that never sleeps. I’ve seen the first copies of Will You Remember Me? Out in July and it is WONDERFUL. I know you shouldn’t have favourites… but I think WYRM? Had knocked Clover’s Child from my top spot, I loved that book as I love Dot so much, but I honestly think that this one is my best yet. Hope you like it too. http://amzn.to/1iaMlMD xx

It was our wedding anniversary yesterday and the Major took me out for a wonderful supper. I feel very lucky to be married to my best friend and as we laughed our way through our special dinner last night, we reflected on our funny old lives. I’ve gone from army wife to author, endured times of separation and total skintness and now we are just about starting to find our feet. It’s been a real life adventure. I wouldn’t change a single second of it and there is no one that I would rather share it with than him, but don’t tell him. Treat ‘em mean and all that…

 

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Kiwibabble Week Forty-Three

I’m sitting here on the terrace, with crickets and frogs serenading me as I type – overlooking Tutukaka harbour on the North Island of New Zealand. The rugged sea is smashing against the rocks and the whole landscape is one of barren majesty. Lush green forest swoops down until it meets the rocks and shoreline that border the most dramatic beaches. Autumn has arrived in New Zealand and the temperature is a very pleasant 70°.

This has to be one of my favourite places in the whole wide world. The air is like fresh water, each lungful leaves me feeling refreshed and cleansed. The Major and I are taking a day or so to be calm and breathe after a very hectic, but WONDERFUL trip to Sydney. It’s a city that welcomes us back with open arms and one that there is never enough time to see and do EVERYTHING! Although we managed to pack in quite a lot around work, including trips to the beach at Manly and Watsons Bay, supper at Doyle’s looking back over the Sydney city scape, a visit to the art gallery of New South Wales as well as clocking up a good few k’s hiking up and down the back streets of Surry Hills where my new book is going to be set.

Australia was a tad cooler than it was ten weeks ago when we last visited and it made working a bit more bearable! It was wonderful to visit some fabulous bookshops like Abbeys and Dymocks and talk to the marketing bods who do such a fab job with my books down under!

Harper Collins (my publishers in Australia and NZ) whisked me from one engagement to another, including radio shows, interviews and even a cheeky photo shoot outside the Opera House, which as you can imagine, I found mortifying!

Sydney is without doubt THE coffee capital of the world – with the most incredible coffee shops, serving rich, aromatic, organic blends that have just the right amount of kick. Needless to say I had to spend a lot of time in them, researching my new novel ‘Abigail’s Coffee Shop’ that is set in Australia and Scotland! A fact that I think will make my friend Flora very happy.

Whilst I stuck to the coffee, the Major indulged in banana bread, crumbly carrot cakes, moist, fruity muffins and slabs of chocolate brownie. I am pleased to report that I am sticking to my ‘little bit fitter and trimmer today than I was yesterday’ plan and am well over half way to achieving my goal.

I’ve been on my regime for a little over 2 months and it is now second nature. The increase in my energy levels is enough motivation for me to keep going… I promise to share a photo or two when I’ve reached my goal.

We are heading back down to Auckland tomorrow in preparation for a busy week talking about and promoting ‘A Little Love’ over here. I shall be on TV1 Good Morning on Tuesday for any viewers in New Zealand.

I hope all is good in the UK, haven’t heard from the boys for a few days, which I am told is a good thing… I reminded my other half that when they were quiet in the past, it was because they were colouring in the sitting room wall, giving the dog a haircut or stuffing nachos into the DVD player. He says I worry too much. Perhaps he is right.

This time next week, I shall be writing in Hong Kong – which should be exciting. However, I MUST stop singing the Hong Kong Phooey theme tune in my head; it can only lead to trouble….

#Hello Hello, Police Headquarters. This is Rosemary…

#Number One Super Guy…

#Quicker Than The Human Eye…

Enough already!

Sending you love from the other side of the world.

Mandy x

 

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

 

 

Australiababble Week Forty-Two

Started the week in Blighty where the sun was making a valiant attempt to peek through the clouds – hope that weather has continued, it makes everything seem that bit brighter. I spent Monday with my best friend, which was lovely, lovely – it was a much needed girl’s catch up (you know what I mean ladies!) and to hear all about her crazy adventures, flying planes? I ask you!

I noted with dismay that my son waved me off without so much as a backward glance, as the Major pointed out, ‘what would you prefer? That he hung off your leg and cried like a toddler?’ I know the answer he wanted was ‘No of course not!’ so that’s the one I gave him, but I have to confess that I wouldn’t have minded a little bit more distress on my son’s part! …Maybe not leg hugging, but a slight quake to the voice perhaps? Nah, I know, not going to happen.

I think my favourite travel quote was from the Major; we were half way through our flight from London to Hong Kong (about six hours in) when he leant towards the window and sighed, ‘all those poor people lost in that recent air disaster. I wonder what happened? They probably crashed; I mean, one minute they are sitting here like us and the next, whoosh! They’ve fallen out of the sky…’ I think the woman behind us actually started praying.

After a brief spell in Hong Kong, we arrived in glorious Sydney! It was lovely to go to one of our favourite coffee shops in Surry Hills, called ‘The Goods’ and be greeted with a smile and the phrase, ‘hey! Haven’t seen you for a while…’  Err well no; we’ve been in England! There is something very special about being welcomed back – it feels like coming home.

In the ten weeks since we were here last, the weather has cooled and is now more like a warm English summer rather than the fierce heat that sent temperatures soaring on our last trip. It’s quieter too, gone are the hoards of Christmas tourists, things feel a bit calmer and more spacious. We spent a precious day off at Manly beach yesterday. I wrote about it on our last trip when there was a shark in the water, much excitement from the Prowse clan. Yesterday they ‘shut’ the sea! No swimming allowed due to the ferocious rip tides and rampant surf, beautiful to watch, but I didn’t even risk a paddle.

We bought a huge slab of watermelon and I must say the Major’s training where he is programmed to ‘improvise, adapt and overcome’ came in very handy. We didn’t have a knife, but I watched in awe as he carved slices with his driving license! Skills! I naively asked, ‘Is that clean?’ to which he replied, ‘Yes, no points or convictions!’ boom boom!

I spoke to the boys earlier today, who were preoccupied by the television in the background and couldn’t get off the phone fast enough. The Major says I should be happy they are so settled again, I answered, ‘oh yes, absolutely!’ whilst still wishing for a flicker of toddler-like missing me… I know! Not going to happen.

The hard work starts in earnest tomorrow, I have a week of interviews, radio and photo shoots etc. where I shall be promoting ‘A Little Love.’ And when I’m not working I shall be researching my novel that comes out after ‘Heaven & Back’ (here’s the link by the way, http://amzn.to/1o72kR0) and ‘Christmas for One,’ called ‘Abigail’s Coffee Shop.’ It is set in Sydney and Edinburgh and is lovely!

So if you see me, sitting in coffee shops, watching the world go by and staring dreamily at the décor or photographing the interiors, fear not, this is me WORKING! x

 

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

 

Amandababble Week Forty-One

This week has lasted a couple of days. Whoooooosh…. one minute it was Monday morning and now its the weekend! How did that happen?

I’ve been having a good old think about the things that count as you do when something in your life goes belly up! We’ve had a mini crisis this week (and only a very minor hiccup in the scheme of things) but nothing that can keep us down for long.

I don’t know if I’m alone in my disaster planning, but I will often play out a scenario in my head of what to do in the event of various disasters. In this fictitious planning session, the Major is always absent and I am forced to cope and plan, whereas anyone that knows me can confirm, when in a tight spot, I would probably cry in the corner and then make tea and toast when it was all over.

The scenarios I envisage are these; Burglary (hide under the bed and with phone on silent, text the police and our neighbour who has a big dog and a baseball bat) Fire (gather up the children, lob a mattress out of the widow and hurl them onto it) Alien Invasion (befriend the long fingered, single eyed aggressors, while plotting from within to overthrow them).

Well, I arrived home this week, to find that the combination of incessant rain and a very leaky roof had finally created the perfect conditions for devastation. The ceiling had collapsed. Not quite alien invasion, but just as messy. I had no idea just how much grime, sludge, dust, muck and filth was lurking above the ancient plaster. I do now, as it is distributed across two of our three bedrooms, with a good smattering in the hallway and down the stairs for good measure.

At first, I was shocked, taken aback by the mess and the smell, then came the inevitable tears (told you!) followed by a swell of panic as I considered what we might have lost. Racing up the stairs, with wellies squelching en route, I didn’t once consider the furnishings, clothes, or mountain of electrical goods, no, my panic was solely for my box of photographs stored on top of a wardrobe and our collection of framed prints from our many jaunts to places we hold dear. By some miracle, they were intact, a little soggy maybe, a little smudged, but nothing a good going over with a hairdryer and a brief spell in the airing cupboard won’t cure… I felt instant relief and happiness.  Nothing replaceable matters, but our precious box of memories and a framed post card that the kids bought me from a museum when they were little, well, that was everything.

I have lost count of the number of trips that we have made to the tip with sludge coated belongings nestling inside bin bags, I know it’s a fair few, as I’m now on first name times with the man that runs the site, ‘Morning Derek!’

I celebrated World Book Day by heading over to BBC Radio Bristol for an interview on the John Darvall Show to talk Books and St.Peter’s Hospice – you can have a listen here; http://bbc.in/MRfljI I’m on about 2 hours 10 minutes in! x

I spent the latter part of the week in London, meeting with some fab glossy magazine editors, looking at bits and pieces for the coming year, which is very, very exciting. Not quite sure how I’m going to fit everything in, but I’ll find a way. Pah, sleeping is so overrated anyway!

This is my last weekend in the UK for a while as I am off to Hong Kong, then Australia and then New Zealand, promoting books! We are leaving on Tuesday. Fear not… ‘Babbles’ as always will be sent from wherever I can plug in my laptop.

I have the familiar knot in my stomach at leaving the boys for a few weeks, even though they don’t seem remotely fussed and are in the very capable hands of my mum (who will spoil them stupid!) I don’t like being away from them, especially so far away.

I hope your next week is good, disaster free and full of good things. I’m off to meet my best buddy for a bit of a catch up and a cup of green tea, can’t wait as this time next week, I shall be far far away…

Love and Luck,

Mandy xx

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Amandababble Week Forty

I feel like I’ve been locked in my writing cave for the last few weeks, emerging like a thing from the deep, only to do a bit of radio or meet my publishers… Any thoughts about my personal appearance have gone out of the window. I have skulked around in pyjamas with my long hair resembling tramps dreadlocks and dark, dark circles beneath my eyes, creeping miscreant-like from sofa to kitchen and back again. I don’t mean to be dramatic, but when I enter this space, it’s as if nothing else exists apart my manuscript and I (apologies family & friends!) I sleep a little at night, but wake at 5am or even 4am – energized and with a need to hit the keyboard. I am happy to report that Heaven & Back is delivered! Whoop whoop! The hair has been washed and I even applied a slick of lip-gloss today. I think it’s a fabulous story, am I allowed to say that? If not then ignore, the last sentence or two.

It was lovely to do the late night show with John Govier that went out on BBC Devon, BBC Cornwall, BBC Jersey and BBC Guernsey. As ever we had a wonderful heart felt chat, interspersed with some awesome chooons! He is an incredible journalist and presenter. I always leave feeling as if I’ve had a good catch up with a mate.

Right now, it’s all hands on deck preparing to head back to Australia and then New Zealand. I leave the week after next. I shall be doing interviews and some telly! Exciting, but a little scary – I am in very good hands though; my publishers out there (Harper Collins) are a fab bunch. I shall be dragging the Major with me, can’t bear the thought of those very very long flights without him to cuddle up to.

Those of you who follow me regularly will know that when something gets up my nose – I feel the need to let off steam! Here are a couple of examples in my latest articles for the Huffington Post  ‘A Quiet Word’; http://huff.to/1fWk4bq and ‘Stepping Up’; http://huff.to/OJnJUa – let me know what you think.

So how’s the new healthy regime going? Well, it’s going GREAT! I am delighted to say that my aim to be a little bit fitter and trimmer than I was yesterday, every day, is working! My exercise kind of fell by the wayside a little while I was engrossed in my latest book and stuck to the sofa, but the good news is, the healthy eating remained. Usually, I would be reaching for toast or pasta to see me through my marathon writing sessions, but guess what? Turns out I can write just as well when fuelled by vegetables, healthy home made soups and the odd avocado? Who knew?!?!?

The great thing about this new regime is not only the weight loss and the glowy skin etc., but far more important, is how it makes me FEEL! I am faster; more alert and have a zing in my step… I always had a bit of zing, but now I’m double zinged. Yes, that is a word. So onwards and upwards. I can’t wait to reach my target and all the benefits that it will bring to my short and long-term health.

I had the pleasure of spending time with my two year old nephew this week, the ADORABLE Noah. As I arrived, he presented me with a large carrot wrapped in a hankie and told me it was a baby. He then gave it a bottle and rocked it to sleep! He then handed it to me and left the room. I was in my parent’s sitting room, rocking this carrot before I realised he was playing shops in the kitchen. The Major came in and asked me what I was doing as I sat alone cooing over a carrot! I stared at him, not sure of where to start! …I think it must run in the family.

The boys were out on the town last tonight, which means I sat wrapped in a blanket until I heard their key in the door and then rushed up the stairs as though I’d been there all night! I couldn’t sleep until I knew they were tucked up safe and sound under my roof. I know they are big boys now, but I still picture them as little boys and to be honest I think I always will. The spare beds were made up on their floors as they inevitably bring a couple of mates home and today I spy 6 pairs of shoes at the bottom of the stairs and the sleeping bag box has been raided! I get the pleasure of cooking fry-up’s for them all when they surface. Did that sound like a moan, don’t be fooled, I bloody love it! I know that one day I shall look back on the noise, chaos, mess and banter and ache for these days.

And after a couple of days break, I am already well into my next novel – three chapters in and I’m really enjoying it. I might need to pop my pashmina on though, me heroine is in New York and it’s snowing, which can make me feel a tad chilly, but it’s lovely to be wandering around the streets of Greenwich Village and see the familiar sights.

May there be light at the end of your tunnel…

Mandy xx

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Amandababble Week Thirty-Nine

Phew it’s been blowing a gale here in the West Country and the rain has shown little sign of abating. This morning however there is the first glimpse of sunshine and I hope it provides respite from all those suffering. My heart and prayers go out to everyone that has been affected by the horrendous weather this week. I think the Services have done an amazing job of getting to people and helping where they could – thank you to all who have helped in this incredible effort, you are all wonderful!

I seem to have packed a lot in this week. Monday I spent at St.Peter’s Hospice in Bristol where I was honoured to spend time with the staff, volunteers and patients. If I’m being truthful, I was slightly nervous about going to the hospice, unsure of how I might react to the situation in which I found myself. Oh my word, it was an awe inspiring place – homely, warm and welcoming with an atmosphere that was closer to a lovely hotel than a hospital. It felt like more like visiting family than meeting strangers and I was left with nothing but admiration for the staff and volunteers who do an incredible job with such love and compassion. Everyone’s individual needs are respected and considered and every patient is given freedom and treated with dignity. Bristol is a far richer place because St.Peter’s Hospice is in it for sure. I am looking forward to going back soon.

Mid week I set off for Ireland. The Major and I sat at Bristol airport and watched as the wind and rain lashed the terminal, the flight was delayed as expected, we sat in the airport for six hours before it was deemed safe to fly. The forty-five minute flight turned into an hour and twenty minutes as the pilot circled Dublin trying to put the plane down. I overheard the crew say they had twenty minutes of fuel and so had to put it down soon. After a while I turned to the Major and said, ‘how long have we been up now?’ to which he replied, ‘about nineteen and a half minutes!’ I didn’t find it very funny! We wibbled and wobbled and eventually managed to land in Dublin. There were huge sighs of relief all round, apologies for the nail marks I may have left in the arms of the chair!

At Dubray Books

We arrived at our hotel late and in the dark so didn’t get to see much of the fair city and were up very early so I could get to the Ireland TV AM studio to appear and talk about A Little Love! It was then a case of jumping in a car and navigating the windy roads to appear on East Coast FM, before undertaking a mini bookshop tour! Lovely to see Hodges Figgis, Dubray Books and Easons with such lovely Amanda Prowse displays …then back to the hotel for an interview with a magazine – Phew!

The weather was appalling for our whole trip, but that didn’t stop Dublin and it’s people giving us the most incredible, if slightly damp, welcome! Arriving at the airport to travel home, we checked in and went through to departures, only to discover that our flight was delayed… for six hours! I could have wept. If we had known before we could have spent time in Dublin, instead of sitting in the departure lounge watching other people going home. The flight back to Bristol was just as nerve wracking and the piece de resistance was having to wait for twenty minutes for a bus to ferry us from the plane to the terminal, I nearly wept, again!

But hey ho, we actually enjoyed good catch up time, chatting without distraction and making plans, it was quite lovely. Delays and getting drenched are nothing compared to what some home and business owners are facing this week, I think we got off lightly. As I said at the time, even delays and bad weather are good when you are with the one you love x

Boys are on half term this week – Yay! I asked them what their plans were, they replied, ‘sleeping, eating and maybe doing a bit of revision.’ – no change there then.  The Major is teaching them both to drive at the moment, if you thought he was grey before…

MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to Ally and Clive who welcomed beautiful baby Evan into the world this week, sending you all my love. Can’t wait for a cuddle!

Tickets are selling well for my two UK events before I head off to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, New York etc… and these are March 4th 7pm at Devizes Books in their beautiful gallery space – tickets from Jo Bachelor, Devizes Books, Handel House, Sidmouth St, Devizes SN10 1LD 01380 725944. The other is March 9th as part of the Monmouth Women’s Festival a lovely afternoon at Monmouth Priory, afternoon tea and book talk! – Tickets here http://bit.ly/KMqAZz !

Right, back to my writing, I left my heroine in a very snowy New York, think I better get back to her or she might be getting a little bit chilly, poor Megan. Did I say Megan? As in ‘Megan’ from ‘A Little Love?’ Ooops, you didn’t hear it from me.

Look after yourselves and stay toasty. I wish for you warmth and dry socks.

Mandy x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Amandababble Week Thirty-Eight

Birds flying high

You know how I feel

Sun in the sky

You know how I feel

Breeze driftin’ on by

You know how I feel

It’s a new dawn

It’s a new day

It’s a new life

For me

And I’m feeling good…

YES! This is the only way to describe me this week. I think it is almost entirely down to my new energy levels. Losing weight and getting fitter (my ‘a bit trimmer and fitter than I was yesterday, every day’ plan) is really working. I can only describe it as similar to when you wake up after a week with a nasty bug and you start to feel better and when you feel COMPLETELY healed you want to jump up and punch the sky! Well, it’s like that. I can see that poor nutrition has been making me feel sluggish and weak and I am loving this new energy packed motor that is powering me now.  Onwards and upwards.

It was lovely to catch up with the team at LBC 97.3 this week. Here’s the link for anyone that wants to listen to me with Iain Dale on the LBC book club;

http://lbc.audioagain.com/presenters/8-iain-dale/353-the-book-club-free

They are such a fabulous team of people; it always feels like going for a catch up with good friends rather than work. Thank you LBC – my radio is tuned for Tuesday when you go NATIONAL!!! Whoop whoop! X

It’s been a writing week for me and I have been hitting the keyboard with vigour. Heaven and Back is finished! Hurray! And I LOVE it! Apologies to my very tolerant family who know that when I’m in the zone, everything else goes by the way side. I am still reeling from the fact I sent my son on a school trip with no packed lunch – anyone that has read Poppy Day, will know why this upset me so much. Can’t wait until I can show you the cover, which is beautiful – I think Ami my cover designer just gets better and better.

Next week is busy – Monday I am honoured to be visiting St.Peter’s Hospice in Bristol to meet the fabulous people doing a wonderful job for the people of the South West. I am really looking forward to that. Then Tuesday Londinium before flying over to Ireland to do some breakfast telly with TV3 – to talk A Little Love! Then a quick bookshop tour and home. Then it’s more interviews, more writing and start preparing to head back to Australia and New Zealand… Good job I’ve got all this new energy eh?

I am delighted to announce that I will be holding ‘an evening with Amanda Prowse’ on March 4th at Devizes book shop, where wine, nibbles, books and book talk shall be the order of the night, I can’t wait! Phone: 01380 725944 for ticket information!

On a personal note – can I wish my lovely friend Allison Williams all the love and luck in the world tomorrow when she gets to meet her new baby! Ally is one half of AmandaProwseFans and she is the most incredible supporter of my stories and of me, for which I am extremely grateful. She has two beautiful sons already and I can’t wait to cuddle the new addition!  X

I’ve been thinking about my lovely Nan a lot this week. At the strangest of moments, in the car, on a train and sitting in the kitchen, I have glimpsed her in my mind. It’s been comforting to see her smiling at me and upsetting as I miss her so very much.  It brought to mind what Dorothea says to her granddaughter Poppy, ‘no one really leaves you, not for good. They are always there, keeping an eye, you just have to know where to look for them…’ I’ll keep looking Nan.

So Valentines Day on Friday – I shall do the usual; fill the house with heart shaped things and chocolate and cards for everyone, which they will totally ignore and maybe grunt at in passing…  Last year I was in a bit of a huff as my efforts had gone ignored again, when my 17 year old came downstairs. I pointed at the balloons and said, ‘Look! Valentine’s Day! This is me telling you how much I love you all!’  He looked up and then at me, before muttering, ‘I love you every day, don’t need to get you a bloody balloon to tell you that…’ I thought my heart might burst!

I send you love this week, by the bucket load.

Mandy x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Amandababble Week Thirty-Seven

Back in Blighty this week and once again its good to be home! Quite horrified by all the flooding, even beautiful Bristol has had areas of water damage around the swollen river etc, although nothing compared to what’s occurred on the Somerset Levels. My hearts and prayers are with everyone affected. It’s an awful thing to happen in your home, truly devastating.

And boy has it been cold! Bbrrrrrr…. Think I’m a little out of practice at being in this colder clime – I know, I know, no sympathy deserved. I’ve spent about 3 weeks in the UK in last 6 months, but thankfully am here for a month before I pack up my rucksack and take to the road again. I shall make the very most of every day here. Yesterday, I walked around Bristol with my best friend, we took the hills with gusto, meandered the markets and stopped on the harbourside for herbal tea – one of those fab days where the miles passed quickly under our feet, the chatter flowed and we laughed, a lot. Bliss.

Today is my beautiful nephew Noah’s 3rd birthday party – it will be a packed house at my mum’s. I have bought a three tier plastic cake that lights up, sings happy birthday and dances, I think I have a good chance of winning the favourite present of the day award! I also suspect it may one of those whose batteries mysteriously disappear after an hour to save everyone’s sanity! Happy Birthday, beautiful boy.

I am so pleased with my new novel Heaven & Back – it’s a corker and MUST come with a tissue warning! I have had seen a sneak preview of the cover and it’s a beauty – can’t wait for the big reveal.  A Little Love – http://amzn.to/1e9LXQ2 has received some awesome reviews, which is wonderful! Thank you! And my new shorty out this week, Ten Pound Ticket http://amzn.to/1jXTHWR is doing great – so again Thank You! I can’t tell you how it makes me feel to read such wonderful reviews and feedback, it makes me feel so proud, but also connected to all my readers like nothing else. I love this international community of book lovers, united across seas and miles by a common love of words and pages – how brilliant is that?

I have two fabulous events coming up and would dearly love to see any of you at either. The first is an afternoon at Monmouth Priory on March 9th – where I shall be speaking as part of the Monmouth Women’s Festival – the setting will be the STUNNING Monmouth Priory and we shall be chatting about A Little Love and general bookish gossip over afternoon tea – how lovely!  Join me if you can – tickets here http://bit.ly/KMqAZz . I am also holding an evening of chat and vino on March 4th in Devizes at the fabulous Devizes Book Shop – more details this week, but if you’re close enough, pop it in your diary, it would be lovely to see you!

And now…. drum roll please…. The update on the ‘reclaiming ‘me’ fitness and getting fabulous regime of 2014!’  I am very pleased to report that I have lost a stone and a half and feel WONDERFUL! I still have a way to go, but already have got a little of my mojo back. Lots of my friends and family have commented that I look ‘well’ or ‘healthy’ or ‘better’ and that is enough motivation to push on. My goal now is as it was when I embarked on this, to be a little bit fitter and trimmer than I was yesterday, every day. And it’s working!  Happy days! I mean I’m not quite back in my bikini yet, but I’m on the right track…

The one single thing that has made the biggest impact to my new lifestyle is SOUP! Instead of eating the entire kitchen when I come home and haven’t eaten all day, you know what it’s like… when all you want is something hot and filling and you want it NOW! I now pre-prepare a very healthy, filling, tasty soup and after an enormous bowl of that, I am full happy and haven’t shoved bread and rubbish into my gob.

And unusually this week, instead of sharing some of his rather more amusing antics, I would like to thank the Major – who over the last few weeks has been incredible. I leave the country and he picks up the slack at home, looks after the boys, keeps the ship on a safe course and is generally awesome. Thank you, Major Prowse; you are the best P.A/housekeeper/chauffeur/cook/babysitter in the whole wide world! x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084