Amandababble Week Twenty Three

Please forgive me the brevity of this blog – I am secretly tapping into my laptop in the loo at my brothers wedding rehearsal dinner!

Phew! I’ve been all over the place this week, in Bermuda it’s quite possible to be seen at either end of the island within an hour or so, but I’ve been doing that in the UK!

I have given interviews on BBC Essex and BBC Bristol, which were great fun as usual. But there have been a few highlights to my week; firstly I trundled to my agent’s house in central London for what I thought was one of our standard catch up/good old gossips over a nice strong cup of rosie lee. I dressed accordingly in my favourite jeans/shirt combo, decided against make up and brushing my hair, only to be greeted by a lovely lady bearing champagne and was whisked into a surprise celebration of a whole year since the re-vamped Poppy Day came out! I couldn’t believe it! I was as you can imagine completely overwhelmed and very quickly cried off any remaining mascara. The evening was only made more special as my boys were with me and to see them at a grown up do, chatting like proper humans and not my little boys was really emotional.

I then had lunch sat opposite Ewan McGregor, what a lovely chap! The amount of people who have said – Ooh you lucky thing, he’s GORGEOUS! To which I reply, have you SEEN my husband!!!! I miss him beyond words, the Major that is, not Ewan!

I was honoured to speak at the Barking and Dagenham reading festival – a fantastic event encouraging the love of words and books – I was truly chuffed to be a part of it. The highlight for me was seeing the face of my friend Rhiannon in the crowd, it calmed my nerves and made me feel at home. I will never be able to fully express what the support of her and Ally and others means to me, never.

It’s wonderful to see the Poppy tins out in full force, as you know the Royal British Legion is the charity very close to my heart. 100% of my royalties from Poppy Day novel will always go to the RBL forever and ever, why? Because I might be an author, blogger, a mum and a sister, a daughter and a friend, but I’m also an army wife! Here’s the link http://amzn.to/1a9bqsm – please share it and I hope that this year like every other it helps to make a difference.

My new short story The Game came out this week and has already received some fab reviews for which I thank you so very much! http://amzn.to/19zrbpS

And now, permit me if you will a bit of indulgence – I don’t usually talk in too much detail about my family, but tomorrow my little brother Paul is getting married. My other brother’s are joint best men, my sons are ushers, my niece bridesmaid and my 18-month-old nephew is the official show stealer!!!

I’ve dusted off some heels I nicked from my best friends wardrobe and have a clutch of Primark diamonds to sparkle the day away! I can’t wait.

Paul is a very talented musician and photographer, but more importantly he is the kindest most loyal person I know. I love him very much and he is marrying the love of his life, the talented actress Stevie Tate-Bauer and if you look at a copy of Clovers Child, you will see that this book is dedicated to both of them who have at last found a dream that they can call their own…

I wish them every ounce of love and luck in the world – may happiness be theirs for eternity.

Mandy xx

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