Hello!
First of all - and I know it's a bit late, but that's me all over! - I wanted to wish you a very Happy New Year and I hope 2023 is a year to remember for all the right reasons.
Last year I had a few New Year's Resolutions. They were, in no particular order:
Ten minutes of yoga every day
Sign up for a 10k run
Climb Scafell Pike
Travel more
Cycling Hadrian's Wall
Write a pony book
Write a thriller
So, how did I do? Well, I am now officially a yoga addict and did manage ten minutes or more most days last year, which I am really proud of. I am a huge fan of the Texan yoga sensation Adriene Mishler and she's become my go-to for my home practice.
I did sign up for a 10k, but alas injury prevented me from actually doing it, so that's a fail.
I also aimed to run 5k three times a week, and most weeks I did, although some weeks either injury, a lack of time or a lack of inclination stopped me.
I didn't run at all in the couple of months before Christmas, so one of this year's resolutions was to lace up my running shoes again and get out three times a week. So far so good!
We did get to the Lake District - twice in fact.
But the first time we had covid, and the second time we ran out of time to climb Scafell Pike, so that's still on the To Do list, but I'm OK with that - it's a great excuse to go back for another holiday!
I am happy to report that we did travel more. A week in Snowdonia was followed by a long weekend in France. Two trips to Cumbria and a week in Ibiza made up our travel itinerary for the year. We didn't get to Hadrian's Wall last year, so that's another challenge to look forward to.
I wrote a pony book under my married name, Amanda Wills (Cloud and the Wildfire Riders, in case you're interested!) and I did, of course, write a thriller, The Invite, which I am glad to say is doing well.
As for 2023, I plan to keep up the yoga and running, and also try to fit in more cycling and walking. I always feel so much better when I am fitter, so it's a no brainer, really.
Travel is on the agenda too, and we have another week in Snowdonia booked for the spring, which I'm really looking forward to. We are also hoping to get away in May/June, maybe to the Portugese island of Madeira.
As for my writing goals for 2023, I am aiming to write and publish two thrillers, and I made a start on the first a couple of weeks ago.
True to form, I jumped in with little more than an idea, and a couple of thousand words in, decided it wasn't the book I wanted to write.
So I shelved that idea for now and went back to a premise that's been kicking around in my head for a while.
I won't say any more for now because I don't want to jinx it, but I can tell you that I have almost 5,000 words of the first draft in the bag, and I am really enjoying writing it, which is always a good sign!
In other book news, I am delighted to report that I have signed contracts with WF Howes, the UK's leading audiobook publisher, for the audiobook rights to The Invite.
This is the fourth of my thrillers they have bought the audio rights for and I am thrilled to be working with them again.
I can't wait to hear how they bring the book to life.
I'll share the publication date as soon as I have it.
I would like to wish my friend and author buddy AJ Campbell a very Happy Publication Day for her latest thriller, The Wrong Key.
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of the book, and can safely say that if you love fast-paced thrillers, you'll love this!
With evocative descriptions of New York and a rich cast of characters, it's an addictive tale of greed, corruption and kidnap.
The action starts in the first few pages and doesn’t let up until the very end.
In fact, it's so full of twists you won't know who to suspect. You can check it out here.
And finally, a huge thank you to everyone who took part in my giveaway for a signed paperback copy of The Invite.
The two winners were Deb Day from Gloucestershire and Paula Mcvicker from Northern Ireland and I popped their copies in the post this week.
Congratulations, Deb and Paula, I hope you enjoy it!!
If you weren't lucky enough to win a copy this time you can still find The Invite at its special launch price of 99p/99c here. The book is free to read if you have Kindle Unlimited.
And stick around, as I have lots more giveaways and fun stuff planned for 2023. Just watch this space!
That's all from me for now. Happy reading,
Amanda
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