Getting to know you Thursdays with Mandy Goff

Please join me in welcoming Mandy Goff to my blog. Mandy's debut book The Blackmailed bride will be out in Feb with Love Inspired Historicals. I met Mandy recently on the goodreads LIH group and asked her to be on my blog and she graciously agreed. Please make her feel welcome. I am sure she will appreciate any comments. At this stage we don't have a headshot so am using her new book cover.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

        I’m 26 years old, have a wonderful husband and an adorable three-year-old daughter.  I received my Bachelors in English from North Greenville University, a Christian institution where I now work.  It’s always been my dream to write, since before I can really remember.  I’ve been writing books since I could hold a pencil and spell passably well.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
        The first book I remember absolutely loving was The Velveteen Rabbit.  After that, I read pretty voraciously as a child—everything from the American Girl books, fantasy novels, and classics like Jane Eyre.

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?
        Romance—particularly Regency romance—is by far my favorite genre to read, which I think has naturally spilled over into my writing.  I enjoy reading all different subsets of romance, suspense, contemporary, other historical, though.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
        I think every author I’ve read has influenced me in some way.  Authors like Julie Garwood showed me that sometimes humor is nearly as important to creating an enjoyable story as the romance itself.  Lori Wick was the first inspirational fiction novelist I read, and her stories never cease to entertain.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
        Again, I’ve always wanted to write.  But I don’t think I seriously considered it as a career until I was in college.  I had aspirations of getting a Law degree, but a very wise advisor of mine counseled me that it would be better to follow a dream than to settle for a career that my heart wasn’t invested in.

       
6. How did you go about becoming an author?
        I set out to learn everything I could about the business of writing.  Putting words on paper was one thing, but to ever get those words in front of an editor is an entirely different matter.  I went to writing conferences, combed through books on publishing, honed my craft, and then prayed…a lot.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?
        Perhaps a lawyer still.  The justice system has always intrigued me.  I’m not foolish enough to think it would be like the T.V. shows; I’m sure I would spend most of my time glued to the computer and buried under paperwork—that doesn’t actually sound much different than being a writer! 

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
        I love spending time with my family.  I spend an obscene amount of time on the phone talking with my friend…hours each day…my husband jokes that one day my phone is going to permanently affix to my ear.  Other than that, I enjoy playing the piano, watching classic movies, and generally finding excuses to procrastinate doing chores.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?
        England.  I would love to actually see the places I’m writing about.  To take a stroll through Hyde Park, to see the grand, old buildings, and to see the beautiful countryside.  The only problem is, I’m afraid if I ever make it there, I might not want to come home.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

        These are always difficult questions for me.  But I’ll give it my best attempt…

1.   Julia Quinn.  I’ve always found her books to be hysterical.  She’s incredibly witty and imaginative.  I’d love to sit down and talk shop with her.

2.   Denzel Washington.  I don’t think I’ve seen a movie of his that I didn’t love.  I really admire the way he adheres to his personal ethics when it comes to the roles he accepts.  And I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with acting, and I think it would be enlightening to talk to a pro in the business.

3.   Deborah Raney.  I took a workshop on Women’s Fiction from her at a writing conference.  She was full of wonderful insight and information.  Plus she seems really likeable and down-to-earth.

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

        My current book, a Regency romance, The Blackmailed Bride will be released from Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Historical line on February 1, 2011.

        Here’s the back-cover blurb (courtesy of Steeple Hill):

The despicable Baron Finley is the last man Lady Olivia Fairfax would want as her husband, but what choice does she have? He holds the secret to a family scandal, and she must bow to his blackmail or see herself and her brother publicly disgraced. Steeling her resolve—and shielding her heart—Olivia is prepared to do her duty to her family…until Nicholas Stuart, the Marquess of Huntsford, complicates her plans. Nick is brave, honorable, infuriatingly attractive and unshakably determined to protect Olivia—even from herself. He won't let Olivia sacrifice her happiness for any price. Instead, he'll teach her to follow her heart…and pray that it leads her straight to him.

       

        I can be found online at http://thiswriterspath.blogspot.com.