Interview with Amanda Uhl, Author of Cross Waves

What can you tell us about your new release, Cross Waves?

Cross Waves is a labor of love. From start to finish, it took me four years to perfect the storyline. Early reviewers are using phrases like, “a non-stop reading experience,” “fast-paced,” “heart-pounding,” and (my personal favorite), “I couldn’t put the book down.” The characters are fun, unexpected, and likable. The heroine possesses a dangerous talent. The hero guards a dark secret. The hero’s grandmother plays a pivotal role. And one character, who readers meet towards the end of the book, surprised even me, seeming to appear on his own without conscious thought on my part and setting the series up nicely for the yet unwritten book three, Dream Waves.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I never intended to be a writer. Writing meant forced school assignments and seemed a lonely profession. I wanted to be an actress. Who wouldn’t want to see themselves on a big screen, travel the world and be seen by millions of fans? I have fourteen siblings and as a child, there was little money for acting, singing or dance lessons. Instead, I read books, dozens at a time, wrote large volumes of poetry and dreamed up stories in my head. One day I’ll write them down, I thought. It would be many years before I did. I made up lots of excuses over the years—I was too tired, too old, too busy, too afraid. All the while, I fought the urge to write fiction—and not just any fiction, but romance, where a happy ending is guaranteed. One day in 2015, the desire to write romance grew so big and wide, I couldn’t hold it inside any longer. I tossed aside my fears, dug deep for courage, and began writing. I haven’t stopped since. My books have won awards—you can read about them on my website: https://amandauhl.com/awards-honors/.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Just five? Oh boy, it’s hard to choose, but I managed:

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Amaryllis by Jayne Anne Krentz

A Matter of Class by Mary Balough

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

This is hard because I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of my favorite writers and ask them questions. However, if I had to choose, I might like to speak with Nora Roberts, who I’ve yet to meet. I’d probably ask her what she sees as the biggest challenge in the industry or a similar question to get her talking about the business. Then I’d sit back and listen and absorb whatever gems she might offer.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love stories. When I was little, I used to spend hours making them up in my head. I still to do this today—it’s what makes the writing process so much fun. I also love the act of writing itself, and there’s a bit of myself in every novel. Working out the feelings of characters means I have to put myself in a wide variety of emotional situations. It’s cathartic.

What is a typical day like for you?

I work full-time managing a team for a large corporation. A typical day involves sitting at my desk for eight hours developing and implementing communication and training strategies. I do all my creative writing at night. I love it when the house is quiet and I can think and dream to my heart’s content.

What scene from Cross Waves was your favorite to write?

There is a scene towards the end of Cross Waves, when a new character magically appeared and came to life. He is mysterious and troubled, the perfect combination of hero, and will be the subject of the next book in the series, Dream Waves.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I do—I wear it on a bracelet around my wrist to remind myself: “Creativity takes courage. Don’t give up.”

Amanda Uhl is the author of the new book Cross Waves.

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