Q&A with Special Edition Author Ami Weaver...and Giveaway

I'm happy to be chatting with fellow HPT member and Special Edition author Ami Weaver! Today we're discussing her latest release and her debut Harlequin Special Edition, THE NANNY'S CHRISTMAS WISH. One lucky commenter will receive a signed copy of this wonderful book. Let the holidays begin!

In her debut novel for Harlequin Special Edition, Ami Weaver gives a lonely single dad and his sweet son the perfect holiday gift—a nanny with a secret who just might heal their family in time for Christmas!

Josh Tanner and Maggie Thelan share one unbreakable rule: No romantic entanglements. Period. So the lonely doctor hiring the former teacher as a live-in nanny for his little boy shouldn't be any kind of threat to their creed. Especially since Josh won't let go of the past—and Maggie can't tell Josh who she really is….

But rules are made to be broken, and while Maggie only wants to know the nephew she never knew she had, deeper feelings keep getting in the way! As the holiday season creeps closer, his rules collide with her secret. Can their unexpected love survive the truth?

AMAZON || B&N


Welcome, Ami, and congratulations on the release of your debut Harlequin Special Edition, THE NANNY'S CHRISTMAS WISH. Can you tell us a little about the book? 
Hi Olivia! Thanks for doing this! THE NANNY'S CHRISTMAS WISH (formerly known on the contest circuit as THE NANNY'S SECRET) is the second book I ever wrote during NaNoWriMo. It's come a long way since that time. It's the story of Maggie, who, after learning she had a half-sister she didn't know about, sets out to be a nanny to her nephew. Her plan is to just get to know him, not put any pressure on him--until she meets his father. Widowed, Josh isn't going to get involved again--his plan is to be both parents to make up for Cody's loss. But after Maggie comes into their lives, he's not sure that's the best plan. 

This book was your first sale, and your entry for 2011's SYTYCW contest. We'd love to hear your call story! 
Yes, in 2011 they didn't officially notify finalists. They just said they'd narrowed it down to nine manuscripts, but had not notified the authors. When another author got the call, I just figured that was the end of that. Then in March, my phone rang with the Manhattan area code and I was like, Oh. My. Gosh! It was Gail Chasan, she told me she loved my entry and they'd been trying to get a hold of me for a little while (apparently there was some kind of mess up with my contact info!) and she wanted to buy it! Truly, it was a blur. She was so sweet and I was a wreck--in a good way--I was in the circle drive at the high school to pick up my kid so all these other parents and all these kids saw me freaking out on the phone! LOL. 

The journey toward publication is never easy. Can you tell us about your path leading up to this first sale? 
I had been writing for about eight years and I had (still have) the awesome support of my crit group and my local RWA chapter. I did some contesting, did some submitting, but had a slightly bizarre fear of--success. So that slowed me down a little.

As we've both learned, contests are a great way to be spotted by an editor. Can you give any advice to those polishing entries and hoping to catch an editor's eye? 

Yes! Take a chance and send it in! I sent this book in on the last day, after deciding what the heck? Otherwise, DO NOT edit your voice out. That's what catches the editor's attention. You DON'T have to re-edit based on every single critique of your pages--give them a hard look and decide what YOU think it needs. Also? Finish the book! When the editor requests it, you need to have something to send! (Personal experience here!)

Do you have a personal favorite moment or scene in this book? 
The pumpkin carving scene. That whole scene came to me whole, out of the blue, like a gift from my usually absent muse. :)

Were there any parts that were more challenging to write?

 Lucy, who is very much a character, even though she dies before the book begins. She was a little tricky to write. Also, the scene with Lucy's mom, where Maggie gets the answers she's looking for--and more questions. Overall, though, this was a pretty easy book to write.

What do you think readers will enjoy most about THE NANNY'S CHRISTMAS WISH? 

 It's a Christmas book, with an adorable little boy! I hope they will enjoy the warmth of family and the courage it can take to let go, move on and make a new life while not forgetting the old one. That's what Josh and Maggie are eventually able to do.

Do you have any special Christmas traditions in your family?  

The advent calendar. I buy a glittery German one from Bronner's each year and the kids sort out who goes in what order and every morning we open that day's window. It's fun. Also, making sure we get a deformed tree that draws blood. They always looks straight and full in the field but but the time we get it home, it's got a hole and is bent. :) Since we always get a blue spruce, it requires long sleeves and band-aids to decorate! Also the yellow snowman cookie. You'd have to ask my husband about that one!

Is there another Christmas book in your future? What can readers look forward to seeing from you next? 
Yes, I'll have a Christmas Special Edition out next year and another book in the late summer/early fall.  No titles yet, but next year's book takes place on a Christmas tree farm.

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Ami. And remember, be sure to comment for your chance to win a signed copy of THE NANNY'S CHRISTMAS WISH. The perfect way to kick off your holiday season.

To learn more about Ami Weaver, please visit her web site at www.amiweaver.com