Amanda Flower is a librarian as well as a national bestselling mystery author. She started her writing career in sixth grade and says she knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. She also writes mysteries as USA Today bestselling author Isabella Alan. For this interview, the Agatha Award winner discussed her second Magical Bookshop Mystery, “Prose and Cons.”
In describing “Prose and Cons,” Flower said, “My main character is trying to find her place in the village where she grew after fleeing twelve years before because of a tragedy. Ultimately, the series asks if you can create a new and happy life in a place that once broke your heart.” While Flower said she’s never had such an experience personally, she’s always been fascinated by the idiom, “you can’t go home again.”
Prose and Cons and Edgar Allan Poe
“Prose and Cons” draws on an unusual set of skills, using the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Flower said, “Poe is credited as being the first American to write a true detective story, I knew his works would be a perfect fit for this story set in Niagara Falls region around Halloween.”
Flower describes herself as a storyteller at heart. “I am always striving to tell a great and entertaining story. My goal is to make each book better than the last.”
“Prose and Cons” is Flower’s twentieth published mystery. She said she wouldn’t be where she is without the kindness of others. “My agent, my family, my friends, my editors, and my readers have all been on this incredible journey with me. In honor of all those people, I’m giving back to a local food pantry with the release of the novel. Purchase any edition of Prose and Cons between now and Tuesday, December 20, 2016, and I will donate $1 for every book sold to a local food pantry, The Landing, located in Akron, Ohio.”
Double Trouble Contest Code: #NiagraFalls
The Learned Owl will donate an additional dollar to the Landing food pantry for every copy of Prose and Cons sold before or at Flower’s book signing there on December 10th. Personalized And Signed copies are available and can be shipped anywhere.
Working as a librarian when you’re a bestselling author has it’s ups and downs. Flower said, “The funniest experiences I’ve had as a librarian occur when patrons ask for one of my novels but don’t realize I’m the author. Usually when I tell them I am Amanda Flower, they either are thrilled to meet me or are suspicious that I’m lying. Once, I even had to show a patron my photo in the back of one of my books as proof.”
Learn more about Amanda Flower at amandaflower.com.
Peggy Clayton says
This book sounds just wonderful and so does yours Terry the one you have out for the holidays. ptclayton2@aol,com
Jana Leah says
How funny that you have to convince people that you’re the author.
Marie Huckaby Roberts says
I love your books! Merry Christmas!
Cindy Capers says
Those are great library stories. Please keep writing, I love your books!
Peggy R says
When I was a small girl, Poe was one of my first love in Authors, when I got my first Library card, and started to take books out of the Library!! I can’t wait to curl up with this book, a cup of hot chocolate, and one of my kitties, now that the weather has turned COLD!! Have a very Merry Christmas!!
KarenM says
Be proud of your twenty published books!
Mary Holshouser says
Funny librarian story. I’m a retired librarian – miss
being around the books but I have plenty at home
to keep me busy. I haunt the library a lot and I’m
a trustee so I’m keeping my hand in.
thanks
Janice Santillo says
Sounds like a real interesting book that I hope to read. I love Edgar Alan Poe.
Terri Crossley says
This sounds like a great book! I loved the first one! Thanks!