Happy Friday! Today I’m thrilled to have Patricia Mann in my hammock. I met this lovely lady through a Facebook group, Chick Lit Goddesses. From the moment we chatted we connected and the rest shall we say is history. I like to get my guests all liquored up (virtually only of course), so they feel more comfortable. Welcome, Patricia!

Thanks for inviting me to hang out with you in the hammock, Elke!  I know we’ll have so much fun together.  I’m not a fruity cocktail type of gal, but you’re not likely to ever see me turn down a glass of La Crema Pinot Noir.  So that’s what I’d like to bring with me as we swing and chat in the hammock.  In fact, I’ll bring a whole bottle to share in case you like it too!

It’s my pleasure, Patricia. A whole bottle of wine? You’re my kind of gal. 😉 Now that we have our drinks, how about I tell you a little about Patricia.

Patricia Mann has been a communication professor and consultant for roughly two decades and is finally pursuing her lifelong dream of being an author.  Is This All There Is? is Patricia’s debut novel, and she’s currently hard at work on her second book.  When she’s not teaching, consulting, or writing, you’ll find Patricia enjoying family time at her home in California.  She and her husband have been happily married for almost 20 years and have two wonderful and active sons who they couldn’t be more proud of.

And away we go with the questions. We have guests from all genres, what genre(s) do you write? Some call it women’s fiction, others consider it chicklit. I’m happy with either!

cover-1653x2500What book(s) are you currently promoting? Is This All There Is?

BLURB:

Beth Thomas has the perfect life.  At thirty-five, she’s married to her college sweetheart, has two adorable kids, and teaches part-time at the local university.  But when a friend persuades Beth to go dancing on a rare night out, a chance meeting with twenty-one year old Dave, one of her former students, changes the course of her life.  Loud music, too much to drink, and the thrill of feeling young again lead to an unforgettable kiss that was never supposed to happen.  As she tries to put the memory behind her, Dave’s pursuit leaves Beth torn between what her mind says is right and what her heart and body crave.

EXCERPT from chapter 6:

“Did you mean what you said before?”

I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.  “Of course I did.”

He was about to say something when a couple came stumbling out the door laughing loudly.  They gave us a passing glance and staggered off into the distance.

“Because I feel the same way.  I had a huge crush on you when I was in your class.”

I thought my heart would leap out of my chest.  He moved closer.  Those eyes.  From this distance, I could see little flecks of gold in the green.

“Dave, I think you misunderstood.  I’m flattered, really, it’s very sweet.”  I paused, searching for something else to say.

“No it’s not sweet, my feelings for you are not sweet.  They’re wrong and I know it.  What I want to do right now is very wrong.”  He stared at me for a long time without speaking.  I couldn’t speak either.

Something inside me shifted.  Rick hadn’t looked at me that way in years.  My body started to tingle.  His eyes burned through me.  My heart was pounding so fast I felt faint.  He wanted to kiss me but he was holding back.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ASDTQQI

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/is-this-all-there-is-patricia-mann/1114038095?ean=9780983154433

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT6uSuyFIuM

Oh, sizzling! I can’t wait to read it. What was your favorite scene to write or research?

My favorite scene is right after the truth comes out about Beth’s indiscretions and she has to face her husband’s reaction.  I’ve read it countless times but it still gets to me because I know it’s how it really is when a spouse is betrayed and the perpetrator has to own up to the unspeakable pain he or she has caused.  It’s messy and unpredictable from moment to moment.  From fury to sobbing and asking “why?” to utter disgust at the sight of the unfaithful partner.  Yet, surprisingly, based on my research, that very moment also frequently ends with physical intimacy.  The relationship may not survive the crushing devastation, but both partners often seek comfort in each other’s arms soon after the revelation, as if it could turn back time and restore the trust that existed before this tragic experience.

What is your favorite book and author?

My favorite book is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.  It’s a retelling of King Arthur’s tale from the perspective of the female characters, especially the mystical and powerful priestesses.  It has love, lust, war, magic, murder, vengeance, family drama, paganism vs. dogmatic religion, and so much more.  I’ve read it twice, and it’s over 800 pages! I run the risk of sounding a little crazy by revealing what I’m about to share, but you said to “Be daring” and “Be yourself,” so here goes, Elke!  I’m so obsessed with the time and place surrounding the story of King Arthur that when I go to a renaissance faire, I have a strong feeling that I’m returning home, that I lived a past life there, and may even have been one of King Arthur or Sir Lancelot’s lovers!

If you could be a character in any book, movie or TV show, who would it be and why?

I would be Meredith Grey from Grey’s Anatomy.  First of all, she gets to sleep with Dr. McDreamy!  Secondly, I’ve always been fascinated by medical mysteries.  I’d love to be a doctor in another lifetime.  (Since this is my second random mention of reincarnation, I have to admit that I don’t really know if I believe in it, but it’s fun to think about.)  Third, being Meredith Grey sure would help me with the current book I’m working on.  I’m co-writing a women’s fiction novel with my mom.  She’s getting ready to retire from over 30 years as a nurse, mostly in critical care, and she has some incredible stories, from the heartbreaking to the miraculous and everything in between.  So as a Grey’s Anatomy fan, I’m trying to pull those stories out of her and weave them into a novel with a nurse as the main character experiencing intense medical drama along with romance and self-discovery, just like the characters I love on the show.  I’m a few seasons behind by the way, so please don’t anyone mention what’s happening on current episodes, thanks!

If your significant other gave you permission to have a fling with a famous person, what five people would be at the top of your list?

I love this question, Elke – so much fun to think about! George Clooney, Matt Damon, Matthew Fox, Bradley Cooper, and Denzel Washington.

Oh, all good choices! Wildest thing you’ve ever done in your life that you’ll admit to?

When I was in college, I was in a sorority, so I have lots of potential answers to this one. 😉 But one night there was a competition to see how many frat boys we could kidnap and we got extra points for dressing them up.  I was quite proud of my work with one of the guys who I transformed into a beautiful woman with a dress, heels, makeup, and sparkly hair clips.  And since we didn’t have any clip on earrings, I pierced his ears myself.  I think he consented, though there was quite a bit of alcohol involved.

I would’ve loved to see the look on his face the next morning. LOL! Thanks for hanging out with me, Patricia. I really enjoyed getting to know more about you!

Thanks so much, Elke! This was a blast!!!

Connect with Patricia:

Website/Blog: http://www.patriciamann.me

Facebook Friend Page: http://www.facebook.com/patricia.mann.969

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patricia-Mann/325125214262516?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriciaMann11