Welcome to the blog, Amanda I’m so honored to have you here today. Congratulations on your upcoming release, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery. Everything about this story draws me in – the title, the cover, the plot. I’m so excited to read it!

Thanks so much for having me! I am so excited to share these characters. They have wormed their way into my heart, and I hope they do the same for everyone who gets the chance to experience their stories!

I love that the book description says it explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic. Which of these two ladies was easier for you to write and why?

I think the story that came most naturally was the grandmother of the trio, Glory Ann’s story. The reader gets to follow the twists and turns of her life that take her from a heartbroken and scared nineteen-year-old to a strong matriarch in her seventies (although the reader will see that God isn’t finished with her healing journey yet. She’s got some surprises in store!)

Ohhh, I can’t wait to meet her. 🙂

What will you remember most about writing this book?

Talking with my grandmother and my mom and dad about it was like to work in their family grocery store, which is the namesake for the grocery store in my book. It is always fun hearing stories about the past, especially when it’s people you love talking about favorite moments. A light comes into their eyes and it’s so special to share in that.

Yes, those conversations are so sweet. How special to draw from family stories too. I love it!

When did you know you were a writer?

I have loved stories for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t have much confidence in my ability or know where to start. One day after my firstborn was a little over a year old, God laid a story on my heart. When I wrote it, it was like something sleeping woke up inside me. I knew then that I was made for writing stories. I didn’t know if they would ever see the light of day, but it was the first thing in my life that I ever tried to do that just flowed out of me. (Ha, ha not that every day is like that. Some days it’s more like wringing water out of a dried out dishrag. But the feeling I get from writing is different than anything I’ve ever experienced)

It thrills my heart (and inspires me) to see other moms of little ones writing books and telling stories. It’s not easy, but you’re right… it’s a wonderful feeling.

I see that this book is a dual-timeline story. I love those! What are a few of your favorite dual-timeline books?

It is so hard to pick just a few but I’ll try! I so love reading stories where the past and present collide. I loved A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner, Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright, and The Hidden Side by Heidi Chiavaroli

Ohhh, I love Heidi’s books and the other two are definitely on my TBR list! 🙂 I’ve heard great things about them.

What’s one of your favorite places to vacation to?

My favorite place I have ever been to was Zermatt in Switzerland. I wish I could make that a regular vacation spot! Other than that, I love getting to visit our National Parks. In fact, the day this goes live I’ll be in Yellowstone!

Wow, that’s incredible! Love it. And our National Parks are amazing too. Hope you’re having a great trip!

Is there anything else you’d like to add? What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

If I am a new-to-you author and you would like to get a sample of my writing, visit me at www.amandacoxwrites.com. There you can find a free short story that is a prequel to my debut novel The Edge of Belonging. If you would like to stay up to date on my latest book news you can find me on Facebook and Instagram as Amanda Cox Writes. I’d love to hang out with you there!

Thank you so much for joining us today, Amanda. We can’t wait to read your upcoming release!

GIVEAWAY!!

Amanda doesn’t have any copies available of Old Depot Grocery yet, but she offered to give away a copy of her debut novel, The Edge of Belonging, to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest ends July 12, 2021 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!