Highlighting history with Brenda Whiteside who began with a list of questions.
It’s 1947.
- What is the art community saying about the atomic bomb?
- How forward and risqué is it to lie on the beach, pregnant, in a swimsuit?
- When was the G.I. Bill for education introduced?
- When was sun tan lotion invented?
It’s 1956.
- Would a woman seek an abortion?
- What is the Beat Generation?
- Could Elvis be heard on a transistor radio?
- What books were people reading?
It’s 1968.
- What was the Columbia State University protest about?
- What slang words were popular?
- What happened at the Democratic National Convention?
These are only some of the things I had to research for Amanda in the Summer. Although this novelette is the shortest work I’ve published, the research outstripped all my other books put together. Well…maybe.
Through a series of letters beginning in 1947 and ending in 2004, a story unfolds as each woman – grandmother, mother and daughter – share their inner thoughts with the family friend they love as much as they love each other. A well-kept secret is revealed and the bond is strengthened between three generations of women.
This title came from a wedding announcement we received in the mail. The paper was folded in such a way that Amanda in the Summer showed. Before I started writing, I looked up the meaning of the name Amanda and suddenly, I had a story about a line of women all named Amanda. What I stumbled on is best explained within the story:
June 7, 2004
Dearest Aunt Tilly,
Like my grandmother, your best friend, and Mom, to who you were Auntie Tilly, I lie on this stretch of beach writing a letter as they did.
All my doubts about my impending motherhood have flown away on the ocean breezes. This child will not stop me from being me, but only compliment my life.
The line of Amandas stretches back to 1882. Did you know that?
The name Amanda is of Latin origin and means love or worthy of love. And then there is Venus, goddess of love. What has Venus to do with all my Amandas? On December 6, 1882, the birth date of my great, great grandmother (the first Amanda) the Venus Transit occurred. The Venus Transit occurs when Venus crosses the sun. I plan to see it tomorrow, right here on this beach. It will be the first Transit in one hundred and twenty-two years. My Amanda’s due date is December 6, the birthday of her great, great, great grandmother. Isn’t this all amazing? So you see, it’s practically a spiritual name. How can I not name this child Amanda?
BUY LINKS:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/amanda-in-the-summer/id777397893?mt=11
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amanda-in-the-summer-brenda-whiteside/1117890750?ean=2940148905288
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Brenda_Whiteside_Amanda_in_the_Summer?id=3IJjAgAAQBAJ
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/amanda-in-the-summer-1
Brenda Whiteside is the author of suspenseful, action-adventure romance. Mostly. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have decided they are gypsies at heart, splitting their time between Northern Arizona and the RV life. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW is fishing, Brenda writes stories of discovery and love entangled with suspense.
Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com
Or on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendawhitesid2
She blogs and has guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside
Thanks for having me on you blog today, Caroline.
We’re always happy to host you.
Brenda, Amanda in the Summer is a wonderful book! I so enjoyed it and I thought you hit the different time periods just right!
Amanda in the Summer sounds like a very interesting book especially because I’m a ‘babyboomer’. I lived through some of those times and parents the rest. I’m 68 the youngest of 7. My mom was 38 when I was born and my father 46. I have a copy of the letters he wrote my mother while he was in basic training. He received a medical discharge for family emergency. I have a copy of the papers.
I would love to read the book but it is not available on Amazon. ?