I am so excited to announce my third novel, And There You Were, is FINALLY available for purchase on Amazon! It was a long journey, but it was so worth it, my friends. Seeing an idea that started as just a few scribbles in my composition book come to life is like a dream come true. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Let me tell you a little bit about this book and the thought process behind it. While I was writing my second novel, I knew I would take two of the characters in it and give them their own story. If you’ve read it, you may or may not remember Juliet Evans and Graham McKenzie. They take the spotlight in And There You Were as individuals living in different countries who meet by chance. I read an article a few years ago written by a journalist who visited a celebrity at his home and interviewed him about something personal he was dealing with at the time. When she was back at her hotel room packing to fly home, he showed up unexpectedly at her door and asked to speak to her one more time because he needed someone to talk to. She gave him ten minutes and then left for the airport. I loved the idea of an average girl-next-door meeting a celebrity in a similar situation, but with an entirely different outcome. That fun, lighthearted storyline is only the tip of the iceberg in a plot that is full of deeply emotional moments. Like all stories, there are also secondary characters who end up stealing the spotlight in their own ways. Once you’ve read it, I would love to hear who your favorite character is and why!
This was my first experience writing from multiple perspectives, and it was SO fun and challenging. I loved getting the chance to speak in different voices, and there were so many characters with completely different personalities – women, men, American, and British. I realized I was channeling myself in all of the characters a bit, but one was definitely me more than the others – can you guess which one?
There are tons of Easter eggs scattered throughout the novel. If you know me (or even if you don’t), you might just pick up on some of them. If you do, please make my day by letting me know which ones you find!
I can’t wait to hear your reactions and thoughts about And There You Were. I am so proud of it. As always, thank you for supporting me and my passion for writing! Please drop a comment below and say hello!
Samantha Whitman 