About The Book:
Title: Channel 20Something
Series: 20Something, #1
Author: Amy Patrick
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Cover Design: Cover Your Dreams
22-year-old Heidi Haynes is almost one year into her “real life”. She has her first reporting job and her first apartment, but she’s yet to experience first love. Yes, she’s in a comfortable relationship with her college sweetheart, and according to her friends and family, he’s perfect for her. But for some reason she’s not as eager to talk about walking down the aisle as he is.And while Heidi’s doing what she wants to do, she’s not where she wants to be. She longs for big cities, big-market breaking news, and real independence from her way-too-close-by helicopter parents. Problem is, the last time she left the security of home for new places and new people, things didn’t go so well. Disastrously, in fact, and she came running back to a local college and a “safe” boyfriend.
Well-traveled Californian Aric Serrano plans to stay in small-market-Southern-Hell just long enough to grab a cup of coffee and put together a kick-ass “escape tape”. He’ll serve his one-year contract, then he’s taking off for a higher rung on the TV sports ladder—alone—the way he likes it. But when he walks into the newsroom and meets Heidi, he may have finally found something and someone worth committing to.
Heidi would be so much more comfortable if she could avoid her new co-worker—he’s just her type—the type she’s so careful to avoid. But that becomes impossible when she and Aric are forced to work together on the weekend news. Now there’s no denying the attraction between them, and she’ll have to decide between settling for the “good enough” life she already has or taking the risk of going for what she dreams of, an exciting career and a real love.
Excerpt:
I opened the door to the parking lot and was relieved at first to see the rain had slowed to a drizzle. Then I saw my car and groaned.
My Mini was sitting in a huge puddle that had definitely not been there when I’d arrived for work today. I would have to wade through it to get in. At least I was still wearing my rain boots. I crunched across the gravel lot, sinking into the ground with each soggy step.
When I reached my car, the full scope of my dilemma became clear. The newly-formed lake surrounding it was so deep, if I opened the driver’s side door, the water was going to flood inside. I walked around to the passenger side to see if perhaps the level was lower there. Nope. Even worse.
What was I going to do? Daddy could’ve easily towed my car out with his pickup truck, but he’d been asleep for a couple hours by now. “Well, shoot,” I muttered.
“Language, language, please.”
The teasing voice behind me drew shivers from my rain-damp skin. I turned to see Aric’s large form approaching, framed by the security light behind him. Was the warmth suffusing my body relief, or something else? I swiveled my head to scan the parking lot. His Tahoe was there. I’d been so focused on the sight of my poor drowning car I hadn’t noticed his still parked across the lot.
When he reached me, he pulled off his rain jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, drawing the hood up over my hair. It was so warm. The scent I’d noticed the first night we met surrounded me, threatening to make me light-headed.
“Thanks,” I breathed, looking up into his face. His cheeks were becoming coated in a light mist. My fingers, warm inside his jacket, twitched with the urge to reach up and brush the moisture away from his smooth skin. “I didn’t know you were still here.”
Aric pulled the sides of the jacket closed around me. “I waited for you. I wanted to make sure you got back okay.” His smile set my insides to a low simmer. “So, it looks like what we have here,” he said, “is the little engine that couldn’t.”
I glanced over at my water-logged car. “Poor Minnie Mae. Do you think the water’s getting inside?”
“Minnie Mae? You gave your car a grandma name.” He chuckled. “I think as long as the doors stay closed, the seal will keep it out of there. But—you won’t be taking… uh… Minnie Mae home tonight.”
Standing with his hands on his hips, Aric surveyed the situation, then glanced back at my face. Raindrops decorated the crown of his head, illuminated with the reflected shine of the building’s exterior lights. His eyes narrowed, and his lips twisted in a calculating expression.
“You know, I’d like to offer you a ride, but I did promise not to extend any more unwanted invitations.” His voice trailed off in a questioning note as he studied my face.
I gave him a rueful grin, putting on an overly-polite voice. “Would you mind giving me a ride home? I would really appreciate it.”
He furrowed his brow, shaking his head dubiously. “Well… if you’re sure you want it, and it’s entirely your idea… I’d hate to pressure you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Aric… will you, pretty please with Cool Whip and rainbow sprinkles on top, give me a ride home? You will have my undying gratitude.”
Aric put a hand to his chin, as if he was giving the matter deep consideration. “I like Cool Whip.” He grinned at me. “And undying gratitude. Let’s go.”
My Mini was sitting in a huge puddle that had definitely not been there when I’d arrived for work today. I would have to wade through it to get in. At least I was still wearing my rain boots. I crunched across the gravel lot, sinking into the ground with each soggy step.
When I reached my car, the full scope of my dilemma became clear. The newly-formed lake surrounding it was so deep, if I opened the driver’s side door, the water was going to flood inside. I walked around to the passenger side to see if perhaps the level was lower there. Nope. Even worse.
What was I going to do? Daddy could’ve easily towed my car out with his pickup truck, but he’d been asleep for a couple hours by now. “Well, shoot,” I muttered.
“Language, language, please.”
The teasing voice behind me drew shivers from my rain-damp skin. I turned to see Aric’s large form approaching, framed by the security light behind him. Was the warmth suffusing my body relief, or something else? I swiveled my head to scan the parking lot. His Tahoe was there. I’d been so focused on the sight of my poor drowning car I hadn’t noticed his still parked across the lot.
When he reached me, he pulled off his rain jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, drawing the hood up over my hair. It was so warm. The scent I’d noticed the first night we met surrounded me, threatening to make me light-headed.
“Thanks,” I breathed, looking up into his face. His cheeks were becoming coated in a light mist. My fingers, warm inside his jacket, twitched with the urge to reach up and brush the moisture away from his smooth skin. “I didn’t know you were still here.”
Aric pulled the sides of the jacket closed around me. “I waited for you. I wanted to make sure you got back okay.” His smile set my insides to a low simmer. “So, it looks like what we have here,” he said, “is the little engine that couldn’t.”
I glanced over at my water-logged car. “Poor Minnie Mae. Do you think the water’s getting inside?”
“Minnie Mae? You gave your car a grandma name.” He chuckled. “I think as long as the doors stay closed, the seal will keep it out of there. But—you won’t be taking… uh… Minnie Mae home tonight.”
Standing with his hands on his hips, Aric surveyed the situation, then glanced back at my face. Raindrops decorated the crown of his head, illuminated with the reflected shine of the building’s exterior lights. His eyes narrowed, and his lips twisted in a calculating expression.
“You know, I’d like to offer you a ride, but I did promise not to extend any more unwanted invitations.” His voice trailed off in a questioning note as he studied my face.
I gave him a rueful grin, putting on an overly-polite voice. “Would you mind giving me a ride home? I would really appreciate it.”
He furrowed his brow, shaking his head dubiously. “Well… if you’re sure you want it, and it’s entirely your idea… I’d hate to pressure you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Aric… will you, pretty please with Cool Whip and rainbow sprinkles on top, give me a ride home? You will have my undying gratitude.”
Aric put a hand to his chin, as if he was giving the matter deep consideration. “I like Cool Whip.” He grinned at me. “And undying gratitude. Let’s go.”
Interview:
1- Where do your story ideas come from?
I work in television, so I get to go and see a lot of interesting places and things and meet a lot of interesting people. Often, that will spark ideas. I also look into my own past relationships and experiences to bring authenticity to the characters I write. For the 20 SOMETHING series, I drew on my career as a news anchor and reporter working in 4 different states over the years to write the stories of my twenty-something TV news newbies. Some of the stories they cover and the newsroom situations they encounter are inspired by my own experiences.
2- Where do you live, and does that have any impact on what you write, or how you write?
I grew up in the Deep South, living at different times in Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas, and growing up mostly in Mississippi. Naturally that gives me a real understanding of Southern people and places. I was able to draw on that for CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING and will again for Books 3, 4, and 5 of the 20 SOMETHING series. Now I live in Rhode Island. I was able to draw on my knowledge of the Ocean State’s most special places and experiences for Book 2 of the 20 SOMETHING series, STILL YOURS, which is Mara’s story. She takes a job in Providence, the last place she ever thought she’d go because it’s too close to home and WAY too close to him, the only guy who’s ever tempted her to let go and truly let someone in.
3- Favorite thing to do other than write?
I’d have to say reading. I also love movies, so basically all my interests seem to revolve around stories, don’t they?
4- Speaking of movies, have any favorites? Favorite TV shows?
I’m a big fan of the Marvel Universe movies. I also love Avatar, When Harry Met Sally, and I’ve seen Bladerunner at least a hundred times. Because I spend so much time writing, I don’t get to watch much TV, but I have been watching Game of Thrones, and I got sucked into Outlander on Starz by their free online premier episode. Now I’m hooked. *curses Starz marketing team while shaking fist*
5- What books or authors have inspired you as a writer?
I love so many New Adult books and authors, but as far as authors who inspired me to write in the first place, I have to list Lisa Kleypas first. I’ve read all her books, historical and contemporary. My very favorites of hers are Again the Magic and Dreaming of You because of the incredible, sexy, self-made-man heroes and because of all the feels. I tend to write a bit lighter subject matter than Lisa, though, and my inspiration on the romantic comedy side of the genre is Kristan Higgins. My favorite book of hers (so far) is Somebody to Love. Great hero and heroine and perfect, sweet, gradually developing relationship. If I had a dream-review of my writing (and hopefully I’ll get there someday) it would look like this: “If Lisa Kleypas and Kristan Higgins had a baby who grew up to write New Adult romance, it would be Amy Patrick.” I can dream, right?
Thank you so much for inviting me to be here today. It’s been a blast!
I work in television, so I get to go and see a lot of interesting places and things and meet a lot of interesting people. Often, that will spark ideas. I also look into my own past relationships and experiences to bring authenticity to the characters I write. For the 20 SOMETHING series, I drew on my career as a news anchor and reporter working in 4 different states over the years to write the stories of my twenty-something TV news newbies. Some of the stories they cover and the newsroom situations they encounter are inspired by my own experiences.
2- Where do you live, and does that have any impact on what you write, or how you write?
I grew up in the Deep South, living at different times in Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas, and growing up mostly in Mississippi. Naturally that gives me a real understanding of Southern people and places. I was able to draw on that for CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING and will again for Books 3, 4, and 5 of the 20 SOMETHING series. Now I live in Rhode Island. I was able to draw on my knowledge of the Ocean State’s most special places and experiences for Book 2 of the 20 SOMETHING series, STILL YOURS, which is Mara’s story. She takes a job in Providence, the last place she ever thought she’d go because it’s too close to home and WAY too close to him, the only guy who’s ever tempted her to let go and truly let someone in.
3- Favorite thing to do other than write?
I’d have to say reading. I also love movies, so basically all my interests seem to revolve around stories, don’t they?
4- Speaking of movies, have any favorites? Favorite TV shows?
I’m a big fan of the Marvel Universe movies. I also love Avatar, When Harry Met Sally, and I’ve seen Bladerunner at least a hundred times. Because I spend so much time writing, I don’t get to watch much TV, but I have been watching Game of Thrones, and I got sucked into Outlander on Starz by their free online premier episode. Now I’m hooked. *curses Starz marketing team while shaking fist*
5- What books or authors have inspired you as a writer?
I love so many New Adult books and authors, but as far as authors who inspired me to write in the first place, I have to list Lisa Kleypas first. I’ve read all her books, historical and contemporary. My very favorites of hers are Again the Magic and Dreaming of You because of the incredible, sexy, self-made-man heroes and because of all the feels. I tend to write a bit lighter subject matter than Lisa, though, and my inspiration on the romantic comedy side of the genre is Kristan Higgins. My favorite book of hers (so far) is Somebody to Love. Great hero and heroine and perfect, sweet, gradually developing relationship. If I had a dream-review of my writing (and hopefully I’ll get there someday) it would look like this: “If Lisa Kleypas and Kristan Higgins had a baby who grew up to write New Adult romance, it would be Amy Patrick.” I can dream, right?
Thank you so much for inviting me to be here today. It’s been a blast!
About The Author:
Amy is a two-time Golden Heart finalist (2013 and 2014). She lives in Rhode Island with her husband and two sons and actually craves the heat and humidity of Mississippi, where she grew up. She's been a professional singer and news anchor and currently narrates audio books as well as working as a station host for a Boston TV station.
Lisa, thanks again for featuring CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING on your blog today. You've helped make my release week wonderful!
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