Patricia Mann

Is This What I Want?

October 28, 2014 1 Comment

“Is This What I Want?” by Patricia Mann

**(this is a sequel to “Is This All There Is?”, but it can be a stand alone, too)

Blurb:

Four difficult months have passed since Beth’s husband Rick discovered her affair with a former student. The couple has worked hard in therapy to salvage their marriage and understand their roles in everything that happened. Things are looking up until Dave reappears, awakening Beth’s fantasies of what could have been had she taken their affair to the next level. Now that she is faced with another opportunity, Beth battles an even more impossible dilemma than the first time she was caught in Dave’s web.

Amidst the trouble in her marriage and pressure to shield her children from the discord, Beth is also called upon to help her two best friends, both with serious problems of their own. The stress sparks temptation to seek comfort in her favorite vices. But she knows she can’t hide if she wants to save what matters most. The question is, what does she want?

Chapter Tease:

I searched his face for a clue to which way it would go this time. Would he take the high road, as he had been able to do a few times before? Maybe take me in his arms and tell me it was all going to be okay? Tell me that he understood how much pain I was in and that he knew it was hard to find the right ways to express all my complicated emotions?

Or had I gone too far this time? Was he plotting his counterattack? I started to think maybe that would be better. At least it would be more fair. I wanted things to be fair again. The scale felt so out of balance it sometimes seemed as if I was trying to tip it over completely to one side just to get it all over with.

I noticed new gray hairs on the sides of his head, just above his ears. Were they my fault? Did I leach the color from those follicles? He smirked and shook his head slowly back and forth, staring into my eyes dead on.

* * * * *

Reviews for “Is This What I Want?”:

“The love triangle between Beth, Rick, and Dave finally explodes in this beautifully written, heart-wrenching sequel to Is This All There Is?” -Sandi Lynn, New York Times, USA Today, & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author.

“All those who were left wanting more after reading “Is This All there Is?” will be happy to know there is more. Lots more, in the sequel “Is This What I Want?” In this honest and thoughtful exploration of a marriage coming undone, author Patricia Mann offers no easy solutions. Instead she takes us into the heart of what love and family is all about and reminds us there is no one-size fits all. A thoroughly satisfying read.” – Eileen Goudge, New York Times Bestselling Author of fifteen women’s fiction novels.

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Contact Patricia Mann:

Email Website Facebook Fan Page Facebook Friend Page Twitter

Is This All There Is?

August 13, 2013 7 Comments

IsThisAllThereIsBookCover

“Is This All There Is?” by Patricia Mann

Summary:

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.

Patricia Mann’s “Is This All There Is?” introduces readers to the seemingly perfect world of Beth Thomas, a 35-year-old mother and wife who takes a risqué detour from diapers and duty to chart a course into erotica, deception and deceit. As the part-time college professor yields to the overpowering push and pull that follow a magnetic encounter with a former student, Beth is held captive in the seductive space that lingers between desire and reason. Honest and moving, Mann’s work is a touching snapshot of middle-America today, a compelling story about one woman’s struggle to keep up appearances while coming undone.

Excerpt:

“You have no idea who I am. You don’t know a thing about me.”

“I know more than you think.”

“Like what?”

“I know you’re a brilliant teacher. When you’re up there in front of the class, you’re passionate and funny and… ”

“The way I teach? That’s what makes you think you know me? Because of something I do for a few hours a week?”

“Wait, you’re not letting me… ”

“All my students think they know me, but they don’t. None of your professors really let you in. If you only knew the things I know about them.” I was trying my best to sound cynical and disinterested but his fascination with me was intoxicating. I felt his eyes searing through the side of my head. I cranked up the air conditioning, even though it was a cool day.

“Okay, fine, so maybe I’m a good teacher. What makes you think you know anything more about me than that?” From the corner of my eye, I saw a mischievous grin slowly spread across his face. A rush of warmth coursed through my body. For the first time, I looked directly into the piercing green eyes I had dreamed about every night of the two weeks since our kiss.

**About author, Patricia Mann:

Patricia Mann is a university professor. She lives in California with her husband, their two kids, and a sweet, silly old dog.

**Contact Patricia:

Website Facebook – Fan Page Facebook – Friend Page Goodreads Twitter

**Buy “Is This All There Is”:

Amazon Barnes & Noble

**Click HERE to see other stops on Patricia’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours!

**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of “Is This All There Is?before” August 26 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**

Patricia Mann

April 9, 2013 4 Comments

IsThisAllThereIsCoverPic

About author, Patricia Mann: Patricia Mann grew up in New York and moved to California when she was fourteen. She is a professor of communication studies in Los Angeles and lives with her husband, their two kids, and a silly old dog. Patricia loves to be outside – running, hiking, biking, or walking. Reading has always been a one of her greatest passions.

INTERVIEW

You knew you were a writer when…? I was seven years old and I couldn’t get enough of writing so my second grade teacher allowed me to write my autobiography for extra credit. I have it right here on my desk for inspiration. It’s pretty cool – with a hard cover decorated in something that looks like 70s psychedelic wallpaper.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? The smell and feel of a paperback that I can’t put down is something I’ll always love and need. But recently, I’ve discovered the pleasure of reading on my iPad right before bed, in a darkened room, all tucked in, with the light conveniently provided for me.

You write under a pseudonym. How did you come up with the name? My dear friend Corie, brilliant author of the book Orfan, and I were sitting in a coffee shop. She peppered me with questions about people from my past and places that were significant to me, and we came up with the name together. If I were to be more specific, I might give myself away. 🙂

How has the social media helped you in your career as a writer? I started blogging a few months before my book was published, which helped me build a following and engage people in an honest conversation about the themes in my novel – marriage, parenting, sex, the temptation of infidelity, body image, careers, friendships, family, and much more. I also love to tweet and play on Facebook! The supportive community of authors I’ve become a part of online is something I cherish more than I ever could have imagined.

Who are your top three favorite authors? This is so hard! I have so many favorites, but I’ll just say the first three that come to mind: Marion Zimmer Bradley (Mists of Avalon is my favorite book), Barbara Kingsolver, Maya Angelou.

Walk us through your experience of the writing/editing/publishing process: I was happy being a wife, mother, and professor, but I’ve always been someone who needs to be doing a million things and needs new and exciting experiences. So I joined a weekly novel writing group and went along chapter by chapter, getting valuable feedback from the group members. I didn’t initially intend for the book to be about an affair between a professor and her former student, but that was somehow the story that came out. After four years in the group, I felt the book was finished. Though it all started as more of a hobby, positive feedback from readers made me think the book had a shot. I queried agents and attended writing conferences praying for someone to take me on. No such luck. I established a few connections and there were hints at possibly working with me if I changed some things about the book, but in the end, I wanted to be true to my story and myself, even if it would never be published. I gave up on the book completely for four years. Then my friend Corie, who always believed in my book, introduced me to her indie publisher. I realized that was the route for me and began to dust off the book (the computer file, really). I was shocked by how much work it still needed. I spent many hours editing and finding inconsistencies that needed to be fixed. I was blessed to have several friends read and help me edit. My publisher was very helpful in teaching me what I needed to know to get the book out there and spread the word. It has been quite the adventure since the book was released on 1/3/13! I wrote a blog post about the whole process and the miraculous things that happened along the way, in case anyone is interested: http://www.patriciamann.me/thank-you/

What is your favorite word? Love (cheesy, but true)

If your book were turned into a movie, who would you want to play the parts? Beth would be Kate Winslet or Jenna Fischer, Dave would be Justin Timberlake, and Rick would be Matt Damon.

Coffee or tea? Depends on how tired I am. Love them both.

What is the best advice you’ve been given? YOLO – my kids say it all the time. Trying to take more risks since I’m the second half of the game now.

If you could be on one reality TV show, what would it be? I would make up my own reality show where I get to hang out with Oprah!

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects? I’m writing a sequel to my novel, Is This All There Is? and also working on a chick lit book co-authored with my mom, who is a nurse and has incredible stories about what goes on in a hospital.

IsThisAllThereIsCoverPic **Is This All There Is? will be on sale for 99 cents from April 4th to April 11th!

**Click HERE to watch the Is This All There Is? book trailer!

**Buy the book: Amazon Barnes & Noble

**Contact Patricia Mann: Website/Blog Facebook Fan Page Facebook Friend Page Twitter

BOOK FEATURE: IS THIS ALL THERE IS?

April 5, 2013 3 Comments

IsThisAllThereIsCoverPic

“Is This All There Is” by Patricia Mann

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.

Chapter 1 (tease)

He leaned in close and without thinking I started to move my lips toward his. His warm Colgate breath crept up my nose as he kissed the top of Jack’s head. Then he was standing again, brushing a piece of lint off his sleeve. Flames rising in my chest. I couldn’t remember the last time there had been a goodbye kiss for me.

**Is This All There Is? will be on sale for 99 cents from 4/4 – 4/11!

Click HERE to view the book trailer!

**Buy the book! Amazon Barnes and Noble

**Contact the author, Patricia Mann: Website/Blog Facebook Fan Page Facebook Friend Page Twitter