Without Borders
A Wanderlove Novel
By: Amanda Heger
Releasing April 19, 2016
Diversion Books

For Annie London, a month in a Central American rainforest means handing out mosquito nets, giving medical aid, and teaching children about the birds and the bees. With any luck, it will also land her application in the “accepted” pile at a top tier medical school. But as soon as she steps off the plane, Annie realizes her bug spray, feeble Spanish, and medical supplies won’t help her deal with her new feelings for Felipe—her best friend's older brother, who's much hotter than she remembers, and who also happens to be the doctor in charge of the trip.

Gawking “volun-tourists” may keep his family’s medical clinic afloat, but Dr. Felipe Gutierrez doesn’t have to like them. Or the way they make snap judgments about his practice and the people he cares for. But when his old crush, Annie, shows up to volunteer, her killer curves and kind smile fan the embers of a flame Felipe didn’t realize he’d been carrying. A flame that makes him question all his preconceived notions.

As ideas and cultures clash, Annie and Felipe must decide how far outside their comfort zones they are willing to go—both for their work and for one another.

Beth: Welcome, Amanda! Thank you for joining my blog today. Even though, we think no one wants to know... I have to know. Knowing inspires me, so--

1. Who inspires your stories?

Amy Poehler. Tina Belcher. My friends. The guy at the bus stop. All those butts I saw last week at Thunder from Down Under.

Basically, everyone everywhere. People watching is one of my favorite past times, and there are so many stories to be found in everyday life. I sometimes fear that I have more story ideas than I’ll ever be able to write.

Beth: "All those butts I saw last week..." Yes. Thank you. Inspiration is everywhere. I love that your story is set in Central America. Though I've never been, reading takes me there! I think all readers are like that. So, tell me--

2. While writing Without Borders, what was the most fun discovery you made about Central America?

Some of the most fun discoveries I made about Nicaragua came from my time living there. It is legitimately gorgeous, the music is fabulous, and the rum is amazing. (Bonus discovery: armadillo isn’t a bad dinner option.)

But while writing the story I discovered how much I wanted to go back. I would love to spend a few nights staring up at the stars, eating gallo pinto, and listening to the rustle of monkeys in the trees above.

Beth: I'm looking at snow out my window, in April!! So, I totally get that. I would love to be somewhere warm, looking up at the stars. Sounds like a scene I could fit in a book... speaking of scenes--

4. What was your favorite scene to write in Without Borders? Why?

There’s a scene where Annie has to reset a patient’s dislocated shoulder. I watched seventeen million YouTube videos of people getting their shoulders reset to make it as realistic as I could. And it was amazing. Amazingly horrifying.

By the second or third video I had have an alcoholic beverage to keep from jumping out of my skin. And by the time I actually got around to writing the scene, I’m pretty sure my blood alcohol content was sky high. (Shhh. Don’t tell my editor.)

Good thing I didn’t become a doctor.

Beth: I may need to go back and reread that scene now... ;)

3. Whose story are you working on next? Will we see Annie and Felipe again in the series?

Marisol’s story, Semi-Scripted, is out next. And honestly, I couldn’t be more excited about this one.

When the book picks up, we find Mari in L.A., chasing a grant that she desperately needs to save her family’s medical clinic. But when her appearance on a late night talk show goes viral, she has to balance her sudden fame with work obligations. Not to mention a blossoming romance with one of the show’s interns.

Annie and Felipe do make an appearance or two, so you’ll get to catch up with them as well!

Beth: Wonderful! I love when books are connected by the characters. It's a huge bonus to see people again, make sure they're okay. <3 Speaking of okay and happy--

5. What do you do when you're not writing?

I do a lot of the usual stuff: work, pet my dogs, read books.

But I also do some of the less-usual stuff: wear colorful socks, quote entire episodes of Veronica Mars, take improv classes.

Variety is the spice of life and all that.

Beth: It's such a great pleasure to dig into the mind of a writer [even a little!], and I'm grateful for Amanda's willingness to answer my questions. Do NOT miss her book, Without Borders... [and then the next one, as well, cuz...dude! Books!] And get in on the Rafflecopter, as well. #giveaways are #fun!!