Is This What I Want (Book 2) Release Day Blog Post!

Birthing Books and Babies

My first book, Is This All There Is?, took four years to write in a weekly writing group, three years of rewrites and rejections from agents, and another three years of revisions before a dear friend persuaded me to self-publish it under a pen name.

My first baby took fifteen minutes to make, nine months to grow, and twenty-four excruciating, fear-filled hours to push out into the world. (His big head in the photo you see is partially due to having to be sucked out.)

The self-published version of my first book was released over two years ago and caused me great stress, worry, and financial loss. The new and improved, Boooktrope published version is a sweet little cherub of a seven month old and was a dream to create with my supportive team. I didn’t have to shell out a penny.

My first son is seventeen and some of his choices caused me great stress, worry and financial loss. Then suddenly he came around. Now he’s a sweet, smart high school senior, working hard on his college applications. A wonderfully loving and nurturing boyfriend too.

My second book, Is This What I Want?, also published by Booktrope, took four months to write, two months to work on with my editor, a few weeks to finalize a cover with the designer, and an hour to approve corrections from the proofreader. Again, not a penny spent.

My second baby took fifteen minutes to make, nine months to grow and eleven blissful, pain-free hours to push out into the world.

I’ve been given the go-ahead to push book two into the world today. Writing a book is not easy, at least not for me, especially not one with such emotional content. But the entire process this time was far less painful, thanks to the confidence that experience brings as well as all the help from my Booktrope team. I’m a little nervous about reactions to the new book, but I’m ready for the good, the bad, and even the mean and nasty, because I’ve done it all before. I know now that the world does not end when you get a bad review.

My second son is thirteen and a half now. He was an easy baby, an easy child and is now an unusually easy teen. I’m nervous about the future, given all the tumult we went through with our first son as he did what he had to do to become the wonderful young man he is now. But I’m ready for whatever comes our way. I know now that the world does not end when your child does the very things you’ve always prayed he would never do.

Birthing books and babies has gifted me with some of my highest highs and my lowest lows. There will be no more babies for me, but when it comes to books, I have an endless supply of eggs just waiting to be fertilized.

Is This What I Want? 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?

Praise 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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