I thought it a good idea to catch up with her and see what she is up to since the last time I reviewed Riptide, one of my first reviews I did.
You can read the review HERE. An excellent read from beginning to end.
Author’s Interview Questions
1.
Are you famous is the general question I get
when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with
a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying
something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile, silly I know but the idea
unsettles me. (a)Does this happen to you and (b) what do you say?
I do get this question, but I
laugh it off. I usually say, “not yet, but Nicholas Sparks had better watch his
back.” Then I laugh again because I
rarely take myself too seriously and want people around me to understand
that.
2.
In general do you like to talk about you writing
and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?
It really depends on who is
around me. If I’m around people who know
me well and are in my inner circle, I talk about anything and enjoy talking
about my novels. However, there are
people on my son’s lacrosse team, for example, who have no idea what I do for a
living and I like it like that.
Why? Because in certain
situations I like just being Amber or “Ben’s mom” or “Briahna’s mom”. It’s easier sometimes not to carry the title
of author around my neck like a badge. Also I’ve been told it intimidates
people--although I don’t know why--so I treat every situation as its own.
What book/s are you currently writing and what
is it about?
My next release is
called Reckless Endangerment.
Colonel
Michael Cedars is a wounded marine returning home from Afghanistan. He’s partially paralyzed with his left leg,
unsure how to fit into civilian life again after being career military and
questions whether or not he’s fit to be married to his wife, Hope.
Hope
Shane is a natural wild child. She met
the Colonel while working as a war correspondent, watched him get blown up and
returned to Denver, Colorado to bring him home.
She’s an investigative reporter who becomes tangled up in a human
trafficking story. As far as Michael
wanting a divorce and giving up on life, she’s not one to surrender the fight.
That goes for the helpless victims in the story she’s chasing...nothing will
stop her until she has truth and justice.
As
the danger of Hope’s story intensifies, Michael is tested more than he ever
imagined. Is he capable of being the
husband she needs? Will he hold her back
or, worse yet, get her killed? Is Hope
and her penchant for finding trouble a liability he can’t risk? Or is he still
the hero she claims him to be?
Heroes
come in many forms and range from the woman trying to hold her marriage
together to the marine battling even after he’s come home. That’s what the story is about...heroes. Heroes and love--with a whole lot of danger,
both emotional and physical, thrown in for fun.
4.
Why this particular genre?
I love romantic suspense
because I think it combines the best of both genres. I thoroughly enjoy a good page turner. Romantic suspense brings forth the sizzle and
emotional connection of a good love story coupled with mystery and tension of a
great suspense novel. Win-win as far as
I’m concerned. It’s just as much fun to
write as it is to read. I get a thrill
out of tossing my characters into a nightmare and seeing how they’ll get out
alive and in love.
5.
What inspire or motivate you to write?
It’s a high higher than can
be achieved through any substance.
Writing is an addiction--I’m happiest when in the flow and
creating. What’s a greater motivation
than happiness?
6.
What is the writing process like for you?
I work odd hours, usually at
night when the house is completely quiet and I don’t need to worry about
7.
What is the best and/ or worst part of being a
writer?
The best part is indulging
the creativity, completely surrendering to it.
The worst part is time management challenges. I know some people say the worst part is
marketing, but I disagree. I enjoy talking to readers, bloggers, fellow
authors, interviewers, etcetera. My time
management skills suck, though. Right
now finding the balance between creating and marketing is the worst part, but
I’m working on it. I’m sure I’m making
it more complicated than it needs to be.
8.
Any advice for struggling writers?
Yes, don’t underestimate the
impact of a good editor. Don’t rely on
your friends or family for feedback unless they are in the publishing
business. As I stated above, this IS a
business. I’m a published author so my
editor is through my publisher, obviously, and I value the feedback and insight
tremendously. If you’re having trouble
getting published, hire an editor. Also,
if you’re going to critique groups, are they filled with other unpublished
writers? If so, find a new one. The blind can’t lead the blind. They may be good for emotional support, but
you need to find a group of published authors to give you true insight into
breaking into the business.
9.
What is your favorite genre to read or write?
Romantic suspense tops the
list, but I like a variety of genres. It truly depends on my mood at the
moment. I also like romantic comedy,
contemporary romance, suspense, thrillers, and true crime.
10. Favorite
author?
Early Nora Roberts, Heather
Graham, MJ Rose, and David Sedaris (who is an essayist, but hilarious).
11. Do
you have a favorite spot to read and write? Share a photo if you have (included
one of the view from my deck)
My office for writing and my
deck for reading. My office is complete
with a rolltop desk, my cat Carl and a wood stove. My deck has an amazing view of the mountain
across the valley and, in the summer, is visited by butterflies and hummingbirds.
12. What
did you do before you became a writer?
I was a journalist--not much
of a leap, I know.
13. Was
it a life long dream or triggered recently?
I’ve been writing stories in
notebooks since I was nine years old.
14. What
do you like to do when not writing?
Hang out with my kids, go to
movies, see live music whenever possible, hike, and travel as often as
possible. The picture I’ve included is
of me (my foot) in the Dominican Republic.
15. Do
you have a bucket/ to-do list and would you share at least two things on it?
Yes, I want to tango through
Argentina with the love of my life. They
have tango bars there so I’d like to start at the top and work my way down to
the tip, then chill out at a resort in Patagonia. Second thing I’d like to do
is hike up Machu Pichu.
16. What
have you done so far on this list?
I’ve done neither of those
two things, but I have swam with sharks.
I’m proud of that. I almost
chickened out, but then I didn’t. It was
one of the most amazing experiences in my life to swim with sharks in the open
water off the coast of Belize--on purpose.
Ha. It was either brave or insane, I’m not sure.
17. Most
daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?
See above. Although, I
sometimes think raising two kids solo after my husband’s death and not
succumbing to madness is pretty daring.
18. This
or that questions:
· Coffee or Tea - Tea
· Sweet or sour – Sweet
· Home make meal or takeouts – Takeouts
· Winter or summer – Summer
· Night-owl or Early-Bird – Night-owl
· Telephone or visits – Visits
· Which social network do you prefer? Twitter
· Blogger or website? Both
· What does your family say about your career?
Supportive or Clueless A little of
both. They try to be supportive, but
they don’t get it.
And Finally
Moto/wisdom in life you live by.
"Twenty years from now you
will be more disappointed by things you didn't try than by the ones you did. So
throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds
in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."--Mark Twain
Contact details and buy links of the newest books you would
like the readers to know.
Riptide’s book trailer: http://youtu.be/2YWX6FDUbfU
Visit Amber at:
Thanks once again for your willingness to share with me and
the readers.
As always support the authors whom have taken the time to write for your pleasure.
Next time I am hosting
Mira West
June 05, 2013
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