An Interview with Award-winning Amber Stockton!

It is my pleasure to have award-winning author Amber Stockton visiting my blog this week! I met Amber years ago at the very first ACFW Conference in Kansas City. Since then, 2002, Amber has written 13 novels!

For those unfamiliar with her work, here's Amber's bio:

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning best-selling author, speaker, and virtual assistant who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a daughter and a son, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. She has sold 13 books so far with more on the horizon. Three of her novels have won annual reader’s choice awards, and in 2009, she was voted #1 favorite new author for Barbour’s Heartsong Presents book club. Read more about her at her web site: www.amberstockton.com. 

And here's a blurb about Amber's latest novel:

When Grace Baxton comes face-to-face with the thief who broke into her uncle's home, she isn't prepared for meeting Andrew Bradenton—not a young boy out to cause trouble and no hardened criminal, either. The judge sentences Andrew Bradenton to work for the Baxton family, and Grace struggles with forgiveness. Out of guilt, Andrew offers to help Grace search for an heirloom book. When a handsome stranger appears with the book in hand, warming Grace's heart and finding favor with her uncle, Grace is torn over her growing attraction for both men. Andrew tries to prove the stranger is up to no good, but after key documents and money go missing from her uncle's safe, Andrew is seen as the guilty party. How will Grace discover the truth in time?

AND NOW FOR THE INTERVIEW!

     In what genre do you write?

     Historical, both category romance and general fiction, although I have some contemporary romances     looking for a home as well

     What motivates you? 

     Staying home with my children. From a young age, I only ever wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and   wife. God blessed me with the writing career, so I have a way to add to our household income while doing something I love and being able to stay home with my children. That’s motivation.

     How much spirituality do you weave into your story?

     I often tell people, “I’m not religious. I just love the Lord,” when they ask me if I’m the religious sort. That description can apply to my stories as well. Thumping someone over the head with Gospel is not usually the best way to help them see the value in a personal walk with Christ, so I choose the more subtle route. My characters usually have a strong foundation of faith that guides them through the difficult journeys of life. Some question their faith or struggle with what they believe, but their foundational faith becomes the beacon that leads the way, even when they are being tossed around by life’s storms.

     What is your general purpose as an author?

     There is so much negative in this world, so much hopelessness, that I see my writing as a way to give hope through the stories I write. With all the struggles in our lives, if we don’t have hope that it *will* get better, how can we continue living each day?

       Do you believe there is evil in the world and, if you do, how do you portray it in your novels (or do you portray evil in your novels?

    Without a doubt, evil exists. Thus far, the evil in my books hasn’t been the evil-to-the-core kind; rather, it’s been ill intentions, manipulation, lies, trickery, and all sorts of more subtle evil. As that is the evil most of us face day in and day out, it is the evil I portray in my novels.

       Did you ever have a memorable book-signing? (Sad, humorous, or awesome?) If so, please share it.

     I’d have to say the most amazing one was joining over 100 other authors in the middle of the Mall of America in 2008, just 7 months after my debut novel released. It was both humbling and awesome to have so many interested readers or passersby stop by the table and either present a purchased book or tell me they’d already read one of my 2 books and loved meeting me.

      What’s next for you as an author? Any books in the hopper?

    Right now, I have several projects with 3 different editors. No contracts at the moment, but I’m confident that will change by Christmas. I received my very first contract just 15 days before Christmas. Perhaps my next one will be near the same. :)

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     Thank you, Amber, for being a guest on my blog. I wish you much success with your new releases!

     And a note to my readers: Amber is giving away a FREE BOOK. Simply leave a comment below and your name will be entered into the drawing. We'll announce the winner on Thursday -- and on Friday I'll have another great interview for you!

     Have a great week!

                                                                ~AKB