Monday, June 21, 2010

Amber Scott "Play Fling" Interview & Giveaway!

As promised, we have interview and giveaway fun today! Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing and awesome author Amber Scott’s here today to tell us all about her latest, “Play Fling”!

But first, let me tell you a little about Amber. In between naptimes and laundry, Amber Scott writes romance in varying genres including paranormal and erotica. She knew she wanted to be an author before she could read and, at age four, vividly recalls telling her mother as much. She began writing novels and screenplays after the birth of her first child to see if her childhood dream could come true. She's addicted to chocolate, detests cooking and is a sucker for happily ever after.In other words, my kind of girl! So, let’s roll into it.

Face Your Target...
Brooke Munkle didn't leave a lukewarm marriage just to flounce into the first hot bed. Too young, too hot, Elliott Jovovich has no business distracting her from starting over. If only he'd get out of her fantasies. Maybe if she keeps things simple, she can allow herself one naughty indulgence. After all, who will know?

Pull The String...
Elliott sees through Brooke's stiff facade. Underneath her struggle to hold it all together, a vibrant, wanton woman is waiting to be freed. To win her heart, he'll play by her rules, which would be a a lot easier if her hostile best friend didn't fight so dirty. Sure, he has ammo of his own, but what he knows could hurt Brooke.

Steady. Aim. Release...
Millie Match isn't sure what she did to deserve this matchmaking hell. The sneaking around, the spying, compatibility issues, chemistry crises. Her target, Brooke, is keeping secrets. Elliott is definitely Mr. Wrong. And if Millie doesn't make true love magic now, she'll lose the one thing in this punishment worth fighting for.


Q:
Amber, in “Play Fling” we meet Millicent Match for the first time. How did you come up with her?

A: Brooke and Elliott’s story had already formed in my mind. But something was missing. I had begun my first screenwriting online class and the instructor referenced one of my all time favorite shows, Quantum Leap. One afternoon, while thinking about why I loved that show so much, and wondering what ever happened to it, Millie was born. She has a similar situation as the show’s hero, Sam, had. In a futuristic science experiment gone wrong, Sam “leapt” from life to life over time to put right what once went wrong. But Millie won’t leap time and where Sam was simply dealing with the new life he’d entered with his caring jovial self, Millie is matchmaking and hates it. Becoming a cupid is her punishment, and she has no clue how to match people because she’s never loved or truly been loved.

Q: Interesting! So, how many books do you see Millie in before she gets her own happily ever after? After that, will the series be over or continue on? (You know, in that perfect world we authors all want.)

A: I imagine three to six books, the last being where Millie matches AJ, her partner in time. But AJ won’t remember who she is, having completed his matchmaking time served. She’ll also be returned to her life as Kiki, but with her love lessons learned. Of course, not all lessons because where’s the torturous fun in that, right?

Q: Of course right! I like that you make Millie “ordinary” looking, and that it’s sort of her cross to bear. This may be a spoiler, but do you plan to ever let her be “hot” again, say in the last book?

A: Yes, in the final book in the series she’ll return to being her stunning original self, Kiki, but with the new awareness that being attractive comes with its own hurdles, particularly pre-judgments people make which she’s been able to live without for so long. Envy alienates and most don’t see her for who she really is, except…well, we can’t give away too much, right?

Q: So, Millie’s been, what, reborn into this new life? Can you give us a little more about the Kiki situation (as you know, I love that name!) and how it relates to Millie’s punishment and potential redemption?

A: Kiki, an infamous socialite still presumed missing in life, becomes Millie, a cupid, as her punishment for a life of gross indifference. Each book filters in more about Kiki’s disappearance and choices as well as her growth as Millie, until she ultimately returns to that life, changed by her matchmaking. But the sentence term will depend on how fast she learns. She’s a very slow, resistant learner. Much fun!

Q: Totally! “Play Fling” has a May/December romance. What prompted you to have Brooke be older than Elliott? Ashton and Demi or just happened that way?

A: I love the idea of starting over and of deserving something you never imagined possible. The fact that Elliott is younger gives Brooke a surface excuse to hide her true fear of surrendering to love behind. But, Elliott’s age actually surfaced when I asked my muse what man would Brooke want most, fear most to love but also who would free her from her fears.

Q: Very cool! So, other than Millie, Brooke & Elliott, who’s your favorite character in this book and why?

A: Oh, that’s a hard one. I suppose AJ, Millie’s partner in time, because he’s so bad boy sexy yet good guy levelheaded all at once. He helps Millie through some really bad decisions and their consequences without ever judging her. He’s a bit of the dark brooding type that has a shadowed past we haven’t seen yet.

Q: Oooh, he sounds delish! Can’t wait to see more of him. Heh heh. Okay, mind back to the issue at hand. For now. “Play Fling” isn’t your first book. Tell us about what else you have out there and where/how we can find it.

A: I have three erotica ebooks with Liquid Silver Books. “Wanted”, “Jessie’s Girl”, and “The Best Revenge”. After two years off from indulging my muse’s naughty side, I gave in and just finished an erotica novella called “Love Lust” which is in submissions right now.

Q: “Play Fling” has a light, fun tone even while dealing with the very real subjects of divorce and starting over. Is that your normal ‘voice’ or was this something you did for this series in particular?

A: I don’t normally write so light. But, I wanted this to be a fun romantic comedy with heart and magic. Millie is just so bad at matchmaking and so much fun to torture. Comedy is a challenge for me to write. But I like a challenge and the alternating between genres keep me energized.

Q: I’m so with you there! Okay, I see “Play Fling” as an urban paranormal romance, since Millie, and AJ, are Cupids and there is a fantastical element. Do you agree? If not, why not?

A: I wish I could nail down the genre it falls in! I think of it as a paranormal romantic comedy but Coffee Time Reviews sees it as a paranormal romantic suspense. Maybe paranormal light? Go figure.

Q: Can we have an excerpt?

A: Sure!

If Brooke Munkle checked her watch again, it might as well be announced on loudspeaker: Would the pitiful owner of the rude, no-show friend please remove her denial and vacate the big table? Brooke glared down the lines of creamer skinning her half empty latte cup. Her best friend, Millie, had, in fact and without a doubt, stood her up. Brooke didn’t have ten more minutes. She would be in class by then, forced to hand in her paper, unread. “Is this seat taken?” a quiet, sonorous voice asked.

Brooke locked eyes up to one fine specimen of male. He gave her a crooked smile, the charming kind, and pushed his glasses up his very straight nose. Her tongue sucked to the roof of her mouth. “Umm. No.” A flutter tickled her voice. “Be my guest.”

She straightened, gathering her papers and stack of novels to make room where Millie should be warming space, should be sitting next to her. How awful.

He plopped down a stuffed file folder, his smile brightened, and the chair he took practically screamed over the floorboards. A stream of pages from his folder spilled onto hers. He swept them back into the tattered manila. His loopy smile tipped her way again.
Flutter. This time down in her belly.

Was he searching for something to say? No, no. No need to break any ice on her account. Brooke didn’t smile back. Or return his friendly nod. She glanced around the café, double-checking the bookstore entrance Millie typically came through. Three other tables sat empty. Better seats, certainly, than this one.

She shouldn’t have taken the big table alone. Everyone tried to muscle in on the big table. Well, he could soon have it. Millie had five minutes left before Brooke gave up. Gaze averted, Brooke sipped her lukewarm latte and put on a cloak of aloof confidence. Eyebrows up, finger to her lips. Looking finely busy and unperturbed, if she said so herself.

Her turtleneck scratched her throat and her pulse thrummed. She kept her hands in her lap. Was it warm in the cafe or was it him?

When Jenny, the barista, abandoned her perch to wipe down Brooke’s already clean table again, no question remained. Brooke stuck out. Jenny meant well. Her smile shined a world of good intentions. She couldn’t know she made Brooke feel all the worse. Like some charity case. Jenny wiped and lingered. Smiled and wiped.

Or maybe Jenny just wanted a healthy eyeful of broad shoulders. Shoulders angling to make Brooke relocate. Maybe Jenny thought Brooke should move, too.

Where the hell was Millie?


(Want more than the short excerpt we gave you? Head over to The Amber Scott Project and check out the first three chapters (http://amberscottproject.wordpress.com/playfling-excerpt/). Trust me, by the time you’ve read them, you’ll want the rest, pronto!)

Q: Love it, especially that the humor’s so there right away. So, are you contracted for and/or writing the next book in this series? If so, when can we expect it? If not, why the heck not?

A: I am about halfway through the next book, “The Sweetest Fling”, and now that “Fierce Dawn”, my steampunk paranormal romance is finished, and “Love Lust” is in submissions, I’ll be completing its draft. Since this whole series will be Indie published, I’m hoping for a January release but much of that will depend on my editors.

“The Sweetest Fling” is about the one that got away and takes Millie up to small town Washington. Lots of wine and lots of complications.

Awesome! I cannot wait!

Q: Now, this last question Amber felt I should have asked but didn’t, so, because we believe the interview guest is always right, here goes… Finally, Amber, why are you stalking me?

A: Oh, I’m so pleased you asked, Gini! I have two reasons. One, reading “Touched By An Alien” changed me as an author. I read it and thought, wow, this is how it’s done. I not only adored the read, I learned from it.

My blushes! But, you know, do go on…

Secondly, because I learned so much and so thoroughly enjoyed your Desert Rose PAN/PRO pitch class that I will do all I can to support your career. The work you put into my pitch progress alone is worth more money than I could fork over. So, I stalk.

Is it any wonder I love her?
And, here’s another reason to love her. Amber’s giving away a personalized, signed copy of “Play Fling” to one lucky blog commenter chosen at random (and yes, this IS an International contest). So, leave a comment or a question for Amber or me, and see if you win! The contest will be open until Sunday, June 27, 2010, with the winner announced on Monday, June 28. Good luck to all!

Can’t wait to find out if you win or not? No worries, here’re the links to buy “Play Fling”:
Print Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Play-Fling-Amber-Scott/dp/1451588739/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276619931&sr=8-1
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Play-Fling-ebook/dp/B003JBI2AM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1276619931&sr=8-2

Amber’s easily found at The Amber Scott Project (http://amberscottproject.com). You can also find her plotting away with the rest of her gang, The Plot Mamas (http://plotmamas.com).

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28 Comments:

Blogger Sullivan McPig said...

Great interview! And Amber has some excellent points about why people should stalk Gini.
My owner and Voodoo Bride begged me to enter the giveaway as they love to read the book so please enter me in the giveaway even though I myself am not into girly books.

June 21, 2010 at 1:02 PM  
Blogger Lisa Dovichi said...

HOORAY!! A Contest I can enter!!!

Heck yeah, sign me up to win the book. The excerpt definitely makes me want more!!!

As I'm a cougar myself *snicker* I can totally relate to the Heroine wanting to hook up with someone young and hot!!! Mrrroowwww!!!

June 21, 2010 at 1:28 PM  
Blogger Lisa Dovichi said...

Or rather fight against it.

My husband pursued me kicking and screaming the whole way. Now I completely forget I'm 7 years older than him. :D

June 21, 2010 at 1:30 PM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

Mrroooowwww! I love it, Lisa!

That'll do, McPig, that'll do. What a good pet you are.

Thank you both so much for coming by today!

June 21, 2010 at 1:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, since you're stalking Gini, I figured I'd stalk you! Hope you don't mind. Just thought I'd start a conga line of sorts. It's a Play Fling kinda thing. I adore that book! All emotions present and accounted for. And the sexual tension is intense! Whoohaa!
Thanks Gini, for a great interview!

June 21, 2010 at 2:09 PM  
Blogger Nicole said...

Great interview! The book sounds great, I will have to see if I can get my hands on it! *taps fingers together*

June 21, 2010 at 2:22 PM  
Blogger RK Sterling said...

Nice interview. Since I've been stalking you both, can I have a book? :)

June 21, 2010 at 2:23 PM  
Blogger JC Jones said...

Good interview, and I would love to have the book.

June 21, 2010 at 4:01 PM  
Blogger Erin Quinn said...

Great interview! This sounds like such fun book. Loved the excerpt!

June 21, 2010 at 4:32 PM  
Blogger a paperback horror said...

That was a fun interview. Amber Scott sounds like a whole lot of fun. Sign me up!

June 21, 2010 at 4:52 PM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

Stalkers unite, Deena and Kate!

Thanks so much everyone, for coming by today. Aren't Gini's questions too much fun?

June 21, 2010 at 5:36 PM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

Hey Everyone,
I just had a random thought. Okay, it's a bit of a guilty as charged kind of thing.

In Play Fling, there's a funny yet revealing scene with Brooke, Millie and Brooke's former mother-in-law in a bathroom.

And as I was vacuuming just now, and thinking about that scene, I wondered, am I the only one who seriously judges a person by their bathroom?

June 21, 2010 at 9:44 PM  
Blogger Gini Koch said...

*cough* You're not allowed in the house, Amber...

June 21, 2010 at 10:36 PM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

LOL!!!! Awesome.

June 21, 2010 at 10:43 PM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

Okay. So, I'm the only one who peeks in cabinets, too?

Should this have been one of those things you add to an anonymous confession site?

Doh.

June 21, 2010 at 10:44 PM  
Anonymous Kelly Anderson said...

Umm...I am sooo hiding everything in my cabinets if you come over! I have been known to sneak a peek myself and worse...I do it in Doctor's offices too! I am so bad! I shan't repent however - I am a confirmed peeker! Long live the snoopers!

Oh, and yeah, I want another chance to win another copy of your book! I have a friend in California that I would love to pay-it-forward to..just like I did with Gini's book. I just didn't tell anyone I did it! Naughty Kelly!!! Nope...still not repentant! I will just have to live with being a silent but vigilant stalker!

June 21, 2010 at 11:36 PM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

Kelly! Thank you so much for peeping in!
My sister totally sneaks through doctor's offices! She outright tells the nurse that if they take too long, she will not only dig through drawers but take things. They laugh. Then she totally does it!

June 21, 2010 at 11:52 PM  
Anonymous Ann Charles said...

Amber,

I'm a HUGE fan of PlayFling, as you know, and I really enjoyed learning about more of what's to come for Millie and AJ. This was a fun interview and I can see why you stalk Gini. I want to join the congo line!

I'm cleaning my bathroom with a toothbrush before I ever allow you into my house. ;)

Ann Charles

June 22, 2010 at 12:08 AM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

Ann, thank you so much! I love you so.

As long as it isn't MY toothbrush, right? No. Really. Right?

And there is plenty of room on the stalker conga line. Grab on!

I think I may plant a shocking item in my own bathroom to test my next group of guests and see who else does this awful, terrible judge thy bathroom thing.

Any item suggestions?

June 22, 2010 at 12:46 AM  
Blogger Gini Koch said...

I swear to GOD you're never getting into my house now, Amber OR Kelly!

My God...the things y'all would find...

("How many hairspray bottles does one woman need? I mean, I've counted over a dozen and I'm not done yet!"

"Is this a cat toy, a doggie toy or...um...eewww-- Oh. Ha ha ha. It's a scrubbing attachment for that cleaner thing in the shower. That she, clearly, never uses."

"Wow, the expiration on this cough syrup is like years overdue...do you think they're using it themselves or laying it down as some kind of rodent poison?")

Um, yeah, never. Ever. Coming. Over.

June 22, 2010 at 1:54 AM  
Blogger RK Sterling said...

Oh, my. Boy am I glad I never invited you over now, Amber! :)

June 22, 2010 at 10:10 AM  
Blogger Lisa Dovichi said...

Amber,

You can come to my bathroom anytime. I'll even hide a surprise for you that's labeled "For Amber" that you get to keep if you find it.

I'm neurotic. I don't have expired medicine and my toilet brush is cleaned regularly. But then again Gini had to talk me down when I was going to move my dinette set out of the kitchen and sweep, mop, and wax my floor when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant.

She says I have issues. I still maintain she doesn't know what she's talking about.

(She even threatened to sick my husband on me! Who does that???)

June 22, 2010 at 3:34 PM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

Ah, Lisa! You're speaking my language. I alphabetized my pantry when I was pregnant. Nesting began at like fourth months along.

I can't wait to see what will be "For Amber!"

June 22, 2010 at 4:21 PM  
Blogger Gini Koch said...

Amber...be afraid...be very afraid...it could be delicious baked goods...or it could be...something else...

June 22, 2010 at 4:51 PM  
Blogger Lisa Dovichi said...

Hey! I make delicious baked goods!

And I stopped my whole severed head collection. So, there! O.o

June 22, 2010 at 5:12 PM  
Blogger WKEverhart said...

I see that being addicted to chocolate seems to be a common thread among writers. I wonder why that is true? Anyways, congrats to Amber on the book and on the books to come!:D

June 25, 2010 at 12:13 PM  
Anonymous Amber Scott said...

We are, aren't we! Interesting. Although, I did meet one author who detests chocolate. Suzanne Brandyn prefers coconut ice lollies for her sugar fix.

I am curious now, WKEverhart, what's your sugar vice?

Thank you for stopping by!!

June 25, 2010 at 2:22 PM  
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