Amber Stockton's 6 books' tour

Today we are doing an Influencer book tour with Amber Stockton. She has 6 books on this tour. This will also include a book giveaway be sure to read to the end. The giveaway will be any one of the six books (your choice; does not include 3-in-1 book) we highlight here today. Read to end of post to see how to enter this giveaway. First let's take a minute to introduce to you author Amber Stockton. Tomorrow we will have a special Christmas memory of Amber's posted be sure to return for that.

BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton is an author, online marketing consultant, and web site designer who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart, and their baby daughter in Colorado. They also have a vivacious Border Collie mix named Roxie. Amber has sold eight books to Barbour Publishing with more on the horizon. Other writing credits include five short stories for Romancing the Christian Heart, and contributions to Grit for the Oyster and 101 Ways to Romance Your Marriage. Her goal in writing is to convey the message that God is always present, even during the most difficult circumstances. Read more about her at her web site: www.amberstockton.com.

Promises, Promises

Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents

Book 1 of Liberty's Promise (HP #784)
At Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1597899399/eagledesigns-20
At Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/ISBNInquiry.asp?EAN=9781597899390
Release date: February 2008
ISBN-10: 1597899399
ISBN-13: 9781597899390

-- Raelene Strattford believes God has forsaken her, but her neighbor proves just the opposite while giving her a voice in a world where women have none. --

Has God forsaken Raelene? What kind of God would take a girl's family and leave her alone in a wild land where women have no voice? When Gustaf Hanssen promises Raelene's dying father that he will take care of her, he finds himself bound to her happiness, her success, and her well-being in ways he never imagined. To keep his word, must Gustaf really oversee all of Raelene's affairs, find her a husband, and maintain her farm, while she does nothing but scorn him? Can God reach through Raelene's pain and self-centeredness and give her the love that awaits, if only she will accept His will?

Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/ppexcerpt.html

Read my review of Promises, Promises here.

Quills & Promises

Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents

Book 2 of Liberty's Promise (HP #803)
At Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/160260049X/eagledesigns-20
At Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/ISBNInquiry.asp?EAN=9781602600492
Release date: July 2008
ISBN-10: 160260049X
ISBN-13: 9781602600492

-- Separated from Madison when he leaves to fight the French and Indians, Elanna Hanssen must choose between her heart and her head, especially when Madison's integrity is questioned. --

Innocence paired with wisdom beyond her years--With these traits, Elanna Hanssen unwittingly captures the attentions of Major Madison Scott. Her honest desire to understand the war fascinates him, and he resolves to get to know this perspicacious young lady better. When he is called away to fight the French and the Indians, they begin a correspondence, cautiously baring their hearts to one another. Elanna has never known emotions like these before, but she is drawn to the integrity she sees in her major. When a writer for the first newspaper in the colony questions the major's credentials and activities, however, will she allow her heart or her head to rule? Can true love grow over such distance and around such obstacles?

Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/qpexcerpt.html

Read my Review of Quills and Promises along with an author interview here.

Deceptive Promises

Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents

Book 3 of Liberty's Promise (HP #823)
At Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1602601895/eagledesigns-20
At Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?EAN=9781602601895
Release date: November 2008

ISBN-10: 1602601895
ISBN-13: 9781602601895

-- Living during the American Revolution and the formation of a new nation, Margret Scott gets involved with a spy and a life of deception that could endanger herself, her family and the man she loves. --

Is deception fair in wartime? Margret Scott finds she must deal with this question as she becomes attracted to the enigmatic Samuel Lowe. As the tensions grow between the colonists and the British soldiers and loyalists, Margret struggles to determine where Samuel's loyalties lie, despite his reassurances that they lie with the colonists. Samuel's duties have him working for both sides of this war, and he is often torn between what is right and what is wrong. He promises Margret she can trust him, and Margret promises him she does. But can promises born in deception be trusted? Can relationships built in uncertainty survive?

Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/dpexcerpt.html

Liberty's Promise (release date March 2010)
note: not included in Amber's giveaway.

Amber's first 3 books repackaged into 1 volume

Romancing America collection
Barbour Publishing
Available for Pre-Order!

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1602607990/eagledesigns-20

Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1152452&item_no=607996
Release date: March 2010
ISBN-10: 1602607990
ISBN-13: 9781602607996

Publisher's description: Relive the birth of a new country as three women battle for determining to whom they can entrust their hearts. Raelene is all alone, but is there peace in following the wishes of her deceased father? Elanna is intelligent for her young age, but will her love for an older man turn into a passing fancy when his integrity is questioned? Margret's loyalties are torn when the colonists rebel, for how can a relationship with a British soldier built on deceptions survive? Will each woman find her place of freedom to embrace her faith and trust her heart to love?

Copper and Candles

Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents

Book 1 of Michigan historical series (HP #843)
At Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1152452&item_no=603405
At Amazon.com: http://http//www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1602603405/eagledesigns-20
Release date: April 2009
ISBN-10: 1602603405
ISBN-13: 9781602603400

—A young lady of means discovers that keeping secrets, no matter how noble the intent, demands a price that she and a refinery worker, with all their resources, might not be able to pay.—

Society teas and garden parties, shopping, gossip—Life as a young lady of means may be fun, but Felicity wants to do more. Unfortunately, she finds that her position and wealth can sometimes hinder her efforts to help those around her in need. Thus, when a charity case falls ill and cannot work, Felicity determines to go to work as a commoner in Detroit's dangerous factory district. Relationships become complicated, however, and she soon finds herself falling in love with a worker from the copper refinery next door. She knows her family would never accept him as a suitor, but what's a girl to do? What she doesn't know is that Brandt has his own secrets and hides his identity just as carefully as she. Brandt and Felicity soon discover that deception—no matter how noble its intent—demands a price that even they, with all their resources, may not be able to pay. Can they survive the storm when truth is revealed?

Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/ccexcerpt.html

Hearts and Harvest

Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents

Book 2 of Michigan historical series (HP #867)
At Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1152452&item_no=605760
Release date: September 2009

ISBN-10: 1602605769
ISBN-13: 9781602605763

—A destitute young man fights society's mores to win the hand of his privileged sweetheart.—

William's is a true riches to rags story...Once members of Detroit's elite society, the Berringer family lost everything they had in the financial crash of 1893. From a life of influence and privilege, they now find themselves working a potato patch alongside immigrants and other destitute folk on borrowed land. William's resentment toward his current situation—and mostly toward God for allowing it—simmers barely beneath the surface. All it takes is one charitable visit to the fields from a lovely society darling to burst his façade of acceptance. Annabelle Lawson, convicted by her pastor's admonishing words, begins delivering food and water to the workers on her father's donated land. But as she learns the stories of the people who work there, she becomes increasingly drawn to their plight. Especially that of the inscrutable William Berringer. Can Annabelle and William overcome the stigma placed upon his family by a society that once embraced them? Will her parents remember their own meeting or forbid this budding romance altogether?

Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/hhexcerpt.html


Patterns and Progress

Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents

Book 3 of Michigan historical series (HP# )
At Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1152452&item_no=606876
Release date: December 2009

ISBN-10: 1602606870

ISBN-13: 9781602606876

—A farmer's daughter would rather turn back the hands of time than accept the fact that advancement in technology could be in God's plan.—

Shannon Delaney was right. Every time she might consider changing her stance on what other people called progress, something bad would happen and she would be proven right again. Take the day Jacob Berringer almost ran her over in that new Model-T, for instance. And he had the nerve to suggest she'd been daydreaming? Or the Titanic. A marvel of modern invention. Look where that got them. Or how about the new tractor her brother insisted they try out. What did he get from that? A broken arm. Why can't things just stay the way they are—the way they should be? Jacob's got his work cut out for him, proving to the stubborn but beautiful Shannon that just because he works for the Henry Ford Company, he isn't evil incarnate. But something about her tells him she's worth the effort, and when Jacob puts his mind to something, he doesn't turn back. But will either of them look to God for direction?

Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/pnpexcerpt.html

Read Amber's Christmas memory here.

Getting to know author Amber Stockton

1. Tell us a little about your family.
I am married to another author, Stuart Stockton, who's first book released in April of 2009. We gave birth to our daughter in April, and we live at the base of beautiful Pike’s Peak in Colorado. We also have a half border collie, half flat-haired retriever named Roxie, who keeps life bouncing. Outside of our little circle, I have 3 brothers and my parents have been married for over 35 years. Stuart has 2 sisters and a brother, 3 aunts, 2 uncles, 4 cousins, 1 nephew and 1 niece. His parents have also been married 35 years.

2. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
Well, that all depends. If you’re asking why I write historical fiction, it’s because I’ve always been fascinated by history and the people who have gone before us. But history class bored me to tears. So, I love telling those stories through the eyes of people who lived it. Bringing it alive to my readers and perhaps helping them gain a better appreciation or understanding is a welcome challenge. Now, if you ask why I write romance, that’s because I enjoy the process of taking God’s love for us and turning into a ‘happily ever after’ story. If you believe in God and His promises, you know that no matter how bad things get, there is hope, and things will get better. Romance, for me, allows me to demonstrate that hope. I depict characters enduring what might appear to be impossible situations. By going through them and rising above them, especially in regard to relationships, the characters glimpse that hope and experience the happy ending.

3. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Oh, that’s easy. July 28, 2007 when I married the love of my life, Stuart. The next is the day we celebrated the birth of our first child. We are proud parents to an 8-month-old little girl, and life is fantastic. The next happiest day would be when I sold my first book in December of 2006.

4. How has being published changed your life?
It has given me a new leash on life, so to speak. Now that I’ve sold and am starting to establish readers, I’m receiving feedback on how my books have touched their lives. It’s an amazing testimony to read how the words I’ve written have spoken to someone who has read them. God has given me this gift, and I’m thrilled beyond words to have the opportunity to use this gift to His glory.

5. What would be your dream vacation?
A few weeks to a month touring the British Isles. My husband and I both have British ancestry, and I have Scottish in me as well. It would be amazing to set foot on the same ground as our ancestors before us. If I can’t do that, Hawaii or Alaska would be next on the list.

6. How do you choose your settings for each book?
For my first series, I wanted to depict the historical significance of the little state of Delaware. Since a real home from the 1700’s was near where I used to live and still standing, I chose that for the principal setting. The rest of the area flowed from the initial story lines. For my current series, my editor sent me 6 states and asked me to send proposals on as many as I would like. One of them was historical Michigan, and I decided to select an area that isn’t often portrayed in novels. Detroit during the Industrial Revolution was a major center of industry, production and high society. It made the perfect setting. For other novels, the choice of setting usually comes from a place I’ve visited or inspiration from the setting of another book I’ve read. If once I get into the book, the setting doesn’t work, I change it to one that does.

7. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love photography, although I only consider myself an amateur, and I enjoy scrapbooking, even though my books are in dire need of some TLC. Traveling is a favorite pastime along with music, movies, bowling, swimming and horseback riding when I can.

8. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Trust. The past few months have been a bit rough with the economy and seeing a lot of my design business decline. People are cutting everywhere they can, and a web site is an expense that can wait for most. Plus, income as an author is sporadic. But, regardless, God always provides, even if it’s just a few extra dollars to get us through the next day. I have a tendency to be concerned about paying bills, but God is telling me to trust Him. He’s got it all under control and He will provide. My security is not in my job. It’s in Him. And it’s a daily process for me.

9. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
One, study the market and familiarize yourself with what’s selling or what looks like it’s going to be a big seller. Two, network with other authors and industry professionals to glean wisdom from their experiences, as well as instruction on the writing craft. Three, read, read, read…especially in the genre where you write, so you can improve your own skills.

10. If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Some of the names that come to mind are Abraham Lincoln or George Washington or John Adams. But, I’m going to go back even farther and say I’d love to spend an evening with Mary, the mother of Jesus. During this Christmas season, her acceptance of God’s plan for her life and her willingness to do what was asked of her, despite her fears and uncertainties are quite an inspiration. None of know exactly where our lives are headed, but if we make up our minds to say “yes” no matter what, I think we’ll discover amazing things.

11. Tell us about your life, where you grew up, your interests and hobbies.
I was born in a small suburb of Washington, D.C. with roots in Virginia and Kentucky as well as Pennsylvania, but I spent most of my life living in Delaware until most recently when I got married and moved to the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. From an early age, I’ve always loved to read and tell stories, but I also love traveling, photography, horses, movies and music.


12. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Wow, this is a tough one. I actually had to ask my husband because I couldn’t think of anything. But, when I looked at other words for ‘quirky’ and found unique or eccentric, I figured out something that would work. Anyone who knows me know about my colorful Tiki bird slippers. Owning them alone is quirky, but I take it one step farther and wear them to an annual professional conference each year at ACFW (include a link to www.acfw.com).

13. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
That would be completing my first book, because not only did it prove to me that I could finish a book, but it also provided me the confirmation that I was in fact a writer. I learned so much in the writing of that first book. Although it has yet to see a contract attached to it, I believe it taught me a lot about myself, about my goals, and about where I want to go in my career. It also confirmed my talents that God has given me and showed me that I can use them successfully.

14. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Without a doubt, an eagle. The primary reason would be that when eagles are faced with a storm, they don’t allow the storm to bog them down or deter them from the path they’re taking. They also don’t land and wait for the storm to pass without fighting back. Instead, they fly through the storm, fighting the winds and rain and obstacles until they are above the storm and can continue on their path. They also mate for life, and I’m equally committed to my husband in the same way.

15. What is your favorite food?
Cheese. I’m not sure if that can truly be considered a food, but if you put cheese on something, I believe it makes it much better. Obviously, there are some foods where cheese doesn’t complement it, but in a general sense, it’s my favorite. If you’re looking for a food type, I’d have to say Italian, but not the ones that are loaded in the sauces; rather, the ones that have the vegetables and vinaigrette and lighter sauces with the spices and seasoning.

16. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Who says I’m sane?  Seriously, though, I just take things one day at a time and try to not worry about tomorrow. As the Bible says, tomorrow will take care of itself. Worrying won’t add anything to my life, so I do my best to do what I can and leave the rest to God. I have found that if I do the best that I can do, everything else has a way of working itself out. I also always take time each night to unwind and relax before going to sleep. I make certain to do something just for me and have improved my ability to say ‘no’ to avoid over-committing myself. Of course, now that I am shifting gears into the world of publishing, I’m sure I’ll be facing those challenges all over again. I only pray I can continue to maintain peace despite the hectic pace.

17. Who has influenced you as a writer and why?
Number one on my list would be Tracie Peterson. I could relate to her characters and loved learning a bit of history through her books. She has a simplistic but meaningful way of writing that appeals to me, and I’ve even been told that my style reminds one or two readers of Tracie. What a high compliment! A close second would be Linda Windsor, who helped me whip my first book into shape and prepare it for publication. She stood by me and cracked the whip over my head, pointed out the inconsistencies and pet mistakes I continued to make, then explained why something would work or wouldn’t and showed me how to change it. I learned so much from her that I’ve been able to apply it to my future books.

18. What is your favorite movie? Favorite book?
The movie would have to be a tie between Somewhere in Time and The Sound of Music. Loving moves the way I do, there are many, but those are at the top. Favorite book is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, but I also love the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis in the classic realm.

19. Take us through your process of writing a novel briefly—from conception to revision.
Wow! This is a loaded question. But, since I wrote my very first complete book in 17 days and my second in 23 days, I’ll use those one as the ‘brief’ process. When I get an idea for a book, I usually sit down immediately and dump my thoughts on paper, then save it. That way, even if I can’t write immediately, I’ll have the idea saved. From the time the idea strikes, I begin planning what types of events and situations I’ll include. I start with my 2 primary characters and build upon them with friends, family and acquaintances. I put at least one of them (maybe two or three) in a situation to open the book by jumping right into the action, then let the story tell itself from there. I don’t often have an exact plan how the story will go, but I have a general guideline and outline to use as reference. When I really get into a story, the words fly from my fingers. Because I am a bit of a perfectionist, I can’t often progress forward until I’m certain I have the primary bits of the story in place before moving to the next chapter. This means I might stop in the middle of a scene to do a little research or consult a writing book on how to ‘fix’ a problem that’s bogging me down. If I can’t find it within 5-10 minutes, though, I skip it, make a notation, and move on. This process continues until I type the last word of the book. Then, I take a few days off from the story and come back to it with fresh eyes to do the revisions and edits. Since I am overly detailed in the initial draft, revisions for me don’t usually take too long. Even when I get the edits back from my editor after submission, most of the changes are minor compared to the overall flow and characterization and motivations throughout the story. My own changes, the ones from my editors, and the suggestions from a couple of select readers who preview my work, all combine and take me a maximum of two weeks of work after the first draft is done. Altogether, it would probably take me 4-6 weeks to write a novel.

20. Where are you in your writing journey now and where do you see God leading you?
I have sold 4 books with the promise of 2 more and 2 anthology collection repackagings of those 6 novels. By the end of 2009, I'll have 8 books in print. This year, I'm working on finding an agent so I can present my books to a variety of publishers and diversify a little more. I also have felt God leading me toward writing for children and possibly young teens, so I recently completed a correspondence course and received my diploma. I'll begin targeting publishers for young readers and starting with articles or short stories.

Now for the giveaway. Amber has graciously offered to give one reader a book of their choice. Comment will be two parted First, tell me one interesting fact about Amber you learned in Amber's interview above or the one I posted a year ago here. Second, tell me which book you'd like to win. Be sure to leave a way of contact. I will draw a winner for the book of your choice on Dec. 14th. Please US residents only. Thanks.

Goes to winner
One Pilgrim

TOUR SCHEDULE

11/28

Petticoats & Pistols - http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com

11/30

Dawn Kinzer (all week) - http://dawnkinzer.blogspot.com

12/1

ausjenny - http://ausjenny.blogspot.com

Erica Vetsch - http://onthewritepath.blogspot.com

12/2

Martha Rogers - http://marthasbooks.blogspot.com

12/3

Pat Gonzales - www.pattishene.com

Abi Buening - http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com

12/4

Abi Buening - http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com

Stormi Johnson - http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com

12/5

Cara Putman - http://carasmusings.blogspot.com

American Patriot Blog - http://americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com

12/7

Edit Cafe - (guest blogger) - http://editcafe.blogspot.com

Cindy Woodsmall (all week) - http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/booklover/category/book-lover/

Rose McCauley - http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com

Lauralee Bliss - http://blissfulwritingthoughts.blogspot.com

12/8

Jennifer AlLee - http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com

Allie Newberry - http://blog.allienewberry.com

Favorite PASTimes interview - http://favoritepastimes.blogspot.com

12/9

Cathy Bryant - http://WordVessel.blogspot.com

Seriously Write - http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com

Eileen Astels - http://eileenastels.blogspot.com

Favorite PASTimes interview - http://favoritepastimes.blogspot.com

12/10

Patty Wysong - http://pattywysong.blogspot.com

12/11

Patty Wysong - http://pattywysong.blogspot.com

12/12

Margaret Chind - http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com

12/14

Lisa Lickel - http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com

Note: A copy of Amber's book Patterns and Progress will be provided to me by Amber for posting this book tour.