Terrific Tuesday with Amber Skyze:)

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your latest release.

Thanks for having me here today, Molly.

My latest release is called Love Revisited: Scott and Delia. Readers met Scott and Delia in the Spank Me Twice Anthology. My story was called Rein Me In.

The story is a Naughty Nibble about a woman who has a spending problem and a husband how likes to spank some sense into his wife. :o) It’s a win-win situation for both.

Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?

Yes. I’m writing a story called Midnight’s Resurrection. The reason it’s so scary is it’s true to my life. It’s about a woman in an abusive relationship who escapes in the dead of night. She runs off to start a new life with a new identity, but she’s constantly looking over her shoulder afraid he’ll find her and kill her.

Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?

Yup, read the previous question. ;)

How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?

If I need research I normally do it after I’ve written. I’m not a plotter, so I don’t know where the story will take me or what information I’ll need until I get there.

Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?

I just hope readers find an escape from reality and enjoy the fantasy world I’ve created. There’s so much devastation going on in the real world. And of course I love the happily ever after.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?

Pantser!!! I can’t plot to save my life. I tried this a few times and the book went cold. I felt like I wrote it plotting. I love being a pantser because I like the characters to direct the story…so yup, it usually takes on a life of its own.

How long did it take for you to be published?

I wrote for over 15 years before I got the courage to submit to publishers. I’d been publishing in magazines during that time and writing stories for True Confessions and True Romance. I worked up the nerve to send out a book in March of 2008 and received my first contract in December. So 9 months!

If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?

Keep writing. Stay true to the story you want to write and Submit, submit, submit. You can’t get a contract without submitting.

Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?

Laptop. The only must-have is my coffee. Because I’m writing in the wee hours of the morning it’s about all I can handle at that time.

Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?

I started off reading and writing like Danielle Steele. Once I discovered erotica the authors are endless. LOL...I discovered my 'head-hopping habit' was influenced by her!

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

I have a panic attack whenever I have to be in a crowd like a writer’s conference. I’m terrible shy.

For Fun:

Are there any Easter scenes in your books?

Nope.

What is your favorite Easter memory?

1990 The year my grandmother died. The family spent most of the time in the hospital preparing for the inevitable and forgot about dinner. I cooked dinner and invited everyone over. They needed the break and a good home cooked meal. The obvious sad part was my grandmother passed away a few days later.

Do you garden, or do you have a black thumb like me?

Oh a black thumb. I’ve killed cactus before.

Buy Link:

http://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=268

Excerpt:

Where are you?

Delia stood surrounded by shopping bags trying to determine how to answer the text. If she told Scott the truth, her ass would be in serious trouble when he returned from his business trip. Her husband warned her not to do any impulse shopping while he was away. If she lied and said she was home, he'd be wondering why she hadn't answered his call. She knew without a doubt he called the house prior to texting her.

She was damned if she did, damned if she didn't.

"Oh fuck it." She hit reply and typed.

Down with a migraine.

He'd believe that. She often suffered from the pesky headaches.

"There. Now I can finish my shopping." She pressed the send button and stuffed the phone back into her purse.

"I wouldn't be spending all this money if you were home." The truth was she felt lonely since Scott left. Her heart had a void that only buying pretty new things would fill.

Who was she fooling? She loved shopping. She didn't need a reason, but the desire did increase when he was gone.

Ever since they'd promoted him to Executive Vice President of Sales, they had more money than they knew what to do with, but with the promotion came lots of travel. Nothing bored Delia more than spending endless hours cooped up in a hotel room.

Scott wouldn't let her shop while he worked, so tagging along on his out-of-town trips was out of the question.

Her favorite store loomed ahead, calling to her, begging her to enter. Delia picked up all her packages and headed in that direction. She needed some new undies and sexy lingerie.

"Therapy." That's how she looked at it. Retail therapy was the answer to all that ailed her.

She walked through the large, opened doors, a smile forming on her face, Scott's text forgotten, for the moment.

"Delia! We're so glad to have you here today."

"Thank you, Stephanie." Pride welled up inside her that the sales ladies remembered her by name. Scott wouldn't find anything to be proud of in that, and he'd no doubt fail to find the humor in the situation.

"What can we help you with today?"

"I'm looking for something sexy and fun for when my husband returns from his business trip. I want to show him how much I missed him." What she didn't tell the girl was that Scott wasn't due home for at least a week. But no matter; it never hurt to be prepared.

"We just received a new shipment. I'm sure we have something you'll like."

Delia trailed behind the skinny blonde, silently agreeing with the girl. No doubt, they'd have something perfect. There wasn't a piece of lingerie she didn't like.

Stephanie paused before a display rack and pulled a hanger from the pole. She held up the see-through, frilly, black, and hot pink lace contraption. It looked adorable, but Delia wasn't sure she'd be able to "work it," though trying would be fun.

"Do you mind if I browse a bit? I'll be certain to find you when I'm ready to try things on, Stephanie."

"Great. I'll just put your things in dressing room four. This way, you'll have the space reserved for you."

"Perfect." Delia unloaded the cumbersome bags on Stephanie and went about picking out sexy, lace stuff to make her feel desirable.

She filled her arms with pretty things, then perused the underwear drawers and chose a dozen or so. When she finished, she located the bras. She'd need matching bras for the underwear.

"Can I put any of those in the dressing room for you?" Stephanie asked.

She'd done an exemplary job staying in the background and leaving Delia to her own devices.

"Just these." She handed Stephanie a few lounge pants and tops. "I'm sure the others will fit."

"Very well. I'll leave these behind the counter for when you're finished."

Delia checked out the perfume and the make-up. She loaded the mesh bag with a ton of goodies.

By the time she made it to the dressing room, she was floating on cloud nine. She entered the room and spun around, admiring herself in the trio of full-length mirrors.

Her thigh-high boots looked sexy with the mini charcoal skirt she wore. The matching stockings accented the outfit. The tight, pink shirt, unbuttoned to show off her assets, covered enough to leave something to the imagination.

"Oh, if only Scott could see me now."

A knock at the door startled her.

"Yes?"

"You might like this too," Stephanie said from behind the wooden frame.

"Just leave it; I'll grab it in a minute."

"Okay."

Delia unbuttoned her shirt the rest of the way and pulled the tails from beneath the skirt. She reached around, unzipped the skirt, and shimmied out. She dragged down the zipper on the boots and pulled them off. Next, she removed her stockings. Delia stood with her shirt hanging open, her pale pink bra and lace panties her only other clothing. Curiosity got the best of her, and she unlocked the door to see what Stephanie thought she might enjoy.

She felt around, searching for the item, but couldn't find anything hanging from the door.

"That's odd." She pulled her arm back inside the room and moved to lock the door.

The door flew open, and she screamed.

Terror turned to relief.

"Scott!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "What are you doing here?"