I read Amber's first book in this series and loved it so when 2nd book came up for review I jumped at the chance. I love historical books. I see her third one is coming out soon so I'm going to have to keep my eyes open.
Now my review:
Elanna Hanssen is coming close to her 16th birthday. She is discovering that change comes at a moments notice and it even strikes without warning. Elanna is the daughter of Raelene and Gustaf Hanssen from Promises, Promises. She is a spunky (much like her mother) 15 year old, who is a twin. I loved the way Amber portrayed Elanna and her twin's, Edric, relationship, very close, loving relationship, even bantering at times. Elanna is introduced to Major Madison Scott by her friend, Chelcy. We all need a friend like Chelcy. However about as soon as Amber and Madison are introduced he is called away for duty to his country as England has just declared war on France according to the Gazett News. Will their new relationship bud or fizzy now that Madison is called away to serve his country. Then there is the role of the journalist, Mr. Witherspoon, what part exactly does he play? Will he help keep Elanna informed on the war efforts or does he have other intents that are yet to be determined? I guess you'll just have to read this wonderful book to find out. And I can't wait to see what happens in Deceptive Promises because deceptive is far from what Raelene, Gustaf, Elanna or Madison are known for.
Amber has graciously answered some questions for me to post so we'll get right on it. Thank you Amber for doing this at such a late notice. I'll be red and Amber will be green. Christmas colors. Could you please tell us a fun fact about yourself? Before I married, I was the only living female "Miller" in my family. My mother married into the name. Girls simply aren't common with the Millers. Now, as a Stockton, I don't carry that designation....although there are far more men than women with that name.
A second fun fact is that my great-grandfather's cousin married President Wilson during his presidency, and her picture is featured at the Woodrow Wilson house in Virginia. So, I'm somewhat related to "American royalty." :)
Before I was born on my dad's side there hadn't been a girl in 50 years and the last girl born which would be some great-aunts back and I shared the same birth date (july 25) so we were exactly 50 years apart. Now how unreal is that. No wonder you write historical books. It's in your blood. How long have you been writing? I began as a teenager, but I've always been making up stories since I was a young girl. I began the professional career in 1998 and 8 years later, I finally received word of my first sale.
How fun to have such a creative mind. Who or what was the #1 influence for you to start on your writing journey? I'd say it was definitely God, who gave me the creative genes, but my high school English teacher (also an author) inspired me to pursue it. Once I began writing professionally, it was Tracie Peterson who kicked me in the pants to submit my work and perfect my craft.
Being a teacher at heart it is always so good to hear how teachers encourage authors to write. Way to go Tracie for kicking. Do you have a favorite place you like to write? Preferably, in my living room, on the couch, curled up with my laptop and a cup of hot tea, hot cocoa or sweet tea. :)
Hot Cocoa now that sounds good right now. It is about 5 degrees here in North Dakota right now. Would you rather create a story or edit? Why?
That's a tough one. I love the editing process, as I have the chance to refine, expand and tighten my writing. But, there is an exhilaration in creating the story too. Something about looking at a blank page and crafting that story from word 1 is exciting.
I had never asked that question before so I thought I'd ask and see what response I got. What is the most difficult part of writing for you? and How do you overcome it? It's often the lack of description of the surroundings and setting the scene that causes holes in my stories. Establishing unique descriptions or characteristics for my characters to make them individuals in their own right and not cookie-cutter or two-dimensional continue to vex me. So, I study a variety of fiction books each time to see how other authors do it. The Writer's Digest books on Characters, Description and Setting also are of great help to me. I am still far from mastering this challenge, and it remains the biggest area that requires edits from my rough draft. But every author has a pet challenge, right?
I think my challenge would just be getting the pen to the paper. What sparked this story: (Quills & Promises) More of the "what if's" came from book 1, Promises Promises. Since this one features the daughter of the two main characters from that book, I looked at the time frame and realized I was smack in the middle of the French & Indian War. Drawing on my personal experience of a long-distance relationship with my husband before we married, I did a brief "what if a young woman met a dashing soldier who was immediately called away to fight in a war but asked her to write while he was gone?" and the story was born! From there, research filled in the historical holes, and my own emotional rollercoaster helped place Elanna and Madison in a believable, yet touching, correspondence via letters as the story progressed. Most romances have the hero and heroine constantly seeing each other. But, in this book, Madison and Elanna meet in the first chapter, say goodbye in the second and don't see each other again until the final chapter. Yet, it worked....or so reviewers are saying. :)
It worked alright. Very well done at that too. I don't know if my brain could be an author. If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Hawaii or Scotland. Both have unique landscapes and a beauty all their own. If I had to choose, I'd likely say Scotland for my family roots on both sides.
You and I think alike. Hawaii would be fun. I have a brother that lives on the Big Island. But Scotland or Ireland often intrigue me as a place to visit. Castles is what intrigues me along with the beautiful scenes of God's creation. If you could be any animal which would you be and why? Without a doubt, an eagle. 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.
I think the eagle is so majestic. This next question should be right down your alley. If you could have a sit-down chat with any 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 us 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.
I always think about how it would have been to be in Mary's shoes. Now for some Christmas spirit questions Favorite food at this time of the year? Without a doubt, it's green bean casserole. :)
That is a good dish. My family has a favorite green bean casserole with a twist. (see the recipe on my blog) Do you put up a real or artificial tree? Since getting married, it's artificial simply for the ease and space constraints. Once we get our first house (we're in a one-level condo now), we'll likely alternate, depending on our mood each year.
We've always had artificial even growing up. What is your Favorite scripture verse Isaiah 40:31 - "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not grow weary. They shall walk and not faint."
That is such a powerful verse. I love the fact that in your books you use the KJV Bible for your scriptures. Do you have any last thoughts you'd like to leave the readers with? I'll leave you with 2 favorite quotes in regard to writing. The first: "Rejections are footprints in the sands of your career. If you're not getting them, you're not moving," stands out foremost in my mind. The other is, "You have to read in order to write. Immerse yourself in a wide variety of writing styles, find your own voice and stick to it. Then, write, write, write."
I want to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. And thanks for the good reading books that you write. Keep up the good work and I can't wait to see what book #3 is going to be like.
Readers you may read the first chapter of Amber's book here.
Abi, the interview looks great. One minor "oops" in putting my name in place of Elanna when mentioning Elanna and Madison are introduced, but other than that, it's all good. :)
Btw, Deceptive Promises is available now. It won't be touring until May 2009, though, on CFBA. But you can order it through Heartsong Presents and the link on the books page of my web site now. www.ambermiller.com
We all must have a lighter side to us and I'm hoping that in my blogs to share crafts, game ideas, recipes, funny happenings etc. I have another blog with my quiet spiritaul thoughts as well.
