Spotlight On...Amber Leigh Williams

Today we have author Amber Leigh Williams at the keyboard. Welcome, Amber, can you tell us a little about yourself?


Thanks for having me today, Sarah! I’m a multi-published romance author, a member of Romance Writers of America, former Secretary of GCCRWA, and a reviewer for The Season. My first western romance, BLACKEST HEART, was 1st Place More Than Magic Novella in 2009 and my historical romance, FOREVER AMORE, was nominated by Long & Short Reviews for Best Book of 2009. I’m represented by D4EO Literary Agency and I live on the Gulf Coast with my husband and three labs.


Tell us about BET IT ON MY HEART and where we can find it.

Bet It On My Heart is the final book in the Wayback Ridge trilogy, an award-winning western romance saga from The Wild Rose Press. Here’s the blurb:

ANTE UP! Keefe Ridge's bronc-busting days are nearly over. Despite that and the fact that he is slowly making his dream business venture a reality, Wayback's wildest cowboy doesn't see any reason to settle down. He is even willing to bet that marriage isn't in the cards at all for him.

Agent Calli Morlani came to Wayback on a mission: to bring Stella Ridge back to Hollywood. When Stella refuses, she dares Calli to take in some local color and see what Wayback has to offer. Whether that includes Stella's devastatingly charming brother becomes irrelevant once Calli finds herself in bed with him - in more ways than one…

Will it take a tough city girl to make the Wayback playboy finally fall long and hard? Or will Keefe give Calli a reason to stay? Place your bet!

Read an EXCERPT

The book is now available for purchase at The Wild Rose Press and on September 21 will follow its prequels into audio book at AudioLark. Bet It On My Heart was voted Book of the Week at LASR by readers!


What is the most interesting comment you’ve ever received on one of your books?

In a touching review for FOREVER AMORE, someone made the comment, “The events here make the people who lived and struggled in World War II seem a finer sort than ordinary humanity. Through all this fear they still reached out to help someone else. We do know such tales have a basis in fact. This makes this story, this lovely romance, all the more moving.” I was moved to tears by this because the book is dedicated to survivors of the Second World War, especially those who found love during wartime and had the outstanding courage to fight for it despite tremendous obstacles. I think that those who fought in World War II – like my late great-grandfather, a Navy gunner– were a finer sort than ordinary humanity and that’s what fueled me to write FOREVER AMORE to begin with. For the book to be recognized for showcasing that was overwhelming in the best possible sense.


Wow, that is a moving comment, and FOREVER AMORE sounds like a great book.  Do you ever become attached to your characters and have a hard time letting them go?

When I started writing full-time six years ago, I didn’t. But it seems that the older I get the more maternal I feel toward my work and the characters in particular. Usually I complete the first draft of a work-in-progress in three months. Last year, however, when I was working on my second paranormal there seemed to be a lot of conflicts – with both family and promoting two book launches – so I wound up spending seven and a half months with these characters and when I realized we were approaching the end of the story, I had a full-on meltdown. After a week of moping and hysterics, I completed the book and moved on to the next in the series and I learned that separation anxiety is best solved by several intense rounds of editing and writing the sequel. Not to mention, a large glass of wine at the end of the day.


Why did you choose your genre?

First and foremost, I write romance. I will always write romance because the genre gave me joy in the darkest hours of my life and if I can give someone that same joy in their time of need or even just at the end of really long, hard day, there’s no one who could possibly convince me that writing romance isn’t the most rewarding job in the world. Within the romance genre, I tend to hop from sub-genre to sub-genre. I do this because a) my muse has ADD and b) romance transcends time and place. There’s no limit to where it can go and I think the vast spectrum that the romance industry has become throughout the last decade especially is proof of that.


What writers have influenced you the most?

My first romance was a romantic suspense by Nora Roberts and from that day forward I wanted to write romance. Since I began networking with other writers and industry professionals, I’ve been told that an author’s best course of action is to choose one sub-genre and stick with it. The thing I find most inspiring about Nora is that she writes a bit of everything and doesn’t seem to pay a lick of attention to those who frown on genre-hopping. I think that’s been the key to her success. She goes where the characters are, wherever that may be.


How do you think being a published author has changed you?

If it’s changed me, I like to think it’s for the better. There are days where I force myself to sit back and reflect on why I struck out on this outrageous quest to become a published author. At the end of the day, I’m still doing something that I love to do and I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to do that. Above all else, I’ve learned the importance of literacy and the value of hard work.

What’s next for you?

As I mentioned, the Ridges of Wayback, Texas will be taking the audio book universe by storm this month, starting with BLACKEST HEART on September 7 at www.audiolark.com and followed closely by BLUEST HEART on September 14 and, finally, BET IT ON MY HEART, on September 21!

For more on this trilogy, visit The Wild Rose Press where all three books are now on sale in ebook editions.


Where can we find you on the web?

Readers can learn more about my stories and writing journey at:  http://www.amberleighwilliams.com/
and at my blog, The Cozy Page:  http://amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com/
I tweet quite a bit so readers can connect with me on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/ALeighWilliams
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/amberleighwilliams
Contact me personally at  amber@amberleighwilliams.com   I love hearing from readers!


Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

I would love to hear which of my books readers today would be most interested in reading. And there’s always the fun discussion who your favorite romance hero is—ever! Can’t wait to hear answers.


Thanks for visiting with us today, Amber. It's been fun learning about you and your writing.