Bleeding Heart Blog Tour: Interview with Amber Stokes & Giveaway

Today I'm happy to have author Amber Stokes stop by to answer and few questions about her new book, Bleeding Heart. It's apart of the Bleeding Heart Blog Tour. I've met Amber through blogging, and I'm happy to have her visit here today and spread the word on her new book.

Thank you so much for joining me today Amber!

Can you give a little introduction of yourself?

 Sure! I’m a family girl, writer, reader, blogger, freelance editor & publicist, cat-lover, bluegrass fan, movie-quoter, and California girl. :)

How did you come to be a writer? Is it something that you have always wanted to do?

I’ve loved writing for most of my life – probably because I’ve also loved reading for most of my life. I focused on poetry when I was younger, but I did try to write some stories in middle school (kind of embarrassing attempts). It was in high school that the idea for the prequel to Bleeding Heart – Forget Me Not – hit me, and that’s the story that got me to be serious about novel-writing. I ended up majoring in English at Corban University, and I started blogging while I was in college. Now I’m a freelance editor/publicist in addition to being a novelist and book-blogger, following my passion for the written word!

What was your inspiration for Bleeding Heart?

When I finished Forget Me Not, I wasn’t ready to face edits for that manuscript, so I decided to start a new project. I took some characters from the first book and continued their stories, incorporating some feedback I had received for the prequel. Bleeding Heart ended up being a mix of my own fears and longings, an exploration of different definitions of love, and a “love letter” to some settings and history that fascinate me.

Do you have a favorite character? (I know, probably like asking a mother who her favorite child is.) Or a character you’re a little closer to than another? And what makes that character stand out from the others for you?

Different characters are special to me for different reasons, but I have grown especially fond of Myghal – a Cornish miner from Forget Me Not who kept taking over scenes in Bleeding Heart because of his wonderful personality. But as far as which character I’m closest to, I’d probably have to say Sally. I poured so much of my own fears and emotions into her.

What do you hope the reader takes away from Bleeding Heart?

I hope readers come away encouraged in their faith or challenged to think a little deeper about love and loss.

What plans do you have now? Any more projects in the works to keep an eye out for?

I plan to edit and publish Forget Me Not (the prequel) – I’m hoping it will be available sometime in winter 2014. I also want to write a companion short story and a sequel, and then we’ll see after that!

Do you have any advice for others out there hoping to publish their work through self-publishing?

Self-publishing requires a lot of planning, a drive to get things done, and some investment. I think it’s important to get your work professionally edited and to have a professional cover design. You also have to figure out a marketing plan and your “brand.” Basically, where a traditional publisher would take care of a lot of the “behind-the-scenes” things for you, you have to be willing (and I daresay eager) to tackle all of those things yourself and know whom to hire to aid you with the things you’re not qualified to do well. Self-publishing is a bit of an uphill climb, as you have to make a way for yourself. Traditional publishers open doors that self-publishing cannot, giving you access to a generally well-established audience and a team of professionals to assist you. Both routes should be considered carefully, as there are pros and cons to each. But if you do think self-publishing is for you, be sure you don’t skimp on the quality!

Now for a couple of fun questions…

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate. Although there are times when I’m in a vanilla mood…but I LOVE chocolate!

Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, or something else entirely? What is your favorite drink to read/write with?

I’m not a coffee person, but I enjoy tea, lemonade, hot chocolate, juice, and all sorts of other drinks in turn. :)

Is there a final thought you would like to add?

Thank you for hosting me on your beautiful blog, Kate!

Thank you so much for joining me today! It has been wonderful to hear more about Bleeding Heart and yourself. And, can I say...yay! Someone else who isn't a coffee fan! :-) 

About the Book:

Five bleeding hearts. One profound journey.

Summer 1886

Sally Clay’s livelihood has been snatched away, but in its place arises an opportunity to escape from her sordid past and an unrelenting, unwanted suitor. Boarding a train with a heartsick rancher and an enigmatic miner, she leaves Virginia City behind and heads to Northern California, waiting for the chance to make right what went wrong three long years before.

But the road to revenge is far from smooth. Sally soon learns that the jagged pieces of a broken heart can far too easily wound the hearts of others – and hers isn’t the only heart that’s broken. Tragedy and fear dog her steps as she flees from the redwood forests to the high desert and back again. Will her bleeding heart ever find a way and a place to heal?

A desperate soiled dove. Three men who come to care for her. One man determined to claim her.

All on a journey that will show them what true love really involves.

Inspirational Historical Romance

For more information on Bleeding Heart by Amber Stokes, please check out Amazon and Bleeding Hearts website.

About the Author:

Amber Stokes has a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a passion for the written word - from blogging to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. After her brief time at college in Oregon, she is now back home among the redwoods of Northern California, living life one day at a time and pursuing her passion via freelanceediting and self-publishing her debut novel, Bleeding Heart.

Check out Amber's blog Season's of Humility and The Borrowed Book where she also contributes.

You can connect with Amber on: 

 Twitter   Shelfari    Pinterest 

 GoodReads   LinkedIn

Giveaway Information:

“Journey to the West” Giveaway! One U.S. resident (randomly drawn) will receive a signed copy of Bleeding Heart and a collection of items from the story’s settings, handpicked by the author.

a Rafflecopter giveaway