What is one of your favorite things about writing?
I love escaping to a fictional world and discovering new love alongside my characters.
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a pantser, but I’m trying to add a little of plotting into my life. We’ll see how that goes. LOL
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
The characters. They love to take detours along the way, surprising me.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
If I waited for “the mood” I’d never write sex scenes.
What do you like best about writing?
Giving readers books they love to read.
What do you like about writing series books?
I’m a series addict. By the time I reach the end of each book I’m always trying to figure out a way to write a book about any of the secondary characters. This doesn’t always work out.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Inspiration normally comes from music. Lyrics are where I find my ideas.
What are your favorite research resources?
For characters I’ve found People Magazine to be extremely helpful for pics.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
It’s a M/M with a cop afraid of coming out to his partner who seems to be anti-gay and a rookie who refuses to come out of the closet. Together they come to terms with their sexuality and race against the clock to find a killer.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a new M/M featuring a sexy football player and a handsome sports reporter.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Excerpt:
Grant paced the conference room. He looked at his watch. “Where the hell are you, Ralph?”
He tugged on the collar of his button-down shirt. The tie he wore stifled him. Sweat beaded on his upper lip. Grant fought the urge to wipe it on his sleeve. The perspiration on his forehead increased as his heart raced.
Am I having a heart attack?
Grant covered his chest with his hand. He needed to calm down.
“For Christ’s sake, it’s only Ralph,” he said to the empty room. Who was he fooling? Ralph scared the shit out of him. Yes, they’d been partners for nearly ten years, but Ralph carried such a hatred for “their type.”
For years Grant had listened to Ralph talk about how much he loathed gays and how sick he was of them demanding equal rights. He recalled a conversation where Ralph pulled out his gun, an evil look in his deep brown eyes, and pointed it at an empty space. He’d pretended to pull the trigger and said if he weren’t a cop, he’d shoot a few of them just to scare them straight.
A chill passed through his body just thinking about that day.
“I’ve got to be a fucking fool.” He dragged his fingers through his hair, knowing the gelled look was ruined.
“Fool for what?”
Grant spun around, surprised to see Ralph behind him. He hadn’t heard him enter the room. How long had he been standing there? Had he said anything that would reveal what he was about to confess? The air grew heavy; the walls seemed to draw closer. Grant felt a panic attack coming on.
He walked over to the table and took a seat.
“You don’t look so good, partner. Are you sick?”
Was he sick? Possibly.
“Is it hot in here?”
Ralph shrugged. “The air seems to be working.”
Grant struggled to breathe. He slowly took a deep breath.
“Do you need me to call medical? You don’t look so hot. You’re white as a ghost.”
Somehow Grant felt that was an understatement. He felt physically ill. Nausea rolled in his stomach, threatening to charge up and out his mouth.
“I’ll be okay in a minute.” He needed water. “Just give me a sec.”
“Sure.” Ralph took a seat and tapped his hands on the table.
Grant shook his head. Ralph was always a restless person. He tapped his hands on his legs or on the dashboard if he wasn’t driving. It surprised Grant that Ralph wasn’t a beat officer. Walking the streets would give him the opportunity to get the excess energy out.
After a few deep breaths, his nerves started to subside. He had to get this off his chest and tell Ralph the truth. In the end he prayed it would be all right. They were not only partners; they were friends.
Grant slapped the table louder than he expected.
Ralph jumped.
“Shit, if you wanted my attention, you could’ve cleared your throat or something,” Ralph said.
“Sorry.”
“Now you have my full attention. What’s this meeting all about?”
The time had arrived. Grant had dreaded this moment for the last ten years but knew he couldn’t keep the information from his partner another day.
Here goes nothing.
“I’m gay,” Grant said.
“Ha-ha. What, am I being punked or something?” Ralph looked around the room as if he expected a camera crew to pop out of the corners.
He looked at Ralph, the guy who had protected him many times over the last ten years. The image of Ralph standing over him while he bled from a gunshot wound came to the forefront. Ralph had given him words of encouragement while holding the bleeding wound on Grant’s leg. Ralph had kept Grant calm through the pain, and damn it had been painful. That was the first time he’d been shot. Grant had had a few superficial wounds over the years. Par for the course when one was a police officer. Ralph, on the other hand, had always been the lucky one. He’d never experienced what it felt like to be shot.
Ralph stared at Grant. “What the fuck? Where are the cameras?”
“You’re not being punked. I’m being serious, Ralph.”
“What are you fucking talking about? Are you saying you’ve just discovered you’re gay? ’Cause if that’s what you’re trying to tell me, you’re fucking wrong. I’ve known you all these years, and you ain’t queer.”
Excerpt from Wedding Intercepted
“Anderson North? It’s a sweetheart sports assignment. I’m sure reporters everywhere are dying to cover the hottest quarterback in football.” Except me.
“You’re my number one go-to man. Who else would I chose?”
“Thanks for thinking of me Bruce, but I’m not too sure about this.” Hooper Daniels paced his boss’s tiny office space.
Anderson North’s career started back in college. He’d been the guy every pro team wanted. It surprised the country when he signed with the Rhode Island Renegades. No one expected this up and coming star to sign with the team whose reputation was less than stellar. The Renegades had struggled for a long time before signing Anderson and they were damn lucky to snag him. For some unfathomable reason Anderson actually wanted to be a Renegade. It was good for them too. He was the miracle on two legs that turned the team around. Anderson threw bombs and his wide receiver Camden Marsden always seemed to be in the perfect spot to catch a pass. The connection between Anderson and select team mates was almost uncanny as if some sort of spooky physics or telepathy were involved. Anderson charted an invisible course between he and the wide receiver. Other players commented on the bond that was both enviable and intimidating to outsiders. During Anderson’s rookie season on the field he soared and took the Renegades with him into a whole other stratosphere. It was clear the man had a gift for tapping into others and making them great too.
Bruce leered. “Anderson throws bombs, there’s no denying that and hot damn if there isn’t always a wide receiver ready to catch his passes. It’s beyond luck. Nobody’s that lucky. I’m telling you there’s something strange going on there. Anderson and his team mates are so in tune with each other last season they pummeled the opposition like a jackhammer. I don’t know how he does it. Maybe Anderson holds power over his team mates by keeping their souls in a bottle on his nightstand.” He laughed. “Or maybe he just gives them the best fuck of their lives that leaves them starry eyed, and ready to do his bidding.”
Do you have a favorite character or characters you feel especially close to?
I do. Nathan Donovan from Splashing Good Time. He was one of the first heroes I wrote and I still love him.
Where can we visit you online?
You can find me at https://amberskyze.blogspot.com, www.amberskyze.com @amberskyze on Twitter. On Facebook as Amber Skyze
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
Read in the winter and hang by any water in the summer
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing for over 20 years. I started off writing for The True Magazines and non-fiction. About 8 years ago I turned to fiction.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
I used to write every morning around 4am, but then I got a job that required me to drive into the office. Now I have to squeeze writing time in at the office.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
Greece. I’m fascinated by the history.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Chicken Wings
Do you have any pets?
I have 3 dogs – 2 labs and a golden.
Thanks for hosting me, Kate!!!
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Thanks again for hosting me, Kate!