Blog Tour with Author Tiffany Amber Stockton

I met Tiffany Amber Stockton five years ago while attending my first writer’s conference. Tiff makes her presence known by the humor, warmth, and energy she shares with those around her. It’s exciting to see her hard work pay off, and I’m pleased to participate in this blog tour. Read on to learn more about her books and life …

BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton is an author, online marketing consultant, and web site designer who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart, and their baby daughter in Colorado. They also have a vivacious Border Collie mix named Roxie. Amber has sold eight books to Barbour Publishing with more on the horizon. Other writing credits include five short stories for Romancing the Christian Heart, and contributions to Grit for the Oyster and 101 Ways to Romance Your Marriage. Her goal in writing is to convey the message that God is always present, even during the most difficult circumstances. Read more about her at her web site: http://www.amberstockton.com/.


INTERVIEW

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Well, that all depends. If you’re asking why I write historical fiction, it’s because I’ve always been fascinated by history and the people who have gone before us. But history class bored me to tears. So, I love telling those stories through the eyes of people who lived it. Bringing it alive to my readers and perhaps helping them gain a better appreciation or understanding is a welcome challenge.

Now, if you ask why I write romance, that’s because I enjoy the process of taking God’s love for us and turning into a ‘happily ever after’ story. If you believe in God and His promises, you know that no matter how bad things get, there is hope, and things will get better. Romance, for me, allows me to demonstrate that hope. I depict characters enduring what might appear to be impossible situations. By going through them and rising above them, especially in regard to relationships, the characters glimpse that hope and experience the happy ending.


How has being published changed your life?

It has given me a new leash on life, so to speak. Now that I’ve sold and am starting to establish readers, I’m receiving feedback on how my books have touched their lives. It’s an amazing testimony to read how the words I’ve written have spoken to someone who has read them. God has given me this gift, and I’m thrilled beyond words to have the opportunity to use this gift to His glory.


How do you choose your settings for each book?

For my first series, I wanted to depict the historical significance of the little state of Delaware. Since a real home from the 1700’s was near where I used to live and still standing, I chose that for the principal setting. The rest of the area flowed from the initial story lines.

For my current series, my editor sent me 6 states and asked me to send proposals on as many as I would like. One of them was historical Michigan, and I decided to select an area that isn’t often portrayed in novels. Detroit during the Industrial Revolution was a major center of industry, production and high society. It made the perfect setting.

For other novels, the choice of setting usually comes from a place I’ve visited or inspiration from the setting of another book I’ve read. If once I get into the book, the setting doesn’t work, I change it to one that does.

If you could spend an evening with one 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 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.




AMBER STOCKTON’S LATEST BOOK – RELEASING IN DECEMBER!

Patterns and Progress

—A farmer's daughter would rather turn back the hands of time than accept the fact that advancement in technology could be in God's plan.—

Shannon Delaney was right. Every time she might consider changing her stance on what other people called progress, something bad would happen and she would be proven right again. Take the day Jacob Berringer almost ran her over in that new Model-T, for instance. And he had the nerve to suggest she'd been daydreaming? Or the Titanic. A marvel of modern invention. Look where that got them. Or how about the new tractor her brother insisted they try out. What did he get from that? A broken arm. Why can't things just stay the way they are—the way they should be? Jacob's got his work cut out for him, proving to the stubborn but beautiful Shannon that just because he works for the Henry Ford Company, he isn't evil incarnate. But something about her tells him she's worth the effort, and when Jacob puts his mind to something, he doesn't turn back. But will either of them look to God for direction?

Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/pnpexcerpt.html


Patterns and Progress
Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents Book 3
of Michigan historical series (HP# )
At Christianbook.com:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1152452&item_no=606876
Release date: December 2009
ISBN-10: 1602606870
ISBN-13: 9781602606876


** Sign up for Amber Stockton’s Newsletter and be entered for free books! - http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?m=1102660568968&p=oi


TO FIND OUT MORE . . .

Blog Tour Schedule

12/1
ausjenny - http://ausjenny.blogspot.com/
Erica Vetsch - http://onthewritepath.blogspot.com/

12/2
Martha Rogers - http://www.marthasbooks.blogspot.com/

12/3
Pat Gonzales - http://www.pattishene.comm/
Abi Buening (book highlight) - http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com/

12/4
Abi Buening - http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com/
Stormi Johnson - http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com/

12/5
Cara Putman - http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/
American Patriot Blog - http://www.blogger.com/

12/7
Edit Café (guest blogger) - http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
Cindy Woodsmall (all week) - http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/booklover/category/book-lover/
Rose McCauley - http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com/
Lauralee Bliss - http://blissfulwritingthoughts.blogspot.com/

12/8
Jennifer Allee - http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com/
Allie Newberry - http://blog.allienewberry.com/

12/9
Cathy Bryant - http://wordvessel.blogspot.com/
Eileen Astels - http://eileenastels.blogspot.com/
Favorite PASTimes interview - http://favoritepastimes.blogspot.com/
Seriously Write - http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/

12/10
Patty Wysong - http://pattywysong.blogspot.com/

12/11
Patty Wysong - http://pattywysong.blogspot.com/

12/12
Margaret Chind - http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com/

12/14
Lisa Lickel - (http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/)

What's So Bad About Feeling Good?

Tis the season. So the other day I warned my husband that I’d set the DVR to tape a fair number of Christmas movies scheduled to air on the Hallmark channel, assuring him none would interfere with anything previously lined up.

With a teasing grin, he reminded me that I’d be watching them by myself. Hallmark movies are too sappy for him. I understand, and I’m okay with it. At least he doesn’t roll his eyes and groan.

I watch and enjoy a wide variety of movie genres; comedy, science fiction, romance, adventure, mysteries, suspense, fantasy, martial arts, and foreign. Okay, foreign may not be a genre, but I still added it in. If the movie is well done, it’s possible to actually forget you’re reading their lines. I tell the truth.

“Hallmark movies” have almost become another genre. The term has been used for any movie that tugs on the emotional heart strings.

Sure . . . these movies can be cheesy and predictable. There’s always a happy ending. Boy wins the girl’s heart, or vice versa. The farm – or town is saved. Torn relationships are mended. Love prevails.

The bottom line . . .

They make you feel good.

I’m a romantic, and watching a Hallmark movie gives me a little hope that people can be better. That the world can be better.

And sometimes I wonder if they give a small glimpse of how God would like our world to be. A world where relationships are put ahead of careers, kindness prevails, and close families are the norm.

Think what you will . . . but after a hectic, stressful week at the office . . . I’m going to cuddle up in front of a fire with a bowl of popcorn, a box of tissues, and turn on the Hallmark channel.

After all, what’s so bad about feeling good?

Dawn

Go Ahead. Smile!

We’ve heard about the benefits of laughter, and hopefully we’ve all experienced how good it feels to laugh so hard tears come. Laughter can be the best medicine for many things that ail.

But are you aware that just smiling also provides many rewards?

Here’s a mind blowing fact . . .


Smiling gives the same stimulation as eating 2,000 chocolate bars!

I know. . . Hard to believe. But, it’s been proven. The results were found by researchers at the British Dental Health Foundation. They measured brain and heart activity in volunteers as they were shown pictures of smiling people and given money and chocolate.

Interested in other facts?

Smiling . . .

* Helps us relax, which also helps the immune system function better.

* Reduces blood pressure.

* Increases the production of endorphins, which are natural pain killers, and serotonin, which elevates our mood. Smiling is a natural drug.

* Reduces muscle tension and mental stress, keeping our brain alert.

* Has been proven to reduce stress.

* Gives the message that you are a receptive person. It can improve relationships with loved ones, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

* Lifts our face and makes us look younger.

* People appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached.

* Helps us stay positive.

* Is contagious.

* Can ease away the tension of an embarrassing moment.

* Is easier than frowning. It takes more muscles and effort to frown, where a smile relieves stress, a frown or perplexed expression can induce more stress.

* Promotes longevity. Optimists are 71 percent less likely to die from certain causes, than that of pessimists.

* Exercises muscles in the face that help to prevent drooping, saggy skin in old age.

Smiling is a global language. Anthropologists, biologists and psychologists now agree that the smile is recognizable worldwide. Even cultures that have long regarded smiling inappropriate in many social situations, have changed their view and accepted what comes natural.

Think about the complexity of our mind and body. Isn’t it amazing that God provided us with something so simple – like a smile - that can accomplish so much?

But then . . . the God I serve is pretty amazing and awesome Himself.

Have a smiling great week.

Dawn