Author Spotlight & Guest Post Dazzle by Amber Garza Blog Tour

Title: Dazzle
Author: Amber Garza
Series: Delaney's Gift (#1)
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: Oct 10 2012

Sixteen-year-old Delaney Scott possesses a special gift. Ever since she was a child she has known about her calling and the duty she’s expected to fulfill. However, all Delaney wants is to be normal. That’s why she is drawn to Sam. He can offer her t
he life she’s always desired. Only Sam has secrets of his own. Secrets that are deadly. Secrets that can change everything.

Your favorite excerpt and why it is your favorite?

He opens the janitor closet and slips inside, yanking me in with him. The door closes quickly and I pray that no one saw us go in here. I wrinkle my nose. It smells like bleach and window cleaner. A mop bucket filled with dirty water sits next to me. I close my mouth and try to breathe minimally.

“Why are we in here?” I demand.

“I told you I wouldn’t give up until you said yes to a date with me, and I meant it.” Sam moves closer to me. I back up until my shoulders hit the wall. In the tiny space Sam’s chest is practically pressed against mine. 

I force out a light laugh even though my heart is beating faster than ever. “And what are you gonna do? Hold me hostage in the janitor closet until I do?”

He chuckles. “Something like that.”

I smell bar soap and the faint traces of gasoline on his skin. Never in my life did I think I’d ever be this close to Sam, and if I were smart I’d run out of here right now. But I don’t. I stay put even though I know it’s all wrong. No one else makes me feel the way he does. It’s as if when I’m with him something dormant in me comes alive.

“What if I never say yes?”

“Then I guess we’re stuck in here forever.” He grins.

For a minute that doesn’t sound so bad. Then the bell peals and my body tenses. 

“What do you say, Delaney?”

I hesitate. Am I really contemplating this?

*****

I think it's my favorite because it's the beginning of Sam and Delaney's relationship, and it was a relationship that I loved to write. I also think I like it because it shows a lot of their personalities.

Where do the ideas for your books come from?

Lots of different places. I get a lot of my ideas from bible stories - I like to take them and tweak them and make them modern. Also, I get a lot of ideas from real life situations. I like to take an ordinary situation and try to make it into something extraordinary.

Have you ever co-written book/books? If so was it difficult? If not would you ever consider co-writing with another author?

No, I haven't. I would definitely consider it if the author and I had good writing chemistry.

Where do you get your character names from?

Sometimes a character's name will just come to me, like the character comes with a name already. Other times I come up with a character and then I have to figure out a name that goes. When that happens I will search through a baby name book and find something that sounds like that character.

What type of research goes into your writing?

It depends on what I'm writing. With Dazzle, everything is fantastical so not much research went into it. In Prowl I researched stuff about ouija boards and the supernatural, and in Engraved I had to have a police expert help me with the investigation part of the story.

Are your family and friends supportive of your writing?

Yes, very.

Do you remember when your interest in writing came about?

I have always been interested in writing. I actually can't remember a time when I wasnt.

Other then writing what are your interest?

I sing professionally, and I love to read and spend time with my family.

Did you learn anything from writing your books, if so what was it?

To have thick skin. :)

What are your current WIP? Can you share with us?

I am working on two books currently - Shatter, Book 2 in the Delaney's Gift Series, and a upper YA contemporary romance I'm tentatively calling Falling to Pieces.

Faves

Food - Thai

Color - Green

Quote - I don't really have a favorite quote, but my favorite verse is Isaiah 49:16 - See, I have your name engraved on the palm of my hand...

Movie  - Wizard of Oz

Music - Civil Wars

This or That

Day or Night - night

Rain or Snow  - rain

Facebook or Twitter - facebook

Mac or PC- PC

Coffee or Tea - coffee

Amber Garza has had a passion for writing since she was a little girl, making books out of notebook paper and staples. Other than writing she is addicted to coffee, candy and reading. She lives in California with her husband, and two children.

Places to find Amber

Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter
Website

Places to find Dazzle

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Smashwords

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