October 3, 2014

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Amber Garr


It really is too awesome the number of insanely cool people who were hanging out in the hotel lobby during utopYA. 

Another lovely person I met was Amber Garr. Sure, I knew her through the online world, but she’s even more awesome in person.

Thanks for hanging out on my blog today, Amber.

Amber: What a great introduction! Thanks so much for having me!

We have so much in common that I think we might have been separated at birth. I love animals, hate coffee, lived in Colorado, and am wife to my best friend (loved reading your bio on your website!). My writing was initially a break from a finance degree, while you state yours is a break from the world of science. How did you first discover writing as a break?

Amber: We are definitely connected, Tia! I have always had an escape from science through the arts--typically through dancing. But when an injury forced me to stop dancing for a while, I turned to writing. I participated in writing workshops, found critique partners, and soon enough short stories turned into novels and complete series! I LOVE writing so much now that I wish I had more time to spend on it.

I love that you are a dancer, although I must admit to having two left feet. I am so excited to read Soulless, the first in a paranormal romance trilogy, just released 8/23/14, so I wanted to share some information here.

About Soulless
(From Goodreads)

When it comes to death and love…only one is guaranteed.

Four decades ago Nora died. A tragic event for someone so young; however, four decades ago Nora was also given a second chance to walk among the living.

A Death Warden with a mysterious past, her job is to escort the newly expired towards the light, battling with the Soul Hunters who want the freshly dead to help with their own evil purposes buried in the dark.

When Nora’s charges suddenly become targets, she realizes that the hunters are after far more than just souls. A shift in power between good and evil threatens to change everything, risking the lives of the only family Nora has ever known.

Devastated and angry, she’s forced to face the man she once loved - a man who chose darkness over her - in order to find the answers she needs to stop the horror from escalating. Yet, while a lost relationship still haunts her broken heart, a new Warden with secrets of his own will enter the mix and quickly alter everything Nora believed to be true.

Death is unavoidable…but sometimes, so is love.

In addition, I just started Promises, the first in your adult paranormal Syrenka series. What intrigues you most about mermaids and selkies, the stars of this series?

Amber: Thanks for picking up Promises! Well, aside from dreaming that I could live under the water my whole life, I was also fascinated with the concept of arranged marriage and inter-species relationships (for my world). What would happen if you fell in love with someone (something) you were never supposed to be with? I love all things water related, so I guess it was just natural for my first published series to focus on that element!

Romance seems to be a common theme in your novels. What makes you root for two characters to end up together?

Amber: I like to see that they are really the best choice for each other. I like to know that they bring out the best in other, especially during the times of drama that I put them through.

I agree. They have to work in the bad times as well as the good. I hope I’ll see you at again in Nashville for utopYA15. What do you think makes this conference so special? 

Amber: Yes, I definitely plan on going next year. I really liked the communal vibe of the conference--no one was JUST a traditionally published author. No one was JUST a blogger. Everyone interacted equally, and that was really great to see. Plus, I got to be an alien!

Ooh. I love your alien picture!

Quick Questions…

Favorite Punctuation Mark: Exclamation point--I use them too much!!!
Ocean or Mountains? Oceans (even though I’m in the mountains now and they rock!)
Favorite Alcoholic Beverage: Wine (red or white will work depending on my mood!)
Favorite Dessert: Cookies and Cream ice cream (mmm… now I’m having a craving)
Shower or bath? Shower
Sweet or Sour? Sweet only. Hate all things sour.

Wishing you all the best in adapting to Colorado; it’s my home away from home.

More about Amber

Amber Garr spends her days as a scientist and nights writing about other worlds. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain she has a supernatural sense of smell. Amber is a multiple Royal Palm Literary Award winner, author of the bestselling The Syrenka Series, The Leila Marx Novels, The Water Crisis Chronicles, and the upcoming Death Warden Series. When not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie. 

For even more fun facts, visit her Website About page

Connect with Amber

Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

3 comments:

Tonja Drecker said...

Congrats, Amber. It sounds like a really interesting story. And the alien picture is. . .wow.

Jo Michaels said...

LOVED meeting Amber!! :) She was so sweet and funny. Man, with every one of your posts, I wanna go back to UtopYA. Feels like forever away!!!

WRITE ON!

Amber Garr said...

Thanks for hosting me Tia! And Jo - super awesome to finally meet you. And T. - thanks for the compliments. Ha!