"Spotlight Saturday": Author Amber Garza

Author's Links: Amazon Author Page, Facebook, Twitter, Blog.

Author Bio:
Amber Garza is the author of many contemporary romance titles. She has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. 

Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. 

She currently lives in California with her amazing husband, and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.

Prowl Trilogy: 

Shiver (Prequel)

Prowl (Book 1)

Entice (Book 2)

Unveil (Book 3)

Unexpected Love Series: 

Tripping Me Up (Book 1)

Winning Me Over (Book 2)

Finding Me Again  (Book 3)

Delaney's Gift Series: 

Glimmer (Prequel)

Dazzle (Book 1)

Shatter (Book 2)

Betray (Book 3)

Star Struck Series: 

Star Struck (Book 1) 

Love Struck (Book 2)

Engraved 

Falling to Pieces 

Break Free

Break Through 

Head Above Water

The Summer We Fell

Cuts Run Deep

Mark My Words

Playing For Keeps Series: 

For The Win (Book 1)

For The Game (Book 2)

For The Rush (Book 3)

For The Save (Book 4)

Make The Play Series: 

Play Safe (Book 1)

Play Hard (Book 2)

Play Nice (Book 3)
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As you can tell by Amber's long list of books she is an author to keep an eye on. Each of her novels are highly emotional and the characters she creates are very relatable with inspiring plots. Amber writes from one genre to the next with out breaking her writing stride.     

Now Amber was kind enough to answer a few interview questions below pertaining to herself, her books, and her writing process.  Enjoy her responses! (I know I did)

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•Questions:

Did you always want to be a writer or was it something of a past-time that turned into more?
         Yes, I always wanted to be a writer. It’s been my dream since I was a little girl.

Is there one book that inspired you the most as a writer? 
         Not one book. Many books. Too many to name. 

Where do you like to work on your novels? i.e. an office, in a coffee shop, etc. 

         In my home office.

Do you ever just have moments of inspiration for your books and go into full creative writing mode? If so, which of your book(s), have been the product of one such moments?

         That’s how most of my books are. An example of this is with Head Above Water. I was at the pool with my kids and I saw a teenage couple in the water. The boy was teaching the girl to swim, and it made me wonder about them. What was their story? Why was she a teenager and still didn’t know how to swim? So I went home and started writing Head Above Water, a romance between a lifeguard and a woman who doesn’t know how to swim.

What is your regular process for writing a book? Do you begin with an outline or just start writing what is in your mind for the story and see where it goes. 

         I start with an idea and simply start writing. Sometimes I never outline at all. Other times I might do a little outlining as the story progresses. 

Which do you find is your favorite genre to write in: Young Adult, Psychological Thriller, or Sports Romance? 
         My favorite genre to write in is suspense or thrillers, but my most popular genre with readers is romance.

Do you find it easier to write single novels or a series? 

         I prefer standalones. 

Out of all the characters you’ve created: 

 ~ Who do you find is the most complex? 

         That’s a hard question. A lot of my characters are complex, but I think maybe my most complex character was Aspen in BREAK THROUGH. Because she had gone through so much and repressed so many memories I feel like I had to know the person she portrayed to the world as well the person locked deep inside of herself.

~ Who is your favorite female? 

         Yikes. I don’t know. I love so many of them. Paige from WINNING ME OVER was really fun to write. I like how spunky she is. I also really enjoyed writing Taylor from PLAY HARD. I guess I like my rough around the edges girl characters.

~ Who is your favorite male character?         
         Kyler from BREAK FREE, hands down. He remains my favorite. Second only to Colt from WINNING ME OVER. Those boys stole my heart.

~ And lastly who would you pick is your favorite couple thus far? (if the couple one is too hard I'd get it, cause I love a lot of your couples too) 

         Jade and Kyler from BREAK FREE. 

Now tough questions . . .

   Which series out of all your series, is your favorite? (Or are they all too near and dear to your heart to pick just one.) 

         My favorite series is probably the Playing for Keeps series. It was my first sports romance series and I loved writing it.

Out of all the books you've written, which would you say is your favorite? 

         BREAK FREE 

•Now For Some Random Fun Questions: 

What was your favorite subject in school? 

           English and choir

What would you say is your favorite color? 
           Green 

Which do you prefer gum or mints? 
           Mints

What is your favorite movie? 
           The Wizard of Oz

What is your favorite song (ever or at the moment)? 
           I don’t have a favorite song ever. 
           My favorite bands to listen to while writing are The Civil Wars and The Neighbourhood. 
           My favorite worship band is Jesus Culture.
           Right now my favorite song is probably The Beach by the Neighbourhood (secular) and Set Me Ablaze by Bryan and Katie Torwalt (Christian).

What is your favorite food? (meal or dessert) 
           Wow, this is a hard one. I’m a food person. But you can’t go wrong with cheese enchiladas.

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That's concludes the Q&A but remember to keep an eye out for Amber's pending release of "Play Nice", Book 3 in Make the Play Series.

Set to be released April 29 - Click Here

"Spotlight Saturday": Playing For Keeps Series by Amber Garza

Genre: Young Adult, Sports Romance. 

"For The Win" (Book 1)- Click Here 

"For The Game" (Book 2)- Click Here

"For The Rush" (Book 3)- Click Here 

"For The Save" (Book 4)- Click Here 

by Amber Garza

Penned Series: Playing For Keeps, Unexpected Love Series, Prowl Trilogy, Star Struck Series, Delaney's Gift Series, Break Free& Break Through, as well as single novels: Cuts Run Deep, Falling to Pieces, The Summer We Fell, Engraved, Head Above Water.

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My Thoughts: Meaningful and Deep Y.A. Books

        These Young Adult books are much more than your typical sports genre high school centered nerd girl dates popular jock stories. Amber Garza has taken the basic storyline adding meaningful dialogue concerning social issues and current problems in society that touch everyone from teenagers to adults. 
       For the Win and For the Game are both about London Miller and Cooper Montgomery. The situations they go through are so heartbreaking and one too many can relate to; London is in remission from a tough fight with cancer and Cooper lives with his grandparents after tragically losing his parents. Reading about them having to deal with such heavy issues while being so young is tough, but you fall for them and love to see their growth, especially in the second book when they learn to work out a few relationship kinks. 
        For the Rush is super cute, sad and touching! Had me tearing up. I didn't know how I'd feel having new characters since I loved London and Cooper so much, but Holden and Chloe fit right in my book heart. Chloe is a solid female role model, she knows who she is and what's right. Yes, Chloe has insecurities but trying to work through them and start afresh each school is brave. Holden is a genuine gentleman who a girl can just swoon over. Love this couple! And what they go through together is just unimaginable but something more YA writers should bring attention to, specially when bullying is involved as a first step. 
        For the Game again I'm sucked into another couple! Addison and Swayer, two broken people who find they can help heal when they are together. Addison is dealing with the suicide of her brother and Sawyer is dealing with the aftermath of the school shooting. Addison pushed people away to wallow in her pain while Swayer felt alone in his loss. It's then they find each other after Swayer basically pushes into Addison's solitary life. 
        Overall, this series just leaves you feeling emotional but good. The couples God through situations which are relevant and all to real to many teenagers today making each book so much more worthwhile to read. I'm all for fiction and fantasy but it's these kinds of books that I hope reach a wider range of audience since they carry a hopeful message. So if you are looking for a meaningful young adult reads with great characters you can't help love involved in contemporary social issues, these books are definitely worth a read.

Now be forewarned listed below are each books descriptions none are too revealing BUT still read at your own risk. I dare ya!  

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"For The Win" (Book 1)

Price:  $3.99 (at time of post)

Published Date & Page Count: November 12, 2014. pages 276.

Book Link: Click Here

Listed Rating:  . 6

Price I Paid: $0.99 on August 7, 2015

My Rating: 

Description:

London Miller has one best friend.

Words.

She lives in the pages of the books she reads, preferring the safety of fictional worlds over the dark and scary reality of her own life. Books aren't her escape...they're her salvation.

Cooper Montgomery has one true love.

Baseball.

When he's on the mound, throwing a pitch, the darkness of his world fades away. The game is something he can control, something he can count on.

A twist of fate brings London and Cooper together, a curve ball that forces them both outside of their comfort zones. As they spend time together, a relationship begins to blossom and both of them start to believe that there just might be something bright and beautiful in their lives.

However, the game changes when your heart is on the line. You have to play with everything you have for the win.

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"For The Game" (Book 2)

Price:  $3.99 (at time of post)
Published Date & Page Count: February 15, 2015. pages 189.

Book Link: Click Here

Listed Rating:  . 5

Price I Paid: $0- Reason: I rented the ebook using my Kindle Unlimited Subscription

My Rating: 

Description:
London Miller is a survivor. She’s suffered through more than her share of heartache and struggles, but with Cooper in her life, she feels strong enough to overcome anything. Even with him away at college, she knows he is in her heart – and her life – for the long haul.

Cooper Montgomery is a winner. Losing has never been an option for him. Not in baseball, not in school, not in life. He’s worked hard to gain a spot on the Fallbrook Falcon’s baseball team and it should be the best time of his life. He’s living his dream and now that he has London, his life finally feels complete.

When unexpected obstacles arise, both London and Cooper are faced with new challenges that threaten to tear them apart. They've fought so hard to be together. Can London survive what fate throws her way? And can Cooper win when there is more at stake than just the game?
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"For The Rush" (Book 3)

Price:  $3.99 (at time of post)
Published Date & Page Count: April 21, 2015. pages 184.

Book Link: Click Here

Listed Rating:  . 5

Price I Paid: $0- Reason: I rented the ebook using my Kindle Unlimited Subscription

My Rating: 

Description:
Chloe Martin, Band Geek.

Holden Reece, Popular Jock.

These are their labels. But it's not who they are.

Chloe Martin loves music. It's her passion. But being involved in the school band offers more heartache than fulfillment.

Football defines Holden Reece. It always has. He wins football games – not for himself, but for everyone else.

A random encounter at the gym throws Chloe and Holden together. Stripped of their labels they are able to be themselves. With social statuses and expectations set aside, a relationship begins to blossom.

But when they return to school can they abandon the roles that have been forced on them in order to embrace the rush of being together?
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"For The Save" (Book 4)

Price: $3.99 (at time of post)
Published Date & Page Count: July 17, 2012. pages 234.

Book Link: Click Here

Listed Rating:  

Price I Paid: $0- Reason: I rented the ebook using my Kindle Unlimited Subscription

My Rating: 

Description:
Addison West is broken.

Last year tragedy struck her family, destroying everything she loved. Now she’s trying desperately to pick up the pieces after her brother’s suicide, hiding her wounds behind piercings and a tough, aloof exterior. But she knows she’s fighting a losing battle.

Sawyer Ridley is lost.

After witnessing his teammate’s murder, he’s plagued by nightmares and panic attacks. With the nickname Riddles, Sawyer was always one for a joke, but he can’t find anything to laugh about anymore. He’s devastated, and not even football offers him comfort or solace.

On the outside, Addison and Sawyer have nothing in common. But when they meet in group counseling, their shared grief immediately bonds them. As their relationship grows, the walls they’ve built around themselves begin to come down.

But just as old wounds begin to heal, new, more painful ones emerge.

Can Addison and Sawyer save each other from the grief that threatens to destroy them both?

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 Amber Garza

Author's Links: Amazon Page, Facebook, Twitter, Blog.

She has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. She currently lives in California with her amazing husband, and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.

Hey, NEW BOOK OUT!!- For The Save (Playing for Keeps Series, book #4) by Amber Garza

!! NEW RELEASE !!

 

by Amber Garza

Author's Links: Amazon Page, Facebook, Twitter, Blog.

Penned Series: Unexpected Love Series, Prowl Trilogy, Star Struck Series, Delaney's Gift Series, Break Free& Break Through, as well as single novels: Cuts Run Deep, Falling to Pieces, The Summer We Fell, Engraved, Head Above Water.

The FINAL book in the Playing for Keeps Series 
"For The Save"

Genre: Young Adult, Sports, Contemporary Romance. 186 pages.

Price: $3.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Book Blurb:  

Addison West is broken. 

Last year tragedy struck her family, destroying everything she loved. Now she’s trying desperately to pick up the pieces after her brother’s suicide, hiding her wounds behind piercings and a tough, aloof exterior. But she knows she’s fighting a losing battle. 

Sawyer Ridley is lost. 

After witnessing his teammate’s murder, he’s plagued by nightmares and panic attacks. With the nickname Riddles, Sawyer was always one for a joke, but he can’t find anything to laugh about anymore. He’s devastated, and not even football offers him comfort or solace. 

On the outside, Addison and Sawyer have nothing in common. But when they meet in group counseling, their shared grief immediately bonds them. As their relationship grows, the walls they’ve built around themselves begin to come down. 

But just as old wounds begin to heal, new, more painful ones emerge. 

Can Addison and Sawyer save each other from the grief that threatens to destroy them both?

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Now Available ....

For the Win (Book #1)- Click Here

For the Game (Book #2)- Click Here
For the Rush (Book #3)- Click Here