Amber Stockton – Character Interview – Part 3 of 3

Shannon here: Amber Stockton shares insight into her characters’ romance from her contemporary romance, A Grand Design. Answer one or both of the questions at the end of any post dated August 11 – 15. Deadline: August 23rd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Amber:

1. What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine?
Alyssa: For too many years, I kept others shut out of my innermost thoughts and feelings. Even my best friend, Libby, didn’t know the truth. Then, I met Scott, and he got through to me when no one else could. I still don’t know why, but his unassuming demeanor and gentle approach worked better than others asking me directly what was wrong. The way he took time to get to know me made all the difference in the world. He didn’t assume anything, and he didn’t pressure me at all. That alone made him very romantic to me. Scott seemed genuinely interested in me and not what I could do for him. He put my needs above his, even when I infuriated him.
2. What is your heroine’s favorite romantic vacation destination?
Alyssa: Although I hadn’t been to the island in 15 years, Mackinac Island is a place I love to go and consider it extremely romantic. You can take a horse & carriage ride through the streets, take a stroll along the beach, visit the state park on the island, dine in the formal dining room at the Grand Hotel, visit the botanical gardens, tour through the many shops on Main Street, go for a lake swim during the summer months, take a moonlit ferry ride, and so much more. Scott turned my love of a famous movie into a very romantic encounter. But you’ll have to read our story to find out how.
3. What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time?
Alyssa: I mentioned how Scott took the time to get to know me and what mattered to me. Well, once he found out about my secret, he knew he needed to change his approach. Instead of being direct or coming on too strong, he chose the more subtle approach. Of course, this one time, all I wanted was for him to kiss me, and I really thought he was going to. Then, he changed his mind and continued the conversation. He claimed he had to be sure I was ready, but if you ask me, he was just teasing me mercilessly.
4. How soon after meeting the heroine did the hero know she was the one?
Scott: I was in denial at first, but Ben knocked me upside the head a bit. He pointed out I was the only one who seemed to get through to Alyssa. I had no idea why. Guess she felt comfortable with me for some reason. Maybe it was my friendship with her grandmother. If Miss Edith trusted me, maybe Alyssa believed she could trust me too. Of course, with my past, and the way I’d botched things before, I don’t know why any woman would want to get that close. They say time can heal, though, and for Alyssa and me both, time obviously did heal wounds—for both of us. When I faced the possibility of her returning home and never coming to the island again, I knew I couldn’t leave it at that.
5. What is the most caring thing your heroine has ever done for your hero?
Scott: You know, spending time with Alyssa was a series of ups and downs. She cares a lot about the people in her life, but she’s always busying herself with one task or another. Most times, I don’t think she realizes how her actions affect others. She spends so much time doing things for others, she misses their reactions. That happened after I got into a fight to protect her from this jerk. When she saw I was bleeding, she rushed me into the carriage house and found whatever she could to clean up my wounds. Even when she was still upset over what almost happened before I got involved, she saw I needed help, and she put all of that aside. Of course, she had no idea all I wanted to do was kiss her right then and there. But the timing was all wrong. Hardest thing I ever did, keeping my distance.
6. Who said, “I love you” first, your hero or your heroine?
Scott: That would be me. Though Alyssa might try to say she said it to me first, that honor is definitely all mine. See, I had it all planned out. Spent days putting it all together. Then, when she was finally there and she’d answered my question, I said it first. She said it too a moment later, but I still hold the honor.
About Amber: Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning author and speaker who has partnered with Nerium International (stutas07.theneriumlook.com) in the anti-aging industry, helping others look younger and live better. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have one girl and one boy, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. She has sold fourteen books so far and is represented by agent Sandra Bishop. You can also find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberStockton and Twitter: www.twitter.com/AmberStockton as well as her web site: www.amberstockton.com.
About the book – A Grand Design:
A fun getaway on a charming island may be just what Alyssa needs…if only she can let go of her past.
Fifteen years ago, Alyssa Denham stopped taking her annual summer trip to Mackinac Island, refusing to tell anyone the reason she avoided the island she loved as a child. Now here she is, unexpectedly on the island for two weeks with her best friend, Libby, trying to keep her secret buried.
Alyssa’s grandmother, who lives on the island, has asked Alyssa and Libby to help piece together a friendship quilt she had started years earlier. Their quest takes them to the homes of some of her grandmother’s long-lost friends, giving Alyssa amazing insight into her grandmother’s life…and attracting the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman.
Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will she finally learn to trust and let God heal her fractured heart?
Answer one of both of these questions to enter the drawing:
1) What is the most romantic thing YOUR spouse or significant other has done for you?
2) What is the most romantic scene you’ve read in a book, and what was the book title/author?
Come back August 18th for Connie Almony!