Character Interview: Amber Daulton's Shea O'Bannon

Hey there, we have something fun today on the blog. I interviewed Shea O'Bannon, the heroine of her latest book, Trevor's Redemption. First, a bit about the book:

Blurb

 

The danger and lies are more than she can handle.

Shea O’Bannon feels like a fifth wheel around her romantically paired-off friends, but there’s too much slime in the dating pool for her to bother with it. Then she sees her two-timing ex, Trevor Madero, serenading the mostly female crowd at a live-music bar. God knows trouble follows him around, but her desire for him rushes back in anyway. After he rescues her from a handsy drunk, temptation takes over.

Determined to prove he never stepped out on Shea, Trevor slides back into her life—and her heart—with forever in mind. Even with the wall he keeps up to protect her, his secret criminal life weighs heavy on his soul and drives a wedge between them.

When the truth comes out and his enemies target them both, they’ll have to fight for their love, or kiss it goodbye.

Now for the interview.

What’s your name, where are you from, what’s your occupation, and what’s your personal status (single, divorced, widowed, children, etc)?

Hi, everyone. I’m Shea O’Bannon. I was born and raised in southern Colorado, but I moved to Denver for college and never left. I work as a computer graphics designer for KIKA TV news station, and though I enjoy my job, a few of my sexist coworkers and the hotshot news anchors drive my nerves through the roof. I’m single—err, well, I used to be. My life has changed so much since Trevor walked into it.

What’s your goal in life?

Um—let’s skip this question. No? All right then. Well, I gotta think. My job is steady, I have a great group of friends, and I’m happy. For the most part. I mean, I suppose I’m on the lookout for the same elusive happily ever after that my friends have found. It would be great to fall in love, have a few kids, and live the dream. Lately, I keep wondering if Trevor is my knight in shining white armor, my own Mr. Darcy? (Sorry, Mom’s a Jane Austen fan, so it rubbed off!) But I don’t need that. Really. I’m good living alone and not answering to anyone but myself.

What obstacle is preventing you from achieving your goal and why?

I have trust issues. There, I admitted it. Guys have lied to me and used me before, so it’s hard for me to trust Trevor when he tells me he’s crazy about me, that he’ll always respect me and treat me right. 

Then there’s Trevor’s ex. Alyson is a manipulative piece of work, and she’s doing her damnedest to tear me and Trevor apart. I’m smarter than she thinks I am, though, so her ploy isn’t going to work.

Besides her, Trevor is mixed up with some dangerous people. Criminal types. He’s trapped with no way out, but if he’s truly the one for me, I won’t let him go without a fight.

Who’s your best friend and how would they describe you?

Chanel is the best! She’s the sister I never had and always wanted. She would probably describe me as shy, friendly, overly polite and courteous, and just plain ole good. Ugh. I’m not too sure how I feel about that. I want to be cool, fun, and a total badass who faces life head-on, but if I’m being entirely honest with myself, I’m a low-key, simple girl at heart.

Tell me something about your past—a funny story, a quirky habit, or something you’re trying to overcome.

Overcome? Right, where do I start? My father was in and out of my life, so I never got to know him well, and my mother was often sick when I was little. I grew up fast and learned how to depend on myself. While I don’t mind taking the backseat and letting others be in charge, I always weigh every option and do what I think is best. Most people see me as a follower, one of the herd, but I’m really not. I need to learn how to trust better, especially when it comes to men, but it’s hard when your boyfriend is lying about something and your estranged father shows back up. My life is a mess.

What’s your favorite color, music, food?

Hmm…favorite color is pale blue, fav music is anything I can dance to, and red wine rules! Okay, so wine isn’t a food, but it’s still delicious.

Have you been lucky or unlucky in love and why?

Unlucky, definitely. For the longest time, I had a major crush on Chanel’s older brother. Then I learned the hard way that he was a creep. I wasted years pining over him, and I’ll never, ever, let a man have that much power over me again.

What’s your favorite thing about your love interest in this story? Or, what do you hate about them?

What I love most about Trevor is how hard he tries to do the right thing, but the one thing that really lights my fuse is that he’s keeping secrets. He says it’s to protect me, but I call bull on that. Relationships are all about give and take, and right now, I’m going to take the truth even if it kills me. And according to Trevor, it just might.

Now that you've met Shea, it's time for an excerpt:

“Ow.” Damn the rock concert pounding in her head. Shea smacked her lips, her tongue thick and throat drier than the desert, and dug through her medicine drawer in the kitchen. Finally! She grabbed the crinkly packet, popped some ibuprofen, and chased it with the cool, sweet wash of apple juice. A chill coursed through her as shame heated her cheeks. What had she been thinking, getting drunk and propositioning Trevor, then crying in front of him? Of all the nights for some crazy, horny lady to take over her mind and body. He must think her a fool. Or a louse.

After she corked the half-empty bottle, she dumped the merlot from hers and Trevor’s glasses into the sink and turned on the creaky faucet. Aargh. Water struck the basin like nails hitting a tin roof. She massaged her throbbing temples as her pride swirled down the drain alongside the wine and water. How many glasses had she indulged in—one, two? What if she ran into him again? Could she act as though nothing happened?

She grabbed her phone from her purse and scrolled through her contacts. Even though she’d dumped Trevor, she kept his name and number. Might as well stamp loser on her forehead. No matter how she played it, she’d morphed into a bitch last night, and he still carried her to bed. She leaned against the counter and tapped the screen, her stomach twisting.

“Hello?”

Trevor’s deep timbre washed over her like the finest caress. She coughed to find her voice. “Hi. It’s Shea O’Bannon.”

Silence stretched through the line. He grunted as though clearing his throat. “Hey. I didn’t expect to hear from you. You doing all right?”

“Other than a hangover and being humiliated? Sure, I’m peachy.” She forced a laugh and pinched the bridge between her eyes. “I’m sorry for how I acted, and thank you for not taking me up on my offer. Had we slept together, I’d be even more embarrassed.”

“It’s okay. I’m no worse for the wear. We’ve all had bad days.”

She tightened her grip on the phone. Was he letting her off the hook?

“I gotta go. I’m at a worksite, and this doorway isn’t gonna frame itself.” He chuckled a little. “Want to meet for lunch? I always work half-days on Saturday, so I’m getting off at noonish.”

She bit her lip as the digital clock on the stove flicked to 11:33. Was lunch a good idea? “Okay. Where?” The words split her lips before she could stop them.

“How about Dayo’s Cantina in Westwood? It’s close to my apartment.”

“Fine with me. I’ll grab directions from the Internet.”

“Great. Let’s say one o’clock. I should go home and clean up first.”

“I’ll see you then. Bye.” She jabbed the screen, ending the call before she could stick her foot in her mouth. Her stomach gurgled in sudden hunger as her nausea faded. She rubbed her face, wiping off what had to be the stupidest smile ever, but her lips quirked up again.

What had she gotten herself into—a date? 

 

Interested? Here's where to find it:

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About the Author

 

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. 

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

 

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Sale Alert!

Blurb

 

Lies. Betrayal. A blown undercover mission.

After ten years away, DEA agent Jarrett Brandt heads home to pay his respects to his deceased brother and hide out from the cartel kingpin who wants him dead. The last thing he needs is Marissa, his high school sweetheart, tempting him with her sassy smile and showing him the life he gave up. Add on his judgmental parents, and he’s ready to hit the road.

Widowed mom Marissa Reinn never had much luck with the Brandt boys. First Jarrett broke her heart, then she lost his brother—her husband—to a bullet. Vowing to uncover Jarrett’s secrets, she succumbs to the passion still burning between them instead.

When a team of assassins find him, Jarrett and Marissa will have to work together to survive and protect her son. How will they seize their second chance at love with their lives on the line?

 

Tagline – Rekindling the flames of love has never burned so hot.

 

Excerpt

 

“You can trust me, Jarrett. I won’t tell your parents anything you don’t want me to.” She sighed and stood as well. “You used to tell me everything. We never kept secrets.”

Jarrett paced between the coffee table and fireplace. “My parents’ opinion doesn’t matter. Dad would still throw up my juvie record or the fact that I’m not a cop, even if I was a model citizen. I’m not that lost, angry kid anymore. I know who I am now, and it’s not someone you’d want to know.”

“I disagree.”

“God, you don’t understand. Marissa, I’ve missed you so damn much. I’ve laid awake so many nights wondering what my life would’ve been like if I’d stayed here.” When he made love to other women, he imagined Marissa beneath him or above him, panting his name. When the nightmares of blood and gore faded, he dreamed of her. Those bittersweet memories and what if scenarios were almost worse than the nightmares. “I’ve done things I’m not proud of.”

“I hated you after you left, but I’ve gotten over it. Everyone feels regret and guilt over something. It’s all about being human.” She dashed away her tears. “I told you mine last night. Will you please show me the same courtesy?”

“I can’t.”

“At least tell me what you did last Christmas. Jason made it crystal clear that he didn’t want you alone. He wants you to have a tree.” She pointed at the Douglas fir. “Well, there you go. What did you do last year?”

Jarrett licked his dry lips, heat swelling in his cheeks.

He’d joined the Consuelo gang last December and spent the holiday in a slummy apartment with five thugs who sold cocaine on the streets of Albuquerque. Living around his drug of choice had nearly destroyed him.

“What about your last birthday?” Marissa blocked his path and braced her hands on her hips. “Did you have cake or go out with a bunch of buddies and get drunk? Did something horrible happen? Why won’t you tell me anything?”

He shoved a hand through his hair. “Damn it, Marissa. Yeah, I got drunk. A few of us went to a strip club where I fucked two dancers in a backroom. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Her eyes widened as she stepped back.

Way to go, you fucking idiot. He brushed his shaky hands on his button-down shirt to steady them. “Marissa—”

She strode past him with a high head and left the room.

Her cold shoulder skewered him, but he didn’t deserve better.

 

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About the Author

 

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. 

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

 

Social Media Links

 

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It's Time, Once Again, for Amber Daulton

There are so many great books out there, but style guides are constantly changing, and it’s a good idea to stay updated on what’s growing in popularity.

For example, classics like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby are wonderful books, but if a modern author would write in Austen’s or Fitzgerald’s verbose style, he or she might have a hard time finding publishers to contract the work and readers to read it. 

How about a more contemporary example?

I grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s, so I read romance books from the ’80s and ’90s. I based my writing style off those books, which included passive voice, head-hopping between characters, and long, tedious descriptions about unimportant items, like the heroine’s dress. After I submitted the books to publishers in the mid-2000s, I received a bunch of rejection letters or nothing at all. Sure, there were more problems with those manuscripts than just the writing style, but the style didn’t help me any either. You see, I didn’t read new, recently released books, so I had no idea the style guides had changed and that the style I learned from childhood was now frowned upon, as least for beginning writers. (FYI – the big authors who rake in six figures a year can usually do whatever they want because their name and fan-base are already so huge. Too bad that doesn’t apply to the majority of us.) My first publisher in 2012 finally set me straight, but it still took me years to outgrow what I had previously learned. When I think back on those earlier manuscripts, I shudder, but writing is a learning experience.

Nowadays, I keep passive voice to a minimum, I don’t jump between POVs without a scene or chapter break, and I only add lengthy descriptions when absolutely needed (and that’s rare).

Okay, so I’ve talked about old vs new writing styles. Let’s discuss genres. If you write romance and read in other genres like mystery or horror, that’s fine if you read it for fun. But if you read it to learn how to style and plot, then apply that to romance, you’ll probably end up with an awkward read. Romance has a different flow, different pacing, different everything from other genres. This rings true for sub-genres as well. Romantic suspense, sci-fi romance, and historical romance are worlds apart from each other, no pun intended. Remember, do your research. It’s always best to read in the genre you want to write in and learn how your fellow authors do it.

Authors and readers—Do you have any advice you’d like to add? Please leave it in the comment section. I’d love to know your thoughts.

Blurb

 

Lies. Betrayal. A million-dollar bounty.

After an undercover mission goes awry, DEA agent Jarrett Brandt hides out in the last place he wants to be—his hometown. Now he’s stuck with his judgmental parents and the memory of his perfect brother hanging over his head. His one bright light? Marissa Reinn Brandt—his high school sweetheart and former sister-in-law.

Marissa lost Jarrett once before. No way will she let him back in; then her son offers him their guestroom. His wicked charm and smoldering stares are hard to resist, but she’ll make him work to reclaim his spot in her bed.

When his enemies close in, how will Jarrett keep Marissa and her son safe, or will he lose his shot at redemption?

 

– Triggers: drug use (discussed) and a brief assault of the heroine

– A Hero’s Heart is a smoking hot second chance, romantic suspense novella. No cheating. HEA guaranteed.

– Second edition. Newly revised and edited.

 

Tagline – Rekindling the flames of love has never burned so hot.

 

Excerpt

 

Marissa grabbed her plate and headed to the kitchen. How would she get through this? Better yet, how would she console her son when Jarrett left? Footsteps resounded softly behind her. The hair on her nape rose. She stuffed her plate in the trashcan and scowled at the source of her problems.

“I’m sorry. If staying here will be an inconvenience, I’ll tell Jason I can’t.”

“He’ll blame me.”

“No, I’ll say I have to go back to San Francisco for work or Montana for the ski trip. He’ll understand.”

She barked a laugh. “Have you lost your mind? He’ll scream and beg you to stay. Once you leave, he’ll cry for hours.”

“Marissa, what do you want from me? I can’t stay forever. I don’t want to hurt him—or you—I swear it, but I will leave. It’s only a matter of when, not if.”

She grasped the counter to keep steady. “I know that. Jason and I are not good enough reasons for you to give up the life you’ve built in California, and I would never ask it. I’ll understand when you go, but Jason won’t, not that it’s any of your concern. I’ll deal with his pain when the time comes.”

He cursed. “You sure know how to make a man feel like shit.”

“That’s not my intention.”

“Doesn’t change the facts.” He grabbed his phone from his pants pocket. “Am I staying here or not?”

If only she could toss him out on his ass. “You’re staying.”

“Okay. I’ll call my boss and let him know your address.”

“Fine. I’ll show you to the guestroom when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Marissa. I appreciate it.”

She fisted her hands. “Thank Jason.”

With that, he left the kitchen.

 

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About the Author

 

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. 

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

 

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Welcome Back, Amber Daulton

Two Common Traps for Aspiring Writers

 

Hi, everyone! I’m Amber Daulton, and I’ve published 14 novels/novellas/short stories to date (the first in 2012), so I’ve been around the block a few times. Hopefully, that means I’m equipped to offer some advice.

I think the biggest trap authors fall into is self-doubt. It’s exciting and scary to write a book, and that doesn’t change once you finish it and submit it to editors, agents, publishers, and reviewers. You’ll wonder if your story is good enough, if the characters are engaging, if the grammar is spot on, etc etc. I can’t count all the negative thoughts that have popped in my head over the years. When I’m feeling insecure about my writing, I go to my writing/author support groups on Facebook, MeWe, or IO Groups and read about what other authors are doing. (Just type in “author/writing support” in the groups tab, and you should be able to find some.) Remember, you’re not alone in self-doubt. It affects all of us. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with like-minded individuals can be cathartic.

Another trap is that a lot of writers, both newbies and the not-so-new, become attached to their book babies. They can’t take constructive criticism. I’ve been there myself, especially at the start of my career. Granted, it is YOUR story, but editors, critique partners, and readers can give you good advice if you’re open to hearing it. Some aspiring writers are so afraid of rejection, even when nicely put, that they’ll give up their writing dream after some bad feedback. Don’t let this be you.

You have to develop a thick shell as an author. Some people will be cruel with their opinions—unfortunately, not everyone has manners—but others will try to help you do better and succeed. Not everyone will like your story. We all have different tastes and opinions. Learn that now. So develop your shell, brush off the cruel responses, and focus on the good, constructive feedback you get.

I’d love to know what go-to cures you have when you’re feeling discouraged. Please let me know in the comment section. And thank you for reading!

A perfect Christmas wedding, a snowstorm, and a shocking secret. What could go wrong?

Susanna Lorican must marry the man she loves before the truth is discovered, or face the gossip of the ton. With an unexpected snowstorm injuring the minister, her future hangs in the balance.

Viscount Camden Beckinworth vows to keep his bride safe, even if he must betray her confidence. When their love is put to the test, how will he uphold her honor without jeopardizing his own?

 

– Warning: this sweet, complete Regency romance novella features a brief scene where the heroine is assaulted.

– Second edition. Newly revised and edited.

 

Tagline – Will their love withstand the storm to come?

 

Excerpt

 

Oh, my. The air in her lungs froze as he teased and tasted her lips in a decadent, feather-soft kiss. She moaned into his mouth and closed her eyes.

“You are so beautiful.” He trailed his lips down her neck.

“Camden.” She gasped and gripped his broad shoulders for an anchor in the storm of bliss threatening to sweep her under. Spots dotted her vision like twinkling stars peeking through dark clouds. She blinked several times and nodded to the entryway. “We must control ourselves. Anyone could see.” The smirk crawling up his cheeks clenched something deep and primal inside her. She breathed harder and inched closer to his heaving chest.

“Let them. We are betrothed. Two people in love who are about to wed are expected to kiss.”

“Kiss, yes,” she whispered. “You, my lord, make love with your lips.” Heat flamed in her cheeks and surely reddened her face.

Camden laughed and trailed his fingers up her bare arm to the puffed sleeve. “Do I? You have never admitted that before.”

“There are some things you should not be privy to.”

“Really? I’m honored that my bride appreciates the way I kiss. If she didn’t, what kind of man would that make me?”

She stepped away and smacked his biceps. “There are eyes and ears everywhere, Camden. Especially today. I’m positive the servants are already gossiping that we are spending time together on the one day we should keep our distance. It is bad luck.” And since their chaperone had left them unaccompanied, she expected another servant to arrive any minute, courtesy of her mother.

Camden drew her back into his arms and brushed his lips across her hairline. “I make my own luck. We control our destiny, Susanna; no one else. Besides, you have nothing to worry about. The one activity we shared truly worth gossiping about will never reach the light of day.”

 

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About the Author

 

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. 

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

 

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Welcome Amber Daulton

The Creation of Lyrical Embrace, Audiobook

When my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, returned my audio rights to me last year, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I was hoping to go with them to get my latest release, Lyrical Embrace, into audio, but now that was a no-go. I procrastinated for months until I read a few posts on the TWRP forum about my fellow authors’ experiences in getting their books narrated. Everyone was using ACX, which is a subdivision of Amazon. After a bunch of research and chatting with those authors, I finally strapped on my big-girl panties and took the plunge.

After getting an account through ACX, I posted a script and listed the audio project as Royalty Shares, which means my narrator and I will split the royalties 50/50. I didn’t have to pay anything upfront or later. A few weeks passed and I hadn’t received any auditions. Turns out, I made a classic newbie mistake. Narrators don’t typically browse for scripts to audition for; the author needs to research the thousands (yes, there’s that many) of narrators available, listen to their audio samples, and email them, requesting they audition. That sounds like a daunting task, but I was able to narrow the search parameters with key words. I ended up listening to about 30 narrators and contacted half that many. Of those, only six narrators auditioned.

When I first heard Georgeann Haynes’s audition (she’s credited as Georgia Allens), I couldn’t stop smiling. She jumped right to the top of my list. I’m so glad she accepted my contract. It’s been wonderful working with her. For anyone who is interested in working with Georgeann, here’s her link: https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=A1ZH1M23SK7MER

Anyway, the whole process of getting this story published into audio took about three months (from uploading my script to release day). ACX has given Georgeann and me 50 codes each, so we can give them out to listeners and reviewers.

I also had to get an audiobook cover made since I couldn’t use the ebook cover. Thankfully, my publisher assured me that I could create a cover similar but not exact to the ebook version. Purchasing book covers can be expensive, so I bought the pictures I needed from Deposit Photos and plunged into graphic design research. I downloaded a free software called GIMP, which is similar to Photoshop, and created the cover myself (with the help of author friend CeeRee Fields, and various websites and YouTube videos). Once I figured out how to use GIMP, manipulating photos and creating my cover was a blast.

Getting this book narrated and published wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be. I’m proud to say Lyrical Embrace is now available in the big bad world of audio listeners.

Thanks so much for reading. If you want to hear a sample, scroll on down.

Lyrical Embrace 

Series: Deerbourne Inn (book 4)

Narrator: Georgia Allens

Audiobook Release Date: January 23, 2020 

Ebook Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Ebook Release Date: February 11, 2019

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 40k

Heat Rating: 3 Flames

Blurb 

Out-of-work violinist Erica Timberly decides enough is enough. She leaves her abusive boyfriend and flees the big city, but then her car breaks down in the middle of the night. Though wary of men, she accepts help from Dylan Haynes, a stranger driving by on the road, and soon recognizes him as the sexy former drummer of her favorite indie rock band. Maybe, just maybe, her run of bad luck is finally turning around.

Music teacher Dylan Haynes knows Erica is in trouble, and her black eye is only the first clue. The stubborn yet vulnerable woman needs a friend, but he’s determined to give her everything she deserves. 

Will Erica listen to the music in her heart and trust Dylan, or will her past always threaten her future?

 

Excerpt

Dylan deepened the kiss and lightly tugged on her bottom lip. Tears streaked his flushed cheeks as he smiled at her. “I’m so grateful I found you, baby. I heard you screaming. When I saw that bastard press a gun to your head, my heart nearly exploded. I thought I might lose you. I promise you, Erica, I will never control you as Phil did. You will always have the ability to choose. I just want to make you happy.”

She gripped his hand and brushed her lips across his calloused knuckles. “I know. You do make me happy. You took a bullet for me.” A sob constricted her throat, but she pushed it down.

A blast of noise rent the air. Fireworks filled the sky, visible in the alley from the narrow stretch of space between the buildings.

Erica loved the bright colors and designs, but hardly cared about watching the spectacle. She dropped her gaze back to Dylan.

A grin spread across his face. “It’s been one wild Fourth of July. Why don’t we do something more low-key next year? How about no guns and crazy exes? Just us, the creek, and a bottle of wine. Clothing optional.”

She laughed softly, amazed he could make light of the situation. “That sounds perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

Want to hear a sample?

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43225610-lyrical-embrace

Audio Buy Links (US)

Amazon – https://amzn.to/37zIyKx

Audible – https://adbl.co/36q03LL

iTunes – https://apple.co/2RlLmVH

Audio Buy Link (UK)

Amazon – https://amzn.to/38DbXUc

Audible – https://adbl.co/2uxsN8g

Interested in the ebook instead? You can grab a copy here:

Books2Read – http://books2read.com/u/m0MYaV

About the Author

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. 

Amber lives in North Carolina with her husband and four demanding cats. Feel free to visit her at http://www.amberdaultonauthor.blogspot.com.

Social Media Links

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