Monday, July 30, 2012

Giving It Up with Amber Lin


Thanks so much to W. Lynn Chantale for having me today! Today we’re interviewing, Allie, the heroine of my debut erotic romance, Giving It Up. Let’s see what she has to say…
What’s your favorite color?
Blue… no, green! Just kidding ;-) I’d probably have to say orange. It reminds me of sunrise, and sometimes we all need fresh start.
What type of vehicle do you drive?
A broken down sedan. Hey, it may break down every ten thousand miles, but it works so hard! Unfortunately, Colin insists we have to get rid of it now. He wants to buy me something new. Even though I know we can afford it, it’s hard to let go of this piece of my past. But I always worry about getting stranded somewhere with my daughter, Bailey, so I’ll go ahead and do it anyway.
Describe yourself to me.
Oh man. You don’t want to know! I’m only half kidding. The truth is I’m pretty messed up, but I’m probably giving myself more credit than I deserve. I’m not that interesting. Average looks—girl next door kind of stuff. But they seem to work for Colin, so I’m certainly not complaining. If there was one defining characteristic of me… I’d say that I try. I don’t succeed, mind you, when it comes to being a good mother or pleasing Colin, but those things are important enough to work at.
How would your mate describe you?
Colin’s not much of a talker. Maybe now he’d say I was his fiancé… because I am ;-) I suppose if we were to pin him down, he might admit that I’m pretty or strong or something like that. Something he thinks I would want him to say, because he’s always trying to please me. Even when he’s all gruff and scowling, he always notices ways to make my life better or easier.

What really moves you, or touches you to the soul?
My daughter. She is the very best part of me, and the fact that she was conceived on the worst night of my life, in such an awful way… it forced me to deal with it differently. I loved that she was here, so how could I hate the act that brought her to me? God, no wonder I was so damn conflicted…
What's the one thing you have always wanted to do but couldn't? What would happen if you did do it?
I suppose I’ve dreamed about picking up and leaving. Leaving behind this city, but of course I’d always take Bailey with me and that gets tricky. And I do have some wonderful people here: Shelly, my best friend, and now Colin. It’s not something I really want, it’s more like a longing to be free of the weight. Luckily Colin is with me now, and he bears some of it for me.
Describe your ideal mate.
Ah, sigh. Do I have to say it? Colin, for sure. He’s patient, possessive and so damn good with his tongue ;-)
What are you most afraid of?
That I will wake up and my time with Colin will just have been a dream. That I’ll still be trolling that dirty night club, looking for a one-night stand, searching for an answer to a question I don’t fully understand. It was a painful and confusing time for me—I wouldn’t want to go back, especially now that I know what can be.
What's the most important thing in your life?
My family. It’s not really about blood ties for me. Our actions form our bonds. Shelly has helped me for so long, I’d do anything for her. Colin and I grow closer every day. And Bailey really is a part of me—my heart.
What do you consider your special talent?
Christ, am I allowed to say blowjobs? And honestly I’m not sure that would count considering I learned most of my tricks from Shelly. Nevermind, I’m claiming it. That’s my superpower. Blowjobs that make Colin go crazy.
How did you meet the hero?
Remember that dirty club I mentioned? Yeah, he was there. I thought he looked so mean and rough… exactly what I wanted at the time. And in some ways I was right, but in the important ways I was all wrong. Colin was kind and gentle, and exactly what I needed.
Was it love at first sight or did it develop slowly?
Definitely not! I’m not even sure you could say it was lust at first sight. Even now that I’m wholly in love with him, I can still feel it unfurling within me. Every day I know him a little better, love him a little more. Every day I learn his body a little better, and lust after a little more. I hope it never stops.

What did you like/dislike about him/her when you first met?
Well, I kept insisting he would give it to me rough and he wouldn’t! This was frustrating, because I knew he could. He certainly had the muscles for it, but he insisted on being gentle. He knew what I needed, even when I didn’t.
If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
Happiness for Bailey, Colin and Shelly. That may sound selfless, but I assure you it’s not. If those three people were happy, I absolutely would be as well! 
Allie prowls the club for a man who will use her hard and then ditch her. Hey, it’s not rape if she wants it. Instead she finds Colin, who looks tough but treats her tenderly, despite her protests.
He tempts her, but kindness and a few mindblowing orgasms aren’t enough to put her back together again. Allie has no hope for a real relationship. Two years ago her best friend betrayed her in the worst possible way – she’d be stupid to trust a man again. Besides, she has her daughter to think of, the only good thing to have come from that dark night.
But when her rapist returns, threatening her sanity and custody of her daughter, Allie turns to Colin. Under his protection and patient touch, Allie begins to heal and learns to hope. Colin’s no saint, though, and his criminal past draws danger of its own. Allie must fight to protect her child and the man she loves, hoping her newfound power will be enough to save them all.
“Giving It Up is original, affecting, emotionally draining, but well worth reading if you are brave enough to go along for the ride.”
—Annabel Joseph, author of Comfort Object
“A ballsy departure from romantic conventions. At once gritty and tender, stark and hopeful.”
—Cara McKenna, author of Willing Victim
“Giving It Up is an erotic, compelling story that takes us to the shadowy, lonely places but doesn’t leave us there. Amber Lin shows us that romance isn’t just for the rich and shiny. Love can find its way even into the dark corners of the most damaged hearts.”
—Tiffany Reisz, author of The Siren
“This is a book you MUST read if you like gritty, edgier romance that makes you think as well as turns you on.”
—Cari Quinn, USA Today Bestselling Author of No Dress Required
“Every page is chock full of sexy, angsty must-read-moreness.”
—Karla Doyle, author of Game Plan
“Giving It Up is a gritty, real romance that deals in an honest way with what happens to sexuality in the aftermath of rape…. Read it. You won’t be sorry.”
—Ruthie Knox, author of About Last Night
“Dark and edgy…but don’t be fooled. There’s a wonderful love story running through this book. Sharp, intense writing, sexy as hell, and such a cool idea!”
—Charlotte Stein, author of Sheltered
EXCERPT
We stripped at the same time, both eager. I wanted to see his body, to witness what he offered me, but it was dark in the room. Then he kissed me back onto the bed, and there was no more time to wonder. The cheap bedspread was rough and cool against my skin. His hands stroked over my breasts and then played gently with my nipples.
My body responded, turning liquid, but something was wrong.
I’d had this problem before. Not everyone wanted to play rough, but I was surprised that I’d misread him. His muscles were hard, the pads of his fingers were calloused. I didn’t know how he could touch me so softly. Everything about him screamed that he could hurt me, so why didn’t he?
I wanted him to have his nasty way with me, but every sweet caress destroyed the illusion. My fantasy was to let him do whatever he wanted with me, but not this.
“Harder,” I said. “I need it harder.”
Instead his hands gentled. The one that had been holding my breast traced the curve around and under.
I groaned in frustration. “What’s wrong?”
He reached down, still breathing heavily, and pressed a finger lightly to my cunt, then stroked upward through the moisture. I gasped, rocking my hips to follow his finger.
“You like this,” he said.
Yes, I liked it. I was undeniably aroused but too aware. I needed the emptiness of being taken. “I like it better rough.”
Colin frowned. My eyes widened at the ferocity of his expression.
In one smooth motion he flipped me onto my stomach. I lost my breath from the surprise and impact. His left hand slid under my body between my legs and cupped me. His right hand fisted in my hair, pulling my head back. His erection throbbed beside my ass in promise. I wanted to beg him to fuck me, but all I could do was gasp. He didn’t need to be told, though, and ground against me, using my hair as a handle.
That small pain on my scalp was perfection, sharp and sweet. Numbness spread through me, as did relief.
The pain dimmed. My arousal did too, but that was okay. I was only vaguely aware of him continuing to work my body from behind.
I went somewhere else in my mind. I’d stay that way all night.
At least that’s what usually happened.
BOOK TRAILER
BUY LINKS
AUTHOR LINKS
GIVEAWAY
Amber Lin is giving away a Kindle Fire along with 10 erotic books, as well as either a custom erotic story or a 30-page critique of a romance manuscript. There are many ways to enter, for both those who have and haven’t yet read Giving It Up.
Enter by using the link
http://www.authoramberlin.com/contest and they can sign up there.


Thanks so much for having me!
Amber Lin
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

1 comment:

Reagan said...

Great interview! Love your book Ms. Lin!

July 30, 2012 at 1:50 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)