Guest Author, Starr Ambrose
by sue on Nov.06, 2009, under Book Chat
OUR LITTLE SECRET by Starr Ambrose
Setting: Washington, D.C.
Subgenre: romantic suspense
Hero: Drew Creighton, son of powerful Senator Harlan Creighton
Heroine: Lauren Sutherland, sister of Sen. Creighton’s secretary
One sentence summary: When Lauren’s sister and Drew’s father disappear, their search for the couple uncovers risque photos, a blackmail scheme, and an attraction for each other that grows hotter as the trail grows colder…
Scene you like most and would never cut: Definitely the tense action scene at the climax of the story! Lauren is in serious danger from…well, I can’t tell you, but while she has to rely on her wits to get away, Drew is racing through the streets of D.C. in a panic to get to her, while proper, efficient Gerald is stranded out in the woods, the only one who realizes some agents are about to walk into a deadly ambush. Fraught with tension! Also a few laughs, because I can’t seem to write without some character slipping into smartass mode.
Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: This is an interesting question because Lauren changes during the story from rigidly proper to happily uninhibited. She has always tried to set a good example for her wild sister. Then she meets Drew Creighton and realizes that her dependable fiance is really dull as dirt and a prude to boot, and her fun-loving sister had the right idea all along. But even when they seemed like polar opposites, Lauren would never, ever turn her back on her sister, which is the reason she ends up in Washington, D.C. dodging kidnapping attempts and faking her way into an embassy ball.
Scene in the book that moved you the most as you wrote it, or made you the most happy? My favorite scene is the final one, because I felt so much sympathy for my hero. Poor Drew has spent the entire book convincing Lauren that she needs to loosen up, ditch her stick-in-the-mud fiance, and explore her wild side by having a fling with him. He succeeds admirably, and falls helplessly in love with the new, un-inhibited Lauren. But now that he’s convinced her not to tie herself down with a permanent relationship, that’s exactly what he needs to persuade her to do, with him. It was fun to make him squirm a bit before getting that happy ending!
Have you learned or found any bizarre facts while doing research? One big, scary one: I learned that it would be far too easy to blackmail senators and representatives into compromising their votes, thereby allowing one corrupt person to control what becomes law in our country. You really don’t want to think about this one too much, because it’s nearly impossible to prevent. (Hope this answer hasn’t put me on several watch lists.)
Ancillary character you had the most fun with: Oh, this is easy - I adore Gerald, the senator’s personal assistant! He’s easily the most efficient person in Washington, D.C., and loves nothing better than to put AGA’s in their place. That’s Arrogant Government Assholes. He practices this philosophy repeatedly on a certain Secret Service Agent with a sour opinion of civilian interference. Their clashes were enormous fun to write!
What is one thing in your history that has influenced your writing, whether it’s a character, your work habits, or your favorite plot conflict? Gotta be reading. I read everything. Therefore, I want to write about everything. Sooner or later, I will.
Your hero’s favorite hobby: Hiking and skiing in the Colorado Rockies. It’s both his passion and his profession. He’s out of his element in Washington, D.C.
What you think readers will like best about this book: It’s fast and fun, and relies on my favorite situation - corrupt people in positions of power.
The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: But I did! Two secondary characters from my first book, LIE TO ME, caught many readers’ interest. They wanted to hear their story, and so did my editor. That will be my next book, THIEVES LIKE US, due out next fall. And they were right, it turned out to be a fantastic story!
What’s next: We all love romance and adventure, but come on, admit it - we also read romance for the love scenes. Longing and lust are fun; fulfillment is even more fun. So be honest - how many of you have ever read an inventive love scene and were inspired to replicate it with your partner? And if you’re brave enough to share, what was it?
Giveaway: A signed copy of both LIE TO ME and OUR LITTLE SECRET, to two people chosen from comments below!
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Shape-shifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realizes he might have met his match. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, Samia realizes that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.
Friend Feed
November 11th, 2009 on 8:21 am
Hi Starr,
I meant to come by last week to say congrats on the new book. It sounds fantastic! Best of luck with it!
Marie
November 8th, 2009 on 5:54 am
the books sounds really interesting… like another commenter said i never would’ve thought the books were romantic suspense… i guess the old “don’t judge a book by it’s cover…” applies here! i love romantic suspense. i want to pick these up now
November 7th, 2009 on 8:57 pm
Hi Starr! What a great interview. I loved your book “Lie to Me”, and can’t wait tell “Our Little Secret” is out to read. I actually just got done rereading “Lie to Me”, and I’m so excited to here the secondary characters will be getting their own book. I love connected books and revisiting past characters.
November 7th, 2009 on 8:05 pm
Loved the first book, look forward to the second, third, forth, fifth…etc.
November 7th, 2009 on 12:07 pm
I love the sparky banter between a fiesty heroine and a droll hero! What fun!
As I child, I collected dolls, played house and dress-up. The flip side to that was a love of SciFi, Westerns, Spies and Adventure Stories!
Indy could take me on any adventure he chose!
November 7th, 2009 on 10:54 am
I really enjoy romantic suspense books. I will add yours to my list of books to get.
November 7th, 2009 on 7:41 am
Hi Starr!
and I really love the covers!
I haven’t read one of your books yet, but they sound great
Wish you all the best!
Ina
November 7th, 2009 on 3:05 am
i’ve never thought that your book as a romantic suspense book. well don’t judge the book by its cover
looking forward to read this book (if you let me to have my chance to win it Starr !;-)
November 7th, 2009 on 1:30 am
sign me up your books sounds great
Yes i have thought about a great love scene or 2..but to actually have the guts to put it in action..i dont know.
haha maybe someday.
November 6th, 2009 on 11:44 pm
This is funny, I was just eyeing your books at the bookstore the other day! I held off because I hadn’t heard anything about them before…but after this, I think I’ll be making a return trip for them! They sound great:)
November 6th, 2009 on 11:48 pm
Oops, and for your question, I don’t think so…there have been moments when I’ve considered it, but haven’t ever actually gone there
November 6th, 2009 on 10:35 pm
The new book sounds great. I love a good romance thriller. familiar with DC, so interested to see the city through Ambrose’s and her characters.
November 6th, 2009 on 9:37 pm
Your book sounds great, but I can’t think of a time I have followed a love scene from a book in real life.
November 6th, 2009 on 10:35 pm
Thank you all very much for reading and commenting! I hope you enjoy both LIE TO ME and OUR LITTLE SECRET, and good luck in the drawing!
November 6th, 2009 on 8:27 pm
Starr! The new books sounds fabulous! I can’t wait to read it.
November 6th, 2009 on 8:50 pm
Hey, Claire! It’s so cool to see old friends pop up here.
November 6th, 2009 on 7:52 pm
I have not read any of your two books but I love romantic suspense and your books seem to be a bit quirky which should make them fun to read.
November 6th, 2009 on 6:23 pm
This new book sounds amazing! Can’t wait to read it. Inspired to replicate a love scene? Possibly. Sharing it with the world? No way. lol
Congrats on the new book!
November 6th, 2009 on 6:07 pm
Hi Starr!
Nice picture of you! But I have to admit, you’re prettier in person! The photo doesn’t do your sparkling personality justice.
Your story sounds divine! However, I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor, boring fiance’ that got ditched in the end.
You know, Lauren could have skirted on her merry way and left both Drew and the broken hearted fiance’.
The men could have consoled each other in the aftermath, only to discover they have a thing for each other! (wink) NOW that would have been a surprise ending! (grin)
Okay! You got me! It’s just my twisted writers mind took off with your very interesting story - and kinda put the m/m teak at the end (call it wishful thinking!) Sorry! The whole story plot just sounds delicious and I couldn’t hold back the temptation!
Forgive me! (*I flail at your feet in repentance)
Much success with this delightful story!
You are a boiling cauldren churning out wonderful plots and interesting characters! I need to shake your hand or something to get some authors luck going on for me!
November 6th, 2009 on 5:59 pm
Jumping on the “We Love Starr” bandwagon!
All the best of luck with your release, Starr. Bring some copies to the meetings so I can be really lazy! ::grins::
Fabulous interview, fabulous premise…can’t wait to read it.
All my best,
Gin
November 6th, 2009 on 5:22 pm
You are a new to me author. Your books sound great.
November 6th, 2009 on 5:11 pm
If for no other reason I want to ready this book because it’s set in D.C.!
What can I say…I like marble.
November 6th, 2009 on 5:05 pm
Looking forward to this one, Starr! I loved LIE TO ME, and I’m sure this one will be just as engaging.
November 6th, 2009 on 4:04 pm
This sounds great! As for love scenes just recently read one involving whipped creme that I thought sounded really tempting to try. If we could get the baby to sleep through the night I might surprise hubby one night.
November 6th, 2009 on 3:20 pm
Thanks for the interview. I really liked Lie to Me and I’m looking forward to reading the new book. I’m happy to hear that the next book after Our Little Secret. will feature characters from Lie to Me. I’m a big fan of connected books.
November 6th, 2009 on 2:49 pm
What a fun and interesting interview. And to answer the question about acting out an inventive love scene? Yes. I won’t share details, only that I was younger and much more flexible. LOL
November 6th, 2009 on 2:44 pm
I love stories where the tables are turned and characters have a change of heart that changes their entire lives. Sounds terrific!
November 6th, 2009 on 1:57 pm
Hey Starr - Fabulous interview!! And best of luck with the new release, and it sounds like OUR LITTLE SECRET is well on its way to being a huge success!
November 6th, 2009 on 1:27 pm
Hey Starr, your a new to me author but your books seem great. Loved the interview and covers!
November 6th, 2009 on 1:05 pm
I must say I wouldn’t have picked this up– until I read the review.
Now I’ve added it to my “to be read” list.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
November 6th, 2009 on 2:08 pm
Thanks, Renee, and all of you who have read this and decided to read the book. I’m so tickled to pick up new readers!
November 6th, 2009 on 11:03 am
Our Little Secret sounds like a great read!
November 6th, 2009 on 10:46 am
Hi Starr! I love the titles and the covers of your books! They say “Never choose a book my it’s cover” but who couldn’t when they see yours! They are GREAT! Interesting interview! I would love to win your books!
They forgot to ask you the big question…Boxers or Briefs? HaHa!
November 6th, 2009 on 11:13 am
I prefer to leave that up to you - visualize whatever you want!
November 6th, 2009 on 10:39 am
Your book sounds great! Thanks for visiting with us today.
November 6th, 2009 on 10:19 am
You have gorgeous covers! They definitely make me curious about the books. I have a feeling you might write exactly the kind of romantic suspense I love to read–emphasis on the “romantic”! They sound fun.
November 6th, 2009 on 11:11 am
Thanks, Louisa! I like them, too. Pocket Books did a good job selecting my covers; they let readers know the books are not the dark, creepy sort of romantic suspense.
November 6th, 2009 on 10:00 am
Personally, I never have. But years ago, I worked with a girl who did and she used to report it to us the next day - often with hysterical results! Some of the situations she tried to recreate sounded implausible to her and with good reason - you had to be a Twister expert to achieve them!
So good to see that you have a new book out, Starr! I look forward to reading it.
Margay
November 6th, 2009 on 9:53 am
Love the wink! The story sounds interesting, and I’ve been looking for a new contempory to enjoy.
November 6th, 2009 on 9:50 am
Lie To Me was a fantastic mix of suspense, romance, and a dash of humor - and it sounds like Our Little Secret is going to follow that trend. I can’t wait to pick it up! I have only one request: write faster!!
November 6th, 2009 on 9:45 am
Hey Starr, thanks for being here — on my way to the airport to Wash DC RWA group — have a great day!
Those of you who’ve not read Starr? If you like Rachel Gibson, give Starr a try,
All the best,
Sue
November 6th, 2009 on 11:22 am
I love Rachel’s books!
Great place you have here, Sue - thanks again for inviting me!
November 6th, 2009 on 9:43 am
What a great book. I am captivated with the story and characters. I love reading this type of book.
November 6th, 2009 on 8:38 am
Hi Starr! I enjoyed Lie To Me and can’t wait for the new book. It sounds like a fun read! Cheryl
November 6th, 2009 on 8:13 am
I loved Lie to Me! So defintely will be reading this one.
As for your question, those sexy scenes have inspired romanctic moments! Enuf said. LOL.
November 6th, 2009 on 8:11 am
I LOVE that cover….no, it doesn’t look RS, but it would have caught my eye-looks fun.
November 6th, 2009 on 8:07 am
I loved the first book and made sure many friends read it as well. Now we are all looking forward to the next in, hopefully, a long line of wonderful reads.
I think the situations are just tangled enough to make you read quickly to find out who and how it gets straightened out. And the romantic fun is enough to spark anyone’s imagination.
November 6th, 2009 on 11:15 am
Wow, thanks, Jennifer, you can write my next cover blurb!
November 6th, 2009 on 3:09 am
How funny I never would of picked up this book because of it’s cover. It does not look like a romantic suspense book to me at all. Yet, after reading about it, it sounds real good. Looks like I am going to have to check this book out.
It’s to bad I don’t have a partner, because let me tell you I would keep him busy!!