T.K. Ambers - Romantic Suspense in a World of High Fashion

T.K. Ambers is the award-winning author of Runway Dreams A Pricey Affair. Her novel has been recognized in four different award competitions and took second place in the Pencraft Awards, Women's Fiction category. Aside from her novels, T.K. also runs the site www.starspiritadventures.com where she writes articles on travel and tips for young writers called "Writing My Masterpiece." She lives in New Richmond, Wisconsin, with her husband and two cats, Bellatrix and Kit. She would spend her perfect day lakeside, where she would swim, play games, and then wind down with a bonfire, s'mores, and stories told by family and friends. She lives by the belief that life is short and every day is its own adventure and should be treated as such. As our Author of the Day, she tells us all about her book, Runway Dreams:A Pricey Affair.

Please give us a short introduction to what Runway Dreams A Pricey Affair is about.

Runway Dreams: A Pricey Affair is the story of a successful model who, in her search for love, stumbles into a life-altering situation that could be the downfall of her entire family.

What inspired you to write this story? Was there anything in particular that made you want to tackle this?

I created a background story for a woman I saw in a Mustang and, for whatever reason, the story grew from there. I lost my job and decided there was no better time to pursue a dream. I sent the manuscript to three publishers and one of them accepted it. Luck was on my side.

Family dynamics play an important role in this story. Why did you take this approach?

I have a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies. I’ve always found family dynamics interesting. It was only natural for me to incorporate this into my work. I wanted my readers to feel the connection between Bernie and her siblings. I also wanted them to see how blinding a situation can be, depending on which side of it you’re on.

Have you always wanted to be an author? Tell us more about your writing journey.

I’ve always been a writer for as long as I could pick up a pencil. I started out writing poems, then short stories. My middle school English teacher pushed me to publish, but it wasn’t until I hit my thirties that I thought it was something I could achieve. It seemed like a fantasy, and I was stuck in the tangible world.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

Oh, boy. I can roll my tongue into a clover shape. Apparently, it’s a genetic thing. I’ve also got mad kitchen skills. I love to cook, but often veer from my recipe.

Your book also includes some comedy. Why?

The comedy has much to do with the silliness of sibling relationships. I have a sister, and a cousin who is much like a sister. We have a good time, and when we’re together, everything is silly. As a matter-of-fact, I was with my sister and cousin yesterday and we were laughing so hard the surrounding people wanted to know what was so funny. My cousin’s response was, “I hear laughter is medicine, so I’m taking my medicine.” I wish that for everyone. Laugh so hard people wonder what’s so funny. They may not understand, but the beauty of it is, they don’t need to.

Tell us more about Bernadette Price. What makes her tick?

Bernadette is pure of heart. She’s a bit OCD. She’s classy and prides herself on looking good and acting like the lady she is. Bernadette doesn’t know danger or anything beyond her perfect world, but she wants love and a family of her own. By the end of the story, her eyes are open and she realizes there is much more to life than what she once knew.

Did you plot out your entire story before you started writing, or did some of it just "happen" along the way?

I spaced my chapters to have specific things happen in them, but a good deal happened along the way. I always know the general idea of what I want, but I’ll be driving down the road or waking from a dream and an idea will pop into my head and I just know I have to add it to my story.

When starting on a new book, what is the first thing you do?

I scribble down ideas on paper to see where my mind goes. Then I narrow things down and create a rough outline. I will add further details from there. Mind you, this isn’t how it always works. Sometimes, as with Runway Dreams, I see something and the story writes itself in my head.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on three things as of now. I’m cleaning up book 2 and 3 of the Runway Dreams series, and I’m trying to finish edits on a contemporary novel called Corporate Escapades, which will come out in Spring. My next project will probably be a fantasy novel, as I’ve always wanted to write YA Fantasy.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

Readers can find me on my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HappilyWriting or at https://www.starspiritadventures.com.

They can also visit my Amazon page at https://amazon.com/~/e/B07B9GWZF7.