You guys.
Amber Lynn Perry is here today!! She is just adorable and awesome, and I love chatting with her on the Facebooks.
A Pacific Northwest native, Amber Lynn Perry lives in Washington state with her husband and two daughters. She studied humanities at Portland State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree focused on art history. As a homeschooling mom, Amber spends much of her time teaching everything from Shakespeare to science.
When she isn’t crafting with her kids, making dinner or driving to dance classes, Amber is either reading or writing about her favorite time in American history. The Revolutionary era has captured her imagination from the time she was in middle school. Through her books, Amber hopes to not only give readers a glimpse into the past, but to instill in them a lasting love of liberty.
Connect with Amber on her website, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
Her latest release is So Rare a Gift, the third book in her Daughters of His Kingdom series. Look for my review later today!!
Escape is Anna Rone’s only option. Never again will she be trapped in a loveless marriage. A new life in America means safety—and discovering the truth behind her beloved brother’s death. But when she is nearly captured and forced to return to England, her vow to never marry for anything but love is forgotten when she must marry for protection. Perhaps the handsome man she accepts is truly as caring as he seems. If he is not, her future in America is darker than ever before.
Captain Henry Donaldson aided the colonists too many times. And now, the British army intends to make him pay with his life. Without his friends in Sandwich, he would be a dead man. He’s already changed his name, and when the kind, courageous woman he rescued offers to become his bride, he accepts despite the risks. His past taught him that women are not to be trusted and that love can cut deeper than the sword. Only time will reveal if this choice will bring the greatest pain he’s ever known
Yaaaaay!!! Amber, I’m so absolutely DELIGHTED to be chatting with you today! As you know, I start all of my guests out with a fast four:
Amber: Apples every time. Oranges are delicious but more messy and more work. (Yes, I’m that lazy.) That’s not to say apples are always super delish…but, yeah. You get me. 😉
Carrie: I totally get you. Oranges are too much work.
Amber: Winter, baby. I know I tend to be in the minority here, but I like the short days. Call me crazy. I love layering, too—shirt, sweater, big scarf, pants, thick socks, boots, hat, jacket—awww yeah! And if you get me in front of a big fire, snow falling outside, and put a book in my hand? I’m done. Best day ever.
Carrie: YES!!! Best. Day. Ever. I completely agree.
Amber: GAH! You ask really hard questions, Carrie. HAHA I like both. BUT…I am a cat kind of girl. It’s the purring. And the nudging with the head–and the meowing. The snuggling and the funny antics are also pretty fabulous. #understatement
Carrie: Ohhhh you should see the look Zuzu is giving me right now! She is not pleased by your answer, Amber 😉 I do have to admit though that I enjoy being entertained by the cats that live with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. (Are cats ‘owned’?)
Amber: Oh dear…I’m so boring here, but I’m going to have to say neither. I’m more of an almond flavored soymilk steamer kind of girl. Say what you will, but it’s dang flippin’ good. 😉 LOL
Carrie: hahaha! I’m a ‘neither’ kind of girl too, though i’ve never tried this almond flavored soymilk steamer of which you speak…
Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Amber: Holy snap, I have no idea. Like, I literally can’t think of only one. But, if I can get real here for a minute, who wouldn’t want to have Superman’s powers? He can do everything, which means he can help people in any situation. That’s what I would want. Pretty much I want to be Superman…if Superman was a girl. So, I guess I want to be Supergirl. 😉
Carrie: have I mentioned how adorably awesome you are? Like, seriously.
Books are kind-of a big deal around here. Tell me some good books you’ve read recently.
Amber: Oh my goodness, for historical romance I’m reading Michelle Griep right now and honestly, I am going nuts over her AMAZING talent!!!! I am literally reading super slow because her writing is so brilliant and gorgeous I am highlighting *all * the time. I’m binging on her stuff. For contemporary I LOVED Nicole Deese’s newest release, The Promise of Rayne. Incredibly powerful and moving story—her writing is pure heaven. I’m also loving my research book Revolutionary Mothers, about women in the war. SO good!! But, I geek out over that stuff, of course.
Carrie: I loved Michelle Griep’s newest – The Captive Heart! And of course I loved Nicole’s The Promise of Rayne too. Such fantastically well-done books. And I’m pretty much geeking out over that Revolutionary Mothers book now too!
If I snuck a peek in your purse right now (which I would never do, I promise!), what would it tell me about you?
Amber: That my kids hand me all their trash when there is no trash can around, and I have way too many lipglosses. Also, I am never without candy or gum for emergencies.
Carrie: I promised my nieces and nephews when they were born that “I will always have gum” – like Monica did with Ross’ son in Friends. So far none of them have ever asked me for a piece but when they do… I WILL BE READY!! lol
You are your own cover model, which I think is just super cool. Tell us what a typical cover shoot is like!
Amber: It’s soooooo fun! (But, I am a kid at heart—I love dressing up!) I usually try to have one or two friends come along because I am always needing an extra pair of eyes to make sure my hair/hat/stockings/costume, looks perfect. My photographer is fabulous and does a great job of getting just the right shot at just the right angle. I’ve done four shoots so far and each one has been unique and super fun in its own way. SO RARE A GIFT’s shoot was done in freezing February weather. I thought my fingers were going to fall off they were so cold! HAHA If I could do this for all my future books, I would. But I think I’ll just stick with doing it for my Daughters of His Kingdom series. For now…
Carrie: I think it adds such a special touch to the covers! Which are gorgeous, by the way. As are you!
In So Rare A Gift, you combine two of my very favorite things to read about – Revolutionary-era America and a marriage of convenience. How (if at all) did Henry and/or Anna surprise you as you crafted their story?
Amber: Isn’t marriage of convenience the best?! HAHA Well, I’m not sure if they surprised me too much, but what I really loved about them was how real and trusting they were—especially considering their circumstances. In both of their pasts there were difficult, painful things that could have made them bitter or turn away, but they did their best to move past that, even though it was hard, and it made things so much better for them. That’s something that is good for all of us to remember, I think.
Carrie: I don’t think I’d like to be IN a marriage of convenience but I sure do love reading about them! And Henry & Anna are so … GAH! I love them. I love them together and I love them as individuals.
What do you most want readers to take away from So Rare A Gift?
Amber: Well, first of all, I just really hope they enjoy the story—that they can be swept into the era and not only feel the energy of that tumultuous time, but that they can see, hear, touch, taste and smell the richness and beauty of the characters’ lives in colonial Cape Cod. I hope readers can see that we are living in a time not much different than 1775—so much at risk, so much we must have courage to stand up for. As Henry says, “We must live truth. Fearlessly.” I hope readers can feel empowered in their daily fight. That even though it may be hard, they can have the courage to live truth without fear, knowing God will always be with us.
Carrie: I love that quote because it’s so timely in our world today. We need more people who have the courage to live truth without fear and with love. Yes.
Amber, my sweet friend, thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.
Amber: Thank you SO MUCH for having me, I am truly honored to be here—you know I LOVE your blog!!! As for what’s coming up, the cover for SO PURE A HEART is getting ready to be revealed and I am simply gaga over it! Cannot wait to do the reveal! The book should release late spring/early summer of 2017. Depends on how fast I can finish all the last minute details. 😉 Thank you again so much, Carrie!! <3
UPDATE: Since Amber sent me her answers, the cover for So Pure a Heart has been released into the world and it’s gorgeous!! Check it out:
Amber Lynn Perry is giving away a complete (so far) ecopy set of the Daughters of His Kingdom series to one of my readers. These are files that can be sent to and read on an ereader. Books in the giveaway are So Fair A Lady, So True a Love, and So Rare a Gift.
Giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies. Void where prohibited by law.
What about you? Would you want to be a cover model for your fave fiction if given the chance?
I don’t think I would make a very lovely cover model for a romance book, or any other book genre’ except maybe horror or scifi. LOL
oh Debbie!!! LOL! I feel the same way about myself, but you know … God calls you beautiful!
Thanks so much for sharing this lovely interview and giveaway, ladies! I think it would be fun to dress up and model for historical fiction. The hair and costumes are gorgeous!
i think so too!
How did I not know Amber was her own cover model? They are so beautiful! I listened to the first two books on audible (LOVED THEM) and got So Rare A Gift a couple of weeks ago. It’s still waiting for me to read it.
I would make a lousy cover model for anything. Maybe an old lady blob, with a cane or two. Genre would be Medical Mysteries 😀 Sorry, cracked myself up.
I can’t wait for the new book!
oh pfft!! LOL I’ll tell you what I told Debbie. God calls you beautiful, my sweet friend <3
Hi Andrea!!! How are you?! I’m so glad you stopped by to say hi. Isn’t Carrie *THE BEST*?! 😉 I’m thrilled you enjoy the first two in the series and I have my fingers crossed that you’ll like SRAG, too!! Love and blessings to you for a Merry Christmas!!
I would not be a good cover model.
haha!
Awesome giveaway! I think I prefer to stay behind the scenes rather than on the cover!!
i think i would too lol
I am not a cover girl.
haha!
Yeah, I don’t think modeling is one of my gifts/talents. I’ll leave that to someone else. I like the cover though!
lol!
Amber’s covers are sooooo gorgeous!!
agreed!!!
I would be honored. In fact, I think I would get a little teary eyed. I don’t consider myself a pretty or beautiful person and therefore I dont think I’m that photogenic. But if someone thought that I could be a cover model I would soak it up!
and what a treasure that book would be always!
Carrie! Thank you so much for having me on!! I think it’s pretty clear I’m a HUGE fan of your blog (have been for a while!!!) and not-so-secretly jealous of your amazing superpower. 😉 Merry Christmas, and tons of hugs and fangirling smiles coming your way!! <3
Merry Christmas to you, my sweet friend!!! You are always super fun to talk to 😀
I adore Amber and her stories! She seriously is adorable. As for cover model – I would love to, but alas, I will never be. 😉 Amber’s answer for winter is exactly my thoughts! I love living in Michigan where we get a phenomenal winter and I get to enjoy my sweatshirts, boots, layers, warm drinks, blankets, fires, etc. And the beautiful white snow outside? YES. Lovely interview today!!
i am so jealous of your snow. I’m in KY where on Christmas Day it will be mid60s and rainy. I am NOT pleased. lol.
SUSAN!!!! What a treat to see you here!! Thank you for your kind words–I love knowing you enjoy my stories!! <3 And I also love having amazing reader/friends like you!! K, let's both have a little winter-fan moment here. 😉 I'm so glad I'm not the only one who loves it! OH YEAH! LOL I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, Susan!! <3
It is so cool that Amber is her own cover model. I would pass on being a cover model, I’ll leave that to people who are comfortable in front of the camera. This series sounds like a great series. Would really enjoy reading.
it IS a great series!! 🙂
Dianne!! Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for stopping by. I do hope you’ll enjoy the series, if you get a chance to read it. It’s sure been a joy to put together. <3
No, I don’t think so.
yeah i don’t think i would either lol
Ummm, no to the cover model. My sister has a fetish for taking pictures at EVERY family gathering. She has made us all photo haters! We all run when we see her coming. I’ll leave the cover modeling to Amber. She does such a beautiful job.
Thanks Carrie and Amber for the fun interview. You are both adorable and so much fun! Hugs!!
LOL Winnie! Your family sounds like such fun 😀 HUGS!
They really are, Carrie! It can get quite crazy at times. 😀
Delightfully so, it sounds like 🙂
WINNIE!!! How are you?! Thank you for commenting, you are so much fun and always make me smile!! What can I say–as for the modeling, I like to dress up! HAHA
I hope you have a really wonderful Christmas!! <3
Amber, your covers are so gorgeous, and I love that you model for them. So fun! I have a daughter that loves drama and dressing up. She told her teenagers if they forgot their homework, she bring it to school in her ABBA costume and give it to them in their class.LOL She would, too!
I’m doing quite well for an old grandma. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, too, and a great new year! Hugs!!
I wouldn’t want to be a cover model. I’d be too critical of myself. Funny how we’re more critical of ourselves than others. Maybe that’s just me. I’ve read the first book in this series and look forward to reading the others!
that’s true – we’re always our own worst critic, aren’t we?
If I were given the chance, I think it would be fun to be the cover model for my favorite fiction. I think that it’s so cool Amber Lynn Perry has been able to do that for her Daughters of His Kingdom series. Thanks for your AWESOME review of ‘So Rare a Gift’ and your interview with Amber. I love historical Christian fiction and this book sounds right up my alley. You totally swept me away into the intrigue of this book with your review! I can’t wait to read “So Rare a Gift’!
Hi Alison!!! Thank you for commenting, I love hearing from you! I do hope you will get a chance to read SRAG and that you’ll enjoy it! It was so much fun to write. And the covers…they really are a blast. I just never grew up, I guess–I love to dress up. HAHA
Merry Christmas!
when i was younger, doing a cover would have been fun, but i really don’t have ‘the look’ now. i would be more comfortable taking the pictures now 🙂
Haha! I don’t think I had the look even when I was younger lol 🙂
No I don’t think I would. But my daughter, who has beautiful long dark curls, would be perfect for a cover.
Oh she sounds lovely!!
No I would not like to be on a cover… lol I am a picture taker not the one in the picture 🙂
LOL!!
I would totally jump on the chance to be a cover model. #wheredoisignup 🙂
haha! yay!! 😀
How fun that Amber is her own cover model! This series is on my Want to Read list – hits a lot of buttons for me with the early American setting & a PNW author 😀
I think I’m more suited for the back cover 😉
hahaha Yvette!! You are beautiful! and you would make a wonderful cover model 🙂
Oh, thank you, you are so sweet! Maybe for a later in life love story – as my 94 year old grandmother keeps telling me, love can be found after 50…and she speaks from experience.
awww i love that!
Well, you know how a lot of the contemporary titles show just a part of the model? Like maybe their right side, sitting on a hay bale — or something like that. Photoshop and pretty lights… I could do that. Full profile, close up? Noooo thank you.
Haha!!
Looks like a good. Book,Thanks for a chance to win
Merry Christmas, Martha!
Although I don’t think I would make a very good cover model because I’m a little camera shy and feel like I never know how to stand or pose for a picture, it would be a once in lifetime kind of chance and that would make it kind of neat to get to do. I’d have to have people to tell me what to do and it would make it easier if there was at least one other person on the cover, too. 🙂
I think it would be neat to at least try once – like you say, a once in a lifetime chance
No I hate pictures of myself
Awww ?
What a fun interview! Now I have to go out and look for this series!!
I actually prefer book covers without people on them (though these covers are quite beautiful) so I wouldn’t want to be on the covers unless I’m dressed as a tree or a house or something ?
Hahahahaha!!!!
“Holy Snap…” Bahahaha! Love it. Those covers are gorgeous! And wowza! You write and do cover modeling!!! Some people can do it all. 😉 🙂
Right?!? Lol
With a good photographer and high techy computer editing, I’m game for a photo shoot 😀
You would make a beautiful cover model!
Sure! I would enjoy having an air brushed photo… 😉
Haha! Me too 😀
I love the covers of Ambers books , there is no way I would ever want to be on a cover,pictures are not my thing !
Haha! They aren’t my thing either 😉
That’s funny! The answer is a resounding NO.
LOL!
Those covers are gorgeous! I would love to dress in period costumes and be a cover model for a historical novel. I love the looks of those dresses, although I’m sure they are not very comfy!
especially not the stays!!