Toot's Book Reviews: Break Free by Amber Garza : Spotlight, Excerpt, Teasers, Author Interview & Giveaway

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Book Blurb & Info

Break Free

By Amber Garza

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: April 18th, 2014

Jade Mathews is on the run. Running from an addiction that almost destroyed her, and a man who wants her dead.

Kyler James is a writer, a recluse locked in a prison of his own making.

When Jade and Kyler meet they find solace in one another and start to heal. Until Jade stumbles upon Kyler’s latest manuscript and is shocked to find that it is her story. One he couldn’t know. Jade fears she’s trusted the wrong person once again, and this time it may be her undoing.

Is the past destined to destroy them, or will they finally break free?

Buy Links

Goodreads / Kindle

Excerpt

Kyler’s eyes softened around the edges. “Jade, your scars only make you more beautiful.”

“Oh, please.” I snorted. “This is not a scene from one of your books.” I pushed away from the counter and turned my back on Kyler. “My scars don’t make me beautiful. They make me hideous.”

“Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that again.” His voice was firm.

I grabbed at the fabric of my pants, rolling it between my fingers. I understood now. Kyler was no different from the others. Sure, his intentions may have been nobler, but he wanted what they all wanted. To control me. To make me obey.

I was steel. I was brick. I was iron. I wouldn’t crumble. “Or you’ll what?” My tone was low and deep, icy. “What will you do if I say it again?”

“I’ll convince you that you’re wrong.”

“And how will you do that?” He’ll hit me, kick me, punch me, burn me, cut me, starve me.

“I’ll tell you that you’re beautiful again and again.”

The words crashed into me like a powerful wave. “What?”

“I’ll say it over and over, as many times as you need, until you believe me.”

I was glass. I was ice. I was fragile. I was breaking. I was his.

Teasers

Interview

Hi Amber,

Thank you so much for sitting down with Toot's for an interview. If you don't mind, I have some questions for you about your new book, Break Free and your process for our budding authors as well as fans.

So first off, Break Free Questions.......

In your own words, what is Break Free about?

Break Free is about a woman learning to love herself and finding freedom.

How did you come up with the title of the book and can you tell us its significance?

I wanted a title that signified Jade’s journey of breaking free from her past and the things in her life that kept her bound.

Is Break Free a standalone book or will it be part of a series?

It’s a standalone.

What genre would you say Break Free is and what sets your book apart for fans of the genre?

Break Free is romantic suspense. I think what sets it apart is the characters, especially Kyler. He’s not your typical hero. He’s kindhearted and gentle. He’s intellectual and quiet. Yet he’s heroic in his own way.

What was your favorite scene to write for either your hero or heroine in Break Free?

I loved the scene in the kitchen when Kyler first touches Jade’s neck. It was so fun to write.

What was the hardest scene to write?

The ones in which Jade was being abused. I tried to be as sensitive as I could in those scenes and not be overly graphic, but I felt that I needed them to be real and gritty too.

What's your favorite line or quote from this book?

I was glass. I was ice. I was fragile. I was breaking. I was his.was ice. I was fragile. I was breaking. I was his.

Writing.......

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated and what made you decide to pursue it as a career?

I have always been an avid reader. I think I started wanting to be a professional writer when I was in second grade. I used to write stories all the time. But I started seriously pursuing a career in writing about 10 years ago.

What inspires you to put the pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard?

My love of writing and my need to spend time with my characters. I’m addicted to it, to be honest.

What are some of the elements in/of your writing process?

I don’t know if I have a process. My characters talk to me constantly so I write whenever I can. Usually I have music playing in the background super loudly.

Are you a Plotter or a Panster?

Pantser

Have you released anything under a different pen name, and if so, is there any difference between them?

No

What's next for you?

I’m working on BREAK THROUGH. It’s similar in tone to BREAK FREE and takes place in the same town, but it’s not connected at all.

Is there anything you’d like to add or say to your fans?

Just thank you. Thank you for reading my books! It means the world to me.

Personal questions......

Now I know this is like asking you to choose between your own children, but out of all your amazing characters, who is your favorite and why?

Kyler from BREAK FREE. I think I fell in love with him the minute he walked into the barn and looked at Jade head-on, ignoring her scars. I felt connected with him like I never have with any guy I’ve written.

Are there any of your stories or characters that hold a special place in your heart?

Well, I already mentioned Kyler. I think second to him I would say Colt from WINNING ME OVER. And also Amy from ENGRAVED, because her backstory mirrored my own.

If the book had to have a theme song, what would it be?

That’s a hard one because I think there are so many. I guess I’d pick two – Dust to Dust by the Civil Wars and Flawless by the Neighbourhood

Lastly, let's steal an idea from the magazines.....What 5 things do fans not know about you and 5 they don't know about the book?

Don’t know about me:

I am a professional singer
I’m addicted to candy
My favorite TV show is Nashville
I have a huge crush on Jesse Rutherford from the Neighbourhood
My favorite author is Alice Hoffman

Don’t know about the book:

Jade’s addiction is one I struggled with for years
I got the name Kyler from one of my son’s friends
I didn’t plan for Kyler to have a dog – it just happened
I wrote the book in just 3 weeks
I had no idea what Kyler would look like until I got the cover from Regina

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for taking time to answer some questions. Congratulations on the new book and I can't wait for everyone to read it!

Author Info