An Interview with Michelle Sutton, author of First Impressions

#1 - With your novel, "First Impressions," was there a real Jimmy in your background?

Actually I have a picture of him if you are interested I could scan it in. Yes, he was 17 and boy was he hot, like a blond John Stamos. I was 13 and not fat or buck-teethed, but I did wear glasses. He actually liked me and kissed me one time that summer. It was in the back yard between the rows of corn my dad was growing in the garden. One of my sisters snuck up behind us and saw him kiss me. His face turned beet read, poor guy. But, yeah, it was summer romance to remember for sure. In those days a kiss was a big deal, if you know what I mean?

STEPH: Awww... I should have gotten back to you sooner; I would have liked to have seen the picture.

#2 - Were you Sammie? Did you know a Sammie growing up?

In this story I became Sammie. I always wanted larger breasts and thinner legs so she got them for me. I did have eye surgery and braces like she did, though. Plus, I know a ton of people in the military since I live near Fort Huachuca so research was easy as pie!

#3 - Jimmy's faith is so important to him. How did you come to write "edgy" inspirational romance?

This was the first book I ever wrote. I had no idea there were "rules" back in 2003 when I wrote my first draft. A-hem, can you see why Steeple Hill rejected it? . Anyway, I thought it would be fun to write a story about a good Christian guy who started to forget his convictions the more time he spent with this hot girl he couldn't stay away from. And I wanted to show how one of the things that drew her to him was the very thing he blew off to be with her. His faith.


#4 - Did Jimmy and Sammie really wait for their wedding night?

In the story? Of course. :P In reality, I never saw him after that summer when I was thirteen so I couldn't tell you what would've happened if I had met him again and was single. I would hope I'd have done the right thing, but I've made my share of mistakes before. However, my husband of almost 20 years and I did wait for our wedding night to be intimate with each other. We'd both had prior experiences with the opposite sex prior to marriage and we wanted our wedding night to be special, so we behaved ourselves, though it was tough.

#5 - Did you secretly write the love scene between Sammie and Jimmy and aren't sharing?

Oh, I've had plenty of love scenes of my own in lifetime to share. And what romance writer's husband isn't thrilled to do research for her latest book. Tee hee. Happy men they definitely are...

STEPH: Thanks for popping in today and talking about your latest release. Smiles, Steph

The Reviews are in for First Impressions!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sammie Carpenter understands how a uniform influences behavior. Wearing her Army fatigues puts her in the mindset of a soldier and donning her Class-A Uniform always helps her shift into Captain Mode. So what harm could come from her dressing like a saloon girl and strutting through the streets of Tombstone? She didn't know how to flirt to save her life, and she wasn't getting any younger.

When she met the lonesome stud cowboy, Jimmy, she knew he was the one. So why was their communication always so awkward? Couldn't he see that she was interested in him? No matter how hard she tried to win him over, she couldn't seem to get him to see past his first impression of her. But Sammie didn't give up easily. Somehow she would make him see that they were meant to be together, but how can she do that when all of her plans keep falling apart?


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THE REVIEWS:

From LEE SMITH, BUTTERFLY WINGS:
"I think this is an excellent example of realistic romance today... Christian romance doesn't need to be limited to a peck on the cheek. This is the kind of book that would be wonderful to share with a non-believing friend - or someone who thinks Christian romance is boring."
See the full review at: http://leesmithwriting.blogspot.com/2010/01/first-impressions.html

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From: SEQUENCE OF CONTINUOUS EVENTS BLOG
5 STARS
""Michelle is one of those authors that really touches you because she understands the importance of being real. Yes, the book is fiction and fun to read, but it deals with real issues that are usually not addressed in such a straight-forward, understandable way."
See the full review at: http://continuousdelights.blogspot.com/2009/12/first-impressions-by-michelle-sutton-55.html

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From: TARA'S VIEWS ON BOOKS
"First Impressions is not the first book I have read by Michelle Sutton and I sure hope it won't be my last! I thoroughly enjoy Michelle's writing. Michelle writes stories that are closer to reality than a lot of Christian fiction. The edginess of the story makes it believable."
See the full review at: http://tarasviewonbooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/first-impressions-by-michelle-sutton.html

You can buy Michelle's book at the Desert Breeze Website Page, All Romance Books, and on Amazon.

Author Interview with Michelle Sutton

Today, I'm hosting Desert Breeze author, Michelle Sutton here on the blog. She's here to talk to us about her writing and her latest release, "First Impressions."

Welcome Michelle!

Let's get to the questions:

How did you get the inspiration for "First Impressions?" Did you have to research the Army and it's ranks for Sammie's character?


I have a lot of friends in the Army because I live near Fort Huachuca, which is the largest military intelligence training base for the Army in the US. Most of my friends are officers who are in Intelligence, but some are with Signal and some other Marines, Air Force, etc. I also live not far from Tombstone (my son goes to high school there) and we visit there often. I thought it would be fun to write about the life of a couple who pose as characters from the wild west while on their off time.


Steph: Very cool. I was stationed at Ft. Irwin near Barstow, CA in the mid 1990's. I never had a chance to visit Ft. Huachuca though.


Do you cast your characters? If so, who is Sammie? Jimmy?

Yes, if this were to be made into a film I'd have Jessica Simpson portray Sammie as she looks like her with her enhanced breasts and pretty brown eyes. The guy who would play Jimmy would be Chace Crawford.

STEPH: I'm such a sucker for Chace Crawford. Sigh... Nice visuals. It helps me to picture the characters.

Do you have a book trailer you can share?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5qq1n0LfKI

I don't know too much about the plot of "First Impressions." What can you tell me ?

Sammie meets Jimmy her first day portraying a saloon girl as a Tombstone actress. Sammie and Jimmy both dress up and stroll around town on their days off (for fun) and enjoy flirting each other within their western roles, though they are both a bit shy and inexperienced, though neither believes that about the other (given the roles they play). Sammie and Jimmy knew each other way back as young teens, but they both looked very different, Sammie was twiggy thin with no shape, had buck teeth and glasses and Jimmy was overweight and short (late bloomer) so neither looked much like they did when they were younger. Plus back then she went by Sam and he went by James, and they never each others last names as they were summer sweethearts for a very short time and on vacation. Sammie figured out who Jimmy was early on, but like a typical guy, he is very slow to catch on and it was making her crazy. Jimmy had always been a wholesome guy who would do the right thing in any situation. But his attraction to Sammie is out of control. She doesn't share his faith, which starts slipping the more time they spend together. The big issue between them is that she doesn't tell him that her real job is as active duty Captain. He thinks she is a contract employee on Fort Huachuca. He does not want to fall for someone in the military because his parents were divorced over his father's many absences growing up, etc. The romantic tension between these two characters is impressive!

STEPH: I like the conflict between the characters. I'm really looking forward to reading this!


Do you have an ebook reader? Which one? Do you have a tip for using it?
I have an ebook reader on my cell phone. It's a Palm Treo and I have docs to go which reads PDF files.

STEPH: PDF files are great, but depending on the ebook reader, hard to read. Glad you found one that works!

What was the last movie you saw in a movie theatre?

A Christmas Carol. I didn't like the 3D version. It was kinda creepy.

Who are your favorite authors?

I have a ton. If I had to pick a favorite book of all time I'd pick Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.

I see that you live in Arizona. Tell me something about Arizona which you love about it.

Sunsets, skies, lack of snow and mostly sunny weather. Warmer in winter. Wildlife and desert plants. Beautiful mountains where you can see for a very long way. There is a lot to love about the state I live in.


STEPH: Thanks so much for doing this interview, Michelle and good luck with your latest release!

Featured Jan 2010 Release - First Impressions (Book 1, Tombstone Treasures series)

THE BLURB:
Sammie Carpenter understands how a uniform influences behavior. Wearing her Army fatigues puts her in the mindset of a soldier and donning her Class-A Uniform always helps her shift into Captain Mode. So what harm could come from her dressing like a saloon girl and strutting through the streets of Tombstone? She didn't know how to flirt to save her life, and she wasn't getting any younger.

When she met the lonesome stud cowboy, Jimmy, she knew he was the one. So why was their communication always so awkward? Couldn't he see that she was interested in him? No matter how hard she tried to win him over, she couldn't seem to get him to see past his first impression of her. But Sammie didn't give up easily. Somehow she would make him see that they were meant to be together, but how can she do that when all of her plans keep falling apart?


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EXCERPT:

She headed in the direction of the Birdcage Theater, her pace now a bit slower as she glanced around. Maybe she was looking for someone. Or maybe she'd gotten turned around and was heading in the wrong direction.

She tapped her lower lip, and after a few seconds started walking at a brisk pace, which caused her barely restrained chest to bounce. His thoughts strayed to places they shouldn't, so he forced himself to get better control of his mind. And just in case some drool had seeped out, he wiped his mouth.

Even after some firm self-talk, did he stop? No. To his shame, he kept staring. The habit went beyond mere attraction. He could not get enough of her.

Something about her fascinated him. Something beyond her beautiful hair and delicate face. Something beyond the alluring figure she attempted to hide as she tugged on her corset.

He never understood how some men found ultra-skinny women appealing. As he continued to study her he realized that she looked a bit shy when she smiled at people who passed by. She also appeared more than a little bit nervous. Maybe that was what had intrigued him. Maybe his first impression of her had been wrong.

Her demeanor made him think of a librarian, not a saloon girl. Her extreme attempt at modesty made her that much more attractive to him. So why did she dress like that?

A chuckle escaped him as she adjusted her top again. She didn't have the part of a brazen woman figured out and even wore her boa wrong, as if trying to cover herself.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle Sutton, otherwise known as the Edgy Inspirational Author, is the former Editor-in-chief of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, a member of ACFW, a social worker by trade, and a prolific reader/book reviewer/blogger the rest of the time. She has eleven contracted novels, three of which are currently available.



She lives in Arizona with her husband of nineteen years and her two teenaged sons. Michelle is also the author of It's Not about Me (2008) and It's Not About Him (Sheaf House 2009).



Books by Michelle Sutton at Desert Breeze Publishing:
Danger At The Door - August 2009
In Plain Sight - April 2010

Tombstone Treasure Series:
First Impressions - January 2010
First Love - October 2010
First Response - June 2011

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Here's a link to Michelle's Book Trailer on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5qq1n0LfKI