Author Interview: Christine Amsden
Describe the Cassie Scot series in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
Cassie proves you don’t need magic to be a hero.
Do you have any odd (writing) habits? Or a funny writing-related story to share?
Lately I’ve taken to writing 500-1,000 words at a time and then taking a break to watch old sitcoms like Bewitched. (Wow! I forgot how sexist that show was.)
What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The best compliments I receive are always about my characters. I consider myself a character girl, and the majority of comments about my books reflect back to me that I’ve done what I set out to do – create well-written characters who pop off the page.
The toughest criticism is a challenging concept. Most of the criticism I receive comes from critique groups or editors – and I want them to tell me how I can make my books better! Some of these comments sting at first, but once I work through the problem and improve as a writer they fade into part of my writing education.
Toughest review criticism, though – I’ll have to go with the time someone compared the Cassie Scot series to Twilight. Strangely enough, I think she meant it as a compliment but seriously … no sparkly vampires!
Tell us what you enjoy most about writing in the paranormal genre.
I love magic and always have. It’s fun and exciting. I set my fantasy in contemporary times because I find it more relevant. As fun as it is, I usually have some themes you can go digging for if you have a mind to. In the Cassie Scot series, for instance, there’s the idea that you don’t need magic to be a hero (which I mentioned), but also family, forgiveness, self-discovery, the meaning of love, etc.
Share some advice for aspiring authors.
Being an author is a one-man (or woman) small business in which you are the CEO, accountant, PR department, sales team, and when you have time, research and development. If you want to be an author, make sure you understand all that going in. If you just want to write, on the other hand, have fun!
Title: Mind Games (Cassie Scot Book 3)
Author: Christine Amsden
Blurb: Beware your heart and soul… Evan broke Cassie’s heart two months ago, and she still doesn’t know why. She throws herself into family, friends and her new job at the sheriff’s department, but nothing helps. The only thing that finally allows her heal and move on is the love of a new man, mind mage Matthew Blair. Cassie finds him…irresistible. Matthew may also be the only one who can help keep the non-magical residents of Eagle Rock from going crazy over the murder of a beloved pastor’s wife. It looks like a sorcerer is to blame, but while Cassie tries to figure out who, others take matters into their own hands. With tensions running so hot, a single spark might set Eagle Rock ablaze. 
Buy Links Amazon Barnes and Noble Print release June 15.
First Chapter: http://christineamsden.com/ (Warning: Contains series spoilers. New readers to the series would be better off checking out the preview of book one below.)
Other titles in this series:
Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective
Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.
First Chapter: http://christineamsden.com/
Buy Links for Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detecitve
Amazon Barnes and Noble Audible (audiobook)
Secrets and Lies (Cassie Scot Book 2)
Cassie Scot, still stinging from her parents’ betrayal, wants out of the magical world. But it isn’t letting her go. Her family is falling apart and despite everything, it looks like she may be the only one who can save them. To complicate matters, Cassie owes Evan her life, making it difficult for her to deny him anything he really wants. And he wants her. Sparks fly when they team up to find two girls missing from summer camp, but long-buried secrets may ruin their hopes for happiness.
Buy Links for Secrets and Lies (Cassie Scot Book 2)
Amazon Barnes and Noble Audible (Audiobook)
About the Author
Rafflecopter Giveaway ($100 Amazon Gift Card) Code
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*The giveaway begins on April 15, 2014 at midnight and ends on July 16, 2014 at midnight.
I enjoyed the first book and am looking forward to reading the second!
I kinda want to be able to read minds because I am ridiculously bad at reading facial expressions and such. But it would be such an invasion of privacy! Plus I couldn’t handle it if people were thinking mean things about me. I would only want to read minds if I could turn it on and off when I wanted. Thanks for the epic giveaway! 😀
Thanks for introducing me to a new author! 🙂 I appreciated her answer about criticism/compliments, and I love that she watches old sitcoms in between writing. 🙂
I think the ability to read someone’s mind seems like it’d be amazing, but in reality might kinda suck. So I’m gonna go with ‘no’. 😉
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Return to Newport ~ A.L. Parks**
I rather not know what people are thinking unless they want me too!
I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE MIND OF ONE PERSON I KNOW SO YES. THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! calicolady60@hotmail.com
Enjoyed the first two books! Can’t wait to read this one!!
Alison Flores recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #10 ~ Ugly Love
Same here 🙂 I should be starting the 3rd book soon. My review is later on this tour.
Thanks so much for the interview!