Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Sandra!! Will you tell us a little about yourself?
Thank you for having me, Melanie. What a great place to be this morning! 😊
Well, I’m a wife and mother, Christ-follower and life-struggler (like everyone else). Hubby and I are empty nesters with a daughter two hours away. Road trip! I like reading (of course), gardening when I can, the NFL, NASCAR (like any good Southerner), antiques, and eating out.
What is your novella, A Love Most Worthy, about?
A Love Most Worthy is mail-order bride novella set in 1900 Nome, Alaska during the gold rush. She wants a family. He only wants someone responsible enough to raise his orphaned nephews. The story really comes down to two people struggling to know they are worthy of being loved by others. Here’s the blurb:
She didn’t know which was colder,
an Arctic winter or her new husband’s heart.
Hallie Russell believes life should be lived to the fullest. For that reason, she sails to the gold rush town of Nome, Alaska to take her cousin’s place as the mail-order bride of a respected shopkeeper. But when her aloof husband’s wedding-night announcement rocks her plans for their marriage, Hallie sees her desire for a family to call her own vanish as quickly as the dreams of hopeful miners.
Tragedy led Rance Preston to repent of his rowdy ways and open a general store for the miners in Nome. He’s content in his bachelorhood, but his two orphaned nephews deserve a proper and serious-minded mother. Duped once by a vivacious female, he’s determined to never again let his heart overrule his head…until the high spirits of his new bride threaten his resolve.
When a misunderstanding comes to light, will they allow the gale force winds of insecurity to destroy what they each need most?
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I wanted to be a cartoonist first. That was in third grade. Then a friend said she wanted to be a novelist, and lights flashed. Although I had considered it over the years, I was almost thirty before I began writing. I spent the next twenty years writing and selling small projects. I’ve been writing novels and novellas for the past ten years.
What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Hmm… That’s a tough one when you add the word “interesting.” I’m one of those writers who can’t turn off the inner editor. As long as the words flow, I can keep writing. As soon as I pause, I have to go back and reread what I just wrote, which leads to editing, which leads to being a s-l-o-w writer.
Where do you like to write?
As soon as my daughter moved out, I took over her bedroom and made it into my office. On occasion, when no one is around, I’ll carry my laptop into another part of the house or outside on a good day, but usually, I’m holed up in my office where there are no distractions.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When I’m not writing (or cooking/cleaning), I’m couch-coaching my Carolina Panthers on to victory (or not), watching those NASCAR drivers speed around the track, or at night, watching a series on Netflix with my husband. I read for about an hour before bedtime every night. I like to garden, but I don’t get much time to do that anymore.
What are your favorite and least favorite genres to read and why?
My go-to reading genres are historical (19th/early 20th centuries preferred) and anything with mystery/suspense. Of course, I write historical but like to add some bit of mystery/adventure to most of my stories. I don’t read, or rarely read, Amish or women’s fiction.
Is there a place you'd like to visit, but haven’t yet?
Australia. I wrote a novella set in Sydney. After all the research, I’ve had a desire to see it in person. I cringe over the idea of the flight, though.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
I have several favorites. My all-time favorite is Isaiah 55:8-9. Those verses remind me of who God is, and who I am not. Jeremiah 29:11 is an encouraging favorite. I’ve also found Colossians to be an inspiring book and, especially, verse 17 of chapter one: “He [Jesus] is before all things and in Him all things hold together.” Simple, but… Wow.
Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?
I have lots of favorite songs but not one that really stands out over another. I’m a big country music listener though. Favorite movie? One of my lifetime favorites is The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. I’ve watched the Pride and Prejudice movie with Keira Knightley over and over. I’m picky about the contemporary movies I watch. I can’t handle the language in many of them.
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas! My mom loved Christmas, so she always made it a big deal and a good time. We had a dachshund that enjoyed it as much as the rest of us. She would guard her gifts and never tear them open until given permission on Christmas day.
What is your favorite season and why is it your fav?
Spring is my favorite. Everything is green and the plants are waking up and flowering. The gardens aren’t overgrown. It’s when I spend the most time working outside.
Some this-or-that questions:
Snowstorms or Thunderstorms?
Snowstorms. Where I live, we generally get one good snowstorm a year, about 4-6 inches. Having been raised in northwest Indiana, I like the snow, but now I don’t have to spend the whole winter with it.
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate, absolutely.
Tea or Coffee?
Coffee in the mornings is a must, but I do like tea on cold, winter afternoons.
Call or Text?
Um…I’m a dinosaur. I don’t have texting, and I dread talking on the telephone. May I choose email?
Cats or Dogs?
That’s a tough one. I like cats, but I choose dogs, medium to large in size.
Early-bird or Night-owl?
Neither. 😊 I get up early and get to work early, but I refer to myself as a 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. person. Those are my best hours. Sad, isn’t it?
Introvert or Extrovert?
Introvert all the way. I have my extroverted moments, but they’re usually digital (like now).
Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook. I don’t post much, but read and respond to others’ posts. I like Twitter for sharing friends’ posts.
Mystery or Romance?
Ooh…both. I’ll read romance without mystery, but I prefer mystery/suspense with my romance.
Sneakers or Sandals?
I wear both. In the past few years, it’s been sandals, mostly, in warm weather. In cold weather, I keep my toes as warm as possible.
Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint?
At the moment, I’m writing a historical romance Christmas novella I’m hoping will be a prequel to a new series of three novels. The novels are in the brainstorming stage.
Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web?
Thanks so much for letting me visit, Melanie.
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