Countdown to Blind Trust Release – Recipe & Giveaway

Posted on: May 19, 2014May 19, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

It’s a holiday here in Canada, but…with the release of book 2 in my Port Aster Secrets series mere weeks away, I figured it was time to whet your appetite.

Whoops, wrong picture. I’ll get to that one in a minute!

Here we go.

Here’s what Booklist had to say about Blind Trust in their May 15th issue:

“The second of Christian romantic-suspense author Orchard’s Port Aster Secrets novels, Blind Trust finds Kate Adams still reeling from her friend’s murder as she attempts to get her life back in order. However, what begins as a seemingly small-time counterfeit operation soon spirals into something much bigger, with Kate at the center. Detective Tom Parker has his eye on Kate, and not because she’s a suspect. His feelings for her continue to grow, as does his desire to protect her, but Kate’s determination to get to the truth on her own means that Tom is often getting her out of trouble, rather than keeping her from it. When the action shifts from mere counterfeiting to poisoning, theft, and decades-old secrets, Kate insists on researching her way to the facts. Orchard infuses romance with suspense and keeps the excitement coming page after page. Readers will love the ever-deepening mystery as Kate extends her investigation and finds herself and her long-dead father tangled up in an international corporate conspiracy. Will Kate be able to clear her father’s name, and stay safe?”

Intrigued?

Today, I’m hanging out at Jennifer Shirk’s blog sharing some tidbits about the book and some fun stuff about me–because she asked. 😉 And giving away a copy of Blind Trust to one randomly chosen commenter (ends Sunday). So hop on over, but…

before you go, I’d like to share the recipe for the yummy Mother’s Day breakfast my daughter made me.

French Toast with Spiced Pears

What you’ll need:

1/4 cup liquid honey
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp each ground ginger & cinnamon
1 pear, cored and thinly sliced
2 eggs
1/4 cup mild
4 slices whole wheat breat
1/4 cup toasted, sliced almonds

Here’s what you do:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Stir 3 tbsp honey with lemon juice and 1/4 tsp each of cinnamon and ginger. Spread evenly in a greased 8 inch square baking dish. Arrange the pears over top
Beat the eggs with milk and remaining honey, cinnamon and ginger then soak each piece of bread in mixture and arrange over the pears. Pour any excess over the bread.
Bake for 20 mins or until golden. Cut into triangles and turn onto plates pear-side up. Sprinkle with almonds and drizzle with syrup from baking dish.
For an extra touch add yogurt or maple syrup
Enjoy! we did. 😀

Your Turn: What’s your favorite breakfast treat? Or the most unusual breakfast you’ve been served?

In addition to the giveaway on Jen’s blog, Goodreads members can enter to win a five-book giveaway here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/92614-blind-trust

Devotional with guest writer Alexa Verde

Posted on: May 12, 2014May 11, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

My characters and I have been in knock-down, hair-pulling tussles for days as I try to get the truth out of them about what their problems REALLY are, so…when one of my blog readers, Alexa Verde, emailed to ask if she might write a guest post for me, I was happy to say “Yes!” … One less thing for me to think about. 😉

I asked her to write a devotional, secretly hoping my own characters might learn something about playing nice. 🙄

Alexa tells me that she fell in love with writing at age eight when she penned her first poem. After publishing 200 short stories, poems, and articles in the five languages she speaks–yes, five!–she’s turned her creative passion to writing novels. She is currently participating in the Killer Voice program with Love Inspired Suspense, hoping to soon write for them, and she is also venturing into the world of self-publishing.

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10, NIV)

The parable of the Prodigal Son is my favorite in the Bible. The story of the Father forgiving his rebellious Son and celebrating his return with a feast gives us hope. It gives us the promise of endless mercy from our Heavenly Father when we reach out to him with humble hearts. But sometimes it’s difficult for us to ask for forgiveness, isn’t it? Years ago, I concentrated on my past mistakes instead of moving forward. Fortunately, my friend, a wonderful Christian woman, helped me to come to the Lord and repent.

By putting that woman in my path when I was a proverbial prodigal daughter, God guided me through my life journey. God guides writers through their writing journey as well if we listen to His message.

I’ve tried to write other books before my upcoming release that didn’t include faith elements, ignoring God’s calling, and it took me nowhere. So I needed to write a book where I could grow together with the heroine and become a better person.

While writing this book, I started growing emotionally and spiritually through my heroine’s journey. We both learned the lessons we saw in the Prodigal Son story but had never identified with before.

We have to find courage and humility to ask for forgiveness when we do something wrong. When we stray from the right path, we need to find our way home, our way to God. Even though our actions are far from perfect, God always loves us, and His love has no limit. That’s a beautiful thing about writing – you let your characters take risks and open themselves to hurt (something we avoid in real life), and in the end they just might teach you something.

Heartfelt thanks to Sandra for letting me share this on her wonderful blog.

Your Turn: Dear readers, what is your favorite story in the Bible? Have you ever dwelt on past mistakes instead of asking for forgiveness from God? How did you overcome it? I’ll be giving away an E-copy of my new release to one randomly selected commenter.

Sandra back again: Alexa, thanks so much for sharing. I’d have to say Ruth is my favorite book of the Bible for many, many reasons.

Alexa’s debut inspirational romantic suspense, COLOR OF DANGER, releases this Friday. It is the first in her Secrets of Rios Azules series—set in a fictional small Texas town where rivers and emotions run deep and the richest family in town has a taste for fine food, jewelry, and murder.

Here’s the Back Cover Blurb:

Former runaway Mari Del Lobo works hard to save her struggling restaurant and to trust people again. Dallas surgeon Dr. Luke Goodman turns her world upside down with terrifying news. A recent murder has her late brother’s – aka the Smiling Killer – signature and MO. When attacks on her escalate, Mari fights her growing attraction to the good doctor as fiercely as she fights for her life. To rescue herself and those she loves, will she be able to stop the murderer before he strikes again?

Luke couldn’t save his fiancée from the Smiling Killer, but he’ll do anything to prevent more murders, even ask help from the serial killer’s sister. Finding a kindred tortured soul and the perpetrator’s next target in Mari, Luke is determined to protect the stubborn ex-rebel. But Mari would rather face danger than risk the safety of the man she comes to love.

To connect with Alexa for news, recipes, giveaways, (self-pubbing tips) and more, please visit www.alexaverde.com.

Katy Lee’s Trip to Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation Luncheon

Posted on: May 5, 2014May 2, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

I’m delighted to have fellow Love Inspired Suspense author, Katy Lee, here today to share.

Hello, Sandra and Sandra’s readers! Thank you for inviting me to share about my trip to Milwaukee, where I attended Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation Luncheon to promote my latest book release, Grave Danger. Now, when I say reader appreciation, I really mean readers were appreciated! There were 440 readers in attendance, along with 60 authors who went out of their way to make every person’s day special. I would have to say every attendee experienced the day a little differently, depending on what author they spent their day with.

For example, the seven wonderful ladies who sat at my table were met with these very personal table favors I put together for them.

There was not one table that was the same, and the first speaker, Author Sharon Sala even stated that this event resembled a family reunion, and she was right. The favors matched the personality and genre of the author who hosted the table. But it was more than that. I really felt like I was visiting with family.

And that’s when it hit me that this event was more than just promo and marketing. This event was the best thing I could have ever done. In fact, it didn’t even feel like marketing. It felt like lunch with good friends.

Social media has been a tremendous help in uniting reader and author, but even with these connections, true friendships and bonds are hard to make. Luncheon’s like Barbara Vey’s really do bring the reader and author face to face and give them an even more personal connection they wouldn’t have had on social media sites.

Barbara Vey is not the only one holding these luncheons. Harlequin has started to look into them, knowing it could be a really great attraction for their dedicated readers. This past January, a few Love Inspired authors met up in Florida to spend the day with some eager readers. I was not at this event, but I heard wonderful reports and know it was also positively received.

YOUR TURN: So, if you’re a reader and your favorite author was coming to town (Or nearby) for a reader luncheon, would you jump at the chance to spend the afternoon with them? Keep an eye out. It just might happen!

About Katy’s New Release: GRAVE DANGER

BONES OF CONTENTION: When skeletal remains are found on a small Maine island, forensic anthropologist Lydia Muir is sent to investigate. It’s Lydia’s job to determine whether the homicide happened long ago—or more recently. Island sheriff Wesley Grant seems sure the murder didn’t happen on his watch. But when Lydia uncovers the victim’s identity, someone goes to great lengths to get Lydia off the island. Wes vows to protect her, but is the handsome lawman holding something back?

4 1/2 Stars! Fantastic…A Keeper! “Multiple false leads will keep the reader guessing. The action is intense in this character-driven suspense. Fans of the TV show “Bones” will enjoy Lydia’s character and her knowledge of the field of forensics.” ~Romantic Times Book Reviews Magazine

About Katy Lee:

As an inspirational romantic-suspense author, Katy Lee writes higher-purpose stories in high-speed worlds. Through her writing, ministry work, and teaching, Katy dedicates her life to sharing tales of love– from the “greatest love story ever told’, to the sweet romantic tales of falling in love. Katy and her husband are lifelong New Englanders, and have been known to travel far and wide on a whim with their three adventuresome children. Connect with Katy anytime at www.KatyLeeBooks.com. There you will see her Facebook and Twitter links to connect with her further.

Sandra again: Wow, I’m totally jealous! Sounds like a fabulous event. The table favors you made are adorable.

Katy’s book hits bookstore shelves this week. And they are always great! I can’t wait to read this latest release!!

Also this week…if you’re looking for books for your middle-grader, check out Stephanie Faris’s cover reveal for her upcoming release.

Living with a Writer

Posted on: April 27, 2014April 27, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

I’m blessed with witty kids, with keen psychological insights, who don’t even mind snapshots of their lives occasionally being turned into a fishbowl for others to read about on my blog.

Image of Goldlfish Jumping from a fishbowl — Okay, some of them might mind.

With both my daughter and I struggling to get the opening chapters of our current works-in-progress just right, the men in our house have had to listen to a lot of lamenting.

And men, being fixers, always try to offer helpful, or not so helpful, suggestions.

Yesterday at lunch, for example, I commented on how concerned I was that my heroine didn’t seem likable enough.

My ~~son~~ (oops, an anonymous male sharing our lunch meal with us), helpfully responded:

“You’ll never be able to make a girl fully likable.”

Yes, he really said that.

My response?

An aside to my daughter — “We’re never going to be able to marry him off.” 🙄

Of course, meanwhile, I’m frantically jotting down what he said, because hey, it’s a great line for my next nursing-a-broken-heart sidekick, right? And I did ask if I could quote him…hence the use of “anonymous.” 😉

My husband wisely remained silently, but my daughter had an equally helpful insight:

“You can’t make a girl fully likable because then all the other girls will hate her!”

😆 Isn’t that so true?

P.S. This is the last week that Perilous Waters will be in stores before it’s pulled from the shelves to make room for Love Inspired’s May releases!

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Introducing Chain of Mercy’s Hero Richard Brooks & a Giveaway

Posted on: April 20, 2014April 21, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

Before I begin my interview with Chain of Mercy‘s hero, Richard Brooks, allow me to introduce the debut author behind the story, Brenda Anderson. Brenda has introduced many new authors to the blogosphere over the years, including me, and I’m delighted that I now have that privilege to do the same for her.

Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty, life-affirming fiction that offers hope and reminds readers they’re not alone. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and is currently President of the Minnesota chapter, MN-NICE. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball (Go Twins!), and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis area with her husband of 26 years, their three children, and one sassy cat.

And to give you a little background on her novel’s hero, here’s the back cover blurb from Chain of Mercy, which officially releases, Tuesday, April 22nd, from Winslet Press:

They forgave him for the accident that killed their son, but he will never forgive himself.

Manhattan businessman Richard Brooks was at the top of the world, drunk with success, wealth, and women. Until one disastrous evening, when his world came crashing down.

Richard flees to Minneapolis where he repairs ancient boilers instead of solving corporate problems, and he’s determined to live the solitary life he now deserves.

But Executive Sheila Peterson has other plans for the handsome custodian. Richard appears to be the perfect match for the no-strings-attached romance she’s after, but she soon discovers that he’s hiding more than the designer suits in his closet.

Oooh, has that spiked your curiosity? Well, let’s grill Richard a little, shall we? 🙂

Question: Thanks for talking to me today, Richard! The grapevine tells me that you used to work in corporate America, a Vice President in a Fortune 500 company, but now you’re doing custodial work. What compelled you to make that huge career move?

Richard: (sighs and tugs at a chain around his neck.) It’s not that big of a change. I’ve always been a fixer. I grew up on a dairy farm, and we fixed anything that broke down. It was a natural progression to become a corporate fixer, but that’s a high-pressure position. Working as a custodian has relieved much of that pressure.

Question: Why make the move from Manhattan to Minneapolis?

Richard: Minneapolis is close to family, and family is very important to me. Now I get to see my nieces and nephews more often. I won’t miss birthdays, holidays any more. I get to take the nephews fishing, go to ball games. I get to spoil my nieces.

Question: Family is important to you, yet you’re a confirmed bachelor. Have you ever considered settling down, starting your own family?

Richard: (fiddles with the chain again) I’ve always wanted to be a father, and thought maybe I’d found that someone to share my life with, but it didn’t work out. Right now I’m satisfied with being an uncle.

Question: Hmmm. That grapevine I referred to earlier has you connected with Sales Executive, Sheila Peterson. Any truth to that rumor?

Richard: (Laughs) Do you really think a company executive would want to be seen with a janitor?

Question: Hmmm. That’s exactly what I intend to find out!

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s interview. You can connect with Brenda at the any of the links below, and if you’d like to be entered in the giveaway for a copy of Chain of Mercy, please leave a question for Richard in the comments. Let’s see if we can squeeze some more info out of him. 😉

Giveaway is limited to US or Canadian addresses and all comments must be made before 10 pm EST, Sunday April 27th. Winner will be notified by email.

Website link: http://brendaandersonbooks.com/

Blog links:

http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog/

http://inkspirationalmessages.com/

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaSAndersonAuthor

Twitter link: https://twitter.com/BrendaSAnders_n

Pinterest link: http://www.pinterest.com/brendabanderson/

BTW, Tuesday, April 22nd, I’m guest posting at:

Seriously Write, talking about persevering through Writer’s Block

Hug a Librarian and Giveaway

Posted on: April 14, 2014April 12, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

It’s National Library Week in the US, and although I’m Canadian, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to encourage you to thank a librarian this week. How can you not love people who love books and who want to help you find just the right one to meet your needs?

I was blessed with parents that loved to read and who filled our home with books and many trips to the local library. Today, libraries and used bookstores are two of my favorite places to visit when touring a new area.

There aren’t many places that appeal as readily to young and old alike. And we authors believe in fostering that love of reading … young. 😀

Okay, for the record, the book that other author’s baby is engrossed in has pictures. LOL

Besides being able to browse through an amazing variety of titles, the architecture of libraries is often inspiring in and of itself.

I wish I’d had the chance to do more than a “drive by shooting” of the Vancouver Library when we visited the city after our Alaskan Cruise.

Speaking of cruises… 😉 (nice tie in, eh?)

This week the heroine of Perilous Waters is visiting Margaret Daley’s blog. Stop by and leave a comment on her interview for a chance to win a copy of the book for you or a friend.

Your Turn: Do you have a favorite library memory to share?

Oh, by the way, for the curious, Canada celebrates National Library Month in October.

Catching Up!

Posted on: April 7, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

Sightings of Perilous Waters have been confirmed at Walmarts and book stores from Atlanta, Georgia to Calgary, Alberta. And I’m trekking out today to see if I can catch my own glimpse. 🙂

Yes, even though I had a box delivered to my door!

This is my fifth Love Inspired Suspense, and I hope the excitement never gets old.

My 2nd quarter newsletter went out last night, so if you’re a subscriber, be sure to check your spam box if you don’t see it in your inbox.

Why?

Because I randomly choose a subscriber’s name to receive a free book, but…the onus is on the winner to contact me.

And yes, I have had winners miss out.

And yes, I’m totally bribing you to read the newsletter. 😉

Aspiring writers will also want to check out the subscriber-exclusive article on writing subtext.

In other housekeeping news: Sam Steele, hero of Perilous Waters, was interviewed yesterday at Craftie Ladies of Love Inspired Romance if you’d like to check it out.

Your Turn: I’m currently working on the third connected book, and Sam is on his honeymoon. Any suggestions where I should send him?

P.S. If you’d like to subscribe to my quarterly newsletter, to receive notices of book releases, special deals, and subscriber exclusive short stories, click her to subscribe to Sandra Orchard’s Newsletter.

Evolution of a Novel – Part 5 – Connecting Books

Posted on: March 30, 2014March 27, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

Later this week, Perilous Waters will appear on bookstore shelves as I dig into writing the story of the hero’s cousin–paramedic Sherri Steele.

I enjoy reading novels that revisit families or townsfolk or characters I’ve “met” in previous books so I like to plot such connected books for my readers.

In the case of Perilous Waters, and my next two books, the connection is a family one (with apologies to those who were hoping for another Alaska setting 😉 ).

The fun of being a writer is that I can create whatever connections I want. The trick is to figure out what they are before the first book goes to print! Or at least not contradict anything that was introduced in the first book without an intriguing explanation.

lifering — used by permission, photographer Laurie Benner

I decided that due to a tragedy in the Steeles’ extended family, my future hero and heroine grew up wanting to work in jobs that would enable them to save lives. So…

Perilous Waters’ Sam Steele is an FBI agent. His brother, Jake Steele, the hero of Identity Withheld, is a firefighter and widower of a young son. The reader gets to know him well in PW and will hopefully look forward to reading his story when it releases in November. But when I started writing my cruise ship story, I had no idea how I might connect a third book, until…

My hero was checking the online news of home, while aboard ship, and caught an article about his paramedic cousin delivering a baby. That’s when I knew I’d found the heroine of the third book. I even managed to bring her onto the page in person at the end of the book and give her a larger secondary character role in Identity Withheld.

I hope you’ll enjoy meeting the heroic members of the Steele family as much as I’ve enjoyed creating them.

Your Turn: Do you enjoy revisiting the lives of characters from previous books?

middle image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Evolution of a Novel – Part 4 – Symbolism

Posted on: March 23, 2014March 4, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

I hope you’ve been enjoying this series on the development of my newest release, Perilous Waters, as much as I’m enjoying writing it.

Today, I’d like to talk about the heart of why I love writing Christian fiction–the opportunity to share spiritual truths and to show my characters working through troublesome obstacles to their faith.

The use of symbols is a powerful way to touch the heart and mind of a reader at a subconscious level.

As hopefully, you’re immediate internal reaction to the sunset photo above demonstrated.

I always get ridiculously giddy if a particularly appropriate symbol presents itself as I write.

Not every reader registers the deeper meaning of symbols. And that’s okay.

I tend to watch for them in movies, which drives my family a little crazy. For example, in the movie Australia, the big tree in the middle of the desert is used as a symbol for the blossoming relationship. I was sure of it!

So…when the movie appeared to be over after they got the cattle to the ship and my family prepared to call it a night, I said, “It can’t be over. They have to go back to the tree!” 🙁

For those who’ve seen the movie, you’ll remember that I was half-right. I won’t share the significance here, because I don’t want it to be a spoiler, but watch for the tree scenes if you watch the movie. Once you examine such symbols on a conscious level–remember those high school English classes?–you really begin to appreciate their power.

While writing Perilous Waters, “discovering” the particular stolen work of art that the heroine Jennifer Robbins would find in her family’s art gallery, seen depicted below on the FBI’s National Database for Stolen Art, was a total God moment for me. It immediately resonated with me as a powerful symbolic depiction of several elements of the story.

It is called Duel After a Masked Ball, and the title alone conveys two elements significant to the story–the idea of a duel, and the masks people wear. So even if the reader can only visualize the piece from my paltry description, I hope they appreciate that the selection wasn’t a random choice.

Throughout the story the heroine finds herself in figurative duels with herself, her sister, her “uncle” and even the hero who she doesn’t realize is secretly investigating her connection to ongoing art thefts involving her gallery. Which…

leads to the second element of masks. Not everyone is whom they seem in the story.

Of course, making people not be what they seem is my favorite pastime to keep my readers guessing. 😉

But the deeper truth comes in shedding the mask that hides us from our true selves.

My heroine Jennifer is a twin sister, a believer, while her sister thumbs her nose at religion. To me, one of the most powerful lines in the story is when her sister says: “I don’t know why you cling so tightly to that Bible. It doesn’t seem to make you any happier.”

It forces the heroine to take a good, hard look at herself, her faith and the perception she conveys to others, however unwittingly, of what being a believer looks like. And what it could look like if she trusted God completely, instead of only trusting him with pieces of her life here and there.

Your Turn: How have you been impacted personally by a fiction book you’ve read? Or…what’s a favorite symbol you remember from a book or movie?

Evolution of a Novel – Part 3 – The Crime & A Giveaway

Posted on: March 16, 2014March 18, 2014 by Sandra Orchard

I have a both a shoebox and computer folder full of potential crime ideas for future novels. The idea of investigating Art Crime was sparked by a newspaper article about Alain Lacoursière, a Montreal police detective who sought to combine his passion for art with fighting crime. He enrolled in an art history course and began collecting catalogs from art auctions, as well as reports of stolen art.

His first “buy” was an antique tapestry stolen from NY, which he “bought” at auction for $195,000. Of course, the money never exchanged hands. He reported the find to the FBI who recovered the tapestry and in return wrote a letter to the detective’s boss telling him how valuable his work is.

And so began one of the top art-theft units in the world. The FBI estimates that the international black market in art is worth about $6-billion a year, while Interpol ranks art theft as the fourth largest criminal enterprise after drugs, money laundering and weapons.

It sounded to me like a great springboard for a story. And when I boarded our Alaskan Cruise and saw the art gallery and information about the on-board auctions, I knew my cruise story was the one I wanted to work it into.

Recovery rates of stolen art are pathetically low, which makes it a wonderful niche in which my hero detective can shine.

Through my research, I also discovered the biography of the founder of the FBI’s Art Crime Team, Robert K. Wittman. I devoured the descriptions of his exploits going undercover to rescue stolen treasures around the world and gleaned more ideas than I could possibly use in a short romantic suspense.

The book also gave a fabulous glimpse into the potential psyche of my hero.

So…while aboard the cruise, I visited my first ever art auction.

Only a couple of pieces of the many displayed actually sold, and so began my musing of how my unscrupulous gallery owners might use such a venue to smuggle something more valuable or “pay” for something else. I literally had dozens of ideas of how I might integrate it into the story.

Of course, you’ll have to read Perilous Waters if you want to find out which idea I incorporated.

While many art thefts are crimes of opportunity, after which the thief waits for the crime to be reported and then either attempts to claim the reward or sells it on the black market, others are well-planned and the art may be used as collateral to fund other criminal enterprises such as drug and arms deals of organized crime.

And the art might be stolen from anywhere from a museum to a private collector to an archeological dig.

Or from a cruise ship. Maybe. 😉

All of the photos in this blog were taken during my cruise. Art was displayed throughout the ship.

The pieces pictured below are of the variety I envisioned my heroine most appreciating of her mother’s former work, heart-warming depictions of carefree childhood…what she once enjoyed, before her mother became famous and Jennifer’s idyllic world turned upside down.

Your Turn: What is your favorite style of art or artist and why? Think about what you might put on a wall or shelf in your home or office if money were no object. 😎 (Scroll down past giveaway & tags to find the comment box)

To celebrate the release of Perilous Waters (available now from Harlequin.com and coming in April to stores everywhere), I’m hosting a