Welcome, Sandra Kay

Sandra, welcome to From the Pages! I’m Nina Tallman, from Sarita’s Sniffing Sand novel. I hope you don’t mind, but I had to meet you. I am a huge fan of cowboys (shh! Don’t tell my husband, Maxx!) so I really wanted a chance to talk to you about your contemporary western romance, Heart of Stone. It sounds wonderful!

Actually, I’ve got lots of questions so if you don’t mind, I’m just going to begin asking them.

First, where do you write?

I write at the dining room table…right in the middle of the daily chaos at my house. Somehow, I manage to plot, write, and listen to what’s going on at the same time. It works for me, but I certainly wouldn’t recommend it for everyone.

Does your family support your writing career? How?

Absolutely! My husband, Bob, has been and continues to be my biggest supporter. He always had faith that I would be published even when my spirits flagged. Now, he’s my biggest fan!

How did you celebrate your first contract?

You mean after the jumping up and down and screaming? I hugged my husband, who took me out to dinner to celebrate. I called my critique partner, who took me out for lunch. Is it any wonder I’ve gained weight? lol

I love celebratory meals! So much fun for everyone, aren’t they? What kind of food do you like best?

Ooh! Dangerous question! I like almost everything—Italian, Mexican, Chinese and the ever popular steak. Tonight, I’m making a meatloaf. The crisp weather just seems to call for it. I like to put a confection of ketchup, dried mustard, and brown sugar on top. Before the meatloaf is finished cooking, I sprinkle French-fried onion rings on top. Hmmm! Getting hungry.

That sounds like something Maxx would love. Onion rings on top of meatloaf—I’ve never heard of that before but I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for the tip!

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

I’m working on the second book in the Brandon Cattle Ranch series. This one is titled Cady’s Chance, and is about Stone Brandon’s sister, Cady. The third book will be about another brother, Tyler. And the fourth book will be about the youngest sibling, Jeff.

Tell us a little bit about Heart of Stone, please.

A marriage in name only. A secret past. Can love be found amid the tangle of distrust and betrayal?

Heart of Stone is a contemporary western, published with The Wild Rose Press. It takes place on the Brandon Cattle Ranch in Texas. It is the story of past betrayals, and Stone and Amber’s search for answers. We live and hope with them as they learn to love again. Heart of Stone is the first book in a four-book series about the Brandon siblings.

So you’ve got a series! That’s something for readers to look forward to. Personally, I love reading books in a series.

The question most readers want to know but never get the chance to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

No, that doesn’t work for me. As I mentioned, my computer is in the dining room and there are too many people coming and going all day long for me to feel comfortable in my pjs. I like to wear sweats while I’m writing.

What circumstances led you to writing?
A
fter my three brain aneurysm surgeries, the psycho-analysis showed that I had “word search” difficulty (find the correct word for what I wanted to say.) A friend suggested that we write a romance book as a form of therapy. We did, and enjoyed so many moments of laughter and fun. She eventually dropped out, but I persevered.

It sounds like you have an amazing friend, Sandra. I love it that she did that with you. And it think it’s great that you turned your circumstances into a very positive endeavor. I hope you’re fully recovered by now.

Do you have a pet?

You ask me this now, as I’m listening to our little toy Pomeranian yap at the noise the sprinklers are making. He’s only 2 years old. A little blonde Pommy. We, also, have 2 cats. A young calico, who happens to be very long! And an older cat, who has decided she likes to live in the garage and leave the house to the two “youngsters,” or terrors, depending on their behavior.

What brings you the most joy?

My church, family, friends. My grandchildren; all 7 of them. Traveling—we were fortunate to be able to visit Israel in Feb. of 2008. An extraordinary country. I loved the experience of viewing Biblical sites; seeing archeology digs; and learning the history of Israel.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

My first book, Heart of Stone, just received a wonderful review. Here’s what she had to say:

Review:

For me, Heart of Stone was the perfect read. The author, Sandra Kay, does not waste any time drawing you into the story . From the git-go you know who the main characters are and what is really on their minds despite the fact they are both determined never to trust or love again. I was totally captivated by the entire Brandon family and their sense of "family" and what it really means. Before it was all over I was ready to be adopted by them.

When I finished reading Heart of Stone, I was a little disappointed, I wanted more. I was happy to discover that the Brandon Family will live on in a series of books by Sandra Kay. I will be keeping my eyes open. —Reviewed by FJD, WRDF Review

That’s an excellent review, Sandra. Congratulations! And thank you so much for visiting with me today. I enjoyed getting to know you. I hope you will consider coming back sometime soon.

Readers, the buy link for Heart of Stone, as well as links to Sandra’s website, is below. Also, a blurb and short excerpt are here for your reading pleasure!



HEART OF STONE
Blurb:

A marriage in name only. A secret past. Can love be found amid the tangle of distrust and betrayal?

Alone and pregnant with twins, Amber Wilson has only a fuzzy memory of how she got that way. One thing she knows for sure—no man will ever get near enough to hurt her again. But when she meets Stone Brandon, the attraction is too great to ignore. Stone’s ex-fiancée’s betrayal has hardened his heart. Though he is drawn to Amber, he knows he can never fall in love again. Still, with her help, the dreams he has for the expansion of his family’s ranch can become a reality. A platonic marriage seems like the logical answer for both of them—until he realizes that a marriage in name only with Amber is a hell of his own making.

HEART OF STONE
Excerpt:

“Amber?” he yelled as soon as he threw the front door open.

“Stone, help me.”

The weak, panicked voice stopped his heart.

“Amber, where are you? What’s wrong?” Stone’s heart lurched to a start again, but thudded into his throat.

“I’m up here… ”

Her voice trailed off into a scream that bounced off the walls in the empty house.

He ran toward the sound, boots pounding on the wood floor, joining her scream in the echoing cavern of the vacant rooms. Fear gripped him when he reached the stairwell to find her collapsed on the landing, her back against a wall. As he neared, her face contorted and she cried out in pain.

She’s in labor!

He bounded up the steps three at a time, and dropped to his knees.

“The baby’s...coming,” she gasped.

Her hazel eyes seemed too large for her face, and he heard the fear in her voice.

“Its okay, Amber. I’m gonna take you to the hospital. Don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”

Stay calm, cowboy. Don’t let her know she’s scaring the hell out of you.



Buy Link:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=983&zenid=30776d7a1c9d95ba9c70aef8c40dc671

Sandra Kay
www.sandrakayauthor.com
www.sandrakayauthor.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/_sandrakay