An Interview with Sandra Orchard by Patricia Bradley

I am so excited to bring Sandra Orchard back to The Suspense Sisters. Sandra is a multi-award-winning author of mysteries and romantic suspense. When not plotting crimes, Sandra likes to play make-believe with her grandchildren or hike with her hubby near their home in Niagara, Canada. Learn more about Sandra's books and bonus features at www.sandraorchard.com or connect at www.facebook.com/Sandra Orchard.

Her third book in the Serena Jones Mysteries series, Over Maya Dead Body, releases July 4 – Who will Serena choose?

FBI Special Agent Serena Jones arrives on Martha’s Vineyard with her family, ready for a little bit of R&R and a whole lot of reminiscing as they celebrate the engagement of an old family friend. But crime doesn’t take a vacation, and she’s soon entangled in an investigation of a suspicious death tied to an antiquities smuggling ring. 

When her investigation propels her into danger, Serena must stay the course and solve this case before anyone else dies. But just how is she supposed to do that when the two men in her life arrive on the scene, bringing with them plenty of romantic complications–and even a secret or two?

I've enjoyed the competition for Serena's affections between Nate and Tanner in A Fool and His Monet and Another Day Another Dali. Will she really choose one of them in Over Maya Dead Body?

It's interesting that I never thought of the situation as a love triangle, and was surprised when readers started calling it that. But now that I reflect on it, your description of it being a competition for her affection, rather than her choosing is far more accurate. And yes, Serena does make a choice.

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?  

A wife, mother and grandmother who loves the Lord and her family with all her heart and who feels truly honored when others enjoy the stories I write.

I truly agree with your description, Sandra. What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

Play with my grandkids. As for hobbies, after years of restricting creative free time to reading and writing, I’ve finally resumed crocheting and painting. Of course, my first projects have been grandchild related—truck and car pictures using their footprints as the template and crocheting a knight’s uniform.

Oh, wow. A knight’s uniform. That is neat. Once I made a grandchild an 1800-style general’s coat. He wore it until it wouldn’t fit. What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

I didn’t have a favorite. But I remember enjoying the Trixie Belden mystery series as a preteen.

Trixie Belden…I know I read those. Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

-       I’ve never lived more than 40 miles from where I was born

-       I’m eagerly anticipating my fifth grandchild

-       For years, I didn’t think I had enough imagination to be a fiction writer

All three of those surprised me! What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I started writing romantic suspense and when new ideas I had didn’t fit into the romantic suspense genre, I added mysteries to the mix.

I love all of your books. J What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The funnest compliment is hearing I’ve kept someone up all night reading. I try not to dwell on criticisms, except when they’re helpful in improving manuscripts in progress since it’s too late to change the book that’s already out there.

Totally agree. Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

Not at the moment.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

I wouldn’t have kept the fact I’d starting writing a novel a secret from my dad. I’d wanted to surprise him with a published book dedicated to him and to my already deceased mom. Unfortunately, he died unexpectedly about a year into my writing journey, without ever knowing.

Oh, that’s hard. I’m so sorry you lost your dad that way. But I totally understand wanting to wait. It would have been a wonderful surprise. What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

Several enjoyable hours of entertainment and hopefully some inspirational food for thought.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Don’t be in a rush to get published or to publish yourself. Take time to enjoy the journey. Persevere in learning the craft.

Excellent advice! 

To celebrate Sandra joining us today I'm offering a copy of the 2nd book in the series--Another Day Another Dali.  (Print version to a Continental US address or e-book outside the Continental US) 

To be entered in the drawing, leave a comment answering one of two questions. 

1. If you've read the other two books in Sandra Orchard's Serena Jones series, which man do you want Serena to choose? Nate, the building supervisor, or Tanner, her boss at the FBI? 

Or

2. Which mystery genre do you like best?

Leave your answer to one of the questions in the comment section. The drawing will be Wednesday, May 31 and I will contact the winner by email, so be sure and leave your email addy.

 And here's a description of Another Day Another Dali.

Another Day Another Dali

When a valuable Salvador Dali painting belonging to her grandmother’s friend is mysteriously replaced by a forgery, FBI Special Agent Serena Jones is called in to investigate. Serena hopes finding the thief will also mean finally measuring up to Nana’s expectations. But when the evidence points to members of the owner’s own household, it becomes increasingly clear that Serena won’t be winning any popularity contests.

The Dali isn’t the only painting that’s fallen prey to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the specter of a sophisticated theft ring–one with links to dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved murder of Serena’s grandfather.

With plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments, Another Day, Another Dali gives the plucky Serena Jones–and readers–a new high-stakes case to crack.