Interview with Sandra Orchard

 by Patricia Bradley

Hi everyone! Today I'm talking to Sandra Orchard. I've known Sandra for at least eight years, roomed with her once at the Writer's Police Academy where we had a ball! Oh, and she's giving away a copy of one of her previous 24 books!

A little bit about Sandra:

She writes fast-paced, laugh-out-loud whodunits and romantic suspense. Awards for her novels include: a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, a Daphne DuMaurier Award of Excellence, a Holt Medallion Award of Merit, a National Readers’ Choice Award, and several Canadian Christian writing awards. 

When not writing, Sandra hones her imagination by playing make-believe with her young grandchildren. She also enjoys gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and woodworking. 

I asked Sandra a few questios:

Patricia: You’ve been published for several years now. What has being published taught you?

Sandra: Yes, with Boughs of Folly’s release, I’m celebrating the publication of my 25th novel. Writing that many books (and several more besides still in the publishing que) has taught me there is always more to learn, that a story can always be improved, but sometimes you just have to let your baby go. 

Patricia: How well I've learned that one! What is your favorite part about writing. Least favorite.

Sandra: Brainstorming the plot is my favorite part because a realm of possibilities lies open before me free of the dissenting voice that comes later, when making that cool idea work with the rest of the story seems impossible. 

Writing a short synopsis of the story is my least favorite part. 

Patricia: Oohh! I'm with you on both of those! Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Sandra: Both. When the words are flowing, it’s incredibly energizing. Unfortunately, some days getting the story onto the page is akin to pulling teeth and just as painful.

Patricia: You've described it perfectly! :-) You do a lot of research. Where is your favorite place to research?

Sandra: On location! There is nothing like immersing oneself in a setting or shadowing someone in their workplace to gain valuable insights to add depth to a story. Sadly, the pandemic travel restrictions prevented me from traveling to sunny Georgia to research the setting for Boughs of Folly.

Patricia:  I know! This pandemic has been terrible! What would you like readers to know about your story/characters?

Sandra: Boughs of Folly is part of a three-book Jingle Bells Mysteries set, in time to celebrate Christmas in July or to stock up for early Christmas gifts. :-) These are cozy mysteries with a dash of romance written from a Christian worldview. The characters and setting are from the realm of Annie’s Fiction’s popular Chocolate Shoppe Mysteries. They’re a fun revisit with old friends for readers of that series, but each book stands alone. 

Patricia: I love Annie's Fiction! And Boughs of Folly sounds like a great book! What’s next from you?

Sandra: First, I’d like to mention that Boughs of Folly is my 25th book, and I’m celebrating this milestone by giving away 25 books!!! 

Please visit my blog for all the details, but don’t delay, because the rafflecopter giveaway for 10 copies of Boughs of Folly ends on Father’s Day. Other books will be given away throughout the month to newsletter and Facebook followers and on my blog.

Looking ahead, I have two, yet-to-be-titled romantic suspense releasing in 2023 as part of a new Hearts in Peril series from Annie’s Fiction. Each is a stand-alone novel, and I’m super excited to be writing edge-of-your-seat suspense again, with characters who will find their happily-ever-after in a single book.

Patricia: I'm super excited about that as well! I love your romantic suspense stories!! Thank you so much for being here today!

Readers, you can connect with Sandra Orchard here:

Website: www.SandraOrchard.com 

Link to book:  https://sandraorchard.com/books/1-jingle-bell-mysteries/ 

Social media links: www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard https://www.pinterest.ca/AuthorSOrchard/ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sandra-orchard

You can enter the Rafflecopter for a chance at one of 10 copies of Boughs of Folly!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ad4cf14d11/

AND, Sandra is giving away a  copy of one of her previous books, and if you leave a comment that will enter you in the drawing. Be sure to leave your contact info! (like: pat at  ptbradley dot com)

This Christmas Cozy Mystery

Releases June 25, 2022 as part of a three-book set called Jingle Bells Mysteries (with Klaus for Suspicion and Deck the Hearse)

After spending two decades of Christmas seasons in California, Jillian Green celebrates returning to her family’s antebellum mansion in Georgia by joyfully decking the halls for the upcoming Moss Hollow Merry Mansions Tour. However, Jillian’s holiday cheer takes a nosedive when she discovers her great aunt’s new friend Herbert dead at the base of a tree while he’s helping them string lights.

Although his death appears to be a tragic accident, her great aunt insistently blames foul play, and handsome local coroner Hunter Greyson confirms her suspicions. Needled into action by her aunt, Jillian quickly realizes this case is more tangled than a strand of twinkle lights, and lead after lead winds up in a dead end.

Stressed out by exploring limbs of the victim’s family tree, helping a Chocolate Shoppe Bakery customer track down his high school sweetheart, and worrying about her grandmother’s odd behavior, Jillian feels her holiday spirit slipping away. However, she knows the best way to restore her festive mood is to uncover the killer before someone else in Moss Hollow gets hurt—if she doesn’t, Herbert’s night might not be the only one silenced this Christmas.

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.