Speculative Fiction Radio Show

Anyone interested in talking books? Evan over at Writestream Radio is looking for authors for a couple of fall dates...

The Speculative Fiction Cantina: your weekly hypodermic injection of science fiction, fantasy, horror, alternate history, steampunk, cyberpunk, and things weird and wonderful in the world of books and writers. We ask authors the hard questions. You'll hear from writers who bend the rules and drive the narrative.  Join S. Evan Townsend on this journey over the rainbow and through the looking glass. And remember to take the red pill.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina is an internet radio program on the Writestream Radio Network that airs every Friday at 6:00 P.M. Eastern.  It last approximately an hour. The format is I have two writers on to interview. Also, the writers are asked to do a 5-8 minute live reading out of one of their works. We look for speculative fiction writers (scifi, fantasy (and all its subgenres), horror, alt history, steampunk, cyberpunk, dieselpunk, etc.). It’s very conversational and, I hope, fun.

Evan can be contacted through this page: http://sevantownsend.com/contact-us/

Shades of Truth ~ Sandra Orchard

Today I have author,Sandra Orchard, to talk about her thrilling novel, Shades of Truth!  Welcome, Sandra!

When did you first realize you were destined to be a writer?
In Grade One when one of my stories was printed in the school yearbook. Eventually school killed the creative side of my writing. I thought I’d write non-fiction. Then after my mom died, I discovered Christian fiction. Seeing characters face and triumph over trials similar to my own helped me tremendously. After several years of reading novels, a yearning grew to write them.

Tell us about your book.
Shades of Truth is the second book in my Love Inspired Suspense series, Undercover Cops: Fighting for justice puts their lives—and hearts—on the line. However, you won’t be lost if you haven’t read the first novel. Each story stands alone. They simply share the same setting and some of the same characters. For example, the heroine in this book was the friend of Deep Cover’s heroine.

Can you give us a little blurb?
Sure...Big city detective Ethan Reed is working deep undercover at a Christian youth detention center. The kind of place he spent some harrowing time in as a kid. Ethan’s mission: ferret out who’s recruiting resident teens for a drug ring. He expects help from the lovely, devoted director of Hope Manor. But Kim Corbett won’t tell Ethan anything— even when she’s threatened and attacked. When Ethan discovers what Kim is protecting, his guarded heart opens just a bit wider. Enough to make this the most dangerous assignment of his career.

What do you enjoy most about writing? What part do you loathe?
I enjoy brainstorming new stories. I love the energy and creativity and the feeling that I can take this story anywhere. I loathe getting bogged down in the middle of writing the story, feeling like it’s not interesting enough, or that the pace is wrong and then grappling to know how to fix it.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself from writing?
That I really can dream up stories. For many years, I didn’t think I had the imagination needed, but I cultivated (or perhaps revived it) and now story ideas continually crop up everywhere I look!

Tell us about the defining moment when you felt as if you’d finally made it as an author. 
July 16, 2009. The night of the Daphne DuMaurier Award presentation at RWA’s national conference. The coordinator called me at home during the ceremony to tell me I won. I was thrilled. Over-the-moon excited. She tried to tell me more, but the event was too loud so she said she’d try later. After I hung up, I squealed and jumped up and down and hugged my family and squealed some more. Then I emailed a few writing friends who’d been rooting for me. Author Sandra Robbins emailed me back with “you didn’t just win your category, you won the whole show and an agent has requested it!” Needless to say, I went into another round of squealing and jumping.

Wow...that must have bee so exciting! What are you working on now?
I just finished line edits for the third book in my Undercover Cops series, Critical Condition, which releases in October. It's about a nurse, an undercover cop, and a murderer who’ll stop at nothing to avoid being caught.

Now…I’m brainstorming the second book in a trade-length romantic suspense series for which I recently received an offer! I hope to be able to discuss details very soon!!

Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?
One word. Persevere.

Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?
Raising and educating three wonderful, hard-working children who love the Lord (and their mom ). It was also pretty cool earning full scholarships to university and graduating summa cum laude, but that seems like a lifetime ago.

Thank you so much for visiting with us! If you'd like to take a look at Shades of Truth, visit Sandra at her blog or author website.

Here is a sneak peek at Sandra's novel...


“You were going to talk to a guy who ran you down in broad daylight? What were you thinking?”
Kim’s expression hardened. “I was thinking about the damage that rumors of a hit and run by a former resident would do to the manor. I don’t expect you to understand, Ethan. You’ve only been here a day. You couldn’t possibly care about the manor’s survival the way I do.”


The woman was as loyal and compassionate as they came. How could he have suspected her of trying to protect a drug dealer? 


“I’m sorry, Kim. I was out of line. Believe me, I want to help you.” More importantly, he wanted to get her out of here before the police connected her—or him—to the shooting. The last thing he needed was a cop unraveling his cover. “Come, on, I’ll drive you home.”

In the meantime, he needed descriptions of the kids vandalizing Kim’s car, because chances were good one of them shot Blake, or had seen who did. And Ethan needed to talk to them before the wrong cop got to them. Or Kim. 


Witnesses in this case had a bad habit of showing up dead. 

---

Shades of Truth is in bookstores and stores like Walmart and Target until early April, or click here: http://bit.ly/SofTonHqn  to order at a 20% discount directly from Harlequin, and use coupon code FREESHIPAFFO to receive free shipping until Mar 31st

Sandra Orchard lives in rural Ontario, Canada where inspiration abounds for her romantic suspense novels set in the fictional Niagara town she's created as their backdrop. Married with three grown children, when not writing, she enjoys hanging out with family, brainstorming new stories with fellow writers, and walking her dog in God's beautiful creation. An active member of ACFW, RWA, several of its chapters, and The Word Guild, Sandra likes to encourage aspiring writers. She also enjoys offering her readers “extras” to enhance their experience of her books. 


Check out these and other resources for both readers and writers at her website: http://www.SandraOrchard.com. 


For updates on new releases, special subscriber-only reads and giveaway opportunities, sign up for her newsletter at http://bit.ly/OrchardNews


You can also connect at: http://www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard 
Or join in the conversations about characters on her blog at http://www.SandraOrchard.blogspot.com 

Warring Spirits, COTT Selection

*guest post by Michelle Massaro

(Ms. Davy) was an amazing cheerleader and I lived to make her smile with my stories. Whether I really was or not at that point, she made me believe I was a good writer. 

~ Sr. Editor April Gardner, on who inspired her writing.

***

Today we get to spend some time with COTT founder April Gardner. April is an amazing author, good friend, and an inspiration to me. She’s a sometime home school mom, a military wife, a talented writer, and a frugal do-it-yourselfer. So I was excited to get to pick her brain! Below are the questions that I always wanted to ask. I’m sure you will find them just as fascinating as I do.

Michelle: April, what was it like growing up with missionary parents?

April: We never lacked for excitement, that's for sure! Some MKs struggle with change, but I never minded it. I was shy and content merely to be with my family; wherever they were, I was happy, no matter the town or country! Growing up in Spain and learning Spanish was one of God's beautiful gifts to me. 

Michelle: That's so cool! Some might be surprised to hear that you are dyslexic. What advice or encouragement would you give to others out there struggling with dyslexia?

April: I'd imagine that most reading this are adults, and by the time dyslexics reach adulthood, they've managed to cope quite well. Having a child with dyslexia, however, was something that took me completely by surprise, surprisingly. LOL From what I hear, it goes through the mother, so odds were pretty good one of my kids would struggle with it. When it comes to dealing with a dyslexic child I've learned three things. 1. Patience is the name of the game! 2. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. 3. There is no shame in being dyslexic or having another learning difficulty.

Michelle: You have now experienced both the public school world and the home school world. What are your observations comparing both? 

April: My most important observation is that God's plan for our children's education is 1. God's plan for us in unique! I cannot compare how others chose to educate their children with our own choices. 2. God's plan for us is not set in stone, never to change. What might be His will one year, might not be the next. We must be flexible and keep our ears tuned to Him. He'll speak most loudly through our kids via their progress, contentment, discipline, and attitude.

Michelle: Great insights! Ok, so what began your fascination with history?

April: Laura Ingells Wilder and her Little House books! They were the first "big" books that held my attention well enough to make reading worth all the effort. I haven't looked back since!

Michelle: I love those books too! You are a military spouse--where have you lived, and which was your favorite place?

April: The military first moved us to Germany. We were 19 years old and newly married. Our tour lasted 7 years. Straight from there, we went to England for four years, and we've currently been in Georgia 2.5 years. Germany holds a very dear place in our hearts for many reasons, but I have felt most content and fulfilled right here in Georgia. God bless the USA!! Boy, it's good to be home. :-)

Michelle: Wow, that sounds so adventurous! And now you're a published author--another adventure! Who first inspired you to pursue publication and writing? Who inspires you today?

April: Several people along the path of my life worked together to inspire me to pick up the pen, but the first was my high school creative writing teacher, Ms. Davy. She was an amazing cheerleader and I lived to make her smile with my stories. Whether I really was or not at that point, she made me believe I was a good writer. Today, it's the drive to reach goals that inspires me. I do love a challenge!!

Michelle: Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite and why?

April: True Seeker, the budding Creek Indian warrior from my latest novel, Warring Spirits, is my favorite character so far. His heart is good and true to his name, he seeks wisdom, honor, and a personal relationship with the Giver and Taker of Breath.

Michelle: I like his character too. But of course, they're all good in my opinion! Besides writing excellent historical romance novels, you also have a lot to share on your blog about managing health issues with diet, frugality, and parenting. Any idea what's coming up in 2012?

April: Great question! LOL My blog is ever changing, but yes, I do tend to focus on those topics. Right now, I'm on an all-natural foods kick, so I'm sure my followers will see more of those tips in the future.

Michelle: Tell us about your recent book releases.

April: Warring Spirits is my latest adult fiction release. It's set in 1816 and is the story of a woman who might be able to hide her African heritage except for her hair, which is a dead give-away. Milly's escape from slavery leads her to the safety of Negro Fort where Major Phillip Bailey, believing her to be white, takes it upon himself to "free" her from the stronghold. At the same time, he's ordered to launch an attack against it. Accomplishing both is a virtual impossibility, especially when the beautiful woman doesn't want to be rescued. Where blood is shed, unexpected love may bloom!

Michelle: I've read it and it's awesome! Head to Amazon you guys,  you won't regret it. April, thanks for answering all my hard-hitting questions today, lol.

Readers, check out COTT this week for some of our favorite Amish Excerpts!

Over Yonder --> "O"

Today I am over at Anne K. Albert's blog. She's been gracious enough to feature me for an author interview. Yay!


I would love it if you all took a moment to spread some blogger love and comment on her site.  We're in the O's people...that's more than half-way through!  Keep it up!

Photograph by Horia Varlan.