Welcome all, thank you so much for
stopping by.
Today I’m very lucky and honored to be
interviewing Sandra D. Bricker author of the up and coming book of a "On a Ring and a Prayer", also known for here series "An Emma Rae Creation".
Hi Sandra, thank you for agreeing to
this interview, let’s go ahead and jump right in;
When
did you decide to become a writer?
I'm pretty sure I've always known I was
going to write. Even from a very young age, I enjoyed creating stories and
characters. But I don't think I realized I could actually make a career out of
it until I was in my early twenties.
Which
writers inspire you?
SO MANY! Some of my contemporary peers
in romantic fiction blow me away, like Kristin Billerbeck, Eva Marie Everson
and Robin Jones Gunn. I also love to read Frank Peretti, James Patterson, and
Rebecca York... As you can see, I'm really moved by good storytelling.
What
is the hardest thing about writing?
The
disconnect between publishing at last and making an actual living above the
poverty level.
What
is the easiest thing about writing?
Well, what's really easy about it is
this: When God puts a call on your life - whether it's writing fiction,
building skyscrapers or teaching children - once it really digs in and you know
it's your purpose, everything about it becomes a little easier.
I
just love how your books can be deep and funny all at the same time, I find
myself laughing and crying. When you are writing your book are you trying to
put yourself in the shoes of the reader and hope for this kind of experience?
Not while I'm writing it, no. While I'm
writing, I'm busy putting myself in the shoes of the characters. It's not until
I do the first set of revisions that I start thinking about how to make the
experience as rewarding as possible for my readers. I'm blessed in a way that a
lot of writers aren't; I've gotten to know my readers pretty well. So giving
them the pay-off I know they're looking for becomes a main objective for me.
When
you set out to write your book what kind of audience are you looking to reach?
Even
though I do think about my readers, I don't write directly to them. My main
goal is to just tell a really fun, uplifting, believable, and thought-provoking
story.
What
inspired you to write this Series?
Post-Emma Rae, I started wondering if I
had anything else to say that would be so well-received or entertaining as they
were. When Jessie first came to mind, it was because I understood her plight.
My former life in Hollywood as a publicist plays a huge part in impacting the
outcome of the story.
Which
actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most
recent book?
My casting for the Jessie Stanton
series came to me within the first two chapters of the first book. Jessie is a
young version of Tiffani Thiessen, and Danny has never been anyone to me except
Josh Holloway.
My
Favorite character in On a ring and a prayer is Stephanie, I just love her. Do
you have a favorite character in this series and if so who and why?
When you say Stephanie, do you mean
Danny's friend Steph? She's spectacular, isn't she? My favorite character is
definitely Danny. He's so cool and unassuming, and he really has his head on
straight in terms of his past and its impact on his present, particularly where
his faith is concerned. He and Jessie's grandfather were so much fun to write.
Your right I do Just love Danny, he has such a heart of gold and he is easy to like a lot!
Tells
us a little about the book and the books you write for someone who is new to
your books.
Starting
with Rise & Shine last year, I began transitioning from a
"Laugh-Out-Loud" brand of romantic comedy to a meatier
"Live-Out-Loud" brand that allows me to go deeper with my characters
and plots.
Here's
the summary for this book (On a Ring and a Prayer):
Twelve
years of marriage, 4,000 square feet of dream house and a handsome husband.
Jessie Stanton has it all. Until one fateful afternoon anyway when she notices
her BMW bouncing by the window at the end of a tow truck hook. The whirling
tornado that cuts down the life she’s built over the last dozen years drops her
to the sandy beach of Malibu with a thud, penniless and alone. When all she has
left are the designer labels in her closet and the dreamy Neil Lane rock on her
finger, Jessie reluctantly turns to a beach bum/private investigator for
answers as she tries to rebuild her life On a Ring & a Prayer.
I
personally know you are currently writing book two for this series (cause I
hounded you about it on Facebook...) what is one thing you can share with us
about a glance into the next book?
I
have actually completed Be My Valentino, and now I'm working on finishing
up the series with the third and final book.
Here's
a summary for Be My Valentino:
Now that the whole truth has come
out about her husband’s double life, the woman formerly known as Jessie
Hart-Stanton is standing on her own for the first time in her life. Adornments
“ her rental store for all things LUX “ has become the place to be for
D-List stylists and wannabe celebs who can't afford their own designer labels.
As Amber and Jessie struggle to put the store on the map in Tinsel Town, Jessie’s
relationship with private investigator Danny Callahan takes a dramatic turn.
But Jessie can’t afford to put her faith (and heart) into another relationship
when she’s so obviously handicapped in the good judgment department, and she
has no intention of taking a knee and committing to his God “ the same God who
let her spend twelve years being conned by Jack Stanton. She pours herself into
making Adornments a success but it isn’t until she dresses a reluctant
Danny in Valentino for undercover work at a formal affair that Hollywood takes
notice. It seems Danny has been plucked out of the crowd, snapped by photogs,
and lands as the unlikely cover model on the front of Hollywood Daily
Magazine.
How many books are you planning for this series?
There will be three books in the series. Book 2 is titled Be My Valentino, and it releases this fall. Then Book 3 is tentatively titled From Bags to Riches, due out next spring.
Sandra,
thank you so much again for taking the time to do this interview. It’s been so
fun not only reading this book but having a chance to sit down and ask you
questions.
You can find and catch up with Sandra:
To enter to win a copy of "On a
Ring and a Prayer"
*Winner will be drawn at random.
In order to enter this contest, you
need to leave a comment below on this blog, letting me know if you have ever
read any of Sandra's books and if so what’s your favorite, it not who is your
favorite author.
You can also have the opportunity
to enter the contest more than once if you do at least one of the
following:
Promote this contest on your Facebook wall by posting a link
- Follow Sandra Bricker on her Facebook page (if you already do please note)
- Follow Sandra Bricker on Twitter (if you already do please note)
- Follow this blog
- RSVP for the The launch Party (if you can make it lots more fun will be there)
Click here for RSVP
*If you choose to do one of the
following tasks listed above, please leave more than one comment below and tell
me which task you completed.
The contest deadline is 8 p.m.
(central), Monday, March 9th. The winner will be announced on Tuesday March
10th here and by email.
Please post your name after your
comment as some comments come up as "Anonymous." I want to be sure to announce the winner's name without
confusion. It would be also help if you also include your email address. Thank
you!
***Please note: The winner will
be notified by e-mail. If the winner does not respond within 15 days after the
contest ends, another winner will be chosen.
For
all of you interested in buy this book for you and a friend please check out:
or
your favorite book store, and always please leave a review so others know that
this book is so worth the read.
Other great books By Sandra D. Bricker:
