Interview with Novelist Sandra Orchard

I’m pleased to welcome back novelist Sandra Orchard today. Sandra is an award winning writer of Christian romantic suspense. She writes for Harlesquin Love Inspired Suspense (LIS) and Revell. Her most recent LIS, Critical Condition (October 2012) won the 2012 RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. And her latest novel Deadly Devotion releases this month from Revell.

Welcome back, Sandra! Can you tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a mother of three grown children, grandmother of one, soon to be two, and wife to the most supportive husband. I hail from the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. I have an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from McMaster University, and taught high school math before staying home to raise and home educate my children. I now write full-time when not doting on my grand daughter.

What led you to pursue novel writing?

I always dreamed of being a writer, but never thought I had the imagination to write fiction. Then I discovered Christian fiction. The more I read, the more I loved it and I started to imagine my own stories. But I was busy homeschooling my children, helping my husband with his business, renovating our old farmhouse. Then I blew a disk in my back, and suddenly couldn’t do a lot of what I’d been doing, but I could sit at my computer, so I started writing my stories!

What is Deadly Devotion about?

Deadly Devotion is the first book in my Port Aster Secrets series with Revell Publishing. It is a standalone mystery, however, the budding romance between the hero and heroine, and an underlying suspense will arc the three-book series.

 Here’s the back cover blurb:

Kate knows the truth is out there—but if she’s right, that means a killer is out there too.

Research scientists Kate Adams and Daisy Leacock were on the brink of a breakthrough for treating depression with herbal medicine when Daisy was suddenly found dead. Kate knows that her mentor’s death wasn’t suicide or a careless accident—and she’s determined to do whatever it takes to unearth the truth about what happened to the woman who changed her life.

Former FBI agent Tom Parker is finding it hard to adjust to life back in his hometown of Port Aster. Though an old buddy gave him a job as a detective on the local police force, not everyone approves. Tom’s just trying to keep a low profile, so when Kate Adams demands he reopen the investigation into her friend’s death, he knows his job is at stake. But despite his attraction to her, Tom thinks Kate herself may have something to hide.

How did you come up with the concept for Deadly Devotion?

The initial inspiration came from a dream sparked by my children’s work at a local greenhouse. I can’t share the details, because it would give too much away. Of course, the more I delved into herbal medicine and herbal teas and horticulture and poisonous plants, the more intriguing twists I was able to add to the plot, as well as some intriguing herbal remedies and unusual uses for plants, such as the plant my heroine would reach for as a weapon when cornered in the lab. J

What do you hope readers walk away with after reading Deadly Devotion?

To put their faith in God, not people. It’s easy to let the actions of those who we look up to in the faith affect our perceptions, but what others do or don’t do doesn’t change who God is. Sooner or later just about everyone comes up against a side of God that’s hard for them to accept, and will have to decide if they trust him no matter how the situation looks.

What other projects do you have in the future?

My next Love Inspired Suspense, Fatal Inheritance, releases in August. And I’m just finishing up edits on another one for LIS, as well as, book 2 in my Port Aster Secrets series. Then…I’ll be starting work on book 3 and another LIS.

What is one thing people may be surprised to know about you?

Until I blew a disk in my back, and took up writing, I was a Jill of all trades. I’ve installed windows and doors, done roofing, installed siding, installed floors and trim, did plumbing.

How can readers get in touch with you?

They can connect with my on Facebook at: http://www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard

They can subscribe to my quarterly newsletter:  http://bit.ly/OrchardNews

They can connect on my blog, or via email at my website: http://www.SandraOrchard.com

Thanks for stopping by today Sandra!

You can order Deadly Devotion at Amazon, Amazon CA or Christianbook