Monday, August 29, 2011

DEEP COVER - Sandra Orchard - Free Book

Welcome, Sandra. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I don’t think that I do, although it will be interesting to hear what my family think when they read the novel.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
You know what they say…I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. Let me just say, I was young and in love and had probably just seen a BBC version of some Jane Austin character swooning over the love of her life. And for the record, he’s now my hubby.

Now we’ll imagine all kinds of things. When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I loved to write from the moment I put crayon to paper. (Okay, chalk board…How was I supposed to know it wouldn’t rub off?! I was only three!) In grade one, two of my stories were included in the school yearbook. One was a couple of paragraphs long whereas, the other first grade excerpts were a couple of sentences. That’s when I really knew.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
For the better part of my adult life, I read non-fiction books of the how to be a better wife, mother, or home-educator variety. Now I prefer fast-paced novels that are engaging and don’t leave graphic images in my mind. I lean toward romantic suspense, contemporary and historical romances. I also enjoy the occasional light-hearted novel or mystery. Although I must confess that I do miss the days of reading novels such as The Trumpeter Swan and The Indian in the Cupboard to my young children.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I live in the country so I enjoy long walks with my dog and neighbor, or visit with my new grandbaby and just enjoy her—something that was hard to do the first time around, what with the sleep-deprivation and all.

Yes, grandchildren are a special blessing from God. I’ve enjoyed every one of mine. How do you choose your characters’ names?
I try to have each character’s name start with a different letter of the alphabet to avoid confusion. I use the telephone book for last names, and a baby book for ideas for first names. I try to choose heroic-sounding names for the hero and heroine, and villainous or character-suited names for the others.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Raising and educating three wonderful, hard-working children who love the Lord (and their mom ).

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A beaver. I’m highly task oriented. I’m contest to build my home—literal construction, not cleaning! I prefer to have “working” visits with friends, whether helping to hang wallpaper or rearrange furniture or brainstorm a new novel, rather than just sitting around and chatting.

What is your favorite food?
Pizza—all the important food groups J

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been grounding my scenes. As a reader, I didn’t have patience for paragraphs of description of characters and setting. But I swung too far the other way and wrote far too little. I had to learn to portray the setting from the point of view of the character the scene is written in and infuse the description with the emotions that character feels at that moment.

Tell us about the featured book.
Deep Cover is the first book in my Undercover Cop Series with Love Inspired Suspense. Undercover Cops: Fighting for justice puts their lives—and hearts—on the line.

Is it possible to be a man of honor and live a life of lies?

Rick Gray hopes so, because as an undercover cop, he’s had to make too many sacrifices, including a future with Ginny Bryson, the woman he loves.

Ginny Bryson never really knew Rick--he never gave her the chance. Not then, and not now, when he's back with a new alias to gather evidence against Ginny's uncle. The man's crimes led to Rick's partner's death, and Rick wants justice to be served. But his investigation is stirring up trouble, and Ginny is in the middle of it. But how can Rick protect her without blowing his cover, jeopardizing his assignment...and risking both their lives?

Sounds like a book I'd love to read. Please give us the first page of the book.
STOP NOW, OR ELSE.
Rick Gray strode toward the spray-painted warning inside the half-framed building. The sawdust-strewn floor groaned under his weight, then suddenly gave way, dropping him ten feet onto his back in basement mud. His hard hat cracked against a rock and the air rushed from his lungs. Pain streaked through his body. He tried to suck in a breath, but his chest seized.

He willed his muscles to relax and tried again. This time a gasp squeaked through.

He squinted past the flashes of color dancing in front of his eyes and focused on the floor joists that dangled over his head. He might be an undercover cop just posing as the foreman on this group-home project, but he didn’t have to be the real thing to spot the clean saw-lines bisecting three of the struts.

Fury blazed through his veins. If the basement slab had been poured yesterday as planned, he’d be a dead man.

Holding his breath against the throbbing pain, Rick crawled up the ladder to the main floor. Last night’s rain had turned the Southern Ontario sandy loam into a soupy mess, and the late winter chill layering the air around Miller’s Bay bit through his damp jeans. Bit like the suspicion nipping at his thoughts that this wasn’t the handiwork of another disgruntled neighbor.

The warning to stop construction on the controversial home for the mentally challenged might be from an angry Not-In-My-Back-Yarder, but if his “boss” had figured out why Rick really took this job, staging an accident that looked like the work of local protestors was an inspired way to take him out.

Two shiny leather shoes, enveloped in thin rubber sole guards, met his nose at the top of the ladder. Rick shot out his hand and dug his fingers into the floorboards, bracing himself for the push that would send the ladder, and him, toppling back to the ground.

I know I have to read it now. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Website: www.SandraOrchard.com


Thank you, Sandra, for visiting with us today.


Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

34 comments:

Coolestmommy said...

Love the LISuspense line. Deep Cover sounds so exciting. I can't believe what these undercover cops go through. Can't wait to read it.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dto com
NE

Sandra Orchard said...

Hi Robyn,after researching for this book, I sure developed a greater appreciation for what they go through. I hope you enjoy the story.

Lorna Faith said...

Love the first page Sandra:) I love suspense...especially undercover cops...love the mystery.
Would love to be entered for a chance to win and read "Deep Cover."

Lorna from Alberta

lornafaith at gmail dot com

Sandra Orchard said...

yippee, Lorna, a fellow Canadian -big grin- Glad to hear I've enticed you with the opening. Good luck!

Rebecca said...

I would love to read this. It looks amazing. Thanks for the chance to win.

I am from Oklahoma.

Sandra Orchard said...

Hi Rebecca, now I have O-o-oklahoma where the wind blows...singing in my head. LOL. So pleased you like the sound of the book. Best of luck.

Linda Kish said...

Sounds great. Count me in, please.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Merry said...

I'd love a chance to win Deep Cover. I can't imagine what life would be like for those who infiltrate crime organizations, it is truly a life of sacrifice.
Merry in TX

Sandra Orchard said...

Hi Linda and Merry, it's so interesting to see where everyone is from. Thanks for stopping by!

Patty said...

Sounds very intriguing! Sign me up!

Patty in SC

Jo said...

"Deep Cover" sounds like such a interesting book and one that caught my attention with the first page. Would love to read it.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona

Sandra Orchard said...

Hi Patty & Jo, I'm tickled to see so many interested in the book.

Jo said...

Sandra, you are a new author to me and this book sounds intriguing. I have added it to my wish list.

Blesings,
Jo from Southern Arizona

Sandra Orchard said...

Thanks so much, Jo. This is my first published novel, but thankfully the next two in the series have already been contracted. Although I have to admit that the excitement of the book launch is distracting me from the revisions I'm supposed to be working on!

Sharon Richmond said...

Sounds very interesting, I love reading and would love to win this book.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Judy said...

Sandra, it does my heart good to read that all your children love God and their Mom! I have a wayward Son that isn't a believer and I'm not sure if he even loves his Mom. My trust is in God's Will.

You are a new author to me. It was nice getting to know a little about you in this interview. Your book, Deep Cover sounds like a great read. I would love to win a copy.

Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana

Sandra Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Sharon, we writers loooove readers -grin-

Judy, my heart goes out to you. That is so heartbreaking. I'll pray for you and your son. Keep your eyes on Him.

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks very interesting, I love reading suspense! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
God Bless!
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Wilma said...

Can't stop at that little bit so I would love to win the book , sounds like a very good one.


wilmamet6(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra Orchard said...

thanks Wilma and Abigail! You sure know how to make a writer's day :)

Sandra Orchard said...

Thanks Brenda, you've collected quite the eclectic mix. Appreciate your interest.

Lourdes said...

Oh,I so want to win.Sounds like a great read.

Lourdes, Huntington Long Island

Sandra Orchard said...

Love your enthusiasm, Lourdes!

Katie Marie said...

I haven't read any of your books yet Sandra, but Deep Cover looks neat. I'd love a chance to read.

Suspense is my ALL-TIME favorite genre to read, so, yeah, this is a book I'm sure I'd totally enjoy!

Katie from Florida

Sandra Orchard said...

I hope you enjoy it, Katie.

This my first published book.

apple blossom said...

Love LIS books please enter me thanks
Live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

Thanks Sandra & Lena...love the idea of undercover cop in Deep Cover! Love to read about those heros. Couldn't find much about how you went under cover to garner info for this story, tho. Would love to win this. Thanks for the chance. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com from Peace River Country, Alberta

Sandra Orchard said...

Apple Blossom, you're entered. Best wishes.

Fellow Canadian, Marianne :) No, I didn't do any "undercover" work to write this story, unless you count keeping the fact I was writing a secret for a few years. LOL. I did have a really cool learning experience at the Writer's Police Academy though. I'll be blogging about it at Inkwell Inspirations on the 14th

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

ok,from one eager beaver to another - way to go! luving this Sandra & congrats - every cont'd success...
from CA

Sandra Orchard said...

Thanks Faith for connecting!

Kristie said...

Your book sounds great! A man of honor AND lies. Huh? Interesting. I love romantic suspense so I hope there's lots of romance. Swoon. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Sandra Orchard said...

Kristie, I don't think you'll be disappointed in the romance dept. I waited with trepidation for the review of one friend who's never been a fan of LIS because the mystery threads (in her view) tend to overpower the romance. But she claims both the romance and suspense had her teetering on the edge of her bed. :)

Patsy said...

Sandra, I know you're so excited about your book! All of the Love Inspired authors do such a great job. Looking forward to reading it.

from Mississippi
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Sandra Orchard said...

Thanks Patsy and Sarah. I'm so enjoying seeing where everyone is from.