Congratulations to the winner of the Author Spotlight giveaway of Annabel Lee, SUE MORRIS. Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com to claim your prize.

Welcome Sandra Orchard, author of A Fool and His Monet, to Author Spotlight! Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a copy of her latest release.

Introduce us to you as an author: When did you get bit with the writing bug? How would you describe your writing style?

I got the writing bug when I was six years old and saw my first story printed in the school yearbook, although it was more than thirty years before I tried my hand at writing a novel. I write fast-paced, keep-you-guessing whodunits with a dash of sweet romance.

Tell us about your new release:

A Fool and His Monet is the first book in Serena Jones Mysteries.

Serena is a plucky FBI art crime agent forging her way through a museum of lies to expose the ruthless mastermind behind the recent theft of a priceless painting.

Her passion for uncovering lost and stolen art is surpassed only by her zeal to uncover the truth about the art thief who murdered her grandfather. She’s joined the FBI Art Crime Team with the secret hope that one of her cases will lead to his killer. Now, despite her mother’s pleas to do something safer—like get married and give her grandkids—Serena’s hot on a new case, a Monet stolen from the local museum. The clues point in different directions and her boss orders her to cease investigating her most promising suspect. But determined to solve the case, and perhaps discover another clue in her grandfather’s case, she pushes ahead, regardless of the danger.

How can readers connect with you online?

SandraOrchard.com

Facebook

Pinterest

Goodreads

Anything new for you on the book horizon?

I’m currently writing the third book in the Serena Jones Mysteries series—working title: Over Mayan Dead Body. As you can probably guess from the title, Serena is tracking down stolen antiquities. This has been great fun to research, because the story takes place on Martha’s Vineyard, so of course, I had to go there. And … I had to devise a way to get the important people in Serena’s life there, too. With antiquities trafficking purported to be the second largest source of income for at least one major terrorist group, the stakes are high for Serena in this one.

After you started writing seriously, how long was it before you were published?

Six years.

Do you prefer reading physical books or e-readers?

E readers, because I can make the words as big as I want.

What book have you reread the most?

The Monster at the End of This Book. I received it when I was a child and have read it countless times with highly embellished emotions to 2 more generations of children since then. <grin>

Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it?

Yes. I stopped reading reviews.

How do you solve a grammar dilemma?

I email my friend whom I call my grammar guru.

What’s your favorite writing snack?

Dark Belgian chocolate.

Can a person make a living as a writer?

Depends on how much chocolate they need. It’s getting pricey. <wink>

What are your biggest distractions?

The desire to hang out with my grandkids.

What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?

I least like the days when, despite sitting at my computer for ten or more hours, I still can’t pry enough good words out of my head to meet my target count, and I think about how many other things I could’ve gotten done in that time. I most enjoy brainstorming story ideas with fellow writers.

What is the smartest writing advice you ever got?

Write the next book.

Who’s your favorite character you’ve written so far? Explain:

I love Serena Jones, the heroine of this newest mystery series. Her quick wit and way of looking at situations and men is a lot of fun. Although the men in her life come a close second, since their dialogue plays off each other. Not to mention her Great Aunt Martha, an eager armchair sleuth who doesn’t know the meaning of armchair. She’s had this amazing globe-trotting life that we probably don’t know the half of yet. <wink> Oh, my, asking me to choose just one is like asking me who my favorite child is!

Best indulgence:

Spending an entire day, weekend, week, doing nothing but enjoy time with family and reading.

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