Author Spotlight: Sandra Sookoo

It is my pleasure to introduce the first author in our spotlight: Sandra Sookoo, who writes light paranormal romance as well as steamy historicals. Today Sandi is talking about her latest release, Demons and Stilettos are a Girl's Best Friend, available now through The Wild Rose Press.

Sandi's work is easy to read and brings a smile to the reader's face. Some of her lines are laugh out loud funny. One lucky commenter will be laughing soon, and it could be you! Just answer the simple question at the end of the interview, leave the answer in the comments section, and you could stand the chance to win one of Sandra's books. Two lucky runners up will also get postcards and bookmarks.

Now let's hand over to Sandi.

Thanks for having me on your blog. I’m excited to be here!

Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

I was nowhere, to be quite honest. At the time, I worked in the real estate industry at a title company and was very unhappy with the job and the toxic atmosphere. The best thing that ever happened was my layoff notice about three years or so ago. I never looked back and decided about a month after that it was time to “get serious” about my writing.

Yes, I’d played around with it for years and years but never did anything with it. This was like a huge slap in the face to get started. Not to mention, jobs in that industry were few and far between thanks to the economic collapse. I really didn’t have a choice LOL.

Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

That’s an interesting question. Every January, I make out a list of goals I’d like to accomplish over the year. Sometimes, I make nearly all of them. This year, it’s been a challenge to meet even a quarter of them. That being said, I would truly love to be published with a New York publisher or write a book that will sell hundreds of copies. Will it happen? Only time will tell. Will I be devastated if it doesn’t? Not a bit. Why? I’m having the time of my life with my career right now and things can only look up from here. Everything else is gravy.

Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?

The idea for Demons & Stilettos are a Girl’s Best Friend came about from an Elvis song “Devil in Disguise.” The song talks about a guy being blindsided by a woman he thought was good and sweet but is anything but in reality. LOL. I wrote the book for an open call that didn’t pan out, yet my story has nothing to do with the Elvis song except there’s a demon in it. Of course, I couldn’t resist dumping in a heavy dose of humor. Anything for a laugh!

Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

I don’t really know, but I do have a long list of books that I’m glad I DIDN’T write LOL. I suppose any book that seems to fly off the best seller list, but then, if I wrote those books, they’d have a different spin wouldn’t they?

Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

Not really. As a kid, I spent all my free time at the library reading. Around the age of ten or so, I decided I wanted to either be a cake decorator or a writer. Since I have zero success in baking/decorating cakes and a huge affinity for writing, my future was set LOL. I haven’t stop writing since.

Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy?

At first, I didn’t put love scenes into my writing. It made me too uncomfortable. Then I got over the stigma and they seem to work out just fine. As a writer, I find it fascinating to tailor the scenes to the tone and personality of the characters and book. Some are more in-depth and detailed than others and sometimes, if I know a love scene is on the docket for a day’s writing, I’ll try to avoid it, but mostly, I just power through. It’s only a scene after all.

What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?

Probably the fact that almost every year hubby and I go on an anniversary trip to Walt Disney World. Although, the times when he brings home chocolate or wine when I’ve had a bad day is special too.

What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were published?

LOL That there’s more to being a writer than slapping 50K words on a page and that it’s hard, hard work. It’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. But it’s also the most rewarding. A writer has to constantly keep learning, keep honing their craft in order to grow because if you let yourself stagnate at the same level, you’re totally missing the point of moving from writer to author.

What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

Keep on despite what’s going on around you. It’s a constant struggle to work through rejections, bad reviews, success from other writers in your set, the negativity that seems to be a big part of this industry, the “popular groups”, etc. I just have to tell myself to ignore it all, that I’m on the right path for me and keep writing that next book, making it as good as the last, making it better.

Tell us about your latest release.

My latest release is called Demons and Stilettos are a Girl’s Best Friend. Here’s the blurb:

Anne Jenkins never believed there was a heaven or hell but when she’s rescued from a runaway horse by a guy who claims he’s a demon, her freak detector goes off. She demands proof and the leather-clad biker sets some local wildlife on fire. She starts to trust in a hurry.

Gregg Carter, bound to the Devil for all eternity because of an audit gone wrong, seizes the opportunity to take possession of Anne’s soul as a way to please his boss. What he didn’t count on was the fact that his libido would take the one-way bus to crazy town as he gets to know her better.

Trouble is, Anne and Gregg spend so much time trying to hide their true selves from each other, they can’t escape the attraction that builds between them. But everyone knows demons and humans don’t mix, and neither can two people who have no futures.

What’s next for you?

Well, on June 4^th, my newest novella will release. It’s called Rocket’s Red Glare and it’s about a food critic who is also a vampire, who stumbles upon a bistro café where in the chef is the woman he left at the altar 10 years before. It’s a fun, sexy read using food as a sensual prop and tells the story of how love can be reclaimed and achieved through acceptance.

Sandra's website to keep current on releases, find recipes and read excerpts: http://www.sandrasookoo.com

You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and her Believing is Seeing blog: http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com

She also blogs every Wednesday at Paranormal Romantics: http://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/

Question: Where do Sandra Sookoo and her husband usually celebrate their anniversaries?