Today’s guest is someone who’s been with me on a parallel writing journey for about thirteen years. It’s fabulous to see her debut novel ‘ALIEN, MINE’ out and about. I’ve read some very early drafts of the opening chapters and it’s been amazing watching Sandra’s writing bloom (a bit like her gorgeous garden!) It was also wonderful to see ALIEN, MINE hit the Amazon Rankings and climb rapidly. So please welcome Sandra Harris.
Thank you for inviting me, Helene, I’m thrilled to be here! J
You asked about my garden or peaceful writing corner. Well, I have a couple of places where I love to either write or sit back, relax and let a story percolate. Like you I have a K9 supporter. When I’m working in my study she usually lies under the piano stool, snoring (as they do). This is her doing her fierce beastie impression hunting fish in the shallows out in the bay—not that she ever catches any, but it’s great fun!
The bay is one of my favourite places, with the occasional inspiration swimming by.
At home, when the weather’s nice, you can find me in the garden, armed with iPad and Bluetooth keyboard, hopefully writing up a storm. J The scent of this murraya hedge when in full bloom is divine and very relaxing.
Jonothan, my gargoyle, keeps intruders at bay. (He has a co-starring role in a future book)
And Peter Rabbit tends the violas.
Of course, a Queensland garden wouldn’t be complete without a hibiscus.
And my garden wouldn’t be complete without a rose.
And just to top things off, this is the first fruit off our sub-tropical apple tree. And very tasty it was too!
So that’s where I usually hang out and ruthlessly exploit the magic of nature. J
Sandra, thanks for sharing your wonderful garden – and KC – with us today! There’s certainly no shortage of inspiration in your writing environment. Looking forward to reading your next story 🙂
Sandra Harris
Born in the far north of Australia, yearly cyclones, floods and being cut off from civilization for weeks at a time were the norm. An outrageous imagination helped occupy Sandra’s mind.
An abiding interest in astronomy and a deep-seated need to always see the good guys win naturally influences her writing. Not satisfied with the amount of romance in science fiction novels she set out to redress the balance.
She currently lives in sunny South East Queensland, Australia, with her husband and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who doesn’t seem to realize she comes from royalty and should act in a more appropriate manner.
Find Sandra at http://www.sandraharrisauthor.com/blog/
Follow her on Face Book
Chat with her on Twitter
ALIEN, MINE
Torn from modern day Earth and stranded on the far side of the Galaxy, Sandrea Fairbairn must use every particle of courage she possesses to adjust to her new life and live for tomorrow.
Eugen Mhartak, a general in the Tri-Race Alliance Army, refuses to bow to the merciless Bluthen. Haunted by the loss of far too many innocent lives he has vowed to drive the ruthless invaders from Alliance space.
The strength and valor of Eugen Mhartak attracts Sandrea as no man ever has, but she struggles to read the enigmatic general’s heart. Determined to help him triumph over the Bluthen she uncovers a diabolical plot against the Alliance.
Drawn by the courage and exotic beauty of Sandrea, Mhartak battles to overcome the barriers of cross-cultural differences that separate them and claim her ardent interest. He must conquer his deepest fears to be the man she needs. When his principles are betrayed by his own government and he is faced with the impossible prospect of taking Sandrea’s life in order to save his home planet, Mhartak desperately searches for a way to keep safe both his world and the magnificent woman who has stolen his heart.
Buy ALIEN, MINE at Amazon
Hi Suzanne, so glad you’re back up and about and thanks for stopping by. Love the sapphire pendant giveaway you’re doing on your website – it’s gorgeous!
Hi Mel, I didn’t know you were a south east Queensland resident too! Thanks for dropping by the blog!
Suzanne! Thank you for dropping by. Hope the back is doing better and thank you for your good wishes. I’ll see you over on your blog. 🙂
Congratulations Sandy, How wonderful. I’ve just found out. I’ve been off line but quickly in to check and out again, re: surgery.
It’s such good news.
I can only wish you all the best, but by the looks of it, it’s doing superb.
Suzanne 🙂
Hey, Mel! I know, we find these things out after the fact, right? Thanks, glad you enjoyed AM! 🙂
You mean we lived so close all that time! I’m a bit far to visit now =)
And Alien Mine is a great read.
Chelle! 🙂 I can just imagine Sprocket tearing around the beach at Noosa. You’ll know Eugen and Sandrea better than I do soon. LOL, but I’m still flattered that you enjoy it that much. Looking forward to the end of the month. 🙂
Hi, Maria! Unfortunately there are sharks swimming around in that water, but we have an agreement. They stay off the sand, I stay out of the open water. Seems to be working so far.
Hi Michelle, thanks for dropping by. Look forward to seeing your quiet space for writing later this month!
Hi Sandy and Helene!
Lovely pics you have there, some looking awfully familiar 😉 And KC looked to be having a ball. Hopefully Sprocket will enjoy Noosa as much in a few months!
Thanks for letting us see a little more of how you like to write, Sandy.
And I still hold you accountable for my still-sore eyes. (Reading number 4 of Alien, Mine, and counting…)
Maria, the friendly dolphins keep the sharks away 🙂
I hope there aren’t any sharks swimming around in that water…..
Sandy, it’s been lovely having you here. I know there will be many more visits for new releases in the years to come!!
Lol, Kerrie, Zeus and KC would be the best of friends if we could get them together!!
Thanks for having KC and me here today, Helene. 🙂 Hope Zeus is home by now and feeling better.
Hi, Kerrie! 🙂 No, Zeus won’t be jealous, he looks out for KC. We think she’s adorable too, but then we’re probably biased. Thank you for your congrats. And thank you for being such a great volunteer for the RWA.
What a gorgeous writing space Sandy! And your fierce pup is just adorable! (Better not let Zeus hear me say that – there might be some jealousy!!)
Congratulations on Alien Mine.
Hi C.T and thanks for dropping by. Sounds like you ladies had a lovely long afternoon in that fabulous garden!
It is fabulous isn’t, Sarah. And the cover looks pretty darned good as well 🙂
LOL! That was a great day, C.T. And as I still have flowers, the kids obviously didn’t get too carried away. I did have to order more coffee though! 🙂
I can vouch for Sandy’s garden being a lovely place to relax having spent some time in it myself recently (picking veges) while trying to discourage the kids from picking too many flowers!
Hey, Sarah! Great to see you. 🙂 Thank you for your good wishes, I look forward to catching up next year at conference.
Hi Helene and Sandy,
It is awesome to see that your book is out Sandy, I wish you all the very best in sales, and in your beautiful garden.
Hugs 🙂