August 12: Visit with Sandra Hill

[EloisaJames]

Please welcome Sandra Hill to the book club! Sandra's newest book, So Into You, is featured in my Alpha Allure column this month. This was a fun, sexy read and I hope you all enjoy it.

Welcome Sandra!!

[KimCastillo]

Hi Sandra! I'm so excited that you're visiting!

I just loved the heroine of your book!  One thing I was curious about... why did she become a nun?  How long was she a nun? Thanks!

[SHill]

Hi everyone!  Great to be here!  Especially on one of my favorite subjects...alpha heroes.  I love reading them.  Love writing them.  As a longtime (fifteen years) writer of romantic fiction, whether it be historical, contemporary or time travel, my alpha heroes are a bit different from some others in that they are alphas with a sense of humor.  Is there anything better than a dark tortured hero who can still laugh at life and himself.  I'll go one step farther.  Is there anything sexier than an alpha male who can make a woman smile in bed?

In my latest book, SO INTO YOU, Angel Sabato has been a national poker champ, a treasure hunter, contractor, deep sea demoliton expert, and, yes, he even once posed for Playgirl magazine.  For ten years, Angel has been in love with Grace O'brien, who has an equally colorful past, including having been a nun.  But Grace does not return Angel's affections, not in the same way.  So, Angel sets up a plan of seduction which Grace won't be able to resist.  If you have a chance, check out the video for this book on my website,

www.sandrahill.net, or YouTube, and you'll see what I mean, especially at the end when Angel tells Grace he's coming after her.

So, any questions?  I have favorite alpha heroes in mine and other author's books.  Do you?

Sandra Hill

[Melanie_Murray]

Sandra, welcome!

I first discovered your contemporaries when I was an editorial asst at Warner. For those at the board who haven't read them, they are great and I'll link to them below. They were my first intro to Tante Lulu, who is such a fun, fresh, out-of-the-ordinary character. What was your inspiration for her? And who are your favorite alpha heroes?

Cajun Cowboy

 

Tall, Dark, and Cajun  

Red-Hot Cajun  

[okieb]

Hi, Sandra! and Welcome. I'm looking forward to reading So Into You

[SHill]

Hey, Melanie!  Of course I remember you.  What are you doing now?

Writing, I hear.  Any alpha heroes? <g>  And thanks for your compliments.

Sandra

[Melanie_Murray]

Well, thanks to moderating this board, I'm reading more romance than ever!

Tell us about your inspiration for the book, and how it is for you to bounce between Vikings and Cajuns.

[EloisaJames]

Hi Sandra! Thank you for joining us.

New Orleans is obviously so important to your books... do you live there?  Can you tell us a bit about your experiences in the city?

[Cheyenne_Catina]

love ur cajun series, and I have so into you on hold

[SHill]

Melanie:  I can only write one book at a time because my voice is different

for Vikings than for Cajun than for Navy SEALs.  I know some authors can

jump back and forth.  Not me.  But you know, there is a common thread

in all my books...humor.  Plus, I think Vikings, Navy SEALs, treasure hunters,

even Cajuns have a lot in common.

[SHill]

Melanie: As for inspiration to write SO INTO YOU...Angel and Grace,

secondary characters in several others books, were such compelling

characters with such unusual backgrounds, and secrets, that they

needed their own story.  As for the foundation set up by Tante Lulu

to rescue hurricane survivors, well, you only have to read the

newspaper to know that people in Louisiana are still suffering from

Katrina, Gustaf and other natural disasters, with more on the horizon.

Hot characters and colorful bayou country.

[SHill]

Eloisa:  No, I was not born, nor do I live in Louisiana, but I swear I

have genetic memory of the place.  I've visited several times and

researched heavily.  My fascination started years ago when my

husband had a business trip to New Orleans.  While he was in meetings,

I went sightseeing on my own.  It was late afternoon when I knocked

on the door of a house in the French Quarter where a plaque announced

that tours were available.  Ironically, the house had once belonged to a

General Butler, and my gradnmother was a Butler (who, incidentally

claimed that the character Rhett Butler was based on one of our

ancestors, but that's another story).  Anyhow, this woman in period

costume, pure Southern belle, answered the door and invited me in.

Because I was the only person there, she showed me around the house

as if it were her own home and I a guest.  A step back in time, for sure.

Sandra

[EloisaJames]

That's a facinating story, Sandra! Did the house have anything to do with your ancestors?

[SHill]

No, the house had nothing to do precisely with my ancestors,

but I liked the connection.  Plus, at one point the home had

belonged to the writer Grace Livingston Hill and housed her

collections. Another connection, I thought...Hill.  I know, a

coincidence.  Still...

Thanks for having me here.  It was fun.

Sandra

[Melanie_Murray]

Sandra, it was so nice chatting with you!

[cheri2628]

Hi, Sandra.  Your latest book sounds wonderful!  I saw the very entertaining video for this book.  It was very well done because it absolutely makes you want to know more of the story.

[SHill]

Thanks, Cheri.  It was fun making that particular video.  Have you

checked out Tante Lulu's Twitter?

[Melanie_Murray]

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SHill wrote:

Thanks, Cheri.  It was fun making that particular video.  Have you

checked out Tante Lulu's Twitter?

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Tante Lulu has a Twitter account? How brilliant!