Today's Special - - Sandy Blair

I first discovered Sandy Blair when I won a copy of her time-travel holiday book, A HIGHLANDER FOR CHRISTMAS.  That was all it took for me to glom onto her back list of books and look forward to each new one she releases.  An award-winning author, Sandy has "slept in castles, knelt in cathedrals where kings and queens have been crowned, dined with peerage, floated along Venetian canals, explored the great pyramids, misplaced her husband in an Egyptian ruin (she continues to deny being the one lost), and fallen (gracefully) off a cruise trip." (from sandyblair.net)   
Please welcome Sandy to The Romance Dish!

Hi Sandy! It was lovely seeing you recently at RWA in New York City. I hope you enjoyed the conference.

Hi Patty! Yes, I had a great time and very much enjoyed visiting with you.

I was especially excited to learn that you have a new book coming out. THE KING’S MISTRESS was released yesterday (July 26th) in digital format from Samhain Publishing. Will you please tell our readers what they can expect from this story?

Would love to! On orders from his king, Britt MacKinnon, captain of the king’s guard, arrives at the Armstrong Border holding to fetch back to Edinburgh the king’s favorite paramour. Identical twin Geneen Armstrong, intent on protecting her pregnant twin, on making the court believe she and her sister are one in the same, doesn’t tell Britt he’s escorting the wrong woman to the king. Lies build upon lies at break neck speed as readers enter the perilous world of Scotland’s medieval court, where intrigue and deception ruled. To a time and place when hearts, lives and Scotland’s destiny hung in the balance.

I love the tagline for this book. The long way home could be the shortest road to ruin. It immediately piqued my interest. Do you write your own taglines or is that the responsibility of the publisher?

My editor came up with the tagline after reading the manuscript. I love it. It accurately depicts the story on so many levels.

What was your inspiration for this story?

Promise not to laugh? I read non-fiction history books before sleep in the hopes of discovering an inexplicable event in Scotland’s past that will send my muse into overdrive, triggering that all important, “What if…?”
Within days of a “What if…?” moment, you’ll find me neck deep in research books. As I delve into the lives of the historical characters involved, my protagonists come to life and plot points begin to unfold. This invariably leads to further research into such fun stuff as indigenous poisonous plants, cottage industries and peculiar funeral practices.

THE KING'S MISTRESS was triggered by my happening upon several confusing accounts of Yolande de Dreux, the widow of Alexander III, her actions following his suspicious death, his heir’s sudden (and yet to be explained) death and the resultant political chaos that followed. THE KING'S MISTRESS begins just days before these events occurred.

Readers are frequently asked to name their favorite characteristics in a hero or heroine. What characteristic do you most admire in Britt and Geneen, the hero and heroine of THE KING’S MISTRESS?

A battle-tested warrior, Britt MacKinnon is a man of ingrained integrity, which is constantly tested by his estranged family, his king, and now by a woman he cannot love but does.

Geneen Armstrong has spent her life giving, never having wanted for herself and now she does want--desperately…and his name is Britt MacKinnon.

Is this a stand-alone book or will there be related stories in the future?

I’m working on story about Britt’s best friend, Lyle Ross. He was nearly destroyed by his love for the wrong woman. I’d like to give him the right one.

THE KING’S MISTRESS is set in Scotland, as most of your books have been. What do you think makes Scotland, and Scottish men in particular, so appealing to the readers of Romance Fiction?

What’s not to love? The Highlands are majestic, and Highlanders come with knee-melting brogues, a wry sense of humor, and bodies that for generations wielded battle axes and broad swords. The best were/are men of honor who hold dear their love of the land and clan, for the law and of course their women.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on two manuscripts: Lyle’s story, which will be a historical Romance, and my mainstream historical.

Okay, time for a little Quick Six fun!

Dogs or Cats?

Dogs. Here’s a picture of my writing partner Coco Chanel.

Aw, she's adorable!

Early Bird or Night Owl?

I may be the Early-est bird you know. 

Beef or Seafood?

Both. I adore shellfish and good steak.

Formal dress or Comfy jeans?

Jeans, please. Preferably the stretch type.

Fly or Drive?

Fly! Life is too short to spend 6 hrs in a car to get somewhere when you could have gotten on a plane and been there in one.

Beach or Mountains?

Definitely the beach! In fact we just moved to New Hampshire, where we can walk to a glorious beach in just 5 minutes.

Sandy, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. Would you like to ask anything of our readers?

‘Twas my pleasure. Thank you for the great interview questions. And yes, I would like to ask your readers a question.

How will Borders’ closing and Barnes and Nobles’ recent decision to cut back on the volume of paperback books they carry in order to make more space available for toys, calendars, etc affect you? 

Sandy will be giving away a terrific prize package, including a plush 6-inch Highlander teddy bear, some locally made Coastal New Hampshire salt-water taffy and THE KING'S MISTRESS (Kindle or Nook), to one randomly selected person who leaves a comment on today's blog.  

Find out more about Sandy and her books at her website. 

Sandy's new e-book, THE KING'S MISTRESS, can be purchased from Samhain, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com. 

~PJ