Spotlight on Sandra Harris, Alien, Mine and Giveaway!


We have author Sandra Harris under the spotlight and she's got a giveaway of her Alien, Mine to one commenter!
Sandra Harris on the web:
Who is Sandra Harris?

Wow, an existential question right off the bat! Well, like a lot of creative people, I am sensitive and I have an over-developed sense of loyalty - as in loyalty to inanimate objects like my car, which I love. :) I've even managed to keep the same man for the past 28 years, but that's probably due more to true love. I am entranced by beauty in all its manifest forms, but especially that of nature. The number of animal charities I donate to equals that of the human ones.

 What inspired you to be a writer?

I have to admit that there was no actual ‘inspiration’, merely a cause. Some years ago, my husband and I and some good friends had a pipe dream of sailing the coral coast in a couple of yachts. So we'd need an income. Writing, my friend suggested. How hard could it be? I'd always entertained myself with fantastical stories, though I'd never written them down. Well that was in 1987 and though we haven't yet accomplished the dream, I never stopped writing - though it was relegated to the status of hobby until about four years ago when I began the long road of getting serious about it.

How did you choose your genre?

As is the case with many writers, my genre chose me. I've always been attracted to the 'para' normal and more specifically to science fiction/fantasy. One of my fondest memories is sitting with my dad in front of the tele, weeknights, at six o'clock sharp when the ABC broadcast the early Doctor Who series.

What made you tell this story and why did you write this book?

I dreamed a very hot scene of Eugen, my hero, being attracted to Sandrea, the heroine. Of course their being aliens to each other posed all sorts of cultural based questions the two of them would have to overcome in order to achieve their HEA. Also, I feel an inherent need to combine a romance with action and adventure. 'Alien, Mine' is not just a romance set in space. It is two stories, a romance and a rollicking adventure, twined together to become one.

How did you come up with the title?

Oh, wow, there's a question! From start to finish in took several years to write and polish this book. It's working title was 'A Long, Long Way From Home'. Bit of a mouthful, what? My brilliant CP suggested I come up with something snappier and 'Alien, Mine' just popped into my head. I think it's an example of the mind keeping information from all one's experiences and offering up a suggestion when needed.
 
Alien, Mine
Back Blurb
THE BLUTHEN HAVE ONE CONSUMING PASSION: THEMSELVES.
IN THEIR EXPANSION ACROSS THE GALAXY, THEY WILL GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO DOMINATE SPECIES THEY ENCOUNTER.
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/a new day.
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 valour 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 Links
SoulMate Publishing        Amazon      Amazon UK

25 comments:

  1. Sounds like an amazing story. Nice interview.

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  2. Anonymous03 July, 2013

    Thanks, Jean. :) I've been flattered to receive a number of lovely emails from people who have read the book.

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  3. Great interview :) I agree about the title, too! And what a steamy cover!

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah, With Joy)

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    1. Anonymous03 July, 2013

      Thanks, Sarah. :) Yes, I was extremely happy when I received the cover from Soul Mate Publishing. Their graphic artist has done a wonderful job.

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  4. Great title and intriguing story. Alien, Mine is going on my to-read list, especially because of the adventure mixed in with romance.

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    1. Anonymous03 July, 2013

      I hope you enjoy it, Helena. :) I had great fun writing a cracking adventure to go along with the romance.

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  5. Wow, amazing how an intrest int writing from so long ago finally developed into you actually writing. Good luck with the book, Sandra!

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    1. Anonymous04 July, 2013

      Thanks Theresa, I guess if the writing bug bites you, there's no getting rid of it.

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  6. Fascinating interview! And the title is an incredible attention grabber~

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    1. Anonymous04 July, 2013

      Hi, Shelly, thank you. My editors were discussing with me why Alien, Mine was doing so well on Amazon before I began promoting it. I think the name and cover had a bit to do with that.

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  7. Anonymous04 July, 2013

    It's great to hear another writer's journey and process. Great interview.

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    1. Anonymous04 July, 2013

      I agree, Madeleine, it's good to know that even though writing can be such a solitary task, there are a lot of us in the same boat, struggling with the same challenges.

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  8. Anonymous04 July, 2013

    Thank you to the girls at Romance Book Haven for hosting me! :)

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  9. I think Alien, Mine is a great title!

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    1. Anonymous05 July, 2013

      Thank you, Sherry. :) I think titles, covers and blurbs are a very important part of promotion and it's great to get such positive feed back.

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  10. Great interview, Sandra and Nas! I love your title--it's amazing how it just pooped into your head;).

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    1. Anonymous05 July, 2013

      Hi, Maria :). Thank you, I suspect my hind brain thought the original title a bit on the ho-hum side and decided to formulate something on its own. No doubt it simply waited for the right opportunity to present itself.

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  11. Anonymous05 July, 2013

    Great interview. I really like the sound of your new book. Best of luck:)

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  12. Poor Eugene!! Hope he doesn't have to take Sandrea's life - she must live, they must defeat the Bluthen and have a happy ever after ending! Yay!!

    Take care
    x

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    1. Anonymous08 July, 2013

      Never fear, Old Kitty, I might have put Eugen through the wringer, but I wouldn't withhold a HEA. :)

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  13. Congratulations to Helena. Please email me at nas_dean@ymail.com or contact Sandra via her website. You've been chosen the winner of this contest.

    Thanks to all my friends for coming along!

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  14. I'm SO proud of my baby sister... Love ya Sis......

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You can discuss your romance novel addiction too!