Guest Blogger Sandra Sookoo

Jenn Hart for Writers Gone Wild

Stick a fork in me people because I am so done! The No Limits Blog Tour was fabulous and absolutely exhausting! I knew from the get go that I couldn't muster one more interesting thing to say this month so I invited the uber talented and always delightful Sandra Sookoo to visit and talk about her new release! Welcome Sandra!

Thanks for having me on back on the blog. I’m so excited to talk about my new book!

In case you don’t know who I am, my name is Sandra Sookoo and I write romantic fiction. Gah, it sounds like I’m intro-ing myself for a 12-step program! Let’s try that again. Hi, I’m Sandi and I’m a big ole softy when it comes to writing romance.

From the earliest age, I’ve always been fascinated with fairy tales. The dashing hero, the heroine with a problem, the bravery that’s needed to beat the monster, save the day then everyone rides off into the sunset for that all-inclusive happy ending. Yeah, I’m a sucker for them, so much so that I’ve read fairy tales from all over the world and in many different versions.

When Liquid Silver Books announced their Silver Slipper call for reworked fairy tales, my brain went into overdrive thinking about what I could do with that. I was in heaven. Because I always put my own spin on everything I write, I knew doing retold fairy tales wouldn’t be any different. I’d already had a reimagined fairy tale (which came out last December) but I needed more—more of the HEAs, more of the “old world” drama that’s indicative of a fairy tale, more stakes, more romance!

And here’s a little tidbit for you: I came to the sci-fi genre late in my life. When all the kids of my neighborhood were reenacting scenes from Star Wars, I was tucked away reading Anne of Green Gables. When my dad spent every Sunday watching episodes of the original Star Trek on TV, I was doodling away on notepads creating my own worlds. It wasn’t until I married my complete geek husband that I got onboard with sci-fi. Now, it’s almost like a craving, and that’s why I decided to set FRACTURED in a futuristic setting. Seemed like a great idea for me and it made my brain happy.

Here’s the blurb: What happens when beauty is the beast?

Major Rick Keenan has a near-impossible mission: repair his broken shuttle, rescue a missing crew member and get off an almost-dead planet. Angry that the U.S. is discontinuing the space program, he wants to find a discovery that will revise the government's position. Unfortunately, that discovery might just kill him.

Marin is one of the last of her people. Forced to flee to the planet in her childhood, she's kept herself hidden away in darkness, safe in a castle-like fortress, only coming out when she needs to feed--from human blood. Convinced she'll never fit in, she shuns all contact, yet taking Rick hostage as a food source chips away at her perceptions.

Though their differences threaten to tear them apart, their humanity binds them together. In a world where only the strong and determined survive, does a happily ever after stand a chance?

Book video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3hiQHxMW2w&feature=youtu.be

Now for a short excerpt. In this snippet, the hero Rick and his teammate have just encountered a welcoming party from the planet they’ve landed on.

"I am Sharn. This is my daughter, Elisa. Welcome to Oolita, the village of the damned." The man rubbed a shaking hand along his forehead.

"Damned?" Rick narrowed his eyes. "How do you figure?" He made another sweep of the medieval-style village and assessed his hosts' period clothing. This planet's not as advanced as Earth. Fantastic. Won't be able to grab some guys from the village to help with repairs.

Elisa took a step forward. "There are beings who hunt these woods. If we do not bring them offerings or they are not interested in what we give, they come to kill. The victim is drained of blood and left as a soulless shell."

What could you say to that? He glanced at Reigen. "Well, that doesn't sound good."

Sharn laid a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Forgive Elisa. The stories still fascinate her. The monsters have not come to the village for months."

"Maybe they found a new hunting ground." Reigen shifted his weight from foot to foot.

"No. It is said after they feed, they are satisfied for days before the need arises again and there are many villages scattered in the jungle."

Rick shook his head. "Be that as it may, we're here for a couple of things. First, do you have any idea where we can find one of these?" He reached into a pocket on his utility vest and pulled out a flat, square crystal, holding it up for Sharn to see. "We're also missing a crew member. He'd be wearing clothes like us. Have you seen him?"

Sharn shook his head. "Anything we find of value we take to the ackarn orcha."

"And that means?"

"Place of death or place of infinite sorrow. Both are interchangeable." Sharn crossed his arms over his chest, hiding his hands in the robe’s wide sleeves. "We have not seen a man such as you. If he is lost, the monsters may have taken him."

"Thanks." Rick tapped his thumb on his weapon. "Any idea how long it takes to get to this place of death?"

Elisa gasped. "Two hours on foot, but no one goes there without an offering."

“I never did believe in monsters.” Rick shrugged and nodded to his teammate. "We'll just have to wing it and pray the ‘monster’ will go for my boyish charm." He chuckled at the joke, but when the villagers merely stared at him, he sighed. "Okay, obviously stand-up comedy is before your time."

ARe

Amazon:

Liquid Silver Books:

I hope you’ll pick up a copy of this book. I had the greatest fun writing it, and besides, the ending is sigh-worthy!

Want to connect with Sandra? Find her here:

Website: http://www.sandrasookoo.com

Believing is Seeing blog: http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sandrasookoo

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandra.sookoo

Giveaway: One random commenter will receive book swag (bookmarks, postcards, etc) plus a cute little fairy tale themed necklace. This giveaway is open to US residents and Canada only. Please leave your contact information. Winner will be drawn January 19^th.