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Welcome to the Tuesday Author Interview with Christina Boyd for the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
CHRISTINA: I met Sandra Ramsey on Facebook when she posted she was looking for critique partners. I participated in her critique group for a couple months and loved her characters in her shifter series. Recently, she released the first book in that series, and I enjoyed reading the published Bear Essentials. Engaging characters and breathtaking world-building, I liked how these shapeshifters were once Special Forces soldiers, now retired to the wilds of Alaska.
Is there one of your characters you most identify with and why?
SANDRA: Yes. In my “Always A Hero” shifter series, one of the heroes is a raven shifter named Garreth. In the first book, Garreth stole so many scenes (ravens are notorious thieves of all things round and shiny), I had to go back and cut because the first book is Croix’s story. Garreth’s story will be the second book (set for late spring or early summer 2025), but as I was knee-deep in the first, I decided that he would be the thread that holds the series together. He will appear as a sub-character in every one of the ten-book series.
CHRISTINA: That’s excellent news. Garrett is such a great character.
What is your current project or latest release?
SANDRA: Bear Essentials, Always A Hero: Book 1 released October 2024. The Ravens Secret, Always a Hero: Book 2 is set for late spring or early summer 2025, and later toward fall, I will introduce my new series, a romantic suspense/paranormal/contemporary series where five brothers attempt to live their lives while dealing with the mafia, biker gangs, and government interference. All of my books will give you a happily-ever-after.
CHRISTINA: Congratulations. The romance between Croix and Nageenah is sexy and sweet. And the dangerous “mission” to finally reach the happily ever after had me on the edge of my seat.
Do you put people you know, or their characteristics, in your book?
SANDRA: Sometimes my characters are sculpted after someone I know, but, in general, I try to think of what features each would have, how they behave, or what habits they have, at least for the male characters. I do think there is a lot of myself in some of my strong, resilient female characters.
CHRISTINA: What’s more difficult to write? A love scene or a love letter or something else?
SANDRA: Oh. Those love scenes are the hardest things to write for me. It’s difficult to find emotional ways to show love between characters without going too anatomical. I try to keep the open-door parts to three pages or less, but I find them exhausting to write, and they take the most editing. You know, bodies only bend one way, so to speak.
CHRISTINA: That’s funny because it’s true.
What are you reading now?
SANDRA: I read most evenings, choosing words over watching television. If the books are page turners, I can read as much as three books a week. In general, I prefer to read what I write, but I do read (don’t roll your eyes), MC romance on my Kindle. Who can resist tattoos, leather, and chrome? And really, I must have my alphaholes. But I have a twenty-book TBR pile right now as well. I grabbed ten books from the last two local/Indie artists events I went to. Most are paranormal/fantasy/suspense, but I also grabbed one in crime fiction and a woman’s literature one I’m dying to read, All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore.
CHRISTINA: I totally get that. My to-be-read list is long, yet I continue to buy books.
How did writing your first book change your writing process?
SANDRA: I learned that I should have paid more attention in high school when they were talking about commas. I was all about the science at the time. But I think your first book is meant to be a learning journey, and I believe that if you compare book one to book three, you will see a marked improvement. Maybe by book ten, I’ll actually feel like a real author.
CHRISTINA: Imposter Author Syndrome is a feeling that comes and goes. Everyone suffers it. You’re in good company.
Many thanks for taking the time for this interview. Best wishes for the rest of the series.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra Ramsay’s love of books evolved early in childhood. Encouraged by her mother to read, there was never a time when books were not available. Stepping into the town library, the subtle brush of vanilla and coffee from the stacks, the smell of books, old and new, always gave her a feeling of well-being. If not reading, she was hiking through the wild lands of northern Pennsylvania, learning about plants, animal tracks, and bird calls, or walking the creek looking for crayfish and minnows. Words were always a part of her life and now she is honored to place her own words on the pages. She hopes to write a story forged by the past and preserved for the future.
You can find her books on Amazon. All are available on Kindle Unlimited.
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