Interesting Peoples

Indiana Author, Sandra Sookoo

Writers in general are some of the most interesting people you will ever meet. They put the "q" in quirk. They're creative and committed. Sacrifice and a thick skin are principles they understand. They dream big and take chances. 
 

This month I'd like to introduce you to author, Sandra Sookoo. I already know a few things about this full time writer because I creep on her on Facebook. (Just kidding. That's a joke. I am not a creeper…) Sandra is a big time Disney fan. She loves to cook. She writes in different genres and at different heat levels. Sandra adores her husband, and I adore how supportive he is of her.

Sandra's new release, Suddenly Tamed, is a clean read that I'm excited to pick up because of her impressive backlist and hard work ethic. I'm fascinated by British and Indian history. Here's a little info on this new book:

From Amazon.com: …Captain Alan Tame is wrapping up the tail end of his commission in India. Just as he's convinced himself to return home to England and resume his life in Brighton, his gaze falls on an enchanting woman. He's captivated by one glance and the pursuit begins no matter that it's a crazy idea.

Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Which reminds me, I once tried her Mexican fudge recipe from her blog that has cayenne in it. My family loved it. Maybe I can talk her into sharing it. Hold that thought--

Here's a few more quirks about Sandra. Luckily, I was able to pry out a few more details about her life:

What's up with the Disney obsession? 

Well, from the age of ten when I had to pick a role model to do a report on in 5^th grade, I chose Walt Disney. I've had a "thing" for everything Disney. Call it an obsession with the ultimate in happy endings, true love or even silly adventure topped with magic. For me, Disney makes me smile, makes me happy, makes me believe any dream can come true.

 

How did you meet your husband?

I met him online, actually. At the time, it was a Christian penpal site. We conversed by email and hand written letters for a year and a half before I flew down to Trinidad (right after 9/11) and there we met in person for the first time. After that, we chatted via the Internet and spoke on the phone for another year and a half before we got engaged. The rest is history. This coming December, we'll celebrate our 11^th wedding anniversary.

Where did you learn to cook? 

I learned the basics from my mom. Would you believe I actually nearly flunked out of Home Ec? It wasn't until I was out on my own that the love of preparing food became a "thing." Then, after visiting Trinidad and finding out about a whole new world of flavors and tastes, I started studying food and recipes. I love cooking and baking just about anything now.

 

What made you decide to pursue a career as a full time author?

Necessity, I suppose, or maybe fate. In January 2007 I got laid off from my job in the Real Estate industry. My husband said it was the perfect time to see if I could make a go of my writing. A year later, I started sending stuff out into the publishing world that had just evolved into digital publishing. In the fall of 2008, I received my first two contracts. Now, I'm a hybrid author, which means doing both self-publishing and working with publishers. It's a pretty fulfilling gig.

 

What is the best book you feel you have ever written?

Oh, wow. That’s a hard one. I'd say either Act of Pardon or Operation Wedding Crash. I have another few titles but they're under my pen name and I'm still deciding if I want to share my alter ego with the world right now. 

How about that fudge recipe? 

Sandra Sookoo's Mexican Fudge

1 1/2 cup of white sugar

2/3 cup of evaporated milk

2 tablespoons of butter

1/4 teaspoon of salt

2 cups of miniature marshmallows

1 1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup of pecans or walnuts

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (I used 1/4. It's pretty spicy!)

Check out Sandra's books and website at http://www.sandrasookoo.com/. You can follow her on Facebook here. Her new book, Suddenly Tamed, is a clean read. Check it out at Amazon.com.

Stay Balanced,

Danielle Thorne