Monday 26 March 2012

Spotlight on Sandra Sookoo

Today I have with me the talented and versatile Sandra Sookoo, author of just about anything that's engaging with adventure, romance, and a really good cook...judging from some of her mouth-watering tweets.  Oh, and I believe she's a mega-huge Disney fan.

Sandra is also generous enough to give away this really awesome looking scarab bracelet...among other things.  All you have to do is leave a comment (and follow her instructions below) and you'll have a chance to win!

Well, enough about me blabbing about her.  I'll let her get on with telling you about herself and showcasing her recent release, Cairo Nights.

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Thank you for having me on your blog today!

For as long as I could remember, I’ve loved anything and everything related to Egypt.  Growing up, I couldn’t wait for the chance to visit the Children’s Museum in town that had a mock-up of an Egyptian pyramid and tomb with hieroglyphs on the inside.  I even learned how to write my name with hieroglyphs.

I gobble up programs on the History and National Geographic channels on cable having to do with Egypt and the lives of the people who lived there.  For me, there’s a certain romance and charm in seeing the ruins of such a powerful civilization.  I can imagine the sunsets on the Nile, how a fine haze of dust hovers near the pyramids in the mornings or can feel the majesty of those sites and image how they must have looked at the height of life.

In CAIRO NIGHTS, I had the opportunity to visit Egypt and make it the backdrop for an erotic historical romance set in the late 1880s.  From camel races, to a woman who works with Cairo’s poor children to bringing awareness to the state of Egypt’s antiquities, this book has something for everyone.  I’m pleased that I could bring a bit of Egypt to life while my characters live out their existence as well.

Blurb:  Losing something you want the most makes you stronger—or an easy target.

Joy Debinham, daughter of an English missionary, hides a secret heartache while working with Egypt's poverty stricken. As she attempts to save the children from easily curable diseases, she has another interest—keeping Egypt's treasures in the country. But the arrival of Quinn ignites her banked passion and becomes the obsession that might put her life in danger.

Quinn Handry, an enterprising American from humble roots, has come to Egypt for one reason—the money. He's done many things for a buck, but brokering stolen antiquities is the most lucrative. In order to reclaim what he lost years ago, he's always on the hunt for treasures until the day he meets Joy and everything dims compared to the desire she invokes in him.

During perfumed Egyptian nights, the heat between them flares while acquaintances conspire to destroy them. Danger doesn't stay confined to tombs and pushes them to finally realize what matters most—if they can live long enough to claim it.


Buy links:
Short excerpt:  Her hand trembled. Shadows danced and jumped about the chamber. She attempted to control her erratic breathing. An impossible task. Her stomach clenched as she stared at the darkened doorway. Fleeing was out of the question. There was only one way in or out. The specter—or whatever it was—could just as easily follow her deeper into the depths.
I'll stand and fight. There is no other option.
The muscles in her arm ached as she waited for her doom. The scratching sound came again, echoed and magnified in the small space, and she flinched. It floated closer and she swore she heard the inhalation of another person. Sweat drenched her back and trickled down her temples. Would it never show itself? Finally, she couldn't stand the not knowing.
"Who’s there? Show yourself this instant!"
Shadows gathered in the corners and at the doorway seconds before it joined her. In the light from her wildly shaking lantern, she recognized the man—for it was merely a man and not a mummy—as the camel racer from the afternoon. She dropped her arm as a wave of relief swept through her body. "What are you doing here?" Belatedly, she realized she didn't know his name.
"Following you. I intend to finish what we started earlier." He shrugged and his linen suit, much like the one she'd seen on Max, tightened over his undeniably fit frame. His raven dark hair gleamed in the weak light while his eyes behind the glasses sparkled with determination—and heated intent.
The relief she'd claimed moments before dissolved as shivers tumbled down her spine. Whoever this man was, whatever he represented, she wanted the chance to explore why he made her feel completely undone yet curiosity and impatience won out over caution. "I have no business with you." Except to steal another mindless kiss that will make me forget the horrible things I've seen in Egypt.
"Is that so?" He pounced so fast she had no time to fend him off as he pinned her against a wall and crushed his mouth to hers.

Interested to find out more about me or connect with me on social networking?  You can find me around the web at the following places:
Believing is Seeing blog:  http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/sandrasookoo
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/sandra.sookoo

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION FOR THIS POST:  One random commenter will receive book swag (postcards and bookmarks, etc) plus a colorful, beaded scarab bracelet.  Please be sure to leave your contact information and check back in a few days to see if you’ve won!

So what about you?  Do you have an exotic location in mind for vacation or to see before you die?  Share it with me and I might just write about it!
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Well, there you have it.  This sounds amazing. Congrats, Sandra on your release!!  And don't forget people, you wanna win, leave a comment.

Cheers! 

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me on your blog today!

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  2. I want to go to Ireland or Japan though Egypt would be a nice place to visit as well.

    taiyouryu@gmail.com

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  3. So many exotic locations come to mind...I want to go to Viet Nam, of course. I'd also like to take a space tour, though doubt that will happen. :)

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  4. Thanks for commenting!! Sandra has asked me to pick a winner, so I closed my eyes and waved my finger...
    And the winner is EMMA LAI. Sandra will post a notice so you'll know how to contact her. Cheers, and congrats!!

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  5. Thanks for commenting, and thanks to TK for hosting me. Emma, please contact me at sandra (dot) sookoo (at) comcast (dot) net. I'll get your prize out to you!

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