The Bottom Line by Sandy James {Blog Tour & Interview}

My income tax return says that I am a teacher. I had originally intended it to say “lawyer,” but romance, marriage, and motherhood set my life on a different course.

I’ve been married to Jeff James since 1983. Even after all these years, he is still the love of my life. Jeff and I have two grown children who make us proud every day.

My husband and I share another strong and wonderful interest that is not only a great part of our day-to-day lives but has also become a running theme throughout some of my books. We own a small racing stable of Standard-bred Harness horses, pacers to be exact. We have always loved the sport and as our children grew up enough to have their own interests, Jeff looked into what it would be like to own a racehorse. We jumped into the sport with both feet and are loving every minute of it. I’ve added a link to Jeff’s website if you’d like to follow the progress of our horses.

As another bit of personal information, I’d like to share that several years ago I was diagnosed with lupus. I know that there are others out there who either have had the same diagnosis or know someone who has. I’m sharing this because I want to encourage you all that chronic illnesses do not have to keep you down and out of the swing of life. I still teach, still work with my horses, have a wonderful family life, and am still able to spend hours at my laptop writing on my latest book.

I am blessed to be leading a life full of the things I like to do and people I love.

Welcome to Stitch Read Cook…

1)  What inspired you to write THE BOTTOM LINE?

The book is loosely based on a group of my own friends who eat lunch with me every school day. When two of these friends were faced with a battle against breast cancer, I decided to honor them in the Mallory character.

2)  What genre have you always thought about trying but haven't yet and why.

I would love to dive into a true crime novel. Between my degree in criminology and that fact I’m a big fan of author Ann Rule, I’m itching to sink into a fascinating case and write a book about it.

3)  If you could jump into any novel what would it be and why.

Great question! If you’re limiting it to my novels, I’d have to say The Reluctant Amazon. I would so love to be a part of the Alliance of the Amazons world, where gods and goddesses exist and the supernatural is the norm.

If I can choose other authors’ novels, I think I’d love to be Lizzie in Pride & Prejudice. What woman with blood in her body wouldn’t want to hang around Mr. Darcy?

4)  What is a typical writing day for you like?

There’s no “typical” for me because my life for the last twenty years has revolved around being a teacher and a mom.

During the school year, I have to fit writing in around my teaching hours and whether there are evening activities I have to attend. That means most of my writing is confined to Saturdays, Sundays, and vacations.

The summers are sublime, because I can write all day (and night!) if I want to, which I usually do. I love to listen to music while I write, and I’m addicted to Sirius satellite channels that have music from the 60s, 70s, and Broadway.

5)  If you could have dinner with any 5 authors - dead or alive - who would be it and why.

1. Nora Roberts. I would love to pick her brain to discover how she’s been able to be so prolific and still maintain such excellent quality for all her stories.

2. Stephen King. I admire him so much, and I’d love to talk to him about the craft as well as let him know how much he’s inspired me.

3. JK Rowling. I want to scold the hell out of her for killing Dobby. (Sorry for the spoiler!)

4. Eloise James. I love her historical novels soooo much. I would enjoy “talking shop” with her.

5. Sherilyn Kenyon. To compare publishing stories with her about writing urban fantasy would be a joy.

Quick & Easy:

Day or Night? Night
Love at First Sight or Second Chances? Love at First Sight
Weres or Vamps? Neither!
Paperbacks or Ebooks? Both
Past, Present or Future? Past
Reading or Writing? Writing
Coffee or Tea? Coffee by the potful
Plotter or Panster? A true pantser
Reality or Fiction? Fiction
Laptop or Desktop? Laptop
Angel or Demon? Demon
Authors Choice:  I’d love to know what genre of romance women consider their “favorite.”

When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. Surviving a failed marriage and an illness that almost takes her life, high school teacher Mallory Hamilton needs the Ladies Who Lunch more than ever . . .

After a year of upheaval, Mallory has had her fill of change-with one exception. Her house is a disaster, and she wants it fixed. Hiring a contractor to finish the projects her ex-husband started will help her banish the past so she can return to the life she had before everything went awry. But her contractor is sexy, sweet, and single, which threatens the peaceful, solitary life Mallory has planned for herself.

Ben Carpenter has had a hard time raising his daughter without his ex-wife's help. His new client's projects will give him the extra income he needs, not to mention afternoons alone with a gorgeous woman. Though their attraction is undeniable, Ben sees the fear and pain hiding in Mallory's beautiful eyes. But how can he help her if she won't let him in? Ben can fix just about anything-but can he fix Mallory's broken heart?