YA Author Spotlight Presents...

Sandra Cox!!!

The online writing community is a wonderful thing because not only does it give you the opportunity to chat with your favorite authors, but it gives the opportunity to learn about new authors, and I do on regular basis. For example, I found out about Sandra Cox from Molly Daniels, and that's just for starters. I keep discovering new authors of all genres everyday, which is why online writing communities are so important.

Why are we featuring Sandra here?

Because she has a line of YA Fiction. But it isn't your run of the mill YA Fiction, oh no, and not just because it's paranormal. Her works are special because they focus on the world of cats, but not in the way that you'd think, like those recent CGI movies, but a bit more along the lines of The Secret of NIMH or Watership Down.

Odin Cats is even more interesting than that because it offers a post apocalyptic scenario where a race of Odin Cats vie for control of the earth against man, the reason the earth is in its current state to begin with. My husband likes big fat cats, I wonder what he would do if he saw an Odin Cat which happens to be 100 pounds?

Have I intrigued you so far? I hope so because Odin Cats offers a wonderful feline adventure for all of you adventure seekers out there, young and old!

Want to know more? Stick around because there is a trailer for Odin Cats after the first half of the interview and an excerpt after the second half!

ME: Do you make resolutions for the New Year? Why or why not? If so, please share one or more of them with us!

SANDRA: Yes, I do. The New Year is a time for new beginnings, a chance to start over, redoes. I take full advantage of redoesJ

My one and only resolution this year is to strive for serenity and let the stress, that always tries to jump out and grab me, go.J

ME: Now that the busy holiday time is over, what do you do to recharge?

SANDRA: Nature has the best batteries of any charging system I know. But if weather doesn’t permit, I like to stimulate the synapses with a good movie or book.

ME: Do you have any holiday memories from 2009 that you would like to share with us?

SANDRA: Our house was hectic but fun. We had two-legged guests in and out for about ten days, plus their pets which meant, in addition to the family, we had eight cats and two dogs running around the house during the holidays. We also had to get my son to the airport after the snowstorm hit and get to my brother’s graduation, both out of town. Yikes!

ME: What area of the country/world are you from? What are the average temperatures where you are? What type of clothing would most residents be wearing today? What tips do you have for people to “survive” the weather where you are?

SANDRA: I live in North Carolina. Normally it’s wonderful. I came from the Midwest where winters were frigid. In North Carolina the temps are usually high forties and fifties in the wintertime, oftentimes higher. Normally light clothing works just fine. Not this year. BRRRR.

ME: Do you have any favorite outside hobbies? Can you perform any of these hobbies right now? If not, why not, and is weather a factor?

SANDRA: I like to walk, hike and garden. I can get out and walk, but you’re correct about weather precluding the others.J

ME: Do you prefer your hot tub inside the house or outside the house? Why?

SANDRA: I’ve never been in an outdoor hot tub, but it sounds intriguing.

ME: If you could be any character/creature, who/what would it be and why?

SANDRA: Definitely a cat. We have an affinityJ

Before we get to the second part of the interview, I'd like to give you the chance to watch the trailer for Odin Cats


Now that we've had that fun little break, let's continue with the second half of the interview.

ME: Why YA Fiction? What was the draw for you?

SANDRA: I started out writing romance but romance writing has taken a more erotic turn and I haven’t. I have no problems with erotica it’s just not something that I choose to write. YA is the same as any other genre. You can write: mystery, romance, fantasy, paranormal and sci fi. It just isn’t taken to the extreme. To me its sharper, more vivid and clear yet leaves more to the imagination.

ME: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

SANDRA: The improbable is possible.

I love fantasy. I love making worlds where cats rule, where magic amulets, genies, and crystal balls exist. I want the reader to walk away with a feeling that maybe, just maybe, it’s possible.

ME: Do the holidays disrupt your writing schedule? If so, how tough is it to get yourself back in writing mode and what have you found that seems to help?

SANDRA: Yes, the holidays are a disruption but since they are, it’s easy to go back to writing because its chafes me when I’m away from it for too long.

ME: Do you prefer hot chocolate with marshmallows or whipped cream? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

SANDRA: You are really making me think hereJ I’d have to say whipped cream. And I believe it does. My heroes and heroines tend to be smooth instead of sticky and clingy.

ME: Who decides what characters/creatures you write about, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one pouring the soap in the Jacuzzi?

SANDRA: Definitely my muse. I try to outline, but the obstinate creature usually heads in a different direction entirely. I shrug my shoulders and follow where she leads.

ME: What creature/character did you have the most fun creating and why?

SANDRA: Each time I write a new novel that character is the one I enjoyed the most. So, I’ll have to say Grounded, a paranormal YA coming out in February. Gillian Stone is unique. From sunset to sunrise, she’s just a typical girl…well a typical rich girl. But from sunrise to sunset, she’s grounded in stone, in a statute that sits in the middle of her estate.

ME: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why? Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

SANDRA: Probably Bella Tremaine from Rose Quartz, The Amulet Series. She’s a modern day Southern Belle who carries herself with panache. Her motto: ‘Just because the bad guys are after you is no excuse for not looking your best.’ Bella would be a riot to hang out with. Plus there’d never be a dull moment since men and mayhem follow her wherever she goes.

The characters I never want to meet are Victor and Victoria Price (father and daughter) also from The Amulet series. These two are insanely evil. Just the thought of meeting up with them sends chills down my spine.

BLURB: Odin Cats
Man with his constant desire to enslave and assert his will has destroyed the earth. From this destruction the earth has been rebuilt similar yet different. Guns in a primitive form exist but no cars or planes. There are no resources to fuel them.

Now two factions vie for power. Man who did not learn from his mistakes and Odin Cats.

There is a legend among the Odin Cats. An Odin will come with the pure blood of royalty flowing through his veins. This cat will lift the ferals out of their oppression and unite the kingdoms of Odin and man.

EXCERPT: Odin Cats
“I want to go!” Sittchuk-Seth’s silver plumy tail lashed back and forth. His jaw tightened, his expression grew obstinate.

His father Thut sat upon his throne. His beautiful russet paws rested on the burnished gold arms of the regal chair, his expression both indulgent and annoyed. “What say you, Furrlin, shall we take this whelp of mine?” he asked the soothsayer.

Furrlin padded over to the blue crystal ball that stood in the corner near the throne. Standing on his hind legs, he rested his front paws on the crystal. The interior of the globe began to stir, to roll and flash in a prism of color. Furrlin stared unblinking into the ball as the blinding colors flashed. After a long moment, the storm of lights receded and once more lay dormant.

“Well,” demanded Thut.

Furrlin turned and shrugged. “His destiny is already written. Do what you will.” He dropped to his four paws and padded back to the king.

Odin Cats, whiskeycreekpress.com

BLURB: Shardai, The Cats of Catarau:
Shardai is a large sleek cat with attitude. He has the courage of a tiger and the disdain of a king. The fearless feline has only one weakness... his guardian. When the white cat dies, he finds Catarau, where cats go when they pass on, much to his liking. It is an idyllic setting where the sun always shines and there is never any sickness or pain. But how can he be happy when his guardian still grieves so over his death? So asking permission of the Council of Nine, he returns to earth.

Wings-press.com

BLURB: Akasha, The Cats of Catarau
Mother’s love takes a little calico cat on a perilous journey as she frantically searches for her missing kitten.

Wings-press.com



BLURB: Makita, The Cats of Catarau
When Makita meets with a violent death, her best pal Bennie the Boxer is left frightened and alone…until Makita comes back to earth to find him.

Wings-press.com

Thanks for having me, Carrie. I’ve enjoyed it.
[We've enjoyed having you and hope that you'll come back and share new releases with us!]

I’d like to invite your guests to my new YA Blog: downtownya. The week of January 10th we’ll be running ‘Sunday at the Movies’ with YA Book Trailers.

[There are some very cool ones here, so be sure to check this out!]