Awesome Romance Author Sandra Masters
~From Boardroom to Ballroom ~
Meet Sandra Masters, a fellow Wild Rose romance author. She writes Regency romance. When she’s not in front of her computer writing passionate steamy novels, she can be found in the kitchen cooking way too much food to share with friends and family. One of her specialties is Rusticana Italiano Meatballs and Red Gravy from scratch. Take it away, Sandra…
Challenges in getting first book published:
I was fortunate to choose only The Wild Rose Press to submit to. The editor assigned to me was Cindy Davis and she took great pains to tell me how to improve my work. Her faith spurred me on and on the third submittal, I got my first contract. That was in September 2015. Moral to the story: Be humble, accept criticism, and be grateful for those who help you.
How much research do I go for each book?
For the Regency Historical book series, (Six novels), I’ve researched for hours and sometimes months, to get the period era correct. I’ve double checked with members of the RWA Beau Monde Chapter, and believe it is all the small details that lend to its creditability.
Is there any particular book authors who influenced me?
Judith McNaught with Whitney, My Love.
And all of Mary Balogh’s Regency books, especially, Simply Dangerous.
They made my heart sing.
What other genres do I write?
Contemporary, but Book Six of the Duke Series, is a Regency Fantasy Supernatural Romance, a definite departure and challenge. Just love this book. Sent it o my publisher and it’s titled, THE BLUE-EYED BLACK-HEARTED DUKE, so I’m waiting to hear the hopefully good news.
I’m also planning a three-book novella series – Saints, Sinners and Scoundrels.
What was my favorite phrase about One Night With A Duke?
“What would I have to do,” she asks. He answers: “I leave that to your resourcefulness…and mine…under a starlit night with nothing but our naked imaginations.” “Sweet heaven,” she muttered.
Advice to aspiring authors:
Rule #1 – Never give up.
Rule #2 – Never forget rule #1.
Fall in love with Romance all over again
From a humble beginning in Newark, New Jersey, a short stay at a convent in Morristown, N.J. at the age of fourteen, Sandra Masters retired from a fantastic career for a play broadcasting company in Carlsbad, California, and settled in the rural foothills of the Sierras of Yosemite National Park with her husband, Ron, and two dogs, Silky and Sophie. She traded in the Board Rooms for the Ballrooms of the Regency Era and never looked back.
She wrote her first book at the age of thirteen and since then she’s always traveled with pen and notebook for her writing experiences. It’s been the journey of ten thousand miles with a few steps left to go. She deemed it a pleasure to leave the corporate world behind decades later.
Nothing she expected, but everything she desired. Her business card lists her occupation as Living The Dream.
One Night with a Duke by Sandra Masters
When a spirited woman disrupts the world of a duke who follows the rules, sparks fly, passions ignite and planets collide.
Reclusive, cold as ice, the politically powerful Raven, Duke of Ravensmere, denies love after the tragic deaths of his duchess and baby. He is bound by his vow never to allow love to enter his heart again. Samantha Winston permits him to seek refuge in her carriage in a time of need, and what started as a kiss in the name of safety, becomes something more pleasurable and not so safe after all. In spite of every caution, his interest escalates into unexpected desire.
Samantha, a young widow with a secret, irreverent and high-spirited, has constructed impenetrable walls against all men. When she and Raven meet again, strong wills clash. Political intrigues and a dreaded nemesis place his life at risk, and Samantha finds herself in a dire predicament. All the while, passion soars.
Can Samantha’s barriers fall with more kisses?
Can Raven be released from his deathbed vow?
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Excerpt
ONE NIGHT WITH A DUKE “I have no husband, Your Grace.” She spoke in an assured tone, but to his ears, it sounded like a siren’s call to temptation.
He did not expect the ruffle of her fan tap to his cheek. A light one, it surprised him. “Does that mean you will meet me?”
The provocative look in her eyes wielded its power, “Yes.”.
His hand went to his cheek and an amused chuckle rose to the trees. “Touché.”
“Don’t be late.” She flicked open her fan.
“Hah, you are dismissed.”
“Hah,” she laughed back. “You’ll find I don’t dismiss easily.” With a wide swoop of her silk skirts, she turned away; her heels punctuated the stone floor, and she never looked back.
The mirth of her laughter appealed to him. He closed his eyes in contemplation of his head between her full breasts—soon. The pang in his groin elevated his desire. Damnation, he never experienced such a thrill.
Obsession, a word he disdained, came to mind. What does a man do with an obsession? He answered his question…I give in.
The amazement of her action with her fan amazed and stilled him. Like fine wine or cognac, she would not disappoint. This gave him delightful food for thought. What else would that fan do?
Buy Links
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Wild Rose
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Learn more about Sandra Masters
Website:www.authorsandramasters.com
Facebook:www.facebook.com/sandra.mMasters
Ahh…this post brought to mind how my editor helped me to “remove” my emotions during those “red-line” edits. As a creative artist it’s difficult to take criticism. Now, my writing has flourished, and I can listen without stomping my feet and saying, “No!” I will be forever grateful to my editor. Psst…”Simply Dangerous” is one of my favorite reads. Wishing you all the best, Sandra!
Mary:
So nice to hear your comments. Yes, the emotions that rage within when an editor makes a valid comment. These are our children and it’s hard to listen. Then upon reflection, we say: She’s right, etc. and move on to perfecting our book.
With regard to Simply Dangerous, Wulfric Bedwyn is my all time favorite hero. I am still in love with him. and Christina. Remember when he dove into the lake and shocked his brothers and sisters? Ahh……
Take care and please stay in touch.
Sweet dreams. And Good night.
Hello Cat:
I know how hard it is to kill our darlings. This particular book took seven years. At times, I wanted to throw the novel against the wall. But I know it may sound like insanity, Raven and Samantha called to me. I gave them cameo appearances in my other four books. I was in LOVE with them. Against all odds, it happened. I’ve a great editor at The Wild Rose Press and they are great people who care about their 900 or so authors. I’m just a small fish, but they make me feel good.
I confess I’ve saved those thousands of words to use for a different plot. Thank you for your good words. I’m a tough bird….it’s just that my wings have to heal. Good luck in all you do. Have a great evening and thanks for replying. Let’s exchange websites. Alway good to greet a fellow author. Good night.
Thanks for sharing your writing procedure and the wonderful excerpt of your new Regency romance. I also know all about cutting words – my rough drafts are behemoths. But I’ve grown to enjoy, not dread, the weeding and whittling of words. I keep every revision, every draft because even though I kill the darlings, I don’t bury them. Speedy healing and all the best!
Thanks, John. When I had my first right arm surgery in May, my critique “angel” partners gave me the software program Dragon. It is also available at no cost on our iPhones. I believe it is Dragon Dictation, but don’t quote me. You’re right, it was maddening with its 350 prompts that had to be learned. Eventually, I learned a lot of them. Good to have it though.
As for cutting word, it always hurts, because they are precious to writers. The book was an epic 162,000 words pared down to 110,00 epic words!
Looking at a writer’s life from my current position: The sun will shine. The moon will die so the sun can shine again. (Ahh, romance.) I will rise tomorrow. My right arm is healing and better. My left arm will heal. God is good and I am here doing what I love best (besides chatting with you.) Have a great evening and thank you again. Grin.
Love the excerpt! I think you’re right about the pain of cutting words, as well as the benefit to the book after doing so. As a reader, I’m always torn between wanting more and wanting a story to move along. How writers and editors decide which to provide and when is a painstaking and heartbreaking process. But I’m glad they go through it. I also love your rules. Giving up is such a temptation, time and again. Writing, reading, life… the works. Never give up. When that fails, don’t give up. It says it all!
Best of luck with your recovery. When I had a carpal tunnel problem some years back, I tried voice-activated features on my computer. That process is maddening, but the results weren’t bad. Keep writing. Whatever it takes.
Morning Everyone: I live in a somewhat rural area and woke up to a blackout. We are functional now. So pleased to be on Zara West’s page. Kindly leave a comment and I’ll reply to any question. Working with one functional arm. Left rotator cuff surgery so my typing is slow. I believe the saying is that whatever doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. This book is one of my favorites and was seven years in the making. Had to cut thousands of words, but I’m happy Raven and Samantha made it to the publishing world. Have a great day.