Sandra Parshall's first book with Poisoned Pen Press was just released, but she ALREADY grabbed rave reviews by those who read advance copies. Today's interview will help you get to know the author. We know each other through Guppies. As you can see from the frequency of me mentioning Guppies and interviewing successful authors from the group that they are one talented bunch of writers. Hope you enjoy the interview!

LC: Please tell us a bit about your book.

SP: THE HEAT OF THE MOON is about a young woman's search for the truth about herself, her family, and the past. Rachel Goddard, a veterinarian, has always known her mother -- a respected psychologist -- is hiding something. Rachel's search leads her in directions she could never have imagined, and the truth changes her life forever.

LC: How did you find your publisher?

SP: My agent at the time submitted the book to large publishers, and although two editors came close to buying it, in the end everyone felt it wasn't commercial enough. On the recommendation of a couple of friends, I submitted the manuscript to Poisoned Pen Press, which has built a wonderful reputation in only a few years. I'm happy I did.

LC: What made you want to write this particular story?

SP: My friend Babs calls this "Sandy's pecan pie dream book" because the story came to me during a restless night after I over-indulged in Thanksgiving dessert. But of course I wouldn't have had such a dream if I weren't already fascinated by the issues the book explores: the nature of memory, how we're shaped by the past, the question of what love really is, the often delicate relationships between parents and adult children.

LC: How did you research your book?

SP: Memory -- the tricks it plays on us, its intricacies and blind alleys -- is at the heart of the story. I did a great deal of reading on recent research into the way human memory functions, and I'm especially indebted to Daniel L. Schacter's book SEARCHING FOR MEMORY. Hypnosis is also important in the book, and I drew on my experiences of being hypnotized. My lead character is a veterinarian, so I asked a friend who's a vet to help me with details and check the manuscript for errors. LC: What is your typical writing day like?

SP: Madness and chaos, more often than not! Have you ever tried writing with three cats demanding total attention? With luck, I can write most of the morning, then for a while in the afternoon. By 3 p.m., I'm mentally exhausted.

LC: What are your plans for future books either in this series or a different direction?

SP: I have a follow-up book with the same protagonist, but I can't say for certain yet when that will be published. I'm working on a stand-alone suspense novel that I'm excited about.

LC: Which authors do you most like to read and why?

SP: I love rich, evocative language above all, but I like any writing that has clarity and explores characters in depth. Some of my favorites are Thomas H. Cook, Erin Hart, Louise Erdrich, Tess Gerritsen, Laura Lippman, Ruth Rendell, Elizabeth George. I usually prefer the darker, more serious books, but I have been known to indulge in Rita Mae Brown's talking animals cozies.

LC: What inspires you, floats your boat, sends you running for the computer or word processor?

SP: Great writing. A wonderful bit of conversation I've overheard. An unusually striking person I've met or observed. All of life!

LC: You are a member of Guppys for unpublished or newly published authors. What does the group do for you? You for it?

SP: The Guppies are the most generous, supportive group I've ever been part of. If someone is down because of a rejection, nobody says, "Oh, get over it!" -- we all understand how much rejection hurts. And we celebrate each person's successes as if they were our own. The Guppies are a diverse group -- doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants and actuaries, journalists, social workers, and others -- brought together by a love of writing and a desire to help each other succeed. I managed the Guppies e-mail list and served on the Steering Committee for two and a half years because I believe it's important to give something back to a group that helps me so much.

LC: Is there anything else you'd like my fellow bloggers to know about you?

SP: If you see me at Malice Domestic and Bouchercon, come up and introduce yourself. If you read The Heat of the Moon, please e-mail me and let me know what you think. I'll send you an autographed bookplate. Visit my website at http://www.sandraparshall.com/ through April 7, 2006 to enter the drawing for five free copies. I'll be adding new features to the site frequently, so I hope repeat visitors won't be bored!


LC: Thanks, Sandy, I loved your answers. Now, if everyone will excuse me, I've got to beat the rest of you to her site and try to win a copy of her book!