I also did this interview back in 2018, THANK YOU TO KRISTA SANDOR! I will update this, just wanted to move it form my blog to my website here!
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If there’s one thing Krista Sandor knows for sure, it’s that romance saved her. After she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2015, her world turned upside down. During those difficult first days, her dear friend sent her a romance novel. That kind gesture provided the escape she needed and ignited her love of the genre. Inspired by the strong heroines and happily ever afters, Krista decided to write her own romance series. Today, she is an MS Warrior and living life to the fullest. When she’s not writing, you can find her running 5Ks and chasing after her growing boys in her adopted home of Denver, Colorado.
Scarred hearts. Second Chances. Undeniable passion.
Just a stone’s throw from Kansas City, this quaint town will draw you in with its charming homes and inviting town center. But don’t let the picturesque appearance fool you. Langley Park harbors dark secrets and the echoes of lost love.
The Road Home (Langley Park Series Book #1)
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You can outrun a lot of things. The truth isn’t one of them.
Jenna Lewis is a liar. A fake. A fraud.
She’s spent the last fourteen years running from her past, pretending she wasn’t the forgotten little girl nobody wanted.
One call is all it takes to shatter her fragile façade and force her to return home to Langley Park.
Buried secrets and whispers of lost love turn her life upside down when she encounters her teenage crush. While neither wants to admit their connection is lightning-hot, the intensity of their attraction is too strong to deny.
But danger lurks in the darkness.
Unsettling events begin to occur, threatening not only Jenna’s second chance at love but her very life.
Will she survive what lies ahead?
Can her heart navigate the road home?
The Sound of Home (Langley Park Series Book #2)
COMING OUT ON: 10/24/2018
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One steamy summer night. One unforgivable betrayal. Two lives forever changed.
Em MacCaslin was never an ordinary girl. A child music prodigy, she competed in elite competitions and performed with symphonies all over the world. Her future couldn’t have been brighter. But all her dreams were shattered in one night.
A night she doesn’t even remember.
Twelve years later, she’s back. And she wants answers.
Sparks fly and passions ignite when the man who left her to fend for herself wants to help her uncover the events of that fateful night.
But not everyone wants Em to learn the truth. A truth with the potential to kill.
The Beginning of Home (Langley Park Series Book #3)
COMING OUT ON:
11/14/2018
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New name. New town. New life.
Lindsey Hanlon is so close to a new beginning.
After fleeing an abusive relationship and living on the run, she’s starting over in the quaint town of Langley Park.
Even though she’s escaped, she’s not in the clear.
Lindsey’s carrying a secret that could get her killed.
As long as she flies under the radar, she’s safe. But things get complicated and passions flare when her first love unexpectedly appears, and neither can deny the bond that still exists between them.
A second chance at love could be what Lindsey needs to heal and move on. It could also jeopardize everything, including her life.
Gabe & Monica’s Story (Langley Park Series Book #4)
COMING OUT ON:
JANUARY 2019
Refer to Question #31 bellow to get a synopsis!
1.What inspired you to start writing?
In 2015, I was diagnosed with MS. It was a scary time. I wasn’t sure what to expect. A few days after my diagnosis, my dear friend gave my Katy Evans’ book, Manwhore. It might sound like a strange gift. But it was the escape I needed. A year later, I decided to embrace happily ever afters and write my own series.
2. Tell us about your writing style, how is it different from other writers?
I write third person deep point of view. I like to write from both the hero and heroine’s point of view.
3. How do you see writing? As a hobby or a passion?
It’s a passion, but I treat it like a job.
4. What do you do when you hit writers-block?
Run. Anytime I feel stuck, I hit the trail or treadmill.
5. Who is the most supportive of your writing in your family?
My husband. When I told him about my idea to start writing, he bought me a laptop. He’s my everything.
6. Do you recall the first ever book/novel you read?
I read the VC Andrews Casteel series when I was twelve years old. It’s always stuck with me.
7. Over the years, what would you say has improved significantly in your writing?
Focusing on craft. There are several great books out there. Debra Dixon’s Goal, Motivation, and Conflict is a great foundation.
8. If you could have been the original author or any book, what would it have been and why?
The Outlander series. What a story!
9. How long on average does it take you to write a novel?
It takes about ten weeks. I do quite a bit of research before I start writing.
10. What is your hardest scene to write?
The action sequences.
11. What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
I enjoy writing the hero’s point of view. I like to make goal, motivation, and conflict charts for my characters to help me get into their heads.
My husband also reads my books and gives me his opinions.
12. Do you try to be more original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I write from the heart. I hope it connects with readers.
13. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I have a wonderful writer support group. S.E. Rose, Ashley Hastings, Lynne Leslie, Emma Renshaw, Michelle Dare–just to name a few! I couldn’t do it without them.
14. In your opinion what is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
Oh boy! Unfortunately, there will always be somebody trying to game the system.
15. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Self-doubt. The worry that you’re not good enough.
16. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
I could edit until the end of time. It’s hard to let a book be finished.
17. They say books die every time they are turned into a movie; what do you think?
I’m a sucker for love. I love it all–books, movies. If there’s a happy ending, I’m in!
18. What do you do in your free time?
I have two wonderful boys. We love playing in the creek in the summertime and skiing in the winter.
19. How do you feel when people recognize you in public and appreciate your work?
That hasn’t happened yet! It does humble and amaze me when people review my books. My heart is filled with wonder and gratitude.
20. Big questions 😉 What is the SECRET to becoming a bestselling author like yourself?
I’ll let you know when it happens! : )
21. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Kate Canterbury, Katie Evans, Meghan March, Sylvia Day, Pamela Clare.
22. Which book so far is your favorite? And, why?
My books are like my kids, you love them all!
23. What advice would you like to give writers who are struggling with their first novels? (Like myself)
Get the story out. You can always edit. You can always add and take away, but you need to get the words down first.
24. What is your writing process like?
I write at least 1,500 words a day. Sometimes that takes a few hours. Sometimes it takes all day.
25. What kind of research do you do , and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I do pretty extensive research. I talk to experts, read books, watch youtube videos. For my last book, I at A LOT of strudel.
26. Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with Good or Bad ones?
I read them, but I tell myself to be objective. The best thing I can do is to strive to be better with each book.
27. How do you select names for your characters?
That’s one of the hardest things to do–especially with the villains.
28. Now I have read all three of your Books (which I love by the way) When and why did you chose to write your first book: The Road Home?
The Road Home is a very personal book. My mother had significant mental health and substance abuse issues. The last ten years of her life were particularly difficult. My childhood was quite tumultuous. Writing The Road Home helped me process things in ways that talking or journaling can’t. It gave me a creative focus and an outlet for all those emotions.
29. What scenes did you cut out from Book # 2 The Sound of Home (which releases here soon on OCT. 24th 2018)?
Nothing got cut from that book!
30. Book #3 which is set to come out on November 14th, 2018…what was the hardest part about the process and story?
I’m hard on all my characters, but I really put Lindsey through the ringer. Out of all my female leads, she’s been my most vulnerable.
31. Can you tell us a little about Book #4 (Gabe & Monica’s Story)?
Sure! Here’s the synopsis!
How much would you give up for your dreams?
Monica Brandt doesn’t have money or power. Beauty is her only currency. She dreams of leaving her grandmother’s bakery in Langley Park and traveling the world as a model.
Then she meets Gabe Sinclair.
They promise to build a life together, but when offered a chance to model abroad, she chooses her dream over love.
Years later and near penniless, a terrifying event forces her to return home and confront the man she abandoned.
Despite their complicated past, passion burns hot between them.
But Monica didn’t come home empty-handed. She has something dangerous people want.
Something that could get her killed.
Can she trust Gabe to keep her safe after she broke his heart or will their tortured past tear them apart?
32. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I started out as an elementary school teacher.
33. What comes first, the plot or the characters?
The characters!
34. Can you tell us a little about the “you’re jogging and all of a sudden get ideas, therefore take notes on your phone” which I read in your bio, sounds interesting?
Aren’t cell phones wonderful! Anytime an idea hits–usually on the trail– I switch to voice notes and start talking. I’ve also got paper and pencil next to the treadmill I run on in the basement!
35. When you’re writing emotionally draining scenes (or sexy, or sad….) how do you get into the mood?
Music. The Langley Park Series playlist contains Brian Crain, Max Richter, and Helen Jane Long.
36. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing the story?
There sure is! I do quite a bit of research. Through the research, many scenes are built. For example, for The Sound of Home, I researched difficult violin pieces. That’s where I found Paganini and Nel cor piu. When I read about this piece, I knew I needed to make it a central part of the story.
37. Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?
A little of both. It’s nice that there are some set elements, but as the series progresses, there’s a lot to remember! I do love writing Easter egg scenes into the books. As a reader, I love to get glimpses into the lives of past couples.
38. Can you tell us about the hero’s in the books, how did you picture them, did you have a live person to go off of and if so, please tell us where we can find them.
I do love a good visual!
For Ben, I started with my favorite, Henry Cavill
For Michael, I chose James Norton.
For Nick, Alex Pettyfer
For Gabe, it wasn’t a certain actor. I’ve had Gabe in my head for a while. He’s a chef. There’s something inherently sexy about a man running a kitchen.
For Sam, I couldn’t help but picture Sam Heughan.
39. What is your favorite character, out of all?
It’s hard not to love Zoe.
40. Can you tell us a little about yourself? (Fav foods, colors, favorite child hehe…)
I grew up all over–but mostly in Kansas City. I went to college in Miami. I have a master’s degree in Education. I was in my college’s swimsuit calendar twenty years ago. I’m married to a wonderful man, and we’ve got two fantastic sons. My MS diagnosis a few years ago drastically altered my perspective on everything. It brought a sense of gratitude. I think it’s easy to forget how precious life is. I don’t know if I’d be writing had that not happened.
41. Last but not least, anything you want readers to know about your books that the naked eye overlooked?
Lots of people ask me about Langley Park. I created it using my favorite places: the Brookside neighborhood in Kansas City, The Wash Park neighborhood in Denver, the city center of Arvada, Colorado, and the physical location of Mission Hills in Kansas. I also modeled the Langley Park Botanic Gardens off of Denver’s Gardens.
I drew out a map! My architect/urban planner husband thinks it’s atrocious–but it works for me!