Monday, October 12, 2009

Welcome to the Lair...Sarah Parr!

by Jeanne Adams

Although she looks like any soccer mom on the block, I've decided that Kensington Debut author Sarah Parr is actually a secret agent. She manages more in a single day than most manage in a decade... At least at her keyboard...

Traveling through Georgian England, the Mediterranean, Bermuda, Europe, the Caribbean other exotic locations, Sarah spends her mornings bonding with beautiful, strong heroines and dynamic sexy heroes over her morning coffee. She claims that it is to her alone these dazzling men and spirited women whisper their secrets, spinning fantastic tales filled with adventure – and spiced with forbidden sensuality.

We should all be so lucky!

Taking the proverbial pen in hand and armed with only her imagination, Sarah filled her debut book, Renegade, with history, passion, travel, adventure and danger.

Her hero, Jonathan is a passionate soul, but still an honorable Englishman. Somehow he manages to get himself tangled up in slavery, bribery, and an international incident that rumbles all the way up to the Crown.

Jaline, her heroine, an enigma with a beautiful visage and a secretive heart, ends up being both slave, bondservant, fiancee and finally, wife in a tortuous, tempestuous and exceedingly dangerous tale of adventure, love and passion.

When you pick up Renegade, you've picked up a read that will take you away to far off climes and keep you hopping with the twists and turns.

Though many would assume her vast universe of characters and settings to be imaginary, they actually come from experience. Well, not the slavery part! Sarah, like our own KJ and AC, is a well traveled soul. Some of it started in childhood, since her family moved often - Miami, Seattle and Bermuda to name a few. To my delight, I learned that Sarah attended Wake Forest University in my own home state of North Carolina.

(GO Demon Deacons!!)

Hmmm...where was I? Oh, yes. Let's hear from Sarah.

Jeanne: Hi Sarah! We were talking about where you went to school when we met at the Kensington Party at National. I remember that you matriculated with degrees in History and Economics, what kinds of jobs did you get out of college?

Sarah: First, thank you for having me here at Romance Bandits!!

As to the degrees, that's a great question! Wake Forest is a strong liberal arts college. I majored in what I loved without career planning.

Jeanne: Yeah, well, I did the career planning and still didn't end up doing anything remotely akin to what I studied!

Sarah: Exactly! When I graduated, I moved to Miami near my Dad and took a job at Norwegian Cruise Lines. It was a paycheck, but quickly became a passion, unfortunately one that barely covered rent and groceries (Miami is expensive). From there, I became an business analyst for Dun and Bradstreet but found my way back into travel. I joined Carnival Cruise Lines where I became Manager of Sales for Western NY. There I stayed until my son was born and I started my horse farm.

Jeanne: Pretty cool! Another thing I wanted to ask about from Renegade was some of the history. In fact, historical artifacts play a part in Jaline and Jonathon's story, did you draw on your history background for that?

Sarah: Definitely, along with a lot of reading, study, and travel. I also took creative license, imagining artifacts that may have existed based on real facts and places. For example, in beginning of RENEGADE, after Jonathon and Jaline leave Constantinople, they visit a monastery. I based it on the real monasteries of Mt Athos in Greece http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos . Since women can’t go ashore, I could only take pictures as we sailed by. Then I used extensive research and visits to other similar communities to create the one in RENEGADE.

Jeanne: I know that, like me, you have two kids, but you also have a small horse farm. How the heck do you write with all that going on?

Sarah: Husband, two kids, three horses, three dogs (Collie, Sheltie, and a new Pomeranian puppy), two house cats and a barn cat. Then real life gets in the way. In December, my father died after a long fight against Muscular Dystrophy.

Jeanne: Oh, Sarah, I'm so sorry to hear this!

Sarah: Yes, thank you. It got wilder: My son broke his arm that month jumping on the playground and needed extra help because of the cast. A few months later it was my daughter’s turn. She crashed her bike into a friends, broke her arm and required surgery. The following month, my stepmother died of metastasized breast cancer. Last month, I had extensive foot surgery – the pins should come out this week.

Jeanne: Oh, my GOODNESS!!

Sarah: Yes, there is a lot going on! To be honest, I am not always sure how I do it. Life can be messy and crazed. I plan, I read books on time management (David Allen is one of my favorites), I am flexible when I need to be, and I try to live in the moment. Even so, I don’t believe that is always or entirely the answer.

If I was to try to encapsulate how I make it happen, it would be that I see myself as lucky and blessed. I am healthy as are my kids and husband. I have many gifts for which I am grateful, including my creativity. My animals teach and share their lives with me. And so for each aspect that seems a stress, I am thankful for the opportunity it presents. There are times I have to step back and catch my breath, but I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.

Jeanne: I know what you mean. Sometimes I despair of ever getting anything done with my crew around, but somehow, we make it happen, right? Like you heroine.

Jaline is something of a Horse Whisperer. I know you ride and do dressage so your knowledge of horsemanship is first hand. So, what kind of horses do you have? Do your kids and husband ride?

Sarah: My horse is Tahoma, a Morgan who is elegant and egotistical, ergo the perfect dressage horse. We trained up to second level, then retired to become trail warriors. Piper is a black and white paint I rescued from being put down at a riding school. Finally, there is Hermione, a tiny Welsh pony who was abandoned by her owner. In addition to my horses, I board three, part of my equine-addiction. I’ve been riding since I was nine months, when I would climb on our Saint Bernard – Winnie the Pooh. My husband and kids take the occasional ride with me, but their loves are elsewhere. My husband is a golfer, my daughter, a runner and my son – karate.

Jeanne: Last but not least, tell us your Call Story. We love those in the Lair almost as much as we love visitors! Tell, tell!?!

Sarah: I have a poor call story. I sold the first two manuscripts I wrote at the first convention I attended (Dallas), to the first editor I met – the one I wanted – Hilary Sares. She called me the day after she received my full. Book one – Renegade came out in June 2009 and the second one I wrote, HIS FOR THE TAKING, is being released in July 2010.

Jeanne: Hey, any call story's a good call story! Pretty fun. So to wrap up, we usually ask our guests a question or two then ask our posters what THEY think! I'm curious....If you found an ancient artifact would you keep it?

Sarah: That's a provacative question! While in college I visited Russia led by our Dean. Some students we met in Moscow gave our group Pro-Stalin, pre-1952 books. While not ancient, they were artifacts that the KGB had ordered destroyed. When we reached the Finish border and our train was boarded. Had the guard not raised his gun yes, we would have kept the books. They were history, whether or not they were politically correct. Another time, I found an arrowhead and turned it over to a park ranger. It may or may not have been old, but they would figure it out and assess. History belongs to everyone because it is a part of all of us.

Jeanne: Wow, that's so cool about the books. I can understand both taking them AND giving them up in that scenario. So, another question: Have you ever had a time in your life where you’ve been afraid to ride after a fall like Jaline?

Sarah: Oh yes, and the fear is very real. The worst part is that when you are afraid, the horse reacts. The horse tenses, you tense thinking the horse will do something, and it only gets worse. I had an excellent riding teacher who took away my saddle and bridle. She made me ride around her in circles (lunged) while she controlled the horse until I relaxed. It took over a month for me to get my seat back, but it worked. Actually, I think it is better now than it was before my fall.

So what about you? If you found an ancient artifact would you keep it?

If you ride, would you ever ride a horse bareback through London to save your hero's life?

Two lucky posters will be chosen at random for a signed copy of Sarah's debut book Renegade, along with a box of Turkish Delights!

100 comments:

Joan said...

Good morning to Sarah...and the GR!

Joan said...

Wow...lots happening in your world and RENEGADES

Can you tell us more about your hero?

limecello said...

Hi Sarah - thanks for visiting with us today! Great post.

If I found an ancient artifact... well I think it would depend on what the artifact was, but most likely I'd want it displayed in a museum.
[I'd like to get money for it if I have to give it up - but likely there would be some thing where the government actually owns it :P]

I do not ride, so me riding bareback would probably be bad news all around.

Congrats on the GR, Joan!

Hellie Sinclair said...

Awesome blog!

Yes, I probably would be keep a historical artifact. I might give it up to a museum, but I love history...and I love preserving it. I think history should be interesting to everyone.

And yes, I would ride a horse through London to save my hero's life, though I have the worst seat, I'm allergic to horses (so I'd sneeze the whole time), and the scenerio would be more like a Julia Roberts romance comedy rather than a dramatic suspenseful climax. *LOL*

Unknown said...

Congrats Joan on nabbing that rooster, you haven't had him in a while, so have fun with him!

Hi Sarah, great post! If I found an ancient artifact depending on what it is I think I would display it in a museum but I am not sure. What if the artifact had some kind of magic power like they do on the show Warehouse 13. I am not sure I would want to keep one like that depending on the power it had.

I don't ride either so if I rode bare back I would most likely break my neck.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Sarah, welcome to the Lair and a hearty congratulations on the release of your debut book!

What an interesting life you've led. It must provide great fodder for your stories.

I'm like Sarah, Jeanne, if I came across an artifact, I'd have to give it to the experts so everyone could enjoy it. I've always admired people who turn over their family treasures to museums and such. It'd be really hard to part with a part of one's own history.

And horses, forget about it! I've only been on one (riding down into Petra) and there was, shall we say, an incident. No horses for this gal!

jo robertson said...

Joanie, congrats on getting the rooster! Is he going to work or par-tay at your house today?

jo robertson said...

What's the historical setting for RENEGADE, Sarah?

jo robertson said...

Jeanne hinted that your heroine in RENEGADE has an accident with a horse? Can you elaborate?

jo robertson said...

Too funny, Limecello. You sure you don't want to go all Lady Godiva on us?

mariska said...

Congrats Joan! And Hello to Sarah :)
I hope you are a okay now and everything's going smooth at your end.
I don't ride horse. So if i rode bare back, i'd keep falling from it. LOL!
As for the artifact, i would search any information from the net or elsewhere that can give some information about it. Then if this artifact was worth of some money, i wouldn't say no to exchange it :D
Or i'd just be a good citizen, give it up to a museum.
Mariska

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Sarah -

Sarah and I met at Lori Foster's reader event so I KNOW she is on intimate terms with the GR (can we just say red fuzzy handcuffs?) LOL!

This is interesting. On one hand we have someone who crams every possible activity in every moment of the day interviewing someone who does the same. I'm just tired reading the interview! How do you two do it all?

Okay horses - don't have them, don't ride them with or without a saddle BUT my heroines can do anything and would most definitely ride bareback to save the hero.

Artifacts? At this point, everything I own is an artifact. However, if I were to discover something older than dirt, I'd probably donate it to the Smithsonian because a cooler museum just doesn't exit (and it's free admittance. Gotta love it.)

Donna MacMeans said...

Woohoo Joanie - So what's the bird going to be doing today? BTW, just wanted to let you know I got my flu shot - my first ever. Can a side effect of the shot be that you want to eat everything in sight? You know - starve a cold but feed a flu shot? Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Lynz Pickles said...

Congrats, Joan! D'you have plans for him?

No, I wouldn't keep the artifact. I'm increibly anal about that kind of thing - if my purchase ends up costing $4.91 and I pay with a five dollar bill, only to get ten cents as change, I start to twitch. But I owe one penny more! It's not right to keep that penny! Yeah, the chances of me keeping anything I find? They make slim to none look great.

As to the other question... I can't ride. At all. I doubt I'd be able to get up on the horse, let alone to stay on it.

Can a side effect of the shot be that you want to eat everything in sight?

I like this! If I still got the flu shot, I'd totally use it! (I stopped getting it about five years back when I realized that it always made me sick. Don't ask me how I manage get the flu from the shot that's supposed to keep me from getting it, because I haven't the foggiest idea. My immune system is magic or something.)

Anna Campbell said...

Sarah, welcome to the lair! Here, have a cabana boy! Oh, no, I meant, here, have a margarita. The cabana boys are only on loan! Congratulations on the release of your second book!

Michelle Santiago said...

hi sarah! congratulations on your debut book!!

yes, i'll probably keep the artifact as long as it's not cursed or anything weird like that. then, on my will i'll bequeath to my favorite museum LOL.

as for riding bare back, yeah i'd ride through london to save my hero :)

Jane said...

Hi Sarah,
Congrats on your debut release. I think I would present the artifact to the museum so that everyone can admire and appreciate it. I wouldn't mind riding bareback to save my hero's life. I just hope I don't break my neck.

Congrats on the GR, Joan.

Helen said...

Congrats Joan and what do you plan to do with him today

Hi Sarah and thank you Jeanne for inviting Sarah along today

Great interview Ladies and boy do I love the sound of this book, this is a book I must read. You really are busy Sarah but it must be wonderful with all those animals I love my 3 dogs and wouldn't be without them.

If I found an artifact I would hand it over to a museum because I too think they should be for everyone as for riding horseback though London to save a hero in my dreams I would but I don't ride so in reality I couldn't do it I would fall off LOL.

Great to meet you Sarah

Have Fun
Helen

Caren Crane said...

Sarah, welcome to the Lair! (But first, a side note...)

JT, congrats on nabbing the chook! Um...dare I ask what the two of you are planning for today? He does remember you are often in need of help with home maintenance chores, doesn't he? I'm not sure he is toting a tool belt!

When I was younger, I think I would have kept the artifact, since I am a history nerdlet and I love the kinesthetic connection to the past. My paternal grandfather had a huge and gorgeous collection of arrowheads he had found on his farm, from tiny ones to huge ones. He had them mounted and framed. I'm not sure what happened to them after his death, but hopefully my uncle or aunt donated them to a museum.

These days, I would definitely hand any artifact over to a museum or research facility. There is so much to be mined from the ancient and we still know so little.

Thanks for visiting, Sarah, and good luck with all that blessed busyness!

Caren Crane said...

MsHellion, I'm fairly certain that I would show you up on the bareback comedy. *g* I would be clinging onto the horse like the pit of a Clingstone peach! Makes for great comedy, but I'm not sure I would be of use in rescuing anyone. The ton witnesses would be dining out for weeks on the story, though!

Caren Crane said...

Donna, honey, put down the Ho-Hos and back away slowly. I think there is a slim chance (no pun intended) the flu shot is to blame for the uptick in appetite, but it's more likely just the "it's getting cold in Ohio so hurry up and pack on 10 pounds of fat" phenomenon. Beware the cold weather weight gain!

I can tell it's that time because our cat (the infamous Chaps) is eating his afternoon/evening food, yowling for "second dinner" AND killing every varmint he can get his paws on. My husband is tired of cleaning up carcasses! *g*

Caren Crane said...

Helen, extra-cute piccie of the grandkidlets! You must be almost as busy as Sarah these days. I'm glad you're not spoiling them or anything. *g*

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Good morning all! I'm a bit of a late-y this morning, thanks to the boys....Columbus Day in the states and one has school and one doesn't. Urg.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Monring Joan!

Lime, I had to laugh about the bareback riding. Ha! I'm with you on the artifact. I'm with you on the artifact, it would probably depend on what it is...

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Ms. Hellion, you made me LOL in my coffee. I had this mental image of you on horseback in a wedding dress a la Runaway Bride, sneezing your head off as you rode thorugh London! Hahaha!

Sarah Parr said...

Morning! It is wonderful to be in the Lair!! So many are already here! Usually I'm the early bird :). Hi GR!!

Hey Joan :)!! Your question was more about the hero - Jonathon. He is self-made, strong and independent. His family lost their dukedom after his uncle bilked many through a bubble scheme. He had rebuilt the family fortune and is trying to reclaim the name. Honor is his code, Jaline is his passion.

Sarah Parr said...

Limecello - thanks for the welcome! Cyber-Hug.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Joanie, that chook is likely to be fat and full of birthday cake from Christine's yesterday! haha!

Hey Virginia! Had to LOL about not riding. :>

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey JO! Great to see you!

Talk about travel'in gals - Petra!?! I'd forgotten you went. I'd love to see that place. Heck, I'd love to set a story there. :>

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Mariska! I'm kinda with you on the artifact. I'd hang onto it long enough to figure out what it was, THEN go to the museum. Ha!

Sarah Parr said...

MsHellion. Awww, you underestimate yourself. You would save the hero and he would be very grateful.

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Virginia - you are so right about the artifact, which is why Jaline has a tough decision to make.

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Jo!! Renegade begins in Constantinople, works its way through the Mediterranean and then arrives in England.

Minna said...

If I found an ancient artifact that was a lot more than 100 years old, I would contact the National Board of Atiquities and Historical Monuments, because that's what you are supposed to do in Finland if you find something REALLY old. Not that everyone does...

The Indiana Jones Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pNlMgH2p-Y

Sarah Parr said...

Jo - Jaline races horses. Abandoned by her 'family', she trades her riding skills for safety. In a race, there is a pile-up (one horse falls, the others trip, riders are crushed, horses are killed). Jaline is badly hurt and loses her confidence. Her heart for racing is gone. But if she can't race, if she can't win, she loses her value. Then there is the man who 'owns' her. He hasn't told anyone he lets a woman race his horses, and this is Constantinople. If his colleagues found out, he would lose face. It is a problem that only worsens with each day. She tries to save herself by selling information to Jonathon, needing the money to run... but it doesn't work out that way.

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Mariska! Thanks for the kind wishes. The pins in my foot come out on Wednesday. I should be able to walk after that, and ride too!! Tahoma keeps giving me the evil eye every time I walk in the barn. (He hates his vacation!!)

Sarah Parr said...

Hello Donna!! First of all, the handcuffs weren't just fuzzy, they had red feathers on them. I won them in a basket at Lori Foster's most EXCELLENT weekend. GR couldn't stop eyeing them. What else could I do? Of course, they fit him perfectly. I suppose he wanted to accessorize. May I just say he looks amazing in them! :).

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Lynz!! Hi Anna!! Many thanks for the welcome and the good wishes.

Sarah Parr said...

Michelle and Jane - Thank you for the welcome!! Great to see you!!!

Sarah Parr said...

Helen - Dogs are the best!! My collie, Erin is our watchdog. She watches everything we do. Seriously, she keeps an eye on the farm and kids. When something is wrong, she has this 'bark'. My son tries to run down the drive, she barks and blocks him. Not the usual bark, a different, warning bark. Then there is a thoroughbred who likes to play dead. He lays on his side and twitches. I've had cars stop, people get out and come to the door to tell me I have a dying horse in my pasture. He thinks it's funny. Poor Erin. When she is the witness, her warning bark becomes a howl. She always tells me when something is wrong.

Skye is the Sheltie. He walks the horses in and out. Happiest when working, he has more energy than the others put together. Skye is prone to seizures but it has never slowed him down.

The baby is a Pomeranian named Stitch. He is my lap dog and companion. I'll have to get back to you as his personality develops (he's only 4 months).

Sarah Parr said...

Hey Caren!! Thanks for the welcome!! If Donna has to put down the Ho-Ho's, can I have them??? :)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Morning, Sarah! Another welcome to the Lair!

Sarah Parr said...

Hey Jeanne!! Thanks for the welcome :)!!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Donna! Had to LOL about the fuzzy handcuffs. That bird! Jeeesh!

Lynz, I'm with you on the flu shot. Every time I got it, I got the flu. Bleeeeech. Hate the flu. So...no flu shot.

Donna, I don't know about the eating thing, but like Lynz, I'd use it too! Hahah!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Michelle, Hi Jane! Heehee. I think I'd ride bareback for my hero too. :>

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Morning (in the States, that is!) Helen! I know what you mean about the dogs. Wouldn't be without mine either.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Morning, Caren! I'll split the Ho-ho's with you! Grins. I'm snorking over thinking about you and Hellion flapping through London, barely a'horse...yep, the ton WOULD dine out on that for weeks.

Joan said...

Well, the first thing I'm going to do with the GR is send him out to give ya'll FLU SHOTS! Oh, the image...

Just remember...the flu shot is made with INACTIVATED virus. You cannot get the true flu from the shot.

Ok, nurse PSA over...for now.


I've gone horseback riding ONCE...in Ireland. My horse was the Mama horse and 30 min. into an hour long ride she got tired and had to be led back to the barn. :-)

Donna MacMeans said...

Caren - you are right about the cold weather making me want to eat. Burned a pumpkin spice candle last night and now I want pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake roll, pumpkin cookies - why stop at ten pounds?

Just thought I'd check and yup - there's a photo of the GR in those red handcuffs in the archives. Go back to the second post of June 23rd (KJ slipped in just before midnight) and scroll down near the bottom. There's a photo of Marjorie Liu, me, and the GR with his new red footgear.

Barbara Monajem said...

If I found an artifact, I'd have to give it to a museum. Not only should everyone get to see it, but in the chaos of my house, it would surely get lost again.

I would love to ride bareback to save my hero! In my dreams, though. Or in a book I'm writing. Much as I would like to relate to horses, I've never learned to be comfortable with them. Sniff. Sob. I've always felt that I was missing something really cool.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hey - just wanted to mention to those of you who have received the DVD of author interviews with Michelle Buonfiglio titled "All About the Reader & Author Get Together" (I see copies are showing up in conference goodie bags) - the soft spoken Sarah is on the DVD. She follows moi. Of course anyone who follows me will be soft spoken by contrast. LOL.

Question for Sarah - Is your next book connected to this one?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Donna, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I have one of those Yankee Candles. I'd been burning it and the boys said, "pumpkin pie?"

So I had to make pumpkine pie. :> YUM.

JT, I know it's anecdotal, but I do get the flu when I get the shot and in all these years, I've only gotten the flu one time when I DIDN'T get the shot and all the other years I've been flu-free. :> Thank goodness.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Barbara, my sister! My house is the same way. I'm lucky to find the light bill and the manuscript that's due, much less a priceless artifact. Snicker. It would end up being used as a paperclip holder or being part of some convoluted game the boys made up.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Where did the DVDs come from, Donna? Grins.

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Sarah, welcome to the lair. Congrats on your release! I love the Kensington debut program. The book sounds great, good luck with it!

As far as an artifact, I think I'd give it to a museum. I would what others to be able to see it, too.

Riding? I have only ridden once and that was in the Grand Titons. I would never attempt bare back!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Christie! Another Kensy Debut-er! :>

It is a great program isn't it? Love that we got to get our start that way.

Donna MacMeans said...

Jeanne -

Lori Foster had the DVDs made up from the last get-together in June. She sent one to everyone who attended the 2009 event as a souvenir. Since then I've received two more in goodie bags at different reader/author conferences. Hmmm...I certainly don't need three of these things. Guess we all know what the giveaway will be for my October 23rd blog (grin).

Sarah Parr said...

Hey Donna! Book 2 has been titled HIS FOR THE TAKING. It is the story of Warrick (Jonathon and Jaline's son) and Karly, Bermudian daughter of a privateer. They are connected :)!

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Christie and fellow K-author. Yup, the debut programme is wonderful!!

Donna MacMeans said...

Speaking of giveaways - I see Sarah is giving some Turkish Delight to a commenter. Now - I didn't have a clue exactly what Turkish Delight was until Sarah shared the story when we met in June. So Sarah - want to tell the tale?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Oh, yes! Do tell the story, Sarah! :>

Susan Sey said...

Hi, Sarah! Welcome to the Lair! Your story sounds really remarkable! Congrats on hitting the shelves.

As for whether or not I'd keep an ancient artifact, I have to say no. And it's not because I'm all principled & whatnot, it's more because I'm a compulsive thrower-awayer. I seriously can't keep anything. I make trips to goodwill at least once a month with a trunkload of stuff. I have no tolerance for knick-knacks or junk or just stuff I'm not actively using. It's so bad that I often hit winter time with nowhere near enough sweaters or turtlenecks because I went nuts somewhere in the summer & thought, "Why do I need so many turtlenecks? Sheesh!" And off went my winter wear to goodwill.

I take comfort in knowing poor people are warmly dressed because of me. :-)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Susan! You said: "Why do I need so many turtlenecks? Sheesh!" And off went my winter wear to goodwill. I take comfort in knowing poor people are warmly dressed because of me. :-)

That settles it. You need to come to my house and be an enabler - a throw-away-er-enabler. Grins.

Joan said...

Susan...my closets await you :-)

Nancy said...

JT, congrats on taking home the bird! I hope Demetrius will put him to work. He's gotten, er, cocky lately.

Sarah, welcome to the Lair! Wow, you've really had a wide range of cool life experiences. I actually have a cousin who graduated from Wake Forest and a friend who went to Wake Law. They both loved their respective parts of the school.

I gravitate toward stories with archaeology. This one sounds way cool.

If I found an ancient artifact, I would turn it in. I'd like other people to be able to see and learn from it.

Riding isn't allowed since my back fusion, but if it were, I would at least try to ride bareback across London to save my hero. Not sure I'd make it, but I'd give it my best effort.

Nancy said...

Jo, an "incident" at Petra? You know how to be cryptic, don't you? Any chance you'll enlighten us?

Nancy said...

Jo, an "incident" at Petra? You know how to be cryptic, don't you? Any chance you'll enlighten us?

Nancy said...

Jeanne wrote: Lynz, I'm with you on the flu shot. Every time I got it, I got the flu. Bleeeeech. Hate the flu. So...no flu shot.

Ditto. Exactly ditto.

And I'm staying a good 18 inches from any student who needs to speak to me. We have 58 self-reported cases on campus.

Nancy said...

Sarah, your varied settings sound fascinating. I enjoy books set in one place (especially if it's England), but I also like some variety.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

See Joanie T!?! That's three of us. Anecdotal, it may be, but no flu shot for me!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Uh...I had the flu in September. :) No flu shot for me!

Linda Henderson said...

Great interview. If I found an artifact I would not keep it, I would turn it in to appropriate authorities so others could enjoy it. And sadly no, do to my severe RA I can't do anything that strenuous. I would if I could though.

Helen said...

Caren
Me spoil them never LOL it is hard to get them to sit long enough to take a photo these days but Jayden asked me to take it I loved it.

Sarah
Your dogs sound wonderful I will be interested to know what Stitch's personality is they all have ther own don't they I know mine do one of mine is a mini fox terrier who is my lap dog where I am she is. She was my Mum's dog and when we lost Mum 7 years ago she came to live with me and she is a really good guard dog as well.

Have Fun
Helen

Joan said...

Suz Marie!!!

You're suppose to back me up! You're a TRAINED PROFESSIONAL!!!

At least tell me you're washing/sanitizing hands often, using tissues and/or coughing/sneezing into the MATERIAL of your sleeve, staying home if sick...

Was that a sneeze? Who sneezed?

GR! Rout them out!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

*raises hand* That was me, JT. Dusting the office. And yes, I did sneeze into the material of my sleeve and washed my hands too. :> Please don't sick the GR on me, I don't need any more testosterone in this house!!! (And really, it was just the dust...really!)

Pat Cochran said...

Hello, Sara,

It's nice to "meet" you here in the Lair! Renegade sounds like a great story!

Answers to questions:
#1 Yes, to wanting it displayed.
#2 No, not in any lifetime since
horses and I don't get along!

Thanks, Donna! You just reminded
me that I had planned to get my
seasonal flu shot today. I will
run up to the pharmacy on the
corner and have it done there!

Pat Cochran

catslady said...

Yes and Yes lol. Of course it's easy to say that but doing it is another thing. I don't know how to ride for one thing but it's something I would love to do and it sounds so romantic. The same with the artifact - I love the idea of keeping it, especially if I was able to find one myself lol.

Joan said...

sick the GR on me,

Freudian slip? SICK instead of sic????

I think SO!

Do you not recall the chicken flu that went around several years ago? The GR was instrumental in counquering that...with his super immunity!

Chickens, swine, Which animal is next? The RABID SQUIRREL?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Rabid...snicker, snicker...Squirrel? Surely NOT!? :>

Joan said...

Rabid...snicker, snicker...Squirrel? Surely NOT!? :>


I wouldn't snicker too much, Duchesse. The first sighting of one was at the Wardman in DC!

Asylumgirl said...

It probably would depend on the importance of the artifact. If it was something really significant, I'd have to share it with the world.

I would do anything for my hero.

Deidre

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

There's the spirit Deidre! I think I'd do most anything for my hero too, and since I DO ride - although not particularly brilliantly - a ride through town wouldn't be as harrowing as somethings he could ask me to do....

Beth Andrews said...

Welcome to the lair, Sarah, and congrats on your debut! Renegade sounds fabulous :-)

To be honest, I'm not sure what I would do if I found an ancient artifact. It would depend on what it was and how much I liked it *g*

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

See, like minds, Beth. :> I have a fondness for old and rare things. I'm extremely acquisitive. Grins.

Then again, I'd probably end up bequeathing it to a museum even if I didn't immediately relinquish it...probably...

Nancy said...

Joan, I wash my hands, always use tissues and, as mentioned, keep my distance in "the season." Works for me. And the dh never gets the shot, teaches more students than I do, and never has the flu.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Nancy, my DH always gets one, but he never gets the flu. Go figure! :>

Sarah Parr said...

Hello again everyone! Sorry for the delay. I do still have a pin in my foot which caused a problem today :(. I had to run to the doctor but am back now!

Donna - Turkish Delight... RENEGADE starts in Turkey - in Constantinople 1752. While Turkish Delight wasn't actually invented until much later, I thought readers would enjoy a treat from the area.

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Susan!! Thanks for the welcome :). Much appreciated!

Nancy said...

Jeanne, your dh just has lucky metabolism. Or luckier than ours, anyway!

Nancy said...

Sarah, sorry about the pin! I hope they got it taken care of and that your foot recovers quickly.

I remember Turkish Delight figured in one of the Narnia books. We went out and bought some after reading it--an interesting candy.

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Nancy! Life experiences - yes... some cool, some not so cool. For example, I used to live in Bermuda, hence the setting for HIS FOR THE TAKING. On Good Friday, our house was fire-bombed because my Dad was an American. Not fun. And the Finish border incident was rather disturbing as well.

From Czechoslovakia - in the days before the USSR fell, I went with a study group of Danes to visit the country. As we passed from East Germany towards Czechoslovakia, the guards took one look at my American passport, that I was traveling with all Danish students, and pulled me off the train (in retrospect, I have visions of Bill Murray from Stripes saying - 'Its Czechoslovakia, we zip in we zip out.) My hero was a Dane who demanded I be returned. Forty five minutes later, he won (Thank goodness)!!

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Linda and Suzanne!! (Waves)!!

Sarah Parr said...

Hi Pat!! Thanks for the welcome. I hope you enjoy RENEGADE!!

Sarah Parr said...

Thanks Nancy. Cross your fingers for me I am cleared on Wednesday.

pjpuppymom said...

Great interview! Welcome to the lair, Sarah and congrats on the release of your debut. (((Hugs))) for all you've been through this year. Hope your foot heals quickly and completely.

If I found an artifact, I would not keep it. The guilt would sink me. ;-)

Well, I haven't ridden a horse since my teens but, for my hero? Sure, I'd ride to his rescue...and pray the entire time that I'd make it in one piece. lol!

pjpuppymom said...

Congrats on grabbing the GR, Joanie! He hasn't been leading you into any mischief, has he?

Sarah Parr said...

Hi PJ! Great picture of a labrador :). Thanks for the wishes and the hugs. ((PJ)).

Mari said...

In my fantasy world, if I found an artifact I would visit the local arachaeology department at the University and make an appointment to see the Harrison Ford/Indiana Jones Professor who is actually hot underneath the spectacles and tweed coat with leather patches!!!

limecello said...

lol all of you are so dirty :X

Maija said...

If I found an ancient artifact, of course I'd like to keep it, but I know it wouldn't be fair. So I'd hand it over to the right person...

I have never ridden a horse. But I might ride a horse bareback through London to save your fiances life. I'd be more concerned if it was a question of riding sidesaddle... I couldn't do it!