Sandra Carmel is an Australian-based author of engaging, thought-provoking romance novels, novellas, short stories and poetry, who writes for the pleasure of stimulating herself and others with words. She has taken the scenic route from contemporary to paranormal to erotic, creating provocative stories that delve beneath the surface of desire. She reads and writes a lot, frequently disrupted by her ever-attentive, cheeky cats, and sinfully amorous husband.
Your books, Capture (The Cure)
I had gotten into the whole Twilight saga thing back in the day and as I read through it, I started picturing my own turn of events, my own characters and alternative endings but for a more steamy, adult-style story. So I began jotting down ideas and low and behold, The Cure trilogy was born.
What are the most important magazines/blogs/podcasts for writers to subscribe to?
I really enjoy:
Kristen’s blog: https://authorkristenlamb.com/
https://onestopforwriters.com/
https://writerunboxed.com/
Romance Writers of Australia’s Hearts Talk: https://romanceaustralia.com/home-1/hearts-talk-back-issues/
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I don’t usually do a great deal of research before starting a book. Usually I delve into it as I’m writing the story and things come up. I search for information online – I had to do a decent amount of research on 1960s Australia, World War 2, and cryogenics – but I’ve also physically visited places. For example, all the stories I’ve had published so far reference Tasmania. All the towns I refer to in Tasmania, I’ve actually visited in person. While working with my editor on Capture (The Cure)
What do you do to get rid of stress?
Write! I also find reading, kitty cuddles, and driving into pristine locations in the Victorian bush and taking landscape photos very rejuvenating. Of course, the bush drives are on hold at the moment due to the whole COVID-19 lockdown situation. I look forward to getting back out into the wild though, as soon as the restrictions are lifted. There’s just something so peaceful and inspiring about being in amongst the trees and beside lakes with little to no other people around.
What are your upcoming projects?
I’ve started on a contemporary BDSM-themed romance series, set in Australia. I’ve written a first draft of book one and am currently in the rewriting phase. I also have ideas for book two and book three in the series so far. The stories centre around characters who are all connected to an exclusive BDSM club.
I’ve also written a steamy contemporary novella trilogy called Intertwined Love that I hope to have traditionally published.
The Cure trilogy blurb
It’s beyond love at first sight the day 1960s geneticist, Richard Hall, spots Sub Rosa secretary, Eva Fjelstad. One sip of a newly-developed soulmate serum, and a brush of hands, confirms Richard and Eva are destined to be together.
But there’s one problem.
Richard discovers corruption at the core of Sub Rosa—the research corporation he works for—and is faced with a decision no man wants to make. Should he stay true to his moral compass, and risk the relationship with his beloved Eva, to expose a generations-old atrocity? Or does he toe the company line, let vampires vanish from the world, and keep his soulmate safe, secure, and by his side forever?
For Sub Rosa personal assistant, Eden Freberg, kissing men is like making out with a mannequin. Cold, awkward, lifeless. That is until she meets alluring geneticist, Rick Hartman, and trades hot, sensual moves with him on a nightclub dance floor in 2010. From their first touch, they connect like long lost lovers, fitting together like missing pieces of a puzzle.
Eden is on an express train to beyond-this-world bliss—married, and with twins in less than a year. But the course of love derails when Eden and Rick discover a secret that shatters their identities and threatens their lives. Will their pasts catch up to them before Rick has a chance to gain retribution?
Murder of an allied researcher sends Rick and Eden into a spiral of desperation. Compelled to relocate to Norway, Rick infiltrates the Sub Rosa compound, where the Violet and Jade vampires are unjustly held captive. Can he find a way for the two warring vampire clans to work together to help him set them and his family free, finally bringing Sub Rosa to justice for their lifetime of sins?
*Sandra recommends reading the books in order to get a full understanding of Richard and Eva’s plight and hence follow their life-altering journey to its climactic conclusion.
Buy The Cure trilogy here (Amazon Affiliated Links)
Contact Sandra: