1–What is the title of your latest release?
MADNESS THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS – Book 2 in the Looking Glass series.
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Down the rabbit hole and back out through the looking glass with a magickal Royal Scepter and a fairy tale to sell. What if little Alice’s story was true? What if ‘Wonderland’ with all those enchanting characters was a real place? Alice’s descendant found out the hard way in book 1 …however, the story has only begun …
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I built my vision of ‘wonderland’ on how it I saw it in my head. It exists in a parallel dimension – you only have to find a portal, some of which are right there in plain sight. Of course, you have to know where to look—or look with your inner child’s eyes.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely! To have a bestie like Ally who’s the descendant of the original Alice, who knows where ‘wonderland’ is and how to get there? Fabulous!
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Ally surprised me in so many ways. She seemed a bit naïve in the beginning, even though she was raised and lives in NYC, owns an art gallery, and is very city-savvy. Then I found that she is a true descendant of Alice and made of sterner stuff. So:
- Smart
- Compassionate
- Fearless
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
That no matter how old we get, ‘wonderland’ continues to live in us all – we just have to remember where we shelved it as we’ve grown up. And that no matter what we’re confronted with – no matter how surreal or fantastical it may be – the human spirit can endure and overcome.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I do both. I write a chapter, editing from the beginning each time I pull it up to work on it. Once it’s finished, I send it to my critique partner and my grammar/punctuation pal. Then it’s added to the growing manuscript. Once the manuscript is completed, it goes to at least 4 beta-readers for a full read/edit, and I print it out and read/edit it myself as well.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Just about any seafood (lobster being my absolute fave) …or any pasta dish (the cheesier the better).
9–Describe your writing space/office!
It’s nothing fancy. It’s a space in the back of the family room with a desk, computer, and printer. I dream of having a true office someday. LOL
10–Who is an author you admire?
Could never hone it down to one. I’m very eclectic and have several that come to mind immediately: Nora Roberts, Cassandra Clare, Leigh Bardugo, Stephen King, Sarah J. Maas, Agatha Christie, Martha Grimes … (sigh). The list can go on, but this is a good start.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
Not sure I can pinpoint a specific book. I started out writing romance, and Nora Roberts was very inspirational, even so, I was missing something. In reading, I’m very eclectic and LOVE Stephen King, but knew I didn’t want to write horror. I started my Immortal series because I liked the magical/paranormal aspect. Then I found Immortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare followed by Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns & Roses, and thought, Yes!! Fantasy is where I want to live with my writing.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I originally had a deal with a small publisher for my River Bend Vineyard cozy mystery series. It was a really exciting time for me and something I’d always hoped for, and then the option for book 3 was not picked up. They ended up closing that arm of their publishing business. At that point, I could either try to sell the series to someone else or self-publish it, which I did. (A huge learning curve!) We hadn’t found a home for the first book in my Immortal series, so I just kept going, self-publishing as I went.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
Anything fantasy or paranormal – I started out writing romance because that’s all I read when I was younger—favorites Nora Roberts for contemporary and Kathleen E. Woodiwiss for historical (I still have SHANNA & FLAME AND THE FLOWER on my office shelf). But I found fantasy/paranormal is my jam! So, now, that’s what I write as well.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
Again, too many “favorites”! In my genre, I love Practical Magic (writing a cozy mystery right now with this feel & hedge witch protagonists), and Mortal Instruments, City of Bones. I know it was a box office flop, and they changed the ending from the book somewhat, but I LOVED it. I own the DVD and watch it again from time to time.
15–What is your favorite season?
Definitely Autumn – no question. Frost on the ground, snap in the air, changing of leaves, & blue skies – what’s not to like? Besides, Halloween is my favorite holiday.
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Dinner at my favorite restaurant with a friend and time spent on the beach.
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The hulu series Only Murders in the Building is fabulous, I LOVE the Netflix series Shadow and Bone. For a recent book: Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House is awesome. I have the sequel, Hell Bent in my Audible app and can’t wait to start it.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Again, seafood or Italian …well, or Thai. Or Japanese. Do I have to choose???
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I rarely have free time, however, theater is the answer when not writing. Writing is adult make believe – Theater is adult play acting. They are two sides of the same coin for me.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
The new magickal cozy MURDER MOST FRAGRANT. It’s the first book in the Enchanted Affairs mystery series. Practical Magic with an event planning twist.
MADNESS THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS by J.G. Sauer.
Looking Glass Series #2
Wielding the Scepter of Fire, Alyssa Montague, descendant of the original Alice, saved a fairytale world from the evil forces of the Red King. Now, with new conflict brewing and the final fate of the Red King still unclear, disquiet is spreading with random attacks popping up all over Artemysia.
Returning to the kingdom, Alyssa finds herself face to face with Niall, the handsome, dangerous fae warrior and High Lord of the Twilight Court. The one person who kindles a passion within her that she can’t reconcile. But as Niall and his warriors escort Alyssa to the White Palace, they are set upon by rebel forces, and Alyssa is taken. The race to rescue her will take the High Lord and a small army into the dreaded Barrens—a desolate landscape where all manner of terrifying creatures reside. Following his heart, Niall is determined to find his love and destroy this new threat once and for all. But will he run out of time?
Romance Fantasy [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: April 4, 2023, e-Book, ISBN: 9781648394034 / ]
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