Hello!
and Sandy can no longer resist the urge to unleash her mermaid form. But a simple swim in Lake Ontario ends when she discovers the truth of her own banishment. When long time crush, Alardo, seems to shift in a direction she never dreamed possible, Sandy must make a choice — mermaid or human? Once she chooses, she can never go back.
Sarah DaleySarah lives in Arizona with her best friend and husband, Chris, their adorable monster child, and neurotic dog. At the age of six, she became a reading machine. Devouring everything she could possibly get her hands on. In high school she almost failed English three times because of her detest for writing book reports. Today, Sarah writes whatever stories haunt her dreams, and struggles to focus on one idea at a time. When she isn’t enjoying time with her family, or writing, you will find her nose stuck in a book, or out walking and enjoying the sunshine.
Drowning Sandy is her debut novella!
Links to find out what is coming next:
SNIPPET #1
“They revoked our mer-privileges without even asking us? I never knew there was a law. Why didn’t someone tell me there was a choice needing to be made? How can they do that?” Sandy went from scared to ticked-off in less than the flick of a crab’s tongue.
SNIPPET #2
Sandy rolled her eyes. He talked tough and proud, but she could still see the self-doubt under the surface. He was still the same old dork, and still pining for Shelly who never gave a flip for him. “Aren’t you going to get in trouble for talking to me?” she asked, remembering why she was hiding in her grandparents’ house again.
“I’m a Ritno. I dare them.” He puffed out his chest, making the dark green band stretch to it’s max, though he did quickly look off to the side to check that no one was around. “By the way. What are you doing here?”
SNIPPET #3
“You know, I could sneak you out of here.” He whispered, his face close to her’s as he whispered even softer.
Goosebumps erupted down her arms. Sandy shook her head so she could focus on what he was saying. “My dad would be blamed, and your parents…”
SNIPPET #4
“Thanks, Pops.” Sandy smiled a little, wiping her pearly tears away; knowing if they were allowed to stay on the cushions Grandma would be after her for the stains.
Dad sighed, looking up at Grandpa. “I don’t know what to do, Dad.” He let his head fall back against the door frame. “I’ve two amazing daughters. One who is so headstrong she made it back into the lake after two years of my putting her off, and made a huge mess, and yet still her biggest regret is thinking she can’t reach her full potential to help this world which is ruining her life.”
“I know, son.” Grandfather nodded, his lips pinched together. “What do you think we should do, Mother?” Grandpa waved Grandmother in to come sit beside him. The bedroom was kind of small to start with, and it was getting cozier by the second.
Main character casting for Drowning Sandy:
Sandy Antori: Spunky, and yet quick to want to please others, she finds herself battling her inner wants and desires with the difficult decisions being an adult requires of her. Picking an actress to play Sandy is tough. When I wrote this book, I actually envisioned her looking like a friend of my sister. The next best second would have to be Shailene Woodley. Since, Shelly is Sandy’s twin, Shailene would have her work cut out for her not only being a mermaid, but being a twin too!
Alardo Ritno: Not one to be pushed around either, poor Alardo has been nursing his secret crush for Sandy from when they were kids just learning to swim. Little does he know that Sandy had jumped to the conclusion he was completely hung up on her twin, Shelly. Jensen Ackles is PERFECT!!! Just needs the short cropped hair, and copper and gold scales … YUM!
Interview with Sandy and Alardo the main characters in Drowning Sandy
1. What is your favorite food?
Sandy: My mother’s lasagna, ooey-gooey and fresh from the oven. (Excuse me while I wipe off this drool.)
Alardo: I’ve got a hard-core sweet tooth. Chocolate, carmel, anything sweet really. Not suppose to eat sweets with the strict diet the guard is on, but what they don’t know won’t hurt them.
2. Do prefer to plan things, or be spontaneous?
Sandy: I’m a planner. I plan everything, and have lists of the lists that need to be made. I do not take change well at ALL.
Alardo: I like to think I’m the perfect mix of both. Not to be cocky, but I can be spontaneous when I need to be, and yet I don’t mind taking my time and planning things out when it comes to getting things right.
3. What one thing do you wish you could tell your past self?
Sandy: That’s a tough question. Maybe I’d tell myself to just breathe, but I don’t think I’d tell myself to do anything differently, because I’m pretty happy with the way things have ended up. It’s not perfect, but I feel like I’m where I was meant to be.
Alardo: O-o-oh that’s a tough one. I think I’d have to tell myself, to not hang with Shelly quite as much as I had. Who would have known Sandy would take it so absolutely wrong. Ugh.
4. Did you struggle to tell your author anything?
Sandy: Actually in the beginning she wanted me to share this book with my twin. It took her like two drafts before she got the fact that this was MY book. I love my twin, but this … this was about my moment. Shelly’s will come, and I can’t wait for you to read it!
Alardo: Nah, Sands was plenty of vocal for me. I knew Shelly wasn’t meant to be a lead roll in this book. I just sat back and waited, because my side of the story was told pretty straight on.
5. What is your favorite part of your story?
Sandy: Honestly, this whole story is such a huge changing point in my life, it’s hard to pick just one moment. Maybe the first time Alardo kissed me. Wow, uh, did it get a little warm in here?
Alardo: That’s easy. My favorite moment was when I found out Sandy would be staying for good. If I’d been human, I would have collapsed and landed right on my well shaped behind. Mermen do not collapse though, so my parents will probably never know that for once in my life their ultra controlling, backwards thinking way of life actually did something right.
6. What inspired the title of your story?
Sandy: I should think that would be sort of obvious. Ha-ha-ha!
Alardo: Well, Sandy went through quite a bit in the story. I think it’s a fitting title since she drowned both emotionally and mentally and then she drowned again quite literally. It was horrible, but like I said, it’s kind of perfect.
7. Do you think that there is a specific message to your story, that you’d like your readers to learn?
Sandy: Definitely! I think my story is all about choices, and how vital they can be to your life. The tiniest of choices can start a ripple effect, so to speak, that can turn into a tidal wave of change in your life.
Alardo: and along with what Sands just said, I think it’s important to remember to go with the flow. (And that pun is totally intended, by the way.)
8. What is the origin of your name? Does it have a neat story?
Sandy: Funny story, my name may or may not have come from one of the author’s cousins. But it was a totally inspirational situation. I don’t have a whole lot in common with her.
Alardo: My name is an older Greek name, meaning courageous prince. Originally this story was going to be titled, Sandy’s prince. Lame right? He-he-he
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out about her and her book!
Drowning Sandy by Sarah Daley