Today it's my pleasure to interview one of our wonderful readers, Sarah K. Ballew! We love to read about those who enjoy romance books!
Photo: Sarah's son Colton (apparently using the phone and someone's glasses)! Cute!
BIO:
I was born in Lindsay, OK, many moons ago as a poor redneck girl. I grew up trying to overcome the middle child syndrome and keep from having the “Good Girl” sign attached to my forehead, but somehow it stuck. I moved around OK and TX throughout the younger years, settling in Tulsa, OK, to finish up High School. I tried out many colleges until I settled on a small liberal arts college in central KY to finally receive confirmation that I knew something.
My freeloading self followed the parental units to central FL for room and board, because I hadn’t sucked enough money out of them yet. I had every intention of finding my way back to OK, but fate found me first and I met my super terrific husband and landed my “super terrific” paper pushing analytical job.
I now live in a lovely coastal city in central FL with a 2-yr-old son, a 6-yr-old rat terrier, a cat of undetermined (ancient) age and a soon-to-be ___ yr-old husband (he might read this and take away my reading privileges if he sees I posted his age) on 2 ½ acres of land that requires lots of attention along with our older home (not “historical”) that requires even more loving attention.
Q: What type of genre do you enjoy the most and why?
A: I love historical fiction the most – takes me away from reality and allows me to see life of the history I have always loved. The ones that make me laugh while solving a mystery are the best.
Q: What inspired you to read romance books?
A: I was a typical young girl trying to figure out what life was all about. I started reading Judy Blume books for the younger kids. Someone in school had “Forever”, which lead me in search of more of her work and I found “Wifey”. I then found my mom’s stash of Harlequin novellas & novels and was hooked from then on. I have read all the classics by Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss and Janet Daily.
Q: Besides those of us at “Romance Books R Us”, who are your favorite authors?
A: Growing up I would say Janet Daily was my favorite until I found the world of the
Internet and realized how many authors there actually are (Although she still holds a place in my beginners heart). I now love many authors:
Katie MacAclister - especially her Dragon series
Stephanie Laurens -Cynster and Bastion Club series
Stephanie Rowe - Vampire Series
Bertrice Small – any and all of her books
Samantha Kane – Brothers in Arms
This list could go on as I research and join more groups like RBRU.
Q: What is your all-time favorite romance book? Why?
A: “Shanna” by Kathleen Woodiwiss is my all-time favorite. I have reread this book so many times. I never get tired of it. I think the shear determination of Ruark to be with Shanna and win her over on his terms is what captures my attention.
Q: When do you read and do you have “comfort food” as you read?
A: I read mostly at night once my 2-year-old has gone to bed. I don’t like to eat when I read. Too much distraction. Also I don’t like messy fingers on my books or laptop. The idea for me is to escape reality when I can, so I think food would be like the penny for Christopher Reeve in “Somewhere in Time” and take me away from paradise.
(Sarah - great comparison!)
Q: Do you enter contests? What type of items do you enjoy getting if you win?
A: I love entering contests. It is a way of finding out more about the author and other authors. LOVE getting Books but would love to get an eReader someday!
Q: Do you read blurbs and excerpts? Which one is most important in your decision to buy a book and why?
A: Yes I read the blurbs and excerpts. I think the blurbs are the most important. They determine if I am going to spend my limited time reading an excerpt and then the except determines if I am going to spend my money on a book. Both are very important, but the blurb is the first step for me. Sort of like a first impression of meeting someone helps you to determine if you want to spend more time with them.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I have had a wonderfully insightful time while doing this interview. It has brought back great memories for me. I know there are a multitude of excited readers out there that know nothing of your group and I hope I can help spread the word. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for your kind words, Sarah!
9 comments:
Sarah I just loved your bio! :) Great interview.
Sarah,
It's always fun to find out that a reader enjoys the same authors you do. I haven't read Shanna in years but I can still remember Ruark!
Thanks Amber and Paris. It has been a while since I answered the questions. Very cool to see my on the blog site
Sarah, I love Shana and Ruark too. I think every writer has some ideal in the back of her head when she writes. Ruark is one of my patterns for my heroes. I trust my heroines are just as lovely, but maybe a little less arrogant than Shana. At least that's one of the things I subconciously wish when I'm writing a new book.
Sarah
What an enjoyable interview. I love your humor. Shanna is also one of my favorite books. It's sitting on the shelf behind me now. I've had it since the Seventies. I loved Rosemary Rogers' Sweet Savage Love too. That's on my shelf next to Shanna. Good luck with your reading.
Carolyn/Cara Marsi
Hi Sarah,
Great bio! Love the picture. Too cute!
Sandy
I love this group! Such great fun, support and camraderie. Thanks so much to all of you for reading my interview. I feel like "Celeb" now. Good luck with your writing and research this week.
Hi Sarah, I loved reading your bio and recognized and loved many of the books you mentioned. Your little one is adorable!
XXOO Kat
First may I say your son is adorable. I enjoyed your article and getting to know you. Glad to hear some one still admits they are a redneck..I think that is cool even if you are transplanted some where else. I was never born a redneck but sure have picked up the ways of one..well in some cases. ha ha I am proud of it too. Your share some of my favorite authors too and like you I was shocked to see how many wonderful authors are out there..thanks to this machine I am finding new ones all the time. Have a good day. susan L.
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