Sandra Tilley, Author of The Ghost and Mrs. Miller
Give a warm welcome to Sandra Tilley, author of The Ghost & Mrs. Miller!
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler or there’s a pitcher of fresh lemonade on the counter. Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie are on the plate beside the pitcher. So let’s find out a little about Sandra and her guests, Eli Anderson and Libby Carlisle Miller of The Ghost and Mrs. Miller.
Eli, how about you go first? Tells us about the real you. What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you?
Freshman year at the University of Alabama, tore my ACL in a freak accident playing flag football with a bunch of sorority girls. Lost my scholarship and my dreams of the NFL. Thought that was life-changing. Until I had to identify my best friend’s body. Changes your perspective on everything.
What do you most value?
Family.
What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with?
That’s easy. I knew in kindergarten Libby Carlisle was the only girl for me. But she ended up marrying my best friend.
What do you consider most important in life?
I’d have to say honor. If you don’t stand for something, what’s your point? If I tell you I got your back, you don’t need to turn around and look.
What is your biggest secret?
Never told. Never will.
Awww…. you’re no fun! Well, Libby, you’re next. Who are you really?
Are you talking yesterday or five minutes ago? Thought I knew who I was–until Neil betrayed me.
Who were the biggest role models in your life?
My mom and dad. Mom could be a little overwhelming at times. Of course with three daughters, I totally get it. But Dad could jump into the middle of a three-ring sister argument, start his clowning around and make us all laugh. We knew the clown had another side, though. If Mom needed backup, he was strong, too.
What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Do I have to choose right now? Neil and I married right out of high school, and I literally went from living with my mom and dad to living with my husband. Now that he’s gone, I want to be in charge of myself for a while.
What kind of man would you never choose?
Never choose a bully.
What is most important to you in life?
My children.
What is your biggest fear?
Neil finding out that I lied.
LIbby and Eli, thank you so much for being here!
Sandra, just a couple more questions. Tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult? Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
I’m basically a plotter, but I do love it when the characters take over. This story began as four short stories; and after eights year and seven name changes, it became The Ghost and Mrs. Miller.
Wow, those are a lot of changes.
Sandra, Wwat is The Ghost and Mrs. Miller all about?
Libby Miller is a good Southern girl, and good Southern girls know the rules. But Libby forgot about fate. And fate has no rules. On Libby’s nineteenth wedding anniversary, she catches Neil cheating with his assistant; and fate whips up a tornado of turmoil. But the storm’s not over until the karmic gods have finished playing and Neil’s flipped his BMW and his ghost is swinging from the chandelier. How is Libby supposed to grieve and raise their teenage children with Neil’s ever-present, meddling ethereal presence? She wants to move on with her life, if only Neil will transition to where ever it is he needs to go. And adding to the karmic soup are two men from Libby’s past–both of whom want a second chance.
Can we have a peek between the pages?
“I was your high school sweetheart and husband for nineteen years. I’ve only been dead for two months. Why aren’t you despondent with grief? Or at least sad?”
The weight of his words pressed down, pinning my eyes to the ground. I felt his eyes digging into my skull, but I couldn’t lift my head to meet his accusation. I removed a flip-flop and swatted at a line of ants traveling inside the groove of grout between the stones. “The therapist says we handle grief in our own way.” I turned my head to the side. “How can I be sad if you’re still here?”
You can find The Ghost and Mrs. Miller at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.
Wow. A little more about Sandra:
She grew up in a small town near Birmingham, Alabama, where friends always entered through the back door and where everyone spoke the same language—Southern. After a successful teaching career, she packed up her pearls and headed toward her inspiration: the sugar-white beaches of Orange Beach, Alabama, on the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Follow Sandra on Facebook at Sandra Fetner Tilley-Author and on Twitter @SandyFTilley. Or stop by her web page at http://www.sandratilley.com/
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with The Ghost and Mrs. Miller.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged ghosts, Paranormal, Romance, Sandra TIlley, The Ghost and Mrs. Miller by Tena Stetler with 26 comments.
Thank you for hosting us. Tons of fun!
My pleasure Sandy! Interestiing interview! Thanks! Off to go check out your book!
Hey Sandra great to have you here on Author’s Secrets. Thanks for bringing Libby and Eli with you! Best of luck with The Ghost and Mrs. Miller!
Wow, I’m munching on a peanut butter, calorie-free cookie, and enjoying my mojito. What a fabulous post. Love these characters and Sandra sure knows them inside and out. Sounds like the perfect beach read.
I couldn’t agree more Suzanne! So glad you found the calorie free cookies. They are always the first to disappear! Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!
So glad you met Libby and Eli. A Mojito sounds delicious! It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.
Thanks for stopping by!
What an interesting premise for a book! It wasn’t what I was expecting from the title at all! Sounds like a great read!
I agree. Thanks for stopping by Donna! Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much. I hope everyone thinks it’s an interesting premise. 🙂 And I love it that our pics are the same! So appreciate your visit.
Sounds intriguing! Enjoyable interviews 🙂 Best of luck with The Ghost and Mrs. Miller
Interviews to tell you an insight into the character or the author depending on the interest. Thanks for stopping by Barbara! We really appreciate it
Thanks for visiting, Barbara! Love the cover of Silverhawk!
How can I miss you if you won’t go away?
What an intriguing story concept.
Thanks so much! So glad you stopped for a visit.
What a creative, interesting premise Sandy! I enjoyed the excerpt. Good luck with the book–sounds fabulous.
Claire, thanks for popping by. We really appreciate it.
Thanks, Claire! It was a fun book to write. appreciate your stopping by!
I think I’m in love with Eli already! Great excerpt and interviews. The story sounds wonderful.
Hey Ana, glad you stopped in. Have a great weekend.
Aww. Thanks, Anna. I love Eli, too! We so appreciate your stopping by to meet my characters. It’s such a relief having them out of my head and on the pages. 🙂
Wonderful interview! Wishing you all the best, Sandy!
Mary thanks for visiting!
Thank you so much, Mary. My characters loved the attention and we all enjoyed your visit.
Hi Sandra, Congrats on your new release! It sounds fascinating! I am still intrigued about your hero playing flag football with a bunch of sorority girls. Is that pulled from your real life experience? Best to you!
DeeDee glad you stopped by with an excellent question. Loved Sandy’s answer.
DeeDee, my daughter was in a sorority in college, and they played a flag football game with the guys for charity. The whole notion was hilarious because the girls did mani/pedis before the game and were more worried about what they wore than scoring. Just thought it would be ironic for a guy nicknamed Tank to be taken down by co-eds.
So glad you stopped by!