Cat Johnson Braves Doll Lil’s Word Association Challenge!

Sandy graduated from Texas A&M University with a double major in political science and history. She thought about attending law school. Fortunately, before handing over her life’s savings, she realized case studies weren’t nearly as interesting as novels and decided to get an MA in Library Science instead. She worked as a librarian until her husband whisked her off to London on an extended business trip. She’s now back home in Texas, writing full-time, raising newborn twin boys, and squeezing in time to play geeky board and card games like Settlers of Catan, Dominion, and Runebound.
She loves hanging out with other readers and talking about books. For recommendations, check out her Goodreads account. And if you have a favorite book or author, she’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter, or via email. Her latest book, The Shadowed Dark, Book #2 in the McKenzie Lewis series is out now!

Connect with Sandy Williams: Website |  |  |

What is your current state of mind?

Stressed! With one year old twins and deadlines, I’m in a constant state of ZOMG-I-can’t-breath!

What is your favorite occupation (way of spending time)?

Reading. Playing Euro games like Dominion and Settlers of Catan comes in at a close second.

What historical figure do you most identify with?

Hmm. No one? I can’t think of anyone, not even an author I identify with. Weird!

Which living person do you most admire?

I can’t think of just one, but I admire anyone who gives to others without recognition. I want to be more like them. I think there’s a certain happiness that comes from giving.

Who is your favorite fictional hero? Heroine?

Hardest question ever! Wait a second while I go check my Goodreads account… Okay. I’m back. For hero, I think Lon from Jenn Bennett’s KINDLING THE MOON might be it. He’s hot, but he’s quiet. A beta hero instead of an alpha. He’s also a dad, which is totally endearing.

My favorite heroine is harder to identify. I really love Sirantha Jax from Ann Aguirre’s GRIMSPACE. That woman took so many blows, and she still keeps going. She still keeps fighting.

Who are your real-life heroes?

The men and women in the US Armed Forces. My brother is a marine. He was overseas when both of his daughters were born. Can’t imagine how hard that would be for him and his wife!

What is your most treasured possession?

Gah. It’s my laptop. How sad is that? But not only are all my pictures on it (and a remote server), but all my stories are as well!

When and where were you happiest?

Curled up in bed, reading a book with my husband. Separate books, of course, because he’s not into all that romance stuff. But seriously, I feel so, so lucky that I found a guy who loves to read almost as much as me.

What is your most obvious characteristic?

I’m quiet. Not shy, exactly, but I tend to sit back and let everyone else do the talking. I’m a great listener! :-)

What is the trait you most deplore (hate) in yourself?

My quietness. LOL I wish I was a socialite.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

The inability to allow other people to have opinions and beliefs that are different from theirs.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My boys. I can’t not buy them things!

What is your favorite journey?

The trip my husband and I took to Hawaii with a few friends! It was awesome. Loved all the hiking, even the time I almost died crossing a river because the “trail” disappeared.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Before I had twins, I would have said my nose. Now, my stomach. Definitely my stomach. :-(

What do you consider the most over-rated virtue?

Positivity! I’m a realist. I know things aren’t always going to be rainbows and unicorns, but it seems like everyone thinks you should think positive and good things will happen. I’d rather be prepared for the possibilities than to get my hopes up and have them crushed.

On what occasion do you lie?

I lie if I’m forced to destroy someone’s dreams. Can’t bring myself to do that!

What is your greatest fear?

Death, of course! Every now and then, I freak out, thinking I’m going to receive a phone call saying someone died in a car wreck. And when I’m driving, I’m always aware of how easy it would be to get in a wreck with so many distracted drivers on the road! Life can end so suddenly and tragically.

Which words or phrases do you most over-use?

Wow. How long of a list do you want? I know I used the word “fissure” too much in my books. And I’m quite fond of saying “kind of”. I’m pretty sure my characters smile and nod too much as well.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d give myself more confidence. I have such a low self-esteem.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being published! My dreams have totally come true. Oh, that’s something to add to my list of overused words. I totally use “totally” way too much!

Where would you like to live?

Some place that’s not flat. I’ve lived in Texas all my life, and thought that it was the greatest place to live until I had opportunities to see more of the world. I want to live somewhere with hills and mountains and beauty, some place where I can walk outside in the summers without immediately being drenched in sweat. And I’d love to live within walking distance of stores and parks and clean, reliable public transportation.

What is the quality you most admire in a man? In a woman?

In a man: honor. In a woman: strength (not physical strength; more emotional fortitude)

What is it you most dislike?

Infidelity. There’s no freaking excuse for it.

What do you value most in your friends?

Understanding! There are so many times where I get lost in my head, dreaming up scenes and stories and bits of dialogue. I’ll rush off to write ideas down in the middle of conversations, but my friends get me. Love them!

How would you like to die?

Peacefully in my sleep, of course!

If you were to die and come back as a person or an animal, what do you think it would be?

Hmm. Maybe a dolphin? But it would be cool to come back as a kimkiand live in the Shadow Reader world!

If you could choose an object to come back as, what would you choose?

An ereader. Think of all the books I could contain!

What is your motto (words you live by or that mean a lot to you)?

This, too, shall pass.

Who has been the greatest influence on you?

My husband. He’s always supported and encouraged my writing, and he lets me be my geeky self. Probably because I let him be his geeky self. :-)

Thank you so much Sandy! In honor of the Shattered Dark blog tour, Sandy and her publisher are offering one lucky Paperback Dolls follower a copy of Shattered Dark! (US Only)
Good Luck!

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