Sara’s Smile by Sandra Bunino

Publisher: Bradley Publishing ~ 70 pages ~ Release date: May 18, 2012

Today I am honored to have Sandra Bunino in the Maylee ehouse. She’s in the middle of celebrating her second release, Sara’s Smile. I was introduced to Sandra’s writing six sentences at a time. That’s right, Six Sentence Sunday has introduced me to many writers and Sandra’s 6s were one of my very first favorites. So I leaped at the chance to have her here today. Below I have a few thoughts to share about Sara’s Smile, Sandra answers some questions (including the blurb, an excerpt, and what’s next for Sandra), and at the bottom are Sandra’s dets. Don’t forget to leave a comment. One lucky commenter is going to receive an ecopy of Sara’s Smile!

S . J.’s Review: I’ve read Sara’s Smile and I highly recommend that you do too. It’s most certainly a 5-star book. Sandra’s writing made my heart smile. Do you remember the first time you fell in love? This book brought back all those lovely feelings, transporting you to a magical time. I fell easily for Sara. Sandra certainly has the ability to write characters you understand and want to root for. It’s a short extremely enjoyable read, get your hands on it today and start your week off right.

Now, let’s ask Sandra a couple questions…

What inspired you to begin writing romance?

I wrote a cute Valentine’s Day inspired short story for a creative writing assignment in high school (my first romance story). It was about a girl who was crushing on a boy and hoped he would notice her on Valentine’s Day. The day went by without even a second glance from him. Dejected she opened her locker at the end of the day to find a long stem rose. She turned around to see him smiling at her and you guessed it – it ended with an HEA. My teacher suggested I submit the story to a writing contest. I didn’t take her advice, however her suggestion gave me the confidence to continue writing. Here’s a fun fact: Roses are written into every story I write!

How do you feel about being a romance writer?

I love writing romance but my pet-peeve misconception about romance writers, especially erotic romance writers, is that we are all consumed with sex. This is simply not true, I mean, I’m sure I speak for many of my peers out there when I say – yes, we like sex. You really cannot effectively write about it if you didn’t. But obsessed and fixated on it? No. My answer to those clueless people who give me the quizzical look when I try to explain is simply, “Do you think murder mystery writers are running around killing people, chopping up their bodies into little pieces and dumping the remains in the woods? Uh, no, I don’t think so.”

What has surprised you the most about writing and becoming a published author?

It surprised me that bringing a book to market was such a meticulous and time consuming process. Writing was the easy part! There is a lot of back and forth correspondence with the publisher, editor and cover artist. Edits take a long time to clear. I usually clear my calendar and work non-stop for days on my first set of edits. After the book is in its final form, the promotion starts. Marketing and promotion also takes a lot of time, energy and scheduling. I have a great time doing it as I get to meet so many great authors, reviewers and readers.

Can you tell us a little about your new release, Sara’s Smile?

I’m such a romantic and have always been a sucker for a love lost/love found reunion story. My sensual romance, SARA’S SMILE is my second release but it’s actually my first story. I treat my books like my children and I just wasn’t ready to send this one out into the world as my first release. Instead I debuted my erotic romance, MAROONED IN MIAMI, to blaze the path for Sara. Now that warm weather is approaching, it’s the perfect time to introduce SARA’S SMILE as a sweet summer read.

There’s nothing like your first love, is there? Spanning five years, SARA’S SMILE will take you from young love found on the carefree beaches of Martha’s Vineyard to rekindled passion in the heart of New York City.

Blurb:

As an architect who specializes in restorations, Sara Wiley is a genius at returning neglected structures to their former glory. But when it comes to her own life, she has no idea how to reclaim the ruins, which are all that remain of her first true love.

When the biggest opportunity of her career and a sexy contractor comes her way, she’s thrilled…until she learns that the client is the long-ago boy who captured her heart and continues to invade her dreams. Is it a bittersweet coincidence or might there be a chance, after all, for Sara to revisit the mistakes of her past and build the future she has wanted for so long?

Excerpt:

Why am I doing this? she asked herself when she climbed into the cab, the next evening. Having dinner with him certainly isn’t going to help me get him out of my dreams.

As she got out, in front of O’Reilly’s, she was startled by her own reflection, and silently thanked Cat for assembling her outfit of dark skinny jeans, pink chiffon top with spaghetti straps and strappy silver sandals.  At Cat’s insistence, she had worn her hair long and loose. She had added her favorite dangling silver earrings and a matching chain and pendant just before she walked out the door. If clothing was armor, she was as well equipped as she could manage for the coming conversation.

She found Will at the crowded bar, where he kissed her on the cheek and gave her his seat.

“What are you drinking?” he asked.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

He ordered two martinis, and they began talking about the Hanson House. From there, the conversation turned naturally to their jobs. As Sara had expected, Will explained that he traveled all over the world and spent only a few weeks out of the year at his apartment in Santa Monica.

While he spoke, she stared at his mouth, remembering how his kisses felt on her lips. A glance at his hands awoke her memory of the way they had encircled her waist as she made love to him.

Stop it, she ordered herself sternly, and shook her head.

“Are you okay?”

Oh shit. I didn’t say that out loud, did I? “Y-yeah, I’m fine,” she answered with a laugh.

“Now that we’ve made a dent in these martinis,” he said, looking down at his glass, “I have to tell you… You broke my heart, that last night we were together. I really loved you, Sara.”

Would you like to share what the reviewers are saying about your book?

I would love to! Here is an early review written by In Love with Romance:

5/5 Stars. Be prepared to fall under the spell of this fantastic story that will win you over with its charm.

Sandra Bunino delivers a heart-warming story about lost and found love. Not just any love, but first love.

In Sara’s Smile, she does an excellent job in bringing out the thrill of that first love. Through her amazing characters, she makes you revisit memory lane and relive what it felt like to fall deeply in love for the very first time. She reminds you of what it felt like to hold hands, to be held, that sweet first kiss, and how magical that first time was.

The decisions her characters face, and the emotions they go thru, make them come alive for you. It is not just about the thrill of that first love, and the thrill of doing everything for the very first time, it is deeper than that. It is about that unconditional, no questions asked, kind of love.

Sara’s Smile is such a moving story, don’t be surprised if it brings tears to your eyes, it will touch that soft spot in your heart, and it will take your breath away.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written two other novellas and two short contributing stories for anthologies.

Marooned in Miami (A Sensual Short Story), published by Bradley Publishing in January.

Lusted in Las Vegas (sequel to Marooned in Miami), releasing July 2nd from Bradley Publishing

The Satin Rose Experience (erotic romance/light BDSM), contributing story to the Keyboards and Kink Anthology by Evernight Publishing releasing June 8th.

The Fountain Pen, contributing story to the Felt Tips Anthology (all proceeds will go to charity) coordinated by author Tiffany Reisz. Felt Tips will be released on December 12^th.

What’s next?

I have a few WIPs in the works! First, I’m writing an erotic fairytale I hope to submit for consideration soon. Next up is a novella based on The Satin Rose Experience short. I’m also working on Michael’s story from Sara’s Smile. I decided he needs his own HEA! Lastly, there’s this little modern day pirate story set in the Caribbean rolling around in my head.

Bio:

Sandra Bunino began a love of romance stories while penning a creative writing assignment in high school. The story ended with the heroine receiving a long stem red rose in her locker on Valentine’s Day. Since then, all of her stories feature the hero presenting the heroine with roses. Sandra is constantly searching for different ways to achieve a heart-pumping, stomach-flipping, breath-catching reaction from her readers.

These days, Sandra lives on a wooded mountaintop not far from New York City with her family.

Connect with Sandra here: Email: sbunino (at) gmail (dot) com

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Thank you so much, Sandra. It was a joy and honor to have you at my ehome today.

Now everyone don’t forget to comment!