Friday, March 31, 2017

Sandie Will and the Caging at Deadwater Manor

Hi all!!

It's been a little while but there is this great book coming out that I want you to know about. The Caging at Deadwater Manor by Sandie Will is awesome!!!




NEW RELEASE! 

Author Sandie Will has released her debut novel, The Caging at Deadwater Manor. Set along the Florida Gulf Coast, this young adult psychological thriller is a heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat story about eighteen-year-old Jeannie Kynde who is locked away in Deadwater Manor, a psychiatric hospital with an unscrupulous past. In her words, she shares what it’s like to endure psychiatric treatments, mentally unstable patients, a sadistic nurse and a tempting attendant. Can she find the strength to survive the nightmare that is now her world?

Book Trailer

Book Blurb:

On a cold, January evening, fourteen-year-old Jeannie Kynde is told that her beloved mother drowned in the murky waters along Florida's Gulf Coast. Her distraught father turns on Jeannie, no longer the caring father she once knew.

Four years later, Jeannie is finally old enough to escape her father's clutches, but he has different plans. He imprisons her at Deadwater Manor, a psychiatric hospital with an unscrupulous past. 

Will she be locked away forever? Or can she fight against the nightmare that has now become her world?

Links:





So, what was the inspiration for this story?

As the cover states, Deadwater Manor was inspired by true events, so I wanted to share what this means.

About eight years ago, I wanted to see if I could write dark. I had already written a historical time travel, which was more on the adventurous side (this will be released later this year). At first I thought I'd write a ghost story, and I remembered that my dad worked at psychiatric hospitals during short spurts of his life, both state and private. He rarely talked about his time there. My mom had said it was because he was upset over things he saw.

So, I finally asked him. There were no ghosts, but he mentioned how he felt bad for the young girls because sometimes they were admitted against their will by families who didn’t understand depression or other milder psychiatric conditions. He also shared patient routines and how the hospital rooms were set up. And as he continued, he remembered a discovery he made in the attic. It gives me chills just thinking about it, even now, and it became the central part of the story.
So, though the story and hospital are completely fictional, it is based on a girl admitted against her will, my dad’s discovery and some of the patient routines, outbursts, clothing and treatments he mentioned. The rest is based on research.

Sadly, my dad has since passed away from Alzheimers. He was a wonderful man, unlike the father in the story (which he always reminded me to make clear!). Before he became too confused, I let him know I dedicated the book to him. I knew he understood when he became weepy. I'll be thinking of him on March 31.

About the Author:



Sandie Will was born in Poughkeepsie, New York and moved to Florida during the 1970s. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Geology degree from the University of South Florida and Master of Science in Environment al Engineering Sciences degree from the University of Florida. She is currently working as a hydrogeologist and manager at a state agency that protects water supplies and natural systems. She primarily manages well construction and aquifer testing operations.  During her career, she has written numerous technical reports and articles for various science-related publications. Now, she is adding fiction to her writing repertoire with her debut novel, The Caging at Deadwater Manor. Sandie currently lives in Florida with her husband, Charlie. They have two grown sons, a lovable lab-mix and a pesky cat.  Her website and blog can be found at www.sandiewill.com.

Thank you for the support! I truly appreciate everyone who has helped me during this long journey.

Here's some more information on Sandie for you:
What type of genre do you write?

I love to write YA thrillers, historical time travel and paranormal. After my first debut, I will be releasing the first book of my time travel series later this year.

What genre to you personally read?

Pretty much anything, but I tend to want to read dark, creepy books, science fiction and historical novels. I especially love novels that stay with you for a while or make you question reality.

Tell me about your latest?

The Caging at Deadwater Manor is based on a discovery my dad made while working at a psychiatric hospital. It gives me the creeps just thinking about it! He also shared patient routines and hospital routines that helped me provide a more realistic storyline. So, the story is fiction, but it’s inspired by my dad’s discovery and I’ve incorporated some actual happenings here and there.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

There is. This book is for mature young adults because there are some situations where the main character, Jeannie Kynde, struggles to choose the right path for herself, especially since she is drugged and her survival instinct is kicking in. I think young adults have (unfortunately) had to make difficult choices at times, and I hope this story helps them see that they should stick to their own ethical values. Also, sometimes you need to forgive yourself, which can be so hard.

What does your workspace look like?

I have an old writer’s desk I found in an antique shop a few years back. It’s in front of a set of windows on the second story of my home surrounded by old oaks and visiting birds. It’s a peaceful place – my sanctuary!
(see photo)

After this book, what is next?

The first book of The Time Lands Series called The Hunger will be released later this year. This book is about a girl from today who meets a guy from Ireland who is going through desperate times. There’s a bit of first love, adventure, suspense and comedy all wrapped in a sweet story. Remember the names: Carly Matthews and Liam Healy – they’ll be sharing their adventures in time for a while!

Currently, I’m writing on another psychological thriller and researching historical information for a paranormal.

Your website? www.sandiewill.com

Your blog? www.sandiewill.com/blog

Other websites? www.deadwatermanor.com for the book release. I also have a science blog where geologists share their typical day and projects from around the world at www.rockheadsciences.com.

Where can your book be found? Please purchase my ebook on March 31 or April 1 on Amazon to help with my ranking. The link to Amazon will be available at www.deadwatermanor.com. After that, all the regular outlets such as Barnes and Noble will be fine. The printed copy will be available the week after the release.

Thanks so much, Jodie, for allowing me to be part of your blog and for running my blog hop during this important time. I appreciate all the support you have given me over the years.

Thank you Sandie for joining us today! Everyone, seriously, check this book out and follow the links!

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce