Author Q&A with Sandy Barker

Sandy is a writer, traveller and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list, and many of her travel adventures have found homes in her novels. She’s also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob.

Sandy lives in Melbourne Australia with her partner, Ben, who she met while travelling in Greece. Their real-life love story inspired Sandy’s debut novel One Summer in Santorini, the first in the Holiday Romance series with One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins.

The series continues in That Night in Paris and A Sunset in Sydney and there are two more to come in 2022. Her standalone novel The Christmas Swap celebrates her favourite time of the year, and next up is The Dating Game, a laugh-out-loud romcom set in the world of Reality TV.

What was your inspiration behind a book set at Christmas?

I really wanted to write a Christmas book as it’s my favourite holiday and I started thinking back over the Christmases I’ve had, particularly those in the US and the UK, which are quite different from the hot Christmases we enjoy here in Australia. Once I had the spark of the idea, that three friends who live in three different countries would swap Christmases, the characters started forming in my head ― each distinct and each with a different feeling about the holiday. Lucy from the UK is desperate for a proper white Christmas, so is enticed by a trip to Colorado. Jules from Colorado is over the freezing winters and jumps at the chance of a hot Christmas in Melbourne, and Chloe is keen to swap her orphans’ ―

her parents are going on a cruise ― for a traditional British Christmas in a sleepy English village. And, of course, as I write romcoms, hilarity and romance follow.

What’s your favourite scene in your book?

Lucy and Will (Jules’ hot brother) are in a traffic jam because of a snowstorm and they are both desperate for a wee. It’s awkward and funny and sweet.

What does Christmas Day in your household look like?

We always put up a tree, even if we’re going to be travelling for Christmas. It’s usually just the two of us on Christmas morning, and we play carols and eat Christmas cookies while we open stocking presents. We love to have people over for a formal Christmas lunch – which here in Australia might be baked salmon, gourmet salads and a pavlova. We dress up – nice to have a reason to dress up! – and drink (lots of) sparkling wine. After lunch we’ll exchange gifts and maybe play some silly Christmas trivia game or watch a Christmas movie.

What’s your most cherished Christmas memory?

I’ve had two Christmases with my nephew, Alexander, (and his parents) – once when he was 3 and the second time when he was 7. They live in the UK so we haven’t seen them for 3 years, so those are especially fond memories. He loves all things Christmas and we did the all the fun things you get to do with kids – cookies out for Santa, food out for the reindeer, the glee of opening presents on Christmas morning. I will always cherish those memories.

If you had to buy your MC a Christmas present what would it be?

I’d buy Jules something ‘techie’ like the latest earbuds. For Chloe, she’d love a gorgeous robe – something in silk. And for Lucy, I’d ask her favourite romcom author to sign copies of their books – a complete set for her bookshelf.

What’s your favourite book set at Christmas?

I’ve read so many that I’ve loved. Two that out this year that I LOVED – I got to be an early reader – are Jessica Redland’s Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café and Katie Ginger’s The Perfect Christmas Present. Last year, I absolutely loved Annie O’Neil’s Miracle on Christmas Street.

If you could spend Christmas Day with any of your characters who would it be and why?

Probably Cat from the Holiday Romance series, as she is (heavily) inspired by my sister and I really miss her.

What has been your biggest achievement in 2021?

Publishing my latest book The Dating Game while writing two more books – all while in the longest and strictest lockdown in the world. (I live in Melbourne). Accomplishing those milestones and keeping creatively buoyant were challenging.

What are you working on for 2022?

I am just about to dive into edits for book 4 in the Holiday Romance series, A Sunrise Over Bali. I have just sent across the manuscript for book 5, A Wedding in Tuscany, and I have also co-authored a completely different type of book – a contemporary drama/crime thriller – with Fiona Leitch. We’re wrapping up edits and soon our agent will be sending it to publishing houses. And after I send across Bali edits, I will start writing The May Ladies’ Christmas, which is the sequel to The Christmas Swap!

This or that:

Real Christmas Tree or False Christmas Trees?

Prefer real but we have a fake one.

Tinsel or No Tinsel?

Prefer no tinsel

Mince Pies or No Mince Pies?

Mince pies – yum!

Christmas books or Christmas films?

Both!

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas Day! That’s when we open presents!

Christmas Tunes or Silence?

Christmas music on replay for at least two weeks leading up to Christmas!

Where can you find Sandy?

https://twitter.com/sandybarker

https://www.facebook.com/sandybarkerauthor

https://sandybarker.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sandybarkerauthor/

Author Q&A with Sandy Barker