Sandra Orchard – The Story Behind the Story – Part 3 of 3

Shannon here: Romantic suspense author, Sandra Orchard shares the story behind her inspiration for writing her latest release, Critical Condition. Comment on any post dated Oct 8th – 12th to get your name in the drawing for a copy of Shades of Truth. Deadline: Oct 20th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Sandra:

The Story Behind the Story of Critical Condition: 
When people find out I’m a writer, they often ask if my stories are inspired by true events, to which I reply, “Oh, yes,” because I always have bad guys trying to do me in, and heart throbs tripping over themselves to go out with me. 
Okay, I’m just kidding. But Critical Condition was truly inspired by several people dear to my heart. On the surface, the story is a romantic suspense/medical mystery in which an undercover cop must figure out who is behind a rash of inexplicable deaths on the cancer ward, before the nurse who brought them to the police’s attention is silenced permanently. 
But ultimately, the story is a tribute to all who have walked alongside a loved one through the valley of the shadow of death, with a prayer that they embrace the joy of truly living again. 
You see, the hero of the story lost his wife to cancer, and having enjoyed a love so sweet and endured its loss, he can’t imagine being twice blessed. There are also secondary characters who walk that journey through the story. 
I lost my mom to cancer many years ago, and a dear writing friend to the same disease during the writing of this story. My friend had tried numerous experimental treatments over the course of her twenty-year battle, and it was that very real drive to find a cure that prompted the creation of Critical Condition’s suspense plot. 
My father’s and my friend’s husband’s unwavering support and sacrifice, and my mom and friend’s own determination to not give in to despair for their husbands’ sake were a true inspiration to me of heroes and heroines who never bail. 
I believe the constant reminder of how precious little time they might have together made them more open with their feelings and more forgiving of the little annoyances that can eat away at a marriage. But really, if we truly love our spouse, do we need the specter of death hanging over us to be a better spouse? 
My favorite Christian romances, at their heart, inspire me to be a better wife or friend or mother, and I hope my novels do the same for others.  
Your turn: How might you be a “hero” to a loved one today? 
About Sandra: Award-winning author Sandra Orchard hails from Niagara, Canada. She writes for Love Inspired Suspense and is currently working on a three-book series called Port Aster Secrets, for Revell Publishing. Sandra enjoys offering her readers “extras” to enhance their experience of her books. You can check out these, along with other resources for readers and writers, at her website: http://www.SandraOrchard.com. You can also connect at: http://www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard and http://www.SandraOrchard.blogspot.com.
 About the giveaway – Shades of Truth: Big city detective Ethan Reed is working deep undercover at a Christian youth detention center. The kind of place he spent some harrowing time in as a kid. Ethan’s mission: ferret out who’s recruiting resident teens for a drug ring. He expects help from the lovely, devoted director of Hope Manor. But Kim Corbett won’t tell Ethan anything– even when she’s threatened and attacked. When Ethan discovers what Kim is protecting, his guarded heart opens just a bit wider. Enough to make this the most dangerous assignment of his career.
Book 2 of Undercover Cops:
 Fighting for justice puts their lives–and hearts–on the line. 
About Sandra’s newest release – Critical Condition: There’s a murderer in the hospital, and nurse Tara Peterson is determined to prove it. With mysterious deaths in the cancer ward, anyone could be next. But no one wants to believe her…except undercover agent Zach Davis. The murderer wants Tara’s suspicions silenced, permanently. To protect Tara, Zach lets her in on his secret, and unwittingly into his heart. Tara and her three-year-old daughter are like the family he lost years before. Zach will risk everything to keep them safe, no matter the cost.
Come back October 14th for Amish Romance author, Kelly Irvin!