Guest Post and Giveaway with author Sandy James

Thanks to the Reading Café for letting me guest on their wonderful blog today!

I’m heading a bit controversial for this post. I want to talk about being a teacher and writing romance.

Some of you might be aware of the story of Judith Buranich. She’s an English teacher in Pennsylvania public high school. When a few parents discovered she was published in erotic romance, a witch hunt ensued, and she was threatened with termination by the school corporation. (When I checked for updated information, I discovered she overturned her firing on appeal. Good for her!)

I followed the story with fear and fascination, wondering if one day my name would be the one splashed all over the news for writing “that stuff.” (That’s a quote from one of the parents, who also implied Ms. Buranich might be looking at her son in an inappropriate fashion. For the love of… I cannot think of a more ridiculous insinuation.)

My first thought was that if a teacher wrote any other genre, would they pursue her with such vigor? What if she wrote true crime novels—one of the genres I’ve considered with my criminology degree? Would they assume she might have serial killer tendencies?

Obviously, I was worried about my own job in a public high school. I’ve taught psychology for eighteen years, and I love my job. When I wrote my first book, my son was a senior at my school. I watched all of his friends grow up, and I’ve always been very close to those kids. Being an extrovert, I shared with my students that I was having fun writing. They were supportive and a bit in awe that I not only finished that book but went on to make writing my second career. A lot of them love that I use their names for some of my characters.

When I sold my first book, I went to my principal and explained that I really wanted to publish in my own name rather than using a pen name. But I did air my concerns that our rather conservative Indiana community might have a “problem” if the parents found out I wrote romance. I told him that there was nothing in the books I would be ashamed for my students to read—probably because I discuss human sexuality in psychology. I was comfortable with parents reading my books as well. After a discussion with our superintendent, my principal gave me his blessings. So I published Turning Thirty-Twelve under my real name. Then I preceded to publish ten more books with more on the way. Both my students and their parents have given me their encouragement, and several former students and parents have become my fans.

Flash forward to 2012. Our state has instituted a rather onerous method of evaluating teachers—something I’m sure many other teachers face in the day and age of kids being tested, tested, and tested some more to see if they’re learning. (Don’t even get me going on that!) We are observed at least five different times during the school year. While I have no problem with any administrator or parent coming into my room to see what I’m up to, I am aware that even good teachers have bad days. It’s just crappy luck if one of those unannounced visits is on one of those days. My first one was…

I’m a good teacher. I don’t say that with hubris. My students are the ones who enlightened me to that fact. They do so in their stellar performances on things like Advanced Placement exams and by telling me how easy college psychology is for them because of my classes. But on the day my boss came for a look-see, I was playing a review game much like Jeopardy with my students, and it didn’t go well. The kids weren’t highly motivated because it was close to Fall Break, so a couple of them—one immature kid in particular—were acting out. Suffice to say I got a bad evaluation, even though I did my best to correct the bad behavior.

Problem was that my fear of being fired from my job for writing romance novels immediately jumped into my thoughts. Was my evaluation bad because of the class clown being mouthy? Or was there something else going on? Was this going to become a pattern as those in power set up a plan to get rid of me because I write romance?

It’s a shame I even have to worry about something that silly, but I was worried. Really worried. So I brought the topic up in my meeting over that evaluation. Thankfully, I was reassured that the thought never crossed my boss’s mind. In fact, he told me that they use me as a great example to students about what someone is capable of achieving if she puts her mind to it. He also said it’s good to be able to claim a published author among the school’s faculty.

To say I was relieved is a sad understatement. And all my evaluations have been stellar after that because the students realized it was their behavior rather than my lack of teaching skill that was criticized. God love ’em, my kids like me, and the affection is wholeheartedly returned.

Have things changed since the Judith Buranich debacle? Or is my corporation just more tolerant? I’m not really sure. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Thanks again for allowing me to guest blog! It was a pleasure sharing my thoughts with all of you!

Follow Sandy: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

My income tax return says that I am a teacher. I had originally intended it to say “lawyer,” but romance, marriage, and motherhood set my life on a different course.

I’ve been married to Jeff James since 1983. Even after all these years, he is still the love of my life. Jeff and I have two grown children who make us proud every day.

My husband and I share another strong and wonderful interest that is not only a great part of our day-to-day lives but has also become a running theme throughout some of my books. We own a small racing stable of Standardbred Harness horses, pacers to be exact. We have always loved the sport and as our children grew up enough to have their own interests, Jeff looked into what it would be like to own a racehorse. We jumped into the sport with both feet and are loving every minute of it. I’ve added a link to Jeff’s website if you’d like to follow the progress of our horses.

As another bit of personal information, I’d like to share that several years ago I was diagnosed with lupus. I know that there are others out there who either have had the same diagnosis or know someone who has. I’m sharing this because I want to encourage you all that chronic illnesses do not have to keep you down and out of the swing of life. I still teach, still work with my horses, have a wonderful family life, and am still able to spend hours at my laptop writing on my latest book.

I am blessed to be leading a life full of the things I like to do and people I love.

The Reluctant Amazon (Alliance of the Amazon #1)
By Sandy James
Release Date: September 2012

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

The last thing Rebecca Massee expects on her wedding day is to go from jilted kindergarten teacher to Amazonian Earth warrior. But when she causes an earthquake after her groom says I don’t, she discovers that not only does she possess incredible powers, she is one of four lost chosen sisters who must fight to keep humanity safe from rogue gods and demons. Luckily she has help: ruggedly handsome Scottish warrior Artair MacKay, her protector and teacher.

An immortal, Artair has trained countless warriors for more than four hundred years. He understands Rebecca’s confusion at the new world she’s been thrust into and worries she is too emotionally vulnerable, but that doesn’t stop his growing feelings for the beautiful and fearless woman.

When an evil force threatens to destroy the Amazons, Rebecca must claim her full powers–but they come at a cost. Can she sacrifice the man she loves if it means saving the world?

The Impetuous Amazon (Alliance of the Amazon #2)
By Sandy James
Release Date: January 2013

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Megan Feurer is strong and impetuous, like the Fire element she represents. She is an Amazon, sworn to protect humanity from demons, demigods and all manner of supernatural beings who wish ill upon the world. But her fire burns hot and fast, and her unpredictable control of the element brings into question her fitness as an Amazon.

Johann Herrmann chose the life of a Sentinel—a trainer of the four Amazons—to save his sister’s life. Now bound to the patron goddess Rhiannon, he knows his duty demands a solitary existence. But when he’s assigned to evaluate the Fire Amazon, his sacrifice becomes much more difficult.

Megan’s passions ignite a flame that neither she nor Johann can control, and the goddess Freya has reason to fan those flames. A mysterious force is gaining power, and Megan and Johann must join together to fight. And once a passionate fire has started, it’s nearly impossible to stop…

The Brazen Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons #3)
By Sandy James
Release Date: May 6, 2013

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

Zach Hanson is a tech wizard, capable of creating and improving gadgets–including remote nuclear warhead launchers. But he’s always known that he’s destined for something more, something greater, something…supernatural.
Powerful Air Amazon Gina Himmel is one of four sisters called to protect the world from those who would do it harm. Demigods in league with an Ancient have been taking over the bodies of leaders in the military and technological sectors, and Gina is sent to San Francisco to watch over Zach.

Under Gina’s protection, Zach is introduced to a world of ancient deities, rogue gods and the bold, brazen Amazons who keep humanity safe. Amidst the whirlwind of battle, Zach and Gina discover a love that could give them the power to save the world—or destroy it.

Sandy James is offering an e-copy of any ONE of her books to one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe. Please check Sandy’s Website for a complete list of her books.

1. Please register by using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address as Twitter and Google+ etc do not account for contact information.

3. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

4. Giveaway runs from May 14-May 18, 2013