About Me

It’s much easier to conjure up fictional characters than write about myself, but for those who’d like to know more about the real life of Christian romantic suspense novelist, Sandra Orchard, … read on.

I live in rural Southern Ontario with my husband of over twenty years, three college-age children, and a menagerie of animals. We (minus the animals) live in a hundred year old farmhouse (a.k.a. the money pit) that I was having great fun renovating until I blew a disk in my back. However, this unfortunate accident afforded me the time and motivation to pursue long-neglected aspirations.

From a young age, I dreamed of having a career as a writer, even as I majored in math at university. When the children were young, I took a writing course and wrote numerous reviews and articles for our homeschooling newsletter, but never pursued publication beyond that. Then following my mom's death, I discovered Christian fiction. Seeing characters battle the same questions, yearnings and frustrations I battled, and triumph over them through God’s grace, punched holes in the wall that my grief had built between me and God’s Word, restoring hope and igniting a desire to help others who were struggling.

So when my husband (out of desperation because of the books piling up around our house) suggested I write my own stories, little did he know where that off-handed remark would lead …

Four years and five many-times-revised novels later, my passion to write stories that point readers to God is as strong as ever. Although not yet published, my writing has led to many opportunities to encourage others and share God's love that I wouldn't have otherwise had, and my persistence has taught my children perseverance ... I hope. My husband and children continue to be my best encouragers. My youngest daughter Jennifer, an aspiring novelist herself and coauthor of the popular horse enthusiast’s site: Cinch Magazine provides an understanding ear when writer's block sets in, or rejections pile up. My eldest daughter, Christine, designs my web pages. She and my son Paul have even joined me at writers’ conferences. Best of all, they cheerfully help with household chores so that I have more time to write! I feel truly blessed to have a husband and children so supportive of my dreams.

"There is no failure except in no longer trying."
- Elbert Hubbard