Sandie Will Books
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Book Insights

1/23/2023

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THE CAGING AT DEADWATER MANOR was my debut novel in 2017. It’s set in Holiday/Tarpon Springs, Florida—a place I knew well. My grandparents owned a trailer park in the Anclote area. We visited there every year during my younger years when I lived in New York. We moved down to Florida during my teens and we lived in one of the trailers for a few months while my parents found a house. It was during this time that I got to know the Anclote area well. I had just bought myself a new ten-speed, and I biked that area daily along Calvary Road, to Duke’s Fish Camp, and on Baillies Bluff Drive. I remember the sound of the crickets in the evening, the strong fish smell near the fish camp and the freedom I felt when I rode, just as I described in the book.

South Beach, as mentioned in the book, was really Anclote River Park and I remember visiting the coast way before it became a park. There was a small sliver of a beachfront away from the park location and that was it. But it was secluded and away from the crowds. The tower still stands, though on the opposite side of the park as described in the story. Oh, and of course, the smoke stack to the power plant, Jeannie’s landmark to and from home, still towers over the area today.
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These are memories I cherish and I’m so glad I included them in this book. It always brings me back. You can find more on my website at sandiewill.com.
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Suspense Thriller THE REPLACINGS by Sandie Will Advances to Florida Writers Association Awards Semi-Finals

7/21/2022

 

Announcement: Royal Palm Literary Award Semi-Finalist:
The Replacings by Sandie Will

I couldn't be happier to announce that my latest psychological thriller/suspense, THE REPLACINGS, has made it into the Florida Writers Association's Royal Palm Literary Award Semi-Finals in the Suspense genre! We will see if it advances to the finals next month. In the meantime, I'll be excitedly awaiting the results! I'm very proud of this book as I stretched myself as an author, writing in four points of view from varying ages (16-32). So far, the reviews have been great, so we'll see how far it goes.

Thanks for all of your support! Onward!

​Sandie
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Press Release: 5-Star Readers' Favorite Review for The Replacings

5/11/2022

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For immediate release: Author's new book receives a warm literary welcome.

Readers' Favorite announces the review of the Fiction - Thriller - Psychological book "The Replacings" by Sandie Will, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BNGBRHF.

Readers' Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the "Best Websites for Authors" and "Honoring Excellence" awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.

"Reviewed By K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

In Sandie Will’s The Replacings, Wyatt Corringer didn’t want any part of Adrian Webster’s plan, but there’s only so much you can do to thwart the plans of your kidnapper. He had tried to kill him, tried to stop him from completing the family he had once lost, but nothing he did made any difference. Or maybe it did. Adrian needed him, needed his family to keep his demon, Shade at bay. The thing is, even though he has everything he needed, his demon is not at peace; he is more determined than ever to ensure everything is just as Adrian desires, no matter who gets hurt.

I really enjoyed learning more about Adrian and Shade, seeing into the mind of the villain, and how he studied and applied techniques of manipulation in order to ensure cooperation. The ever-escalating fury and threat of Shade ensured the reader dared not step away for too long. I loved this book as it really is a psychological thriller. Sandie Will plays her version of Stockholm Syndrome against Wyatt’s drive for survival and the need to protect Adrian’s other victims. The Replacings truly is a tale of twists and manipulation. You fear for the characters as you’re dragged into the horrific things they are forced to endure, while all the time glimpsing things from Adrian’s perspective. He is a savior, taking his new family from cruel and neglectful hands, giving them a new life, a new purpose, ensuring they have everything they need, within his limits that is. All he needs is their cooperation. And that’s precisely what Shade will go to any lengths to ensure. Gripping, horrifying, and thrilling, this is a page-turning sadistic delight for readers who love a deep-rooted psychological thriller."

You can learn more about Sandie Will and "The Replacings" at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-replacings where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
​

Readers' Favorite LLC
Media Relations
Louisville, KY 40202 800-RF-REVIEW
​support@readersfavorite.com
https://readersfavorite.com
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The Takings Now Available as Audiobook!

3/5/2022

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I am super excited to announce that my psychological thriller, THE TAKINGS, is now available on Audible! The book was narrated by JOHN SALLINGER, and his voice fits Adrian Webster's perfectly. John's voice reminds me of the old time radio show called, The Shadow. Absolutely love it!

And now I need your help!

Please help me by doing one of the following to increase the exposure for my new audiobook. Audiobooks have their own separate ranking system and the higher the rank, the more it'll be seen.

REVIEWERS:


I need reviews on the audiobook. If you'd like to review the book, I can send you a free promo code whether you're in the US or UK. I only have 25 free copies for each country, so hurry and get in! All you need to do is use the promo code to purchase the book, then leave the review with a statement that you received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. To obtain a promo code for a free copy, either email me at sandie@sandiewill.com or message me on Facebook or Instagram.

LISTENERS:

Please purchase the audiobook on Audible or through Amazon or iTunes and leave a review or just a rating - both help very much! You can listen to a sample of the audio and download the audiobook on Audible at the link below. If you're planning on signing up with Audible, please purchase at this same link, so I can gain rewards!

Thank you so much!! I'm excited to hear your feedback!

Sandie
Find Audiobook
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The Silent Patient: A Book Review by Sandie Will

2/8/2022

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Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Rating: *****
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I picked up a hardcopy of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides at The Paperback Exchange, a local bookstore near me. It's been sitting untouched on one shelf or another at my house for several months. I even took it on vacation last year, thinking I'd read it in our Blue Ridge Mountain cabin rental, since one of my favorite things to do is sit in a rocking chair on an outside porch with a book in one hand and a coffee in another. But still the book sat. I couldn't figure out what was holding me back. It's a psychological thriller based on the experience of a woman in a psychiatric hospital, which is right up my alley since I write in this genre, too. Hell, that's why I bought the book in the first place. Why wasn't I diving into it? Or any other mental hospital themed books?

After a little soul searching, I think the answer is that I was afraid the storyline would be similar to my book, The Caging at Deadwater Manor--a story that is so special to me since my dad helped me conceptualize the story based on some of his experiences working at a psychiatric hospital. He has since died, and I think I didn't want anything to infringe on that memory with him or even come close, if that makes sense. But after reading compliment after compliment on social media on how well this novel was written and being it was a New York Times Bestseller, I finally took the plunge.

First off, this story is nothing like mine and for that I was so thankful. I read through it with a fresh, open mind, and I wasn't side-tracked or put off by the storyline.

The story starts with the introduction of Alicia Berenson, a talented painter/artist who is struggling with a death from the past and the mental illness that occurred afterward. Her mind seems unstable based on diary entries the author intertwines within the story, and one night, she shoots her husband in the head. Or did she? No one knows because he dies and she refuses to speak. Hence, the trip to a mental institution.

​Once there, she meets her new psychotherapist, Theo Faber, who becomes obsessed with Alicia's life and is determined to convince her to speak. Theo's a clever one, though, and so is this author who took me on twists and turns until the very end where I was confused on timelines and relationships, but in a good way. Michaelides is a trickster, of sorts, and I applaud his ability to keep you guessing until the very end.

I have a couple favorite quotes from the story. Ones I never imagined would capture me, especially because they're not about the thrill of the story. They're more on a personal level. Here's what I mean. Theo talks about missing fireworks in his relationship, and I loved his therapist's response (Ruth):

"About love. About how we often mistake love for fireworks--for drama and dysfunction. But real love is very quiet, very still. It's boring if seen from the perspective of high drama. Love is deep and calm--and constant."
This hit home for me, big time. I've been married 34 years, and honestly, sometimes I've had those feelings myself. Are we missing fireworks after so many years? Should we be more exciting? Have we become too comfortable? We sit home on most weekend nights. Deep down, I knew the answer was no, but this quote puts it together so eloquently.

The second quote I loved, which was on the next page, was:
"Trying to please someone unpredictable, someone emotionally unavailable, uncaring, unkind--trying to keep them happy, win their love--is this not an old story, Theo? A familiar story?"
This is from his therapist again, trying to get him to see that his feelings of emotional abandonment as a child were making him seek this kind of impossible love (i.e. conditional love) in his relationships. I've seen this happen so it also resonated with me.

While reading these lines, I felt happy that so many people have or would be reading these quotes. They're  so true. So I guess this book truly is psychological - good and bad. And I think I got a counseling lesson while I was at it! Haha!
Five stars from me despite a bit of a slow beginning, but as another author friend shared with me, "It's a slow burn." She was right. This was a great read that did not disappoint.

Maybe I won't be so afraid to read more mental hospital stories now :) 

Have you read it? What did you think?
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Audiobook Now Available for The Caging at Deadwater Manor

1/22/2022

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I am super excited to announce that my first psychological thriller, THE CAGING AT DEADWATER MANOR, is now available on Audible! The book was narrated by Naomi Rose-Mock, and her voice fits Jeannie Kynde's perfectly. She has a tone that really captures the emotion of every scene, and I could listen to her voice all day long. Just love it!

And now I need your help!

Please help me by doing one of the following to increase the exposure for my new audiobook. Audiobooks have their own separate ranking system and the higher the rank, the more it'll be seen.

REVIEWERS:


I need reviews on the audiobook. If you'd like to review the book, I can send you a free promo code whether you're in the US or UK. I only have 25 free copies for each country, so hurry and get in! All you need to do is use the promo code to purchase the book, then leave the review with a statement that you received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. To obtain a promo code for a free copy, either email me at sandie@sandiewill.com or message me on Facebook or Instagram.

LISTENERS:

Please purchase the audiobook on Audible or through Amazon or iTunes and leave a review or just a rating - both help very much! You can listen to a sample of the audio and download the audiobook on Audible at the link below. If you're planning on signing up with Audible, please purchase at this same link, so I can gain rewards!

Thank you so much!! I'm excited to hear your feedback!

Sandie


Buy Audiobook on Audible
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The Replacings Is Here!

9/4/2021

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New Book Release 9/4/21

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I'm super excited to announce that The Replacings has been released on Amazon! This is a psychological thriller that continues the story of The Takings. 

He will replace the family he lost...
Whatever it takes.
Multi-award-winning author Sandie Will brings you another heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat read that captures the deep and complicated connection between abductor and abductee.

“One of us, one of these days, will kill the other. Either he’ll kill me because he can’t live without me or I’ll kill him because he’ll never let me go.” — Wyatt Corringer

Sixteen-year-old Wyatt Corringer was kidnapped by his father’s best friend in the swamps of central Florida seven years ago. Plagued with Stockholm Syndrome, Wyatt has been unable to escape from the clutches of his abductor and now finds himself locked away with four young girls. 

All of them are trapped in the sick world of Adrian Webster --- a man obsessed with replacing the family he lost in a train accident long ago.

But Adrian is not working alone.
There’s a side to Adrian he can’t control --- a side he can't see.

Adrian calls it his demon. Wyatt calls it Shade, a non-human entity that takes over Adrian’s consciousness and causes him to act in dark and disturbing ways. And every day, Adrian loses more control to Shade and the evilness of his mind.

Wyatt must overcome Adrian’s stronghold and escape from this madman, and help free the other prisoners. 

If he doesn’t, he could end up losing himself to his own demon.

GET YOUR COPY!

Other Books by Sandie Will:
The Caging at Deadwater Manor
The Takings

Follow Sandie Will on Twitter: @SandieWillBooks
sandiewill.com

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New Psychological Thriller - The Replacings: Cover Reveal and Pre-Orders

8/4/2021

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Welcome to my cover reveal and pre-orders page, everyone!

The kidnapping of Wyatt from The Takings continues seven years later in my latest release:
THE REPLACINGS 
I'm super excited to share the cover with you and a little about the book! Come find out what happens to Wyatt and delve further into Adrian's mind in my new psychological thriller!

"I'm almost there. The years of longing for the return of all my siblings is nearly over. Thank you to all those bad parents out there. Since you chose to neglect your children, they've now become my family replacements. I want my family back, and I'll take your child if I have to."  
​--Adrian Webster

Here's the cover!

Shout out to Eeva Lancaster with The Book Khaleesi. Her work is outstanding. Let me know what you think!
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Pre-Order e-Book for 99c

About the book

         "Keep sending your unattended children my way. If you don't take care of them, I will."
         --Adrian Webster
The tragedy of losing your entire family at once runs deep. So deep, you can lose yourself to longing for their return. A longing that can force you to take desperate measures. Adrian just wants a family gathered around a dining room table again. Eating. Laughing. Sharing their activities of the day. And he'll help himself to any child he feels will fit the role as a family replacement. 

Wyatt was kidnapped when he was nine. Now sixteen, Wyatt is still in Adrian's clutches, and he's been brainwashed to stay. In the meantime, Adrian has been adding to his family. Wyatt and the others must find their way out or succumb to Adrian's deranged plan.

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Pre-Order e-Book Now

Reader Review

The Replacings is a bone-chilling, sadistic thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from the start of the story. Readers are immediately taken into the throes of the story, a kidnapping, and the author’s descriptions of the abduction are so vivid that readers will feel THEY are inside a lucid dream, feeling every emotion and sensation—their worst nightmares coming to life on the pages of this book. Readers’ hearts will be torn into a billion pieces as they read the horrors that the children have to endure at the hands of their abductor. Readers will be pushed to the limits as they navigate through this story that takes them on a sinister ride into hell—the forbidden tower. 

I loved that the author gives the reader an insider’s view into the mind of a monster, and her ability to weave different aspects of the characters' personalities into the story is simply amazing. Overall, this book provides nonstop suspense making this a fast-paced read that you won’t be able to put down.
-- Dr. Leanna Floyd, International Award Winning Author of Over the Borderline

Related Reading

If you would like to learn about how it all began, read The Takings for more insight.
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Buy E-Book Now
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New Cover for The Caging at Deadwater Manor!

8/2/2021

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Just another quick note to let you know that The Caging at Deadwater Manor has a new cover! Gotta keep up with the times! Thank you to Eeva Lancaster and The Book Khaleesi team.
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Buy e-Book or Free on Kindle Unlimited
Buy Paperback
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New Cover for The Takings!

7/26/2021

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Just a quick note to let you know that The Takings now has a new cover! Let me know what you think!
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Kudos to Eeva Lancaster with The Book Khaleesi on this outstanding work!
Buy e-Book or Free on Kindle Unlimited
Buy Paperback
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    Both books are available in US & Internationally.
    Signed books available through The Paperback Exchange.
    Signed Paperbacks

    Follow me on social media
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    ​

    Sandie Will is a multi-award-winning, psychological thriller novelist who lives in Tampa Bay, Florida, and works as a geologist by day.

    She has been married to her husband, Charlie, for over 30 years and they have two sons. Her favorite place to write is in her back room “treehouse” in the arms of an old oak.

    AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

    The Caging at Deadwater Manor

    2020 Top Shelf Magazine Awards: First Place - Young Adult Horror
    2018 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award: First Place - Young Adult/New Adult Fiction
    2017 Readers' Favorite Book Awards: Honorable Mention - YA Horror
    2017 #1 AMAZON'S HOT NEW RELEASES


    The Takings

    2020 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award: Finalist in Blended Fiction

    The Replacings
    2021 #1 AMAZON'S HOT NEW RELEASES


    She can be found on Twitter as @SandieWillBooks and @RockHeadScience, Instagram @sandie_will, as well as her Facebook page at Sandie Will, Author.  

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