Sandra Ardoin ~ Yuletide Angel

Sandra Ardoin is a multi-published author of short fiction who writes inspirational historical romance. Passionate about horses and a fan of old westerns, it’s only natural that she sets her stories in the days of the horse and buggy. 

Sandra has written devotions for adults and children, and her light verse has appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, Cappers, and Mature Living. Her novella Yuletide Angel was released in October. 

The married mother of a young adult, she lives in North Carolina.

What sparked your writing journey?

It’s something I always wanted to do, but never tackled until I found a writing course in my community. After that, I thought it would be a great way for a single gal to make a little extra money. (Ha! Obviously, I hadn’t taken those starving artist comments seriously.)

How does your faith play into your writing?

It’s a major part. I’m not generally one to verbally proclaim my faith to people I don’t know. I consider my writing a way of fulfilling that Great Commission, even though I think most of my faith elements are aimed at ministering to Christians. Faith tends to be a big part of my plots and the lives of my characters. It comes out naturally for me.

God sometimes sends us down an unexpected path in life—one that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?

I’m a big believer in Jeremiah 29:11 and that God has His plan for me. I never really considered writing historicals until He gave me the okay to write novels (after over twenty years of publishing). At that time, I was playing around with two stories—one contemporary, one historical. I wanted to write contemporary romantic suspense, but felt led to finish the historical. I’ve been happily writing them ever since.

Let’s talk about The Yuletide Angel, your Christmas novella released by Heritage Beacon Fiction (October 2014). Please tell us about it.

The Yuletide Angel is a Christmas love story set in 1890. Violet Madison, a shy, spinster-in-the-making anonymously delivers food to the poor in the middle of the night. Hugh Barnes is the handsome, confirmed bachelor living next door. When he discovers Violet’s secret identity, he vows to protect her on her rounds—in secret. Neither of them knows someone waits in the shadows to ruin her ministry and reputation.

What was the inspiration for the story?

This goes back to the previous question about those “Divine Detours.” I wanted to write a Christmas novella and worked on several ideas, finally choosing a contemporary. I’d almost finished, but it didn’t work for me. I couldn’t stand it, so I went back to my original ideas. One was a historical with 1,800 words completed. Though I liked the two scenes I’d written, they led nowhere. All I know is that once I decided to work on it, the story flowed from my fingers. I’ve said it over and over, “God spit it out.” The Yuletide Angel sold in a matter of days.

A few fun questions…

What’s your favorite Christmas comfort food?

I have to say “foods.” Egg nog, egg nog ice cream, banana bread slathered with butter, Peanut Butter Blossoms (peanut butter cookies with a chocolate Kiss)—just about anything made with sugar and calories.

What’s your favorite Christmas song?

For some reason, my favorite hymn has always been It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. My favorite secular song is The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).

Which best describes your perfect Christmas tree: a lush blue spruce decorated with the latest couture; a shaggy cedar covered in homemade ornaments and strung with popcorn; a vintage aluminum tree with shiny glass bulbs; or a palm tree adorned with pink flamingos?

I hate to be difficult, but can I have a little of everything but the palm tree and flamingos? I remember the aluminum tree from childhood. We gave up real trees about four years ago when the allergies made the month of December miserable. Otherwise, our ornaments consist of a little new, a lot old, a number of them handmade.

Thanks, Sandy! It’s nice to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

Thanks so much for having me, Kathy!

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For more information about Sandy, visit her website or the Seriously Write blog.

To purchase The Yuletide Angel, log on to: