DT:  "In The Name Of Love" was an excellent read. Please give Blackrefer.com readers a synopsis and a brief excerpt.
SW: "In The Name Of Love", chronicles the love triangle of Dr. Shari Thomas and successful businessman Derrick Rawlings. After a nasty breakup, Shari has moved on with her life. She now has a thriving medical practice, a renowned Cardiologist love interest, and a son that means the world to her. A chance meeting at a fund-raising event years later brings these two ex-lovers together again, and secrets that have been buried begin to unveil. In The Name of Love, is where love, passion, and finally understanding merge to become the novel to read this year.

Excerpt:

Derrick stood there with his long fingers shoved into the pockets of his black designer slacks. He leaned against the window frame and observed the waves. He, like the waves rising below, was turbulent. His heart had ached for his family in Arkansas, but he didn’t want to come back. His father had suffered a mild heart attack and his mother had insisted that he retire and that Derrick come home to replace his father as president of the company. Professionally, he had no problem stepping into his father’s shoes, but personally he didn’t want to be in the same country, let alone the same state with her.

It had been six years since he’d left Arkansas. Six years, five months, seven days, sixteen hours, ten minutes, and twenty seconds to be exact...and counting. He could see the face of the beautiful, brown-skinned woman float to the surface. He recalled the first time he had seen her. They had met at a local college hangout at University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. At twenty-five he had been in his last year of graduate school for business. She was in her second year of medical school. She wanted to specialize in obstetrics. Derrick could still see her long, thick, black hair, framing her oval face, and could practically smell the scent of her.

DT:  Where did you get the concept? How long did it take to write?
SW: Shari and Derrick's story was bouncing around in my head for a very long time before I put it on paper. Through numerous rewrites, I believe I managed to tell their story in the way that it deserved to be told. The entire process took over two years to write.

In the Name of Love by Sammie Ward

DT:  I loved Dr. Shari Thomas, did you pattern her character after someone you know?
SW:  Dr. Shari Thomas is fictional. I didn't pattern her after anyone. She's one of a kind. But the situation she found herself in is very common (being a single mother). I wanted to show that even though a woman finds herself in that predicament, she can overcome. Dr. Thomas returned to medical school, graduated, and has a successful practice. Not to mention, she did get her man in the end.

DT:  Your description of Arkansas was so vivid, was that just a sharp writer's edge, or are you familiar with that area?
SW: I was born and raised in North Little Rock, Arkansas (Little Rock, is just over the bridge). I know the area very well. The two cities are separated by the Arkansas River, which is one of my favorite places to visit. In the summer everyone would flock to Burns Park. I remember hanging out there with family and friends. It was a no-brainer to choose Little Rock as the setting for the novel.

DT: What has the response been to, In The Name Of Love? Any great reviews? Has it been a featured book club selection?
SW: The response to the novel has been phenomenal. The reviews have been ALL positive. *****5 Five Stars. I'm very pleased. It makes you feel good as a writer to know your writing is being accepted. I couldn't ask for anything more. The novel has not been featured as a book club selection, yet. However, it has been recommended as a HOT read by numerous book clubs.

DT:  Self-publishing can be a difficult road to travel, and starting your own company takes a tremendous amount of time, money, and patience. How have you fared with Lady Leo Publishing?
SW:  You're correct on all three points, it does take a lot of time, money, and patience. But it's worth it. I love the fact that I have control over my work, and I'm doing what I love to do, write. Also, I have been very blessed that Lady Leo Publishing has had a great beginning and the books are doing well.

DT:  What's next for Ms. Sammie Ward? Any new projects? Book-signings?
SW: My main focus is building up Lady Leo Publishing. I would like to be able to take on other authors in the future. Also, "Seven Days" (my third novel) is scheduled for release in September. I'm working on my fourth novel, "All In The Rhythm," it's scheduled for release in the Spring of 2006. As far as signings, I'll be in Philadelphia, July 30th at the Author's Pen and September 16th-18th, I'll be at the RAWSISTAZ Affair in Atlanta, GA. So, everyone come and out and say hello.

DT:  Any insight for aspiring writers or new authors?
SW: Don't talk about writing, be about writing. I run into people all the time who tell me they want to be an Author, but they don't have time to fully invest in it. Writing is a business you have to put in the time for it to grow. You have to have a passion for it, along with a thick-skin. There will be rejections but the most important thing is to keep writing. It's all worth it in the end.

DT:  Ms. Sammie Ward, we thank you for sharing, and we pray for your future success!

Contact Author Sammie Ward
Sammie's website:   Sammie Ward