Tag Archives: james manzello

EXPRESSIONS Will Be the Third Installment of the DREAM CATCHERS SERIES Released Sept. 20th!

EXPRESSIONS Will Be the Third Installment of the DREAM CATCHERS SERIES Released Sept. 20th!

EXPRESSIONS is the third and final installment to Sandy Lo’s DREAM CATCHERS SERIES set to be released Tuesday, September 20, 2011 for Kindle and Paperback.  The book is a series of vignettes written from the point-of-view of various characters throughout the book series.  “This was my chance to give a voice to some of the minor characters like Jordan’s brother Drew and the infamous Bippy Reynolds,” explains Lo.  “If you enjoyed DREAM CATCHERS and BREAKING THE MOON, this is the perfect 50-page quick read to compliment them.”

DREAM CATCHERS was first released in January 2010 and garnered independent book sales for Sandy Lo, especially in New York and on Kindle.  “LOST IN YOU was my first novel and it put my name out there, but with DREAM CATCHERS, I’m still receiving royalty checks from Amazon and keep selling out of copies at book signings,” she says.

Sandy Lo followed the book up with BREAKING THE MOON, which delved deeper into the love story between Haley and Jordan and all of the complications that came along with it.  “Releasing a sequel is a slower moving process, especially since so many people still need to read DREAM CATCHERS, but the exciting part is the more people who read that first book come back and want BREAKING THE MOON, and I’m hoping they’ll want EXPRESSIONS as well,” Lo says.

Fans of TORTURED, the fictional rock band from the series, will be happy to know EXPRESSIONS will feature five never before seen song lyrics.  Originally, Sandy Lo wanted to record an entire album of Tortured songs with the help of friend, musician and songwriter, James Manzello.  “Unfortunately, James doesn’t have much free time these days and with no funding backing us, we had to lay that idea to bed for the time being.”

In November, just in time for the holiday season, Sandy Lo plans to release a collector’s edition of the entire DREAM CATCHERS SERIES.  It will be the first hard cover release from the author.

Earlier this month, Lo left her home state of New York to relocate to Nashville in order to write her next novel, THE WATCH DOG, which is set in Nashville.

For more information on Sandy Lo and her upcoming projects: www.sandy-lo.com.

Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorsandylo.

Become a Fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorsandylo.

Author Sandy Lo Releases Romantic Follow-up Novel BREAKING THE MOON

Author Sandy Lo Releases Romantic Follow-up Novel BREAKING THE MOON

New York author, Sandy Lo releases BREAKING THE MOON, a follow-up novel to 2010’s rave reviewed DREAM CATCHERS, which spawned the song “Haley’s Letter” penned by Sandy along with musician/actor James Manzello.

BREAKING THE MOON continues the journey of Haley Foster and Jordan Walsh, who are both at the brink of fulfilling their dreams.  Jordan’s band, Tortured is already a success before the release of their debut album while Haley is set to graduate college and begin her career as a respected photographer.

It’s been moonlight and road trips for the couple so far, but it all stops short when Haley finds out she’s pregnant, and Jordan discovers some secrets from his past.  Haley and Jordan’s love for one another is tested while they are catapulted into adulthood without a net to catch their fall.

Sandy Lo decided to write BREAKING THE MOON out of demand from her fans.  “All I hear from my readers is how they love Haley, Jordan and the band, and how they want to know more about them, so I wanted to give them more,” she says.  Don’t expect the same carefree humor that was seeped into DREAM CATCHERS, though.  Its sequel deals with some tragic issues, but Sandy assures her readers there are many uplifting times throughout the novel as well.

BREAKING THE MOON is in memory of Sierra Williams, the newborn daughter of Lo’s close cousin who passed away during the production of the novel.  Lo will be donating a portion of her book sales to First Candle in Sierra’s name.  For more information on First Candle: www.firstcandle.org.

Since the release of DREAM CATCHERS, Sandy Lo has merged StarShine Magazine into her website: www.sandy-lo.com in order to maximize her efforts as a writer and journalist.  The support received has been amazing.  Former 98 Degrees member, Jeff Timmons and pop star Aaron Carter have both publicly acknowledged Sandy Lo and her books on their Twitter accounts.  Jeff Timmons even sent Sandy a video to be played at the DREAM CATCHERS book release party last year.

Aaron Carter & Sandy Lo with two of her novels.

“It’s such a great feeling knowing I have the support of people I idolized and always promoted in StarShine Magazine.  I’m blessed that they have mutual respect for me and my art,” Sandy explains.

Sandy also interviewed Shannon Leto, founding member of her favorite band 30 Seconds To Mars last spring.  In the interview, Sandy told Shannon about DREAM CATCHERS and how the band inspired Tortured.  “I’m lucky enough to be in this amazing position in life that I get to pick the brains of my favorite music artists, and in turn, I’m inspired to create novels and even songs, like ‘Haley’s Letter’,” Sandy explains gratefully.

BREAKING THE MOON is available in paperback on www.lulu.com and on Kindle.

For updates and more information on Sandy Lo and the stars she interviews, go to: www.sandy-lo.com.  Follow Sandy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorsandylo.



"Haley's Letter" Now On MySpace!

"Haley's Letter" Now On MySpace!

Check out the official Tortured MySpace page: www.myspace.com/torturedmusic to hear the official MP3 of “Haley’s Letter”!  The song is performed by James Manzello and was written by him and Sandy Lo for “Dream Catchers”.  James also produced the track with Frans Mernick, who also served as the engineer.

Sandy would love to hear what you think of the song!  Please leave feedback!

Gallery: “Dream Catchers” Book Release Party Photos Posted!

Gallery: “Dream Catchers” Book Release Party Photos Posted!

Check out the gallery for new photos from the “Dream Catchers” Book Release Party!  Click here: http://www.sandy-lo.com/gallery/?album=6

"Dream Catchers" Party Huge Success!

"Dream Catchers" Party Huge Success!

Sandy would like to thank everyone who came out on January 23rd for the “Dream Catchers” release party at Cargo Cafe!  Photos will be posted in the gallery soon.  A big thank you to all those who were able to perform: Harlem Witness, Darren Colvil & Chris of The Swill Merchants and of course, the ever so talented James Manzello & Alex Kikis, who debuted “Haley’s Letter” for the first time!  The song will be available for purchase soon.  Look out for a YouTube video of the performance up here as well.

Thanks to Jeff Timmons for the sweet video message he sent for the party.  You can view it here:

As a reminder, you can find “Dream Catchers” on sale at lulu.com!  Here’s a direct link: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/dream-catchers/7869073.

If you have already read “Dream Catchers”, please review it on Amazon.com.  The book will be available there as well within a few weeks.

“Dream Catchers” on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Catchers-Sandy-Lo/dp/055722604X/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Tortured: Discography

Tortured: Discography

“Haley’s Letter”
Copyright 2009

Engineered and Co-Produced by Frans Mernick.
Produced, music & performed by James Manzello.
Lyrics by Sandy Lo.

Buy on iTunes

Look into her sad eyes
Her life’s spinning round
She can’t see the beauty that I found
Luckily I wrote it down

Chorus:

And this is my letter
Haley, I’ll miss you when you’re gone
So please take my letter
And remember me

Verse 2:
She fainted in my arms
There was no one else around
My world stood still, I couldn’t hear a sound
I kissed her as the moon looked down

Chorus:
And this is my letter
Haley, I miss you now you’re gone
So please take my letter
And remember me

Bridge:

If you can’t sleep at night
It’ll be all right
Just look out to the sky
And forget our goodbye

Chorus:
And hold onto this letter
Haley, I miss you now you’re gone
So please keep my letter
And remember me, remember me

Tortured

Tortured

Tortured is the fictional band from Sandy Lo’s novel “Dream Catchers”.  Always inspired by music, Sandy listened to alternative/rock while writing “Dream Catchers”, especially one of her favorite bands, 30 Seconds To Mars, who she cites as Tortured’s main influence.  “Haley’s Letter” is the song featured in “Dream Catchers” that was written by Sandy along with James Manzello, whom also co-produced the track with Frans Mernick as well as performs it under the Tortured band name.  A full-length album is in the works, hopefully to coincide with the release of Dream Catchers’ sequel, “Breaking The Moon”.  The album will also be of the same title.  Currently, “Haley’s Letter” is available to purchase on iTunes and other major online retailers. Sandy thought it would be fun to keep the characters alive by giving their music a real sound and allowing their personalities to come out on Tortured’s Twitter page.  Check out the rest of this section for more on Tortured like their bio, lyrics and related photos.

Blog: "Dream Catchers", Tortured MySpace, Party @ Cargo Cafe & Me Rambling

Blog: "Dream Catchers", Tortured MySpace, Party @ Cargo Cafe & Me Rambling

Anna Sundstrand and me in the summer of 2009.It’s been a very long time since I blogged, huh? Well, part of that reason is my head is a scramble of book releases, interviews, work, internships, friends/family and sleep deprivation! LOL! I may be turning into Haley Foster (from “Dream Catchers” available now!!!)…if you read the first 2 chapters, you’ll know she has trouble sleeping.

See, I prefer NOT to sleep, lol. That’s 8 hours I could be writing! But sleep is needed and I do enjoy dreaming. I keep dreaming about my mother coming back to life…I wonder if that means she’s visiting me in my sleep, or my memories of her are so fresh that it feels like she’s still with me.

Anyway, I’m on Madison Avenue today. Anna Sundstrand and her mom went back to Sweden for the holidays and offered up their apartment to me for the week. Of course any opportunity to get off Staten Island is taken for me! I would love to live in Manhattan one day…

So many exciting things happening–besides the holidays, which I love–“Dream Catchers” is on sale today!! I know the release date is officially January 26th, BUTTTT I’ve decided to make it available earlier for the holidays!

Also, I’m working on a Sandy-lo.com store where you can find both “Lost In You”, “Dream Catchers”, and cool merchandise like t-shirts, totes, etc. Also, “Haley’s Letter” – the song I wrote with James Manzello will be available for purchase through there as well. The Cafe Press store for “Dream Catchers” is now available: http://www.cafepress.com/DreamCatchers10.

Okay, so that’s all I have to say for now…I’m waiting to hear back in regards to an interview with Thirty Seconds To Mars…say a prayer for me! I LOVE them! In fact, they were the inspiration to many things Tortured in “Dream Catchers”. Oh, in case you’re wondering–Tortured is the band that Jordan is in. Man, I can’t wait for you to read this book already!!! There’s so much to discuss! lol.

For now, check out Tortured’s MySpace page and become their friend! (I run this page for fun, lol. Tortured is NOT real, but based off real people!). Go to: http://www.myspace.com/torturedmusic.

Oh! And reminder: if you’re in the NYC area on January 23, 2010 – come to Cargo Cafe in Staten Island @ 7pm for the “Dream Catchers” release party where you can celebrate the book, my birthday and see awesome performers like James Manzello (performing “Haley’s Letter” for the first time!), Anna Sundstrand (my dear friend and awesome singer/actress), and Harlem Witness (my rapping friend Shawn).

Until next time…

Hugs, Kisses & Stars,
Sandy Lo

"Dream Catchers" Book Release Party @ Cargo Cafe in Staten Island, NY!

"Dream Catchers" Book Release Party @ Cargo Cafe in Staten Island, NY!

To celebrate my 27th birthday AND the release of “Dream Catchers”, I will be having a book release party at Cargo Cafe on January 23, 2010.  I will be debuting “Haley’s Letter”, a song I wrote for the book.  My good friend, James Manzello wrote music to it and will be performing it live at Cargo.  Other performers include Anna Sundstrand!

The party starts at 7pm.  All ages welcome.

Cargo Cafe
120 Bay Street
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 876-0539
www.cargocafe.com

To be kept updated on this event, please comment below and provide an accurate e-mail address (which will not be visible to anyone but me).

Wonderful Wednesday Amazing Art Night!

Wonderful Wednesday Amazing Art Night!

I will be doing a reading from DREAM CATCHERS at The Cup in Staten Island, NY.  There will also be other performers and writers showcasing their talents.  Hope many of you can make it!

Host:
The Man(zello)
Type:
Network:
Global
Price:
$7
Start Time:
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 7:00pm
End Time:
Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 12:00am
Location:
The Cup
Street:
Van Duzer Street
City/Town:
Staten Island, NY
 
Email:

Featuring!
Author, Sandy Lo
Poet, Micah Bochart
One Man Band, J.E.L.L.i. (feat. Christopher Sauter)
Acoustic Power Trio, “Queen(s)” – (feat. Alexander Kikis, David Glickstein, and Carl Limbacher) in their first performance ever!
and many more!

Hosted by brilliant, young, comedian / personal trainer – Matt Pavich!

ALL AGES
GOOD TIMES