I met Sharee at a writer’s conference a couple of years ago. We hit it off and have been friends ever since. I’m a big fan of her work and excited to have her as a guest.

Please Welcome Sharee Stover!!

Enter to win Silent Night Suspect

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INTERVIEW SHAREE STOVER

Silent Night Suspect is your 2^nd Love Inspired book. How does it feel to crossover from Debut author to official LIS author?  Writing for LIS is a dream come true for me, so I’m still pinching myself to make sure it’s really happening.

 Tell us about Silent Night Suspect. (Shameless Plug Time): Suspected of a crime she knows she didn’t commit…
All she wants for Christmas is to remember.
Blood on her blouse. A gun in her hand. A cartel leader’s dead body in front of her. Widow Asia Stratton can’t remember what happened—just that she’s been framed. The only way to prove her innocence is to work with her ex-sweetheart, Nebraska state trooper Slade Jackson. But can they clear her name before this Christmas turns even deadlier?

What was your favorite part of this story?   Silent Night Suspect touches my heart because it’s all about forgiveness and second chances. I love that God is so generous with both of those things, and I wanted to share that message in Asia and Slade’s story.

What were the key challenges you faced when writing Silent Night Suspect?  I once heard it said the second book is the hardest to write. That was definitely the case for me. My first draft of Silent Night Suspect was terrible. Really terrible. And it required a complete rewrite which took me a year to do. My internal editor would not be quiet, so it was a wrestling match right to the end.

You live with a LEO (Law Enforcement Officer). What’s that like? (Writing or otherwise):  LEO wife life is never dull. I’ve found bullets in the laundry, had people text me that my husband was doing a TV interview before I knew about it, and had family events invaded by an in-progress manhunt, hostage situation, or other critical incidents. You can’t count on uninterrupted family or holiday time. Crime and emergencies do not conform to a normal work schedule.

It’s also a different world because folks may have strong opinions good / bad /otherwise when it comes to law enforcement. The negative generalizations frustrate me. The troopers I know are very involved with their community events and educational programs. Not to mention, life in rural America where helping a cow out of a ditch is a real thing. We’re blessed to be surrounded by dedicated and wonderful troopers here in Nebraska.

As far as the writing side of it, my husband reads all of my books and he’s my litmus test. He’s brutally honest and doesn’t water down his comments if I’ve written a scene incorrectly, or failed to use the correct terminology. “We don’t talk like that,” is one of his sayings. 😊 But he’s also been a great sport and even allowed me to tie him up to a chair and force him to escape. He’s demonstrated fight scenes with me and walked through scenarios to help me better understand how a situation might be handled. Plus, he’s super handsome. What woman doesn’t love a man in uniform?

I’ve heard through the grapevine you have a new series planned. Do tell.   Yes! After Silent Night Suspect releases December 1^st, I have a new three book series. The first, Untraceable Evidence releases May 2020. I’m super excited about them! I can’t give too much of the story away…so stay tuned!

 How do you develop your plot and characters?  I’m still trying to figure that out myself. I’m constantly changing the way I create my plot and characters because I like to experiment with different methods and I’ve test-driven several over this past year. Because the bottom line is you have to do what works for you. I believe in studying craft all the time and try to use the techniques I’m learning about. However, one consistency is that I always start with a picture of my hero/heroine/villain. I need to see them to write them. I also like to use Susan May Warren’s method of writing the Dark Moment Story.

Describe your writing space. (Ducks head embarrassed) One word. Messy. It’s a disaster area. But I know where everything is and it works for me. As long as I can dig my keyboard out from under the piles of books, notepads, and files, I’m good. I try cleaning it up on a regular basis, but as soon as I start to write again, all that stuff comes out. Sigh. It’s a never-ending battle.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?   Hm…I’m not sure I have an interesting one. I’m pretty boring. I have to be alone and I like Christian music playing in the background. I love cinnamon gum. I’m pretty sure it helps me think. And when I finish a book, I treat myself to a Milky Way Midnight as a reward.

Do you prefer printed books or eBooks?  Printed always! Although there’s something to be said about being able to make the print larger on a Kindle book.

What dream location would you like to visit?  Hands down, Australia. They have the coolest animals!

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.  I have to eat Oreos in multiples of three. If there’s only four left in the package, it’s a problem.  

Check out Sharee’s website: www.shareestover.com

Visit Sharee on twitter and facebook: @shareestover AND https://www.facebook.com/authorshareestover/

Thank you, Sharee!!

Join me in December for an interview and giveaway with Lisa Carter!!

 

In my search for new authors to add to my growing “must-read” list, I found Elizabeth Goddard. I love her books!! I’m thrilled to have Elizabeth as a guest on my blog!

Please Welcome ELIZABETH GODDARD!!

Enter to win Always Look Twice

Sign up: Giveaway Link (click here)

 

 Where did you get the idea for Always Look Twice?  I already had the setting and the main hero—Heath McKade—established from book one in the Uncommon Justice series, Never Let Go, so then, of course, it was just a matter coming up with the premise. I had a scene in my head of a hunter peering through the scope of his rifle and then in his sites is his target—a woman. That’s all I had when I started writing. Sometimes the story unfolds that way. Other times I have a complete synopsis written out.

 How long does it take you to write a long novel?  I recently had this discussion with a few writer friends and we all decided that it takes the amount of time allotted to write a novel. Ha! In other words, if I have three months until my deadline, I get it done. If I have nine months, it also takes me nine months to write it. That said, I need time to ruminate the premise, get the rough draft down, and then polish. The polishing and editing take as long as the initial writing, if not longer. If I could work on my book and nothing else, then it might take me less than four months. With life’s many interruptions, I need eight months to turn in a solid long book.

 Who’s your all-time favorite character?  That’s a tough question. I’m not sure one character comes to mind. I love so many of them.

 Always Look Twice released today (October 1^st). Do tell! (Shameless plug time!)  I’m super excited about this book because I love Heath McKade so much. He’s the eldest McKade brother and runs Emerald M Ranch. He’s a good solid hero who just wants to make a difference in this world.

From the Back cover:

At the advice of her therapist, homicide survivor Harper Reynolds has traded her job as a crime scene photographer for a more peaceful life taking photographs of the natural world. But her hopes for a life surrounded by the serenity of the outdoors are dashed when she inadvertently captures a murder being committed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She flees the scene in fear–and loses the camera.

Former Green Beret Heath McKade is a reserve deputy in an understaffed county who has been called in to protect Harper, a childhood friend he is surprised to see back in the area. When Harper learns that the sheriff’s department can’t find any evidence of the murder she witnessed, she is determined to do what she can to see that justice is done. What neither Harper nor Heath could know is how many explosive secrets from the past will be exposed–or how deeply they will fall for each other.

In this suspenseful page-turner, bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps you on the edge of your seat as you discover that uncommon justice lies just on the other side of fear.

Will there be an Uncommon Justice Book #3?  Definitely! I just turned Don’t Keep Silent in a couple of months ago—this is Liam McKade’s story. It releases in the summer of 2020. I’ve already started working on a new series called Rocky Mountain Courage.

 Tell us a little bit about your typical day.  Typical day? What’s that? I have a bit of a chaotic life that includes a special needs son, so I fit in the writing where I can. That said, every day does start with a lot of coffee and I listen to Daily Audio Bible and pray. If possible, I try to get in some work before life’s interruptions take over.

 When did you start writing?  I started working toward writing for publication in 2001. That same year I joined American Christian Fiction Writers and attended conferences. There I learned much, networked and met my agent and other writing friends.

 When did you receive your first book contract?   I “got the call” which was actually an email from my editor with Heartsong Presents (Barbour Publishing) in 2006.

 What is the hardest part about being an author?  There are many difficult aspects of being an author, but I’d have to say looming deadlines creates tremendous stress.

 Who is your favorite author?   Oh, you would have to ask that! I have so many authors I love—I’ll name a few here. Lisa Harris, Susan Sleeman, Sharon Hinck, Shannon McNear, Ronie Kendig, Sibella Giorella—seriously, I could keep going. Do you see a trend here, though? All Christian fiction. I read all these authors and more.

 What is your favorite book?  My favorite book is usually the last one I read! Ha.

 Anything you want to brag about?  I’m not sure if bragging is the right word here, but let’s say that I’m very blessed that God gave me this dream to write, and that He opened those doors big time so I could write for two publishers. I also write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense (a Christian line) and I make a decent living at something I love.

Now for the important questions:

 Pepsi or Coke?  Club soda with lime

 Candy, cookies, or cake?   Peanut M&M’s

 Favorite food?  Toss up between pizza and nachos

 Coffee or Tea?  Coffee, coffee, coffee

 Favorite vacation?  Yellowstone National Park

 Favorite TV show?  The news

 Favorite Movie?  I love a lot of movies, so it’s hard to pick just one. I think Lord of the Rings will probably stay at the top for a good long while.

 Any hobbies? Pets? Activities?  Writing takes up a lot of time but I’m hoping to get back to some old loves such as knitting, playing the piano. I want to learn guitar and get back to playing my cello. Maybe take a fiber arts class. Outside of that, I love to read.

Thank you, Elizabeth!!

Visit Elizabeth’s website for updates on her books and blog: https://elizabethgoddard.com/

Join me in November for an interview with Sharee Stover and a giveaway of her 2nd Love Inspired Suspense novel.

 

I can’t believe it’s been almost a year and a half since Lynn and I first connected. She’s an amazing writer and friend. We’ve shared scuba diving experiences, family stories, and recently spent three days at MurderCon (a writer’s police academy) together. Not to mention the multiple times I’ve bugged her with writing questions.

Please welcome Lynn!

Enter to win One Final Breath

Sign up: Giveaway Link (click here)

It’s the moment many of us have been waiting for. One Final Breath is out!!

Interview with Lynn:

One Final Breath is the Dive Team Investigations final book. Are you ready to move on OR do you wish you could continue writing about these characters? A little bit of both! I miss them, but I’m also excited to see what new characters and stories are waiting to be discovered! (But I’m sure the dive team will reappear from time to time in other stories.)

 Team Gabe is a thing. Are you Team Gabe? And why do you think your readers love Gabe? LOL! #TeamGabe caught me off guard but I LOVE IT!! I love how much readers connected with Gabe in Beneath the Surface and how they’ve been clamoring for him to get his own story ever since. I’m #TeamRyan and #TeamAdam and #TeamGabe depending on which story I’m in. I guess that means at the moment I’m #TeamGabe. I think readers love Gabe because he’s funny and sarcastic, but he’s not a joke. He can be serious. He’s very good at what he does. And I think they know there’s a deeper side of him lurking beneath the surface (see what I did there?) and they are anxious to finally know what makes him tick!

If you had to describe Gabe and Anissa in three words each, what would those three words be? Fun. Passionate. (Hate is a passionate emotion – LOL!) Intense. 

What was your favorite part of this series? The kissing scenes. (Kidding. Kinda.) Who doesn’t love a good kissing scene?! 

My absolute favorite part of all three books is when all six of them are together. The verbal sparring, the interaction, the developing and strengthening friendships. I had so much fun discovering the bonds between the three guys, the three girls, and then the guy/girl friendships. Ryan and Adam both have a great relationship with Anissa. And I love how Gabe and Leigh interact. They are a lot of fun in One Final Breath.

What were the key challenges you faced when writing One Final Breath? I was (and still am, to be honest) worried about getting Gabe right! I was writing One Final Breath when Beneath the Surface released, and the #TeamGabe fans were vocal right as I was giving Gabe his own voice. It’s the best kind of problem to have, but I definitely felt (feel!) the pressure to do justice to this character that so many people love.

And Anissa’s backstory was hard to write. I don’t really enjoy making my characters suffer and I knew her backstory was painful, but when I had to crawl into her head and live it with her, it was tough!

The other piece that was tricky was making their romance organic and believable. They have history that has only been hinted at up to this point and it’s a lot to overcome! 

Do you have a new series planned? Yes! The series doesn’t have an official name yet, but it’s set in Raleigh, NC, and features agents from the United States Secret Service.

How do you develop your plot and characters? I wish I had a system that made any sense at all! I start with their jobs, usually. Then figure out how they came to be in those jobs. I give them some backstory, but I don’t do a lot of interviewing and character histories. Not at first. I have to write 10-20K before I feel like I know them well enough. I start to get a feel for their voice and what makes them tick, and then I can piece together a more detailed picture of who they are. My plots work the same way. I have a general idea of the initial problem and I know how it will end (for the most part) but I have to start writing to see how it’s all going to play out!

Describe your writing space. We turned a storage area in our attic into an office. It’s small and cozy and makes me happy. If I’m not at home, my writing space is “my” table at Panera (I have been known to sit nearby until it is available and then move) or at a high top at my favorite coffee shop, Java Bistro.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? I often need to get in the car and talk out scenes as I drive around. Then I can write. So if I’m stuck, I run some errands. It’s either that or take a shower. I have some of my best ideas in the shower!

Do you prefer printed books or eBooks? Printed. No contest.

What dream location would you like to visit? New Zealand.

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you. I love school supplies. As in I sometimes wander around office supply stores just because all that paper, all those pens, those notebooks and organizational options…they make me happy.

Yes, I am a nerd.  We love you anyway, Lynn! Lol!

Thank you so much for joining us, Lynn!

Check out Lynn’s website for the latest and greatest. www.LynnBlackburn.com

Please stop by in October for an Interview and Giveaway with Elizabeth Goddard!