Interview with Susan Davis and Giveaway!

Good morning, Diamond Mine readers! Today, I'm so excited to bring you an interview with Susan Davis, multi-published romantic suspense author you won't want to miss! 

She just completed her fifth book, The House Next Door, which released this month in The Maine Justice series. Let me tell you, I've delved into the first book and I'm hooked. AND... Susan is giving away a copy of The House Next Door to a lucky commenter! Details for the giveaway after the interview.

First, here's a bit about the latest book.

The charming stone house next door is for sale! How could there be a down side to that?

As his wife Jennifer’s due date approaches, Captain Harvey Larson decides to invest in real estate, unaware of the terror this will cause his family. The neighboring house seems ideal for Jennifer’s brother Jeff and his wife. A hidden cupboard isn’t so bad—in fact, it’s almost fun to try to solve the little mystery inside it. But will any of their loved ones want to live next door after they learn what’s in the basement?

The men of the Priority Unit might be wasting their time, trying to prove one dead man killed another. Or is the murderer still alive, and ready to strike again?

AMAZON LINK FOR THE BOOK: The House Next Door

THE INTERVIEW:

So Susan, you have written in several difference genres. What inspired you to write mysteries?

I first started writing in the mystery and suspense genres. My first published books were historicals, however. Readers will find that many of my historical novels have mystery and suspense elements, too. The Maine Justice series has been on my heart for a long time.

I love when a mystery/suspense thread is added to historicals! 

With your family and many activities, when do you find the time to write?

Our children are all grown, and my husband is retired. Writing is my full time job now. I usually spend most of the morning writing, and most of the afternoon doing other writing-related tasks, such as research, editing, and marketing. I like being able to set my own schedule and take time off when I want to.

You include wonderful details about the police investigations in the Maine Justice series. How do you do your research?

Research is a never-ending part of writing, and when you write about crime solving you need to get it right! I recently attended the Killer Nashville conference, for mystery and crime writers, as one way to increase my knowledge in this area. I also keep up-to-date reference books and do a lot of research online. I cultivate friendship with law enforcement officers so that I can ask them questions, and I call liaisons in various agencies to get details on particular law enforcement units.

Was there a particular Bible verse or experience from your own life that shaped any of the books in the series?

In the first book, The Priority Unit, Harvey and Jennifer go looking for God. I think the verse in John 6:44 inspired that quest: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. (ESV). I wanted to show how a person might be drawn in by God.

How important is it to you to include a spiritual emphasis in your books?

In this series, it is a very important part of the theme, plot, and takeaway. Spirituality isn’t as overt in a lot of my books, but for these, it was a main goal for me to write the unbeliever’s journey in a believable way.

What do you hope your readers take away from your stories?

In addition to being entertained, I hope my readers find some encouragement in my stories. The people in my Maine Justice books are everyday people with everyday problems (outside the mysteries, of course).  A lot of my books touch on the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation.  The House Next Door touches on fear and security. In each book, I hope the reader will see how the characters handle a problem and either apply it to their own life or think of a way to handle a problem better than my characters did.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Read widely, not just in the genre you’re writing, and be sure to get an edit before you send off your manuscript.

Thanks so much for being a part of the blog today and sharing your stories. Excited to read the rest of the series!



AUTHOR BIO:

Susan Page Davis is the author of more than 70 published novels and novellas, in romantic suspense,mystery, and historical romance. A native of Maine, she now lives in western Kentucky with her husband Jim. They have six children and ten grandchildren and two temperamental cats.

Author Links: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter

GIVEAWAY:

All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog for a chance to win! If there are at least three people who comment, we'll be picking a random winner to receive a copy of The House Next Door. (Paperback for the US and electronic for those out of the country) Good luck!