Hi, guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ;-) And one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends at coffee shops then head to the bookstores. Yes, plural. After all, books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination! So consider this our virtual coffee shop. I'll wait a second for you to get your warm drink and a fuzzy blanket before we chat with today's guest. <3
Today we are going to pry into the private life of CHAT with Author Suzie Waltner!
.jpg)
Suzie Waltner is a lover of fiction and is first and foremost a reader. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her cheering on the Nashville Predators (hockey) or dancing an hour away in Zumba class. Until her second year of college, her life plan was to become a veterinarian. A fainting spell while watching a surgery performed on a sheep changed that plan. Now she works in the corporate world during the day while creating stories in her free time. Suzie resides in a suburb of Nashville, TN and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers as well as Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers and The Christian PEN (Proofreaders and Editors Network). Her book Midnight Blue was a 2023 Holt Medallion and Maggie Award finalist and the First place winner of the 2023 Angel Book Award for contemporary fiction.
Connect with Suzie on her website, newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Interview ~
This may be the most important question I ask -- no pressure or anything, LOL!
*drum roll*
What are you drinking in our virtual coffee house? Coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate? Something else altogether?
I am not a fan of coffee, so a chai tea (hot) is usually my drink order at coffee shops.
Love a good chai! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?
Oh goodness, this is a difficult question because it would really depend on what I was in the mood for. Now, if that food also includes travel, I would hands-down order pasta anywhere in Italy!
Yum! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?
I usually write at my desk but if I need a change of scenery or I’m stuck on something, I’ll switch it up and go to my library. The library has these great study rooms that you can reserve for up to eight hours each week with great views. I love to take a couple of snacks and shut myself in there for a few hours while I get lost in my story.
That's awesome! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies? Safe space. ;-)
For a long time, I wrote the first draft of every book longhand. I’m slowly getting to where I can type my first draft on the computer but will pull out my faithful pen and notebook if I’m stuck. There’s something about the way my brain works when I’m writing vs the way it works when I’m typing.
There's something special about pen and paper! What inspired you to write Ever Green?
This is the final book in my Love in Color series. Andi Buchanan has appeared in each book of the series, but for the first couple of books, she was not my favorite character. Once she opened up enough to show me why she was so closed off and focused on how the world perceived her, I discovered how deep her hurt ran.
That's so cool! What led you to write in this genre?
Contemporary romance is my favorite genre to read, so the writing came naturally.
Love that! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?
That no matter how far we stray from God, He is always waiting for us to return to Him.
Great message! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?
I am not very far into my next book but am loving what little I’ve written so far. This story features a plus-sized heroine who tries to be everything to everyone to compensate for her weight. When a guy who isn’t interested in her help with his business, she tries even harder (to little success at first).
Because I’m a straight pantser (I write as I go along and don’t plot anything), that’s about all I’ve got to share right now on this next project.
Already love this! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level?
For the past year, Micah 7:7 has been my verse. I’ve had a lot of life changes in the past several months, and this verse has sustained me.
“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.” (ESV)
Great verse! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know. ;-)
I’ve usually got an audio book and a physical book going at the same time. Right now, I’m reading Coal Black Lies by Cindy K. Sproles and I’m listening to When Hope Sank by Denise Weimer.
Those sound great! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Suzie!
Scroll to check out Suzie's new release, Ever Green, and the giveaway for the first book in the Love in Color Series, Midnight Blue!
New Release ~
Andi Buchanan has everything a person could want—a successful music career, loyal fans, and a beautiful home. But ever since her fiancé broke their engagement only to marry her sister two years later, Andi makes a point to show no one—not even her friends or family—the pain of that rejection. Especially since she’s surrounded by so many happy couples. Until a shocking invitation from her ex exposes the cracks in her perfect façade.
As the manager of a successful country group, Noah Weston tries to ignore his crush on the band’s beautiful and talented singing bassist. After all, she’s his boss. But if his brothers have their way, he’ll be leaving Nashville behind to join the family business instead. Then again, if he could launch his own artist management company, he’d be free to stay, so long as his current clients—including Andi—don’t accuse him of abandoning them by branching out.
As the holidays loom, Noah prays a professional relationship and supportive friendship can help Andi’s dead heart come to life again… and maybe lead to something more.
