Interview and GIVEAWAY with Author Suzie Waltner!

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!

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.

Giveaway Rules, Info, and Such ~

The author is giving away 1 copy of the first book in the Love in Color Series, Midnight Blue!

This giveaway is open internationally! 

A US winner will receive a print copy. An international winner will receive an eBook.

This giveaway will close on 7/4/24 at 12:00 A.M. for all the night owls.

A winner will be drawn within four days of close of giveaway. The winner must respond to our e-mails within one week of notification, or their prize will be forfeit. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Enter via the handy Rafflecopter link below. May the odds be ever in your favor. ;-)

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable daughters. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Suzie Waltner, Writing Longhand, & a Giveaway

There is nothing I love more than getting to know other authors in the community, and it is my pleasure to introduce to you one of our own Diamond Mine bloggers, Susie Waltner and her newest release, Midnight Blue. 

Suzie Waltner is a lover of fiction and is first and foremost a reader. When she’s not at work or 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. She currently serves as the president of the Middle Tennessee ACFW chapter.


You can keep up with Suzie by following her:  Newsletter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  | Twitter

Now, let's dive into my favorite Fast Five Questions:

CC: Milk or Dark Chocolate?
SW: Milk Chocolate

CC: I'll forgive you for that. ;-)

CC: Print or E-book?
SW: Either. I tend to read more e-books to keep the print copies more pristine.

CC: I can see the allure in that.

CC: Cat or Dog Person?
SW: Both. I have a cat but watch a few friends' dogs when they are out of town.

CC: That's super kind of you!

CC: Morning Person or Night Owl?
SW: A fraction more on the morning person end but not much!

CC: LOL, I understand. I'm forced to by the mere fact I have children still in school. 

CC: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?

SW: Spring and Fall

CC: Oh, those milder weather months!

Let's dive into a few personal questions before talking about your book. 

CC: What are you reading right now?

SW: I often am reading one book and listening to another. Right now I am reading The Dreaming Beauty by Anneka R. Walker and I'm about to start listening to The Last Way Home by Liz Johnson.
CC: For a while, I was doing the same thing. The different formats makes it easier to bounce between books.


CC: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
SW: I write every first draft longhand. It's taken me a while to figure out why I can open a blank document and stare at it with nothing coming to me but the minute that pen hits the paper, the words flow. Because I work at a computer all day long, the action of writing out the scenes triggers my brain that I am switching from numbers and logic to something more creative.
CC: There is actual science behind this fact that supports why you are able to do that. It's incredibly fascinating to me, and something I need to spend more time doing.



CC: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
SW: I do most of my writing on the weekends where I can block of large chunks of time to get in the zone. Weeknights just tend to get too busy. I do like doing sprints and I've found a couple of people on YouTube who do sprints. Even if I can't be there live, I'll pull up the videos and play them so it feels like there are others in it with me.

CC: Sprints save me SOOOO much. For those of you who don't know, sprints are when writers get together, set a timer, and then try to get as many words down in that time frames as they can. I suppose you don't HAVE to have other writers around, but it is definitely more motivating.


Where would authors be without books? Suzie's latest book, Midnight Blue, released this week. 

Midnight Blue by Suzie Waltner

A series of heartbreaking setbacks behind her, Scarlett Sykes is now focused on creating the best life possible for her daughter. One where innocence and joy is not colored by rejection or loss. While finances are tight and Scarlett’s job isn’t ideal for a single mother, her child will always know she’s loved. Especially since Harmony’s father wanted nothing to do with them. As lead singer and the face of a successful country band, Jake Turnquist’s closest friends depend on him, but life in the spotlight is quickly losing its appeal. At a party celebrating another accomplishment, he’s stunned to discover Scarlett assisting the caterer. Almost ten years have passed, but he’s never forgotten his first love. In the hours after a surprise revelation, Jake scrambles to orchestrate a way to spend time with Scarlett and Harmony—the family he’s always wanted but never knew he had. He once gave her up to pursue his music. What will he have to surrender to win her back?

You can purchase your copy at Amazon. 



CC: Who was the most challenging character to create? What made them so difficult?
SW: Andi Buchanan. She's a secondary character in Midnight Blue and she's a tough nut to crack. The one band member who doesn't say much and keeps her emotions under wraps. I'm learning more about her as I continue to write this series, and I can't wait to really dive into her backstory.

CC: Oh, those side characters can be tricky, and I love how they end up developing into their own complicated stories.

CC: If you could be any of your characters, which one would it be? Why?
SW: Cassidy Cagle because she speaks her mind, takes no excuses, and is fiercely protective of the people she loves.
CC: She seems like a really strong, independent woman. 

CC: How do you select the names of your characters?
SW: Some character names are just there when I'm writing them, but others take a little while (and usually the help of a baby name book or website).
CC: Those baby name books and websites can be a lifesaver for sure!

CC: What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
SW: That no matter how badly we mess up, God can redeem our mistakes and breathe new life into relationships we see as dead or broken.

CC: Amen, and such an important reminder to all of us.

CC: One last fun question: If you could have any superpower, which would it be?
SW: Time manipulation - I'd make my work week move faster and my writing weekends stretch longer (and also vacations and fun trips could last)
CC: Oh that is a good one that I would never have thought of, but now I want it. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

Suzie had partnered with two other Anaiah Press authors to offer a giveaway. To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below.

Giveaway includes: Antiques Roadshow DVD, ebook copy of The Maritime Cure by Michelle S. Lowe, Jeremiah 29:11 adult coloring book, Nashville streets puzzle, Nashville magnet, 12-oz handmade Orange Spice candle (coconut wax candle), and a $50 Amazon gift card.

Physical prizes open to US mailing addresses only. Digital prizes open internationally where accepted. Giveaway ends at 11:59 EST on September 30, 2022.

a Rafflecopter giveaway