Interview with Lisa Harris and HIDDEN AGENDA Giveaway!

Today Suspense Sisters welcomes Christy Award-winning author, Lisa Harris! 

We're so excited to have such an accomplished author with us. Lisa is giving away a copy of HIDDEN AGENDA. If you'd like to enter the drawing, please leave a comment with your contact information.  

LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times. She has over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent over ten years living as missionaries in Africa where she homeschools, leads a women's group, and runs a non-profit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." (Proverbs 31:8)

When she's not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari.

SS: Tell us a little about yourself.

Thanks so much for having me! I’m a mother, wife, writer, missionary, taxi driver, chef, and all the other things motherhood involves. Just set in a tropical setting halfway around the world. J Yes, life is definitely never dull! My family and I have lived in southern Africa since 2004 and currently live in Mozambique where we work to plant churches and with humanitarian work. Beyond my work and writing, I love photography, cooking (when it’s not hot like it is right now) and being with my family.

SS: When did you realize you wanted to be an author?

It’s something I always wanted to do—from the time I was very young—but didn’t take that dream seriously until I was in my late twenties when I finally found time to write a book. I haven’t stopped writing since!

SS: What are some of the challenges you face as a writer? Are there aspects of your life that are hard for family and friends to understand? What are they?

My family has always been extremely supportive of my writing, something I am thankful for. I’ve always made an effort to put family first, but they know that deadlines must be met. Finding that balance can be a huge challenge—especially on my end—but with my family’s support, it’s doable!

SS: What genre do you write and why? Are there other genres you’ve written or would like to try?

I started off writing romance for Heartsong, both contemporary and historical, but always had to weave in some sort of mystery. I now write romantic suspense and love the balance between the two genres. It’s what I love to write and to read!

SS: How do you create characters? Are they based on people you know?

I don’t base my characters on people I know. Sometimes, like with Avery North from my Southern Crimes series, she was in my head for a couple years before I started writing her story. Others I get to know as I’m actually writing the story.

SS: Tell us about your current release.

Hidden Agenda is book three in my Southern Crimes series. While each book in thi

s series can stand alone, it is best to read the other two first, to get the whole story. Read on it’s own, you’ll still find it a fast-paced suspense novel with a strong romantic threat between Michael Hunt and the daughter of the man who wants him dead!

SS: Where did you get the idea for this book?

The series revolves around the Hunt family, a family of law enforcement officers in Atlanta. I wanted a series that dealt with crimes, but also one that explored family dynamics. I loved getting to know each of the siblings in this series and seeing how difficult situations changes each one of them eventually for the better.

SS: Tell us about your main character.

If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, stop reading now J

Presumed dead by friends and family, the undercover assignment Michael Hunt has been working for the past eight months has just been blown. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. His only hope is Olivia Hamilton--the daughter of the man who wants him dead.

SS: Is there a spiritual message in your book? If so, what is it?

God wants us to rely completely on Him. And to be completely in Him. Psalm 55:22 tells us that we need to give our burdens to Him. To cast all of our anxieties on him because he really does care for us. Is this always easy? No way.  At the end of the book Michael says, “I’m struck with the profound truth that God is Good. He never promised us that life would be easy, but He has promised to walk with us.” My prayer for my readers is that you seek His face and let Him walk this journey of faith along side you!

SS: What are you working on now?

I just turned in a book to my editor that will kick off my next series with Revell, and I’ve just finished outlining book two. While I can’t say much yet, it’s another fast paced romantic suspense series that deals with a missing person task force and a heroine (and romance) that I can’t wait to reveal!  The first book will release in October!

SS: Tell us three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

This is always so hard!

While I think every author—and person for that matter—I know drinks coffee, I don’t. (Though I have just discovered Chocolate Chai which I love!) 

I’ve studied three languages, Portuguese, French, and Eve, and currently speak Portuguese every day.

Hmm. . .My husband has got me hooked on Sci Fi, something I never liked before we got married. Lately we’ve been watching Dr. Who.

SS: Favorite TV shows?

 We don’t have TV here, but we do buy seasons to watch. My favorites are NCIS and Hawaii 5-0.

SS: Anything special you eat or drink while you’re writing? 

Popcorn with dry ranch salad dressing on it. (when I happen to have it) In fact, my daughter is making me some right now!

SS: How do you celebrate after completing a book? 

By starting a new one. Ha!

SS: Where can readers find you on the Internet? 

www.lisaharriswrites.com

SS: Anything else you’d like to share with us?

 Thank you so much for having me!!

Thanks so much for joining us!

And remember, readers, if you'd like to enter the drawing for HIDDEN AGENDA, leave a comment with your contact information.