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Friday, September 30, 2016

Interview with author Nancy Herriman

Today, Suspense Sisters welcomes author, Nancy Herriman, who wrote the Old San Francisco Mystery series, Welcome, Nancy! Stay tuned to win your choice of the first two books in the series.

SS: If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 
NH:  A slightly zany individual with an active imagination?

SS: What do you do when youre not writing? Any interesting hobbies?
NH: I sing. A lot. And help plan music for one of the choirs at church. Music is my stress relief.

SS: What was your favorite book as a teen or child?
NH:    As a child, I loved The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. As a teen, I devoured Dickens and Agatha Christie. I dont think I could pick which book of theirs was a favorite.

SS: Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
NH:      This one might not be a surprise, given that Ive mentioned that I sing, but when I was in college, I fronted a cover band.
-      I have an engineering degree (which I mention in my bio) and used to work in the tech industry. That fact regularly surprises and interests readers.
-      Im obsessed with watching American Ninja Warrior. The show has yet to inspire me to go lift weights at the gym, however.

SS: What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?
NH:   I began writing historical romance. Then dabbled in Young Adult and Romantic Suspense. Now Im writing my first lovehistorical mystery.

SS: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
NH:    When I was pitching my first manuscript (which has never been published), an agent challenged me to explain what made my story special or unique. At the time, I couldnt come up with a good answer. In the years since, Ive thought about her comment often and hope Ive succeeded.   Readers have frequently told me that they love my descriptions, and feel utterly immersed in the story and the setting. Its also a great compliment when folks say they didnt figure out who the killer was!

SS: Any other genres youd like to try? If yes, what and why?
NH:  Id like to try my hand at a contemporary cozy. Most of my books are fairly serious, and it might be fun to write with a lighter tone for a change.

SS: If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?
NH:     I wish Id written more. But my children were small when I began chasing this dream, and I never felt that I had the time.

SS: What is the most important piece of advice youd like to give to unpublished authors?
NH:   A piece of advice I still give myself on a regular basisthe book doesnt have to be perfect the first pass, or the second. Or the third! Just get the words down on the page.

Here's a little bit about Nancy's latest, No Pity for the Dead. British-born nurse Celia Davies runs a free medical clinic to assist the poor women of San Francisco. Aided in her endeavors by her half-Chinese cousin Barbara and feisty housekeeper Addie, Celia has earned the  trust and friendship of many of the citys downtrodden, including a young orphan named Owenwhos just confided to her that hes stumbled upon a corpse. Owen recently started working for the ruthless real estate and development group, Martin and Company, and discovered a dead body in the offices basement. Celia turns to Detective Nicholas Greaves for help, only to learn that one of the main suspectsthe husband of Celias dearest friendis an old enemy of Nicks. Now, Celia and Nick must put aside their personal feelings about the caseand each otherif theyre going to bring a killer to justice...

Nancy Herriman retired from an engineering career to take up the pen. She hasnt looked back. Her work has won the RWA Daphne du Maurier award, and Library Journal has said that her A Mystery of Old San Francisco series is “…just the ticket for anyone who misses Dianne Day's 'Fremont Jones' series as well as readers of Rhys Bowen's 'Molly Murphy' historicals. When not writing, she enjoys singing, gabbing about writing, and eating dark chocolate. She currently lives in Central Ohio. Find more at www.nancyherriman.com

To win your choice of Old San Francisco Mysteries, either book 1, No Comfort for the Lost or book 2, No Pity for the Dead, leave Nancy a comment below. Sorry, US only. 


23 comments:

  1. Nice to meet you Nancy. Your book sounds intriguing....since I've yet to read your work, I wish to win Book One in the series. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
    debsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. I would love to win book one, as you are a new author to me. TY for the chance.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. Hi Nancy! Even though book 2 sounds wonderful, I would love to start with book 1 if given the opportunity. I am excited to learn about Nancy since she is a new author to me.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  4. Thank you for sharing. I totally understand the got-to-watch but-not-participate drive with American Ninja Warrior. Love the show. Count me in the drawing. I haven't read either book but No Pity for the Dead sounds intriguing.
    lill dot kohler at gmail dot com.

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  5. I certainly enjoyed this interview and will be reading your books, Nancy. Thank you so much for writing Christian fiction and I will pray for your continued inspiration. Blessings, Susan susanngarrylee@gmail.com

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  6. Nancy, thanks for letting us get to know you better. (Don't enter me for the books, though--I'm the token "mister" among the "sisters.")

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  7. Your book sounds intriguing, Nancy! I'd love to win a copy of either book. Thanks for sharing about yourself in the fun interview, too! jerusha(at)JerushaAgen(dot)com

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  8. Sounds like an intriguing series. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Julie.

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  9. No Comfort for the Lost was a wonderful historical mystery. I loved being transported to San Francisco in the late 19th century. Since singing is one of your hobbies, maybe you could write a cozy about a choir director! Thanks so much for the giveaway! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  10. Nancy, you are new author to me and I would really enjoy reading your books. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities and it would be interesting to read about the early years in San Francisco.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. Oh! "No Pity" sounds so good! Can't wait to read it!

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  12. I love Agatha Christie too. I have an entire bookshelf just for her books. Raquel36m(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Nancy, you are new author to me and I would really enjoy reading your books. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities and it would be interesting to read about the early years in San Francisco.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. After reading this interview with Nancy and a description of your latest book, I definitely want to begin reading your books. I love historical suspense and historical mystery and since I read mostly cozy mysteries, I do hope that you expand your genres to include cozies too. Thank you. Cynthia B

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  15. You are a new author to me, and I love historical fiction especially with some suspense or mystery with it!
    Thanks for the giveaway. I love San Francisco.
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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  16. Don't ever regret not writing when you can spend time with your young children. They grow up way too fast. I love reading suspense especially when I can't figure out the culprit until the end.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I'm not familiar with your books but it sure sounds like I should read them. No Pity For The Dead really sounds intriguing. I do like reading mysteries; they are even better with a bit of romance thrown in!
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  18. Enjoyed reading the interview and getting to know you. I have not come across your books previously but they sound interesting and I do enjoy reading historical mysteries.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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  19. Your books look so good.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

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  20. The plot of this book sounds great and I love historical mysteries. please enter me.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  21. NANCY, it was a pleasure meeting you! I enjoy reading historical mysteries. Thank you for the chance.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  22. This sounds like an exciting series - I love historical fiction set in the US! I have wanted to start reading the first book but have not yet purchased it. Thank you for the opportunity to win!

    jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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  23. Thanks for sharing!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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