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Friday, September 16, 2016

Interview with Romantic Suspense Author Susan Sleeman and Giveaway


Elizabeth Goddard here! Today we welcome Susan Sleeman, one of my close friends and an amazing romantic suspense author. Susan will giving away a copy of her release, Silent Sabotage. To enter the drawing, please comment and leave your contact information.

Now on to Susan's bio.


SUSAN SLEEMAN is a bestselling and award-winning author of inspirational/Christian and clean read romantic suspense books. In addition to writing, Susan also hosts the popular website TheSuspenseZone.com. Susan currently lives in Oregon, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a retired church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.


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

I always wanted to write a book but like many people today, I was too busy to sit down and do it. Then I was struck with a chronic illness and I was forced to sit for long periods of time. A type A personality, I couldn’t sit and do nothing so I started writing. As the disease progressed, I had more and more time to write and soon I was writing full time and actively pursuing publication.


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?

I think my biggest challenge is finding enough time to write and do all of the other things I want to do in life. Like garden, play with my grandson, spend time with my family, and clean house. Wait forget that last one. I don’t know what I was thinking. LOL Sometimes it’s hard for my friends and family to see my writing as a fulltime job and they think that because I am home I am always available. This puts me in a position of saying no, when if I worked at an office the question wouldn’t even come up.


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

I write romantic suspense and mysteries. I did write several chick lit books, and I loved writing them as I am kind of a snarky person and my natural voice fit well with that genre. But that genre died off so I moved on to cozy mysteries where I could use some of that snarkiness. Same issue there with the genre not doing well, and so I moved to romantic suspense, which I have say I am very happy writing and have no desire to try another genre.


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

My characters aren’t based on people I know, per se, but are from a lifetime of watching and studying people. I have a degree in psychology and have always been fascinated with what makes people do what they do, so putting together character traits to form a person is really fun for me.


SS: Tell us about your current release.

Silent Sabotage is book five in my six book First Responders series. Emily Graves left ever
ything behind to save her aunt’s struggling bed-and-breakfast, but she’s hardly through the door before she’s the one who needs saving. Someone in Bridal Veil, Oregon, will go to any lengths—even murder—to keep her from making the B and B a success.



Sheriff’s deputy Archer Reed has made it his personal mission to bring down the culprit. But first he has to convince Emily to accept his protection…and determine why anyone would want to harm her. As Emily’s unknown enemy becomes increasingly violent, Archer may be the only person who can keep her alive.



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

Once upon a time, when I was much, much younger, I wanted to run a bed and breakfast. So it will come as no surprise that I always wanted to write a book featuring a bed and breakfast. I thought Archer’s story would be the perfect story to play off of his city upbringing. One of my favorite scenes is when he meets the chickens. I still smile when I think about it.



SS: Tell us about your main character.

Since Archer is the First Responder in the book I’ll tell you about him. He was raised in a wealthy family in New York City, but moved to Portland as an adult. He’s a neat freak and his goal in life is to use the money he’d inherited to help people in need. He has an MBA, but only got his degree because it was what his father wanted him to do. He’s a great listener and makes sure all parties are heard, especially the underdog. And of course, Emily Graves is the underdog in this story. J



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

All of the books in this series are about the First Responders team trying to find peace when their jobs are so stressful. Of course, that peace can only come from God, but they don’t discover that until these books.



SS: What are you working on now?

Currently I am working on a new series for Hachette. This series is called White Knights and features a six person FBI Critical Response Team. Fatal Mistake, the first book in the series, will release in May of 2017, and I’m just starting to write Kill Shot, which is book two in the series.


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

1. I once worked in the business world as a director of accounts receivables. No creativity in that job for sure. Well I suppose I could have gotten creative with the money, but I have a thing about going to prison. LOL 2. I have lived in 9 states. Texas and Oregon, twice. 3. I am a geek. I love computers and all the accessories that go with them. I have been know to take them apart to repair them, though I have to say I now fight my daughter to do so as she loves it even more than I do.


SS: Favorite TV shows?


Lately I’ve really been enjoying Madam Secretary. In general I love BBC historical shows which are so different than my reading preferences. I guess I like the way people treat each other in days gone by and the civility of life that is present in these stories. And the British accent is a bonus.


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

Water. Okay, that’s not very special or exciting, but I’m a BIG water drinker. Oh, and coffee to start the day. There’s nothing special I eat, but if it’s deadline week you are likely to find sweets within my reach. More specifically chocolate.


SS: How do you celebrate after completing a book?

Um, sleep. LOL I really don’t celebrate, (maybe I should start) as much as I look up and see that I have life again. I even enjoy cleaning bathrooms. Shh, don’t tell my hubby.


SS: Where can readers find you on the Internet?

Website - http://www.susansleeman.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/susansleeman

Book Review Site - http://www.TheSuspenseZone.com



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



I want to offer a BIG thank you to readers. We writers are so blessed by you!


Remember, readers, to enter the drawing for Susan Sleeman's Silent Sabotage, please comment below and leave your contact information!

Blessings,
Elizabeth






55 comments:

  1. A great interview thank you. The BBC do know how to produce great viewing.

    B & Bs are rather special.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  2. Reading Christian suspense is my favorite thing to read, so thanks for adding another good book! I also feel like I juggle to get everything done! Sometimes I even do step exercise while reading!
    Janice
    pjrcmooreATwindstreamDOTnet

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  3. Always looking for great Christian suspense authors... would love to read this!
    smincer10(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoy Christian suspense, Susanne. Best of luck in winning.

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  4. Cleaning bathrooms, really? Maybe you should come to my house, LOL.
    Love these inspirational suspense books. Thanks for the giveaway!
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Gail, even cleaning bathrooms sometimes wins out, but I have never gone far enough to offer to clean other people's bathrooms. LOL

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  5. Enjoy her books. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Thanks for the great interview and giveaway! jerusha(at)JerushaAgen(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Always glad to do giveaways. Best wishes in winning, Jerusha!

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  7. Great interview. This sounds like and excellent read.
    CherylB1987 AT hotmail DOT com

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  8. Thanks for a great interview. It's always nice to get to know an author a bit better. Would love the chance to read your latest book.
    Jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com
    Deana

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  9. I enjoy Christian suspense and I love the cover of this book!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the compliment on the cover, Connie, The art department did a fabulous job on this book!

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  10. i love all of your books ,was nice reading about you. looking forward to more books, i like the clean but good books you wright thank you , patricia_rose2@comcast.net

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  11. Love your books! Your chatacters become like family. Julie. jahaefner at aol dot com. jahaefner@aol.com

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  12. Christian Romantic Suspense is my favorite genre. Your book sounds awesome as it has it all. A handsome First Responder and a B&B. I have had dreams of running a B&B also so I love a book with one featured in it. Thanks for the great interview and for a chance to win your book. spotts06@comcast.net

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    Replies
    1. How fun that you dreamt of running a B&B, too, Stella!

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  13. Great interview! Love Susan's books and Romantic suspense!

    Hollymag(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. It's so sweet of you to mention you like my books, Holly!

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  14. Enjoy reading Susan's books & thank you for the giveaway and interview redeemed1ruatcomcastdotnet

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing that you enjoy my books, Ann. I so appreciate it.

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  15. Loved learning more about Susan! I love suspense, so looking forward to adding this to my to read list! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    jdennis298(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. Love reading Christian suspense - would love to read your book.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win!

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  17. I love the First Responders Series. They are my favorite.

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    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks, Holly. I finished writing the series and I miss them.

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  18. I am really looking forward to reading this book, Thanks! Kristie tklovenestataoldotcom

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  19. Thx for the interview & giveaway. Looking forward to Reading this one. Love inspired suspense has long been my reliable choice for clean, inspirational mysteries.
    Charlyn515(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. OH! "Silent Sabotage" looks so good! duellonlysis@aol.com

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad Silent Sabotage sounds good to you, Beverly! Best of luck in winning.

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  21. I love Susan's books.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

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  22. Great post. I like the book being about first responders and a B&B, sounds like a good read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Great post. I like the book being about first responders and a B&B, sounds like a good read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for leaving a comment, Dianne. Best wishes in winning!

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  24. Loved the Justice series, and have read and enjoyed the first book of the First Responders series.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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    Replies
    1. That is so sweet of you to share, Beth! I appreciate your kind comments!

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  25. Love your books! Thanks for writing!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Tammy! And thank you for stopping by.

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  26. Loved learning about you Susan from this interview. I have only lived in three states and I think its great that you arw a computer geek. My son offered to fix a cord on my netbook and its still currently in pieces! I love the peace aspect that your characters need to find. I enjoy reading romantic suspense and your book sounds like a great one!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  27. Glad you stopped by, Maryann. I appreciate it so much!

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  28. I have enjoyed your books in the past and expect this one to be a good one. Thank you for sharing. Taking computers apart to fix them is definitely not something I would ever attempt. Count me in the drawing if it's not too late.
    lill dot kohler at gmail dot com.

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    Replies
    1. It's not too late, Lill. You are entered and thank you for stopping by.

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  29. I loved the interview and as always am looking forward to your releases. Praying for your continued inspiration. Blessings, Susan Fryman

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