Interview with Lisa Harris

Patricia Bradley here and today on Suspense Sisters I'm pleased to introduce Christy Award winner, Lisa Harris who comes to us all the way from Mozambique! And she's giving away a digital copy of her newest book, Ghost Heart to a lucky commenter.

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 

I don’t always make it, but I’m just someone just trying to serve God where I am.

Lisa, I think you make it much better than I do! What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

I enjoy both photography and cooking, but have also started learning photoshop and discovered I really enjoy graphic design.

Oh, Wow! I’ve tried to learn photoshop and it’s quite the steep learning curve! 

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

I loved all of Victoria Holt’s novels, and in fact as a teen decided I was going to be a gothic novelist when I grew up.

 I read Victoria Holt! 

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

I’ve swam with pink dolphins in the Amazon, eaten piranha, and don’t drink soda or (rarely) coffee.

*Sigh* I would love to swim with the dolphins! I can’t even imagine living where you live. I’m sure there must be some downside to it, but to live there would be so exciting.

What took you to South Africa?

We moved there almost fourteen years ago to begin working with African Outreach Ministries, and have been working in church planting and humanitarian work ever since. We currently live in Mozambique, which is the country next door.

What brings you back to the States?

We are getting ready to spend the next six months in the states to help our daughter settle into University. It’s hard to believe I will have two college age kids. . .young adults!

You look like a college kid yourself! I know this is a bittersweet time…letting your kids stretch their wings and fly.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I started out writing romance novels but always had to sneak in some kind of mystery. And that thread was what I enjoyed writing most. So it was a natural progression to move into romantic suspense.

I totally get the mystery thing. 

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

When I first began writing, I gathered up all the courage I could muster and went to a critique group. While everyone was incredibly nice, I was told to go home and rework my chapter, because my characters were cardboard. Not what I wanted to hear. But they were right! Fast forward about twenty odd years, and I’ve had several reviewers say my novels read like movies and I’ve always loved that compliment.

I can attest that they read like movies! Love your books.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

Maybe gothic historical as mentioned above, but other than that I really love the suspense/thriller genre.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

Honestly, besides being more patient, I can’t really think of anything. It takes time to learn a craft and I’m still learning and trying to write each book better than the last one.

What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

That God’s light can shine through in even the darkest of situations. And that He can and does use ordinary people to make a difference in this world.

And your books show that so well!

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Don’t give up. Keep writing and learning and growing in your craft. It’s a journey, not just a destination.

AMEN. It took me a long time to realize it was a journey, but once I did, it became so much more enjoyable.

Lisa's fascinating new book Ghost Heart releases in August and was co-written with Lynne Gentry. Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in an e-copy of her book! The winner will be announced next Thursday in the comment section. 
Comment question: What would surprise our readers about you? 

A brutal murder convinces surgeon Mia Kendall there’s more than she imagined to the mysterious spike in heart transplant rejections. Determined to find answers before she loses another patient, Mia gets sucked into a dangerous international medical web. With time running out for her youngest transplant recipient, Mia is forced to partner with a disillusioned ex-military pilot who flies brokered organs across East Africa. But searching for the truth will prove costly for the unlikely duo racing to stop a madman before he annihilates a rare and cursed bloodline.

Here's a link to pre-order: Amazon