Today we welcome Susan Page Davis to Suspense Sisters, whom Mary Ellis had the pleasure of interviewing. Please leave Susan a comment at the end for a chance to win a signed print copy of The House Next Door, or any of the earlier books in this series.
MZ: If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?
SPD: I’m an ordinary person who tells stories.
What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?
SPD: I enjoy reading, solving logic problems and codes, genealogy and embroidery. One of my favorite activities is doing things with my family—it doesn’t matter what we do, as long as we’re together.
What was your favorite book as a teen or child?
SPD: So many to choose from! As a child, I loved the Miss Pickerel books by Ellen MacGregor. As a teenager, one favorite was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith.
Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
SPD: I’m a horrible cook. I know how to shoe horses, but I haven’t done it for forty years. I am a book magnet, and books come to me, but I have an awful time trying to get rid of any.
What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?
SPD: The first books I wrote were romantic suspense, but my first published books were historical romance. I still write both, and cozy mysteries. I love variety. I don’t get bored that way.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
SPD: The worst criticism is when a reader doesn’t feel I’ve done the job well—haven’t finished the story, or haven’t made them believe it could happen that way. The greatest compliment is when the reader says she feels as though my characters are her family.
Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?
SPD: Well, I’ve done a lot of genres—from fantasy (Feather) to military suspense (Frasier Island), with lots of romance, historicals, mysteries, and romantic suspense. I have a horse story (Sarah’s Long Ride) for middle-grade kids. I’m the sort of writer that, if it occurs to me, I write it. So, no, I don’t think there’s any other type of book I’m longing to write.
If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?
SPD: I would start writing fiction seriously much sooner, and I would connect with other authors sooner.
What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?
SPD: Get a good edit before you submit your work, whether to a traditional publisher or to be self-published.
Here is a summary of The House Next Door:
The charming stone house next door is for sale! How could there be a downside to that? As his wife Jennifer’s due date approaches, Captain Harvey Larson decides to invest in real estate, unaware of the terror this will cause his family. The neighboring house seems ideal for Jennifer’s brother Jeff and his wife. A hidden cupboard isn’t so bad—in fact, it’s almost fun to try to solve the little mystery inside it. But will any of their loved ones want to live next door after they learn what’s in the basement? The men of the Priority Unit might be wasting their time, trying to prove one dead man killed another. Or is the murderer still alive, and ready to strike again?
Susan Page Davis is the author of more than 70 novels and novels. A Maine native, she now lives in western Kentucky. She’s a two-time winner of the Will Rogers Medallion and the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, and a Carol Award winner.
Find Susan at: Website: www.susanpagedavis.com
Twitter: @SusanPageDavis
Sign up for Susan’s occasional newsletter at https://madmimi.com/signups/118177/join
Find The House Next door at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074P3BBHJ/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
Please leave Susan a comment for a chance to win a copy of The House Next Door or any of her earlier books in the series. Note: US only for signed paperbacks. ~ Mary Ellis of the Suspense Sisters
Yipeeee??? It's finally Friday! I've been waiting to read interview!Great interview! This book sounds sooooooooooooooooooo good!
ReplyDeleteduellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com
Thank you, Beverly. So glad you came by, and sorry I wasn't here yesterday to greet you.
DeleteYou're a new author to me and this series sounds sooooo good, LOVE the covers!! GREAT interview and thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings on your weekend, Susan and Suspense Sisters!
Kara....Wman4JCatAOLdotCOM
Always love to meet a new reader, Kara! Thanks--I love the covers too.
DeleteThis sounds like a great series! :)
ReplyDeletesmincer10(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Susanne!
DeleteI loved the Priority Unit and am looking forward to reading this book!
ReplyDeleteHi, Pat! Thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteI would love to read The House Next Door, because both my husband and I have enjoyed reading Mainely Mysteries.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm glad you liked MM, Kaye. My daughter Megan and I wrote that series together right before she got married, and it's special to me.
DeleteLove suspense and mystery books. Looking forward to reading this series! Thanks. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet
ReplyDeleteGlad you came by, Paula. Thanks for taking part.
DeleteI love your books, Susan. And am glad to see this new read!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Tammy. Book 6 coming in December.
DeleteLove your books. Can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeletejhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com
You're always upbeat, Deanna. Thanks so much.
DeleteLove this series! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you here, Joan!
DeleteI'm like you Susan, I'm not a great cook and I don't enjoy it when I do. The House Next Door sounds very intriguing. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletetumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
You mean I'm not the only one? I CAN cook, it's just a pain. Thanks, Gail!
DeleteI have enjoyed some of your earlier books. Romantic suspense is my favorite. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Lhanberry1[at]gmail[dot]com
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking in, Linda. I do a lot of historicals, too, and cozy mysteries, but I think romantic suspense might be my favorite too, at least when that's what I'm writing!
DeleteI would love to read the book, thanks for the giveaway! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteThanks, Connie! Any winner who hasn't read any in this series can choose book 1 (or another of the series books) if they prefer.
DeleteHave not read any of your books before, but will be looking for them.
ReplyDeletemary-hart(at)att(dot)net
Thank you, Mary! Glad you found us today.
DeleteThe House Next Door sounds very interesting! Thanks for sharing and Susan, you may claim to be ordinary but you write extraordinary stories!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Connie. Good to "see" you here.
DeleteWow. Sounds like a great story! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletemindyhoungATmsnDOTcom
Thanks, Mindy! I love seeing my books get into new readers' hands.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, enjoyed the interview! Just read The Priority Unit (Maine Justice Book 1), enjoyed it very much. Would love to have the opportunity to read your new book!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! You need to log in again and leave your contact information so we can contact you if you are the winner. Thanks!
DeleteThanks for introducing another author I haven't read yet. The book sounds very good and like that you have a wide range in your writing so will need to check your books out.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I do write varied novels, and I love being able to write the stories I really want to tell.
DeleteThis sounds like a great book and series, I'd love to win one
ReplyDeletemarcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, Mark! Got you entered.
DeleteHi Mark, in a random drawing, you are the winner of The House Next Door by Susan Page Davis. thanks for dropping by Suspense Sisters and leaving a comment. Mary Ellis @ Suspense Sisters
DeleteHi Susan! I love that you are able to write in different genres. I find myself bouncing between genres when I read and when I write. I have different moods after all. :) Thanks for the interview and the giveaway. momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com
ReplyDeleteI like to read a lot of different things too, Lorraine. And I find that I often write better when I'm not trying to write to a certain formula or expectation.
DeleteYAY! I enjoy Susan's stories!
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com
Enjoyed reading the interview. Would love to win the book, it sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the cover of "The House Next Door"!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shondra, and also Beth and Caryl. The cover designer has done a great job in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteLove your books. Would love to win and review Jane jrs0350@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThese soun great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview and giveaway opportunity! Love books about creepy houses! This cover is one of the best I have seen in a long time. Love how they blended the colors in the title to match the colors on the top and bottom of the cover.
ReplyDeletedianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com
Diana, I love the covers, too. Kudos to my cover designer for this series, Lynnette Bonner! Thanks, everybody!
DeleteWell, that explains a lot! Lynnette is a fabulous cover designer as well as author!
DeleteI want to know what is in the basement.
ReplyDeleteJan, I laughed when I saw your comment. I guess you'll have to read the book!
ReplyDeleteYour new book sounds very good
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, who took the time to leave Susan Page Davis a comment. Mark, you are the lucky winner of The House Next Door. We will be in touch for your mailing address. Again, thanks everyone for reading the Suspense Sisters blog!
ReplyDeletethanks Mary for posting the winner and thanks Suspense Sisters for this great site and constant giveaways of good books! congrats to Mark and blessings everyone :)
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