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Friday, September 29, 2017

An Interview With Susan Page Davis

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:

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

53 comments:

  1. Yipeeee??? It's finally Friday! I've been waiting to read interview!Great interview! This book sounds sooooooooooooooooooo good!
    duellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Beverly. So glad you came by, and sorry I wasn't here yesterday to greet you.

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  2. You're a new author to me and this series sounds sooooo good, LOVE the covers!! GREAT interview and thanks for the giveaway :)
    Blessings on your weekend, Susan and Suspense Sisters!
    Kara....Wman4JCatAOLdotCOM

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    1. Always love to meet a new reader, Kara! Thanks--I love the covers too.

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  3. This sounds like a great series! :)
    smincer10(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. I loved the Priority Unit and am looking forward to reading this book!

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  5. I would love to read The House Next Door, because both my husband and I have enjoyed reading Mainely Mysteries.

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    1. Oh, 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.

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  6. Love suspense and mystery books. Looking forward to reading this series! Thanks. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  7. I love your books, Susan. And am glad to see this new read!

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  8. Love your books. Can't wait to read this one.
    jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com

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  9. Love this series! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. I'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.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You mean I'm not the only one? I CAN cook, it's just a pain. Thanks, Gail!

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  11. I have enjoyed some of your earlier books. Romantic suspense is my favorite. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Lhanberry1[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Thanks 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!

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  12. I would love to read the book, thanks for the giveaway! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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    1. Thanks, Connie! Any winner who hasn't read any in this series can choose book 1 (or another of the series books) if they prefer.

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  13. Have not read any of your books before, but will be looking for them.
    mary-hart(at)att(dot)net

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  14. The House Next Door sounds very interesting! Thanks for sharing and Susan, you may claim to be ordinary but you write extraordinary stories!
    Blessings,
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Wow. Sounds like a great story! Thanks for the chance.

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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  16. Thanks, Mindy! I love seeing my books get into new readers' hands.

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  17. Hi 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!

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    1. Thank 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!

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  18. Thanks 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.

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    1. Thank you. I do write varied novels, and I love being able to write the stories I really want to tell.

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  19. This sounds like a great book and series, I'd love to win one
    marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi 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

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  20. Hi 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

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    1. I 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.

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  21. YAY! I enjoy Susan's stories!

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  22. Enjoyed reading the interview. Would love to win the book, it sounds fascinating.

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  23. I LOVE the cover of "The House Next Door"!

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  24. Thanks, Shondra, and also Beth and Caryl. The cover designer has done a great job in my opinion!

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  25. Love your books. Would love to win and review Jane jrs0350@yahoo.com

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  26. Thanks 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.

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Diana, I love the covers, too. Kudos to my cover designer for this series, Lynnette Bonner! Thanks, everybody!

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    2. Well, that explains a lot! Lynnette is a fabulous cover designer as well as author!

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  27. I want to know what is in the basement.

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  28. Jan, I laughed when I saw your comment. I guess you'll have to read the book!

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  29. Thanks, 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!

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    1. thanks 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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