INTERVIEW WITH MARJI LAINE

We're so excited to welcome back Marji Laine as a Suspense Sister! Marji used to write book reviews for us, but now she's back as an author! I'm interviewing her today so you can get to know more about her and what she's been doing. 

Marji, tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I'm an extroverted introvert. I love being around people, meeting new people, striking up conversations with strangers, but it does tend to wear me out. I need to recharge alone and most happily with a NASCAR race or a football game going on in the background. 

In addition to being an author, I own a small publishing company. We support about twenty authors and have about seventy books. I love designing books almost as much as I love to write them. 

I'm a "graduated" homeschooling mom of four. We still have our twins at home as they complete college, and I'm grateful that they keep our nest hopping. Sweet hubby and I celebrated thirty-four years in 2020 and live in North Texas. 

You used to review books. Did you always want to write, or did reviewing kickstart a desire to be an author?

I think the first "book" I wrote, actually a screenplay, was when I was in second grade. My best friends and I acted out the whole thing and we were sure it would have been an amazing pilot for a series. LOL!

I have been writing as a hobby since college days and have five or six half-finished stories in various places, but I began this career a little over a decade ago after finishing a novel and garnering interest from an agent. It's funny how God works sometimes. After my agent resigned, I received more interest in my books. Though I had to take a little hiatus from writing while I supported my new company, I'm delighted beyond words that He has brought me back to it. 

Tell us about the books you've written.

I have a series of mystery novellas, five in all, that I finished a few years ago. The Grime Fighter Mysteries feature a crime scene cleaner who is also in a witness protection situation. All of the books have suspense in them, though they are more mysteries than they are straight suspense. 

My first full novel is COUNTER POINT, and it is the first of the Heath's Point Suspense Series. BREAKING POINT is the sequel and came out last year. There are two more books in that series, coming soon. 

What comes next?

Last year, my novella series became really popular, maybe because the first book, GRIME BEAT, is free. I had been toying with a new series surrounding the best friend and roommate of my main character in the Grime Fighter Series. 

I'm also a fan of Perry Mason reruns. Putting the two together, I've come up with the D-Street Mysteries. I'm currently writing away on book 1. I can't wait to see how they will turn out!

You can learn more about Marji by visiting her website!

Leave a welcome message for Marji and you'll be entered to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card!

Nancy