SUSPENSE SISTERS: Interview with Author Heidi Glick

Gina Holder here. I had the blessed opportunity to read an early copy of Heidi Glick's newest book and then, was thrilled when she received a contract with Scrivenings Press for that same novel! I am so excited for her, and I'm thrilled to be sharing a little about her and her book with you all today.

Heidi Glick writes romantic suspense and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. She has an eye for detail and includes law enforcement particulars in her stories, grounding the reader in scenes. She’s attended Writers’ Police Academy and the Hancock County (Ohio) Sheriff Citizen’s Academy to ensure accuracy of story details. Though she grew up in Southern California, Heidi now considers rural Northwest Ohio her home.

Thank you for joining us on the Suspense Sisters blog today, Heidi!

Q. Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

A. I had a horse when I was younger—an Appaloosa named Kiddo. She was white with black spots, like a Dalmatian. I took English riding lessons for a few years. I wanted to do dressage, but boarding a horse is expensive. Eventually, after being thrown off my horse a few times, my parents sold the horse. At the time I was sad, but at my age, I don’t really miss horseback riding.

Q. What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Did it play any part in your writing style today?

A. When I was little, I looked forward to receiving Weekly Reader books in the mail. I couldn’t sleep well as a child, and so, I often stayed up late reading books. I liked the Sugar Creek Gang series, but my favorite book in elementary school was Magic Elizabeth. I checked the story out from the school library more than once. The book is about a missing doll.

Q. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A. For the most part, yes, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. When I was really young, I remember wanting to be a nurse. The role of author wasn’t even on my radar as a possible career choice. Around age thirteen, a man from my church suggested I write my own plays. I started out as a teen writing clean and Christian screenplay ideas. Largely, I was influenced in that regard by growing up in Southern California—not too far from Hollywood. Also in my town, another Christian man who encouraged me to write has a theater with Christian and clean plays. As a kid, I thought that’s what God was calling me to do. I liked to act. I was in plays in junior high and high school. While I liked to act, I wouldn’t have wanted to perform in mainstream movies because of the content in many of them. In college, I dabbled in poetry a little. Then, several years after college, I wrote a full-length book for a contest. The book was awful, and rightfully, the manuscript didn’t deserve an award. But I still wrote a book. Anyway, I heard about ACFW, American Christian Fiction Writers, and joined. I’ve learned a lot since then, but I always have more to learn. For this reason, even though I’ve traditionally published, I attend conferences and read books on writing. I’m a believer in lifelong learning.

Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

A. I have intricate plots, so I’ve always assumed my stories are plot-driven. However, the characters come first. The people in the stories drive the plot. With Dog Tags, I knew I wanted a Marine and a teacher. And with Hold for Release, I knew I’d have a couple with marital problems. And with the Queen City Heroes series, I wanted EPA CID agents.

Q. Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

A. Chance McPherson holds a special place because he’s been through a lot. He’s not sure what he believes about God. Mark 2:17 (KJV) says, “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” At the same time, Romans 3:10 (KJV) says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” So, yes, Chance desperately needs a Savior, but so does everyone. My favorite part of my stories is when a character realizes his/her need for God. My stories tend to contain themes of redemption and of trusting in God.

Q. Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

A. Readers can find out more about me on my website. They can sign up for my newsletter there or connect with me on social media (Twitter, Facebook Author Page, Amazon Author Page, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, and TikTok). Also, they may visit the Scrivenings Press website. I blog monthly at Sleuths and Suspects.

Q. Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

A. I’m working on edits for the second book in the Queen City Heroes series. I’m incorporating feedback and making changes from beta readers. I’ve written Book 3 and need to send it to beta readers, eventually. Beyond that, I’m working on a romantic suspense (Kalamity Cabin) set in a fictional town—Kalamity, Ohio.

You can learn more about Heidi here https://authorheidiglick.com/ or connect with her on social media.

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/authorheidiglick

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiGlick1

Blog: https://sleuthsandsuspects.blogspot.com/

Instead of moving closer to his girlfriend, Chance McPherson gets dumped and relocated to Cincinnati—farther from his dreams and closer to his shameful past. Stacey Sanderson is excited to finally secure a role in law enforcement, like the rest of her family, especially as an EPA CID agent, where she can protect God’s creation.

On the job, Stacey’s perfectionism and faith rub Chance the wrong way, while his antics and wisecracks irritate Stacey. When federal employees who worked an old case with Stacey start dying, Chance becomes concerned, and not just because Stacey is his partner. Stacey senses a closeness between them but has vowed not to get involved with men in law enforcement and especially not someone who doesn’t share her faith.

The anniversary of the case is creeping closer. Time is running out. Can Chance and Stacey stop the person who is out to kill her before it’s too late?

https://scrivenings.link/gazingintodarkness