Interview with Elizabeth Goddard and Book Giveaway!

Elizabeth Goddard is an award-winning author of eighteen romance and romantic suspense novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—winner of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. A member of several writing organizations, she judges numerous contests and mentors new writers. In addition to writing, she home schools her children and serves with her husband in ministry.

For a chance to win a copy of WILDERNESS PERIL, please comment below and leave your contact information. We'll draw from those who comment and pick one winner.

SS: How long have you been writing?

I've been writing forever, it seems, but for myself, for school, for friends. As an adult I wanted to write something. . .anything. But I was a busy career woman, so most of that writing was marketing literature and proposals. When I had my first child and stayed home that first year, I dabbled with writing a children’s story and sent that to a publisher. Of course, I didn't know what I was doing and promptly received a rejection letter, wishing me well on my search for a publisher. Ha! My daughter was eight years old, and I had two more children, before I found a writing path—I joined American Christian Romance Writers in 2001 (now American Christian Fiction Writers) and a critique group and started submitting a chapter a week. I was blessed to join a wonderful group of ladies and we are still friends today, all of us published. It would be five more years before I received “the call” or rather an email that an editor wanted to buy my story.  

SS: Do you write full time? If the answer is no, what else do you do? If you are a full time author, what other jobs did you have in the past?

What constitutes full time? I wonder. Is it forty hours a week, more or less? I consider myself relatively full-time, but I also home school my boys and that is full time. We are all working together. I write and blog and market while they are working on school, but my attention must be focused on them.

In the past I worked as a regional account executive for a software company and traveled the country, which I loved, and then I worked for a pharmaceutical company. I’m a bit of an entrepreneur and had my own business, too.

SS: Tell us about the moment you finally felt like a “real author”?

I’m still struggling to feel like a real author! I’m not sure how many books it will take for that to happen. No, seriously, I think I felt “real” when I held my first book in my hands, but then I had to write and sell another book, and then another. So the question is can I STAY a real author.

SS: Who has been your greatest supporter as an author? 

My husband, of course. I've met people along the journey that didn't have a supportive spouse and that makes it nearly impossible to succeed, to achieve the dream. I think he believes in me more than I believe in myself.

SS:  Why suspense? Do you write in any other genres? If so, what?

I write romance, too, and that’s almost always seasoned with suspense or mystery, and I have written a quirky cozy mystery, The Camera Never Lies, which was a 2011 Carol Award winner in the mystery category, but I love suspense, action and adventure. There’s just a tension there—whether it’s running from the bad guys are solving a mystery or trying to save the world—that isn't there in a straight romance. It keeps a person turning the pages until well into the night.

SS: How does your faith play into your writing?

Of course, I write from a Christian worldview, but I always pray that the Lord will put in the message He wants, and even if it’s just one person who reads and finds that answer or spiritual nugget she needed, then I know I’ve done my job.

SS: If you couldn't write, what else would you want to do?

Um. . I don’t know. That’s kind of like asking me if you couldn't breathe air, what else you would breathe. I’m a creative person, and might pursue my interests in art and music.

SS:  Tell us about your current release.

I’ve loved all the stories in my “Learjet repo man” books, but I think Wilderness Peril is my favorite and that’s because I love my hero, Rick Savage.

Here’s the blurb:

ON THIN ICE

Run off the road and left for dead, Shay Ridiker's only hope for surviving the frozen claws of the wilderness is pilot Rick Savage. The beautiful airplane mechanic came to Alaska expecting a routine repo, but a missing coworker and a crippled plane are just the tip of the iceberg. Now held captive by ruthless killers at a derelict gold mine, Shay needs Rick's protection more than ever. But Rick has shadows that follow him into the land of the midnight sun. With gunmen at their backs, can he be all Shay needs—a haven…and a hero?

 

SS: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from your story?

That we can overcome through Christ.

SS: What are you working on now?

Winter Wonderland is my 1920’s historical set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It’s part of a novella collection, A Grand Tetons Sleigh Ride, I’m writing with Lynette Sowell. Then I’ll start on the second novella in the collection. I’ll be wrapping those up this month, and then starting on the first book in my next Love Inspired Romance series, which is a mountain rescue series set in Alaska. I’m very excited about this series, love the premise and love the characters.

SS: A tough question: Where do you want to be career-wise in five years? Ten years? 

I would love to continue writing for Love Inspired Suspense, but add to that, I hope to be writing romantic suspense for trade, as well.

SS:  Now let’s get a little personal. Name two things on your “bucket list” that you haven’t done yet.   

I’m strongly considering an Alaskan cruise for my upcoming 25^th anniversary, so I could check that one off. I’d also love to spend a few years as a missionary in a third world country. Sounds a little crazy to be on the bucket list, right? But I can’t get that out of my head.

SS: Where can readers find you on the internet?

My website of course, which includes my blog: http://elizabethgoddard.com

It’s a new website and for the launch, I’m offering a $50 CBD gift card to one winner in the drawing. You have to sign up for my newsletter (on the website) to be entered.

Then I blog over at http://Christiansread.wordpress.com and http://suspensesisters.blogspot.com

I love connecting with my readers so you can find me at http://facebook.com/elizabethgoddardauthor

SS: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?  

Yes, I’m building a street team. If you enjoy reading my books can commit to leaving reviews in a timely fashion, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s talk. You can reach me on Facebook or my contact page on my website. 

WILDERNESS PERIL releases on Sunday! You can pre-order today. 

Thanks for having me.