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Friday, April 28, 2017

Interview with the fabulous SUSAN SLEEMAN and giveaway of FATAL MISTAKE!


Suspense Sisters welcomes Susan Sleeman to the our blog! 

Susan is giving away one print copy of FATAL MISTAKE (U.S. Only). Be sure to comment below and leave your contact information. 
Susan and I have known each other a few years and I consider her a dear friend, and a writing buddy I couldn't do without on this writing journey.  Her romantic suspense books are fast-paced with accurately detailed law enforcement procedures as well as all those technical gadgets--if you haven't picked up one of her books you should definitely START NOW.



Susan's BIO:

SUSAN SLEEMAN is a bestselling and award-winning author of more than 25 inspirational/Christian and clean read romantic suspense books. Readers love her romantic suspense series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real. In addition to writing, Susan also hosts thesuspensezone.com. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.

Let's hear from Susan now! 


If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

I’m a Christian, writer, wife, mother, grandmother, and avid gardener.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?


Not sure if many would find this interesting, but I love, love, love to garden in the spring and summer. In our Oregon rainy fall and winter, I love to plan and read about gardening. Have I mentioned I love to garden. LOL Both veggies and flowers. Here are the lovely raised beds my hubby built last year with our veggie crop.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

I don’t have a favorite book, but I devoured all the Nancy Drew Mysteries. I couldn’t wait for our library to get a new one in so I could hideaway and read it over and over.

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

1. I recorded radio commercials for a company I used to work for. It was so odd hearing my voice on the radio.

2. I once raced a turtle. I grew up in Turtle Lake where we held annual turtle races so it doesn’t seem as odd as it sounds, right?

3. I used to play trumpet. Not only in high school and college, but I played at church for years as an adult.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I started writing straight suspense and cozy mysteries and now I write romantic suspense and a few cozy mysteries. I changed mostly because publishers in the Christian market weren’t looking for suspense novels, but they were looking for romance, and if I wanted to make a career out of writing, I had to write what was selling. BUT here’s the surprise. I started reading romantic suspense to get a feel for the genre and discovered I love it. Who knew. I’m so glad I found out.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Hmm, toughest, I honestly can’t think of anything that was too tough to bear or a single criticism that sticks out in my mind. Maybe I blocked it out. LOL But most of my criticisms in the early days revolved around flat characters that weren’t well developed. I worked hard to change that and now some of the best reviews I receive talk about the characters and it makes me smile!

Now the compliment is easy as I’ve heard the same one several times from readers saying they are able to connect with the characters in my books and relate to the character’s struggle means the world to me. Especially a spiritual struggle. So the ultimate compliment was when a reader told me they’d given up on church, and the message in my book brought them to the decision to renew their relationship with God and return to church. How utterly amazing that one of my books helped someone find their way back to their faith. Praise God for that.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

I may be boring, but I feel as if I found my niche with romantic suspense and don’t have an interest in writing other genres. I want to keep writing romantic suspense for as long as I am able. I do still love to write cozy mysteries, but as long as I am blessed with contracts from publishers for romantic suspense books, the mysteries will have to remain on hold.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

Oh, man, just one thing? LOL I would start writing romantic suspense right off the bat for the reasons I mentioned above. Not only would I have started in this genre sooner, but I would have discovered the genre sooner, too and enjoyed many more books as a reader.

What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

Hope. Simple as that. No matter how bad life can seem there is always hope. My wish is that the character’s struggles resonate with the reader, and they can see the character work their way out of a problem and move into the light of hope. Then the reader can see anything is possible and they, too, have reason to hope.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

My piece of advice is not to publish before you are ready. I keep thinking about when I first started writing, and I am so glad that indie publishing wasn’t an option or I think I would have published a lot of drivel. Once your work is out there, you can never get back, and if you are trying to build a reader base, you have to put forth your very best work.

Thank you so much for stopping by the Suspense Sisters blog, Susan! We look forward to seeing you again here soon. 

Here's the back cover copy for Susan's upcoming romantic suspense, FATAL MISTAKE. 

Each day could be her last…but not if he can help it.


Tara Parrish is the only person ever to survive an attack by the Lone Wolf bomber. Scared and emotionally scarred by her near death, she goes into hiding with only one plan–to stay alive for another day. She knows he’s coming after her, and if he finds her, he will finish what he started.

Agent Cal Riggins has had only one goal for the past six months–to save lives by ending the Lone Wolf’s bombing spree. To succeed, he needs the help of Tara Parrish, the one person who can lead them to the bomber. Cal puts his all into finding Tara, but once he locates her, he realizes if he can find her, the Lone Wolf can, too. He must protect Tara at all costs, and they’ll both need to resist the mutual attraction growing between them to focus on hunting down the bomber, because one wrong move could be fatal.



Now doesn't that sound like a great story? It IS!

Remember, Susan is giving away a print copy of FATAL MISTAKE (U.S. Only) Leave a comment with contact information to be entered into the drawing!












65 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your garden photo. It looks so much more organized than mine. I am new to gardening and really don't know what I am doing yet but I do enjoy being out there working in it. Love your stories so please keep them coming!
    dawn dot nicol @gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks for the kind comment about my books, Dawn. I'm so glad you love gardening, too. I learned by trial and error over many years and by reading a lot of books. Yet, each year I find a new challenge that I have to figure out how to overcome. I think I love the challenge as much as the lovely fresh veggies. LOL

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  2. Love your garden. I have always enjoyed Susan's writing. Count me in the drawing.
    lill dot kohler at gmail dot com

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    1. I'm so pleased to hear you like my books and thank you for the nice comment about my garden. It's kind of like a baby to me. LOL

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  3. Your gardens are beautiful! I keep saying I am going to have one and never do for some reason. I think it has something to do with having a black thumb rather than a green one!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks for the sweet comment about my garden, Melanie. Its a true labor of love!

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  4. Susan, great interview and good advice there at the last. The greatest temptation to a writer is to say, "Thank goodness I'm finished. Now to send it off."

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Richard. I would have been the first to publish something that should never see the light of day so I'm glad the opportunity wasn't there for me.

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  5. Wish I could garden again but we are renting and the ground would need too much work. I love your romantic suspense! Count me in. Thanks. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. Thanks for the kind comment about my books, Paula. I have gardened in tubs with holes drilled in the bottom while waiting for my hubby to build the beds. Worked just fine and might be something you could try while renting.

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  6. Great interview! I enjoyed getting to learn of your journey to the romantic suspense genre, Susan. Thanks for the giveaway! jerusha(at)JerushaAgen(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Jerusha. It has been a wonderful journey!

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  7. Does your raised gardening keep the weeds out? I love that you play trumpet! One day soon, hopefully we'll all hear THE trumpet!
    Romantic suspense is one of my favorites to read. Please throw my name "in the hat!"
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It doesn't keep out all of the weeds, Gail, but I don't get many and because the soil is so wonderful it's very easy to pull them. And I don't have to bend down very far to do so. LOL

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  8. Sounds like another good one. Would like to win to read then share with daughter and others.

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  9. Oops forgot contact info
    Charlyn515 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Charlyn. Best of luck in winning!

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  10. love romantic suspense. i have never read any of your books but you are now on my list!! toss me into the drawing! would love to win! thanks. ghostga (at) hotmail (dot) com

    Lisa R.

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    1. Thanks for leaving a comment, Lisa and for adding me to your list!

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  11. What a beautiful garden. I love the raised beds. Loved learning more about you. Keep up the wonderful writing.
    CherylB1987 AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl. My hubby did such an awesome job on the beds.

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  12. Love the garden Susan, absolutely gorgeous! Awesome sounding book!

    jennydtipton at gmail dot com

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  13. I can't wait to read your book!

    appycinnamonspice (at) gmail (dot) com

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  14. This book is definitely on my TBR list!
    smincer10(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for adding me to your TBR list, Susanne. I love this series and am so glad to be able to finally share the first book with readers.

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  15. I am looking forward to this book!! tklovenestataoldotcom

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    1. Thank so much for stopping by and best wishes on winning!

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  16. I so wish I was able to garden. Yours looks great and so does this book. Romantic suspense - my favorite genre. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy. spotts06(at)comcast(dot)net

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    1. Thanks, Stella! Gardening and writing are my two favorite things to do besides spending time with my family.

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  17. have not read any of your books...love to win one ...mamawings@hismercy.org

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    1. Thanks for leaving a comment, Wilma. Best wishes in winning.

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  18. Wow, that garden is beautiful. I love your book cover, look like one of the movies I love watching.
    Wish I could get a copy

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    1. Thanks for the kind comment on my garden, Andrew. We'll need your email address for a chance to win the book.

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  19. love the garden would love to win the book looking forward to reading it, email address is patricia_rose2@comcast.net thank you for the chance

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    1. Thanks for your sweet comment on the garden, Patricia. Best wishes in winning the book!

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  20. love the garden would love to win the book looking forward to reading it, email address is patricia_rose2@comcast.net thank you for the chance

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  21. What lovely garden pictures. I admire those who have a green thumb. I would love to read this book. Sounds like a real page turner.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Maryann. Early reviews do say it is a page turner, which really warms my heart!!

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  22. Susan, I love how you describe yourself and we could be twins except for the fact that I Am Not A Writer :-) Thanks for a great interview and giveaway!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Connie, who I will now think of as my twin. LOL Best wishes in winning.

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  23. Beverly Duell-MooreApril 28, 2017 at 12:48 PM

    Great interview! Can't wait to read the book!
    duellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thank you so much, Beverly! So glad you stopped by.

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  24. Susan, I love to garden, too. I just have a potted garden because I live in a condo, but oh, I do love those fresh tomatoes. Thanks for the interview. Cheers

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    1. There is nothing better than a fresh tomato, is there, Marilyn? I'm planting tomatoes tomorrow and can hardly wait until July for the first ones to ripen!

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  25. Sounds good, can't wait to read. Catlover0112 at Yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, regencygirl101!

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  26. Susan,you are a new author to me. I enjoyed the description of the book and I'm looking forward to reading the book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Susan,you are a new author to me. I enjoyed the description of the book and I'm looking forward to reading the book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Dianne. Best wishes in winning.

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  28. Susan, I have read most of your books and love them! I can't wait to read Fatal Mistake, whether I win your drawing or purchase the Kindle version!

    debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

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    1. Aw, thank you, Debbie. I so appreciate your support and kind words about my writing.

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  29. I think you are an excellent author!
    Martha T.
    CRPrairie1@(imonmail)dotcom

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    1. Thank you so much, Martha. It is sweet of you to say!

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  30. I enjoy gardening too, and your raised garden beds look WONDERFUL!!!

    I thoroughly enjoy romantic suspense. Fatal Mistake sounds gripping! I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the opportunity of this giveaway!! ~ Alison

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I always love meeting other gardeners, Alison. My hubby did such a good job on the beds and I'll tell him you said they look wonderful.

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  31. My gardens never look like yours. Love your books.
    Mblteach(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You are so kind, Mary to let me know you like my books!

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  32. Have enjoyed your other books. This one sounds great as well.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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    1. Thank you, Beth. I am so glad my other books have brought you enjoyment!

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  33. You are a new author to me, too, but am going to put some of your books on my TBR list. Your garden is beautiful!
    mary-hart@att.net

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    1. Thanks for the sweet comment on the garden, Mary. And for putting me on your TBR list!

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  34. Thank you for this give away opportunity. Loved finding out you are also a trumpet player. In the 80's, most girls were playing flute and clarinet. Now there are some great woman that have profession CDs in classical and jazz music. .

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Jody. I never had interest in woodwind instruments and have always preferred brass for some reason. But thank goodness others love woodwinds so we have a balance.

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  35. Love your books! Your raised bed garden looks wonderful! I've gone to veggies in pots this year but with all the rain we've had in the past 24 hours, they have probably washed away!

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