Featured Post

Friday, April 24, 2020

An Interview with Kelly Irvin ~ Win a copy of Over the Line!

Today suspense lovers, I have the honor on interviewing Kelly Irvin, an author that Patricia Bradley and I consider a friend, besides a beloved colleague. Kelly has a new book about to release on June 9th, Closer Than She Knows. But first, the interview:
ME: If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

KI: I’m an introverted Christian novelist, wife, mother, and grandmother who never lost her childlike imagination.
ME: What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?
KI: For the last two years I’ve been writing novels in two genres with overlapping deadlines so I haven’t had much free time. I belonged to a bible study that meets once a week, attend church, and Sunday school, but mostly I write. If I do have free time, I read mysteries and romantic suspense. If I had more time, I’d like to do a genealogy of my family and take up birdwatching, lol. But I love my life just the way it is.

ME: What was your favorite book as a teen or child?
KI: We were just posting about this on my Facebook page. A reader sent me a first edition Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzugh. I loved that book as a kid—still do. I also loved the Nancy Drew mysteries, Little House on the Prairie books, The Changeling, The Oregon Trail, and a ton of other books. I couldn’t get enough!

ME: Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
KI: I never watched a single episode of “Game of Thrones.” LOL. Let’s see, I speak Spanish after spending three semesters at the University of Costa Rica as an exchange student in college. I hate kale. I’m deathly afraid of snakes—don’t try telling me they’re good for the environment, okay?

ME: What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed courses? Why or Why not?
KI: My first two books, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine, were romantic suspense novels. I was having trouble breaking into the Christian market, so my agent suggested I try Amish romances. I was very hesitant, but I did my research and started writing To Love and to Cherish. My agent sold it to Harvest House before I finished writing it. Since then I’ve published 16 Amish romances with more to come. Two years ago my sweet editor at HarperCollins Christian Publishing went to bat for me and pitched my proposals for new romantic suspense novels to the pub board. Publishers are leery about trying new genres because they’ve poured so many resources into building audiences for the first genre. I feel very blessed to be able to do both. It gives me a chance to stretch my writing muscles and keeps me fresh.

ME: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
KI: I once had an acquisition editor tell me his publishing house only published extraordinary writing and mine didn’t rise to that level. It was devastating, but it also motivated me. I eventually published with that house, when he was no longer an editor there. The best compliment is when readers tell me they feel like they are in the story with the characters because they seem so real. One reader bought my books for her mother and she said they would talk on the phone about the characters like it was a soap opera they’ve been watching or gossiping about friends. I love that.

ME: Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?
KI: I have a manuscript I wrote a long time ago that involves a middle school age girl living in a small town in Kansas during the Vietnam era in the 1960s. So it’s middle grade and historical. I’d love to spend some time reworking it someday.

ME: If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?
KI: I’d start earlier. For several good reasons, I didn’t seriously start writing fiction until I was 45. I could’ve learned more and polished my craft more earlier, but I think this was God’s plan for me and it’s worked at really well so I’m not complaining.

ME: What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?
KI: Polish your work and polish it some more. Join critique groups. Attend writing conferences. And then submit your very best work to agents who represent your genre. For me signing with an agent opened doors that were otherwise closed to me. For writers who want to be traditionally published, this is a vital step.

Now, here's a bit about Closer Than She Knows: A serial killer bent on revenge . . . and striking too close to home. Teagan O’Rourke has always loved murder mysteries. In her job as a court reporter, she has written official records for dozens of real-life murders. She’s slapped evidence stickers on crime scene photos. She’s listened to hours of chilling testimony. But she’s never known the smell of death. And she never thought she might be a victim. Until now....A young police officer is murdered just inches away from her, and then a man calling himself a serial killer starts leaving Teagan notes, signing each with the name of a different murderer from her favorite mystery novels. Panicked, Teagan turns to her friend Max Kennedy. Max longs for more than friendship with Teagan, but he fears she’ll never trust someone with a past like his. He wonders how much of God’s “tough love” he can take before he gives up on love completely. And he wonders if he’ll be able to keep Teagan alive long enough to find out. As Teagan, Max, and Teagan’s police officer father race to track down the elusive killer, they each know they could be the next victim. Desperate to save those she loves, Teagan battles fears that once haunted her in childhood. Nothing seems to stop this obsessed murderer. No matter what she does, he seems to be getting closer . . .


Here's a little bit about Kelly: Bestseller Kelly Irvin is the author of eighteen books, including romantic suspense and Amish romance. Publisher’s Weekly calls Closer Than She Knows a “brisk, smoothly written thriller.” She’s also the author of Tell Her No Lies and Over the Line. The two-time ACFW Carol finalist worked as a newspaper reporter for six years writing stories on the Texas-Mexico border. Those experiences fuel her romantic suspense novels set in Texas. A retired public relations professional, Kelly now writes fiction full-time. She lives with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin, in San Antonio. They are the parents of two children, three grandchildren, and two ornery cats.






Closer Than She Knows releases on June 9th from Thomas Nelson. It can be pre-booked here: Amazon


If you leave Kelly a comment, you will be entered in a drawing for a copy of her previous suspense,



Over the Line. US readers only. You must leave your email address. Drawing in one week.
Have a wonderful, suspenseful week, readers!! Mary Ellis

32 comments:

  1. I'm an introvert too and also deathly afraid of snakes! Happy to come across another new to me author to add to my list. The book sounds great, and I look forward to reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Closer than She Knows sounds like a thrilling read, I love Suspense novels. Thanks for the chance! Nice to meet you Kelly.
    isisthe12th(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Mary and Kelly!

    I've never watched Game of Thrones either. Closer Than She Knows sounds like a page-turner!

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for the interview with Kelly Irvin. I enjoy learning more about the authors whose book I enjoy reading. I've never watching any of “Game of Thrones” either. I took Spanish in 6th grade because it was a requirement at the time (we lived in California). However, I don't remember much of it and sure couldn't hold a conversation. Agree with Kelly about snakes. Most of my fear is the surprise factor, but don't want any of them loose around me.

    Can't wait for the opportunity to read "Closer Than She Knows". Sounds like a fabulous book. It along with "Over the Line" are on my TBR list.

    Thanks you for the chance to win a copy of "Over the Line"! Shared every where, but hoping to be the very fortunate one selected.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! This book sounds great. I cant wait to read it. Nancy Darby 2007 at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Can't wait to read this! thedanielsr(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really enjoy Kelly's books and this one as I enjoy an good suspense story.

    wfnren at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've never watched Game of Thrones either and I hate snakes, the whole neighborhood can hear my screams! I love your books and can't wait to read your new books!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fellow introvert and snake hater here. And never watched Game of Thrones either. This book looks so good.
    janeen dot bair at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your suspense books. I just finished reading Tell Her No Lies and it was awesome. I would love to read Over The Line and your new release sounds fantastic. Keep on writing. We love your books.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can't wait to read this book! I love Kelly's books.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Like you, I hate snakes. I don't even like to see them on television. I have never seen an episode of Games of Thrones. I am very careful what i view because it changes the way I see people. I read a lot of book about serial killers because they are so interesting. How do you become a serial killer? I was reading a book called " Why the Mind is Designed to Kill" and it freaked me out because I started to profile people. As a single woman it makes dating interesting.
    sonnetta_jones(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I didn't realize you also wrote suspense - that's my favorite genre! These sound great.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a great interview! You can tell that you know each other and that’s always fun. I do not speak Spanish (and yes, I live just down the interstate from you in Austin). I do like Kale if it’s in one of those salad packs with the sweet dressing with cranberries and sunflower seeds. I’m sure all of that negates the health value of kale. I also hate snakes! Congrats on the upcoming new release!
    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
    Perrianne Askew

    ReplyDelete
  15. nice interview
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great interview. Enjoyed reading about an author that's new to me. Books look like good reading.
    Would love to read and review the paperback/print versions of your book.
    Hope I win.
    my email is: don(dot)stewart(at)zoominternet(dot)net
    Crystal

    ReplyDelete
  17. I’ve read several of your books and loved them. I know I would enjoy this one too.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)come

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi, Kelly. I’m always a fan of whatever genre you write. Thank you for sharing and the chance. Blessings
    leliamae54(At)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I sure love your books, and it was fun to get more of a peek into what makes you "tick" as a writer!
    bcrug(at)twc(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love finding 'new to me' authors - looking forward to reading some of your books. My husband always says 'the only good snake is a dead snake' - I keep reminding him - there are some snakes who do good for us - just don't want them around us or where we can see them - lol. Blessings to you and yours and I look forward to finding an ebook of yours in our local library (since we are unable to check books out right now). Thanks for an opportunity to win one!! Jeannie Beck jbeck2929@roadrunner.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great to "meet" you! I hate snakes too!! These books sound good and I'm adding them to my TBR list now!
    clhutson1016(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Another interesting book to read! I love Christian suspense! Thanks for an opportunity to win! Badawson16 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for the interview! It's a pleasure to get to know you :)
    kykla99(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very nice interview. I never watched Game of Thrones either. I also read Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prairie books when I was a kid. I still have some of those books. Your book sounds really interesting, very intriguing. Thank you for sharing.
    dianah7272@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi, Kelly. I love being introduced to new authors. Your books sound interesting. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. My e-mail address is boxtopscrazy at gmail dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I’ve read and reviewed a book and one in a collection written by Kelly Irvin. I’d love to win a new one to read.
    Godleyv (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am an avid reader but I don't think I have read anything of yours. I want to now! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I find it so interesting that you did not start writing seriously until the age of 45. I'm sure that is encouraging to others. debwinsit@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Kelly Irvin is a new to me author. I've seen the name before, but Amish is not my preferred genre - I know I'm in the minority :) But I love suspense, so I'm looking forward to reading this book.
    jeanfamily92 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I’m a longtime fan of Kelly’s books, and I love that she writes in more than one genre. It took me awhile but I even own copies of A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine.
    heyjudybat at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sounds like a great book.
    Theresa Norris
    weceno at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I think writing in two genres shows an author's creativity. I also have never seen Game of Thrones and I am with Kelly on the no to snakes!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

    ReplyDelete