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Thursday, April 1, 2021

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



55 comments:

  1. Welcome, Marji! I enjoyed reading about your background, and look forward to reading your novels. Have a blessed Easter!
    traceyboehm1@aol.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Tracey! I'm excited to be back with the Suspense Sisters!

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  2. Welcome, Marji! I have not read any of your books, but look forward to trying them.

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    1. Yea! GRIME BEAT is the first of my series, and it's free on Kindle right now.

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  3. The series sounds so good! You are a new author to me!
    duellonlysis(at)aol(fot)com

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    1. I'm having so much fun with these characters. I can't wait to learn how it all turns out!

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  4. I loved Marji Laine's Grime Fighter Mystery book series. I have just gotten Heath's Point Suspense books, 1 & 2, and I will start reading them this weekend. I enjoyed reading the interview. I also love NASCAR. I wasn't that crazy about the Bristol Dirt Race. I love the super speedways.

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    1. Yea! I'm so glad you love them, and I hope you LOVE Heath's Point, Texas. I have a special place in my heart for this little town!

      And I agree with you on the Bristol race. I LOVE Bristol, but not on the dirt. I think my favorite track is the Roval at Charlotte. Who's your favorite driver?

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  5. Enjoyed reading the interview with Marji Laine. So fun to read about someone that reviews books turning their hand at writing as well and so successfully. I have her books on my TBR list and anxiously looking forward to the opportunity to reading them. When she mentioned Perry Mason in connection to the present series she's writing - D-Street Mysteries - my ears really perked up. We love watching old series like that and still watch Perry Mason every day. So I'm really anxious to read that series as well.

    Thank you for the chance! Shared and hoping to be the fortunate one selected.

    Be safe, stay healthy and have a little adventure along the way - even if through the pages of a good book.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. I am excited about D-Street Mysteries. Looking forward to digging a little deeper into the relationship between the characters that represent Della, Perry, and Paul. It's challenging to put their personalities into the 21st century! LOL!

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  6. I am always excited to meet a new author that writes mystery/suspense. I am looking forward to reading Grime Beat.
    lhanberry1 at gmail dot com

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  7. A great interview and happy to find a new author, your book sounds very interesting. Best of Luck on your new venture.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  8. nice interview
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  9. Thanks for the interview. Always happy to meet a new author. Your book looks good. I also enjoy old Perry Mason reruns!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  10. Welcome back Marji. Have a blessed Easter.
    fishingjanATaolDOTcom

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  11. Hi!

    Your Grime Fighter series sounds really good. I'll have to look that up!

    amybradsher at gmail dot com.

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    1. I had so much fun with that series! Couldn't stand to put the characters completely aside!

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  12. I'm glad that you are able to pursue writing while also homeschooling. You do amazing work! racheltirzah(at)gmail.com

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    1. Thank you, Rachel. I so loved homeschooling my kids. And they became my first and best critics! Lol!

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  13. Hello Marji. Thank you for sharing your books. Enjoyed the interview.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  14. Hi Marji. Thank you for sharing your interview. Your books sound great. I haven't read any yet, but I am looking forward to checking them out. Have a great weekend and Happy Easter.
    msredk at aol dot com

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  15. Hi Marji. Sounds like you're a busy lady. I enjoyed the interview and learning more about you and your books.
    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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    1. It can certainly get busy from time to time! LOL! I'm so glad I'm able to squeeze in the writing!

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  16. Marji, I have ordered your book but not read it yet. It looks like it will be a good read.

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  17. NASCAR is exciting. We’ve attended several races at Talladega in the infield. And we watch the Crimson Tide whether in football, baseball, basketball or gymnastics. I bet having your own publishing company can be exhausting but also give a feeling of accomplishment. Welcome to suspense sisters!
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks so much Gail! Hubby and I go to TMS from time to time, but we're wanting to visit some of the other tracks. Talladega has been part of the conversation, for sure!

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  18. Hello fellow Texan and Welcome ! Your books sound like Great reads! My husband loves to watch Formula One Car races, he is not into football and I'm not either. I grew up with 3 older brothers and I watched and listened to enough football for a long, long time. Have a Great weekend and a Blessed Easter. aliciabhaney(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  19. Hey Marji! It's a pleasure meeting you! Your GRIME FIGHTER series sounds like a must read. Have a blessed Resurrection Weekend.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. Thanks so much, Caryl. the first book, GRIME BEAT, is still free!

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  20. Lovely to meet you here Marji.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  21. I really enjoy this author interview with you Marji! It's so interesting that you love Perry Mason reruns, because we love those type of shows at our house too :-) Even though I'm not very good at solving a mystery in a book, I find these type of shows fascinating! I think Poirot has to be my favorite detective of all times, even though he is a fictional character Agatha Christie made up. My library has the DVD sets & my husband and I watch those a few times.

    Thanks for spending some time talking with us on this post today & for the opportunity to win a gift card. I'm definitely going to be checking out your D-Street Mysteries!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I Will have to watch Poirot! Hubby and I are big fans of Ellery Queen.

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  22. Hi Marji! Thanks for the fun interview. I always enjoy getting to know more about an author. Christian mystery/suspense is one of my favorite genres to read. Your stories sound right up my alley! I'm looking forward to reading them!

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

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  23. Welcome Marji! I enjoyed reading the interview. Have a Happy Easter!
    dianah7272@gmail.com

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  24. Welcome aboard, Marji! Looking forward to reading your books. I'm a Perry Mason fan myself; so is my sister.
    Your Grime Fighter Mystery series sounds really interesting- people don't realize what they might leave behind, good or bad!
    Thanks for sharing with us!
    Suzan Burgett livinginjoytogether@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you, Susan! GRIME BEAT, Book 1, is still free. Hope you love it!

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  25. I love suspense---I'll need to get your books! chendryx(at)nctv(dot(com)

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  26. I've read Breaking Point so need to read the others! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I so enjoyed writing BREAKING POINT! Book 1 of that series is COUNTER POINT. That suspense was SO much fun!

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  27. I used to watch Perry Mason! Thanks for a nice giveaway! Badawson16 at aol dot com

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  28. I think I can quote many of the episodes at this point. Lol!

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