A VISIT WITH ELIZABETH GODDARD

By Patricia Bradley

I am so excited to interview Elizabeth Goddard on our blog today. Before she got so crazy busy with writing, she was a Suspense Sister and I'm always looking for ways to lure her back. lol. But I understand deadlines and so I kinda understand why she left us.

Okay...last week, Deadly Target, book two in the Rocky Mountain series about three childhood friends, Terra, Erin, and Alex released, and I'm here to tell you, it kept me reading past one two nights in a row to finish it.

Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her own life in a boating accident on Puget Sound and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job as a criminal psychologist to care for her mother in Montana. At least she is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.

Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.

As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and that the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.

The race is on for the truth in this gripping and complex tale of suspense, intrigue, and murder from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard.

Elizabeth, you're a native Texan, but the series takes place in the Montana mountains. Can tell us a little about why you chose Montana?

Yes, I am a native Texan, but I’ve traveled extensively and lived in six states, and currently reside in Washington state. My husband is a Montanan, so I already had a lot of knowledge about Montana and a ready resource in him. As for the locations in the Rocky Mountain Courage series, I created a fictional setting for the stories, but I’ve also been to other locations mentioned, including Boston in Deadly Target, and I live near Puget Sound/Seattle area. Anything else that I didn’t know from firsthand knowledge, I relied on the usual research—books, Internet, YouTube, experts.

Yes, research. What did you learn in doing research for Deadly Target?

Erin is a criminal psychologist who has a crime podcast so I researched and learned a lot about that! I had to listen to several to understand how they worked and to write that additional layer in the story, but before writing this story, I had never listened to a crime podcast. I also took a deeper dive into criminal psychology and all that field of study entails.

When I listened to crime podcasts, one, in particular, brought me to tears and it took me days to get over it. I think that writing suspense can often take us to dark places in order to find the most accurate portrayal of crime and the evils of this world and researching for Deadly Target was no exception.

Oh, wow. Sometimes it's hard for a writer to put her head into the criminal's mind! so what was the fun part about writing Deadly Target?

I had the most fun twisting up the plot. I had ideas in my head about the way I wanted to unfold the layers, and I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off.

Oh, you pulled it off, all right! That book hooked me from the get-go! What's the biggest obstacle you face in writing?

Right now, my biggest challenge is finding the time to write and give my novels the love and care they need. I’m juggling a lot in my life with a big move a few weeks ago and a special needs son, and time is the most valuable commodity. I’m fortunate to have enough experience that I have the rhythm of my stories down, so that helps.

So, what's next for your readers?

Critical Alliance, Rocky Mountain Courage 3 will release next year. I’m working on a new series set in Alaska for Revell, and I also write for Love Inspired Suspense and two books a year release with them.

You are very busy! Thanks for taking the time to visit with us today!

Readers--leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for a copy of Deadly Target! Winner announced next Friday here in the comments. (Must have Continental US Address) And leave your contact information!

Oh, and I'm reviewing Deadly Target on my blog today! Leave a comment and you get two entries for a drawing of Present Danger (That's what I'm giving away on my blog) and Deadly Target!