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

WHAT'S HOT IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE AND MYSTERY

Book # 3 in the Amish Bishop Mystery series, Who the Bishop Knows, has just released from Vannetta Chapman and Harvest House Publishers.
 

Here’s a bit about the story:  At the annual Ski Hi Stampede rodeo in Monte Vista, Colorado, and Amish man dies in what appears an unfortunate accident. Amish bishop Henry Lapp who often helps with investigations did not actually see Jeremiah Schwartz’s death. When there are threats to the community, they realize a murderer is among them. Bishop Lapp will have to use his human character skill to help crack this case. 

Welcome, Vannetta Chapman to Suspense Sisters!

Today, Mary Ells has the singular pleasure of interviewing a great writer and personal friend, Vannetta Chapman. 

Vannetta has a new Amish mystery series. Book one ~ What the Bishop Needs is already out. Book 2 ~  The Bishop Needs an Alibi releases at the end of this month. Vannetta is willing to give away a signed print copy of each book to a lucky reader who leaves a comment. Details after the interview. 

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

VC: I’d say I’m an energetic country girl with a fierce love for good storytelling, friends and family, and the Lord.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies? They’re interesting to me! Let’s see—quilting, piano, hiking, gym rat, pets, music, gardening.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

No one seems to remember these. I loved reading all the Cherry Aimes books. She was a nurse—an amazing nurse. She did everything from surgical, to baby wards, to triage. I loved those books and devoured them all!

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

I don’t eat white foods, I have a phobia about driving over extremely tall bridges, and I teach English composition at my local community college.

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

I started writing romantic suspense when I first acquired my agent. We switched to Amish romance. From there I went to Amish mystery, then dystopian, and a few inspirational suspense. I still write all of them! Basically, I enjoy telling stories, and I’ll write whatever my editor asks me to write.

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

I was recently told not to write “episodic writing.” After publishing 20 books, I had no idea what my editor meant, so I emailed her back and asked her to explain. She kindly sent me a few articles, and now I understand it means you need constant tension/conflict in your story. Got it! Watch out for lots of tension and conflict in my future releases. :)

The best compliment was probably when I had turned in my dystopian series, and my editor kept texting me saying—

“How could you…”

“Oh. It’s okay.”

“It’s NOT okay. How could you…”

I loved that! It showed that she was really captivated by the story, and that’s the best compliment I can receive if I can transport a reader to another place.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why? Oh my. Hmmmm…I tried sci fi and couldn’t do it. I can READ sci fi, but I freeze up when I try to write it. I also don’t think I could write historical, though I greatly admire people who do. Other than that…I’m open to suggestions.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be? I would worry less. Honestly, I spent nights tossing over a poor PW review (that book won ACFW’s best mystery of 2012), worrying about contracts (they keep coming when it’s all said and done), fearing my career was over before it had begun (it’s not). So I would worry less, and trust the Lord more. An easy thing to say in hindsight.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors? Keep writing. Too many newbies give up too soon. The first book I had published by a major publisher was the 9th book I had written. Sometimes it takes a few to hit the “slot” publishers have open, and your craft improves as you write. So please…keep writing.

Here's a blurb about Book 1 ~ What the Bishop Saw:

Somewhere in the Embers Lies the Truth. A fire blazes out of control in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, leaving an elderly Amish bachelor dead. Bishop Henry Lapp rushes to the scene, and he learns the fire was no accident. Someone intended to kill Vernon Frey. But who would want to kill Vernon? Well, practically everyone—Amish and Englisch alike.

When the police point the finger at a suspect Henry knows is innocent, the bishop must decide whether or not to use his mysterious, God-given gift—one he's tried desperately to ignore all these years—to try and set the record straight. His close friend and neighbor, Emma, encourages Henry to follow God's leading.Could the clue to solving the case be locked somewhere deep in his memory? Will Henry find the courage to move forward in faith and put the right person behind bars? Is his friendship with Emma becoming something more? What the Bishop Saw is a story of extraordinary talents, the bonds of love and friendship, and the unfailing grace of God.

Remember, Book 2 of the Bishop Series, The Bishop Needs An Alibi, releases at the end of this month.

Please leave Vannetta a comment to be entered in the drawing. One winner will be picked to win a copy of What the Bishop Saw and one winner will be picked to win a copy of The Bishop Needs An Alibi.  US readers only. 

Creative Minds and the Need for Sleep by Mary Ellis

Read any author interview or listen in on any conversation between writers and you will hear one universal theme: There aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Between day-jobs, spouses, kids, houses that need to be cleaned, and meals to get on the table—how does a writer find enough time to write? Once you’re published, you must factor in time for editing your last book, publicity for the current release, research for the next one to be written, and coming up with ideas for an outstanding proposal. Wait a minute. What about email, keeping up with your blog, and that social media Goliath lurking in the corner, ready to devour an hour—or day—or two? So little time, so much to do. Writers are ingenious when it comes to squeezing more into their workdays. We become masters at multi-tasking, but sleep is often what gets short-changed.

Instead of slipping on our jammies, dimming the lights, turning off communication devices, and slipping under Grandma’s quilt at a decent hour, we network into the wee hours. Then we face the next writing day sleep deprived. Besides packable bags beneath our eyes and crabby temperaments, there is another downside few authors consider. Sleep-time is also dream-time, and there is no better way to recharge your creative batteries than to dream. Especially during REM sleep, our dreams are often vivid enough to practically jump into and direct the outcome. The more we dream, the more we revitalize the right side of our brains. I’m not a dream therapist, nor do I play one on TV. But for years I’ve noticed my work after a good, dream-filled night’s sleep. Creativity thrives on rest, not extra caffeine. So the next time you find the middle of your story sagging, your characters suddenly have nothing interesting to say, or your next turning point is as predictable as January snow in Minnesota, don’t reach for another cup of coffee. Instead brew a cup of chamomile tea, dim the lights, turn off your phone and go catch some zzzz’s. Your writing will thank me in the morning.

Mary Ellis has written twelve award-winning novels set in the Amish community and several historical romances. Her latest, Magnolia Moonlight, is part of a new mystery series, Secrets of the South, from Harvest House Publishers. Before "retiring" to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate, a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. She enjoys traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming, and lives in Ohio with her husband, dog and cat. Sunset in Old Savannah will release in early 2017. She can be found on the web at: www.maryellis.net or www.facebook.com/Mary-Ellis/Author

Please leave Mary a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Magnolia Moonlight. US residents only please.