Today I'm interviewing fellow Revell author Natalie Walters about her debut novel, Living Lies
If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?
Tea loyalist, who loves her family fiercely, and enjoys traveling so long as I have a plan.
Tea loyalist, huh? I'm an Earl Grey gray! What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?
Reading. Traveling. Spending time with my family. I don’t think I have any real hobbies necessarily but I do love trying new recipes.
What was your favorite book as a teen or child?
Ramona Quimby first, and then The Babysitter’s Club. I no longer have the books and am currently hunting them down in thrift stores. I think I have five of the BSC out of 150 or something. Long ways to go!
Interesting choices. Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
I dislike surprises very, very much.
I used to read the encyclopedia as a child, for fun. The entire set. Then moved on to the dictionary.
Folding laundry is my favorite household chore.
Surprises, as in the waitstaff singing happy birthday to you at a restaurant? I get you, girl! What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?
Read outside your genre. I’ve learned so much about setting description, story structure, and character and plot development by reading historical, fantasy, contemporary, and even non-fiction. It’s a game changer and almost as important as reading books on craft.
This is your debut novel. What would you like readers to know about your story?
Living Lies began as a character-driven story (normally I’m plot driven) with Lane Kent. I began writing her personal story before the plot began developing as a way to deal with some of the things happening in my real life surrounding mental health. The truths Lane learns in this story are the very things I wanted spoken into the life of my own child.
I was very touched by Lane's depression. While it doesn't touch me, I have several good friends who suffer from it. What’s next from Natalie Walters?
Deadly Deceit releases in November 2019 and brings readers back to Walton and into the lives of Deputy Ryan Frost and reporter, Vivian DeMarco. This dynamic duo are forced to work together as they investigate the untimely death of another journalist leading them on a twisted hunt for someone called the Watcher.
Back cover copy:
In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name—but no one knows your secret.
At least that’s what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead is a dead body.
Lane must work with Walton’s newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that truth hits too close to home, she’ll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.
“A nail-biter that will make you play hooky from your day job, feed your children cereal for supper, and not stop reading until the last page.”—Jaime Jo Wright, author of The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond and the award-winning The House on Foster Hill
“Natalie Walters has masterfully woven an emotionally charged suspense and love story. It’s the perfect book for the avid romantic-suspense reader.”—DiAnn Mills, author of Burden of Proof, www.DiAnnMills.com
Bio
Natalie Walters is a military wife who currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past.
You can purchase Living Lies at:
Do you think most people understand depression? Leave a comment for a chance at winning Living Lies. Be sure to leave your contact information in the comment! (Winner will be announced in the comments Tuesday night.)