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! ! ! New Release ! ! !
Christmas Conspiracy
First Responders book 6
(Love Inspired Suspense)
by Susan Sleeman
WITNESS IN JEOPARDY
It's a typical day at Rachael Long's day-care center—until a masked gunman tries to abduct one of the children in her charge. First response commander Jake Marsh manages to defuse the situation before anyone is harmed…but not before Rachael unmasks the would-be kidnapper. Now Jake must lead a manhunt and protect Rachael from the criminal who's turned his focus on her. But the case is reawakening painful memories for Jake, and Rachael's treating emotional wounds of her own. And with danger mounting as Christmas nears, they must learn to let go of the past in order to outwit a killer…and find the peace that's always eluded them both.
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with Susan Sleeman
#1. What started you on the “Alpine Path” (writing career)?
I always wanted to write a book but like many people today, I was too busy to sit down and do it. Then I was struck with a chronic illness and I was forced to sit for long periods of time. A type A personality, I couldn’t sit and do nothing so I started writing. As the disease progressed, I had more and more time to write and soon I was writing full time and actively pursuing publication.
I always wanted to write a book but like many people today, I was too busy to sit down and do it. Then I was struck with a chronic illness and I was forced to sit for long periods of time. A type A personality, I couldn’t sit and do nothing so I started writing. As the disease progressed, I had more and more time to write and soon I was writing full time and actively pursuing publication.
#2. Are you a full-time author or do you have another job?
I am a full-time author. I had six books release this year. If I didn’t work full-time, that wouldn’t have been possible. It was barely possible as it was. LOL So far, I only have two books and two novellas releasing in 2017, which is a much more manageable schedule. That will likely change, but it’s still more manageable. Wonderful reviewers like you, Jasmine, are likely glad I cut back. ☺
I am a full-time author. I had six books release this year. If I didn’t work full-time, that wouldn’t have been possible. It was barely possible as it was. LOL So far, I only have two books and two novellas releasing in 2017, which is a much more manageable schedule. That will likely change, but it’s still more manageable. Wonderful reviewers like you, Jasmine, are likely glad I cut back. ☺
#3. What is the hardest part of being an author?
Let me first say I am blessed to be able to do what I do. I love creating stories and characters that I would like to meet if they were real. Okay, fine, some days I think they are real. LOL But back to your question. Balancing my time to find
uninterrupted time to write with life events and the many other tasks expected of an author is my greatest challenge. Authors today are expected to promote their books as never before on social media, blogs, a website, and in person. Trust me when I say, that though I enjoy most of it, it takes a lot of time and can seem overwhelming. Especially when a book releases or when a publisher puts books on sale. And with six of them releasing this year and several big sale events, marketing took up a lot of time.
Let me first say I am blessed to be able to do what I do. I love creating stories and characters that I would like to meet if they were real. Okay, fine, some days I think they are real. LOL But back to your question. Balancing my time to find
uninterrupted time to write with life events and the many other tasks expected of an author is my greatest challenge. Authors today are expected to promote their books as never before on social media, blogs, a website, and in person. Trust me when I say, that though I enjoy most of it, it takes a lot of time and can seem overwhelming. Especially when a book releases or when a publisher puts books on sale. And with six of them releasing this year and several big sale events, marketing took up a lot of time.
#4. How has becoming a published author changed your life?
You mean besides all the fame and fortune. LOL I guess the biggest change it has made in life is that I now get paid for what I used to do for free. It has helped our family finances and we have been able to afford to do things we didn’t have the money to do in the past, like remodel our house, but along with book contracts comes the responsibility and increased pressure of meeting deadlines and so, I work a lot more.
You mean besides all the fame and fortune. LOL I guess the biggest change it has made in life is that I now get paid for what I used to do for free. It has helped our family finances and we have been able to afford to do things we didn’t have the money to do in the past, like remodel our house, but along with book contracts comes the responsibility and increased pressure of meeting deadlines and so, I work a lot more.
#5. What genre(s) do you write and what drew you to it/them?
I predominately write romantic suspense but I also do some mysteries for book clubs. I am drawn to romantic suspense, as that is what I like to read. I enjoy the romance aspect, but I need the suspense to keep the book interesting and moving forward for me. Straight romance does not provide the impetus for me to want to pick up the book over and over again. I need that suspense/mystery where I can keep trying to figure out the guilty party or mystery.
I predominately write romantic suspense but I also do some mysteries for book clubs. I am drawn to romantic suspense, as that is what I like to read. I enjoy the romance aspect, but I need the suspense to keep the book interesting and moving forward for me. Straight romance does not provide the impetus for me to want to pick up the book over and over again. I need that suspense/mystery where I can keep trying to figure out the guilty party or mystery.
#6. What is the craziest thing you've done in the name of research?
Hmm, a couple of things come to mind. I once mock tried to smother my daughter to see if she could reach my face to inflict any harm. I also had her pretend she was chained to the wall to see how far away I would have to locate a backpack so she couldn’t reach it and how high she could keep her head above water if a room flooded. I won’t mention the things I’ve attempted to do myself. LOL
Hmm, a couple of things come to mind. I once mock tried to smother my daughter to see if she could reach my face to inflict any harm. I also had her pretend she was chained to the wall to see how far away I would have to locate a backpack so she couldn’t reach it and how high she could keep her head above water if a room flooded. I won’t mention the things I’ve attempted to do myself. LOL
#7. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?
Live in the moment and cherish each moment that I have. Especially when my daughters were younger and before I was diagnosed with the chronic illness. You always hear older people say that life goes by in a blink of an eye, but now that I am one of the older people, I know it’s so true. Also, if I could have a second thing to tell myself, I would have made myself sit down and start writing earlier. But I also know that everything I have experienced in life has made me who I am and allowed me to create the characters I create.
Live in the moment and cherish each moment that I have. Especially when my daughters were younger and before I was diagnosed with the chronic illness. You always hear older people say that life goes by in a blink of an eye, but now that I am one of the older people, I know it’s so true. Also, if I could have a second thing to tell myself, I would have made myself sit down and start writing earlier. But I also know that everything I have experienced in life has made me who I am and allowed me to create the characters I create.
#8. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that has happened in your life as a writer.
What comes to mind first is that when my very first book released, the publisher put the wrong author’s picture in the back of the book. There I was super excited when my author copies arrived. Yes, something I’d worked years for finally
happened. I flipped through the book and when I reached the back page, my heart dropped. Alas, the book was printed by this time and there was nothing the publisher would do to fix the situation. It was a very humbling experience.
What comes to mind first is that when my very first book released, the publisher put the wrong author’s picture in the back of the book. There I was super excited when my author copies arrived. Yes, something I’d worked years for finally
happened. I flipped through the book and when I reached the back page, my heart dropped. Alas, the book was printed by this time and there was nothing the publisher would do to fix the situation. It was a very humbling experience.
Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
A bonus? I always have to go for the bonus. The Bible verse that is really front and center in my life right now is,
A bonus? I always have to go for the bonus. The Bible verse that is really front and center in my life right now is,
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
For some reason, I am not as peaceful as I used to be and I constantly have to remind myself to trust in God and to know that everything works for good according to His purpose, not mine.
 Susan Sleeman | Susan is the bestselling author of Christian/inspirational and clean reads romantic suspense and mysteries. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, Susan channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com. Much to her husband’s dismay, Susan loves to look at everyday situations and turn them into murder and mayhem scenarios for future novels. If you’ve met Susan, she has probably figured out a plausible way to kill you and get away with it. Don’t worry, she’d never follow through on it. |
| Susan currently lives in Oregon, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. She and her amazing husband have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying her grandson, reading, gardening or working on TheSuspenseZone.com. |
