Thursday, August 14, 2008

Author Lisa Harris - BAKER'S FATAL DOZEN - Free Book

Oh boy, another Cozy Crumb Mystery by my friend Lisa Harris.

Welcome, Lisa. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

Honestly, I have my own writing goals, but I’m trying to simply give it all to Him. Something that’s not always easy to do for me. But He’s opened doors in the past couple years that I never would have even knocked on if it were up to me. Right now, I’m enjoying writing mystery and suspense for Barbour and Love Inspired Suspense, and am also working on a suspense series set in Africa.

Goody, I can hardly wait for the series set in Africa to come out. Tell us a little about your family.

I have a wonderful husband, Scott. He took me to Rio earlier this year while we were living in Brazil to celebrate our 18th anniversary which was a lot of fun. We have three great kids, two boys and a girl, ages 7, 9, and 11, as well as two new additions to our family, a Golden Retriever and a Jack Russell. Life is definitely full.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I’d say that biggest challenge I have now is finding enough time to read. I’ve always been an avid reader, but writing and critique take a lot of time. I suppose I’m also a lot pickier about what I read. If something doesn’t grab me right off, then I won’t take the time to read it. There’s enough good stuff out there that I don’t have to read them all.

What are you working on right now?

I’ve just started a historical for Summerside Press which I’m looking forward to writing. It will be released next summer and has a strong mystery thread in it as well as a bit of comedy thrown in to lighten things up.

What outside interests do you have?

I love to read, of course, travel, cook exotic foods from around the world, and hang out with my family.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I prefer using a fictional setting, though I won’t be doing that in my current historical. I’ve chosen settings in places I’ve never been to, like in my Heartsong Presents series set in Massachusetts, but it’s always easier for me to use a setting I’m familiar with. I love foreign settings, but have found them a bit of a harder sell with publishers. Hopefully that will change soon.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Right now I’m reading One Night with the King, (again) so I think I have to choose Esther. Her story has always fascinated me. It says in Acts that God has determined the exact times and places for each one of us to live. He did this so we would seek and find him. Like Esther, we also have a choice. We can remain silent, or do what He’s called us to do.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

Tough question. I’ve had many people come to me ready to write a novel, certain that it will be a piece of cake. Right. My first words of wisdom are for them to realize that this isn’t an easy journey. Not to be discouraging, but you have to pour everything you have into the process and more. There are rejections, dry periods, loneliness, and times you will question what you are doing. But there are also new friends, a place to express your creativity, and that moment when you’ve reached your goal and finished a manuscript, and maybe even received that contract. But publishing shouldn’t always the end goal. Let God teach you along the journey.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

He’s teaching me how to be content no matter what the circumstances around me. Believe it or not, I’m the kind of person who would love to settle down, grow some roots, and stay put, but that’s not the life God has called me to. In the past five years, we’ve lived in four countries, and five houses. This was never a part of my plan, but I know without a doubt that it’s His plan. And if it is His plan, then I have to let Him worry about all the details.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

1. Write, write, and write some more. Everyday if you can.
2. Join a critique group that both challenges and encourages you.
3. Go to conferences to learn the business and make connections with other writers, editors, and agents.



Tell us about the featured book. By the way, I love the cover.

I just finished writing the third book in my Pricilla Crumb series, and it’s been so much fun. Book one, Recipe for Murder, introduced Pricilla Crumb as she jumped headfirst into the roll of an amateur detective. In Baker’s Fatal Dozen, book two, get ready for a second helping of Pricilla Crumb and her hilarious schemes to serve up justice. When Reggie Pierce, who runs Pricilla Crumb’s favorite bakery, is found dead, Pricilla finds herself hot on the trail of another sticky scandal that begins with murder. If you love reading cozy mysteries, you’ll be sure to love Pricilla!

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have a website at www.lisaharriswrites.com and a blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com I love to hear from my readers. Drop me a line.

Thank you, Lisa, for spending this time with us.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Baker's Fatal Dozen.

And check out Lisa's web site and blog. I just love her blog. It's one of the ones I signed up on FeedBlitz to have it come to my Inbox.

32 comments:

Lauralee Bliss said...

Your first book in the series was fantastic. Love to read the second. :)

Lisa Harris said...

Thanks so much for letting me know you liked Recipe for Murder. The series has been so much fun to write. Pricilla was a blast to get to know. :-)

Lisa

Unknown said...

I am always on the lookout for a new cozy mystery. Anything to do with food is right up my alley! Please enter my name in the drawing. Thanks & God Bless!
Kyndra
smile_y9[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

This looks like a fantastic book! I love mysteries. Please enter my name in your drawing!

dbstout{at}juno{dot}com

windycindy said...

Hello! I think Lisa is a wonderful person and author! The cover of her book is fabulous. Her second book in this series sounds like fun to read.
My favorite kind of book is suspense with a quirky character like her heroine! Please enter my name in your drawing. Many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Lisa Harris said...

Thanks for stopping by all!

If you love a good mystery, with a tad of suspense, a very quirky heroine, and a few scrumptious dishes along the way, I think you'll love not only this book but all of Heartsong Presents: Mysteries books in their new book club.

You can check them out here: www.heartsongmysteries.com/LisaHarris0001

Blessings!

Lisa

Ausjenny said...

dont enter me. I just wanted to say I hope some of the foreign settings do sell. I enjoy reading about other countries.
I have book one but haven't read it yet and I see this one is in the next cycle I will receive. I love the cozy mysteries just not having time to read them at the moment.

Anonymous said...

Lena and Lisa, great interview.
Janice Olson

Karen said...

Great interview! I love getting introduced to new authors and series books;) Thanks,

kpuleski at gmail dot com

apple blossom said...

oh, this sounds like a wonderful book. Food always catches my attention.

Deborah Vogts said...

Hey Lisa,

I'd love to win this book! Thanks for the interview Lena. ;)

Anonymous said...

WOW Lisa, can hardly wait to get hold of your new book... I haven't been much of a reader lately but the Massacusetts Brides series had me stuck till I finished them, so I'm sure this will also be a great read. Just a pity your books are so hard to come by here in South Africa.

Blessings
Trys

NancyMehl said...

I'm on of Lisa's fans. I loved her first Priscilla Crumb novel and am looking forward to the second!

Great interview, Lisa!

Nancy Mehl

Eileen said...

Too fun reading Lisa's stories. This next one looks scrumptious, too.

Great interview.

Anonymous said...

Lisa,
I always love your books and look forward to the latest one!! I also am encouraged and in awe of all you do and the amazing path God is leading you down. Your great faith is an inspiration!! (Both yours and Scotts!) Love you guys! Lila

Lisa Harris said...

You all have made my day. :-) So much, in fact, that I'll tell Lena to draw two names for a free copy!

And yes, Jenny, I love foreign settings too. Allows you to see the world without having to leave your front porch.

Lisa

Merry said...

I have Recipe for Murder coming my way via a friend. I would love to read this next book! Delicious cover!

worthy2Bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Breanna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Breanna said...

Great interview!


Breanna Cole



krispykremesarewhatilongfor@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I really like the cover. But it makes me hungry.

Anonymous said...

How fun a culinary cozy I just love mysteries !
Thanks for letting us have a taste of all that you offer . . . I too look forward to the African Suspense! Great interview and it looks like a great book and I'd be pleased to be included in the drawing . . .

artist4christ at cyberhaus dot us

Anonymous said...

Yay for cozy mysteries! This is sure to be a great follow-up!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

SmilingSally said...

I'd like to be considered for this book giveaway. It sounds like a goodie!
smilingsal55[at]yahoo[dot]com

Lisa Harris said...

Thanks for stopping by all you cozy mystery lovers. :-) I'm reading a historical now, but suddenly have the urge for a bit of mystery, meyham. . .and a thick pot of home made stew.

Happy weekend,

Lisa

Jackie said...

I have never read any of Lisa's books and would love the chance to read this one. It sounds great! jackiemunger@hotmail.com

Stonefox said...

I hope I win, I hope I win! I live overseas and would LOVE to read this book by someone else living, writing, and working overseas.

Carole said...

I love cozy mysteries, and an inspirational slant makes them even better. Thank you for the interview and chance to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Lisa Harris said...

How fun to see several different countries represented here! Isn't the internet great!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Lisa

Carolynn said...

Yummy looking cover :) I would love to read the book, thanks for the chance to win!

Lucie said...

Please enter me in the drawing for Baker's Fatal Dozen. I have not read any of the Christian Mystery's with food yet! I am really curious as to how the food is brought into the mysteries... and I am hoping that there are recipes as well. A girl can hope can't she?
Thank you for the great interviews too!

Blessings,
Lucie

LucieInCA [at] aol [dot] com

Theresa N. said...

I love reading cozy mysterys.
theresa n
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I love mysteries!!
I would really like to read some of your books :)