Sunday, March 09, 2008

Author Lisa Harris - Recipe for Murder - Free Book

I'm happy to welcome back my good friend Lisa Harris. We're introducing her first Heartsong Presents Mystery release. By the way, I love the new picture of you, Lisa.

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

A verse that has always stood out in my mind is for everything I do, I want to do it in the name of the Lord. My heart’s desire is to be able to use my talents to glorify Him.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Wow, that’s hard, because in looking back, I see so many amazing milestones. My marriage, the birth of my three children. . .I’ll stop at those four.

How has being published changed your life?

What stands out at the moment is how it’s forced me to become more disciplined. Because we are currently living in Brazil without a car, learning Portuguese and home schooling, I’d planned to take off a few months from writing. That hasn’t happened. So while there are definitely no complaints on my side that I have book deadlines, I do have to be extremely disciplined in order to get everything done. Little, if any TV, unless it’s in Portuguese, no Internet surfing, no chatting on line. . .You get the picture.

What are you reading right now?

Book two in Brandt Dodson’s Colton Parker Mystery series.

What is your current work in progress?

An international suspense set in Africa that I’m absolutely loving writing.

I can hardly wait to read it. What would be your dream vacation?

Up until now, my favorite vacation has been going on safari in Africa, but being in Brazil, I really want to take a cruise to the Antarctica. Unfortunately, it’s way too expensive, but we are planning to visit the Amazon before we leave which really excites me as well.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I think the setting needs to be like a character in the book. I like to use a familiar place, but normally make it a fictional so I can add my own ideas and depth to the location. Right now, I’m enjoying Africa as a setting and the chance to pull together many of the places I’ve seen into one exiting (and fictional) local.

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

I’d spent it with my mom. It’s hard living so far away from her, especially during the holidays.

I'm sure that's right. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to try out new recipes when I have the time. And while it might not be a hobby, I spend a lot of time playing games with our kids like Mexican Train and Monopoly and reading together.

I love Mexican Train, Monopoly, and reading, too. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Probably fatigue. While I’ve become more disciplined, I’ve also learned to give myself a break and get the rest I need. I don’t have to be superwoman.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Don’t give up. This is a tough business to be in. Join a critique group, attend conferences, and most importantly, write. Then write some more.

Tell us about the featured book.

Recipe for Murder is book one in my Cozy Crumb mystery series and will be released on January 18th from Heartsong Presents: Mysteries. Check out their site for details on how to join this exciting new book club at www.heartsongpresentsmysteries.com .

Blurb: Pricilla Crumb’s guest list has just turned into a suspect list. . .for murder. Pricilla never expected to be involved in a real life mystery, but that’s exactly where she finds herself when she joins her son at his hunting lodge in the beautiful Colorado mountains. Laced with a spiritual message and a sprinkle of romance, this unconventional busybody follows one lead after another, dishing up laughter and suspense along the way.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can stop by my website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or my blog for a peek into live in Africa (and Brazil for the moment) at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com

I subscribe to Lisa's blog on Feedblitz. I love it when her posts come. They're all very interesting.

Remember, readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Recipe for Murder. And don't for get to check back in a couple of weeks to see if you won.

36 comments:

Stormi said...

I love a good mystery so please put my name in the drawing.

Thanks,
Stormi
ladystorm82001 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I love mysteries, so please pick me! :)

windycindy said...

Hello, I have read good things about this book. Mysteries are my favorite kind of book to read. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Karin said...

Sounds like an interesting book. Always love a good mystery!

Unknown said...

Great Interview Lena, and congrats on your own interview that I saw in the loop! I am giving away two books I purchased from the DFW Ready Writers on Saturday! Anyone who would like a chance to win please come on over by using this link FREE BOOKS!.

cathikin said...

A mystery at a dinner party in a hunting lodge--almost sounds like an Agatha Christie type mystery, which is GREAT! I'd love to rea this book. Interesting interview. I like your new picture, too, Lisa.
Cathi
chassan2 at hotmail . com

Anonymous said...

The book sounds wonderful. I'd love to win a copy.

Thanks,
Jo
ladijo40@aol.com

Lisa Harris said...

Thanks so much for stopping by! This was such a fun book to write. If you like cozy mysteries, I think you'll love Pricilla and her quirky adventures.

And if you like Recipe for Murder, get ready for a second helping of Pricilla 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.(Coming this August!)

Blessings!

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Being a mom cooking and recipes are my life. Mystery just adds to it. I think this is a book I'll want to read. Sounds interesting to me.

Marcie Gribbin said...

Please enter me for the drawing. Thanks!
Blessings,
Marcie

mggribbin(at)gmail(dot)com

CherryBlossomMJ said...

I'm really starting to like mysteries. Being in Brazil probably gives her plenty of brainstorming ideas. Please put my name in!

cherryblossommj(at)gmail[dot]com

Lisa Harris said...

Cherry blossom. . .

We just got back from visiting the Amazon, and yes, it really got my creative juices going. Another very intriguing setting! There's got to be a book or two in that. :-)

Lisa

Hannah said...

great interview! i'd love to win a copy of this book! hsmuda[at]gmail[dot]com thanks!

Dona Watson said...

Great interview! Please enter my name in the drawing.

Dona
dlwatson at verizon [dot]net

Susan Stitch said...

I'm very excited that Heartsong has started a new mystery line -- I can't wait to see how successful it is. It sounds like Lisa has a lot of fabulous travel experiences that will show up in future books. I'd like to be entered in the drawing for her new book!

Susan
likes_to_stamp@sbcglobal.net

ChristyJan said...

The Cozy Crumb mystery series sounds like a series I would enjoy. I'd love to be entered to win a copy of Recipe for Murder.

hawkes AT cilink.net

Carolynn said...

Sounds like a fun read:) Please enter me, thanks!

Sandra Robbins said...

I received your book with my first shipment of Heartsong Presents Mysteries. I've heard so much about this book I can hardly wait to read it.

I enjoyed the interview, Lisa. I had no idea you were in Brazil.

Sandra Robbins

Mary Connealy said...

don't put me in the drawing. I've already got my copy. Great interview.

NancyMehl said...

Wonderful interview, Lisa! You sound way more organized than me. LOL!

I can hardly wait to read your book. It sounds yummy! (Grin)

Nancy

Lisa Harris said...

Organized, Nancy? Well, I try. LOL

Thanks for stopping by ladies! Don't you just love a good cozy! If you haven't already signed up to join the book club, check it out! You'll love it.

http://www.heartsongmysteries.com

Lisa

Sign out said...

Good interview, Lisa! I just got my first batch of Heartsong Mysteries in the mail today - can't wait to read 'em all!

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview! Please enter me in the drawing.

Patty said...

That was a great interview. I would love to win the book.

pleblanc_1@charter.net

Anonymous said...

Cozy mysteries are my genre of choice right now and Lisa's sounds great. Please enter me in your drawing.

Blessings,
Becca
becca dot dowling at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I have been looking for a good mystery. Don't know when the drawing ends but hope I can still win a free book!

Shirley Corder said...

Hi Lisa,

I love your new photo, and I'd love your new book. It sounds fun, and I'm keen to see the way you've put it together.

Love from your S.African sister, Shirl. :-)

Elizabeth Ludwig said...

I'm so glad to see so many people clamoring for mysteries! There's definitely a place in the market, right?

Lisa, can't wait to read your book!

Hope Chastain said...

My whole comment just disappeared!

Wonderful interview! I'd love to read the book. If I'm not too late to enter, please enter me! Thanks!

Lisa, what a blessing that you get to have the experience of living in exotic places. It gives you so much background you can use in future books. I know the Lord will continue to use you and your family everywhere you go!

hope _ chastain at yahoo dot com (no spaces)

Dawn Michelle Michals said...

I love Lisa! I can't wait to read this book!

Write on -

Dawn :)

Lucie B. said...

I would love for you to enter me in this contest for "Recipe for Murder" As always love the interview with Lisa!

Blessings,
Lucie

LucieInCA@aol.com

Lisa Harris said...

Ya'll are so encouraging! Thanks for all your comments and for stopping by. (All the way from my other home in SA!)

And as you can see, there's still a bit of Texas left inside me. :-)

Lisa

Anonymous said...

my wife needs some relaxing reading to see her through a long easter break - she's a teacher! she needs the break. please pick her

tx
ross

Anonymous said...

Your book sounds wonderful, Lisa. I can't imagine how you can be learning a new language in Brazil and still keep up the writing! One of these days I'd love to read your books, and this one sounds like a nice place to start!

Megan said...

This book sounds really interesting.
Thanks for offering this drawing.
mopsmomut[at]yahoo[dot]com

Bunny B said...

I haven't read a good mystery for so long! Please let me have a chance! Thanks :)


bunnybox9 [at] lycos [dot] com