Honestly, it was because I was sidelined by a chronic health
issue. I always wanted to write a book, but I was busy with family and my career,
and I don’t think I would ever have slowed down enough to learn the craft and
write that first book if God hadn’t brought life to a screeching halt for me.
But once I started writing, I pursued the work because I loved creating the
stories and loved being able to share my faith through them.
If you weren’t an
author, what would be your dream job?
I would love to be a graphic designer. I love doing website
design—I have designed my own site and the site for www.TheSuspenseZone.com—and creating
promotional graphics. And I just love fonts. Weird I know, but I think they
convey so much, and I also think graphic design would be a great outlet for my
creative side. Of course, I am untrained and would need lots of schooling but
it would be fun to learn.
If you could have
lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
I would definitely need indoor plumbing. LOL I love shows
and movies set in the 1920’s and 30’s so I would choose this time. Not only for
the promise our country held in those days, but I would like to see the
timeframe my parents experienced, and then as an adult, to see what was really
happening in our country when I was growing up.
What place in the United States
have you not visited that you would like to?
I have lived in nine states and traveled a lot for my prior
job, but have not spent any time in the New England
states and would love to visit.
I would, too,
especially in autumn. How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
I would love to go to England
or Scotland .
I watch a lot of BBC television shows and would like to see some of the places
featured in the series I love to watch. And I wrote a mystery set in Scotland so had
to do a lot of research and would love to see the actual places I spent so much
time investigating.
I haven’t set a novel
in Scotland ,
but I’ve used several Scottish characters in novels, and I understand all the
research, but I love it. What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
I have been recently diagnosed with a second chronic illness
that is really trying my faith, and I am having to learn that we have to live
beyond our circumstances. That God is in them and on the other side of them,
and He will bring us through the difficult things. I need this hope to make it
through some of the most difficult days.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Dead Ringer is book one in my Truth Seekers series, where
people are rarely who they seem
A twin who never knew her sister existed, a mother whose
child is not her own, a woman whose father is anything but her father. All
searching. All seeking. All needing help and hope.
The Truth Seekers—unsung heroes of the Veritas Center—is a
team, six strong, that includes experts in forensic anthropology, DNA, trace
evidence, ballistics, cybercrimes, and toxicology. Committed to restoring hope
and families by solving one mystery at a time, none of them are prepared for
when the mystery comes calling too close to home and threatens to destroy the
only life they’ve known.
And here are the details of this first book, Dead
Ringer -
She was hiding from her past…
When a local woman goes missing and Sheriff Blake Jenkins delivers her blood sample to DNA expert Emory Steele for analysis, Blake discovers Emory is a dead ringer for the missing woman. Blake’s gut says the woman is related to Emory. But Emory rejects the notion, requiring a DNA test before she’ll concede that she does indeed have a twin sister she never knew about.
When a local woman goes missing and Sheriff Blake Jenkins delivers her blood sample to DNA expert Emory Steele for analysis, Blake discovers Emory is a dead ringer for the missing woman. Blake’s gut says the woman is related to Emory. But Emory rejects the notion, requiring a DNA test before she’ll concede that she does indeed have a twin sister she never knew about.
Now she’ll do anything to see it come to light.
Emory joins Blake in a search for her missing sister, but when an attempt is made to abduct Emory as well, they begin to think the abduction is related to Emory’s birth parents. Blake vows to keep her under his watchful eye until they discover what this maniac is looking for and bring him to justice. But Emory balks at his constant surveillance as she’s struggling to come to grips with a former brutal attack, and she wants nothing to do with a man who might want to get close to her. When it becomes clear that Blake is the only one who can keep her safe, will she let him get close enough to do so?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Blood-infused water circled the shower drain in Caitlyn
Abbot’s bathroom and disappeared. Like Caitlyn. Like her life. Like everything
she touched.
“This is your last chance, Caitlyn.” Her captor lurked in
the shadows, his large nose seeming even bigger in an otherwise unremarkable
face. “Tell me where she is, or I swear I’ll kill you before the night’s out.”
“If I knew, don’t you think I’d have told you by now?” She
struggled against her restraints—twisting, turning her wrists as she sat tied
to a chair in her bathroom shower. The heavy duct tape held firm—had held firm
for five long hours of pain and mental battering by the man she’d come to think
of as Igor.
He lumbered across the tiny bathroom. The white coveralls he
wore whispered against his legs as his rubber boots thumped on the tile floor.
He circled his calloused fingers around her neck. Rough, sandpapery fingers
rested lightly against her skin, a grin overtaking his wide mouth.
She stared up at his face, zoning in on a chipped upper
tooth as she’d done for hours to keep from recoiling in fear. He rubbed a hand
over his blond hair, and it came to rest behind an ear that protruded like
Dopey’s ears, though this man was far from a dwarf. He was sturdy and tall.
His smile vanished, and he curled his fingers tight, his
nails piercing her skin, adding to her already unbearable pain level.
“Stop lying to me.” Spittle clung to the corners of his
mouth.
Cait bit her lip to keep from crying out and giving him the
satisfaction of knowing he was hurting her. “I’m not lying. Please. You have to
believe me.”
Intriguing. How can
readers find you on the Internet?
To learn more about my books sign up for her monthly email
that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies. http://www.susansleeman.com/susans-newsletter/
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Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Sleeman/e/B003ANF6Z8
Review Site - http://www.TheSuspenseZone.com
Thank you, Susan, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I'm eager to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book.
Dead Ringer: (Truth Seekers Book 1) - PaperbackDead Ringer: (Truth Seekers Book 1) - Kindle
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Hello from a dreary cold and rainy central Texas! I love the premise of this suspense novel and I do wonder if she knew at some point in her life that she had a twin? The plot certainly is intriguing!
ReplyDeleteperrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
Perrianne Askew
I am intrigued by this book and would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Backus, TX
Thanks for stopping by Melanie! Glad the book sounds intriguing to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Melanie! Glad the book sounds intriguing to you.
ReplyDeletePerianne, In Dead Ringer the character never knew she had a twin. It's rainy here in Oregon, too!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it will be an exciting story to read. Linda in So Cal
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
Glad you think it sounds exciting, Linda. I loved writing it.
ReplyDeleteHello from Colorado! I enjoyed reading the interview and getting to know you a little better! I would love to read this book. I’m a fan of romantic suspense but haven’t read any of your books yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Gina! Best wishes in winning.
ReplyDeleteOops, Abigail in VA
ReplyDeleteThanks, Abigail! Best wishes in winning.
ReplyDeleteSounds terrific :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy and thanks or stopping by!
ReplyDeleteEnter me in your awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteConway SC.
Thanks for stopping by Sharon!
ReplyDeleteWould love to read this book Thank you for the chance! SARAHTAYLOR601973(at)YAHOO(dot)COM
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance. Still have some snow on the ground in WV.
ReplyDeleteI love suspense! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com