I had to ask Susan back for this third book in the series. Welcome, Susan. Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was saved when I was eight years old. I grew up in a Christian family, and I may even have been saved earlier, but it was at this age that I understood what it meant and so I look at this as the time when I truly received Christ.
How did you and your husband meet?
How did you and your husband meet?
Jim was my brother’s college roommate. He had relatives in Maine, and one Christmas he rode home with my brother and sister to visit his relatives. He got sick while at our house and stayed about a week. I was only 13 at the time, and he was about 19, and we didn’t stay in touch at the time. But several years later, when I went to college, he remembered me and tracked down an address and began to write to me.
Very romantic. Now, Susan, you’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
Ooo! Can they be authors who are no longer with us? Because I would absolutely love to pick the brains of Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, for instance. Plotting finesse, unforgettable characters and just plain beautiful writing. I’d also add Taylor Caldwell for some help on narrative savvy, sense of history, and epic sweep. Let’s see, now, that’s three Brits. I need an American. And since this is an all-girl party so far, I’m not sure a male author would be comfortable at our cozy retreat. Harper Lee is still living as I write this, and I hear she’s very shy, but I’d LOVE to talk to her. What characters are more memorable than Scout Finch and Boo Radley? I think this group of writers could come up with the greatest novel ever, but I’m a little hazy on the genre—maybe a Southern-British historical epic mystery? Perfect! I’ve refused to “brand” for years now. We’d have to come up with a pen name for all of us working together. DoroChris Taylor Lee Davis?
Let me know when you first book comes out. :-) I know you have a singing and speaking ministry. Tell us about that.
Let me know when you first book comes out. :-) I know you have a singing and speaking ministry. Tell us about that.
I do? Oops, I think this question was meant for someone else. :-) Actually, I do speak occasionally, and I’ve been known to sing in our church choir. When I speak, it is mostly to small groups—civic groups, clubs, and ladies’ groups. I have taught a few sessions at writers’ conferences as well. I love talking to people about writing. My favorite part of speaking is the question and answer time.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you
handle it?
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you
handle it?Oh, someone told you about the battery, didn’t they? Yeah, I’m the one who swallowed a battery. Perhaps you, like the physician who examined me in the ER, are wondering WHY I did this. Well, let’s just make it clear—it was a BUTTON battery about the size of a Metformin tablet (which I take to stabilize my blood sugar). Don’t ever put the pill in one pocket and the battery you plan to replace that day in the other pocket. That’s all I’m gonna say. But the nurses said plenty.
Interesting! People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
Interesting! People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
I’d tell them to have at it. We were all there at one time. The thing I would emphasize is that “Someday” is now. If you truly want to be a writer, you have to write, and thinking about it won’t make you an author.
So true. Now tell us about the featured book.
Claudia Gillette, an ambitious magazine writer, will do anything for a good story. Her go-getter attitude lands her in all kinds of trouble. She’s determined to shed her small-town Maine girl past and run with the big leagues. When she stumbles upon the fact that a special forces unit of the Navy includes a female, she determines to snag an interview with that woman. The gymnastics she performs to get that story leaves her brother-in-law, Lt. Pierre Belanger, with a developing ulcer. As he says to his friend, Commander George Hudson, “We love Claudia, but…”
Claudia’s tenacity puts her in the middle of a top secret mission in the Philippine jungle. She has to live with the knowledge that several men died because she jumped into their well-laid plans. Lt. Bill White is left in charge of the unit after their leader is killed, and keeping Claudia alive is nearly as difficult as his main purpose—rescuing a kidnapped scientist and his family from terrorists.
Inside Story is the third book in my military-themed, romantic suspense American Heroes series, but it can be read by itself and you’ll be fine. If you can’t find Book 1 (Frasier Island), check my Website. It’s available there.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Visit my Web site at: http://www.susanpagedavis.com/. The trailer for Inside Story is posted there. It’s like a commercial for the book—lots of fun! I love to hear from readers, and I have a book giveaway each month on my site.
Thank you, Susan, for spending this time with us. You're always a fun guest.
Readers, if you can't wait to get your hands on Inside Story, here's a link where you can order it:
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