Here we are with another book in the Without a Trace series by Love Inspired Suspense. Welcome, Patricia. I just love reading these series by Love Inspired Suspense. What is the name of the series this book is in, and where in the series does it occur?A Cloud of Suspicion is book # 4 in the Without a Trace series. It’s an April release from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense, and it’s my first attempt at a suspense book.
Who came up with the idea for the series?
You know, I’m not sure who had the original idea. The projects are proposed and developed by Steeple Hill editors. I got into the series because I was contacted by Steeple Hill through my agent and asked if I would like to participate. Since I had just finished a book for the Love Inspired continuity Homecoming Heroes, I wasn’t too sure that I wanted to take on another one just yet. However, I’m certainly glad I did.
I know that working on a series that weaves together takes a lot of work. How did your team schedule the work?
I love people who schedule their lives and work. I always wanted to be one of them. Instead, I’m a crisis junkie. Take housework. If I did it every day the house would be clean, and I wouldn’t have to break out the backhoe when my mother calls to say she’s coming over. Nope, that’s not me.
But I digress. Back to the question. All the authors received what’s called “the bible” or outline of the stories and character sketches and then we had a certain amount of time to draft our first three chapters and turn them in. The first thing we did was to set up an e-mail loop, then we read all the story lines and picked apart and repaired any contradictions we found. There were a few. Things like one character’s name had been inadvertently changed from book one to something different in another book. Details are so important in a suspense book. Once we ironed those out, we got underway. This entailed lots of e-mailing each other.
Did you find it hard to work within the series framework?
Yes and no. How easy or difficult a continuity is depends a lot on the authors involved. I was privileged to work with some great women on this series. A Cloud of Suspicion was difficult for several other reasons. First, it was my first suspense novel, and I wasn’t sure I could write suspense, and I really didn’t want to let the other authors down. Second, I didn’t get to reveal the killer. For me, that was worse than cleaning the oven. Did I mention I hate housework?
What other books have you had published?Thank you for asking. I have seven previously published book. They are all from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. His Bundle of Love, Love Thine Enemy, Prodigal Daughter (book 5 of the Davis Landing series), The Color of Courage, Military Daddy, A Matter of the Heart (book 4 in Homecoming Heroes series) and A Military Match.
Besides A Cloud of Suspicion, I have two additional books coming out this year. Speed Trap, another suspense book in September and A Family for Thanksgiving (book 5 in the After the Storm series)
When you aren’t writing or spending time with your family, what is your favorite activity?
Not housework. I like movies. My husband has this enormous DVD collection and we watch a lot of our favorites when we aren’t puttering around in the yard. I love to travel and I get to do a fair amount of that when I’m researching storylines.
Where do you do most of your writing?
I have a home office. I’m chained to my computer most days. I have a new series I’m working on that will feature Amish characters. My writing time is 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Yes, you read that right. I’m a night owl. It’s easier to ignore dust bunnies in dim light.
What part of the country do you live it? And why do you like that part of the country?
I am a Kansas girl, born and raised on the Great Plains. I’m a farmer’s daughter, but I moved to Wichita many years ago. I love the open grasslands, the push of the wind, the ripples of waving wheat fields.
Tell us about the featured book.
A Cloud of Suspicion features Loomis librarian, Shelby Mason in the role of heroine. Shelby’s friend Leah has been missing for four months and several murders in Loomis remain unsolved. The hero, Patrick Rivers, the town bad boy, has returned after ten years to settle his step-father’s estate. Patrick, once the town’s football hero was accused of rape, but the charges were dismissed for lack of evidence. As soon as he rumbled into town on his custom motorcycle, Shelby begins to receive threats to keep quiet. She isn’t sure about what. As the threats against Shelby escalate, Patrick finds himself drawn to help protect her.
Sounds intriguing. I can hardly wait to read it. How can my readers find you on the Internet?
That’s easy. You can read about me, contact me and enter my contest by clicking over to http://www.patriciadavids.com/
Thank you, Patricia, for spending this time with us.
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