Hi, Susan!!! It's such a pleasure to have you on the Sweet South Blog!
1. Give us a couple
of sentences describing what you write.
My writing takes issues and wraps them into a story. People
may not relate to a theory or bare facts, but characters going through
situations resonate with them.
2. How would you
label the overall mood of your stories?
The Moses Conspiracy and The Scent of Fear could be classified
as sobering, passionate, and yet there's always an element of hope. Through all
their situations, my characters discover the faithfulness of God.
One reader described The Christmas Wish as,
"heartwarming." Yet it also has strong tension/suspense.
3. What is the theme of your story, and how
did you come to it?
The major theme of my story is, "we're heading in a
direction that could lead to this scenario."
I'm a Seat-of-the-Pants writer and don't plot my novels. The
Moses Conspiracy was inspired by a trip my late husband and I took to
Gettysburg at Christmas 2004. Standing in the town square, surrounded by old
buildings and whizzing traffic, I "heard" the voices of the
forefathers as fading echoes.
Eventually, that experience gave rise to various questions.
Have we lost sight of our roots as a nation? What would America be like if we
didn't have the freedoms we've taken for granted? What would that look like in
the lives of ordinary people?
4. A sneak peek into what you're working on
right now?
I just sent off the third book of The Moses Trilogy
entitled, "Out of the Mist," to my publisher. My next book will be
much different and based in the present.
5. Describe your writing space.
I have a home office with the usual computer equipment,
printer, and a large L-shaped desk. (This girl needs lots of space for all the
projects she's handling.) Shelf space surrounds me with my favorite things:
books.
While many folks have neat spaces, mine always seems to be a
wreck. I'm fine until the I Love Lucy candy factory belt moves too fast. Then,
I can't keep up with the accumulation of papers, notes, and research materials.
6. Do you work another job besides writing? Is there a
secret/technique you've found that helps balancing the writing and working
life?
Yes, I work as a full-time Administrative Assistant. Keeping
up with everything presents a constant challenge. Lists help, but it's prayer
that preserves my sanity. Everyone's life has different variables that must be
taken into account. Flexibility and being able to turn on a dime are essential
tools.
At the moment, I'm working on this interview while someone
is in the basement servicing my furnace. This morning, my Mom had a doctor
appointment, and I got some reading done for a book review. I squeeze as much
into my day as I can, while remembering to re-group and breathe.
7. Do you blog?
Yes, I've been blogging almost seven years at Christian
Writer/Reader Connection. There I share my writing journey, tips for writers,
bits and pieces for readers, and valuable links I've discovered in my Internet
travels. The address is:
http://susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com
8. When you read to
you prefer a paperback, e-book, or audio?
Print is my first choice, but I love the portability of my
Kindle. It's hard to lug four or five books when traveling any distance. I
haven't listened to any audio books, so I don't have an opinion on them.
9. Hot chocolate or
cider?
Hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream! It's a
rare treat since I'm lactose intolerant and pay for the indulgence afterward.
10. Real or
artificial tree?
We've had artificial trees since I was a kid because my
mother would get asthma attacks from real ones. They're also less messy, and
they can stay up much longer than a real tree.
11. What can readers do to spread the word about this book?
Facebook Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanJReinhardt
Twitter:
@susanjreinhardt
You can also find her on Goodreads, Google+, Twitter, and
LinkedIn.
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobobooks reviews are also
helpful.
Author Bio: Susan J. Reinhardt's publication credits
include numerous devotionals, short articles, and stories in anthologies. She
switched gears to fiction in 2005 and is now represented by Joyce Hart, of
Hartline Literary Agency and contracted with a small royalty press in
Pennsylvania. Her novels include The Moses Conspiracy, The Scent of Fear, and
The Christmas Wish. The fourth book in The Moses Trilogy will be released soon.
A Christian, widow, stepmom, daughter, and friend, she enjoys
gardening, couponing, reading, and searching for small treasures in antique
shops.
About The Scent of Fear:
The Zimmermans enjoy the tenuous peace in the wake of their
hair-raising year battling the New Patriots. Unexpected visitors once again
throw them into turmoil.
Jim Kenneman, Director of National Security, masterminded
the plan to break up a hate group ravaging the Christian community. Now, his
enemies are out to eliminate him. Should he make a run for it or stick by his
tried-and-true negotiating skills?
Monty Addison, a topnotch operative, carried out his
assignment in Bird-in-Hand. A plot to destroy his boss sends him on a mission.
Without agency sanction, it may cost him everything - his career, his family,
and maybe his life.
Dr. Abby Weaver strives to save infants and toddlers in
Holmes County, Ohio. When she meets two strangers, she can't get the tall,
handsome one out of her mind. Will their paths intersect again or will
dangerous times keep them apart?
Susan is giving away not one, not two, but all THREE of her books as e-copies!
Note: Book reviews encourage authors and readers. If you win, please consider
posting a short review on Amazon and/or Barnes and Noble.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
