Thursday, January 15, 2009

Spotlight on Susan Page Davis and her new novel Inside Story

I want to welcome one of my very favorite authors back on Write By Faith. I love her military suspense books and loved her latest one Inside Story. She writes with the perfect mix of suspense and romance. I'll post a full review next week but let me just say it keeps you flipping the pages and sleep meant nothing to me while reading Inside Story. Susan has offered a copy of Inside Story so if you are interested I have left instructions at the end of this interview. So without further delay let's meet Susan.

Susan, please tell us a little about yourself .
I’ve written stories since I was a girl, but my first novel was published when I was 50. I’m the wife of a newspaper editor, the mother of six children, (three are married and two are still studying high school at home), and the grandmother of five adorable little ones.

Susan, please tell us about Inside Story.
Inside Story follows upscale journalist Claudia Gillette as she chases intriguing stories all over the world. When she pulls strings to get placed in a military special unit in the Philippine jungle, everything goes awry. Lieutenant Bill White could fall for Claudia if she shared his faith and if she weren’t so pushy. Claudia likes Bill, but she won’t let his disapproval stop her from getting the story she wants. When she realizes she’s put several people in mortal danger because of her pride, Claudia’s facade begins to crack.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Craziest? Hmm. . .maybe pretending to be running The Amazing Race with my three sisters when we weren’t really. Sounds like an interesting story.

Beside salvation, what is the best gift you have ever received?
My husband gave me a summer “off” (1999) in which to write a book. I haven’t stopped since.Wow, I had to have child #3 to get to stay home and indulge in writing and of course raising my sweet little dears.

Let’s pretend money is not a factor, if you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
Manchu Picchu

If you are anything like me you have books scattered all over your house. What book are you reading now?
I’m reading Deeper Water by Robert Whitlow. Recently read Under Orders by Dick Francis, The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner, Cozy in Kansas series by Nancy Mehl, Beach Dreams by Trish Perry, and Seventy Times Seven by Brandt Dodson. Also lying around: History of Idaho, Alaska for Dummies, Alibis in Arkansas, Civil War Weapons, and about 10,000 other books.

What is your favorite children’s book?
That’s hard to pick, but a few that I loved are Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher; The Twenty-One Balloons, by William Pene duBois; Gone-Away Lake, by Elizabeth Enright; and the Miss Pickerel books by Ellen MacGregor.

If your book was being discussed at a book club what do you think the focus of the discussion would be on?
Claudia’s antics, followed by her growth and change. I hope they end up liking her a lot. And of course, they will talk about the gorillas and Tommy’s troubles and the enemy attack in the jungle. I loved seeing her grow in the book. There were times where I really had a hard time liking her but by the end I loved her.

I love old black and white movies and the old musicals. What is your all time favorite movie?
Again, impossible to pick one. The African Queen, Buster Keaton’s the General, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, To Kill a Mockingbird. I love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. One of my all time favs. It is one musical my boys enjoy of course what isn't to like with men kidnapping women and dancing with axes. grin.

What would you like your readers to say about your writing?
It touched my heart. Inside Edition did that!

What are your dreams of 2009? What do you hope to accomplish this year?
I have at least three books to write this year, and I have a good start on those. I’d like to guide my two youngest children safely through the school year at home and help the next daughter up with her current project. I also hope to visit my eldest daughter’s family in Idaho. My second daughter and her husband plan to visit us from England. And I’d like to visit my elder son’s family in South Carolina. We’ll see. Sounds like a full schedule.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not slaving over the computer creating another wonderful novel?
I slave over a geometry book with my two high schoolers, or I drive my son to karate lessons, or I sew, or I read someone else’s wonderful novel. I think we are sharing the same life!! Except of course for the high schoolers.

I hope you will come visit me on my Web site, http://www.susanpagedavis.com/.

If you would like to win a signed copy of Susan's novel Inside Story please leave a comment and answer the daily question. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner. Also check out ways to earn extra entries.

Daily Question: What are your dreams for 2009?

1 extra entry: Subscribe to Write by Faith
1 extra entry: Follow me or twitter me "writebyfaith"
1 extra entry: Create a link to this post on your own blog and be sure to leave the direct link in the comments.
2 extra entries: Have a friend leave a message and be sure to have them leave your name so I know who to give the extra entries to. Your friend gets an extra entry too.

21 comments:

KR said...

I'd love to read this.
My dream for 2009 - My Mom is in the last stages of cancer. I will visit her everyday if possible (Unless work takes me out of town). She lives about 25 minutes away. She'll be 84 next month and there's still so much I need to learn from her and about her!

KR said...

subscribed on Google Reader

Anonymous said...

It's so easy to be very specific or too vague, but in 2009, I'd like to be smaller than size 8, I guess that means running more.

I'd like to learn Spanish with my children and husband. Those are my dreams for 2009.
There's others, but those are the two right now.

contact me here

Martha A. said...

My dreams for 2009.....i would like to learn how to swim and get my boys all reading really well so they like it better! I have alot of dreams.....those are more goals!
I loved African Queen too....I have not watched it since I was 17 though!
Your book sounds amazing!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Martha A. said...

I am also a follower of your blog!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Susan Page Davis said...

I hope you all realize your dreams this year! Thanks for the encouragement.
Susan

kalea_kane said...

I am so glad Susan's husband gave her the summer off in 99! I just love her!

Please engter me for a chance to win!

Thanks!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I'm also a follower. :) And my dreams for 2009 are pretty simple. I am working on a lot of new projects at my station, and I am hoping that my on air duties keep moving in an upward motion. :) So far...so good. :)

Thanks again for the giveaway!

Kelly

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sherrie Ashcraft said...

Thanks for the great interview with Susan. The book sounds fascinating and I would love to win it. (I'm already one of your subscribers.)

My goal for this year is to complete another book and have this one sell :-)!

BTW, thanks for your comment on my recent blog on "Taking a Pounding." I'm glad my weight loss can be encouraging. Maybe that will help me keep those extra pounds off!

darbyscloset said...

I am a follower.
I receive your emails.
I would like to receive this book, for I have yet to read anything by this author.
Thanks so much,
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

Patty said...

I am already a follower of your blog. I posted your link on my blog at pattyleblanc.wordpress.com.

I would love to win Susan's book. I've read a few of her books and love them. You can reach me at pleblanc_1[at]charter[dot]net.

This year I would love to go to some writing conferences, get something started oractually written down. I would love to learn Spanish. I really want to go on a mission trip to a Spanish-speaking country other than Mexico which I have planned for August.

Thanks,
Patty

sharon54220 said...

Great interview. The book sounds great. I'm not sure about dreams. I have so many thoughts, too many to mention.
Please enter me in this contest.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am also a subscriber.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Wonderful interview. In 2009 I'd like to learn how to achieve balance and a little more patience. With 4 teenagers, patience is at a premium. But this is such a wonderful time in their lives and I want to enjoy it with them, not just nag at them.

Susan Page Davis said...

I've enjoyed reading about everyone's dreams for the near future. This is a terrific group.

Jo said...

I enjoyed reading the interview. My dream for 2009 is to get my business where I want it to be and my husband's health stablized. I also follow you on twitter.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Stormi said...

This sounds like a great book! My dream for 2009 would be to crack down and write a book!!! Been working on a idea and now I just need to do it. (got a friend after me about it to...lol)

Stormi
ladystorm282001[at]yahoo[dot]com

Will leave a blog about this on my blog http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com.

Merry said...

My dream for 2009 is to get fit and to learn how to crochet!
worthy2bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Merry said...

I am a follower.
I am a subscriber also!
Susan's books are some of my favorites, thanks for a chance to win Inside Story!
worthy2bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

darbyscloset said...

I am a follower.
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

darbyscloset said...

My hopes and dreams for 2009?
Well I hope, dream and pray that it is going to be the best year thus far in my life, in areas of God, love, friends, hobbies/crafts, work and health.
Thanks for the book giveaway!!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com