What does Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) and DNA have to do with this month’s featured author, Susan May Warren?
Well, one has to do with how I met Susan. Did I meet her on DWTS? No, in a writing class — more on that. The DNA? Her latest book, Sundown.
Susan and I met up again in 2008 at the Christian Bookseller’s Association.
One of my first writing classes at my first American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference was taught by Susan. I believe it was on plotting, but what I remember most was that she based the plotting process on DWTS. She shared that she and her son attempted to waltz together. (There’s a photo below that shows, after all those years, she and her son are cooking!) I just remember this ADHD soul really enjoyed that class. Which in turn made me a Susan May Warren fan. And, I’m not alone.
Susan is the USA Today bestselling author with more than 90 novels and book sales of over 1.5 million. She’s a winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards. Susan makes her home in Minnesota. Brrrrr.
If you don’t know Susan and are not one of those 1.5 million book owners, then you’ll really love this interview. Here we go!
How has Christian fiction or nonfiction impacted you personally?
I am huge fan of Christian fiction in particular because I am very protective of my personal time. I know if I’m reading Christian fiction, it will bless my spirit as well as give me a great story. I think inspirational stories can touch the heart in a way that nonfiction can not. It’s the difference between a parable, and hearing a testimony versus listening to a sermon. Both have their place, but the story affects you at a heart level.
I totally agree. Fiction can reach souls who might never step into a church. Nonfiction builds on that new soul’s faith.
How has being published been a fulfillment of your dreams?
I never dreamed that I’d actually get published and build a career as a novelist. In truth, I was a missionary who was called to write. The stories were born out of that. I think my dream is to simply use my time here well, and I’m so grateful that I get to write stories as a way to live that out!
In that class so many years ago, I didn’t just remember the DWTS, I remember that you wrote to bestselling author Dee Henderson while living in Siberia. Ms. Henderson actually responded and corresponded with you. She also encouraged you in your writing. Perhaps that planted a seed in you to encourage others the same way. You’ve certainly been an encouragement to me.
What did you read as a child? Or, what did/do you read to your children/grandchildren?
I read a lot of action/adventure novels, biographies, and of course all the Little House books. My favorite books were Alfred Hitchcock mysteries.
Ahh. The Alfred Hitchcock mysteries. That’s answers a lot of questions as to how you write that edge-of-your-seat suspense!
Who are your favorite authors to read & why?
I love an author who can weave a great story, make me feel the character’s journey, and immerse me into their world. I love Rachel Hauck—she’s my writing partner, and soooo many others. My current TBR pile has books by Melissa Tagg, Lindsay Harrell, Ronie Kendig and Lisa Phillips.
Oh! A couple names to search for new books!
Let’s get to your book. Please provide a brief summary of your new novel, Sundown.
Sundown is the epic conclusion to the Sky King Ranch trilogy. Taylor “Tae” Price is hiding something—former Delta Operator Colt Kingston knows it. But she’s not talking . . . at least until she’s targeted by a Russian assassin. Then suddenly she has a story that no one believes, except, maybe Colt. And not just because she helped nurse him back to his feet after his terrible captivity in Nigeria. There’s something about Tae’s story that rings true, even if it feels unbelievable that she alone holds the antidote to a terrible biological threat. Colt and Tae—and the rest of the Sky King Ranch family—must race against time to stop the attack.
Wooo-wee! Now, that’s an exciting synopsis! Want to see my 5-Star Review? Click here!
The Sky King Ranch series is set in Alaska, which is often referred to as the Last Frontier. Why did you choose this setting?
Alaska is its own amazing character! I love the setting because it challenges our characters to go beyond
themselves to look within and find courage they didn’t know they had. Setting a book in Alaska allows me to create desperate scenarios that add to both the suspense and character growth. It is just hands-down, mind-blowingly beautiful.
Taking an Alaskan cruise is on my bucket list.
Sundown is the final book in your Sky King Ranch series. What is the connecting element for all of the books in this series?
All of the brothers have returned home wounded in some way, both physically and mentally, so coming back to the ranch offers them a place to confront those wounds and heal. Also, the appearance of Tae in book 1 is threaded through the series and connects all three books in the epic plot.
Readers, this is all part of the SusieMayVerse. Want to know what that is? Watch my YouTube interview with Susan!
What are you working on now?
Having finished the Sky King Ranch series, I’m diving in to another beloved family that need their own saga—the Minnesota Marshalls. Those 5 books will come out in 2023.
WHAT?! All five books release in one year! Do you see what I mean, readers! Susan is amazing!
The December’s Author Highlight Giveaway!
Yes! Thanks to Revell Publishing, this month’s giveaway
is the complete set of Susan’s Sky King Ranch series! All THREE BOOKS!
Isn’t this exciting! And you could be the winner? How? Well, by entering!* And you can enter up to six times (see below).* Leave a comment below and share this blog and if you haven’t already, please subscribe to this newsletter and receive two free gifts from me — and an extra entry.
NOTE: WANT TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING THIS INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY?*
Check out my YouTube Author Highlight interview with Susan. Because, in the video interview she will answer different questions–including her revealing Superpowers! Plus you don’t want to miss one or two fun, little known facts about Susan. And writers: Susan gives some incredibly helpful writing tips! By Liking and Commenting on the video episode, you will have one more entry.* Sharing the video, another entry.* Subscribe, and you have TWO entries for a chance to win.*
The Deadline is December 15th!
Author Highlight with Terri & Susan
That means, my friends, if you comment and subscribe -– or are already a subscriber -– to my blog, then watch the video and LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT on the VIDEO, then Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, your name will be entered SIX TIMES!*
Be sure to tell your friends! See you there!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed getting to know Susan— I loved reconnecting with this amazing woman and author!
Next month’s Author Highlight is the award-winning and bestselling author Lynette Eason.
Thanks for stopping by! God bless and KEEP READING!
