Monday, October 21, 2013

Interview and Free book from Susan Sleeman

The winner of Miralee Ferrell's book is Allene from Texas. I'll be contacting her for her address. Thanks to all of you who commented on the blog the last two weeks. Remember, you can comment on here or send me a personal e-mail. The winner this week entered by e-mail. I just put the names on a list as they come in, then I ask my husband to pick a number when it's time to select the winner. He never sees the list, so it's fair and legal!
Juanita
 
 


 
Hello, Susan, My blog readers and I are looking forward to learning more about you today. I saw a picture of your pretty new home. Tell us a little about it and your recent move.

A: We recently relocated from Florida to Oregon to be near our children and grandson. We found a lovely house with an amazing backyard garden less than a mile from one of our daughters and bought it on the spot. We often walk over to see them or they drop in. After living three thousand miles away from them for five years, it’s like a dream come true to get together for meals and fun when ever we feel like it.

Q: I read that your husband is a church music director. My husband is a retired preacher. We have served 12 different churches in 3 states. How many churches have you and your husband served, and how many states have you lived in?

A: My hubby has been the music director in four congregations in four different states, but we’ve lived in nine states. He started his church music career later in life and we moved for other job transfers, mine actually, prior to that.

Q: Sounds like we have both moved a lot. My oldest son once told one of his friends, “My mom taught me how to move. I may not be the best at some things, but I sure know how to move.” Do you have a favorite state in which you have lived?

A: LOL, Juanita. My children are excellent movers as well. We have loved every state we have lived in. People are different all across our great country and it has been such a blessing to get to see these differences and make friends all over the country. I do believe, however, if we had to pick a favorite state, we would choose Oregon. Not only is the Portland area vibrant and alive, but the scenery is so amazing. You can see all of God’s glory in the mountains, lush valleys, dessert, and the ocean all in a drivable area. And, I am an avid gardener and there is no better place for plants than in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Oh and most importantly, it’s where my children and grandson live.

Q: I noticed from one of your interviews that you used to like to read Nancy Drew mysteries. How important were books in your life while you were growing up?

A: I grew up in a tiny town in northern Wisconsin where there wasn’t much to do. I was never athletic so I found my adventures and excitement in books. I particularly liked reading Nancy Drew because I could imagine myself in her shoes and loved to solve the mysteries along with her. To this day, I love reading mystery and suspense stories and I particularly like reading these books if you add a compelling romance.

Q: When did you realize writing Christian fiction was your calling?

A: I never imagined myself as a writer growing up. Sure, like most people I thought it would be great to write a book some day, but I was too busy working, raising children, and everything else that goes along with being a wife and mother. About thirteen years ago, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that has really changed my life. I was—am still I guess—a type-A personality. Go, go, go. One of my favorite sayings for many years was if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right and would’ve been worth more if it had been done yesterday. So when a chronic illness that causes me to sit more than move struck, I was at a loss. I knew I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. I then remembered my dream of writing and at the same time, I discovered some of the pioneer author’s in Christian suspense like Terri Blackstock and Linda Hall. Aha, I said, in my naïveté. I will write a book in the suspense genre.

Q: Tell us a little about your writing journey. How long did it take you to become a published author and how many books have you written?

A: After deciding I would write a book, I joined the American Christian Romance Writers—now American Christian Fiction Writers—to learn how to write and started learning the craft. After I finished my first book, I entered a contest and finaled then signed with an agent. It took five or so years after beginning the journey of seriously writing for publication for my first novel to release with Love Inspired Suspense. I was so excited when in November of that year, High-Stakes Inheritance made the ECPA’s best-seller list. The next month, I had a second novel—Nipped in the Bud, a cozy mystery with Barbour books—release, too. Though this was my second book to release, Nipped in the Bud was the first contract I received, which was presented to me at the ACFW conference in front of 500 other writers. In those early years, I wrote five books, and I now have eleven books in print, three more written and scheduled to release this year and next with two more under contract and six under consideration by publishers. God has truly blessed my writing career, and I couldn’t be more thankful.

Q: I read No Way Out and enjoyed getting to know the characters. I also liked the size of the book because I could fit it in my purse when I was going out. Have you always written Love-Inspired mysteries and how many series have you done?

A: In addition to Love Inspired Suspense, I write cozy mysteries and have a trade length series that will publish next year. The first two cozy mysteries are under the Spyglass Lane imprint and my other three cozy mysteries are a part of the multi-author Creative Woman mystery series. The trade book is a new venture for me and I’ll tell you more about it below.

Q: I like the way your characters keep Christ important in their lives. Tell us a little about your current work and what we can expect from you in the future.

A: My current release is a Love Inspired Suspense book, titled Thread of Suspicion. This is the fourth book in my five book Justice Agency series. This series is about a family of adopted siblings who have former law enforcement backgrounds and who work together in a private investigations agency. Each book in the series features one of the siblings. Thread of Suspicion is Dani’s story and the final sibling Derrick’s story, Dark Tide, releases in March of 2014. My third cozy mystery in the Creative Woman’s mystery series, A Matter of Wife and Death, releases later this year, too.

And as I mentioned above, I have another new series coming out soon. This one is called Agent’s Under Fire with the first book Web of Deceit releasing in November of 2014 and two additional books in 2015. This series features three female FBI agents who work on an elite Cyber Action Team. This series will be published by BelleBooks, which is not a Christian imprint. Though, I mention God in the books and my characters are believers, the books do not carry a Christian message. The books are classified as clean reads and I’m excited about this opportunity to bring fiction without profanity and sex to readers looking for such books.

Q: Do you write only mysteries, or do you have another genre in which you like to write?

A: I only write mystery and suspense books. I find that though I can appreciate other genres, as a reader, I quickly lose interest in them and so I write what I like to read.

Q: Tell us about an embarrassing moment, or something readers would be surprised to know about you.

A: I am a computer geek at heart. Where many people hate computers and find them frustrating, I embrace them and love to learn about new technology. I even taught computers at a private elementary school for a few years. I taught myself the coding needed to design websites and do that for fun. So far, I’ve created my own website, www.susansleeman.com, plus the SpyglassLaneMysteries.com site and TheSuspenseZone.com site.

Q: That's a wonderful and helpful thing to learn. I wish I knew more about computers, but I usually get along with what I know, and when I don't know what to do, I call my handy computer friend and he sets he straight. Susan, thanks so much for visiting with us today. I hope our readers have enjoyed this visit as much as I have.

A: Thanks for having me, Juanita. You are such a blessing to Christian writers by featuring us and our books on your blog. God bless you!

OK, bloggers. Now it's your turn again to leave a comment. The winner will receive a copy of Thread of Suspicion, signed and mailed by Susan. Be sure to leave your email address unless you have commented before, and please tell me in which state you live. When I announce the winner, I like to tell where she is from, if I can.

89 comments:

  1. Hello, readers, I'm just checking my site out because last week commenters had trouble getting their comments to show up. I'll keep a close watch on it, so go ahead and tell me and Susan what you think about the interview.

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  2. Thanks for hosting me today, Juanita! So happy to meet your blog readers.

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  3. What a great site - I came here from Susan's FB page, and am bookmarking you! I'm from Illinois... laurel stein at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Laurel! I'm so glad you did!

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    2. Hi, Laurel, so nice that you came to see me today! I live close to you in a little town south of St. Louis. Thanks for your kind words and I'll look forward to seeing you again.

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  4. Great interview! Thanks to both of you! Susan, I love the Garden Gate series. I love the not-so-subtle humour. Very exciting how you got that contract. Juanita, bookmarking your blog, you have great stuff here!

    vintagechyck at gmail dot com

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    1. Glad you decided to come on over, Barbara!

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    2. Hi, Barbara, it's so nice to hear from you! I hope you'll enjoy this interview and will read some of the others. Check my "authors interviewed" blog to see who has been here before. I'll look forward to seeing you again!

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    3. Hi, Barbara, so nice to meet you! I love reading and it looks like you do, too. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  5. That is a fun interview. I have visited Oregon many times and love the wide variety of beautiful scenery. I'm from Minnesota myself, where we have beautiful lakes and forests, but no mountains or ocean. jmsfarmgirl(at)hotmail(dot)com.

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    1. Joelle, I grew up in Northern Wisconsin close to the Minnesota border. I shiver every time I think of the winters there!

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    2. Hello, Joelle, I'm so glad you decided to check out my blog. Check my "authors interviewed" tab and see if there are any others you'd like to read. Hope you'll get in the ones that are coming up in the next months.

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  6. I loved the interview. I have read all of The Justice Agency series and can't wait for the final book.

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    1. So glad you have loved this series. I truly loved writing them.

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    2. Hey, there, so glad you came by to read the blog. I can't enter you in the contest without a name and email address, so please come back and leave than into if you want your name to be entered.

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    3. I'm so glad you stopped by. Hope you will come again.

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  7. Hello. I really love your books and find that you have a little humor in them!
    I look forward to reading your books and I would really like to win one!
    Lucinda Nelson
    MzShylady@mail.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Lucinda! I love to laugh and I think most people do so that added humor in a book seems natural to me.

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    2. Hey, Lucinda, so glad you stopped by. I love to laugh, too, and really enjoyed Susan's book. Hope you'll come again,.

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  8. Thanks for the interview and a chance to read the book Carol from AL centraleast2 at gmail dot com

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    1. So glad you stopped by Carol! Alabama is one of the many states I've lived in. We spent only one year in Montgomery before a job moved us to Oregon, but I just loved the southern gentility of the people there.

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    2. Hi, Carol, nice to hear from you again. I've never lived in Alabama but have driven through there lots of times.

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  9. Thanks for a chance to win Susan's book!! :) Love Inspired Suspense books are some of my favorite!! Sarah from Iowa.

    jump5er[at]hotmail[dot]com

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    1. Welcome, Sarah! There are so many great Love Inspired Suspense books and authors it's no wonder they are your favorites!

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    2. Hi, Sarah, So glad you enjoyed the interview and the books. Sarah has some great ideas, doesn't she? Got your name on the list!

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  10. Hi, loved the interview made me want to get and read all her books. It would be great if I did win this book. I live in the great state of N.J. and my email address is mommystuck1 at opt on line dot net

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Tammy. New Jersey is a state I have never lived in. In fact, now that I think about it, I've never even visited it. I'll have to put your fine state on my must see list.

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    2. Hi, Tammy, I'm so glad you stopped at my blog to read Susan's interview. Good luck in the drawing. I'll be announcing the winner at the end of this week.

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  11. What a great interview!! I love Susan's books, I only recently found them so I have to catch up!!! I now live in Florida. My e-mail address is flintloudon@aol.com

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    1. Hey Pamela, Hope you're enjoying your move to the Sunshine State. We just left FL to be nearer to our family. I'm missing the warmth today.

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    2. Hi, Pamela, so nice to hear from you. Thanks for visiting, and hope you will visit my site again.

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  12. Great interview! Love Susan Sleeman's books. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Thread of Suspicion.

    Sarah from KS

    superstarsarah94(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Sarah and I'm so glad you like my books. I love writing and hope to get to do it for many years to come!

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    2. So nice to hear from a Super Star-- glad you stopped by. I'll be announcing the winner next Monday. Good luck in the drawing!

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  13. I haven't read any of her books yet but now I'm looking forward to starting her Love Inspired suspense series! Thanks for sharing the great interview and the giveaway!

    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Hey Heidi, I'm so glad you stopped by and I wish you the best of luck in winning!

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    2. Hello, Heidi, so glad to hear from you again. I know you will love Susan's books, and thanks for stopping by.

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  14. I read Double Exposure earlier this year and am looking forward to the rest of the series!
    Minnesota

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    1. Hi Karen, Thanks for taking the time to read Double Exposure. I so appreciate each and every reader!

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    2. Forgot my email!
      kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it. I love interviewing these Christian authors.

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    2. I second Juanita's comment. Glad you enjoyed the interview. We authors are so fortunate to have bloggers like Juanita who take the time to do these interviews.

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  16. I love romantic suspense and love finding new authors in this genre so I am looking forward to reading Susan's books.

    Renee Costner in NC

    reneecostner@yahoo.com

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    1. So nice of you to visit my page, Renee. I love lots of different genres and thoroughly enjoyed the one I read by Susan. Her characters come alive.

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    1. Hi Virginia, I have only read one, but I bet they are all good. I'll be reading some more. Hope you will too. If you want your name in the drawing, please leave your email address. Thanks-

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    2. Thanks Virginia. I really appreciate you stopping by to leave a comment!

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  18. I found you via Susan's FB page. Thanks for the giveaway. I live in MN

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    1. Hey Kim, thanks for stopping by. I grew up right next to MN in WI. Go Packers. Oops, I bet you're a Viking fan. Sorry. :)

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  19. Hi, Kim-- so nice of you to stop by and visit. Hope you'll come back and leave your email so I can notify you if you are the winner.

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  20. This book sounds great. Looking forward to reading it. Thank you, Susan for giving the information about this giveaway on your Facebook page. Will have to subscribe to this blog. Please enter my name in the giveaway.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome, Barbara! Best of luck on the contest!

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    2. Of course I'll enter your name Barbara, and good luck in the drawing. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  21. I would love to win this book.Thanks for the chance.I am from N.C.jackie_tessnairatyahoodotcom

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    1. Ooh, Jackie, I love North Carolina. Such a pretty state. I used to travel there on business all the time.

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    2. I love N.C. too. Our daughter lived there for several years and we got to visit several places. You name will certainly be entered in the contest. Thanks for leaving your email, so I can notify you if you win.

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  22. Thanks so much for hosting Susan Sleeman. I loved the interview and the chance for a free book.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Sarah! I do hope you're able to leave an email to be eligible for the contest!

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    2. So glad you stopped by, Sarah. Good luck in the drawing, but I'll need your email address. I notify the winner with her email, then announce it on the blog. The winner will be chosen this weekend--Saturday or Sunday. I'm glad so many people are commenting.

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  23. Thanks for your visit, Sarah, but I hope you'll come back and leave your email address so I can enter your name in the drawing. Hope you'll come back and visit again.

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  24. Love these books!! samiam@oh.rr.com

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    1. Thanks for visiting, samiam. Best wishes on the contest.

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    2. Thanks for the visit. I've entered your name on the list! Hope you'll come back to see me sometime. I do interviews on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

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  25. I love mysteries. I am looking forward to reading some of these.
    grammador at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks for entering, Dorie! I'm so glad you stopped by.

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  26. Hi, Dorie, They are easy to read and you'll love the characters. Good luck in the drawing. I'll let the winner know this weekend and will announce it on Monday's blog.

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  27. Hi Juanita, Really enjoyed the interview. Susan's book sounds like a great read. I love suspense & am looking forward to reading her book Thank You
    mcnuttjem0(at)gmail.(com)

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    1. Hi, Jackie, so nice of you to come and read the interview and comment. Yes, Susan's books are full of suspense, and they are clean!

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  28. Sounds like a great read. lesliek2(at)yahoo(dot)com from Alaska. TY

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Leslie! I have also never visited Alaska. I would love to take a cruise there someday.

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    2. Leslie, how nice of you to stop by to read by blog. I don't think I'll ever make it to Alaska, but some of my friends have, and I've seen their beautiful pictures.

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  29. Thanks for the giveaway. I love trying new authors. leij856(at)hotmail(dot)com
    Lisa from Ohio

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    1. Glad you stopped by and best wishes with the contest!

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    2. Hi, Susan!

      Loved your interview - learning more about you, your writing, & your books! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your books!

      Oregon is one of the few states that I haven't visited. I've heard it is beautiful, & would love to see it!

      bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

      Kentucky

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    3. Hello, Bonnie, thanks for remembering to come back this week! And good luck in the drawing.

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    4. Lisa, how nice to meet a new friend. I'm so glad you stopped by. Hope you will come again.

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    5. Bonnie you are so right. Oregon is so incredibly beautiful from mountains, to the ocean, desert and valley. God's country for sure!

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  30. Would love to read another one of Susan's books in the Justice Agency series. I, personally cannot wait for the full length novels. I live in beautiful North Carolina. Oregon sounds great! rmaney@firstarpchurch.org.

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    1. Hi, Rebecca, it was nice of you to stop by. Looks like you're an early riser! I hope you will visit me again, and good luck in the contest.

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    2. Hey Rebecca, so glad you stopped by. I am eager for the Agent's Under Fire series to release, too. Book one Web of Deceit is finished and turned in to the publisher. If only the publishing world didn't move so slowly, but it does.

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  31. I enjoyed reading No Way Out and would love to read this one as well. Thanks for the chance to win it!

    Amanda from Michigan
    mandaandtom(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. So glad you enjoyed No Way Out, Amanda. Thanks for stopping by and best wishes on winning Thread of Suspicion.

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  32. A wonderful interview. I didn't know Susan's husband was a musical director. I live in Kentucky. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
    eppersonkatrina@yahoo.com
    Blessings
    Katrina

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    1. Hello, Katrina, I'm so glad you came by my site to read Susan's interview. Hope you will come again. I've entered your name on the list. Good luck in the drawing! And thanks for leaving your email address so I can contact you if you win.

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  33. Thanks for coming by, Katrina! Kentucky is such a pretty state.I used to travel to Cincinnati all the time on business and was surprised to see that the airport was actually in Kentucky!

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  34. I love the Love Inspired books. This series looks like one I would like to read. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of the books.
    susanmsj@msn.com

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    1. Hi, Susan, it's so nice that you came to read the interview and that you liked it. I hope you will visit again. I've entered your name on the list and will be notifying the winner by email on Saturday or Sunday. The name will be announced on this blog next Monday.

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    2. Hi to a fellow Susan! So glad you love the Love Inspired books. There are so many great authors in this line and I'm thrilled to be part of such a wonderful group!

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