Lisa Harris Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself. 

A. Like most women, I juggle a lot of roles. Mom, wife, teacher, chauffer, writer. . .My husband and I have three beautiful children, and we’ve lived in southern Africa now for over ten years. We currently live in Mozambique and are involved in church planting and discipleship. We’ve been blessed to see a lot of the world and experience many different cultures, something I’m extremely thankful for.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. Writing is something I wanted to do from the time I was small. I started a few stories in junior high, then didn’t really take it seriously until I was in my late twenties. After our oldest was born, I was a stay-at-home mom with no vehicle, so I decided it was finally time for me to write a book. And I did. I had (and still do) so much to learn, so I soaked up everything I could from writer’s groups (thank you Lena!) conferences, and how-to books. About six years later, I got that first call from an editor that they were going to buy my story.

Q: What do you write and why this genre?

A. I write romantic suspense, because I love the genre, both reading and writing.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?

A: I’m sure it’s impossible not to draw from experiences with other people, but I never knowingly base characters on people I know.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Fatal Exchange?

A:    Desperate times create desperate people. And desperate people are dangerous . . .

Though Emily Hunt comes from a family of cops, the relatively quiet life of a high school teacher suits her just fine. She’s saving up to buy a house, slowly moving forward after her brother’s death, and settling into a life she loves. So the last person she wants to spend time with is Mason Taylor.

An undercover cop, Mason is enemy number one as far as her family is concerned. His involvement in the death of Emily’s brother is still up in the air, and now he expects her to help him with a case. Mason has been working with one of her students, Rafael Cerda, whose brother has been kidnapped by a drug cartel. And with time running out to meet their demands, Rafael is getting desperate.

Emily will have to draw on all of her strength to handle what happens next . . .

Fatal Exchange will draw you into a complex matrix of intertwining lives, unraveling secrets, and unxpected love.

Q: Where did the idea for this story come from? 

A. For book two in my Southern Crime series, I wanted it to be about Emily Hunt, who isn’t involved in the police force like the rest of her family. I wanted to her to be put in a situation where she had to realize that she was far stronger than she ever imagined.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.

A: I love Emily Hunt. She’s just an ordinary person like you and I who is put to the test in a very difficult situation. I tried to imagine how I might react in the face of a crisis. In a place where you have to dig for every morsel of strength in order to survive. Emily was scared and vulnerable, and yet with God’s strength, she was able to face her fears, and make survive. I hope I would do the same!

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now? 

A. I’ve just started a brand new series for Revell that I’m really excited about. It’s about a missing person task force and each book will cover primarily the first crucial 48 hours after a person goes missing

Q: What are some ways that readers of your books can help you as an author?

A. The best thing that sells a book is you, as a reader, spreading the word about books you love. We can tweet and facebook about our latest books, but there is nothing like an excited reader sharing about a fantastic book they just read. So if you love a book. . .tell the world! An author will love you for it

Q: What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

A. That most of us write because we simply love to write, not just for the money, though the money thankfully helps pay the bills! Many seem to assume, though, that all writers bring in huge paychecks. Um. . .no.

Q: Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

A. One, I might be a suspense writer, but I hate any kind of adrenalin rush. There is enough excitement in my books! Two, I’ve lived in eight states in the US and six countries. Three, I’ve studied three languages, English, French, and Portuguese.

Q: Milk or dark chocolate? Coffee or tea?

A. Milk chocolate always. Coffee in France. Tea in South Africa.

Q: Favorite TV show or shows?

A. I love police procedurals as long as they aren’t too gross. NCIS (both shows), Hawaii 5-0, the Mentalist, and on a lighter note, I love Masterchef Australia.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet? 

A. I have a website to keep readers up to date on my books at www.lisaharriswrites.com and a blog where I share about life in Africa at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. Be sure and sign up for my newsletter at either site as well for news and chances to win books!

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us? 

A. Thanks so much for having me. I appreciate it!