Liz Johnson Interview

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

A:  I’m a marketing director by day and a writer by lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends. I love to tell stories, and I love hanging out with my nieces and nephews, the coolest kids I know.

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

A: I’m not sure there was a definitive moment when I realized it. I just always loved writing. From the time I was seven I was writing something. It wasn’t until I was 25 that I realized I wanted to do this writing thing professionally, to try to get published.

Q: What do you write and why this genre?

A:  I write contemporary romance and romantic suspense—mostly because I’m a hopeless romantic at heart. I love seeing people find love. And I think that true love is a reflection of God’s love for us. His pursuit of our hearts is the greatest love story ever told, so I try to reflect that in each of my stories—whether the characters are running from a bad guy or not.

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

A: My characters are entirely fictional. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have quirks or habits that I’ve witnessed. And sometimes my characters end up having a trait that I do. But I never want my friends to be able to read my books, think they recognize themselves, and wonder why I don’t like them.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release CHRISTMAS CAPTIVE?

A: This is the sixth and final book in the Men of Valor series. On his cousin’s Christmas cruise wedding, navy SEAL Jordan Somerton anticipated having the typical best man duties—not facing down criminals boarding the ship. But when the luxury liner is infiltrated by men determined to kidnap the flower girl, he’s plunged into an unexpected mission. Maid of honor and DEA agent Amy Delgado hasn’t forgiven Jordan for a misunderstanding in their pasts. But with her young niece targeted, she must draw on Jordan’s skills as a protector. Signs point to an inside job. With a traitor in their midst, can they ensure that every passenger returns home safely for the holidays…even as they find love amid deepening danger?

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

A.  Jordan first appeared in A Promise to Protect—he went by his nickname River back then. And I’ve been looking forward to writing his story ever since. In the previous book in the series, Hazardous Holiday, I wrote about DEA agent Amy Delgado, and I needed to add a level of conflict between her and the hero of that book Zach McCloud. And suddenly I thought—what if Amy is mad at Zach because he had to break a date with her on behalf of his best friend. And that was the beginning of Amy and Jordan’s initial spite for each other. Amy thinks Jordan blew off his apology dinner—after embarrassing her in front of his whole family—and she refuses to act a fool.

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

A.  Right now I’m working on a book that should release next year. It’s a split-time story about a contemporary woman who is trying to find a 90-year-old treasure at a luxurious estate turned state park by reading her great-grandmother’s diary. But when a security guard finds her searching the grounds, she realizes she needs his help and agrees to share whatever they can find. It might be gold and silver—or something infinitely sweeter.

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

A.  One, I’m afraid of the car wash. Seriously, I hate having to drive through any car wash. I’m afraid of getting trapped in there. Two, I am a terrible home decorator. I have no eye for decorating, but I wish I did. Three, I collect stuffed moose.

Q: Milk or dark chocolate? Coffee or tea?

A.  Milk chocolate—preferably with a bit of caramel. And neither. I’m not much of a coffee or tea drinker, but I do enjoy a caramel frappuccino upon occasion.

Q: Favorite TV show or shows?

A. Right now it’s Poldark and Lethal Weapon. Both are about broken men seeking redemption—one in the late 18^th century England, the other in modern day California. The characters are so real, and I love that about both shows. Plus, they sneak in surprising bits of humor, which makes me very happy.