Interview and Giveaway with Susan J. Reinhardt

I recently had the opportunity to interview author Susan Reinhardt.

Susan J. Reinhardt's journey to publication began as a non-fiction writer. She's been published in The RevWriter Resource, Devotions Magazine, A Secret Place, Vista, Live, and numerous other compilations and periodicals. Her appreciation for using fiction techniques inspired her to use fiction as a vehicle for truth. Her novel, The Moses Conspiracy, was released on March 16, 2013.

A widow, stepmom, daughter, and active church member, Susan enjoys reading, couponing, gardening, and searching for small treasures in antique shops.

Interview:

How many books have you written?

Thanks for having me on your blog today, Heidi! The Moses Conspiracy is my debut novel. My second book is in the editing stage, while the third novel is mostly in my head.

Why do you enjoy writing?

I'm an avid reader. As a child, it wasn't unusual for me to read 5-7 books per week. I definitely qualified as a bookworm! I tried my hand at writing early on and eventually produced short pieces for Christmas, skits, and Bible studies. It's not something I thought about a lot, but did as a need arose. When I began pursuing publication, I discovered I enjoyed the whole process from the initial concept to the social media/business end. There's something satisfying about knowing your words are impacting people's lives and meeting a need.

Tell me about your latest release. What is the theme of the book?

The Moses Conspiracy released on March 16, 2013. Here's a short blurb:

A trip to post-terrorized Washington, D.C. in 2025 and a buggy accident in Bird-in-Hand, PA set in motion events that expose a diabolical plan to destroy the Christian community. Ellie and John Zimmerman find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening investigation, fighting a shadowy enemy.*

*Note: You can read almost 3 chapters free on Amazon.com.

The main themes are: the faithfulness of God in difficult circumstances, the importance of protecting our freedoms, and the value of family relationships.

How do you spend your time when you're not writing?

I'm an administrative assistant, a daughter, active church member, and a stepmom. Aside from wearing those hats, I'm a reader, wannabe gardener, couponer, and antique hunter. Veggie gardening season is here, and I can't wait to get my plants in the ground. I think I inherited a farmer gene somewhere along the line. :)

How much time do you spend conducting research? What is the most interesting thing you have learned from your research?

Great questions! I spent quite a bit of time researching The Moses Conspiracy, but it was spread out over several years. I visit Bird-in-Hand, PA at least 2-3 times per year to get a flavor for the area, familiarize myself with the geography, and observe the customs. I also researched names and historical information online, and talked to a couple of experts.

Please note that while the bulk of the story takes place in Bird-in-Hand, the main characters are not Amish. They do interact with Amish secondary characters, and the culture is an important element in the overall story.

It's tough to narrow down the most interesting thing I learned while researching this book. While researching surnames for my main characters, I discovered the name Zimmerman means, "carpenter." Since the hero is a carpenter, it was the perfect choice for his last name.

Susan is giving away a copy of The Moses Conspiracy (see synopsis below).

Synopsis:

A trip to post-terrorized Washington, D.C. in 2025 and a buggy accident in Bird-in-Hand, PA set in motion events that expose a diabolical plan to destroy the Christian community. Ellie and John Zimmerman find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening investigation, fighting a shadowy enemy.

Convinced it's now safe to visit D.C., Ellie and her firstborn, 8-year-old Peter, travel to the nation's capital. Both mother and child make an effort to enjoy the sights, but they're unprepared for the challenges they face. Her nightmares come true when she and Peter are separated.

Back home, John witnesses a neighbor's buggy accident. The suspicious circumstances and law enforcement's refusal to take them seriously prompt him to take on the role of detective. He and a tenacious reporter band together and vow to find out what's happening in Bird-in-Hand.

Extended family squabbles erupt when John's sister, Annaliese, faces off with Ellie for blowing her D.C. experiences out of proportion. She'd rather ignore the warnings than deal with the growing danger.

John and Ellie can't decide whether her trip and his involvement with the accident were such a good idea. People are getting hurt, and their own family receives ominous warnings. Turning back the clock is not an option, but going forward could initiate more violence.

The small community is shattered when the unthinkable occurs. Will family, friends, and neighbors band together or allow fear to prevent them from taking action?

Caught between strained family relationships and a faceless enemy, the couple rely on God for wisdom and protection. Little do they know that He's working on their behalf each step of the way.

The scabs of a past tragedy get ripped open, and the truth of their second child's death is revealed. While they may expose the culprits, will they survive the heartache it brings?

Links:

Amazon

Facebook

Twitter

B&N

How to enter the giveaway:

(1) Be a member of this blog. 

(2) Please respond to the following question from Susan: 
What types of books do you enjoy reading?

The winner will be announced on May 25th.