Interview with Sara L. Jameson

 Bio:

Sara L. Jameson won Scrivenings Press’s grand prize publishing contract in January 2021. They released her debut romantic suspense novel, Cruise to Death, in June 2021. Death in High Places, (Book 2 in the Troubled Waters series), released February 2023, followed by Vengeance in Vienna, July 2024. She is currently working on books 4 and 5 of the Troubled Waters series for Scrivenings Press.

In real life, Sara is a multi-published former university professor who writes non-fiction under her real name and edits book manuscripts for other authors. She also pens WWII historical novels. When not at her computer, she enjoys reading, swimming, cooking, and dog-sitting.

Interview: 

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

I would suggest studying the craft to the point of mastery—as much as possible—before seeking publication, whether through agented/traditional houses or self-publishing. Once a writer is published, the pressure is on to produce more books under a tight deadline—whether it’s meeting the publishing house schedule or personally imposed ones via self-publishing. There is always room to grow, but if most craft techniques have largely become second nature, it simplifies the writing process.

Investing in professional edits is a wonderful way to grow through others’ perspectives. Enter writing contests for the same reason. Read, read, read multiple genres and study—dissect—the author’s method of story craft.

What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?

I have many favorite verses, but I’d have to say Psalm 91:1 in the AMPC version is an all-time favorite with its promise to deliver the one who abides in the presence of the Lord. There have been numerous occasions in my life where I was in grave danger, and the Lord spared me from death.

If you had unlimited funds and free time, where would you choose to travel?

Okay, I’m tiptoeing out on a limb here, operating on the premise of unlimited funds, and dreaming BIG. At the moment, this sounds like fun: staying in five-star or historic hotels all over the world, as long as the location interests me. I’d include travel on every continent and country where being an American wasn’t a serious liability. And I’d fly business/first class. After all, as a novelist, I spend my days in imaginary situations and exotic locales. 

Did you always want to be a writer?

Secretly, yes. But I had this mental image that writers lived in dismal garret apartments, were chain smokers and alcoholics. To me, not an appealing lifestyle. And from a very early age, I dreamed of becoming an opera singer, a career I did pursue, which developed mastering technique and persevering through numerous setbacks and challenges. All of which are part of a novelist’s toolkit.

Blurb for Vengeance in Vienna:

A moonlight sail. A sniper on the shore. A terrorist financier determined to kill Jacob and all he holds dear.

Interpol Special Agent Jacob Coulter and his fiancée Riley Williams set out on a moonlight sail, but a sniper turns their idyllic Austrian vacation into a deadly nightmare.

On temporary assignment to the Vienna Interpol office, Jacob must apprehend a notorious terrorist financier and uncover his operations in Austria. But the financier is determined to destroy all Jacob holds dear. And that includes his kid sister and his fiancée, Riley Williams.

Opera singer Riley Williams is tired of dodging terrorist attempts on her life. When she insists on helping Jacob catch the financier and his henchmen, she gets into more trouble than she bargained for.

But the financier’s tentacles of evil reach far deeper into the Austrian economy than Jacob and Riley suspected. What they uncover appalls them. The clock is ticking. Can Jacob find them before it’s too late?

 

Social Media:

You can connect with Sara on:

Sara LJameson, Author (Facebook)

saraljamesonauthor (Instagram)

https://bit.ly/SLJGRPage (Goodreads)

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sara-l-jameson

 (Bookbub)

@saraljameson (X)

https://amzn.to/4jpSgmV (Amazon Author Page)

https://bit.ly/SLJCommunitySignup (Newsletter Signup)

www.saraljameson.com

Interview with Susan Page Davis

Bio: 

Susan Page Davis is the award-winning author of more than 100 novels and novellas. Born in Maine, she now lives in western Kentucky with her husband, Jim, a retired news editor.

Interview:

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing stories since I was a child, but this is the first one I’ve written with my daughter Page. I’ve also enjoyed writing two historical novels with my son Jim and three cozy mysteries with my daughter Megan.

I have six grown children and twelve grandchildren. All of my kids were home schooled. Before becoming a fiction writer professionally, I held diverse jobs, including shoeing horses (I am a certified farrier) and writing news as a local correspondent for a daily newspaper.

Which of your books was your favorite to write? Why? 

It’s hard to pick one, but I think maybe The Lady’s Maid. I also made the journey to Oregon as a young woman, though not in a covered wagon. I loved writing this historical series (Prairie Dreams). This one combines British Aristocracy with the American frontier.

How many books have you written?

More than 100 novels and novellas, nearly all in the Christian genre. I write mysteries, historicals, romance, and romantic suspense.

What is your latest release?

Down in the Dumpster, co-authored with my daughter Page. We’re now nearly finished with the rough draft of the sequel, Dumpsters and Dragons.

·    Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I used to think I was a pantser, but I realized I was plotting stories out in my head in great detail, even if I wasn’t writing it down. After a publisher required me to submit a detailed synopsis before they would look at the book, I became a confirmed plotter.

Blurb:  

You never know what you’ll find in a Dumpster.

If Cassie had known the misadventures she’d get into on her stopgap job, she would have kept checking the help wanted ads. With her crabby dispatcher hounding her, she collects the rubbish from a senior citizens’ complex in her garbage truck.

When she empties the dumpster, a witness sees a body fall into her compactor. How will she explain this to Mac? And just as important, can rubbish and romance mix?

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8GJQTFX 

Social Media Links:

Website: https://susanpagedavis.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Page-Davis/e/B001IR1CGA

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-page-davis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanpagedavisauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/255473.Susan_Page_Davis