Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a freelance writer, minister’s wife, and former missionary with a passion for spy thrillers and mystery novels. While I’ve been a freelance writer for many years, One Night in Tehran is my first Christian thriller. For several years, I have been writing articles about the conversion experiences of a wide variety of people for Baptist Press, a news organization, and I did a similar type of reporting for The Indiana Baptist, a state Baptist newspaper. While living in Indiana, I wrote a weekly column on the stories of everyday people, and how they were brought to faith in Christ.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new release is entitled One Night in Tehran and I was inspired to write it when I heard about the persecution experienced by Iranian Christians in Iran. Then, since I’ve always had a passion for the mystery/suspense/thriller genre, I asked, “What would happen to a veteran CIA intelligence officer if he encountered the faith and commitment of a group of Iranian Christians? What if he made a commitment of faith because of their influence? What changes might he have to make in his career and lifestyle if he tried live a totally different life, a life of faith?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unlike most authors, I don’t outline my chapters before I start writing. I have a two to three sentence plot in mind when I begin the story. From the opening paragraphs, the scenes begin to come into focus, and from that point on, I can clearly see how the book will end. Since I’m writing a series of books featuring Titus Ray, a CIA intelligence officer, he has an endless amount of stories to tell, and I have plots in mind for the next two in the series.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Because I’ve been reading mystery/suspense/thriller books since I was eleven years old, and there were times in my life when I was able to read this type of fiction every two to three days, I’ve been greatly influenced by the elements of a good read in this genre. I have no doubt my style of writing has been shaped by the writing styles of Adam Hall, Daniel Silva, Nelson DeMille, Joel Rosenberg, Vince Flynn, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and John Sandford.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m three-fourths of the way through the second book in the Titus Ray Thriller Series. It’s entitled, Two Days in Caracas. In this second book, the reader will see a more romantic side of Titus, plus be treated to further insight into his character. In addition, Two Days in Caracas will continue several aspects of the plot from One Night in Tehran. The third book in the series doesn’t have a title yet, but it will take the form of Three Weeks in . . . While I’m not prepared to say where Titus will end up in the third book, I already have a pretty good idea where that will be.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still in the process of discovering all the marketing websites available for promoting Christian fiction books. This website, Awesomegang, has been very accommodating for a new author, and I highly recommend it to my author friends. It was the first one I used after my book was released, and I always enjoy receiving updates from it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Because my writing was born out of being a reader, I always tell new authors to read and write, read and write, read and write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There have been several bits of advice I’ve either heard or read from other authors. One is to edit, edit, and then edit some more. Another is to make sure every bit of dialogue moves the story along in some way. If not, then take it out.
What are you reading now?
For fiction, I’m reading Lee Child’s latest book entitled Personal. Then, I’m always reading a devotional or theology book. Right now, it’s Yawning at Tigers by Drew Dyck.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m continuing to market One Night in Tehran while writing Two Days in Caracas. I’m also staying in touch with my readers–I love to hear from them–and doing book signings and speaking to women’s groups. One Night in Tehran is an excellent tool to use for witnessing because a fiction book in a non-threatening way of delivering the gospel, and, since the gospel message is a part of Titus Ray’s background, it’s been easy for me or anyone else, for that matter, to do that with this novel.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The first book would undoubtedly be my Bible. I couldn’t survive long without it. Then, I’d take along John Piper’s book, The Pleasures of God. After that, J. I. Packer’s book, Knowing God, and finally, I’d bring along A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.
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