Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a rather new presence on the indie-author circuit. I primarily enjoy writing crime, romance and suspense books. Following retirement from the corporate life, I now find it a privilege to take my readers on excursions from my vivid imagination. I often draw on my over twenty-five years of experience working with incarcerated men inside prison walls, to spin my tales into realistic stories that will captivate and intrigue you. I have written a total of ten books in the past two years. My 2019 releases include four one-hour quick reads:
“Infidelity Forgiven, Once Upon a Rock Star” This is a romance tale aimed at the 20 something crowd. Sarah and Jason experience a heart-breaking split, largely the result of actions by careless friends. The devastation pushes this love-stricken couple into the arms of others. Surprisingly, Sarah’s experience leads her to a deeper understanding of what she really wants from love. While Jason needs a bit more help from his friend to develop the maturity to salvage the relationship he so desperately wants.
“The Scorpion Swindlers” Books one and two. This crime romance series begins in Toronto, with continued adventures in Montreal and Vancouver Canada. In 2020, it crosses the border along with the antagonist during the third and final installment. It encompasses a suspense-filled prison break and trek across the US to locate the young son abandoned by imprisonment. But perhaps it’s really greed and revenge that becomes the true tale here. You be the judge. If you prefer, in 2020 I combined all three of the series quick reads into one book entitled “The Scorpion Swindlers Trilogy”. This is a lively, sexually racy and exciting twist of a series that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. One that was a pure pleasure to write. The challenge for me in this series was traversing the different nuances in cultures and miles to bring it all to it’s shocking conclusion in a small Wisconsin resort town. This book resonates with the 20-60 something age groups.
“Intruder in my Boathouse, Eva’s Story” A crime romance personal favorite of mine, aimed at the 30-60 something age group. An author’s life is invaded by someone, but who and why? Its suspense will have you riveted to the tension-filled end.
My latest releases are lengthier reads, including:
“Dark Edges” Another personal favorite of mine that initiates around a simple weekend wedding. It all should have all been so wonderful, so blissful. Right? Surely not when I’m at the keyboard. The groom’s secrets were far too deep and destructive. But, most assuredly those secrets came bounding in to mess up the lives of those he loved most. Perhaps we’ll even throw his life in the mix of OMG!!! I honestly have to thank an old boyfriend for some of the unbelievable things at play here in this story. As they say, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. The twists and turns will have you riveted to its unpredictable and unbelievable conclusion.
“Without You, A Reckoning from the Past Comes Calling” One of my husband’s personal favorites. A crime suspense page turner that he couldn’t put down. (And he’s by far been my toughest critic! What else might one expect from a Virgo!) This book is full of lies, deceit, and suspense. These all arise from the private life coverups of a Governor steeped in secrets, the unforgiveable kind of course.
But back to a cleaner, sweeter side of me… I know it’s hard to believe, after reading the majority of my offerings, but I actually have a sweeter side. Earlier I mentioned I primarily enjoy penning crime, romance and suspense books. However, given my background in social work, I would feel remiss without including some children’s and young adult books. My aim here is to deliver fun books that build character in our precious young population. Under my pen name S.E. Joseph, I have written two books. Beaubry’s Tales, The Complete Book is the first. It’s one of my treasured 2020 Young Adult releases. It’s a compilation I wish would have been available to me, when I was growing up. It delivers in an adorable and understanding manner just how the Universe works in terms of our lives and the twelve spiritual laws affecting us all. Each law is featured in a separate, easy to understand, everyday story, as experienced by the array of animals personified in the tale. The laws are principles that help our youth to both understand and change their lives into the kinds of lives we all wish for them. The second book is noted below.
My background includes cum laude graduation from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. I have resided in both the USA and Canada. I, along with my husband Ralph, now reside in Southeastern Wisconsin. Together we love traveling, gaming, reading, cooking, family, friends and somedays, when our games are good enough, even golf.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Most recently, I teamed up under the pen name of S.E. Joseph with my husband, Ralph R. Joseph, to write “The Magic Element, A Halloween Story”. It’s a 2020 release just in time for the holiday. The quick read depicts a family experiencing a rather unusual gift from the Universe. The book takes on a fun holiday theme to show that kindness really does matter in this world. The inspiration behind this book was a Halloween prop Ralph and I picked up at a local craft store one day as Halloween décor for a party. The holiday themed typewriter we bought actually became “The Element” depicted in the story. As we both looked at the strange thing, it just seemed right to make it into a story somehow. So, I began typing out the tale that popped into my head, and Ralph added to it until it became the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure it’s that unusual, but my imagination seems to soar when I walk into my office and open all of my blinds to the outside world. My office is comprised of three walls of windows, all looking out at nature. So, be it spring, summer fall or winter, you’ll get a vision of exactly what I see, as back drop to whatever I’m writing. Oh, and a cup of piping hot java with cream and monk fruit, or a cold bottle of pineapple Karma water doesn’t hurt either.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was charmed by Susan Trott’s books on “The Holy Man.” I love to laugh, so I’ve found books by the late Erma Bombeck to be thoroughly enjoyable. I simply can’t get enough of anything written by British author Jed Mercurio.
What are you working on now?
I’m in between works right now, but foresee starting a new crime-suspense book shortly.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m just a newbie here, so I’m really in the trial stages. We’ve run some things on Pinterest and on my husband’s LinkedIn accounts that have gotten some traction. Amazon.com and Goodreads have also been helpful in getting noticed.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Sure, don’t wait until retirement to pen your brilliant ideas. Almost every budding author has an extra hour or two a week to begin the journey. Do it now, and know you can’t neglect the marketing strategies that will get that brilliance noticed. My undying gratitude to Awesome Gang for its impact on getting us out there!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To me the best advice is certainly a dynamic experience, contingent on just where a person is at the moment. As I’m writing this, I can’t help but state the obvious. “Wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands often. These things really do save lives!” A general bit of advice I adore is, “Always be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle you know nothing about.”
What are you reading now?
I am re-enjoying an old NYT best-seller by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. entitled “Kitchen Table Wisdom”. I’ve forgotten just how much I LOVE this book. It reminds me so much of the many, many times my seven siblings and I sat around our dining room table on a Saturday morning, listening to my mother’s wise and hilarious stories about her highly unusual life.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My hope is for more inspirational and intriguing stories to pop into my imagination.
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?
Oh no! Not the dreaded desert island scenario! Well okay if you’re going to Gilligan’s Island me, that would be easy! “The Boy Who Saw True” by Anonymous. This one’s to keep the pure joy alive in my heart long after I’ve done all of the swimming I probably want to do in a lifetime. “Journey through the Text of A Course in Miracles” by Kenneth Wapnick. This is the body of work I really need to try to understand and bring about in this lifetime of mine. The late author seems like one of only a very small number of souls that even appear to understand what the rest of us simply don’t. “How to Survive on a Desert Island” by Jim Pipe. I figure I need something to change the overwhelming odds to my favor, as I’m really kind of a girly-girl that wants no part of this! In truth, I’m hoping the book will keep me alive long enough for Tarzan to swoop down out of a tree on a rope and save me. “Oh S**t” I guess my chances are pretty slim here, since he and his descendants had to be FICTION! Non-fiction Bear Grylls is probably too busy in Hollywood to be of any use to me. (Sigh) And now, when the chips have all fallen, yes, it’s down to this, “Tyler’s Ultimate” by Chef Tyler Florence. This is so I can remember all of those wonderful meals I used to have, before the inevitable likely happens to me… “But wait! Look over there! I must have manifested a miracle!” It’s Bear Grylls landing a sea plane right here in the lagoon. He seems to be looking for his next location site! “Oh, Bear! Over here!!! I’ve been sitting here hoping you might pop by. I’m a real fan! (Not exactly, but I’ll sure be one after this). I don’t know how I did it, but somehow, I got myself stranded on this island. I think it was that “Gang” that did it to me! Anyway, do you think I can hitch a ride back with you? I have a long overdue appointment with my stylist to take care of this tragic hair. (You know the tropical humidity can be just wicked on hair.) Oh thanks so much and cheers! I’ve somehow seemed to have smuggled a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue along with the books. If my charm doesn’t get you, maybe the scotch will.”
Author Websites and Profiles
Susan Ewerdt-Joseph Website
Susan Ewerdt-Joseph Amazon Profile
Susan Ewerdt-Joseph’s Social Media Links
Pinterest Account