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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Spotlight on Lisa Harris and Baker's Fatal Dozen and Final Deposit

This author comes to visit you all the way from southern Africa. She's frequently won the 'farthest traveled' award at ACFW conferences. :)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LISA HARRIS is a wife, mother, and author who has been writing both fiction and nonfiction for the Christian market since 2000. She and her husband, Scott, along with their three children, live in Mozambique as missionaries. Lisa's published/sold works include over fifty articles, short stories, and devotionals as well as ten novels, four novellas, and three novel compilations.

Visit her blog.




BAKER'S FATAL DOZEN
by Lisa Harris
Published by Barbour Mysteries

FINAL DEPOSIT
by Lisa Harris
Published by Love Inspired Suspense






ABOUT THE BOOKS

BAKER'S FATAL DOZEN - Get ready to cook up a second helping of Pricilla Crumb and her hilarious schemes to serve up justice. When Reggie Pierce, who runs Pricilla Crumb's favorite bakery, is found dead, Pricilla finds herself hot on the trail of another sticky scandal that begins with murder.

FINAL DEPOSIT - In 2006, the Internet Crime Report showed growing criminal activities targeting Americans had resulted in an estimated loss of almost two hundred million dollars. Thousands of people were scammed in such infamous con games like the Nigerian scam, fund transfer scams, and mail-order-brides.

Imagine finding out that your father has fallen victim to one of these long cons. After disposing of all his stocks, mortgaging his house, and maxing out his credit cards, George Taylor flies to Europe to meet with the man who promised him millions for his help in expediting funds out of West Africa. It's a fortune he will never see.

When Lindsey Taylor tries to save her father from losing his life savings to the Internet scam, she discovers that losing everything you have isn't the worst thing that can happen.

Buy Your Copy of Baker's Fatal Dozen and Final Deposit Today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for these stories?

First of all, for my cozy mystery series with Pricilla Crumb, her character showed up one day and wouldn't leave. She's in her mid-sixties, a widow, and retired once, but gave that up to work at her son's lodge in the Rocky Mountains. She's also quirky, impulsive, and a whole lot of fun. I wanted her to discover that life isn't over just because you're "over the hill." Even when it comes to love.

Regarding Final Deposit, I've always been intrigued by how scammers can weave themselves into the lives of an individual without the victim realizing, or at least acknowledging what has happened. I wanted a story that dealt with someone struggling with this very situation. In this case, my heroine's father has been taken in by an internet scam, but his choices end up affecting more than just him as his daughter has to fight for her own life to save him.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Thankfully, I've never been involved in a murder investigation or even a scam, but I know that a part of my life always ends up woven into the fabric of my characters. Sometimes it's what I want to be more of--strong and capable. Other times it's what I want less of--fear and vulnerability. In using my own emotions, I can get deeper into the head of my characters so their motives and action ring true.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what he/she be and why?

Pricilla would have to be double fudge brownie with caramel, nuts, and a dash of whip cream, because her personality is complex, layered, and fun. In Final Deposit, my heroine Lindsey would be Rocky Road ice cream. She's an ordinary person, faced with extraordinary circumstances, and in the process her life is changed not only through the challenges she faces, but also because of her reliance on God.

4. What themes exist in Baker's Fatal Dozen or Final Deposit that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

Baker's Fatal Dozen deals with finding our strength in God when the world seems to be falling in around us.

In Final Deposit, I want the reader to realize God's amazing gift of forgiveness. Often one of the hardest things to accept in life is the consequences of other people's mistakes. Especially when those mistakes affect our own lives. This is exactly what happened to Lindsey. Her father's decision to trust the wrong person not only wiped out his finances, but put her own life, and those around her, at risk. In the end, Lindsey is faced with the reality that granting forgiveness can keep her from turning bitter and ruining her own life.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I've enjoyed learning the subtle differences of writing both mystery and suspense side by side. In a romantic suspense, the difficulty is balancing the romance line with the suspense line, while in a mystery, it's essential to throw in a handful of red herrings as well as real clues that in the end will leave the reader satisfied in the outcome. These are always a challenging balance.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Chef's Deadly Dish comes out in March of 2009 and is the third and final cozy mystery in my Cozy Crumb series. This time, Pricilla finds herself involved in a murder mystery at a national food competition where she is the emcee.

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Thank you, Lisa, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of EITHER Baker's Fatal Dozen or Final Deposit. Your choice if you win. Feel free to state your preference along with your comment.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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7 comments:

windycindy said...

Hello, How Lisa finds the time to write is beyond me. With her family, their missions, etc. I would be a happy camper to win wither of her delightful books. Thanks for the fun interview with her. I really enjoyed reading the answers to your interview questions. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

tetewa said...

They both sound great, but I'd probably go with Final Deposit! tWarner419@aol.com

Carolynn said...

They both sound great, thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Lisa Harris said...

Thanks so much for stopping by! Both of these books were so much fun to write, I hope you enjoy them.

And thanks for the interview Tiff!

Lisa

ChristyJan said...

I enjoyed reading this interview with Lisa.

Both BAKER'S FATAL DOZEN and FINAL DEPOSIT sound like great reads ~ please enter me to win either copy.

hawkes@citlink.net

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner from this drawing and that is:

TERESA!

Congratulations! I've sent your mailing information to Lisa so she can send out your copy of Fatal Deposit.

Lots of other winners selected today. Check out all interviews from August 13th through August 29th to see if you've won.

As always, thanks for your continued support.

tetewa said...

Sweet, I'm looking forward to this one!