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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Blog Spotlight - Susan Page Davis and The Sheriff's Surrender

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SUSAN PAGE DAVIS is a Maine native. She’s the author of two dozen published novels, mostly in the historical romance and romantic suspense genres. Her husband Jim is a retired news editor turned freelance editor. They have six children and six grandchildren. Visit Susan at her Web site: www.susanpagedavis.com.

THE SHERIFF'S SURRENDER
by Susan Page Davis
Published by Barbour Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK

Gert Dooley has kept house for her brother, a gunsmith, for eight years and seems content, but she wishes Ethan Chapman, the new sheriff of Fergus, Idaho, would notice her. Ethan tries to solve the murder of his predecessor, without much success. Women come to Gert wanting to learn to shoot in order to protect themselves, their property, and their families. When the Ladies’ Shooting Club springs up, the men of the town aren’t happy. They want their women back in their kitchens, where they belong—not out shooting up all their lead. But when the murderer strikes again, it’s the Ladies’ Shooting Club that steps forward to help keep the town safe. Will Ethan listen to the men and disband the club, or will he surrender his heart to a crack shot lady?

Readers, buy your copy of The Sheriff's Surrender today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

This story came about from a number of factors. I wanted to write about Idaho. My daughter lives there, and in visiting her I’ve learned some of its fascinating history. I wanted to write about a group of women supporting each other. Most of my past heroines have been loners—very independent. In this book, you’ll find several strong, independent women who find even greater strength in unity. And I wanted to write a lighthearted mystery. I hope you enjoy it!

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

I was going to say almost none, but that wouldn’t be strictly true. My husband used to be a gunsmith, so I have that in common with Gert—I live with a man who fixes guns for other people (or used to. Please don’t bring him any guns now—he no longer does that). I’ve lived in a small town and had to learn to cope with changes. I’ve also worked around horses a lot.

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Rocky road. Does everyone say that? Gert has a lot of bumps to dodge in her road to maturity.

(insert from Tiff: Yes. I'm thinking I should remove Rocky Road as an option. *winks*)

4. Are there any themes in The Sheriff's Surrender that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

The overriding themes are friendship, bearing each other’s burdens, and acceptance. The women of Fergus had to get past years of self-imposed isolation and reach out to each other.

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

My favorite parts were when Ethan tried to sort out his feelings for Gert. The most difficult was keeping the Penny Man’s identity hidden. I had to delete one scene where a couple of the women saw him because it wasn’t realistic that they would have the contact I described and not recognize him.

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

Book 2 in The Ladies’ Shooting Club series, The Gunsmith’s Gallantry, will come out in June. But before that, there’s another I’m quite excited about. In January, Mainely Mysteries will release. It’s a 3-in-1 anthology of cozy mysteries I wrote with my daughter Megan, set in Maine. The first two came out in 2008 as single titles, but the third one, Impostors at Blue Heron Lake, was never printed as a single title. Now it’s finally coming out as the finale of the Mainely Mysteries trilogy. These stories follow Emily Gray, a reporter who decides to leave her big-city job and return to Baxter, Maine, the tiny town where she grew up. She’s reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Nate Holman, who runs the marina on Blue Heron Lake. Together they stumble into solving mysteries, and they fall in love all over again.

* * * * *

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

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of The Sheriff's Surrender.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

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 the winners are announced each time.

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

10 comments:

Carole said...

The idea of women supporting each other sounds like a great theme for this western and I look forward to reading it. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

I look forward to Susan's Maine series being released in one volume.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Casey said...

I would love to read this book, it looks like a great read!

Casey said...

Sorry Tiff, I forgot my email addy:

libraryhelper(at)harneyesd(dot)k12(dot)or(dot)us

Mark said...

I'd like to enter, thanks
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Giveaway Lady said...

I would love to win this!! Please enter me:) Thanks!!
esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Michelle said...

Thanks for entering me!

Blessings,
Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Patti Lacy said...

Loved having dinner with Susan at an ACFW conference a couple of years ago. She's sweet, she's funny, she's inspiring!!!

Blessings,
Patti

Karin said...

Always enjoy Susan's books....

karin56381 (at) gmail.com

Toystory said...

I think this world would be a better place if more people reached out to one another. So many are so self-centered like the world revolves around ONLY them. Thanks for the interview.
1prizewinner(at)gmail(dot)com

Carolynn said...

Thanks for the chance to win...the book sounds great!
carolynnwald [at]hotmail [dot]com