Susan May Warren Interview

Today I am pleased as punch to welcome Susan May Warren to Interviews & Reviews. With over 1.5 million books sold, critically acclaimed USA Today best selling novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA and Carol award-winning author of over seventy-five novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com and Christmas novellas. And her book Ruby Jane was our Book of the Year winner for 2019. 

You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook at Susan May Warren Fiction, and on Twitter @susanmaywarren.

Welcome, Susan, to Interviews & Reviews!

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Susan, I asked our readers what they would like to ask you and their first question comes all the way from Italy, from one of our team members who wants to know: "Do you usually write with pen and eraser or with a computer?"

Hello Italy!  (By the way, book 3 in my upcoming Global Search and Rescue series takes place in Sicily!) Great question! I write all my books on my computer. In fact, sometimes I even dictate the scene, and then transcribe them. I do, however, use pen/paper for my brainstorming. I like to sit in front of my fire, or on my porch and just think, doodle and work out the plots by hand. 

Another reader wants to know how you are able to release all five books in one year. "Did you write them that quickly or did you have them all finished before you started releasing them?"

Because the plot thread was so tight across all five books, I decided to write them all before I released them so I could fiddle with book one after I’d finish the plotline in book five. However, I did release them before I had completely edited and proofed the entire series, as soon as I knew the overarching plot would not change. 

And in light of the previous question, interested readers want to know: "Do you ever sleep? Eat? Leave the house?" :)

LOL.  I have a very simple, focused work week. Get up, have my quiet time, write, take a walk, and eat salad or protein shakes during the week. We rarely eat a hot dinner during the week (it’s just my husband and myself). BUT, on Friday nights, we always make a nice meal, and we often go out on Saturdays, so we tend to work hard and focused during the week, but play during the weekends. I usually can write about 20K words a week at this schedule, without losing my mind. 

How did you get your idea for The Montana Marshalls series?

I wanted to write a family series that included international adventure and a tight series arc, and after I wrote my Montana Rescue series and my Montana Fire series, it just felt right to focus on a Montana family. I love the Marshalls—they are tough yet trying to figure out who they are without their father in their lives. They’re a family who really deepened with each story, and it was fun to hang out with them for a year! 

Five books are in this series, which book was your favorite to write and which character was your favorite?

Oh. I really like York, from Ruby Jane. He is such a layered character, such a tormented hero. I loved his inner transformation and how he was willing to make personal sacrifices for the woman he loved. And, I liked how all the threads came together in the final book, so maybe that was my favorite. 

But, as far my favorite Marshall son, it is probably Wyatt. He wasn’t a “hero” but he was willing to become one for his girl. I loved his journey, and how he finally folded into the family. 

What are you working on now?

I am finishing up The Price of Valor, book 3 in my upcoming Global SAR series. (Book 1, The Way of the Brave, came out in January.)  It very much picks up a few loose threads from the Marshall Family series, and deepens them. And, I love these three heroes (Ham, Orion and Jake) and how they “save the world.”

What is your favorite Scripture verse and why?

Currently, it is 1Timothy 1:5.
From the NLT: 
"The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith."

It’s simple but clear instruction on how we should live our lives and conduct our relationships. It’s a great reminder and life verse!

Indeed it is! Thank you for stopping by Susan. I know I speak for many readers, when I say, "We can't wait for your next book to come out!" 

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She loved...and lost.

Ruby Jane never thought she'd meet the man of her dreams while running from the police in Russia. That he'd steal her heart on a train to Siberia. But loving a former CIA officer comes with a price...a life of danger. A life of high stakes.

A life where he simply disappears...

He has no memory of the man he was.

Mack Jones has no memory of his past...just the dark sense that he is hiding. And, he wants to stay that way. Mack likes the life he's built in a small tourist town, tucked away beyond the mountains, and has no desire to dig around in the gray areas of his memory.

When his place of business catches fire and Mack rescues the owner, he makes the news, which of course alerts the past he's hoping to outrun.

The only person who can help him is a mysterious woman he doesn't remember.

But a woman he desperately needs.

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