Congratulations to the winner of last week’s Author Spotlight giveaway of What Matters Most by Kellie Coates Gilbert, JERI WILSON. Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com to claim your prize.

Welcome Lisa Harris, author of Missing, to Author Spotlight! Leave a comment below to enter to win a copy.

Introduce us to you as an author: When did you get bit with the writing bug? How would you describe your writing style?

I started dictating stories to my mom before I could even write. And that ‘bug’ never left me. I didn’t start writing seriously until years later after adopting our firstborn, but have kept on every since. I write fast-paced romantic suspense that usually takes place over a very short time period.

Tell us about your new release:

Missing is book two in my series about Nikki Boyd who works with a missing person task force in Tennessee. This story finds Nikki still looking for her own sister who vanished a decade ago and delving into the deadly world of counterfeit drugs.

How can readers connect with you online?

I have a brand new website—www.lisaharriswrites.com where you can find out about my latest books. Readers can also connect with me on Facebook.

Anything new for you on the book horizon?

I’m working on a couple books right now. The first is Love Inspired Suspense set in Italy and the second is an exciting follow up to the Nikki Boyd Files that I’ll be sharing more about soon.

After you started writing seriously, how long was it before you were published?

I first started seriously writing almost twenty years ago when we adopted our first child. I was a stay at home mom without a car, so I decided that I was finally going to write a book. And I did. It took another six year, though, before I received my first contract for a novella project. After that, I began writing for Heartsong Presents where I learned so much about the writing process.

Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?

I have a comfy chair in my bedroom with a beautiful view of the bay where I like to write. As for how many hours, it depends on what commitments I have for the day and how long it takes me to finish my word count which I make sure I finish every day.

Do you prefer reading physical books or e-readers?

While I prefer reading physical books, the invention of the e-readers has been wonderful for me. We live overseas with no close access to a bookstore. Having an e-reader means I can order any book I need without waiting until I can visit a bookstore. Which is probably why I now have so many ebooks. ☺

If you could write any book–on any topic–and be guaranteed a publishing contract, what topic would it be? (Or genre?)

When I was in junior high I decided I wanted to write a gothic romance like Victoria Holt, an author who’s books I devoured growing up. I actually wrote one years later, and would love to rewrite it and see it in print one day.

What are your biggest distractions?

While I write full time, I also home school and have ministry responsibilities, so the to-do list never seems to go away. It’s easy to get pulled here and there all at the same time while trying to get things done.

Who’s your favorite character you’ve written so far? Explain:

I know that the answer for this will change, but I’ve really loved writing Nikki Boyd’s series. It’s been fun to focus on a heroine that I find fascinating for several books and really get to know her character and what makes her tick. It’s been a fun journey for me as an author and I will really miss her when the series ends.

Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In-between?

I’m definitely an introvert and I see myself becoming more of one the older I get.

What drives you to succeed?

I don’t have huge dreams of success, but instead I’m so thankful for a job I really enjoy that helps to pay the bills. For me is all the drive I need.

My great adventure has been…

Twelve plus years in ministry in Africa. Definitely an adventure!

If I could go anywhere…

It would be a round the world cruise. I think it would be an adventure of a lifetime.

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