Congratulations to the winner of last week’s Author Spotlight, ELAINE RIEDER. Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com to claim your prize.

Welcome Lisa Harris, author of Vendetta, to Author Spotlight! Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a copy of Lisa’s latest release.

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

I wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember, though I didn’t actually finish a book until I was in my late twenties. I recently found some piles of hand written chapters I wrote when I was about ten or eleven which was really fun to read. And interestingly enough, they were always the beginning of mysteries or suspense novels, which I still love writing to this day. I write fast-paced romantic suspense, that is usually set over a very short period of time.

Tell us about your new release:

Book one in the Nikki Boyd Files, Vendetta, is set in the stunning Smoky Mountains. No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Person Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels that this case is getting personal, and that she is not the hunter at all–but actually the one being hunted.

How can readers connect with you online?

I have a brand new website thanks to my wonderful publisher at www.lisaharriswrites.com. I’m on Facebook and Twitter. Would love to hear from you!

Anything new for you on the book horizon?

Yes! Right now I’m working on book three for my Nikki Boyd series, and then next year, I’ll be starting a new international series with Love Inspired Suspense.

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

About six years. It’s been an amazing journey full of ups and downs, but I’m so glad I finally took the time to write that first book.

Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well?

I’m actually not a coffee drinker. I know. . .I know. . . Writers are supposed to be coffee drinkers! But I love starting my day with a Ninja smoothie with greens, beets, carrots, ginger, and apple.

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

I love being outside; anywhere that’s quiet in the middle of nature. My routine differs (which I guess means no routine) and depends on what is going on in my life. I probably average 4-6 hours of writing and research a day that is determined by my word-count goal.

Do you prefer reading physical books or e-readers?

While I’ve always loved reading physical books, because I live hundreds of miles from the nearest bookstore, I so thankful for my e-reader. It’s wonderful to be able to download a book whenever I want, instead of waiting.

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

A gothic historical novel set on the Cornwall coast of England. I grew up loving Victoria Holt’s novels and actually have one that I wrote years ago. I’d love to rewrite it one day.

What’s one thing you learned about the publishing industry in last five years? Last year? Last six months?

Just like in life, things never stay the same. There are ups and downs, and highs and lows. And while I might not know what direction the industry is going, I do know that people still love reading books. And hopefully that will never change.

What’s your favorite writing snack?

Good and plenty licorice.

Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In-between?

Definitely an introvert, and the older I get the more I seem to head in that direction.

Greatest adventure:

My great adventure has been being married to my wonderful husband.

Best indulgence:

A long afternoon nap.

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Lisa Harris is a Christy Award winner, the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times, and the author of nearly thirty books, including Dangerous Passage, Fatal Exchange, and Hidden Agenda. She and her family have spent twelve years living as missionaries in southern Africa. They currently live in Mozambique, where Lisa leads a women’s ministry and runs a nonprofit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.

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