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Friday, July 15, 2016

Interview with Christy-Award winner, Lisa Harris


Good morning! Elizabeth Goddard here. I'm so pleased to host one of my dearest and long-time writing friends, Lisa Harris. She is one of the most amazing people I know, keeping up with her intense writing schedule while working as a missionary in Africa. If you haven't read her books yet, you are missing out! Which brings me to my next point--Lisa is giving away a copy* of her new release, MISSING, the second book in her Nikki Boyd Files series with Revell. 


Here's Lisa's bio: LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and Vendetta, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 and 2015 from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. She has over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent over twelve years living as missionaries in Africa where she leads a women's group, and runs a non-profit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." (Proverbs 31:8)

When she's not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com.

And without further ado. . .Lisa Harris.


EG: Not only are you multi-published, you’re multi-award-winning! Tell us about your writing journey and the road to publication.



It started like every journey does, I supposed, as a young woman with a dream to write a book. And eventually I did. The first few books I wrote were never published, but that’s okay because for me it really has been a journey. There have been tons of both highs and lows, rejections and awards, but I think the best part has been the friendships and people I have met along the way.



EG: I agree with you about the friendships. What are some of the challenges you face as a writer? How does living in Africa affect you as a writer? Are there aspects of your life that are hard for family and friends to understand? What are they?



Sometimes I really wish I could be a part of a writers group so I could have more frequent face-to-face time with people who understand the business. So I guess the next best thing is being able to talk frequently with friends—like Beth!!—thanks to the Internet. As for my family, I’m grateful that they have always been extremely supportive. I try never to neglect them, but they do understand what deadline means.



EG: What would we do without the Internet keeping us connected? How do you create characters? Are they based on people you know?



I’ve never based a character on someone I know, though I’m sure it’s impossible not to draw certain characteristics from people you know even without realizing it. Normally, an idea about a character comes to me and I spend time writing down ideas and ‘getting to know’ who they are.



EG: Tell us about your current release.




Missing is book two in my Nikki Boyd Files series and comes after the Christy-nominated Vendetta. Nikki Boyd isn't usually called in on homicides; her forte is missing persons. But when a case with two murdered and two missing pops up on a quiet suburban street, she's ready to start the investigation and find missing homeowners Mac and Lucy Hudson. When the first clues lead her to the boat of her friend Tyler Grant--and another dead body--Nikki must untangle what ties Tyler to the Hudsons. The clues pull her into a deadly maze of counterfeit drugs and a killer who will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens his business--including Nikki.



EG: Sounds so exciting. I can't wait to dig in and read this novel! Where did you get the idea for this book?



Like what is normal for me, it all started with a character, Nikki Boyd who had an intriguing story to tell and who worked on a Missing Persons Task force which gave me plenty of ideas for each book.



EG: Tell us about your main character.


What I love about Nikki is her compelling back story and how it has made her who she is today. Ten years ago, her younger sister vanished and was believed to have been taken by a man dubbed by the media as the Angel Abductor. Nikki has been searching for Sarah ever since. It was that loss that compelled her to quit her job as a teacher and join the police academy and later a newly formed missing person task force. She’s strong yet vulnerable, and has a huge heart for others. She’s also loosing her heart (though I don’t want to give anything away if you haven’t ready book one!)



EG: Is there a spiritual message in your book? If so, what is it?



It deals a lot with trust and healing as both Nikki and the hero have had to reevaluate their lives as they move forward out of difficult situations.



EG: What are you working on now?



Right now I am working on book four in the series. I haven’t announced this anywhere yet, but it will be Sarah’s story.



EG: Oh fun! Thank you for sharing this with SUSPENSE SISTERS! Tell us three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.




This is always hard as I’m not sure there is much that’s really surprising about me.  I swam with dolphins in the Amazon, I don’t like high adrenaline stuff in real life—only in my books—and. . .I don’t drink coffee which seems to be really weird for a writer.



EG: Ha! That IS weird for a writer! And dolphins? Now I'm really jealous! Favorite TV shows?



Of course I love action/police shows like NCIS, Hawaii 5-0 with a bit of sci-fi and Hallmark movies thrown into the mix.



EG: You have eclectic taste. Same here. Anything special you eat or drink while you’re writing?



Not usually. If I do, I might make some popcorn, but that’s about it.



EG: How do you celebrate after completing a book?


Start the next one. LOL



EG: Yep. That's a professional writer for you. Where can readers find you on the Internet?



I have a wonderful new website my publisher made for me at www.lisaharriswrites.com. You can find out about my other books here as well as life in Africa.



EG: Anything else you’d like to share with us?



Thanks so much for having me!!!


You're so welcome and thank you for joining us!   

Now, readers, remember, Lisa is giving away MISSING. If you would like to be entered in the drawing, leave a comment and remember to include your contact information.


Blessings!
Elizabeth Goddard


*print copy for a US winner and ebook for an international winner.

25 comments:

  1. Thanks for this interview with Lisa. She is certainly very busy and I admire her continued missionary work.
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. A lovely interview thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  3. Thanks so much for letting me drop by your wonderful blog and for the interview, Beth!

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  4. I loved the first book in Nikki Boyd Files! Can't wait to read "Missing"!

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  5. Have not read one of her books yet just put her on my to read list. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom.

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  6. Thanks for the fun interview, Beth and Lisa! I can relate to you, Lisa, in that I'm not fond of high-adrenaline stuff in real life and don't like coffee (despite being a writer)! Your real life, though, sounds much more adventurous than mine. :) Thanks for offering this giveaway!

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  7. Oops! Forgot my email address for the giveaway. jerusha(at)SDGwords(dot)com.

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  8. Looking forward to reading your books! Thanks, Kristie tklovenestataoldotcom

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  9. Very interesting interview. The main character sounds interesting. Count me in the drawing at mendingnets(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Jeff Reynolds

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  10. Nice to meet you, Lisa. Your books sound good. Any way the winner of your book can get the first book in the series instead?
    debsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. Enjoyed the interview and I would love to win a copy of this book. lacy1942@gmail.com

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  12. I really enjoyed learning a little more about Lisa. Swimming with the dolphins? I think I may be a little jealous about that as well. I'm looking forward to reading 'Missing'. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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  13. I loved book one & can't wait to read this as well! smincer10(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Always love hearing about you. Count me in the drawing. lill dot kohler at gmail dot com

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  15. Lisa you're a new-to-me author, and I love suspense so those two factors go hand in hand for a good book in my opinion! Thanks for the fun interview and book giveaway chance! I'm already putting your books on my want-to-read list :-)

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    1. Sorry I forgot my email address:

      teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  16. Great interview. Informative and encouraging for us wannabe published writers. Thank you for sharing a small piece of your life with us.

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  17. Love reading all of your comments! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by. :-)

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  18. Thank you for sharing your journey and the behind-the-scenes for MISSING. I've enjoyed your Love Inspired Suspense novels and will look for VENDETTA as well! Please put me in the drawing for an ebook as I'm Canadian! lauriewood23@shaw.ca thanks and have a lovely day!

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  19. Thank you for sharing your journey and the behind-the-scenes for MISSING. I've enjoyed your Love Inspired Suspense novels and will look for VENDETTA as well! Please put me in the drawing for an ebook as I'm Canadian! lauriewood23@shaw.ca thanks and have a lovely day!

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  20. Love all your books I've read so far and this one is on my to read list and would love to win a copy of it. My email is sharonmarch@charter.net

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  21. Thank you for the wonderful interview with Lisa. Lisa, I so appreciate your heart for the mission field. May the Lord continue to richly bless you and your family.

    Congratulations on your release of Missing. Suspense is my favorite genre. I am looking forward to reading this one.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  22. Great interview with Lisa Harris. She is a new to me author and I look forward to reading her book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Great interview with Lisa Harris. She is a new to me author and I look forward to reading her book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. Thanks for the interview information. I really enjoyed the Southern Crimes series and look forward to a chance to win Missing! dawn dot nicol at gmail dot com

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