In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women's events about God's amazing grace in our lives.
The following is a September 2014 interview with Susan.
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THE INTERVIEW
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Evergreen
by Susan May Warren
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(Hardcover copy US winner or
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Contest open to entrants worldwide.
Contest runs from
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I’m a wife (25 years of marriage this summer!) to the most awesome guy, mother of 4 adult children (one married), international writing teacher and founder of My Book Therapy, writing coaching service, and a novelist non-fiction author of over 50 books.
But those are facts. Here’s me: Extrovert. Lover of Jesus. Football fanatic, family activities coordinator, swing dancer, avid reader, graphic design geek, wanna-be gardener and entrepreneur.
But those are facts. Here’s me: Extrovert. Lover of Jesus. Football fanatic, family activities coordinator, swing dancer, avid reader, graphic design geek, wanna-be gardener and entrepreneur.
How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I’ve always been amazed at the journey God has taken me on. I always loved to write, but being a missionary in Russia, I never dreamed about being an author. I just tried to do the best with what God had entrusted to me, and for me that meant writing missionary newsletters. I honed my skills through my newsletter, and then, after a number of years, began to write devotionals and magazine articles. Although I tried my hand at writing novels (I wrote 4 before I ever had one published), I never thought I would get anything published. But I diligently studied craft and analyzed books, even though I was hidden away in Siberia. I’ll always be grateful that Tyndale and later Barbour and Steeple Hill took a chance on me! I’m still learning, and still trying to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me.
What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
I get personal letters all the time from readers who have blessed me by sharing what my books have done to encourage their walk with Christ, or maybe open a door to faith that they’ve closed, or even just help them keep their eyes on the light during a dark time. I’m overwhelmed by this thought – that God could use the stories He gives me to touch others. Wow. I don’t ever write “agenda” fiction – I start a story with a character who believes a lie, and needs a truth. It might be something redemptive, or perhaps it’s simply a new perspective. But I don’t write the story trying to wedge this truth into the story, I let the character free to journey forth, and let the truth work itself out onto the page. There is nothing wrong with writing books just to entertain – our world is in sore need of edifying entertainment. However, I believe it’s impossible to write a book without some sort of message woven into the fabric of the story. And in the case of fiction woven with truth, I believe the world needs that, too.
My books are all about grace, about God reaching into someone’s life, through their journey, and offering redemption of some sort. I believe the very nature of a story to be about a three-fold journey – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Even non-Christian books have that element – everyone is searching for some sort of universal truth. Books written with a Christian world view simply point to the source of that universal truth. So, I think, as an author who is a Christian, I can’t help but write stories about truth and hope and grace, and my hope is that my readers start to see God’s grace and love for them in their own lives as they journey with the characters.
What responses to your novels have affected you the most and why?
As I mentioned, I often receive letters from reader fans who tell me how the story has affected them. When it’s a letter that shares with me how the story has set them free from a lie, or deepened their relationship (or renewed it) with the Lord, those are the letters I cherish.
One response in particular, however put that truth to action when a book club had a “Christmas Tea” for the homeless in reaction to a scene in my book, The Great Christmas Bowl. That was especially awesome.
How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
I couldn’t write a word without the Lord giving me the words, the time, the inspiration, the motivation. My faith, my time with the Lord comes first, and I eagerly expect and wait for the insights He gives me to each story. Of course, I spend every morning in quiet time, in prayer, and for each book I also study a passage of scripture. My faith, I believe, should be woven into all areas of my life, and by renewing my mind in the Word each day, I believe it not only keeps my focus in the right place – but also inspires the words on the page.
Hmm. I can’t wait to be the most awesome grandma on the planet. I also want to travel with my hubby. And, I’d love to be a missionary again, maybe part time in our “later” years. I wouldn’t mind making the NYT best-seller list, either. :-)
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spare Time? You mean there is more than writing? I love my church, and being outside. In the summer I garden, and hike and canoe and camp. In the fall, I’m a crazy football fan – my two youngest sons play for their teams (one in college, the other in high school) and we attend all their games, as well as watch the Sunday, Monday and Thursday NFL games. (I’m like a guy that way – I love my football!) When the snow falls, I’m an avid reader and spend the winter sunk into great stories. I am also a skier and love the crisp winter air, the crunch of snow under my boots. And then we’re back to spring – diy home projects and the sweet anticipation of my summer flowers.
What can you tell us about your latest novels?
My most recent novels have been a sort of mirror of my current life – about a family whose children are leaving the nest, and still need a bit of guidance. The children are struggling to find their place in the world, and the parents are discovering who they are, and the love that first brought them together. So, faith and family meets real life.
I have two more books in that series, (the Christiansen family series) – a story about embracing the wonder of “true love,” and a prodigal coming home. And then I’m looking at how to build on that love for small town, family, romance and adventure.
What would you like to say to your fans in New Zealand, and others worldwide?
I am so grateful for you!! Thank you for sharing in the trials and joys of my characters (who feel a bit like my children.) If you ever want to drop me a line, I’d love to “meet” you – [email protected].
Do you have any parting words?
I say the same thing to my family every day after our morning prayer session. Go, be amazing.
XO!
Susie May
(Christiansen Family #1)
by Susan May Warren
- Tyndale House Publishers
- Contemporary
- April 2013
- ISBN: 9781414378411
Purchase:
[Kindle | Amazon | The Book Depository]
Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.
New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.
Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself.
(Christiansen Family #2)
by Susan May Warren
- Tyndale House Publishers
- Contemporary
- January 2014
- ISBN: 9781414378428
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Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.
Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.
(Christiansen Family #3)
by Susan May Warren
- Tyndale House Publishers
- Contemporary
- June 2014
- ISBN: 9781414378435
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Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.
Maxwell Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.
Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.
(A Christensen Winter Novella)
by Susan May Warren
- Tyndale House Publishers
- Contemporary
- September 2014
- ISBN: 9781414394015
[Kindle | Amazon | The Book Depository]
An empty nest has Ingrid Christiansen dreading the upcoming holidays, but her husband, John, couldn’t be more excited about this new season of life. He even has a surprise trip abroad planned. He’s sure she’ll love it. What’s more romantic than Christmas in Paris?
Before he can stop her, however, Ingrid agrees to spearhead a major church project. Then their faithful dog, Butterscotch, needs emergency surgery, draining their savings. And then—because disasters strike in threes—an unexpected guest arrives, dredging up old hurts.
As a beautiful blanket of snow transforms the north woods into a winter wonderland, a deep chill settles over John and Ingrid’s marriage. With the holidays fast approaching, their only hope of keeping their love evergreen depends on turning the page on the past and embracing a new chapter of their future.
(Christensen Family #4)
by Susan May Warren
- Tyndale House Publishers
- Contemporary
- January 2015
- ISBN: 9781414378442
[Kindle | Amazon | The Book Depository]
After a failed dig in Honduras, aspiring archaeologist Casper Christiansen heads home to Minnesota to face his unresolved feelings for Raina Beaumont, the woman of his dreams. But when he arrives unannounced on her doorstep, he receives the shock of a lifetime: Raina is pregnant with someone else’s baby.
Heartbroken, especially when he discovers the identity of the baby’s father, Casper tables his dreams and determines to be dependable for once, helping his older brother, Darek, prepare the family resort for its grand reopening. Casper longs to be the hero of at least one family story, but a never-ending Deep Haven winter and costly repairs threaten their efforts—and the future of the resort.
Worse, one of Casper’s new jobs constantly brings him into contact with Raina, whom he can’t seem to forget. A tentative friendship begins to heal fresh wounds, but can they possibly overcome past mistakes and current choices to discover a future together?
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Be in to win a copy of Evergreen by Susan May Warren One copy to be won (Hardcover copy US winner/Kindle copy international winner) Contest open to entrants worldwide. Contest runs from 26 September - 10 October NZDT How to Enter: Please comment about the interview, or leave a message for Susan May Warren in the blog comments below, then enter the Rafflecopter draw. Only entries made using the Rafflecopter contest will be eligible for drawing. Winning entries drawn will have their entry options validated before being accepted - if incomplete another entry will be drawn. |