I’m delighted to host debut author, Suzie Waltner, on the blog today. Her first book is out now (from Anaiah Press). If you finished Her One in a Million, you had the chance to read a sneak peek of Midnight Blue. (I’ll wait while you grab your copy of the book and skip to the end!)
Click here for the Amazon page for Midnight Blue
A series of heartbreaking setbacks behind her, Scarlett Sykes is now focused on creating the best life possible for her daughter. One where innocence and joy is not colored by rejection or loss. While finances are tight and Scarlett’s job isn’t ideal for a single mother, her child will always know she’s loved. Especially since Harmony’s father wanted nothing to do with them.
As lead singer and the face of a successful country band, Jake Turnquist’s closest friends depend on him, but life in the spotlight is quickly losing its appeal. At a party celebrating another accomplishment, he’s stunned to discover Scarlett assisting the caterer. Almost ten years have passed, but he’s never forgotten his first love.
In the hours after a surprise revelation, Jake scrambles to orchestrate a way to spend time with Scarlett and Harmony—the family he’s always wanted but never knew he had. He once gave her up to pursue his music. What will he have to surrender to win her back?
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your heroine’s bed? How about the hero’s?
If you took under Scarlett’s bed, you’d a box of photo albums and keepsakes from her parents’ home, some crayons or books that Harmony (Scarlett’s nine-year-old daughter) left in the room, and a dust bunny or two—because being a single mom and working as a waitress doesn’t leave a ton of time for cleaning.
There are random papers with scribble song lyrics beneath Jake’s bed as well as the first guitar he bought and his boots, which he kicks off before crashing into bed after touring on the road.
What is the theme of this book? If it’s part of a series, how does this book fit into the series?
The theme of this book is how God can take some of our biggest regrets and grow us through them to give us an even better outcome. He is a God of grace who heals our hurts and heartaches in ways we can never imagine.
Midnight Blue is the first book in the Love in Color series. Each book will feature a member of Jake’s band and will explore more of God turning those heartaches (whether of their own making or that of others which have affected the characters) into something beautiful.
Why do you write this genre? What inspired this story? Do you write any other genres?
My favorite genre to read is contemporary romance, so when I started writing, that’s what I gravitated toward.
The inspiration for Midnight Blue came from where I live. Again, it’s sort of a “write what you know” thing. I have lived in the Nashville area for over twenty years, so I know the city well. And what is Nashville best known for (other than bachelorette parties, which us locals roll our eyes at)? Country music (which I did have to research a bit for this book).
I do not write any other genres, but I did have a dream once and when I woke up, I thought it would make a good opening for a romantic suspense story. I wrote it down afterward, so it’s there if I ever want to branch out.
Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard.
I have gotten so much great advice and tips over the years from fellow authors. In fact, I believe authors (especially in the Christian fiction genre) are some of the most encouraging, generous people I have met.
Some of the tips I can share are just write, connect with other writers (this can be online, via local writers’ groups, at conferences, etc.), learn the craft, and let others (who are not related to you) read your work.
The best advice I’ve ever heard is that every journey is different. As authors, it’s tempting to let discouragement take root as watch others get an agent after one meeting or a contract on their second submission. Imposter syndrome is prevalent in the writing world, but if you have a story in you, write it—even if it is just written for one person.
Click here for Midnight Blue on Amazon
Want to learn more about Suzie?
Check out her website:
And Goodreads:
Rachelle Paige Campbell 