1–What’s the name of your latest release?
My latest release is Seconds to Live. This is book one in my new Homeland Heroes series.
2–What is it about?
When cybercriminals hack into the US Marshals’ Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses’ personal details to the highest bidders, the RED Team led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness’s help, as she’s the person who has come closest to discovering Phantom’s identity.
Trouble is, she’s a witness under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and will kill her, so to stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must work through their personal pain and learn to trust each other.
3–What word best describes your heroine?
Taylor is so many things, but if I had to choose just one word I would say she’s determined.
4–What makes your hero irresistible?
Sean’s dedication to protect the people he cares about no matter what, even if it means giving up his own life, is totally irresistible to me.
5–Who are the people your main characters turn to when they need help?
Sean and Taylor turn to the RED team who are featured in this book and in the Homeland Heroes series. Along with Sean, FBI Agent Kiley Dawson, US Marshal Mack Jordan and their analyst, Cam, form the RED team. A powerhouse of a team who don’t let anything, not even a clock ticking down to assured destruction, stop them from bringing the worse of cyber-criminals to justice.
6–What do you love about the setting of your book?
Most of Seconds to Live is set in Portland, Oregon. I have lived in nine states and now call the Portland area home. I can honestly say, I have never found an area that is as beautiful as the state of Oregon. Majestic pine trees. Sweeping mountains. Pristine beaches. Lush green grass and vibrant flowers. All within a three hour drive. How could I not write about this area?
7–Are you a plotter (follow an outline) or a pantster (write by the seat of your pants)?
I am totally a plotter. I learned long ago that in writing suspense novels if I didn’t plot I would have to do a lot of rewriting. Or have to find a very convoluted way out of a corner I had written myself into. All of which slowed me down. So now I plot out every suspense detail. That said, I do allow for changes especially when I discover a new forensic technique. In fact, the twist ending of Seconds to Live was a change at the last moment due to the information I discovered about bedbugs. That’s all I can say without ruining the plot.
8–What is an ideal writing day for you?
Oh, that’s an easy one to answer. The only thing I would need for an ideal writing day would be a day with no marketing and few interruptions so I could write 10,000 words or more. I try to get at least 5,000 written each day so doubling that would be ideal. I have done it a few times, but now I usually lose steam around 5,000 words.
9–Do you listen to music while you write, need total silence, or do you have the TV on?
I listen to music when there’s noise that’s distracting me, but otherwise, I like it quiet.
10–How do you approach research?
With gusto. LOL Since I write police procedurals, I spend a lot of time researching law enforcement and forensics procedures. I find it all fascinating and it’s a joy for me to do it. I have several books on crime scene and homicide investigations that police departments use to train CSI’s and detectives. These are my go-to books, but I often spend hours on the internet reading about the latest in forensic tools and discoveries.
11–What is your publishing journey story?
I began writing when health issues forced me to sit for long periods of time. I wrote the first book having no idea how to do so, finaled in a contest, and then decided I should probably learn how to write a book. LOL. So I joined a writers and critique group and learned everything I could. I soon signed with an agent, and seven years and four manuscripts later I signed my first contract for publishing. Fun story: I learned about and received that contract at a conference on a stage in front of 500 writers in an event where the publisher publicly gave out a contract every year to an unpublished author. What a special day that was!
12–Do you have critique partners/writing groups you want to give a shout-out to?
I don’t have a critique or writing group, but I do have an amazing street team that I’d love to publicly thank. The members of my Partners in Crime group are so supportive, helpful, and kind. God bless them all.
13–What’re the most frustrating things about being an author?
Honestly, I think that there are so many no writing-related tasks that we have to do and it takes away from the writing time.
14–What’s your favorite scent?
Not sure if it’s a scent but I love the smell of bread baking and toast cooking.
15–What movie will you watch no matter what if it’s on TV?
I have a tie here. I will watch Legally Blonde or The Parent Trap any time I see them. I just love both of them. Legally Blonde because well, who doesn’t love it. LOL And The Parent Trap as it was one of my favorite movies as a kid and the remake is even better.
16–Do you like breakfast, lunch, or dinner best?
Though I think I like breakfast foods best, I would say like dinner as that’s when I relax for the day, talk with my hubby about our days, and enjoy a good meal with him.
17–What’s one thing you wish you knew more about?
Oh, gosh, just one thing. Hmm. I think it would be forensics because I am so fascinated by it and respect the people who work in this very important field. They are the unsung heroes in law enforcement. Without them, there would be so many more criminals on the street.
18–What’s the silliest thing you’ve recently done?
I’m not sure if this qualifies as silly, but it was fun. My daughter and I served as decoys at our airport for the TSA’s Passenger Screening Canine testing. Our job was to carry a concealed explosive’s training aid through screening checkpoints, departure gates, and the concourse. It was exciting to wonder if the dogs would alert on the aid we were carrying. And it would’ve been so interesting if we had seen someone we knew and had to explain why we were being detained. LOL
19–What can readers expect from you next?
I just turned in edits for Minutes to Die, book two in the Homeland Heroes series, and it will release in August-2020. And I am currently working on Hours to Kill, book three in this series. And I’m also finishing Dead Heat, book four in my Truth Seeker series. This is a series about a private forensic lab, and each book features one of the lab scientists as truth comes knocking at their door, and they must find the answer to tough questions
20–How can readers reach you?
Readers can connect with me in any of the following locations –
Website – http://www.susansleeman.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/susansleeman
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/susansleeman/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4053429.Susan_Sleeman
BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-sleeman
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Sleeman/e/B003ANF6Z8
Review Site – http://www.TheSuspenseZone.com
SECONDS TO LIVE by Susan Sleeman
When cybercriminals hack into the US Marshals’ Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses’ personal details to the highest bidders, the RED Team led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness’s help, as she’s the person who has come closest to discovering Phantom’s identity.
Trouble is, she’s a witness under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and will kill her, so to stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must work through their personal pain and learn to trust each other. . . . The seconds are ticking down before someone dies.
Inspirational Mystery | Romance Suspense [Bethany House Publishers, On Sale: December 3, 2019, Paperback, ISBN: 9780764233951 / ]
A fast-paced, inspirational cyber thriller!
Buy SECONDS TO LIVE: Amazon.com | BN.com | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Love’s Sweet Arrow |
About Susan Sleeman
SUSAN SLEEMAN is a bestselling and award-winning author of inspirational and clean read romantic suspense books. Susan currently lives in Oregon, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a retired church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson.
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