Lisa Harris Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. My family and I moved to South Africa in the beginning of 2004 and later moved to Mozambique. Since then, I’ve been a home schooling mom, involved in ministry, started a non-profit to help those in need, and I’ve been very grateful for the opportunities to keep writing as well. So yes, life is busy, unpredictable, challenging, and rewording.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. As long as I can remember. I recently found handwritten stories from when I was ten or eleven. I loved writing mysteries (like Nancy Drew) and dreamed of writing a gothic romance.

Q: Do you (or did you) have other career aspirations?
A. I always wanted to be a writer, though I didn’t get serious about it until I was in my late twenties. And once I started writing that first book, I never looked back!

Q: Do you find certain themes reoccurring in your books? If so, what are they and why? If not, what is the theme in your current release?
A. I enjoy writing books about ordinary people who face challenging situations and how God uses them to do something extraordinary and through it, their faith grows and their part of the world is changed.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Taken?
A: I’d love to! Taken is a romantic suspense set in Paris—my favorite city in the world! My heroine’s Kate Elliot’s suburban life turns upside down when her sister is shot and her niece kidnapped. Unsure of whom to trust, she turns to FBI agent Marcus O’Brian. But Kate doesn’t want to leave the case to the authorities. Against the handsome agent’s orders, she tracks her niece to Paris, and the City of Light quickly becomes a city of danger. Marcus can’t explain why he feels such a strong connection with the headstrong woman, but soon he’s taking on the role of Kate’s protector. Yet when the kidnappers demand a ransom Kate can’t deliver, he’s not sure how much longer he can keep her alive. Now Marcus has the next twenty-four hours to save a stolen child and the woman he’s grown to love.

Q: Where did the idea for this story come from?
A. I’ve always wanted to write a story set in Paris, so when my publisher gave me the go ahead to write some international stories, Paris was high up on the list. I ended up using an old idea for a story I had but had never written, that worked perfectly into the setting.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.
A. Kate’s really just an ordinary sister and aunt whose life is changed when her sister is shot and niece goes missing. She’s not superwoman or law enforcement, but she’s motivated greatly by her love for family. And it’s that love that allows her to step out of her comfort zone.

Q: Who/what has influenced your writing career the most?
A. There have been so many people who have encouraged me to keep writing it’s hard to know where to start. ? I think it’s mainly the long list of family and friends who have encouraged me keep going through this journey!

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. Yes! I’m finishing up book two of a brand new series from Revell that will be released in October. Nikki Boyd, motivated by the disappearance of her sister ten years ago, works on a missing person task force to help ensure others don’t go through what her family goes through. It’s full of suspense and romance, and has been so fun to write!

Q: Is you were a dessert, what would it be and why?
A. Strawberry shortcake, with angel food cake and cream. As for why? We don’t have berries here and I’m craving them right now. ?

Q: Is there something about you most people wouldn’t know?
A. While most writers seem to be heavy coffee drinkers, I don’t drink coffee at all. Unless I’m in France. ?

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
A. My mom and my sister. I miss them and it’s been far too long sense I’ve seen them!

Q: Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?
A. On our way back to the US this fall we’re actually stopping in Italy to go see Rome and Venice, places I’ve always wanted to visit. One of the perks of living overseas is the chance to visit places I probably wouldn’t get to otherwise.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?
A. My website is currently getting an overhaul, (Yeah!) but you can find out more about my books and life in Africa on my blog. Myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A. Thanks so much for letting me drop by!