Wednesday, October 12, 2011

A Warm Autumn Welcome Return to Susan Page Davis!

So glad you could join us, Susan. Folks, she's giving away a book! Leave your comment and email address please.


Tell us about your latest release. The cover looks fantastic!


I love it too. Here’s a summary of The Lady’s Maid:

Elise Finster accompanies her young British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, on a voyage to America in 1855. Lady Anne’s father has died, and her Uncle David is the new Earl of Stoneford—if he steps forward and claims the title. But David disappeared into the American West when Anne was a baby. Now it’s up to her and Elise to find him. They join a wagon train in Independence, Missouri, not realizing they’re leading a killer straight to David.

Sounds great. What was the hardest part to write?

Probably the scenes in England. I had to do a lot of research on how inheritance works over there.

We all have choices of items that help us write. What’s yours? Can you give the readers a glimpse into your writing space? What’s your favorite writing reference tool?

When I’m on a deadline, my office is a mess. I throw papers on the floor and stack books and ring binders around me. I like a neat desk and office, but I don’t always have it. My favorite writing reference for historicals is English Through the Ages, by William Brohaugh. It tells you when words came into usage in our language.

If you had to choose one person to go with you for encouragement to a secluded cabin, who would that be?

Right now I would take one of my daughters who is going through a rough time.

What are you working on now?

I am writing the third book in this series (A Lady in the Making) and I’m about to start a new contemporary book in the Miracles of Marble Cove series from Guideposts.

What is one of the happiest moments of your life or an accomplishment that you’re especially proud of?

We had all six of our scattered children together for daughter Megan’s wedding in 2008. They have never all lived at home for very long (the oldest left for college a few days before the youngest was born), so that was an accomplishment!

How do you choose names for your characters? Do you do a lot of research on them?

Since you bring it up, I wish I had an assistant whose job was to come up with character names for me! This is really hard for me. I have used baby naming books, census records, telephone books, you name it! And more than once I’ve realized the name I chose belonged to a moderately famous real person and had to change it.

Can you tell us some of your favorite books or characters that you cherish?

If I start reading a Dick Francis novel, it’s hard to pull me away. I also love Van Reid’s Moosepath League series.

Any fun things about yourself that the readers might enjoy knowing?

Well, let’s see. I had my appendix removed while I was very pregnant (and had the baby the next day). Oops, that wasn’t fun. Hmm. My three sisters and I try to get together at least once a year for “Sister Weekend.” Speaking of which, it’s about time to do that again!

You're right. That doesn't sound like fun, but getting together with your sisters does. I've never had a physical sister; I guess that's why I value my friends so much. Is there one piece of advice that’s been especially valuable to you?

Be strong in the strength that is in Christ Jesus.

That's an excellent one we all need to believe. Please share information where readers can check out and buy your books:

Come to my website: http://www.susanpagedavis.com/

The Lady’s Maid is available in print and as an ebook:

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/161626439X/suspagdav-20

Barnes & Noble:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ladys-Maid/Susan-Page-Davis/e/9781616264390?itm=1&usri=the%20lady%20s%20maid

CBD:
http://www.christianbook.com/ladys-maid-prairie-dreams/susan-davis/9781616264390/pd/264390?item_code=WW&netp_id=881498&event=ESRCN&view=details



Thank you so much for visiting again, Susan.
Readers, interested in winning one of her books? Comments and email addresses, please . . .
Blessings!

13 comments:

CarlybirdH said...

I always love to find out what books authors like to read for fun and for research. English Through the Ages sounds like an interesting book to have on hand. I'm a big fan of Susan's books too!
carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

Rick Barry said...

I sometimes struggle with coming up with character's names too. For instance, for my current work, I needed the name of a young lady who lives in Germany. Baby name books wouldn't help. I ended up writing to a missionary wife with whom I used to work, and she recommended a half dozen or so names that are popular in the 20's crowd in modern Germany. Thanks to her, I gained the name Sophie, which fits perfectly.

Rebecca said...

Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This looks like an amazing book. I would love to win this.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cathy Shouse said...

Thanks for an interesting interview. I've always loved England, since having a quarter of study there in college. I take it you didn't get to travel to England?

I'd love to win the book.

cathy underscore shouse at yahoo dot com

Susan Page Davis said...

Thanks, Carly! I just got a new book in the mail--Margaret Daley's new historical novel. And I'm doing some research reading about the midwest.

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for the tip about English Through the Ages. The cover on your current book is great. I also like the concept. I haven't come across very many books that feature that time frame in American history. Good luck w it!
Lyndee
spooler(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for the tip about English Through the Ages. The cover on your current book is great. I also like the concept. I haven't come across very many books that feature that time frame in American history. Good luck w it!
Lyndee
spooler(at)comcast(dot)net

Anne Payne said...

We have four children and I thought a 14 year age gap between our oldest and youngest was a lot but from college age to newborn...wow!

Nice to learn more about you , Susan.
Your book is on my TBR list and I would love to win a copy!

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Ann Lee Miller said...

I'm so intrigued. I'd love to read this book!

Ann_Lee_Miller[at]msn[dot]com

Susan Page Davis said...

Thank you for the encouragement, everybody. Rick, great to see you here. I forgot to mention I also have a book called Character Naming Source Book from Writers' Digest. It has names for different countries. However, once I needed Dutch names, and a shirttail relative who is Dutch told me the names I'd picked were old-fashioned ones. So I don't trust it completely, and I think your strategy of asking someone who lives in the country now was very smart. Cathy, I have been to England, but not recently, and when I was there I didn't learn about the topics I needed for this book (19th century inheritance laws, etc.). But I'd love to go over again. One of my daughters, who co-wrote three mysteries with me, now lives over there.

Starr said...

Can’t wait to travel along with Elise Finster as she accompanies your Lady Anne Stone-- while I’m reading your new release, The Lady’s Maid.
Enjoyed your interview.
starrbryant@ymail.com

Ausjenny said...

Can an Aussie enter. I love all Susan's books have for many years. I enjoyed the interview too. Didn't realise you had 6 children and wow one leaving to college as the last one is born would have been interesting.
I love the look of this book too. its different and I love differnt.

my addy is ausjenny at gmail dot com

Merry said...

I love the idea of English ladies on the trail, I'd love to be entered for Susan's latest book. It is going on my wish list!
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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