1--What is the title of your latest release?
SHADOWS AT DUSK, Missing in Alaska book 2
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Bush Pilot Carrie James assists Detective Trevor West on his quest to find his sister missing in Alaska. With a killer on the loose, the danger rises and the stakes have never been higher when someone tries to end them for good.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I love setting my stories in stunning locations which gives me the opportunity to add in adventure. The focus of the Missing in Alaska series is Southeast Alaska and a fictional town called Shadow Gap. Given that my protagonist is a bush pilot, I knew I needed the story to take the reader on a wild ride through the Panhandle region of Alaska.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
While I love Carrie James, I’m not sure I want to be in a plane with her, since I personally don’t enjoy flying. Ha! Then again it could totally be worth it to get a view of the amazing Alaska sunrise and the landscape in general.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Spunky. Adventurous. Devoted.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned so much as I always do when researching for one of my books. I learned more than I’ll ever need to know about flying a bush plane, but I especially enjoyed researching about the various islands in the Alaska Panhandle, the waterways and rainforest and oh—the caves! I spent a lot of time reading about conflict minerals around the world and found the topic complex and disturbing. I enjoy the research phase of my writing projects because I learn so much that I never put in the book, but the information broadens my horizons and also provides story fodder for future novels.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I usually write the first draft as quickly as possible to get the story down, and then I go back and flesh everything out and edit, going through several more times. My first draft is usually half of the required word count, and I add the rest of the word count during the editing phase.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I have a list and not just ONE thing. You ready? I used to survive on Peanut M&M’s, but now I love cinnamon rolls (eaten when I need comfort or to celebrate finishing a book), Pringles sour cream and onion potato chips, and if I need the extra brain power that only chocolate can fuel, I love Hershey’s Nuggets. We have Friday night pizza night every week, so pizza is obviously up there, and I eat nachos at least once a week. I’m from Texas and gotta have my Tex-Mex food, okay? See—I indulge often. Could I lose a few pounds? Sure!
9--Describe your writing space/office!
When we moved to this house in Washington a couple of years ago, I ordered new bookshelves and an L-desk in antique white. I initially had in mind to use the renovated garage, but I ended up converting the dining room into my office. It’s close to the kitchen and I can go back and forth while making breakfast, lunch or dinner and keep my head in the story. It’s just convenient. I use a decorative room divider when I need privacy. That said, I spend a lot of time writing while sitting in my recliner which is in the living room. Ha! But a good chunk of the rest of my work is done at my desk in the dining room conversion where I also do my interviews and podcasts. I aspire to be organized and have a matching filing cabinet, and a desk organizer, but regardless, my desk is buried in documents. Hey—it’s on my to-do list. Sigh. Someday . . .
10--Who is an author you admire?
I admire so many authors, but two come to mind. They’re successful and keep working despite the many trials they’ve had to face, whether health issues or just the kind of wrenches that life throws at us. Many writers would give up or be hindered, but that’s why I admire these two writers so much. They continue to put out wonderful books that readers love. They are Susan Sleeman and Lisa Harris—both these authors are an inspiration to me!
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
The obvious answer is the Bible, which is the bestselling book of all time. I live my life by this book. Other than the Bible, I can’t say there is one book that changed my life, but instead many books in the Christian fiction genre are life-changing because they bring encouragement and words of hope, redemption, and forgiveness. I believe a steady diet of good words makes a big difference in how we live.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I knew when my editor took the Missing in Alaska series to the pub board, and my agent then informed me, sending me the Revell offer. I loved reading the encouraging words my editor wrote, and I copied them to save for a day when I was feeling down.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Romantic suspense, of course! I love that this genre includes a good combination of romance and suspense, intrigue, or mystery, and sometimes action and adventure. You really get it all with romantic suspense.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
This answer changes depending on the day or the year. My favorite movie right now is Maverick with Tom Cruise. Maverick is just a very well-done story, a solid story that encourages me and reminds me that all I need to do is keep it simple. Tell a good story.
15--What is your favorite season?
I love fall. I don’t know why but there’s just something about the shift in the air, the slight hint of colder weather that signals in my brain there’s a change coming, and that gives me a feeling of anticipation.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
You might have the idea after reading my response to the foodie question that I love food. I love to celebrate by going to one of my favorite restaurants. That also means I don’t have cook or clean the dishes. It’s especially fun if I can celebrate with members of my family—my kid and grandkids. Usually that means eating Italian or Mexican food. They don’t really have good Tex-Mex here in Washington or else it would be Tex-Mex every time.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Oh, I LOVED Silo. It’s a series put out by Apple TV based on the book series by Hugh Howey. Rebecca Ferguson plays the protagonist. I don’t think I can wait for the second season to come out, so I’ll probably read the books.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
If you haven’t guessed already, Tex-Mex.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Okay, don’t laugh. I love to read when I have free time. But if I can carve out enough free time, I try to make sure I get enough exercise because writing is very bad for your health!
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I love to write my stories set in amazing locations, so I always include adventure, and the setting usually becomes a character as well. Readers can expect suspense and intrigue wrapped into a complex plot to go along with action and adventure and, of course, a deeply emotional romance.
Missing in Alaska Book #2
Murder Investigation and Missing Person in Romantic Suspense Thriller Set in Picturesque Alaska
Montana Detective Trevor West is desperate to learn what happened to his sister, who went missing in Alaska over a year ago, leaving nothing but a few photographs as clues to her whereabouts. At the advice of Police Chief Autumn Long, Trevor enlists the help of an experienced bush pilot. If Carrie James can't help him find the places in the photographs, no one can.
But Carrie has her own agenda. Grieving the death of her closest friend and the only person she could trust, Carrie will help Trevor find his sister on one condition--that he help her track down her friend's killer.
As the two close in on the answers they crave, they'll face dangers and connections they could not have imagined. They'll have to learn to trust one another--and face the dark secrets of the past--if they are ever to discover the truth and bring a killer to justice.
Romance Suspense [Revell, On Sale: October 17, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800742058 / eISBN: 9781493443505]
Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 50 novels, including the Rocky Mountain Courage and Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold over 1 million copies. She is a Carol Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. For more information about her books, visit her website.
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