Welcome Back Susan Page Davis

Is there a story behind Almost Arizona?

 Author Darlene Franklin came up with the idea for a set of books featuring the Four Corners area and history. She wrote the book Pride’s Fall, set in Colorado, for Heartsong, and writer Carla Gade wrote The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter, set in New Mexico. This book, Almost Arizona, completes the set. Each story features a time in history significant to the Four Corners—surveys and the setting of monuments. My book is set against the time when Arizona was on the verge of becoming a state. When statehood was granted, in February 1912, the permanent monument at the conjunction of the four states’ (including Utah’s) boundaries was placed and dedicated. That is seen in the epilogue of Almost Arizona.

What started you on your writing journey?

I began writing stories when I was very young, but I only began seriously writing fiction about 15 years ago. I realized that I had a complicated story in my head and that it was in reality a book. Since I began writing it down, I have never looked back.

What distracts you from writing the easiest?

Other people.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading? 

Mysteries, suspense, historicals. Right now I’m reading Renee Yancy’s A Secret Hope, set in ancient Ireland, on my Kindle, and Tim Downs’s Nick of Time, a contemporary suspense, in paperback.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?

I like Oliver, Julia’s brother. Though he spends most days working on the mine’s ledgers, he’s very masculine, with a love of the outdoors. He reverts to the wild when trouble comes.

If you were a style of music, what style would you be?

Probably folk music.

What is your strangest habit?

Some people probably think it’s strange that my family writes and performs skits at holiday gatherings. Each group of 5 or 6 people might have to present a skit including something like a bandanna, a bag of marshmallows, a musical number, and the phrase, “Is that your final answer?” The requirements change each time. We’ve seen some very memorable performances.

What is your favorite season of the year?

  It always used to be spring because that is the farthest from winter. I say this having lived more than 50 years in Maine. And now that I live in Kentucky, I think it’s still my favorite. Springtime is just plain beautiful.

What is a favorite (season) memory from your childhood?

I was the youngest of five. One summer my brother set up his whole electric train set in my room and let me use it while my three sisters were away at camp. (I was too young to go.)

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?

 Every day. Can you spell vacuum?

What's your favorite meal with family and friends?

 Probably lasagna, but I don’t make it very often anymore.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?  

 One that shows up repeatedly in my books is forgiveness and reconciliation.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?

Cowgirl Trail is due to release in April. It’s set in 1884 Texas. When a rancher’s cowboys go on strike, his daughter enlists her girlfriends to help her finish the roundup and cattle drive.

Also, Lady Anne’s Quest, the second in my Prairie Dreams series, will release in April. In it, an English lady is searching for her uncle in the wilds of 1855 Oregon. She needs to tell him that her father is dead and he is now an earl—but someone else wants to stop him from getting that bit of news.

Susan Page Davis is giving away a copy of Almost Arizona . The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses.
To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment along with your email address. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Until next time. . . Sharon A Lavy