Do y’all understand how much I love being an author? One reason is that I meet the greatest people. Today, my new friend Deborah Sprinkle is here to talk about her latest book, Death Under the Ice.
Even though my books are romance-based, I have always loved a good “cozy” mystery. Deborah’s books add an element of suspense to that genre which makes them extra special. Read all the way through, and answer the question at the end for a chance to win a copy of this great book.
Jenny: Hi, Deborah. Thanks for agreeing to reveal some of your secrets today. First, we know that authors are also readers. Who are your favorite authors, and what have you learned from them?
Deborah: Two of my favorite authors are Agatha Christie and C.J. Box. One I’m sure you’ve heard of, but the other you may not have. From reading Christie, I learned—and am still learning—all the intricacies that go into writing a murder from what clues to show in the beginning to developing red herrings to slowly reveling the true killer.
C. J. Box writes a series based on Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden, who loves his family and stays true to his higher standards through all sorts of circumstances. From these books, I’m learning how to write real life characters that are shaped by their decisions. I’m also learning how to write suspense and villains.
Jenny: A game warden? That sounds fascinating. Speaking of great authors, when did you feel you had “arrived” as an author?
Deborah: I had to chuckle at this question. I’m not sure I’ll ever truly feel I have “arrived” as an author, but I did begin to feel more comfortable with the label “author” after my third book was published.
Jenny: Tell us about your latest book. Did anything that has happened in your life inspire any part of the story?
Deborah: After I retired from teaching chemistry, I wanted to do three things. Writing a mystery book was one of those. It took me a while because there’s a lot more to it than just sitting down one day and typing out a book! As most of you know! I retired in 2004 and my debut novel, Deadly Guardian, didn’t come out until 2019. It was the first book in my first series, Trouble in Pleasant Valley, and when I wrote it, I fell back on what I knew. My protagonist, Madison Long, was a chemistry teacher in the first book. She lived on a small lake much like the lake we had lived on in northern Indiana, and her house was set up very similar to ours.
But that’s where the similarities ended. The town, Pleasant Valley, is imaginary and sits about an hour outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.
When I decided to write my fourth and last book in the series, I thought of what the lake was like in the winter when it was frozen. That spawned the idea for Death Under the Ice.
Jenny: It is so much fun to find new things and to embellish your story. What has been the most interesting thing you have learned while researching your story?
Deborah: At one point, a suspect falls through the ice and Madison (my protagonist) has to rescue him. He’s hanging on to the rim of hole. The ice is thin around where he fell in so I had to research how she could approach the hole and what she would need to get him safely back to shore.
Jenny: Just for fun- Tell us about your favorites:
Day of the week? Why?
That’s another hard one because I’m retired so every day is Saturday! Actually, not quite. I seem to have gotten myself involved in a lot of commitments. Lol. I think Monday is my favorite day of the week. I usually don’t have anything on that day and it’s the start of a new week.
Hot Beverage?
I’m not a coffee drinker. Never have been. Although I love the smell. I’d say hot tea.
Holiday?
I think Thanksgiving. We gather together for a meal without the pressure of gift giving. The weather is usually good. And the focus is on being thankful for our blessings.
Genre other than the one you normally write?
Historical nonfiction like Erik Larson writes.
Jenny: Do you have any parting words for our readers?
Deborah:
- If you are a reader, make yourself read all genres. It’s surprising what you’ll learn and enjoy.
- If you are a writer, go to conferences, make connections, and learn your craft whether you write nonfiction or fiction.
- For everyone, make time to read.
Jenny: What is the major takeaway you want your readers to get from your book?
Deborah: With every book, I strive to give my readers clean entertainment.
In Death Under the Ice, one of the main characters struggles with her faith in prayer. I hope that after reading my book, readers will see that God hears our prayers and answers all of them in ways He knows are best for us and others.
Jenny: Wasn’t that a great interview? Now, for your chance to win a copy of Death Under the Ice answer this question in the comments: “What is your favorite kind of book to read, and what genre would you be willing to try next?”
Deborah Sprinkle is a retired chemistry teacher turned award-winning author with nine books to her name and more on the way. All romantic suspense and mysteries. She lives in Memphis with her wonderful husband, her greatest fan. Connect with Deborah at https://authordeborahsprinkle.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/deborah.sprinkle.5/
When Homeland Security Analyst Claire Green’s brother urges her to come visit, she clears her desk in Chicago and heads for southern Ohio. But when she arrives, the house is deserted and her brother, Alan, is missing.
Claire enlists the help of Alan’s neighbors, Madison Zuberi and her husband, Captain Nate Zuberi of the Pleasant Valley Police Force, in the quest to find her brother. But she’s in for two surprises.
First, Alan has been keeping secrets from her—secrets that may have gotten him killed, and put her life in danger.
Second, Private Investigator Rafe O’Connell, the only man she ever loved—and lost—is a close friend of Madison and Nate’s, and they ask him to be part of the investigation.
Claire needs their help, but can she put past hurts behind her as she not only tries to find her brother, but stay alive?
Suspense in every story.
Award-winning author of “Deadly Guardian”
www.authordeborahsprinkle.com
Don’t forget: Tell us your favorite genre, and what new kind of book you might try next. You could win Death Under the Ice!
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