Susan Muller and her new debut book, The Secrets On Forest Bend, are in the House!!!

I'm super excited to have Susan C. Muller here today to talk about herself, her writing, and about her new release, The Secrets On Forest Bend. I love my ghost stories and this certainly seems to promise that and more!

Thank you Susan for visiting with me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?   I live in a suburb of Houston, with my husband and rescue dog, Buster, a 120 pound black lab. I have two children and four grandchildren. When not writing, I do volunteer work in a local hospital.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?   My husband and I are planning a cruise next summer for our fiftieth anniversary.  He must be doing something right.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?    Whenever possible, but I often walk with a friend first thing in the morning. Last summer was brutal in Houston, with temperatures reaching 105 to 107 degrees, and we had to walk earlier and earlier. My neighbors are understanding, but they frown on walking in PJs.

What are your pet peeves?   Narrow minded people.

Cats or dogs?  I have often had one of each, but I’ve never been without a dog, sometimes two.

White wine or red?   White -  Riesling or Piesporter

Coffee or tea?  Both, but they have to be decaf (boo, hiss) so what’s the point?

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?   Butter pecan

What are 4 things you never leave home without?  Credit card.  That’s all you really need.

Laptop or desktop for writing?  Laptop for reading and emails, desktop for writing.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?  I write upstairs in the guest room/office, whenever my husband is playing golf or watching a ball game.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?  Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, and Sean Bean. Two 007’s and a 006.  What, you thought I would say something deep – Eleanor Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, and Steve Jobs?

An actor you have a crush on?  See above, but add Hugh Jackman and Veggo Mortensen

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?  I love THE AMAZING RACE and RAISING HOPE.

What made you decide to be an author?  I wanted to know if I could do it.

How did you choose the genre you write in?  I didn’t. It chose me.

Are you a punster or a plotter and why?   I’m way too unorganized to be a plotter.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?   John Sandford, Jim Butcher, and Janet Evanovich are three I enjoy.

What is your all time favorite book?  TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?  Adam brings Jillian to dinner with his partner and his partner’s mother.

Ruben placed a huge hand on Adam’s shoulder, holding him back. “Where did she come from? How did you ever find such a beautiful, sexy, and completely inappropriate looking woman? She looks like a biker. Please tell me she rides a Hog.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen one. But she does have a tat.”

It didn’t seem possible, but Ruben’s grin got even bigger. “Where is it? Will Mamacita see it?”

“Not with that blouse on. But there’s one thing even better.” Adam hurried on before Ruben asked how he knew what was under her blouse. “She owns a gun store.”

Ruben leaned his head back, looking at the ceiling. He closed his eyes and put his hands together. “Thank you, Lord,” he said. When he looked back at Adam, his grin returned. “Never in the history of the world has one man made such a sacrifice for a friend. I will remember this forever. No matter what I do from now on, no matter whom I bring home, anything less than a hooker and I’m golden. She’ll never complain about my girlfriends again.”

Adam waited for a growl to build in the back of his throat, but surprisingly, nothing came. What was wrong with him tonight? He was too young to start mellowing.

“After dinner we need to talk,” Adam said. “I have a problem.”

“You mean in addition to the fact that you just brought a gun-toting, tattooed biker chick into Mamacita’s house? I can’t wait to hear it.”

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?   This was supposed to be Jillian’s story, and she is the young girl in the prologue.  Somewhere in Chapter One, I realized it was Adam’s story. When a good-looking guy taps you on the shoulder and says, “I’ll take over now,” what are you going to do?

Where do you get your ideas from?  I have no idea.

How did you choose your title?  The story was long finished before I chose the title, even then I changed House to Secrets.

How do you cure writer’s block?  I take a (short) break – put the clothes in the dryer, walk the dog around the block – then get back to work.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?  Write, write, write.  Yes, take classes, read books, but keep writing.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?  Learn the rules before you try to break them.

Where can your readers stalk you?   www.susancmuller.com

Tell us about your new release:  A Homicide detective is chasing a serial killer when he stumbles across a crooked cop, an intriguing woman, and a vengeful ghost.  Can he stay alive long enough to bring down the cop, win the woman, and destroy the ghost?

Sounds like a wonderfully spooky read. Thank you so much again for stopping in Susan.

Get your copy of The Secrets On Forest Bend at Soul Mate Publishing here.




AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge