Susan M. Baganz is married to Ben, chases after two Hobbits, and is a native of Wisconsin. She writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical worldview. Susan speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. Her favorite pastimes are lazy…hanging out with her husband, snuggling with her dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.
In this interview, Susan shares her thoughts on her latest novel, Madi’s Secret.
FF: What books have most influenced your life?
The Bible would be the first and continual book to influence me. The book of Psalms has been a lifeline during traumatic times. Proverbs has been a source of wisdom. The entire book is so filled with history, adventure, and the greatest love story and romance of all times between God and those he’s chosen to be His.
FF: What do you do when you’re not writing?
I spend time with my husband. I have also learned to drive a skid-loader and have moved a lot of dirt doing landscaping on our property. I’ve warned my husband he should be careful. I know how to dig holes and bury things. There was a lot of heavy chunks of concrete from past farm buildings that I needed to get rid of in just that way. I’ve planted tons of wildflowers on our property: sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias and more! I look forward to the beauty that will come later. During Covid I re-ignited my love of crewel embroidery and tried a new project with candlewicking I’d never tried before. I’ve been making my own designs and enjoy working them for gifts or for our home. I also enjoy making cards with rubber stamps. Creativity marks my life from writing, embroidery, cards and growing flowers.
FF: What does your family think of your writing?
My kids are entirely unimpressed. My husband isn’t a reader but is supportive and proud of me. He is my sherpa when I go to serve on faculty at writing conferences. He often sits in my classes and plays on his phone. I’m that impressive!
FF: What is the hardest part about writing?
I write by the seat of my pants and with every full-length novel there comes a point where I feel like I’ve written myself into a corner. I am bored with the story. The book is horrible, no one will want to read it, it’s the worst thing I’ve ever written. I’ve come to recognize that the real issue is fear and once I write myself past that I’m fine. It has happened with every novel but if you asked me where it was in any of the stories, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. With all that negativity it is surprising that I didn’t delete anything before or after that point to take the story in a different direction. In the end I love the stories God has given me to write and I need to remind myself that I have an enemy who does not want the truth of God’s love and mercy to be read and understood in the pages of fiction… Persevering is trusting Him for the outcome.
Book Summary:
SHE HAS A DEADLY SECRET. IF ONLY SHE KNEW WHAT IT WAS.
Madeline Baxter has kept other secrets for seventeen years. Now God has called her back to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin to face her fears. She obeys and mysterious threatening messages begin. Everyone she loves could be in danger. Including her first love—Parker.
Parker has loved Madi for twenty years. As graduating high school sweethearts, they planned to marry, but the girl of his dreams vanished without a trace. He went on with life, wed and widowed, but Madi’s back, more beautiful than ever, and his heart is twisted in knots.
What is Madi hiding? How can Parker trust her when he doesn’t understand why she left? And why does his heart still beat for her?
Madi’s Secret
Susan M. Baganz
Prism Christian/Pelican Book Group
Genres: Suspense, Romance
Release Date: August 20, 2021
ASIN: B093X553JR
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