Meet the Blogger with Susan J. Reinhardt

Welcome to another installment of my new series, Meet the Blogger. Susan J. Reinhardt is here to share a little about her blogging adventure.  

Susan is the author of The Moses Conspiracy and The Scent of Fear. While each book can stand alone, they comprise a series set in the future in the scenic Amish countryside in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The last book in the series, Out of the Mist, should be out later this year. The collection also includes a heartwarming novella, The Christmas Wish.

 

Welcome Susan! Why did you start blogging? How long have you had your present blog?   

Hi, Karen! Thanks for having me on your blog today. I began Christian Writer/Reader Connection to start building my social media platform. May will mark the blog's 7th anniversary. 

Congratulations on 7 years! What is your blog about? 

It's all about connecting writers and readers. There's something special about drawing those who love to write and those who love to read together. I've met so many lovely people during my blogging years.

I agree on both counts. :) What benefits have you gained through blogging? 

The biggest plus has been the relationships within the writing/reading community. As a result of visiting other blogs, I've discovered authors and books I would never have otherwise known about. Posts on the craft, encouragement for the journey, and helpful links have educated me and helped me progress in my own writing.  

What projects are you working on right now?  

My fourth novel, Out of the Mist, will be out soon. I'm so excited to have The Moses Trilogy completed. (The 4th book, A Christmas Wish is a novella that gives a peek at what happens between the first two books.) I've also begun my 5th novel, which is a Contemporary, a new experience for me!  

What might people be surprised to learn about you?  

I didn't start off writing novels. Non-fiction was my first love. I might still write a non-fiction book or two down the road.  

What advice would you share with a newbie blogger?  

Start small and build your following. If you try to post five days a week in the beginning, you'll burn out. I began posting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, which worked nicely for me. The important thing is consistency. People will get accustomed to finding a new post on a certain day. Don't disappoint them. Also, visit other blogs and ask the bloggers to exchange links. This will give your blog greater exposure. 

Thanks for visiting, Susan! 

Thanks for inviting me, Karen!  

More About Susan: 

Susan's publishing credits include numerous devotionals, articles, and some anthologies. In 2003, she began writing fiction. The Moses Conspiracy, The Scent of Fear, and The Christmas Wish were published in 2013. Her latest book, Out of the Mist, released in 2015. A Christian, widow, stepmom, daughter, and friend, she makes her home in Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she enjoys couponing, reading, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.

Susan's Blog - Christian Writer/Reader Connection
Susan's Facebook Page  
Twitter - @susanjreinhardt


Do you have any questions for Susan? What advice would you share with new bloggers?  

Happy writing,

Karen

  
Purple rose photo credit: Free Images

The Scent of Fear by Susan J. Reinhardt

Happy New Year! Hope you all are doing well. :)

First up for 2014 is a stop on author Susan J. Reinhardt's blog tour. Susan is celebrating the release of her latest book, The Scent of Fear.

The Overview:

First the The Moses Conspiracy, now The Scent of Fear....

The Zimmermans enjoy the tenuous peace in the wake of their hair-raising year battling the New Patriots. Unexpected visitors once again throw them into turmoil.

Jim Kenneman, Director of National Security, masterminded the plan to break up a hate group ravaging the Christian community. Now, his enemies are out to eliminate him. Should he make a run for it or stick by his tried-and-true negotiating skills?

Monty Addison, a topnotch operative, carried out his assignment in Bird-in-Hand. A plot to destroy his boss sends him on a mission. Without agency sanction, it may cost him everything - his career, his family, and maybe his life.

Dr. Abby Weaver strives to save infants and toddlers in Holmes County, Ohio. When she meets two strangers, she can't get the tall, handsome one out of her mind. Will their paths intersect again or will dangerous times keep them apart?

Susan's tour includes a giveaway, so check out the details below.

I thought it would be fun to interview one of Susan's characters, and chose Jim Kenneman. Those of you who have Susan's first book, The Moses Conspiracy, will remember Jim. He plays a more prominent role in The Scent of Fear, and this interview offers his perspective on the action.

Without further ado, I give you Mr. Jim Kenneman:

KL:  If someone told you 20 years ago that the United States would have been in this political state, would you have believed them? How would you have responded?

JK: No. I would have said it was impossible. Our Constitution built many safeguards into the government to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful. Americans are a feisty bunch and wouldn't put up with their freedoms being abridged.

KL: What was running through your mind as you were fleeing D.C.?

JK: It was surreal. I couldn't believe what was happening to me. I'd done nothing wrong, and yet the authorities were determined to kill me. Having to take on a new identity and not being able to contact my son and his wife was and is still one of the most difficult aspects of the entire experience.

KL: You were instrumental in shutting down a hate group in the Lancaster, PA area that targeted Christians. What motivated you to take the action that you did?

JK: I have a strong sense of fairness. Even though I wasn't a Christian, I was a husband, father, and grandfather. Having lost my wife and grandson, I knew how much it hurt and didn't want them to suffer a similar fate.

KL:  What do you foresee life in the United States like in 15 years?

We're now in 2032. Life is still difficult for Christians and is getting worse for the general population. We've not been able to travel freely for some time now, and there's still much anti-Christian sentiment. The former methods of the ballot box, pressuring legislators to be accountable, and expecting courts to operate within the confines of the Constitution no longer apply. There's little recourse for the American people. At my age, I may not see how this plays out, but I pray for the younger generation. There will come a time when history books are re-written to suit those in power, and there will be no one with firsthand experience to challenge the lies.

KL: Thanks, Jim (and Susan) for sharing your thoughts with us today! Wishing you all the best, Susan, with your books!

For more info on Susan and her books, visit her blog.

Purchase The Scent of Fear on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

More About Susan 

Susan J. Reinhardt's publishing credits include her debut novel, The Moses Conspiracy, and the Christmas novella The Christmas Wish, as well as devotionals, short articles, and contributions to anthologies. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.

You can connect with Susan at her Blog, on Twitter, and Facebook.

My Review for The Scent of Fear

The sequel to The Moses Conspiracy takes readers on another exciting journey into the future of the United States. Filled with action, suspense, and mystery, this story expands characters from The Moses Conspiracy, sharing their lives, trials, and how they come to terms with future events. Although I highly recommend The Moses Conspiracy, you do not need to read it to understand what is happening in The Scent of Fear. I like that. Reinhardt's latest will entertain, engage, and challenge readers from start to finish. Looking forward to book 3!

The Giveaway

Open to US addresses only. One person will receive a $25 Amazon GC and a copy of The Scent of Fear. Please use the Rafflecopter below to be entered: a Rafflecopter giveaway The winner will be chosen from those entries and announced January 17, 2014.


What are you reading in the new year? Have you read any of Susan's books?

Happy reading and writing,

Karen

Giveaway is open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as e-mailed, and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Diane at That’s What I’m Here For… and sponsored by the author, Susan J. Reinhardt. The author provided me with a free copy of The Scent of Fear to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a giveaway in return for the free book.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

 

Do You Have a Theme?

Congrats to author Susan J. Reinhardt! She's celebrating the release of her second book, The Scent of Fear. 


We'll share more about this book soon when Susan stops by on her blog tour. In the meantime, Susan offers her thoughts on themes and lessons learned in fiction versus non fiction in this guest post. 



Entertainment, Enlightenment, Enrichment 

I've written both non-fiction and fiction. A recent conversation with a reader had me scratching my head. The person dismissed my novel saying, "I just can't get past the fact it's something someone made up."

Really?

Most authors have a theme in mind. Their stories illustrate principles such as forgiveness, mercy, the consequences of bad behavior, the blessings of wisdom, and many others. Fiction, whether meant for entertainment, enlightenment, or enrichment, will put forth the author's views about life.

We're in good company.

When the prophet came to David and told him a story about a man with a cherished lamb and how someone stole it, the king was enraged. The prophet used a fictional story to drive home his point that David had sinned with Bathsheba.

Jesus illustrated many of His sermons with parables. They were stories with a message. Hmm, it seems to me that fiction is a vehicle to promote truth and ideas just as non-fiction is. It's a different method but a valid one nonetheless.

Writers and Readers: What's your opinion on the subject? Agree or disagree and why?

Thanks, Susan, for sharing with us! To learn more about Susan and her books, visit her blog. Find The Scent of Fear on Amazon.

I'll be back on Wednesday with a special Thanksgiving post. See you then!

Happy reading and writing,

Karen