New interview with romantic suspense novelist Terri Reed

I'm happy to welcome romantic suspense novelist Terri Reed back to talk about her newest release The Secret Heiress, book 2 of the Protection Specialists series. Terri was here for the first time last July for the release of The Innocent Witness.

There is a gift card giveaway at the end of Terri's virtual book tour. Details follow the interview below.

Bio:
At an early age, Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Steeple Hill. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers.

She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children, and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, and playing with her dogs.

Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Terri.
Thank you for having me back.

Please tell us about your newest release.
The Secret Heiress is about Caroline Tully, adopted as a baby, she’s always been curious about her biological parents. So when her biological grandfather contacts her, asking her to come to his Mississippi estate in order to claim her share of his fortune, she’s compelled to go. Only someone doesn’t want her to live long enough to claim her inheritance. She hires a bodyguard to accompany her. Posing as her fiancé allows Don Cavanaugh to keep close to Caroline, but he soon realizes as danger closes in that keeping Caroline alive may be easier than keeping his heart safe.

What inspired you to write this book?
I first introduced Don and Caroline in my November 2009 release Chasing Shadows. I wanted to bring them back together. I also wanted to try to write something with a gothic feel so I set the book in rural Mississippi on an old plantation, complete with creepy relatives and a house full of secrets.

What’s the next writing project?
I have a book coming out in June 2012, The Deputy’s Duty, book 6 of the Fitzgerald Bay Continuity series. And a book out in the fall of 2012, The Doctor’s Defender, the third book in the Protection Specialists series.

I’m working on two projects right now. I’m starting the fourth book in my Protection Specialists miniseries, which will be out in early 2013. I’m also working on book 5 of a continuity book about a Texas K-9 unit that will be a May 2013 release. The working title for this book is Cold Case Murder and features a drug-sniffing Beagle named Sherlock and his handsome handler Parker Adams.

What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
My biggest challenge is staring at a blank page. I’m a much better reviser than first draft writer.

If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
For me, the research comes in stages. Some at the beginning to jump-start the story and the characters. Then as I write, I stop to do the research I need for whatever issue that comes up. When I’m done, if I know I missed something or wanted to double check something, I’ll go back through the manuscript to find it and then do more research to make sure I have it correctly.

What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
I have an office and do usually write from there except in the summer because my office gets too hot. I recently bought a laptop so now I can write anywhere in the house and for the past few months I’ve been moving around the house. As long as I can have a place to set a cup of tea nearby and music playing, I can write from anywhere.

What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
I enjoy a wide variety of authors. Some of my favorites are Lisa Gardner, Harlan Coben, Tess Gerritsen, Cindy Gerard, Susan Elizabeth Philips, Lenora Worth, Lissa Manley, and Melissa McClone.

Readers, Terri will be giving away a $10 Visa GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the virtual book tour. I encourage you to follow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning.