Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Hello, Sandra Orchard here. 

I'm super-excited to have the opportunity to interview the heroine of Lisa Harris' latest release Hidden Agenda. 

This is the final book in Lisa's Southern Crimes romantic suspense series with Revell Publishing, of which the first book in the series, Dangerous Passage, won a Christy Award! 


Before we get started, here's the book blurb to get us oriented:
Michael Hunt is alive–and on the run. Presumed dead by friends and family, the undercover assignment he’s been working for the past eight months has just been blown. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. His only hope is the daughter of the man who wants him dead.

And that would be Olivia Hamilton. Thank you for joining us here today, Olivia, tell us a little about yourself,and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve found—especially lately—that life has a way of throwing you a few curved balls! I’m a journalist who loves my job, but reporting conflict and being in the midst of a conflict is two completely different things. My life’s pretty predictable and comfortable, and I like it that way.

Predictable until I learned that there were things in my life that really weren’t want they seemed.  Until secrets from my parents’ past were exposed. Which is why everything changed when my brother discovered a man about to be murdered, and we ended up having to run for our lives.


Tell us about Michael Hunt.  What was your first impression? 

When I first met Michael we were both on the run, but even from the beginning there was a definite chemistry I couldn’t ignore. And the way he looks at me. . .Let’s just say that those blue eyes of his has a way of completely melting my heart!

What are your strengths and weaknesses?   

I’m very loyal, perhaps to a fault. Especially to close friends and my family. Which means I also definitely worry too much, especially about my brother. It’s really hard to realize that he’s growing up and doesn’t need me as much as he used to.

What’s your greatest fear? 

Losing those I care for most. And the past few days definitely pushed me to the edge as I feared I was going to loose everything. Sometimes the truth manages to bring up more questions than answers making that fear impossible to squelch.

What do you think about your spiritual life?

Sometimes it hard to hold onto your faith when the enemy’s on the prowl, but I’m learning that even when you walk through the fire, God’s still there.

What do you admire about the hero?

Michael has a quiet strength about him, that I’ve rarely seen before. He knows what he wants in life and is very focused, but he’s also willing to do whatever it takes to do the right thing. Even when it might cost him everything.

Why could you never see yourself ending up with the hero?

Michael and I live in two completely different worlds. He lives on the edge with his job and puts his life on the line literally every day. Which I really do admire. But that’s something I’m not sure I could live with. And on an even more personal level, my father wants him dead. And I’m not sure either of us are going to get through this alive.

What do you hope people will learn from your experience?


I’ve had to face some pretty frightening things lately, but even in the middle of it all, I’ve been reminded—over and over—that God didn’t give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. It’s a truth that’s not always easy to grab onto—especially when you’re running for your life—but so true!

Yes, Olivia, so true, once again thank you for visiting with us today. 

Your Turn: Do any of you have questions for Olivia or her author Lisa?  

Here's a bit about Lisa and myself: 

LISA HARRIS is the multi-award-winning author of over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent over a decade living as missionaries in Africa where she leads a women’s group, and runs a non-profit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry.  When she’s not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com.

Sandra Orchard is a multi-award-winning author of mysteries and romantic suspense with Revell Publishing and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint. A mother of three grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and writes full time…when not doting on her young grandchildren.  Learn more about Sandra’s books and bonus features at www.SandraOrchard.com or connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard

9 comments:

  1. Hello Lisa, What is you go to verse when you need encouragement? I am so excited about the release of HIDDEN AGENDA.

    Blessings!
    psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com

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  2. Thanks so much for stopping by, Caryl! I love II Cor 4:16-18, because it reminds me to set my eyes on Him and not the things of this world!

    “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

    Happy Reading!

    Lisa

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  3. What a great verse, Lisa, thanks for sharing.

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  4. Great interview. I have Lisa's book on my Kindle and can't wait to read it. My go-to verse comes from Isaiah 43:1-2
    “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
    2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;

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  5. Love that verse, Patricia! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. What a fun way of letting us know about the book. Thanks to both Sandra AND Lisa.

    Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

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  7. Lisa and Sandra, great interview with Olivia! I'm looking forward to reading Hidden Agenda :)

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  8. Great interview, Sandra and Olivia. Love that you lead with your faith. A great example for all of us to follow.

    BTW, Lisa, a good heroine's name.

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  9. I love the name as well, Ian. And have always loved picking names for my characters until the right name clicks. :-)

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