Writing different genres By Susan Page Davis

Today we welcome Susan Page Davis to our blog. Susan writes several different genres and is blogging about this for us today. 

From the time I started writing fiction, I’ve written in several different genres. I love variety, and writing different kinds of stories keeps me from getting bored and, I like to think, keeps my writing from getting stale.

The first full-length book I ever finished was romantic suspense, but my first book ever published was a historical romance. I’ve continued to write in both genres, but I have also published two children’s chapter books, a couple dozen cozy mysteries, and a few plain ol’ romance novels.

What am I working on now? A historical romance novella, a cozy mystery, and a romantic suspense novel in my Maine Justice series.

Working on several books at once doesn’t bother me, unless they are somewhat alike. For instance, if I’m working on a novel set in 1860 and a novella set in 1880, I might have moments where I get confused as to what technology and services were available at that time. Did this area have railroads yet? Telegraph? A county courthouse?

As to the projects I’m working on now, the historical novella is set in Texas in 1886. The other two are contemporary, so no problems there.

But the characters for my suspense novel—cops and their families, suspects, friends, and crime victims—do speak, act, and think differently from the modern, middle-aged women who own the tearoom in the cozy mystery series. The tearoom ladies are much more genteel than the cops, much more upbeat, and always trying to make their friends and customers feel loved, or at least valued.

My cops, on the other hand, see a lot of rough happenings, and sometimes they get depressed. Sometimes they argue and throw things. Sometimes they break the rules and give their bosses cause to discipline them.

So, for each genre I have to have a distinct “voice,” which amounts to attitude. My Texas Ranger is a little folksy, a little funny, but determined to get his man. My tearoom owners are gentle and compassionate, but good at exposing lies and crimes. My Maine Justice cops are tough, but each has a tender side that is only seen by those who know them well.

Do you see a particular attitude or mood running through books of your favorite genre, even when they are written by different authors?
               

Short bio:

Susan Page Davis is the author of more than seventy published novels. A Maine native, she now lives in the state of Kentucky in the USA. Visit her website at: www.susanpagedavis.com , where you can see all her books, sign up for her occasional newsletter, and read a short story on her romance page. Her newest books are Found Art (romantic suspense) and My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains (western historical romance).

The Priority Unit by Susan Page Davis

By Jenny Blake

The Priority Unit

Maine Justice Book 1

by 

Susan Page Davis

Description:
A missing man. 
A mysterious computer program – 
Even the people constructing it don’t know what it will do.
On the worst night of Harvey Larson’s life, his partner is killed and his wife, Carrie, walks out on him. Ten years later, the Portland, Maine police detective has learned to cope with his grief and depression. When he and the Priority Unit investigate the disappearance of software designer Nick Dunham, he meets a young woman who will change his life. Jennifer Wainthrop was the last person to admit seeing Dunham alive.

Harvey and his partner, Eddie Thibodeau, stay a step ahead of a bomber and put together the clues that tell the truth: Dunham’s kidnapping and the bombings are one case, and Jennifer is caught in the middle. News that Carrie has committed suicide may plunge Harvey back into despair. Harvey turns to God for help untangling his complicated life. He finds strength in his faith as he attempts to save Jennifer from the same grim fate that claimed Nick. But Jennifer must depend on her own wits and God alone when the killer gets too close. 

My Review:
Thanks Susan Page Davis for my copy to review.

This is an interesting suspense story.  The book starts with Harvey having the worst night of his life. His partner is killed and his wife leaves him. The book then fast forwards 10 years to when he is investigating the disappearance of a software designer and this is where he meets Jennifer Wainthrop. Not long after he learns is ex wife has died and while at the funeral he spends time with her grandmother who challenges him. It is here he starts to wonder does God exist.  At the same time Jennifer has questions of her own and they both decide to do research together. In the meantime there is still a missing man and there is a car bombing. 

I enjoyed waiting to find out what would happen next. The suspense wasn't too heavy which I like but enough to keep you on your the edge of your seat. I wanted to know who the bomber was and why, and why did the designer disappear. I also have to mention Eddie, he is a scene stealer at times and a fun character. I was kept guessing which is a good sign of a good book. I am eagerly awaiting book two. 

If you like Police suspense I am sure you will enjoy this book

Book Review: The Seafaring Women of the Vera B. by Susan Page Davis and James S Davis

By Jenny Blake

Tea Tin Press; First edition (January 20, 2016)

Blurb from back of book.

1854–With the captain dead in Melbourne, Australia, Alice Packard thinks the worst has happened, until she learns the crew has deserted her husband’s ship in favor of the goldfields. Only one old man, Gypsy Deak, sticks by her, but Gypsy alone can’t raise a crew from the depleted population.

In desperation, Alice turns to the only source of plentiful workers: the women of Melbourne. In a bold move, she and Gypsy empty a brothel, promising the escaped women a new life. Her all-woman (save one) crew put their backs and hearts into the voyage, but Alice finds training her sailors much harder than she expected.

Her faith is tested to the limit. With a cargo to sell, angry brothel and tavern owners in pursuit, pirates to evade, and a mysterious stowaway, will the seafaring women of the Vera B. survive to tell the tale of this daring adventure?

My Review

Firstly thanks to Susan P Davis for my copy of this book for an honest review.

I was given this book to read due to it starting in Australia and for my opinion of the book. I was in intrigued by the premise and when I started the book I just wanted to keep reading. The book is set during the Australian Gold era and many sailors jumping ship to go gold mining. Which leads the Vera B lacking a crew to return to America. A new strike has taken place at St Arnard which I has memories for me as I remember Mum talking about how my brother took his first steps at a park there. 

Looking for crew Alice is finally desperate and takes on women as her crew. Here we have a a variety of women from women escaping life in a brothel and tavern to passengers returning to England after the death of there husband/father.  There is going to be tension between the women which we see play out. 

I enjoyed the book partly because I knew many of the places and also because the Australia references were accurate. This for an Australian impressed me that the authors went to the effort to make sure they had the right terms. 

I did however get confused at times with all the women and who was who. Some are easy to remember but a few I mixed up at times. 

I do need to give a warning there is some violence in the later part of the book due to the issue of pirates. I didn't find it graphic or over done but some people who don't want to read a book with any violence might find this book may find it more than than can handle.

This book is Historical Fiction with a hint of romance. 

Overall this is a really good book and I am eagerly awaiting book 2.