Saturday, January 6, 2018

Author Spotlight - Susanne Leist

 

Please join me in welcoming Susanne Leist to my blog. Susanne is a fabulous author who is part of the Rave Reviews Book Club. She has always been an avid reader. She grew up on Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes, but the supernatural called to her and enticed her. Susanne wanted to write a book with all the sarcasm and wit of the TV show, Supernatural, the mystery of a classic murder mystery, and the incredible thrills of the TV show, The Originals. So, she sat down with those goals in mind and wrote The Dead Game.

Susanne has an M.B.A. in Finance and worked as a Financial Analyst. What made her decide to give this up and pursue a writing career? A feeling deep inside.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

To be or not to be a writer
has been the hardest question for me.
Should I continue my pursuit,
or step away and claim defeat?
One book dances around on Amazon and Nook.
It reaches new heights in its niche
and then slowly bows its head in silence.
The highs feel inspiring and lofty.
The lows feel depressing and sad.
Is it worth it? 
I am told that a writer must keep writing.
More books to dance around.
More highs and lows.
Should I keep doing this?
Will I keep doing this? 
Yes, for now
as I wait for the next high. 

Susanne spent eight years writing The Dead Game, and in the process, wrote a few poems. Here are three that she shared with me:


AN ODE TO MY BOOK

Nothing can be as fine
As the dear book of mine.
It might not be sold in a big bookstore,
But you will not find one to offer more.
It was created with much love and hope
Even though it wasn’t blessed by a Pope.
It has my blood, sweat, and tears.
Might raise many of your fears.
It has action, murder, and romance.
I can even do a little dance.
Please try it, and you’ll see
It has the best of me. 


THE DEAD GAME

Look through the palm trees,
Past the sanded beaches,
Beyond the swimming pools,
And you will see the truth.
Hear the raging winds,
Feel the spray of the tall waves,
Taste the salt in the air,
And you will know Oasis, Florida.
For what it is,
A town that lives on the edge,
In fear of the nights,
Of the dark shadows.


THE DEAD GAME

Do you love mazes?
Being lost in the dark
and searching for an exit.
Only to find more hallways.
More traps.
More illusions.
What if a house was a maze?
Guests trapped inside.
Doors leading to more horrors.
Blood.
Welcome to End House
and The Dead Game.

I've just begun reading The Dead Game, and I've got to say that those characters are crazy to keep living in that town. LOL! Here is some more information on her book in Susanne's own words:



The Dead Game is the first in a series of three books. The first one resolves the murder mystery, but at the same time, opens a Pandora box of new mysteries. Its surprise ending leads to more surprises.

I am about finished writing the second book. It has a name, but I am keeping it a secret until it is released in 2018. The Dead will find themselves at an exclusive club in Disney World. The main character, Linda, is torn between two men. Her best friend, Shana, has her heart broken and is drawn to a new man. The book will resolve the mysteries of The Dead in the United States, while the last book of the series will follow The Dead and their activities abroad.

Will Linda and Shana find happiness? Will Oasis return to being a vacation paradise? Come and join us to find out.

Here is a book trailer about The Dead Game. Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R8rQjyKyBc

To learn more about The Dead Game, here are the links:

Kindle

Nook

Thank you for joining us today. You’re invited to visit Susanne Leist's sites and blogs and to purchase her book, of course.

These are her links: