Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast. Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host-and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?
     

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of over thirty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year. She was a two-time 2010 Carol Award winner!  She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time.

Favorite Verse:  Romans 15:13 "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 Our Interview with Susan May Warren

First of all, Susie, Congratulations on all your recent awards!

Thank you!
 

Will you give us a brief overview of the Deep Haven Series?

The Deep Haven series is a collection of stories set in the small northern Minnesota fictional town of Deep Haven -  much like a northern Mitford series, with a rich cast of characters.  

Can each book in the Deep Haven Series be read as a stand-alone book?

Absolutely.  Although characters from past books walk on and off the stage, each story stands alone and you don’t have to know the previous stories to understand the one you’re reading.  Consider it a story about each member of the town, but not necessarily built on each other.

How did you get started as a CBA writer?

I love inspirational fiction and started reading it when I was serving as a missionary in Siberia, Russia.  I loved to write, so when it came time to pursue that dream, inspirational fiction was a natural fit.  I love writing for the CBA market – even the “choir” needs encouragement and freedom from the lies that still bind us.

How did you come up with the concept for My Foolish Heart?

I was intrigued by the relationships built online – how tempting, and even easy it is to be more “transparent” with an unknown person on the other end of email than those in your own lives.  I took that concept and built a story about neighbors who might otherwise be unable to meet each other, or even trust each other in real life, but are capable of a deep friendship, even falling in love over their computers.  Would their love survive meeting face to face? 

Why was there a large gap between the third book in the Deep Haven Series and My Foolish Heart, Deep Haven Series #4?

I love to write many genres and admittedly was trying out my “writing voice” in those genres – but eventually I returned to my first love, contemporary romance in Deep Haven, Minnesota.

Do you have a favorite character in the My Foolish Heart? Why?

I love all the characters – Caleb and Issy, Lucy the donut girl…but I think my favorite is Seb – he’s just a hometown boy wanting to do right by his small town.  I love his broken heart and how he finally gets the girl he’s always loved. 

How much research did My Foolish Heart take?

I had to learn a few football plays and lingo, and how to make donuts, and the issues associated with a prosthesis…but since I live in this small town…

The most enjoyable part of the research was talking with the local football coach, Mitch Dorr, and hanging out with my fellow football moms, and grilling my son on football practice.  Coach Dorr actually wrote a couple plays for me! 

What is the most interesting fact that you learned while researching and writing My Foolish Heart?

The advancements on prosthetics today are simply amazing.  In many cases, if I didn’t know my interviewee had a prosthesis, I would have never noticed it.

How many books will be in the Deep Haven series?

Six, total, so far.  The next one out is the Shadow of your Smile, about a wife and mother who falls and loses her memory of the past 25 years…including the loss of her only daughter.  If you could erase grief, would you do it?  Even if it meant losing your memories?

What are some of the challenges you face as an author?

Keeping my stories fresh.  I tend to gravitate to things I like.  Like dogs.  And pizza.  And donuts.  And small towns.  And football.  I had to tell myself that football was off limits.  At least for a while.  ƒº

What aspects of being a writer do you enjoy the most?

The research and the epiphany are what I enjoy most. I love it when I discover a truth that sets my hero/heroine free…and that truth applies to my own life. It’s like God is saying – see, this book is for you, Susie.  It’s so fun to see God at work in my writing, teaching me truths as I pour them out onto the page.

What clubs or organizations are you involved with helping with your writing?
 
I started an online community for writers focused on craft and coaching called My Book Therapy.  We have nearly 1000 members, so I’m pretty involved there.  And, of course, I’m a long time member of ACFW.

What do you do to keep your writing fresh and improve on it each time you write a book?

I read a lot in between projects, analyzing voice and technique. I  then take notes and see how I might incorporate those techniques into my writing. I always try and read “up” also – read those authors who take my breath away with their prose or storytelling.  I always learn from them.

Are there any other new projects on the horizon?

I just finished The Shadow of Your Smile (a Deep Haven book), and am currently writing a Christmas book for Summerside, called Baby, it’s Cold Outside.  (A wonderful Minnesota title!)  Then, I’ll return to Deep Haven with the next story – tentatively titled, You Don’t Know Me, about a woman in hiding. 

What message would you like your readers to take from reading My Foolish Heart?

My Foolish Heart is about fear, and how it can imprison us.  I really grappled with the idea that “Real love casts out fear.”  Why?  It came to me that when we truly understand the love God has for us, then we can rest in His arms, regardless of what lies ahead. It’s my hope that readers begin to let that truth transform them and break them out of their prisons of fear.

What is your greatest achievement?

My four amazing teenage and adult children.   I am so blessed by them, and it is a joy to see them walking in their faith, as men and woman (I have one daughter) of God.  I take my parenting very seriously, so while I know it is because of their teach ability, I am thrilled to know that I might have something to do with their solid character and walk with the Lord.

What do you do to get away from it all?

I go dancing with my amazing, wonderful and cute husband. (smile)=