Friday Reads – Clive’s Christmas Crusades by Susan Willis

My featured Friday Read this week is a cosy crime novel with a Christmas romance, Clive’s Crusades by author Susan Willis. Let’s find out a bit more about the book then talk to Susan.

Blurb

Twenty-nine-year-old, Clive and his partner, Barbara have lived together for a year now. Clive works as a tour leader on trips around his beloved York City. When he finishes one of his favourite, murder-mystery treasure hunts, he pockets his tips but is mugged on the way home. Clive is enraged that someone could do this to him and sets out to find the mugger himself. Knowing how it feels to be a victim of crime, and with Barbara by his side, Clive helps the community and neighbours fight back against pick-pocketers, burglars, and an on-line dating scam. ‘You’re my own little Super Sleuth,’ Barbara says and giggles. Clive smiles and knows he is ready to make the ultimate gesture to her, but where and when? 

Buy links

All of Susan’s work is available on amazon here: https://amzn.to/2S5UBc8     

Welcome to my blog, Susan. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I didn’t start writing until I was in my late forties. I did a home writing course and started with short stories of which I still write for women’s magazines. I wish I’d started earlier.

Has any author inspired you?

Agatha Christie – My favourite of her novels is, ‘And Then They Were None’. I’d love to go to Burgh Island in Devon where the novel was set. I’m in awe of Agatha’s imagination to gather a group of murderers together who all escaped justice! 

What do you like writing most?

I love to write different genres. I started to write in romance then psychological suspense and now have ventured into cosy crime. I’d love to try writing historical fiction one day. 

Do you have a special place for writing?

Mainly I write at my desk. But I can jot notes and edit whenever I feel the need – trains, buses, or coffee shops.

Are you a pantster or a plotter?

Always a plotter. I have each chapter mapped out before I start the novel or story. Of course, This might change as I move through the book and switch things around, add or remove, etc. But on the whole I know exactly where I’m going with the story.

Is your writing ever inspired by your family or real life incidents?

Family – sometimes. When my mam, sister and nieces read Clive’s first book they raved about him so much that I knew I’d have to give him another book. Real life – all of the time.

What are you writing at the moment?

I’ve just started this years novel which is a follow up in the ‘Clive Thompson Investigates Series.’

What inspired you to write this book?

Last year I wrote, ‘Clive’s Christmas Crusades’ which is set in York and the first book in a series, ‘Clive Thompson Investigates’.  Everyone seems to love Clive so I’m giving him another story which is set in Whitley Bay caravan park in the North East.

What time of the day do you write best?

I do one-hour social media every morning then I start to write. If I spend any longer it eats into my day and I fall behind with my own deadline. I’m definitely a morning person.

What are your hobbies?

When I’m not writing, I read, knit, enjoy TV and love the cinema.

What advice would you give to other writers?

Never give up. If you have a story to tell then someone somewhere will want to read it.  

Thanks so much for talking to us today, Susan. I hope you write lots more Clive books.

Meet Susan

Author bio

I am a published author of five novels and six novellas and live in Co-Durham. I’ve just finished updating my food-lover romance novels with new titles and covers:

NO, CHEF, I Won’t!

Dark Room Secrets

Northern Bake Off

You’ve Got Cake

A Business Affair

The Man Who Loved Women

The Guest For Christmas Lunch

Christmas Tasters

Following the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival in 2019, I wrote six Cosy Crime Short Reads which are to be published in July 2022 by Northodox Press. I have incorporated up-to-date issues: poor mental health in a kidnap scene, the perils of social media, and an intruder on Skype. The collection will have the title, ‘The Curious Casefiles’

Last Christmas I wrote the first novel in a series, ‘Clive Thompson Investigates’ Readers loved Clive so much that I’m writing a sequel for this year. I’m hoping to call this, ‘Death in the Caravan Park.’

Contact Links

Website www.susanwillis.co.uk

Twitter @SusanWillis69

Facebook m.me/AUTHORSusanWillis

Instagram susansuspenseauthor

pinterest.co.uk/williseliz7/ 

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