Romantic suspense and mystery author Susan Sleeman talks about everything but writing…

What are your interests outside of writing?

Family. I love spending time with my family. My daughters live cross-country from me so I travel there several times a year. And my other love besides reading is web design. I do my own website and have created and maintain several others.

Describe the best birthday you’ve ever had.

One year we took a trip to San Francisco on my birthday week. I used frequent flyer miles to pay for the whole trip. The hotel, the airfare for four, car rental, some meals. It was free, so what could go wrong? The trip started off horribly. The car wasn’t ready and we stood at the rental place for four hours. Our hotel room was only large enough for a double bed and all four of us needed to stay there. My hubby broke his glasses. All on the first day. Then he got sick and was throwing up for 24 hours. But after the first few hours of bad events happening, I decided I didn’t care what happened, I would have fun, fun, fun. And we did. The whole time. Everything we did was special and memorable and as we look back on it we all laugh until our sides hurt when we remember that first day.

If you had to give up chocolate or alcohol, which would you choose and why?

I’m gonna cheat here as there is only one right answer for me. I could never give up chocolate, but I had to give up alcohol because of the medicine I take. I still take occasional sips of a drink, but haven’t had a full drink in 12 years. However, I am now craving a gin and tonic thanks to the question.

The aliens came to earth to steal our…

CAT. This is the only logical answer, as our cat is an alien creature. From the day we met her as a kitten at the shelter, she was odd.

BUT…our daughter just had to have her. As we waited for them to complete our paperwork, she climbed the metal bars of the crate she was in and tried to eat through the bars. Then we got home and she nearly attacked us for our pizza and wouldn’t touch her food. Turned out to be too big for her little mouth so we broke it up and she ate. However, she has, from the day we brought her home, never let anyone but me, my hubby, and our youngest daughter touch her. The vet has to get out long leather gloves to handle her, and she doesn’t have blood work done as she’d need to be sedated. She won’t even let people see her.

We travel three or four times a year and the same woman has come to feed the cat for the last five years. She has only seen her two times. And lastly, though I could go on and on about how odd she is, she will let the three of us pet her, but when she’s had enough, she turns and bites you.

What do you miss about childhood?

I miss the instant laughter. The pure joy of discovering something as simple as your toes and being fascinated by it. The pure love of a parent with few expectations. The ease of friendships. Playing outside and running with abandonment.

Which temptation do you try the hardest to resist?

Food. Food. Food. I have health issues so I don’t get enough exercise. Plus I take medications that help pack on the pounds. But worst of all, I love to eat. Especially sweets. Especially at night and when I’m having a bad day. I don’t eat excessively, but with the first two factors, I can’t really eat anything that is not good for me and not gain weight.

Would you prefer a quiet life of safety or a life of great adventure and uncertainty?

I hate to admit it as I admire people who love adventure, but the older I get the less I like adventure. I’ve lived in 9 states since I married my hubby. I used to travel weekly for my job. I guess that was enough adventure for me and now I like safety and security. 

You just won $100,000, and you have to spend it all on yourself today. No saving, no gifts, no charity allowed. What are you going to buy?

Oh, this one is easy for me. I love, love, love to spend money, and I never spend it on myself. So I would use the money as a down payment on a second home in Oregon where my daughters live. So, if the world should spin out of control and my hubby suddenly decided he didn’t like his job anymore and was willing to move, I’d have a home ready and waiting for me nearer to my daughters.

SUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of six romantic suspense and mystery novels published by Love Inspired (Harlequin), Spyglass Lane Mysteries, and Creative Women Mysteries.  Her latest release is DOUBLE EXPOSURE, a Love Inspired suspense.  Visit Susan’s website or follow her on Twitter or Facebook.