Q&A With Author Debbie Baldwin

I’m so glad to have my friend Debbie on the blog today! I was first “introduced” to her when I signed up to be on a book tour for her book, Illicit Intent, a couple of years ago. Since then, we have ended up in some of the same group chats for bookstagrammers and authors. She’s hilarious by the way! She is also one of the most supportive people of my IG posts, blog, and author services. Debbie wears many hats and you can read all about her below 👇🏻

Debbie! I’m so thrilled to have you on my Q&A. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres and always has been. Tell us how your Bishop Security Series came about!

I usually read every night before bed, and I tend to genre binge.  A couple of years ago, I was in a romantic suspense phase and scrolling through the endless thumbnails of book covers on Amazon. I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. In my mind, I was looking for an intriguing plot with a dashing but complicated hero who meets his soulmate and saves the day. I also wanted a female protagonist who was no shrinking violet and had her own set of skills. After about an hour of searching, I set my Kindle aside, said: “f**** it, I’ll write what I want.” I went to my laptop and wrote the first three chapters of False Front at one in the morning.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer and what prompted you to take the leap?

I’ve always been a writer to some extent. I was an English major in college, and in law school, I interned at Newsweek Magazine in their Washington DC bureau. After that, I wrote speeches for a political candidate, worked in marketing, and wrote a humor column in a local paper. In 2015, I wrote and sold a comedy series to ATT/DirecTV. My show, Almost There, aired in 2016. After that, I knew I wanted to focus on a writing project. I just didn’t know what. I think the planets aligned that night when I was looking for a book and couldn’t find anything that grabbed me.

I know in addition to being an author, you’re a mom to 3 kiddos (well, not kids anymore!) as well. Do they read your books?

Hahahaha, good question. My youngest son (19) said he refuses to read my “sex books.” My oldest, my daughter, has read them and loves them—her college friends are all big Bishop Security fans and send me pics reading on the beach or on a plane. My middle child is a bad reader but a great promoter!

Who is a romantic suspense author that inspires you?

There are so many. I love Rachel Grant, Toni Anderson, and Laura Griffin. I don’t even need to read the descriptions of books by Pamela Clare or Jayne Ann Krentz; I just click “buy.”

When in the middle of writing a book, tell us how a typical day of writing looks for you.

Ummm, a lot of puttering. I make myself write a chapter (or fix a chapter), and then I get distracted by Instagram or my pup, or I remember that there are cookies in the kitchen. Then after a suitable amount of procrastinating, I sit down at my computer and start again.

What are some hobbies you love?

I am an exceptionally average baker, but I love it. My family is very patient with my attempts, and every once in a while, I make something delicious.

How do you celebrate a publication day?

Usually by compulsively checking social media and online sites for posted reviews. I’m aware it’s not healthy.

What are you currently reading/watching?

I am obsessed with Ted Lasso and Billions. I am in a real whodunnit phase right now. I’m reading all the old Agatha Christie books and scouring the shelves of my local bookstore for great mysteries. I love a twist that I don’t see coming!

Your first 3 books- False Front, Illicit Intent, and Buried Beneath are out! Is there a 4^th in the series coming our way?! If not, can you tell us if you have something else in the works?

Funny you should ask! I just finished the first draft of Book 4, Past Purgatory. Fans of the series have been waiting for Finn’s story, and it’s finally here. Finn is a former Navy SEAL and CIA officer who was captured in combat, and, as a result, one side of his face is badly scarred. He went from being a kind, funny, happy-go-lucky guy to an angry, hateful misanthrope. In Book 3, Finn hits rock bottom and disappears to get his head straight. Book 4 is the story of how he finally heals and (of course) falls in love.

Let’s do some FAVORITES!

Favorite color? Green

Favorite song? Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight

Favorite meal of the day? Breakfast. I meet my best friend at a hole-in-the-wall diner at least once a week for eggs and pancakes and chit-chat at least once a week.

Favorite restaurant? I don’t have one favorite restaurant; I probably have twenty! I love to eat, and I love to explore new places and new types of cuisine. I obsessively watch weird cooking shows and love learning about restaurants all over the world. I want to plan a culinary tour vacation, where my husband and I eat at all these amazing places.

Favorite toy as a child? I loved to play with my older brothers. Although the feeling was not mutual.

Favorite season? Autumn. Boom. Done. I don’t think I could live in a place that didn’t have changing leaves.

Favorite room in the house? There is this super cozy room in a far corner of the house. I love the sunlight and the cozy couch. It’s just a perfect place to read or think ( or fold laundry).

Favorite scent? I love the smell of baking—cinnamon, cookies, pie, bread. I totally understand why real estate agents bake cookies when they are holding an open house. I would be completely sold. Sure, it’s airport-adjacent, but smell that kitchen!!!

Thank you so much Debbie for your time and for participating in this week’s author Q&A 💕. You should come have a baking day with my husband, he’s amazing at baking pies, cheesecakes, cookies, you name it! And I’m a great taste tester, so there’s that! But seriously, thank you for your continued support of my blog and for being a fantastic romantic suspense author-I can’t wait for Past Purgatory and Finn’s story!

Readers, if you enjoy romantic suspense check out Debbie and her books on Instagram or her Blog! You can find her books to purchase on Amazon.