Q&A with Lisa Harris: Pursued

Interview by Ashley Eastman

Featuring Pursued

Praise for the Nikki Boyd Files

“Christy Award–winning and bestselling author Lisa Harris puts readers right into the action in this fast-paced thriller that will have them turning pages long into the night.”
—Fresh Fiction on Missing

“Lisa Harris has quickly become one of my favorite romantic suspense writers, and she has penned another winner in Missing.”
—Radiant Lit on Missing

“With this explosive first book in the Nikki Boyd Files, Lisa Harris takes readers on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have them holding their breath until the heart-stopping finish.”
—Christian Retailing on Vendetta

“A thrill ride from start to finish, the first book in Harris’s Nikki Boyd Files series is filled with twists and surprises. This is exactly the kind of suspense novel that readers are looking for—one to keep them involved and intrigued throughout.”
—RT Book Reviews, Top Pick on Vendetta

“The story is fueled with misleading dangers, and the character is so fascinating that fans will be waiting impatiently to see what adventure Nikki Boyd will have next.”
—Suspense Magazine on Vendetta

“Readers will try to figure out who’s behind the crimes as they get to know Nikki and root for her to heal from her painful past and open herself to love.”
—Booklist on Vendetta


Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine--up until the crash landing at the airport. When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing--and no one will admit she was ever there. Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial. When she flees from the crash, is she running from trouble or straight into it? Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects.
 
Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can't-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave readers stunned.
 
 
Ashley: What was your inspiration for writing the Nikki Boyd Files?
 
Lisa: Like with most of my stories, it began with a character that gripped my interest and whose story begged to be told. Nikki Boyd was one of those characters that I couldn’t stop thinking about. I always want to inspire with characters that are flawed and vulnerable and yet also show how God can use them. Giving Nikki her own series gave me the perfect combination.
 
Ashley: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they? What makes them unique?

Lisa: Nikki’s personal reasons for working on a Missing Person Task force intrigued me the most. She not only cared about the victims and their families, but she was the sister of a victim. This makes her not only good at her job, but her motivation keeps her intent on finding those she’s searching for.
 
Tyler is the love interest in this series. To me he’s perfect for Nikki, though they don’t discover this right away. He’s been wounded—both physically in the military, and emotionally with the loss of his wife, and yet even as he struggles to get back on his feet, he becomes a source of strength for Nikki.
 
Ashley: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.
 
Lisa: To be honest, I don’t interview my characters upfront like some authors do. I discover their likes, dislikes and quirks as I write. So all the facts I know about them I’ve already weaved into the series.
 
Ashley: In three sentences words, what is this book about?
 
Lisa: Pursued is a race against time to find a woman who disappears after a plane crash. When Nikki Boyd learns that Erika Hamilton is a key witness in a grand jury trial, she’s determined to do everything she can to ensure the woman is found. But someone will do anything to make sure she doesn’t testify.

Ashley: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story?
 
Lisa: I always start with a basic outline, then build on that as I write. With the twists and turns of romantic suspense, having a structure in place is extremely helpful for me as I write.
 
Ashley: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?
 
Lisa: I believe that Nikki is a heroine we can all relate to. She’s vulnerable yet strong, and knows what it is to have to deal with a horrible loss.

Ashley: What is your favorite genre to write for?
 
Lisa: Definitely romantic suspense!

Ashley: How many books are planned for this series?
 
Lisa: Pursued is the third and last book in the Nikki Boyd Files, but I’m finishing up a book that is a tie-in to the series. Vanishing Point is the story of Sarah Boyd, Nikki’s sister who disappeared over a decade ago, and the Angel Abductor who readers will know about from the series.
 
Ashley: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination?
 
Lisa: I always do a lot of research on a wide variety of subjects. I’ll research things like setting to add to the flavor of the book, police procedure, specific crimes that the case is dealing with, and much more.
 
Ashley: Why did you choose to focus on a male and female protagonist?
 
Lisa: Originally, I had planned for this series to highlight a different protagonist in each book. It was my publisher’s suggestion to make this Nikki’s series which I have ended up loving. The whole series takes place over a few short months, which allowed me to have a larger romance arc between Nikki and Tyler over the three books, as well as a second larger arc on Nikki’s search for her missing sister. For me it allowed me to bring a deeper depth to the series and make it very personal.
 
Ashley: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer? 
 
Lisa: I’m a full-time author working part-time hours. Or at least that’s what it feels like sometimes. I have discovered that in reality, the workload never ends, and like most people, I have many other responsibilities. So I’m constantly re-evaluating my schedule and time as I balance life in general.
 
Ashley: How long does it usually take you to write a single book?
 
Lisa: I’m comfortable with about six months, but I always end up with less time than that.
 
Ashley: When did you realize you wanted to become a writer?
 
Lisa: I always wanted to write, though I didn’t get serious about actually sitting down and finishing a book until I was in my late twenties.
 
Ashley: Coke or Pepsi?
 
Lisa: Neither
 
Ashley: Soft shell or hard shell tacos?
 
Lisa: Both
 
Ashley: Favorite place to vacation?
 
Lisa: Right now, I’d be happy to go anywhere on vacation!!
 
Ashley: Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
 
Lisa: It’s been a difficult year personally for our family, so I love holding onto this verse. “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
 
Ashley: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
 
Lisa: One of my favorite things to do is head to a nearby game park and drive through the bush looking for animals. There’s something peaceful about no cell phone or computers and all I can see is God’s incredible creation. It’s the one place I’ve found I can really get away from it all and take a deep breath!
 
Ashley: Any hobbies?
 
Lisa: I love photography, especially people and animals. We’ve finally put up some of our favorite animal photos—lion, leopard, rhino and more—in our house which has been fun.

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Author Website:  LisaHarriswrites.com
 
Author Facebook: @AuthorLisaHarris
 
Author Twitter: @HeartofAfrica
 
Author Pinterest: lharriswrites

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