Interview with Mal Olson + Tour wide giveaway

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Mal: I write adrenaline-kicked romantic suspense. When my consuming passion for writing allows time, I enjoy reading, flower gardening, jamming with friends on my mountain dulcimer, and hiking in a nearby state forest (or in the mountains somewhere). I have three grown children and one granddaughter and reside with my own special hero in southeast Wisconsin where I juggle writing time with my freelance landscape design business

Every author’s bio I read starts out saying something like this: “I’ve been a ravenous reader since the age of six.”

Not me. Call me not a wiz-kid because as a child, I read, but I didn’t start reading books by the carload until I was a young adult. And I don’t devour books–as in reading two or three a day. I savor them by the half-carload and enjoy every morsel while analyzing the magic the author has produced to keep me turning pages.

Along the road to publication,, I have been blessed with help from many others–writers who give of their time to present workshops and seminars, especially those sponsored by Romance Writers of America and WisRWA, and classes offered at the University of Wisconsin Writer’s Institute, and by the generous authors of Mad City Writers.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Mal: I’ve always had the urge to write, and my first romantic short story was the result of a seventh grade creative writing assignment–which was so long ago I don’t remember my English teacher’s name, but I remember it was the era of poodle skirts and saddle shoes–when I crafted the story of two star-crossed lovers reunited when the hero was freed from the Bastille Prison. Guess what we were studying in History at the time? The time span between writing my first romance story in junior high school and having my first romantic suspense novel published is a period of epoch proportions. I’m one of those overnight success stories that happened after decades of work and trying.

Over twenty years ago, my first-born daughter and I decided we could write a romance novel, and we had a lot of fun working jointly on creating two books. There’s still a place in my heart for those stories and characters. Later, we branched into writing our own novels, picking each other’s brains and critiquing for one another. If it weren’t for her support (she’s an awesome writer as well as a fabulous editor) I would never have reached my lifelong goal of becoming a published author.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Mal: I’m not really very quirky. Probably writing at any hour during the day, evening or into the wee hours of the A.M. is my quirkiest.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Mal: My latest book is my debut novel. Shadow of Deceit is a romantic suspense filled with non-stop action, hot and sexy characters, betrayal, smokin’ romance, and a thrilling plot. On the two-year anniversary of a car accident that robbed Shannon Riedel of her husband and infant son, a gunman breaks into her office and accuses her husband of swindling a half million dollars from him. When FBI agent Tony Crazaniak, an ex-Delta Force Operative with demons of his own, shows up to investigate, sexual heat sizzles. They collaborate to unearth secrets Shannon’s husband left behind—secrets connected to a terrorist leader Crazaniak has vowed to take down. With danger surrounding them, two emotionally wounded souls bond, but can they put their demons to rest and trust in love? Can they survive long enough to find out?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Mal: This story has been re-written so many times, I don’t remember how I originally came up with the idea.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Mal: I’m currently working on another romantic suspense involving a Lieutenant Deputy Sheriff and his “off limits” new recruit. Too Sexy For His Stetson is set in the mountains of Idaho.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Mal: Since I am a big fan of Suzanne Brockmann, I’d really enjoy meeting her. Maybe some of her magic would rub off?

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Mal: Follow your dream. Write every day. And never give up.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Mal: Travel to Australia.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Mal: I loved Trish McCallan’s Forged In Fire, so I can’t wait until her next release.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Mal: Thank you so much for inviting me to Books n Kisses today. Readers, be sure to join in with any questions or comments you may have. One lucky commenter will win a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of my Sizzling Hot Blog Tour.

Check out my website www.malolson.com for two free short stories ~ Me and Brad-edge of the heart romance with a canine twist. And a Danger Zone ~ Are two strangers destined to become kindred souls when they survive a rock n’ roll landing on an icy Milwaukee runway and chase a could-be terrorist into the danger zone? Both are both also available at Amazon, B & N and most ebook retailers.