Debra Webb, author of more than fifty novels of romantic suspense, has led a life as adventurous (though not quite so dangerous) as her books. She's lived in Germany, worked for NASA, and currently resides in Alabama. Her latest, Find Me, hits stores December 30, and promises to make readers more than happy. Romantic Times says, "...Webb moves to a whole new level with this book, and the ending is off-the-charts creepy."
Tell us about Find Me.
Investigative reporter Sarah Newton debunks supernatural myths, and forces the truth to light whether people want to hear it or not. Now, with a popular teenager found tortured and murdered - and another girl missing - Sarah's out to prove it's not the work of an ancient curse, but a cold blooded killer. She'll expose one Maine village's darkest secrets...while keeping the truth about her own past hidden from view.
As Youngstown's newest councilman, Kale Conner's unofficial job is to minimize the bad publicity from Sarah's stories and, if possible, to keep her in line. But with time running out, and his own family at stake, Kale finds his neighbors' terrible deeds might be too deadly to sweep under the rug...and he and Sarah are headed toward a heated endgame with only one shocking way out...
I'm hoping readers will really enjoy this one. The story is near and dear to my heart. I was thrilled at RT Magazine's review: ...Webb moves to a whole new level with this book, and the ending is off-the-charts creepy.
What's your favorite part of writing?
Wow! That's a tough question. I suppose it's the discovery. You think you know what's going to happen when you set out to write the book, but then the characters take you on a journey that changes some-if not-everything. I love it when the characters teach me who's boss!
When you are desperate for a book to devour, what do you reach for?
Anything by Tess Gerritsen or James Patterson or Lisa Gardner or Alex Kava or Allison Brennan or Vicki Hinze or CJ Lyons or Cindy Gerard! The list goes on! Also, I love watching the true homicide stories on the History Channel or Discovery Channel and too many others to mention.
Tell us something I don't know about Tennessee and Alabama.
I suppose the most interesting thing about both states is the history. There really is a lot of wondrous history in the south with lots of pivotal changes that are so very fascinating when comparing where we've been to where we are and where we're going. When you think of Alabama or Tennessee you think small town, not much happening. But that's totally not true. Just like NYC or LA or Chicago, there are both amazing and terrible secrets even in small communities. There's murder and all sorts of other heinousness along with the perserverance to survive and an immeasurable compassion for others. The south's history is steeped in tradition and those juicy secrets. I love discovering and amping up the creep factor when using what many perceive to be just a small, boring town.
What are you most looking forward to in the next year?
I recently finished my summer release, Everywhere She Turns. Each time I write a story I learn something new and experience an epiphany related to the craft of creating and putting that story on the page. So, I'm really looking forward to the release of Find Me and Everywhere She Turns in 2009! I believe both show a marked development in my skill as a storyteller. I look forward to reader feedback.
Tell us about your experience while writing Find Me and how it was different.
Usually I visit a setting and do my research, take pictures, make notes, ask questions. To delve into FIND ME, my family and I, dogs included, moved to the coast of Maine for five months. We had never done that before--particularly in the dead of winter. I'd always wanted to experience New England and this was the perfect opportunity.
We arrived on December 8th to three feet of snow (last winter's snowfall in the area surpassed all records for the past few decades).
While in Maine, we lived in a farmhouse more than a century old. Miles from the village of Camden and nestled at the foot of a mountain amid the trees, it was quite different from home. I live in a fairly large city in Alabama with most everything handy and rarely any snow in the winter. The bitter cold and the centuries of history along the Maine coast proved fertile ground for creating a creepy story. I had a marvelous time (when I wasn't freezing!). I trudged through the snow and ice deep in the woods and through the cemeteries for weeks doing research before I began the writing. The scenery, even covered in snow, was breathtaking. I loved visiting the homes dating back to the 1700's (a few were even older!). Old houses are an obsession of mine.
The people and the places were amazing! I will always cherish my time in Maine and look forward to going back for visits.
What makes a book un-put-downable for you?
The characters. That's the thing that draws me in more so than anything else. I don't care how mundane the crime or setting, a richly drawn and incredible character does it for me every time. I love to take that ride--that journey that helps a character rise before his or her flaws or fears to become whatever he or she has to become to survive. It's so amazing! It's funny, when I was younger I was certain no book could be good unless it had a cutting edge, unique plot device. Something new that no one else had thought of. But I've come to realize that it's about the characters and their journey more than anything else.
Contributing editor Tasha Alexander attended the University of Notre Dame, where she signed on as an English major in order to have a legitimate excuse for spending all her time reading. Following graduation, she played nomad for several years, eventually settling with her family in Tennessee. When not reading, she can be found hard at work on her next book.
