Interview with Dave and Diane Munson

Today we welcome Diane and David Munson to my blog. Thanks for stopping by.  Tell us about the book – a brief blurb:

“North by Starlight” was fun for us to write, and create a cast of characters who find themselves smack dab in a mystery in the snowy mountains of Vermont during the Christmas season. After writing ten suspense novels inspired by our exciting and dangerous careers (David a former NCIS/DEA agent and Diane a former Federal Prosecutor), our first ‘inspirational romantic suspense’ is inspired by the love we’ve learned from each other and from God who has blessed our marriage greatly.

Madison Stone, a young and single lawyer races to save the estate of Maynard Star from an unknown person who claims to be an heir. Maynard’s grandson and sole heir, Jordan Star has been so busy running his grandfather’s ski resort and lodge that romance and marriage have passed him by. Maddie works hard to search for unknown relatives, all the while resisting the pleasing attentions from Jordan because he is her client. “North by Starlight” is seasoned with lighthearted romance, and flavored with suspense, so you can be sure Maddie and Jordan are in for some interesting surprises. Come along for the ride as Maddie sharpens her legal skills in outwitting those who are determined to change Starlight forever. Will Maddie save Starlight or will Starlight save Maddie?

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?

We do read reviews. They are the affirmation we writers need. We do not respond to them, but yes, we are usually encouraged by them. Many readers say they are uplifted by our faith-filled suspense, based on our careers. However, we’ve learned not everyone likes what we write. Because some platforms don’t permit more than one category, we often are listed as suspense rather than Christian fiction as our thrillers do have much suspense intermingled with the faith aspects. It appears some readers are offended by any characters who have faith and/or authors that dare mention faith. These folks have given us a few bad reviews, referring to our books as being ‘religious rubbish.’ We’ve learned to ignore them, and to pray for the people. Christ suffered much worse. It is to give God the glory that we write what we do! We just need more Christian readers to write reviews, as do other Christian authors.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Through the years, God has brought several writers into our lives to inspire us. Brock and Bodie Thoene’s books about Israel (The Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant) started us thinking we could write as a husband and wife duo. Diane has read all of the 100+ books written by Grace Livingston Hill, which showed her the power of story to convey the Christian faith in the every day lives of characters who face trials and testing. We had the pleasure of meeting Robert Whitlow at a legal conference many years ago and he has encouraged our writing, as has Brandilyn Collins when we met her at a joint book signing. She encouraged us to join the American Christian Fiction Writers group, which we have done. 

What book are you reading now?

David is reading through the Chronological Bible and Diane is rereading “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim and Carol Cymbala, along with rereading Grace Livingston Hill’s books. Together we are reading, “Sing, How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church,” by Keith and Kristyn Getty. We both sing in the choir and love to worship the Risen Savior!

What books have most influenced your life?

The book that has absolutely changed our lives is the Bible. God’s written Word guides us and helps us each day. There are several devotional books that too, have inspired us. David found Blackaby’s book, “Experiencing God”, influential when he was serving on our church’s mission team and going on several mission trips. Diane has several books she reads from each day, including “Jesus Calling” and “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young, as well as “Praying Through the Names of God” by Tony Evans.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Jane Austen. She wrote from her world, the people she knew, and the community where she lived to create timeless masterpieces. We love to watch the movies based on her books, especially Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ely.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

She isn’t really new, but we enjoy Jan Karon’s novels. Her characters Father Tim and his wife Cynthia are wonderfully and beautifully drawn. She infuses faith in God within her writing, which is what we strive to do in each one of our novels.

If you didn't like writing books, what would you do for a living?

David would be an undercover agent and Diane would be a federal prosecutor/attorney!  We both had wonderful careers in the law and law enforcement until the day God gave us a new assignment: to write family friendly Christian fiction that honors Jesus based on our careers. It’s been quite a ride and we enjoy writing what we call “factional fiction,” which brings out real events from our cases in our writing.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

All our books are stand-alone thrillers, although Maddie Stone makes an earlier appearance in our fourth thriller “Hero’s Ransom” in helping different clients. We so enjoy her growth as a character that we are going to write about her further experiences in Vermont. We’ve begun a sequel where our readers can learn what more happens in Maddie’s life, and in the lives of her other new friends in Starlight, Vermont. Plenty of exciting twists and turns are planned for future books!

What book do you wish you could have written?

Pilgrim’s Progress … truth for the ages!

Share your bio, links for social media and to buy:

After writing ten suspense novels seasoned with romance, ExFeds, Diane and David Munson have completed their first inspirational romantic suspense. Responding to fans of their earlier thrillers, North By Starlight offers a romance seasoned with suspense where this spousal duo provides a glimpse into attorney Madison Stone’s exciting legal efforts to save Jordan Star’s Vermont resort from a mysterious and unknown relative, only to find herself entangled with a former as well as a future love interest. It’s been said of Diane and David Munson that “he nailed ’em…and she jailed ’em,” because David was an NCIS Special Agent and undercover DEA Special Agent and Diane was a Federal prosecutor. Now these authors of high velocity suspense novels, combine their exciting and dangerous cases into ‘factional fiction’ by changing the names and places. Fans of their earlier ten novels will be pleased with the return of Attorney Maddie Stone (Hero’s Ransom) and other favorite characters from the Munson’s family friendly, stand alone adventures.

https://DianeAndDavidMunson.com

https://www.facebook.com/Diane-and-David-Munson-143446772367345/

Twitter: @DDMunsonAuthors

Autographed copies of “North by Starlight” at https://www.dianeanddavidmunson.com/north-by-starlight/

Print, eBook and Audio copies of North by Starlight available at Amazon.com