https://elizabethgoddard.com/
T4JYM: Please tell our readers about the books you have written. Do you have a favorite book or series?
EG: I’ve been writing Christian romantic suspense since my first book released in 2007. I love stunning settings, and I make a point to portray God’s creation in my stories, so most of my novels take place in amazing places. I also love to add action and adventure to romantic suspense and, of course, I always hope to leave readers with a spiritual nugget. My stories include messages of forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption. My favorite book is always the one I just turned in, and, in this case, that would be Deadly Currents which is book 3 in my Hidden Bay series.
T4JYM: What is your “legacy” regarding your writing? What do you hope people will take away after reading any of your works?
EG: I believe my legacy is writing gripping, faith-filled romantic suspense novels that deliver messages of hope, courage and redemption. I love to craft intricate mysteries, heart-pounding action and always include deeply emotional relationships—and as previously mentioned—my stories are set against a stunning and perilous landscape! I hope readers will have a powerful emotional experience, come away with a reminder that even during our most difficult struggles, God is on His throne and at the same time He is always with us.
T4JYM: What comes next? Are you working on something new?
EG: I recently turned in the last book in my Hidden Bay series so now I have started writing the first book in a brand-new series. The series is tentatively called Mercy Ridge and is set in the Northern Cascades of Washington state.
T4JYM: Where do you get ideas for your books?
EG: I’ll see a location that I find breath-taking and know that I want to set a series there. Once I have the setting in mind, I start thinking about who the characters are and what their struggles can be. I will often start writing the story at this point and unearth the mystery as I go. Though I keep a loose plot in mind, I often don’t know the twists or the big reveal or who the bad guy is until the moment I’m writing that scene. I think letting the story grow organically and unearthing it as I write keeps it fresh and, when I’m surprised, my readers will also be surprised.
T4JYM: Besides writing books, tell our readers a little about you and the things that keep you busy.
EG: I’m married to a pastor, and we have four adult children. I’m also caretaker to my special needs adult son who lives with us. I have two grandbabies and one on the way. We have a standard poodle that we’re training to be both a therapy dog and a service dog, as well. Living in the Pacific Northwest there’s no end to the beauty of nature and I enjoy hiking in the woods, walking on the beach and exploring. We just moved out into the country, and I hope to take up astrophotography. But I’ll be honest—writing books takes up the bulk of my time! I wouldn’t have it any other way. God called me to write, He gave me the dream and made it come true.
T4JYM: What is the award you are most proud of?
EG: I was both shocked and thrilled when Cold Light of Day won the 2023 Christy Award in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category.
T4JYM: Who has been your biggest advocate and supporter in your journey to success?
EG: My mother really encouraged me as a child, suggesting she planned to send one of my poems to a publisher. I think she planted the writing seed in me, and so I credit her for that. But I could not have remained on this journey without the full support of my husband who encouraged me to pursue this dream, attend conferences and spend hours in front of the computer instead of all the other things I could have been doing as a young mother.
T4JYM: What advice would you give to someone interested in publishing their work?
EG: The most important advice is to read, read, read and write, write, write and on top of that, never give up. I highly recommend attending conferences to learn the craft and make contacts. I can’t say enough about networking with others in the writing world.
T4JYM: What advice would you give to the youth of this world?
EG: Trust God with the dreams He has given you—His timing is always perfect!
T4JYM: Any final thoughts you want to share?
EG: Thank you for all you do to support Christian artists and writers and bring awareness to these Godly works to teenagers!
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