A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

Author Interview – Susan May Warren

Readers have been raving over your Montana Rescue series! What makes book three, A Matter of Trust, different and exciting?

Gage! (And, of course, Ella!) Every story is different because of the characters, the type of rescue, and the relationships. I really wanted a fun, epic adventure that tugged at the heart but also delivered my readers into the high-stakes and drama of mountain rescue. Gage is a fantastic hero—deeply wounded, quietly heroic. He’ll do what it takes to save someone, but he can’t seem to figure out how to save himself. Enter Ella, who is just brave enough to keep up with Gage and his dangerous skills (freeriding). She’s just the woman to unlock his pain and help heal it . . . if he’ll let her. Wintertime in the Rockies is both beautiful and dangerous, and I wanted to capture that feeling and translate it into life . . . forgiveness, facing our regrets, and letting go are beautiful themes, but they can also feel so very dangerous to a broken heart.

In A Matter of Trust, Gage Watson has been betrayed by Ella Blair. What does this book say about trust and forgiveness?

This book is really about how regrets hold us hostage and the freedom we find in letting go of our past and trusting God to carry us into our future.

Disaster strikes for the main characters when a snowstorm hits one of Glacier National Park’s most dangerous peaks. What is it like to write such fast-paced and adrenaline-inducing scenes?

I love it! For me, it’s a fast-paced, adrenaline ride as I put the story on the page. (I’m often exhausted and in need of hot chocolate afterward!) My favorite part, however, is the aftermath . . . the relationships that develop as a result of the danger.

Why did you choose to write in your particular sub-genre?

I write epic romantic adventure—and I’m sure it’s birthed from my own love of adventure. I’m an outdoorsy person; I love canoeing and kayaking and skiing and scuba diving, so telling stories that take place outside is a natural fit for me.

Where did your love of bookish things come from?

I’m sure it was a combination of my extensive Barbie doll collection, my Black Stallion novels and my own ability to spin a yarn to stay out of trouble.  I was the girl who rode her bike to the library every Saturday, borrowed as many books as she could carry and then veraciously read them over the week. I couldn’t get enough of stories—and I wrote my first story at age 14.  (Actually, that’s not true—I won my first book writing contest in first grade about the crazy adventures on the first day of school. But it was a picture book, so, let’s say I wrote my first novel at age 14.)

What cultural value do you see in storytelling?

I think stories ask important questions about values, uncover lies that people believe and raise conversations about truth and impact of relationships, choices and actions. I like a story that has no right answers but actually starts a conversation that brings us deeper into understanding ourselves and each other.  In this way, a story can actually help us become better people.

What do you think most characterizes your writing?

I think I excel in characters who seem/are real—with real flaws, real challenges, and hopefully real epiphanies. They don’t always have the happy ending we expect, but it’s real, and right for them. People say that my stories strike a chord with them, and they want to hang out with my characters, (me too!)

What was the hardest part of writing A Matter of Trust? 

So much of this story is about the hero and heroine skiing down a mountain—but there is only so much skiing a person can do before it becomes boring. So, keeping the tension high in the middle, as well as varying the action (hello—skiing!) was tricky. But fun, because I love to ski and I could imagine myself on the slope!

What did you enjoy most about writing A Matter of Trust?

I loved the fact that I got to write a story about one of my favorite sports.  I also loved exploring the betrayal and trust and what happens when a hero is forced to save—and trust—someone who betrayed him.

Can you give us a sneak peek into book four of the Montana Rescue series?

It’s Ian and Sierra’s long-awaited story! The idea was conceived when Sierra tiptoed into my brain and said to Ian, “I wouldn’t go out with you if you were the only man on a deserted island!” I thought, Really? Let’s test that out! Ian and Sierra find themselves lost at sea when Sierra arranges a high-end fundraising junket for some of Ian’s closest (and wealthiest) friends. But being thrown overboard just might be the best thing that could happen to them. The story takes place in the Caribbean and was so fun to write. I think readers will love it!

What projects are you working on at the present?

I’m still working on the Montana Rescue series—I’m writing book #5 right now, about the aftermath of a storm and a group of missing athletes, with one more book in the wings. It’s so fun to spend time with this group of rescuers…it’s like going on a camping trip with my favorite people!

What do your plans for future projects include?

I’m so immersed in Montana Rescue right now, I’m not looking too far ahead. I love epic romantic adventure, however, so I’m sure it’ll be something in that genre.  I’m mostly looking forward to writing the finale of the series–a book about two characters, (Pete and Jessie) who have had a long on-again-off-again romance. We’ll see if they make it all the way to true love. ?

Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before?

I’d like to do a World War 2 tour, starting at Normandy.

What’s something fun or funny that most people don’t know about you?

I recently got my Open Water Certification for Scuba Diving!!