Super Spies Series by ​Lisa Orchard Interview & Giveaway

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Genre: Upper Middle Grade Mystery/Thrillers Publisher: Astraea Press Publication date: March 13, 2012 Number of pages: 277 In a small town in Michigan, fifteen-year-old Sarah Cole is stuck spending the summer at her Aunt and Uncle’s with her sister, Lacey. She’s not happy with the situation until she befriends a girl named Jackie. The three girls stumble upon the ruthless murder of a reclusive neighborhood woman and what's worse? One of the officers investigating the crime believes the girls are responsible for her death. Fearing that this officer will frame them for the murder, the girls organize their own detective squad. They become the Super Spies and start their own investigation. The Super Spies can’t understand why anyone would want to murder the “Cat Lady” until they

start digging into her past and discover a horrible crime that happened thirty years ago. They uncover a connection between the two crimes and attempt to bring this information to the police, only to be reprimanded for meddling in the investigation. Not only are the girls upset by the admonition, but they also struggle with the fact that their exuberant investigating could provide a legal loophole allowing the killer to go free. Frustrated by this turn of events, the Super Spies realize it’s up to them to snare the Cat Lady killer.

Or die trying...

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Genre: Upper Middle Grade Mystery/Thrillers Publisher: Astraea Press Publication date: July 26, 2012 Number of pages: 366 This book opens in a small town in Michigan where Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are now living with their Aunt and Uncle. Still reeling from the fact her parents have disappeared, Sarah starts the school year with her new friend Jackie Jenkins. When Sarah learns the school has been bombed, she’s filled with dread. Uncle Walt is a teacher, and he was in the school when the bomb exploded. Taking matters into her own hands, Sarah decides to search for him. The rest of the Super Spies are right behind her. When a fireman chases them away from the school, Sarah becomes ​suspicious. She decides to investigate. ​

The FBI arrives on the scene. Sarah realizes this bombing could have even bigger implications. Searching for the bombers, Sarah is introduced to the world of terrorism. She fears that the bombing and her parents’ disappearance are connected and terrorists are involved. To make matters worse, the bombers are determined to finish the job. Can the Super Spies find the bombers before it’s too late?

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​​Genre: Upper Middle Grade Mystery/Thrillers Publisher: Astraea Press Publication date:  May 28, 2013 Number of pages: 331 ​ ​Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are at it once again when they learn their missing parents’ cell phone has been traced to Alden, Michigan. When the FBI declines to continue the in-vestigation, Sarah takes matters into her own hands. She calls upon the Super Spies and they delve into the situation. Suddenly, the teens find themselves immersed in small town intrigue and mystery involving a menacing stranger, who Sarah dubs “The Stalker." But when Sarah learns he’s connected to her parents’ disappearance, she’s

determined to find out what that connection is. The Super Spies embark on a journey that leads them into a web of corporate corruption at its highest level that leaves innocent victims in its wake. Can they find the proof they need to stop the greedy corporation before it’s too late?

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​Lisa Orchard grew up loving books. She was hooked on books by the fifth grade and even wrote a few of her own. She knew she wanted to be a writer even then. Her first published works are the “Super Spies Series.” These stories revolve around a group of friends who form their own detective squad and the cases they solve. “The Starlight Chronicles,” is the next series that Lisa created with musical misfit, Lark Singer as her main character.

Lisa resides in Michigan with her husband, Steve, and two wonderful boys. Currently, she’s working on the next book in the Starlight Chronicles Series along with a few new ideas that may turn into stand-alone novels. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, and reading.

Interview

1.   When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I knew I wanted to be a writer in fifth grade. I was into mysteries like Nancy Drew, The Bobbsey Twins, and Trixie Belden.

2.   How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on the book. I would say an average is between six and eights months. I get the first draft down and then do a lot of editing.

3.   What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I write whenever I have a free moment. I get a lot done in the morning and on the weekends.

4.   What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I'm a Pantser. I get the idea and then just start typing. I love writing like this. It gives me a lot of freedom and I can be creative.

5.   How do books get published?

Well, I've gone the traditional route and work with publishers who edit and create the cover art. Then they load the polished manuscript up on sites like Amazon and Kobo so that they're available to the public.

6.   Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Good question. I get my inspiration from many sources. Some of them are from personal experience, or something in the news sparks an idea, or a dream. My ideas come from all over.

7.   When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I was in my late forties and my first book was published in 2012.

8.   What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I like to spend time with my family, hike, read, and run.

9.   What does your family think of your writing?

My boys love my books. They're very proud of their mom. Especially my oldest, he's read all three of the Super Spies books.

10.                     What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I was surprised to see how vivid of an imagination I still had. Remember, I knew I wanted to be a writer since fifth grade, but I didn't pursue it until I was home with my kids.

11.                     How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I've written seven. My favorite is my last one. It's a Young adult thriller, and I see a great improvement in my writing. That's so exciting for me. I haven't sent it to a publisher yet. I'm still trying to polish it up.

12.                     Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Keep writing. You improve with each story.

13.                     Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I do hear from my readers and the most recent e-mail I received was from a Mom of a reluctant reader. Her daughter hated reading and would fight it every night. Out of desperation, she gave her daughter "The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer," her daughter loved it. She read it twice. She's read all three of them and now plays "Super Spies" with her friends.

14.                     Do you like to create books for adults?

I haven't yet, but I've thought about it.

15.                     What do you think makes a good story?

My favorite type of story is when the underdog wins, or a  rags to riches story. Those stories always inspire me.

16.                     As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a detective at first, then a writer. :)

17.                     What Would you like my readers to know?

I'd like your readers to know  I've got some great new stories that I'm working on. They're in the upper YA genre and I'm very excited about them. Keep me on your radar, there's more to come!

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