An Interview with Ace Collins, Suspense Author

Ace Collin’s newest suspense novel, Darkness Before Dawn, released in March by Abingdon Press. 

On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards’ husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen. James Thomas, the teen, comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He’s a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. Angered by her senseless loss, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further—until the D.A. intervenes.

The results of the brutal trial enrage Meg, leading her down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?

Hi, Ace! Welcome to my blog! I’ve just started reading your newest book, Darkness Before Dawn. Tell us a little about the story.

This is much different than my other books in that it is a value story that punches the hot button topics of today, but the main theme is the personal cost of dedicating a life to revenge and retribution and the freeing power of forgiveness. This is a book about a life dramatically changing and I have been told by many who have already read it that it is also a book that is changing lives.

My best friend was killed by a drunk driver when I was in high school. I watched firsthand the toll that took on his family.

There is no doubt I was concerned if a publisher would even touch it. It takes courage to release a book like this. While there is no profanity or sex, this is very gritty stuff for the Christian marketplace and for me. It deals honestly with issues that most of us what to paint as either black or white and yet there is a lot of gray in all of them. I wanted people to think about what others have gone through to give them an idea as to why some folks in pain make decisions we might not agree with or understand. I also wanted to present that Hollywood’s romantic idea of “going Rambo” on others takes a horrible toll on both the giver and those on the receiving in. It is not heroic; it is ugly.

I want them to consider a couple of things. The first is the cost of dwelling on hate rather than embracing forgiveness. The second is to develop an understanding that old pat answers usually are not what people in pain want or need to hear. There are other things as well, but those two stand out.

I started out in nonfiction and still write in that area some, but in truth, while I grown as a writer my style is still pretty much the same. I am a storyteller and that is really what I have always been. My stories have gotten more complex and most now center on heroes who are searching for a calling, but the style has remained consistent. I also write both secular and Christian books, but I don’t thing you will find a difference in either one. I am who I am and that comes out in my work.

To a certain extent, publishers have moved out of the publicity arena and turned it over to writers and the role of the print media in pushing a book has diminished. I think the internet has captured the attention of a certain percentage of former readers so that fewer are picking up books now. So the market is tighter than it once was.

I love fiction and especially love whodunits or suspense. I love history so dropping elements from the past into my work is something I try to do as well. But as long as I get to tell an interesting story, I enjoy both genres.

What are you working on currently?

I just finished a devotional book with popular music as the theme and I am about to complete a courtroom drama centering on racial prejudice set in both 1964 and 2014. After than I am doing a nonfiction book on heroes that happen to be dogs, a comedy whodunit, a sequel to a novel that is currently out and a romance set in the 1930s.

It varies, sometimes the days are long and I write a lot. Last week I turned out over 38,000 words in four days, but there are other days I take off, spend time with the dogs and let my mind clear. Mainly it is all about deadlines. I write four or more books a year, so I have to stay at my iMac a lot. 

Never worry about rejections, my bestselling book was rejected 27 times over a decade before it found a home. If you believe in an idea, just keep reworking the proposal and keep plugging. Also, writing is a team project and your editors are not just your best friends, but your MVPs. So listen to them.

I just finished driving it…my favorite car is a 1934 Auburn 652Y that has been maintained but never restored. Drives as if it were new. I love the art-deco styling, the attention to luxury and the thrill of windows down movement. I actually use it as a second car and drive it about three to four times a week.

Kathy and I own three cats that we rescued, T.C., Buffy and Tiger. T.C. spends a lot of time with me in my office each day. Our dogs are both collies. Baby is the sister of the current (10^th generation) Lassie and Sammy is a dog we rescued who was born blind. I have learn a great deal from him. He does not let his handicap slow him at all. Each day, with his joy and enthusiasm for life, he teaches me a new lesson.

Thanks for joining us, Ace!

Want to see more interviews? Read Ace Collins’s interview of new suspense author Lisa Carter.

Giveaway Alert: 

Abingdon Press is putting together a collection of suspense novels as a giveaway package. If you love suspense and would like to be entered to win, tweet and/or post about this interview (and other participating interviews) on your social media accounts. Use the hashtag #ILoveSuspense. Every use of the tag will enter you for the book drawing. (Hint, feel free to use the “Tweet-worthy” links below to automatically post to Twitter.)

Tweet-Worthy:

Pin It