Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .

What drew you to the genre you write?
I’ve loved reading darker themed literature ever since I can remember reading. My tastes later turned more to literary fiction, but the alure of a crime to be solved and getting into the head of the perpetrator has always captivated me, whether it be books or TV shows and films.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
I’ll go with the non-human character my latest release, Havoc. Shadow is a Belgian Malinois being trained as a search and rescue animal by Kai “Single Star” Arrio. Rather than searching and rescuing humans, the canine is adept at digging up anything plastic—which is something he finds, sparking an entire crime investigation.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
I don’t use a pseudonym, however decades ago I legally change my last name to my grandfather’s surname (Ledford). I treasured him and still feel his presence keeping watch over me now and then.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I’ve always been involved in the arts, beginning as an artist and photographer, then writing stage plays, screenplays and much later short stories. Novels came last. I’m grateful for the progression because I’ve learned to used each of these past skill to create longer-form stories—whether it be the ability to present all sensory aspects in order to make the reader more relatable to the characters, or to set scenes visually so the reader is dropped into the experience right along with the characters.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
Professional scenic artist and carpenter for industrial films, commercials and films for over decade, until I physically couldn’t live off ladders and lug 5-gallon buckets of paint any longer.

How many books do you have published?
6 total: 2 from the Eva “Lightning Dance” Duran thriller series. 4 from the Smoky Mountain Inquest thriller series.

Where do you write?
My writing space is tucked into a sweet bay window that looks out on our backyard and a side door where I can see my raised garden. Lots of light and a very calming atmosphere.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Miss Vickie’s BBQ potato chips and Virginia peanuts.

Who is an author you admire?
Only one? Oh, Dru, that would be impossible, so I’m going to cheat and give you a short list: Fellow Native authors Louise Erdrich, Ramona Emerson, Vanessa Lillie, Debra Magpie Earling, Marcie Rendon. I also never miss a book by Isabella Maldonado, Jess Lourey, Robert Bailey, Ivy Pochoda and . . . so many more.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Psychological suspense thrillers primarily, but I also love a compelling literary novel. I make a point not to read crime fiction while I’m writing the first draft of a manuscript, for fear of inadvertently slipping into another writer’s voice.

What are you reading now?
Quite captivating The Alone Time by Elle Marr and a spectacular C.J. Tudor thriller/horror The Drift. I spend so much time on the computer that I absolutely must read a physical book before I go to bed every night. It’s my pleasure time and cookie at the end of the day.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Gerolsteiner sparkling mineral water and a splash of cranberry juice.

What is next for you?
I’m currently writing what is turning out to be a traditional mystery featuring a new cast of Native characters, set on the Oregon coast. This is quite a departure for me as my go-to is psychological suspense thrillers, but I’m having a lot of fun creating original characters and fresh locations for readers to lose themselves in.

Where can we find you?
At my website: deborahjledford.com and social sites: Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter: @djledford

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate, vanilla, or another flavor
Black Walnut!

Ice cream or cake
May I have both, please?

Fruits or vegetables
Both, but fresh fruits make me smile and feel great on the inside. Watermelon, cherries and white peaches are my favorites.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner, although I do love a good pancake!

Dining in or dining out
Love to cook, and eat what I cook, so hubby and I usually eat at home. But date night every week is a must—we go out for that!

City life or country living
Well, I live in the city, but would love to spend half the year (when Phoenix hits 110+ degrees in the summer) in a forest surrounded by trees.

Beach or mountain
Mountains for sure!

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall
Probably the spring, when plants start to bloom and I can get my garden going again.

Extrovert or introvert
Introvert primarily, but slide into “showtime” mode quite easily for appearances and putting myself out there.

Early bird or night owl
I’ve become an early bird since my Ausky/dragon dog bounded into our lives a few years ago.

And even more fun . . .

What’s your favorite movie?
Again, only one? I collect DVDs of my favorite movies and have literally hundreds at my fingertips. I suppose Three Days of the Condor sticks in my mind as a perfect film.

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
A really thick book. Flint so I can make fire in order to read the book, even at night. Fishing net so I can survive on what I catch.

My bio:
Deborah J. Ledford is the award-winning author of the Native American Eva “Lightning Dance” Duran Series, including Redemption and Havoc, set in Taos, New Mexico. Part Eastern Band Cherokee, she is an Agatha Award winner, The Hillerman Sky Award Finalist, and two-time Anthony Award Finalist for Best Audiobooks Crescendo and Causing Chaos from her Smoky Mountain Inquest Series set in the great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Deborah lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and awesome Ausky. DeborahJLedford.com