David Johnson Releases ‘Ransom’s Surprise’

How does your definition of love evolve as you age? Has your definition of love changed in 50 years?

These are the questions David Johnson, McKenzie’s resident bestselling author and licensed therapist, sought to explore when writing his twenty-first novel, the fifth in the “Ransom” series: “Ransom’s Surprise.”

The story starts when Junior Ransom receives a phone call that rushes him to Dresden, Tennessee, to solve a murder investigation and clear his childhood best friend’s name. During his investigation, though, the titular character reconnects with one of Johnson’s most beloved characters — Tucker — and has to face emotions he had buried for decades.

Johnson hadn’t planned to continue Tucker’s story, as he had already completed her five-book series. Though he said people were “clamoring for more” of Tucker, Johnson was content with leaving her story where the series ended.

“You wanna leave people wanting more,” said Johnson. “Whether you’re a musician or a writer, you want people wanting more.”

But as he began writing “Ransom’s Surprise,” he surprised himself when he typed Tucker’s name into the story.

“My stories are so strongly character-driven that, sometimes, I’m surprised by what a character does or says,” said Johnson. That was the case with Tucker’s entrance into Ransom’s story.

While Johnson finds it difficult to pigeonhole his stories into specific genres, he describes “Ransom’s Surprise” primarily as a family saga. But it’s also women’s fiction and an adventure novel, a mystery and a romance.

“Ransom’s Surprise” — Johnson’s self-published novel about redemption, loyalty and the enduring power of love — is available for purchase November 8 only on Amazon.