What's HOT in Inspirational Suspense

Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery? Jaime Jo Wright has a brand new suspense, Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse, just released from Bethany House. Here's a little bit about the story:

In 1874, a battered woman awakens atop a forgotten gravesite by Lake Superior. Identified only by the locket around her neck inscribed with the name Rebecca, she seeks refuge with an elderly lighthouse keeper named Edgar. But as Rebecca struggles to remember who she is, she finds herself haunted by the lingering memories of Annabel, a mysterious woman who perished in the unforgiving waves of Lake Superior years earlier. With the spirit of Annabel seemingly reawakened, and an unknown adversary on the hunt to silence Rebecca once and for all, there is more at stake than just reclaiming her own memories. Rebecca must reclaim Annabel's as well.
In the present day, author and researcher Shea Radclyffe escapes to the lighthouse outside a historic mining town in Michigan, seeking clarity about her failing marriage. Instantly drawn to the lighthouse's landlord, Shea contends with the vengeful legend of Annabel's ghost and a superstitious community that has buried the secrets surrounding a decade-old murder. As the secrets harbored around Annabel's lighthouse unravel, Shea must navigate a fight of torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love and a vengeance that should have drowned a century before.

You can buy Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse HERE from Christianbook.com or wherever fine books are sold.

Have a great week of reading, lovers of inspirational suspense and mystery. ~ Mary Ellis

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THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

We have exciting things planned for you this week on the Suspense Sisters!

On Tuesday, Suspense Sister Mary Ellis will tell us what’s hot in inspirational suspense and mystery.

Wednesday, we’ll hear from author Patricia Bradley. Here’s something about her latest release, DEADLY REVENGE.

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That's where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?

ORDER IT HERE 

Friday, Suspense Sister Melissa Koslin declares “No Wimps Allowed” in her interesting post about the roles of female characters in romantic suspense novels. You’ll really enjoy this article! Here’s something about her novel, THE LOST LIBRARY.

Her past has caught up with her. Again.

Cali Lebeau has been aiding hackers with her cryptology skills to track an apparent terrorist organization. When they discover what she’s been doing, they target her. Asher Cross, billionaire recluse, insists on aiding her, though she doesn’t understand why.

Asher Cross has secrets. He must help Cali, keep her alive, but he cannot let her understand his past or his motivations—in order to protect her.

They discover that the terrorist organization is searching for the Golden Library of Moscow, which was first assembled by Ivan the Great and had grown over time to include the oldest and most valuable texts in the world, including missing masterpieces. They believe the library holds black magic and the secret to everlasting life. It was stolen from them by Cali’s ancestor, and Cali holds a clue to its location handed down by her mother. In order to free herself and Asher, Cali must race against the terrorists, find the library, and share it with the world.

Will they be able to solve the mystery surrounding the Lost Library or risk losing their lives?

ORDER IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS

HEROES AND VILLAINS

Almost all novels include heroes and villains. This is especially true in mystery and suspense. The idea is to present our hero. Then we must take him on a journey. His or her journey will lead him to either victory or defeat. In inspirational suspense, the end of the journey should end in victory since God will undoubtedly walk by our hero’s side.

In my opinion, our heroes and villains should be real. Our heroes should be flawed, and our villains should still have traces of humanity. One way to give them this is to provide them with a backstory. How did they get where they are? What was it that broke them?

How do you feel about this? Can you name some heroes and villains from novels or movies that touched you?

SHATTERED SANCTUARY

Was this the last thing she'd ever see? Would she be able to make things right before it was too late?

"God . . ." was all she got out before he lunged toward her.

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin's intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer's motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

Buy it here

Leave a comment and you could win a copy of my newest release, SHATTERED SANCTUARY. You can choose a print copy or a Kindle copy. (Print copy U.S. only.)

www.nancymehl.com

Review of The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch

I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced reader copy of The Other Sister from NetGalley, and let me tell you, this book far exceeded my expectations! I didn't read the back cover copy before starting the story like I normally do, so I began without any idea of the storyline. I've read quite a few general market thrillers recently, and this one held all the intrigue and suspense without the unnecessary gore, language, and spice I prefer to keep out of my mind. 

 Here is the back cover copy, so you can get a loose idea of the book's premise:

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

From the first page to the last, The Other Sister kept me guessing. The cast of characters added so much room for suspicion, and the scenes from the past were both chilling and intriguing. While the story wasn't written with overtly Christian content, Biblical themes are woven throughout, adding hope, redemption, and light to the darker elements of the story. It even left me with moral questions that stuck with me for days after reading the last page.

So far, The Other Sister is my top read of 2025. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, I fully believe you will love this book.

You can get a copy here, or comment below with your favorite read of 2025 up to this point for a chance to win an ebook copy.

For a more comprehensive review and a recorded interview with the author, check out the Knives and Roses podcast on whichever platform you prefer! The episode will drop on April 21st.

What's HOT in Inspirational Suspense

 Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery? Naomi Stephens has a brand new suspense, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey, just released from Bethany House. Here's a little bit about the story:

Not much happens in the sleepy post-war English village of Wilbeth Green---so when Rosemont Abbey goes up in flames, everyone's buzzing! Even before the embers have cooled, neighbors start hypothesizing about the culprit. Louisa knows her troubled twin brother is a top suspect, but Paul couldn't have done it. Can she clear his name? 

You can buy The Burning of Rosemont Abbey HERE from Christian book.com or whatever fine books are sold.

Have a great week of reading, lovers of inspirational suspense and mystery. ~ Mary Ellis