Au Revoir, Coventry

 

Meredith, NH, one inspiration for Coventry

Coventry became a little more real to me with every novel. We explored the mountains in Glimmer in the Darkness, saw more of town in Tides of Duplicity. Betrayal of Genius introduced an ice cream shop and a coffee shop--which became a central location in Lineage of Corruption. Traces of Virtue introduced the church. And the creepy house in Touch of Innocence was inherited by Aspen in Inheritance of Secrets and then purchased by Denise in Wreathed in Disgrace. 

Vengeance in the Mist, which released last month, was the last official Coventry Saga novel. Though most of the story took place in the Boston area, all of the Coventry characters had at least cameo roles in the story, and it was such fun to catch up with them again. They started out single and alone, many in some kind of danger, and seeking to solve mysteries or simply trying to stay alive. Seeing them again at the end of the series, most married or engaged, some with children...it's the kind of scene that make me cry happy tears. 

Also, it's a little bittersweet. 

I've been living (metaphorically, anyway) in Coventry, New Hampshire, for three years and ten books, and I love the little town I created. Surrounded by the mountains and nestled against a clear lake, Coventry is just the kind of small town where I'd like to live someday. Or at least own a vacation home. 

When I first envisioned Coventry, it was a smaller version of Meredith, a charming tourist spot on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee (see image above). But Coventry is closer to the White Mountains, like Lincoln. 

Lincoln, NH, another inspiration town

Man, I'm going to miss that town and the people I came to love there. Sure, they're fictional, but I spent a whole lot of time with them, enough that they feel real to me. 

Although we won't be visiting Coventry again, there is one more Coventry novel--I'm calling it a bonus book because it takes place in Utah--a long, long way from New Hampshire. But the heroine is connected to Grant Wright, the hero in Courage in the Shadows. His oldest brother, Daniel, is missing and presumed dead... Obviously, that was a story that had to be written. 😉 

Now that A Mountain Too Steep is with the editor, I'm working on my fall release, which will introduce a whole new town, this one a coastal village. I can't wait for you to visit! Here's a little glimpse at one inspiration for Shadow Cove, Maine.

Camden Harbor, Maine

Check out the Coventry Saga novels and grab A Mountain Too Steep while it's on preorder--and still only $2.99. 

What fictional town would love to visit? Comment below to win a paperback copy of Vengeance in the Mist. 

SUSPENSE SISTERS' JUNE CONTEST!

 

Announcing an exciting contest this month on the Suspense Sisters! Leave a comment following the posts on this page - and signup to receive newsletters announcing contests, book releases, interviews, and other exciting "book news" from the Suspense Sisters. You could win a $100.00 gift card from Starbucks, Omaha Steaks or Amazon. Your choice!

To enter this month's contest, use the link below!

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WHAT'S NEW IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

 BY Patricia Bradley

What's HOT in Inspirational Fiction this month? The Lies We Believe by Lisa Harris releases later this month! Preorder now.

“Tell me what happened yesterday?”

I shift on the padded chair in my psychiatrist’s office, staring at the abstract watercolor on the wall as an attempt to avoid her question. “I saw my ex-husband, Lucas.”

“And. . .” Dr. Gabrieli prodded.

I don't answer.

“Riley?

I finally look back at the doctor. “It wasn’t Lucas. Just. . .just someone who looked like him.”

“Exactly. You see, our minds are incredible machines but simply put, they don’t work like computers. Instead, they can unconsciously bend our perception of what is real and fill in the gaps, making it possible to perceive things that aren’t really there.” Dr. Gabrieli taps her pen against her notebook. “Think about an amputee who still feels his missing leg, or how it’s possible to see patterns in chaos. Memories are sprinkled with gaps, then we fill in those gaps with our own created recollections.”

False information.

Distorted memories.

Lies.

But what if my mind can’t decipher what are truths and what are lies? And what if the truth is even more dangerous than the lies my mind believes?

***

Riley Bishop is a single mother, working at home as a security analyst to provide for her two children, Sadie and Oliver. But something is very wrong. Riley starts forgetting things—like appointments, where she put her keys, and where she parked her car. And then she thinks she sees her deceased ex-husband while out shopping. But as Riley begins to question her own sanity, her twelve-year-old Sadie goes missing. Soon Riley finds it harder and harder to know what is truth and what are lies as she is forced to question her own reality while she searches for her daughter.

Apprehending fugitives as a part of the SOG team gives Tucker Shaw the purpose and drive he needs to fight the demons from his past. When he’s called out on a mission, Operation Jackal, to track down a group of endangered children, he has no idea how drastically his life is about to change. It’s a frantic hunt as Tucker and his team race to save thirteen children, including Sadie. But when Sadie’s mother comes to him with credible evidence on who is behind the girls’ disappearances, the situation quickly spirals out of control with a final twist that has Tucker questioning everything he knows to be true.

 Available for preorder on Amazon!

We love books!

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

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

On Tuesday Patricia Bradley will tell us what’s hot in inspirational suspense and mystery.

Wednesday, author Robin Patchen will say goodbye to Coventry, her fictional town. Someone will win a copy of her book, VENGEANCE IN THE MIST.

A routine assault conviction gone wrong. A menacing intruder. And a case that’s more twisted—and dangerous—than anyone suspected.

Assistant District Attorney Misty Lake wants nothing more than to ensure Boston lawbreakers face justice, but how can she while dealing with an increasing workload and pressure to offer plea deals? When a criminal she prosecuted is released on a technicality, she doesn’t have time to worry about the threats he once breathed against her.

Tate Steele dreams of rising in the ranks at the DA’s office, but idealistic prosecutor Misty is in his way. When the district attorney asks him to assist her with a few cases, he’s eager to close them quickly to prove his merit. But he and Misty discover her apartment has been broken into, and this is no run-of-the-mill burglar. The intruder escapes and leaves no trace.

Either the vengeful convict Misty put away has upped his skills, or there’s more at play than a defendant seeking revenge.

Every clue opens up a deeper layer of lies and corruption. Though Tate has always been her rival—more concerned with ambition than justice—seeing his protective side makes Misty's heart vulnerable to his charm…something she can’t risk. Someone is bent on making sure the truth never comes to light—no matter what the cost.

Don’t miss the final twisted mystery in the addictive Coventry Saga.

BUY IT HERE 

On Friday, Suspense Sister Sharon Dunn talks about aging pets. She’ll also be giving away a copy of her upcoming release, THREAT DETECTION.

Can a K-9 team stop an assailant with a deadly plan?

When someone shoots at volcanologist Aubrey Smith on Mount St. Helens, it’s up to K-9 officer Isaac McDane to protect her even though she broke his heart a decade ago. But as people keep dying and signs point to Aubrey’s sister being involved or the next potential victim, they’ll have to work together to track down the killer before he finishes his hit list.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

BUY IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest! You could win a $100 gift card for Starbucks, Amazon, or Omaha Meats. Your choice!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS

IS RESEARCH IMPORTANT?

I love research. After I started writing, I realized that my love for documentaries and biographies was a clue that someday, I would be an author. Writers seem to have an innate curiosity and a drive for the truth that we need to make our stories feel real. Research can come from books, documentaries, and online sources, but in my opinion, talking to real people is the best way to get the most accurate information.

In my two previous series, I wrote about behavioral analysts who work for the FBI. Thankfully, I have a retired FBI behavioral analyst who helps me with my books. I also have access to two doctors and a police officer. I’m blessed to have them in my corner. However, in my upcoming release, COLD PURSUIT, I had to depend on a biography and online resources for an unusual condition. I have a character who has a disability called Synthesesia. This infirmity confuses a person’s senses. For example, a certain word may trigger an aroma. Emotions may evoke colors. When my character becomes angry, he sees the color red. This trigger tells him he has the right to take a life. Because I was unable to find someone with this particular condition, I had no choice but to use other ways to create my character. In this case, I believe my characterization rings true. I hope you'll agree!

COLD PURSUIT

"Guaranteed to captivate with plot twists you won't see coming."--Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author

"This story is sure to leave you breathless from the thrill of the ride. Hold on tight, it's about to get exhilarating!"--Lynette Eason, bestselling and award-winning author of the Extreme Measures series

"Cold Pursuit sucked me in from the first riveting page and pulled me deeper into an intricate, danger-filled plot."--Elizabeth Goddard, bestselling author of Cold Light of Day

Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They're soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to find out what happened to her teenaged son, who disappeared four years ago. River knows there's almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.

But as they follow the boy's trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. As River and Tony race to stop him before he kills again, an even more dangerous threat emerges, stirring up the past that haunts River and plotting an end to her future.

Can you tell when an author has done their research? Tell me how you feel about that, and you could win a copy of COLD PURSUIT when it releases in July.

And don’t forget to enter our contest this month. You could win your choice of a $100 gift card for Starbucks, Amazon, or Omaha Steaks!

WE HAVE A WINNER!

 

The winner of our May contest is Rachael De Klerk! She's won a $100 gift card to Starbucks! We're contacting Rachael so we can get her card in the mail.

We just kicked off our June contest. This month, someone will win their choice of a $100 gift card from either Starbucks, Amazon, or Omaha Steaks. (Great for summer grilling!)

Go to our contest post and enter!