THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

We’re planning another great week on the Suspense Sisters. Check out our posts, our interviews, and our awesome giveaways!

THIS WEEK:

On Tuesday Mary Ellis will tell us What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery.

Wednesday we welcome back Carla Hoch! She’ll be talking about Shame, Guilt and Regret, Part 2. These articles are so interesting. Writers and readers alike can learn how these emotions should be portrayed in the books you’re writing or the books you’re reading.

For lots of great information about how to grab readers’ attention and what makes for a believable story, get Carla’s book, FIGHT WRITE! 

Leave a comment for a chance to win a $10.00 Amazon gift card!

Friday, Elizabeth Goddard will give us background information on her new book, ALWAYS LOOK TWICE.  And she’s giving away a copy to someone who leaves a comment, along with their contact information. (U.S. only.)

ALWAYS LOOK TWICE

At the advice of her therapist, homicide survivor Harper Reynolds has traded her job as a crime scene photographer for a more peaceful life taking photographs of the natural world. But her hopes for a life surrounded by the serenity of the outdoors are dashed when she inadvertently captures a murder being committed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She flees the scene in fear--and loses the camera.

Former Green Beret Heath McKade is a reserve deputy in an understaffed county who has been called in to protect Harper, a childhood friend he is surprised to see back in the area. When Harper learns that the sheriff's department can't find any evidence of the murder she witnessed, she is determined to do what she can to see that justice is done. What neither Harper nor Heath could know is how many explosive secrets from the past will be exposed--or how deeply they will fall for each other.

In this suspenseful page-turner, bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps you on the edge of your seat as you discover that uncommon justice lies just on the other side of fear.

Buy it here!

 

The Suspense Sisters

We love books!

Lillian Duncan Visits the Suspense Sisters

by Patricia Bradley

Today the Suspense Sisters is happy to welcome author Lillian Duncan to our blog to be grilled, er, gently questioned about her life and her newest book, Trapped.

SS: IF you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

Lillian: I’m a Christian writer who loves God, my husband and books—in that order!

SS: What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

Lillian: My husband and I love to camp. I’m not very outdoorsy, but with a camper and all the amenities, I enjoy it. My type of camping is definitely not “roughing it.”

SS: What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

Lillian: That’s way tooooo long ago to remember! But I did read anything I could get my hands on. Agatha Christie was certainly a favorite.


SS: Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

Lillian: First, I’m very short! I’m only 4’8” so when you’re that short it affects the way you look at life.

Second, I love animals. At the moment, we have two dogs and two parrots.

Third, I was diagnosed with brain tumors more than seven years ago. As a result, I have a lot of health issues, but God still blesses my so much in so many different ways. The least not being that I can still write stories!

Oh, my, and you've managed to keep a wonderful attitude! What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Don’t give up! It took me 15 years to get a traditional contract. What if I’d given up at year 14 ½?

SS: I think that last paragraph is the most important! What would you like readers to know about your story?

Lillian: TRAPPED is a definite page-turner, but still has a spiritual message as well.

What’s next from Lillian Duncan?

I have another book that should release some time next year—JANE DOE. It’s filled with lots of action and a little romance—my favorite type of book to read or write! Along with that I’m also working on the third Puzzle House novel—SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN.

Giveaway: Two is always better than one, especially when it comes to giveaways. So, to celebrate the release of TRAPPED, I’m having two different giveaways! One lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card as well as a choice of one of my books (e-book only). Click Here to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e958/trapped-celebration-tour-giveaway 

Five lucky winners will win a $5 Amazon gift card. To enter, go to www.lillian-duncan.com and leave a comment under the TRAPPED Giveaway Post. 

Oh, wow! Thank you, Lillian! So, readers, get thee to Lillian's tour giveaway! 

But, if you don't want to wait and see if you win a copy, you can hop over to Amazon or B&N  and preorder a copy and get it in your inbox Oct 1!

Back cover copy 

Angelina Matthews has everything—riches, fame, and beauty—until the day she's kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a madman, wearing only a stained t-shirt. The dirt is his—the blood is hers. Tormented and tortured, she cries out to God. 

Help comes in the form of Nate Goodman. 

When their paths cross months later, Nate discovers Angelina is still trapped—not in a basement but in the memories she can't escape. Nate knows all about being trapped and getting un-trapped. As an ex-Chicago cop, he's had his own demons to wrestle, but his faith helped him to move forward. He reaches out to Angelina whose paranoid delusions have her trapped still. 

But are they delusions after all? 

Bio 

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives—especially God’s Word.

She loves to write stories that entertain but also demonstrate God’s love for all of us. To learn more about her, visit www.lillian-duncan.com as well as her devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com.

There's always something more....

I love having a job where there is always more to learn.

Whether it is researching the DEA, the life of a county sheriff or a private investigator...or making sure that the details about a distant location and professions are exactly right.

Often, it involves traveling for research...as these photos show, from a day planned by the Mystery Suspense writers group.

The top photo is from wonderful all-day experience at the Los Angeles police academy. Here, my daughter and I are getting into police car with a trainer who works with officers on high-speed chase maneuver


The second photo was of a video shown during which one has to make a split-second decision to shoot--or not. It gave me a far greater appreciation of the decisions officers have to make.

 The LA police department did such an amazing job of hosting us. Here is their bloodhound, an exceptionally friendly pooch.  :)


We got to meet members of their Swat team, bomb squad,
drug reinforcement, mounted officers and more. What an amazing day.

Best wishes for a wonderful fall. If you leave a comment, you’ll be in a drawing for a free book!

Roxanne Rustand

fads

What's HOT in Inspirational Suspense by Mary Ellis

Wondering what's HOT in inspirational suspense and mystery this week? Lynn H. Blackburn recently released a brand new suspense, One Final Breath, from Revell Publishing. #3 in the Dive Team Investigations series. 

Here's a little bit about the story: When investigator Gabriel Chavez had his cover blown by an aggressive reporter, the silver lining was being able to rejoin the dive team. The downside? Dive team captain Anissa Bell--a woman who both fascinates and frustrates him.

Anissa grew up as a missionary kid on the Micronesian island of Yap and always planned to return after college. But she remained stateside, determined to solve the case that haunts her--the murder of her best friend and the disappearance of a three-year-old child.

When Anissa's fractured past collides with Gabe's investigation into the tragic shooting death of a teenage boy in Lake Porter, they'll have to put their complicated history with each other aside in order to uncover the identity of a killer. What they'll discover is that revenge has no statute of limitations.

Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her nail-biting Dive Team Investigations series with a story that will have you wondering how long you can hold your breath.

One Final Breath is available from Christianbook.com in paperback and e-book editions:  https://www.christianbook.com/one-final-breath-3/lynn-blackburn/9780800729301/pd/729303?event=Fiction|1000643#CBD-PD-Publisher-Description

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

We’re planning another great week on the Suspense Sisters. Check out our posts, our interviews, and our awesome giveaways!

THIS WEEK:

On Tuesday Mary Ellis will tell us What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery.

Wednesday our own Roxanne Rustand will talk about writers’ conferences. Have you attended a conference? Did it help you? Leave a comment and you could win a copy of Roxanne’s book, SUMMER AT BRIAR LAKE.

In Summer at Briar Lake, a disillusioned lawyer searching for a quiet life in a small resort town ends up sharing a house with a woman who has a dark past, a troubled daughter and a menagerie of epic proportions.

The situation is challenging enough, but add a miniature goat with a penchant for roses and adventure, and an unknown enemy who will stop at nothing to achieve his own goals, and life becomes even more…interesting.

Originally published in paperback as The House at Briar Lake, this e-book version has been fully revised and updated for readers who enjoy a sweet (not hot) light romantic suspense.

Buy it here!

Friday, Pat Bradley interviews author Lillian Duncan. She’ll be sharing about her new release, TRAPPED. Leave a comment for a chance to win an eBook copy of this exciting new book!

Angelina Matthews has everything—riches, fame, and beauty—until the day she's kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a madman, wearing only a stained t-shirt. The dirt is his—the blood

is hers. Tormented and tortured, she cries out to God. Help comes in the form of Nate Goodman. When their paths cross months later, Nate discovers Angelina is still trapped—not in a basement but in the memories she can't escape. Nate knows all about being trapped, and getting un-trapped. As an ex-Chicago cop he's had his own demons to wrestle, but his faith helped him to move forward. He reaches out to Angelina whose paranoid delusions have her trapped still. But are they delusions after all?

Buy it here!

The Suspense Sisters

We love books!

DiANN MILLS - TOP 7 PRACTICES OF SUCCESSFUL WRITERS

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
 
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
 
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
 
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com

Top 7 Practices of Successful Writers

Writers draw deep from the well of creativity and their personalities to establish successful writing practices. The goal is to work effectively and efficiently while balancing priorities. Over the twenty-plus years of writing and observing others in the publishing industry, I’ve found the following seven common traits.

Begin every day with God.

Turn to God’s word in Scripture reading and prayer before turning on your computer. He knows where we’re supposed to be and how to get there. Let Him give you marching orders for the day

Write five days a week.

Commit to writing regularly. Find the best time of the day and stick to it. Establish a word count that is attainable. Sometimes a writer needs an accountability partner. If your fit there, enlist the help of someone you respect.

Read. Read. Read.

Read the craft books.
 
Read a marketing book.

Read the bestsellers.

Read in your genre.

Read the blogs that enhance your life personally and professionally.

Repeat.

Stay active on social media.

Social media is about establishing relationships, not selling books. Consider social media a ministry—how can you help your audience with your expertise. Research and develop your social media skills according to your audience’s needs and brand. Be active where your new friends and followers are spending time. Encourage open-ended questions and respond to comments.

Be aware of the outside world.
 
It’s impossible to write to readers’ heartfelt needs if we have no idea what is going on in our community, state, country, and world. Choose awareness. We live in a constantly changing world, unpredictable, and dangerous. Take a daily detour to find out what’s happening around you.

Always deliver the best writing

Writers are dedicated to excellence. Their emails, blog posts, articles, fiction, and nonfiction reflect their dedication to the craft. Professionals never submit sloppy work.

Commit to education

Powerhouse people in all walks of life commit to learning. We never stop filling our minds with our personal and professional lives. When we end the process of studying the craft and the publishing world, we cease to write quality projects.

Seven simple tasks can make the difference between a ho-hum writer who dabbles and dreams about writing success and a writer who practices the traits of bestselling writers.

Share a comment below and be entered in a random giveaway for a copy of Fatal Strike.

FATAL STRIKE

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon

Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.

As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

You can buy FATAL STRIKE here!