Congratulations to Shelia Hall, the winner of our yearly Christmas contest!
And...a very Merry Christmas to all our friends. We'll be back in January with more interviews from some of suspense and mystery's best authors, reviews of books you'll want to read, and contests too!
We love you!
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 Wednesday, Mary will be back with a post titled "A Special Day to Give Thanks." She’s also giving away a copy of her book, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Introducing private investigator Kate Weller in the first of the brand-new Marked for Retribution mystery series.
On the run from a troubled past, Kate Weller, the newest member of Price Investigations, covers her tracks, changes her name and takes a case in Charleston, South Carolina, where she can hide in plain sight.
The Suspense Sisters
We love books!
Happy Friday, everyone. Reading Christmas-themed books are
part of the holiday experience for me. How about you?
There’s something about settling in with a Christmas book on
a winter day with the twinkling tree lights, a warm fire in the fireplace, and maybe
a cup of hot chocolate. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
When the months before the holiday come around, I look
forward to seeing the new list of Christmas novels that are released. As a reader,
I love just about every genre with a Christmas theme, but as a suspense author,
my favorite is Christmas suspense because you have the added element of danger.
Today, I thought I would share some of my favorite holiday suspense
stories and some I’m looking forward to for this Christmas season.
I will be giving away an ebook copy of Mistletoe and Murder
to one person. I’ll announce the winner next Friday, November 27th.
So, let’s get started with Delayed Justice, a True Blue K-9Unit: Brooklyn (Book 8) by Shirlee McCoy. Shirlee is a favorite author of mine.
I love everything she writes, but I think this True Blue K-9 Unit book is exceptional,
and this is the True Blue K-9 Unit Brooklyn series conclusion.
A closed case brings a new threat.
Detective Bradley McGregor and his K-9 partner, King, come
to the rescue when journalist Sasha Eastman’s targeted by a shooter who looks
just like her mother’s murderer. But that killer supposedly died years ago in a
shootout with the police. Now it’s up to Bradley and King to protect Sasha…but
how can they stop a killer who’s already dead?
Sara Blackard is a new author for me this year. Sara’s CelebratingTina: An Inspirational Holiday Romantic Suspense (Stryker Security Force Book3) grabbed my attention right away because it is another K-9 themed story and I
love those.
A K-9 handler determined to prove she belongs. A detective
with an unwavering plan. Can they overcome their painful pasts and accept the
gift of love?
Tina West has spent her life feeling like she stood on the
outside, but since taking a job at Stryker Security, life seems to be turning
for the better.
Tina never imagined when she took a job as a nanny she’d end
up training for search and rescue. Yet, when her boss shows up with a retired
military dog and the opportunity to train with him, Tina snatches up the chance
to help those who are lost. If she saves enough people, maybe she could find
meaning in a life that left her with nothing but a bruised heart and a
tarnished picture of family. As holiday festivities loom before her, she
wonders if she’ll ever shuck the regrets that haunt her dreams and keep her
from connecting with others.
Milo Bishop’s every move has been to take care of his mom
and younger brother.
Since his father’s murder, Milo has worked hard to make sure
his mom and brother were provided for. He joined the police force straight out
of high school, took night classes so he could move up to investigator, and put
his life on hold until his brother graduated from college. But when he is
rescued on Thanksgiving Day by Tina West, his well-laid plans take a sharp
detour.
When a series of kidnappings threaten to ruin the holidays,
can Tina and Milo put aside their doubts and find the abducted children before
it’s too late?
Can Tina trust her instincts when they’re put to the test or
will children being harmed hit too close to her past for her to deal with?
Will Milo put his desires above his family’s needs when a
chance at love catches him by surprise?
If you like nail-biting adventure, fascinating characters,
and engaging stories of triumph, you'll love Sara Blackard's riveting Christmas
romantic suspense.
Healing the Hero (The Heroes of Freedom Ridge Book 3) by
Elle E Kay. Elle is another new author for me, but I see her books all over the
bestsellers lists and it’s Christmas themed so I tried it, and I’m glad I did.
Great storyline.
A dream job. A dreamier boss.
Ashley Castle jumps at a chance to show off her skills as head
chef when she lands the job at Liberty Grille in the Freedom Ridge Resort.
Before long, she develops a full-blown crush on her boss but ignores her
growing feelings. Nothing can happen as long as his nightmare ex-girlfriend
remains in the picture, so she keeps her focus on work.
Restaurant Manager, Daniel Winchester hires Ashley and can’t
help but be drawn to the new hire. If it weren’t for her faith in a God he
stopped trusting while serving in Iraq, he could fall for her. He can’t let
that happen, though.
When Ashley overhears a sinister plot, she’s torn between
revealing it, which will mean risking her job if Daniel doesn’t believe her,
and keeping it to herself. Daniel has a chance to overcome his demons, but will
he take the risk and discover love in the process or bury the betrayal beneath
his wit and charm once again?
Return to Freedom, Colorado and enjoy the faith,
friendships, and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this
Christian Christmas romance.
Healing the Hero is the third book in the Heroes of Freedom
Ridge series, but each of the books can be read as standalones.
And coming soon…
Arctic Christmas Ambush (Love Inspired Suspense) by Sherri Shackelford
doesn’t come out until December 1st, but the cover grabbed my
attention right away, followed by the blurb. It’s on my preorder list.
Caught between a killer on the loose and a deadly snowstorm…
A man’s been murdered, and the only witness is Alaska State
Trooper Shane Taylor’s ex, Kara Riley—a woman he’s sure has been keeping
secrets. Now Shane and Kara are snowbound during a dangerous winter storm—with
the killer! Shane’s convinced this has to be tied to Kara’s past, and he needs
to find the truth…before they become a murderer’s next victims.
And also coming December 1st - Deadly AmishReunion (Amish Country Justice Book 9) by Dana R Lynn
I’m looking forward to this one as well. I love the cover
and the blurb. Who doesn’t like a good amnesia story?
Separated by amnesia…reunited by a lethal holiday threat.
Jennie Beiler’s husband was supposed to be dead, so she’s
shocked when he rescues her from an attacker. Although Luke has no memories of
his Englisch wife, it’s up to him to protect her from someone who won’t stop
until she’s dead. Can the peaceful Amish community he returned to after losing
his memory shelter them and their son this Christmas when danger strikes again?
So, these are some of my favorites. What about you? Do you
have some holiday suspense favorites that you have enjoyed this year?
Comment with your email address for a chance to win an ebook
copy of Mistletoe and Murder. I’ll announce the winner next Friday.
All the best,
Mary Alford
www.maryalford.net
by Patricia Bradley
A while back I decided to try my hand at writing a shorter romantic suspense novel for Love Inspired Suspense. So I put together a proposal after reading a couple of LIS books and sent it off to my agent.
Then I read more LIS book and thought Uh, Oh ...can I catch that proposal before it hits a LIS editor's desk? Nope. It was too late. The chapters I emailed in the proposal did not start off with the hero and heroine in jeopardy. That's a must for a Love Inspired Suspense book.
*Sigh* At least the editor was amenable to me reworking the proposal since I realized my mistake. All this to say, if you're a writer and you're targeting a particular publishing house, be sure to read a LOT of their books.
What I discovered was, the hero and heroine must meet in the first chapter and be in jeopardy. No cute meet here. They are immediately thrown into danger and the reader is left on tenterhooks as they escape.
And the jeopardy is always there, hanging over the couple. Once they're on their journey to capture the bad guys, they encounter them about every chapter, until the end where they overcome the villain(s). Oh, and while they're battling the villain, they are also falling in love, and battling that as well. The writer needs a good reason why they can't be together, but not such a good reason that they can't overcome it.
If you're like me and targeting Harlequin's Loved Inspired Suspense, or you're looking for a great suspenseful story, look no further for good examples than the Suspense Sisters! Here are some perfect examples of what LIS is looking for:
You can buy it here.
I hope you've enjoyed my journey into publishing. I'll let you know if Love Inspired Suspense likes my new proposal.
Leave a comment telling me if you've ever ventured into a new area and had to learn a new way of doing something, and I'll enter you in a drawing for a digital copy of one of the LIS books listed. Be sure to leave your contact information.
Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery? Jen Turano has a brand new suspense releasing today, To Steal a Heart, in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series, from Bethany House.
After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he'd be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever.
As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.
You can buy To Steal a Heart here: https://www.christianbook.com/to-steal-a-heart/jen-turano/9780764235313/pd/235313?event=Fiction|1000184
THIS WEEK:
On Tuesday Mary Ellis will tell us What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery.
On Wednesday, Patricia Bradley will talk about writing for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense. She will give away a digital copy of Elizabeth Goddard's Deadly Evidence.
A dangerous reunion they may not survive
In this Mount Shasta Secrets novel
FBI agent Tori Peterson intends to find her sister’s murderer, even if someone’s willing to kill her to keep the truth hidden. But that means returning home and working with the lead detective—her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Bradley. Though sparks still fly between them, Tori and Ryan must stay focused on catching a killer…before they are silenced for good.
On Friday, Mary Alford will talk about some of her favorite Christmas Suspense books and will be giving away a copy of Mistletoe and Murder to one winner.
We love books!
by Patricia Bradley
Today I'm excited to review More Than We Remember by Christina Suzann Nelson. It was recently a book of the month in a book club I'm in and I'm thankful! I also got to meet the author at the Public Library Association convention in January this year. I'm giving away an autographed copy to one lucky commenter (US Addresses only, digital otherwise)!
Here's the back cover copy:
One night changes everything for three women. . . .
When Addison Killbourn's husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart. With her husband's memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to reevaluate all she thought she knew.
Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality. She was thriving as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose. When her neighbors, the Killbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne's solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn't been in a while.
As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they've been. Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?
I was immediately hooked by this story that looks at three very different women's lives. The story has twists and turns I didn't expect, but then slapping-my-head, I'm thinking, of course!
I liked all three women. They were stronger than they thought they were and what happened in the book tempered them. I'm not sure which one I liked the most...probably Brianne--she was the least like me. I saw so much of myself in Emilia, and I was really glad to see how her story turned out. (Not telling too much--don't want to spoil the story for you)
Lilly stole my heart. So wise for one so young. This is an uplifting, twisty book and I think Suspense Sisters readers will enjoy it.
I'm also reviewing Christina Suzann Nelson's first book, If We Make It Home on my blog, and I'm giving away a copy of that book as well. So, hop over to my blog and leave a comment. Again, US addresses only.
Those words either excite us or terrify us. For authors on a deadline, all we can do is count the days, praying we'll get done in time to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas! I want to share one of my holiday stories with you. I hope you enjoy it.
My Thanksgiving Story
When I was young, my mother made Christmas dinner and invited the family over to our house. I treasure those memories. Unfortunately, everyone who used to gather around my mother's table are gone except for me.
I'm sure you have stories about the holidays. Share it here and you'll be entered for a $20.00 Amazon gift card!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nancy Mehl
THIS WEEK:
On Tuesday Mary Ellis will tell us What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery.
Wednesday, author Nancy Mehl talks about Thanksgiving. Hopefully three of you will feel thankful when you win a copy of MISTLETOE and MURDER, an anthology that contains some of suspense’s best authors.
Here’s a blurb from my story, KILLING CHRISTMAS
On Friday Suspense Sister Patricia Bradley will review the book, MORE THAN WE REMEMBER by Christina Suzann Nelson. Leave a comment, along with your contact information, and you could win a print copy of this book! (U.S. only)
One night changes everything for three women. . . .
When Addison Killbourn's husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart. With her husband's memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to reevaluate all she thought she knew.
Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality. She was thriving as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose. When her neighbors, the Killbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne's solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn't been in a while.
As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they've been. Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?
The Suspense Sisters
We love books!