INTERVIEW WITH DARLENE L. TURNER

Darlene L. Turner is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

INTERVIEW

Tell us about your recent release.

Echoes of Darkness is a story about the fight between good and evil. Constable Oaklynn Brock not only has to fight the darkness of her past, but also solve a case involving a serial killer copying her own father’s kills as she tries to keep her identity a secret from everyone around her. Plus, she has to work with a man from a newly formed Canadian Watchers Squad who’s fighting his own demons. Together they must face the darkness as the Protégé targets her sleepy town of Kenorapeake Falls, Ontario.

What was your inspiration for this book?

I had the idea for the story years ago, but it evolved into something different. I wanted to focus on light vs darkness in a bit grittier storyline to show how we can overcome the darkness if we trust. There’s so much darkness in our world and I wanted to share that even in that darkness, we can be a light—a single light—God’s light shining for all to see.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Your least favorite?

Developing my characters is my favorite part of the writing process. Once I figure out their vocation (and what actor/actress I will model them after!), I begin crafting their backstory, deep wound, goals, motivations, etc. I then take them through their lives to see what happened to them at ages 0-13, 14-20, 21-35, a year ago, six months ago, one hour before the story opens, 10 minutes. It’s a great way for them to come alive in my mind because once that happens, they will become alive for the reader.

My least favorite? Writing the dreaded synopsis! I think that’s probably most authors worst nightmare. I’m a pantser, so it’s hard for me to plot out the storyline because when I go to write the book, I tend to go down rabbit trails. Sometimes they work. Other times…not so much. LOL.

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

1) When I was in my twenties, I did a little bit of modeling. It was fun!

2) I love camping. Being out in nature is the best.

3) I enjoy lots of different types of movies: Marvel, Lord of the Rings, sci-fi, and a good romance!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Tole painting (painting on wood), watching movies, going on walks with my hubby.

What are you working on now?

I’m starting book #4 in my new National Park Protectors series for Love Inspired Suspense. This series is about six Hoyt siblings and each one has a vocation related to parks. There’s a park warden, archeologist, conservation officer (game warden), smokejumper, search and rescue pilot, and a park warden trainee.

Anything else you’d like to share?

My faith is the core in my stories. No matter what my characters go through, they always turn to God in the end. I pray before I start writing and ask God to give me HIS words, not mine. I want to be His light. Someone once said that we write WITH God not FOR God. I like that. He’s right there with me when my fingers are flying across my keyboard, whispering into my ear His words! I pray that readers will see God in all of my stories. To Him be the glory.

Where can your readers learn more about you?

Website: darlenelturner.com
I spend a lot of time on Facebook. Here’s my author page and profile:
Facebook (author page)
Facebook (personal)

Echoes of Darkness

A serial killer stalks a small town, and a police officer must face her family’s dark past to catch him.

The sleepy community of Kenorapeake Falls in northern Ontario seems like somewhere Constable Oaklynn Brock can finally outrun her violent past. That is, until she’s assigned to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. She can’t reveal that she knows how serial killers think because she grew up with one. Yet the eerie similarities between these murders and those committed by her father, known as the Suicide Slayer, hint at a copycat in their midst. But why here and why now?

Caleb Greene of the Canadian Watchers Squad, a special task force, has his own reasons to be wary of working alongside Oaklynn. But with rumors of a local cult known as the Light Paragons gaining power, the stakes are too high to refuse.

As they explore connections between the killings and cult, Oaklynn and Caleb are forced to confront old secrets…and a terrifying new threat. Someone is watching Oaklynn’s every move. They know exactly who she is and what she might be capable of. And soon her biggest fear isn’t just having her past exposed, but that a killer will turn whatever days she has left into a living nightmare…

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