Interview with Julie B. Cosgrove - and a FREE BOOK! Woohoo!

Hi, y’all! Marji Laine here and I’m chatting today with award-winning, multi-published author Julie B. Cosgrove who has recently released her latest “Wordplay Mystery” book. Book 1 in the series is Word Has It and involves an eerie Scrabble® game that gives clues to more than one mystery that hovers over the small town of Scrub Oak, Texas. Book 2 of the series has just released Word Gets Around involving a missing person nightmare.

I’m so glad you were able to join us here at Suspense Sisters today. Now, I know you have a lot of things that you’re good at. Certainly writing. But what would you consider to be your passion?

For the past eleven years it has been to let people know that God is there and He cares. I try to show that in my writings, whether it in woven into my novels, the devotionals I am contracted to write, or on my blog Where Did You Find God Today.

That is why I write “Mysteries with a Message”, and why I love to read mysteries as well. Mysteries have a common theme―seeking justice through discovering the truth. That hopefully leads the way to repentance. As it says in Malachi, what God requires of us is that we seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our Lord. Don’t we all want to do that?

So many people seem to need His presence but often cannot see the ways the Holy Spirit is moving in our lives. Their faith-eyes have installed blinders due to hurt, anger, guilt, or a myriad of other reasons. I pray the Holy Spirit uses my writing to help remove some of those obstacles as my readers follow my characters through the mystery.

Oh, I’m with you on that. I love how the Lord shows me things about Himself even through everyday events. Especially through what I read! But you have a unique niche in today’s market . . . sort of an Agatha Christie thing going on. Why do you write about senior sleuths?

I am a senior, so I relate to these characters more than mystery solvers in their thirties. But my main reason goes a bit deeper. There is so much worry out there about Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the elderly it is assumed all people over sixty are becoming feeble-brained. Not so at all. My mother was blessed to have life-long friends who had wit and charm well into their mid-eighties. I so admired those women. Therefore, to dispel that misnomer, I wanted to write about witty, savvy, and sharp senior women, all widowed friends like my mom and hers. They each have their quirks and personalities. They are hardly perfect but they love each other and forgive each other when snarkiness creeps up. These spirited fillies aren’t ready for the pasture yet.

You’re right about that. Wanda is anything but “ready for pasture.” She’s a hoot, and Word Gets Around shows some great examples of her character and the inter-workings of a small town. Tell us about the theme from your latest book?

Word Gets Around is the second of five, maybe six, planned books in the Wordplay Mysteries. Each book is based upon a word game, which is another love of mine. In this one, one-word notes are left on the windshield of cars around town and the women scramble to decipher the message thinking it to be a ransom note for a missing reporter. Underlying the story, the message in the mystery, is that jealousies can become destructive, especially when combined with ambition. When we start comparing ourselves to others in order to receive glory rather than striving to improve ourselves for God’s glory, we open the door for all sorts of negative decisions and reactions.

Yes, that creeps up throughout the story. Now every time we chat, you’re working on some new project. What’s next for you?

I am continuing the Wordplay Mysteries series. In Other Words is in edits, and I have recently turned in Hang on Every Word to my publisher, Write Integrity Press.  I plan to start writing the fifth one, Away with Words soon.

But I’m taking a detour and writing, along with six other mystery writers, The Visitor series. They are planning to release in 2023.

Yea! I’m getting to write on that series with you. I’m having so much fun with it.

Each novella involves a thirty-eight year-old woman who has inherited her parents’ non-profit foundation, and inevitably bumps into in a mysterious crime.

All seven of us have chosen people for our Visitor to visit along with fundraising plans for the foundation and a juicy mystery to solve. Your story idea is clever. I can’t wait for you to share that soon. Are you doing any other writing?

I continue to write devotionals for three publications, as I have since 2009, and produce my own blog as well. I’ve also recently become contracted with two publishing companies as an editor and continue to accept freelance editing for both fiction and nonfiction faith based works on the side.

One busy lady. Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Julie. We’ll have to chat with you again when your next puzzle hits the stands.

Here’s a little about Julie’s release: Word Gets Around

Random Notes,

One-Word Messages,

And a Puzzle that Might Be Too Hard to Solve.

Wanda Warner loves word games, but when she and her friends find random words stuck to their windshields, even her skills are challenged. A rising star reporter has disappeared and the newspaper office is trashed.

Could the words be clues as to why?

And can Wanda decipher the meaning of the complete message before it's too late to matter?

Get your copy of Word Gets Around at this HERE or click the cover image. And don’t forget to leave a comment. Got a question for Julie or Marji? By all means, ask! One commenting reader will receive a free e-copy of Word Gets Around. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments and make your comment by September 3, 2021.

INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH GODDARD by Marji Laine

Inspiration for
Grayson "Gray" Wilde

I have so enjoyed getting to know Elizabeth Goddard over the last several years and am delighted to get to share with her about her life and her newest book, UNDERCOVER PROTECTOR!

Marji: Okay, can I just say that the guy on your cover bears a striking resemblance to Chris Hemsworth in the Thor movies? Lol! Did you have him in mind when you crafted this hero?
Elizabeth: Ha! No, I sent them the picture of someone else, a different actor. Unfortunately, I didn’t put the name on my art file so I can’t tell you who  it is. But I wanted the shaggy hair and I got it. I have always loved the landscape covers but after seeing a guy on my cover, I think I’ve changed my mind. LOL!

Marji: I'd feel the same way! How did this hero come about? Was he a minor character in another book? What has been his evolution from minor character to main character?
Elizabeth: The reader is introduced to Grayson “Gray” Wilde as minor character in the first Wilderness, Inc. book. They learn he’s a federal agent—a special agent with the FWS (Fish and Wildlife Services). Honestly, I wasn’t aware these special agents existed until I started researching. Gray made a quick appearance at the beginning of Targeted for Murder. He and his brother, Cooper Wilde, have some conflict, of course, but they’re also brothers and have each other’s back. Since he’s one of the Wilde siblings he needed his own story.

Marji: When you craft characters, do you develop a full psychological mark-up or maybe use bits and pieces of people you already know?
Elizabeth: I don’t develop a full anything when I start. It all happens as I write. In fact, I might start out with the basics of their background but then as I’m writing the story more pieces to the character’s story emerge and help me to create that dark moment near the end. I think it’s impossible to not draw from your life experiences and people you know.

Marji: Wow! I'm in awe of authors that can develop everything as they go along. I have to plan like crazy. Speaking of planning, how has Grayson Wilde avoided marriage so far? Surely women don’t avoid him, so why is he still available? And what is it about Gemma Rollins that intrigues him?

Elizabeth: He has significant trust issues after an experience with a woman he loved—so he avoids getting romantically involved. But Gemma gets under his skin because she shares a passion with Gray. She’s working to save God’s creatures from those who would abuse them. He ends up not only investigating a wildlife trafficking ring but serving as her protector and given their shared interests and proximity, how could he not fall in love?

Marji: Totally understandable. Is there a character in this story that we should look for in a coming book?
Elizabeth: False Security is book three and we are introduced to two new characters—Olivia Kendricks and Zachary Long—but we’ll also spend a lot of time with the Wilde siblings in that story. Alice Wilde gets her story in Wilderness Reunion, which is book four.

Marji: So tell more about WILDERNESS, INC? Is there a set number of books for this series, or could there be more built on when the current works in progress end?
Elizabeth: I just turned in the fourth and last book, Wilderness Reunion. Initially I had planned for six but the editors have decided to limit the number of books in a series to four now for the Love Inspired lines. Personally, I could keep writing stories set in the wilderness forever. But I’ll be moving on to a new series—just as soon as my editor approves my proposal and I hope she does!

Marji: It's so satisfying to read a series from beginning to end but sad, too. Still, how exciting to get to start something brand new and fresh! Hope to hear of your new series soon! Now about you, personally ... winter in the deep north. How does a Texas girl survive? I’m sitting here in a tee shirt and jeans with my back door open to the porch and my dog running around. The only thing slightly cold are my bare toes. I’m guessing that wouldn’t fly where you are?
Elizabeth: Not at all. In fact, we had an ice storm last night. There are three cars stuck right in front of my house on the country road. Yes, I’m a Texas girl but I really got my fill of those three months of blazing Texas sun in the summer, and I crave cold and snow. So I’d say that the Lord has answered my prayer to see snow and plenty of it! Lol!

Marji: Ha! I'll say. And do you still home school? I thought I remembered we had that in common, though I'm about to graduate my final pair.
Elizabeth: My oldest child is about to turn 25. Yes, I have home schooled my four children all these years, but they are in high school now and about to start college. I am more of a resource manager when it comes to their schooling.

Marji: Yes, I've noticed that with my own. What does your day look like and how do you balance life and writing?
Elizabeth: I think I have finally figured out how to juggle writing and life. I just pace myself. I have a calendar and I know how much I need to get done on any day. If I have time, I will do more, but I just hit my mark and then I’m good to do everything else I need to do regarding my life outside of writing.

Marji: You churned out 4 or 5 books last year, right? How in the world do you keep such a demanding pace?
Elizabeth: Yeah. I also write mysteries for Annie’s Mysteries, which is a write-for-hire publisher. I refer back to my previous answer—I pace myself. That said, there are still many times when I feel utterly overwhelmed and sometimes I start to hyperventilate. I always seem to take on too many projects, but then I just take a deep breath and put it all on the calendar. I compartmentalize and work on one thing at a time. Sometimes that means working on one project in the morning and another at night, but I try to avoid that if I can.

Marji: Okay, now you've just proved to me that you're Super-Author! What accompanies you as you write? Snacks, music, pets, drinks? How do they help or hinder?
Elizabeth: I have found as I age that silence is my best writing buddy. So writing in the mornings when the house is quietest works best for me. When my youngest son gets moving and demands my attention, then if I haven’t achieved my goal already, I might be in trouble. When the kids were young and there was much more chaos going on, I could sit in the middle of that and write—not so much anymore.

Marji: I can certainly appreciate that. I couldn't have even tried to write when my kids were little, but then the Lord knew what He was doing to delay that career in my case! Thanks so much for joining me today!

Readers, one of you can win UNDERCOVER PROTECTOR. Leave a comment with your email address (must have an email address!) and share your favorite thing about winter. One comment will be chosen at random on January 26 and that reader will be contacted for his or her choice of a Kindle or print version of the book!

Review and Giveaway with Suspense Sister DANA MENTINK

Marji here. I've admired my fellow Suspense Sister, Dana Mentink for some time and am so delighted to get to interview her today! 

Welcome, Dana, even though this is as much home for you as for me! 

The first book of yours that I read was Jungle Fire. That incredible romantic suspense became one of my all-time favorites! Then you charmed the tar out of me with the contemporary romance, Sit, Stay, Love. That became another all-time favorite. Last week, I listened to Trouble Up Finny's Nose. What a hysterical cozy mystery! In which genre did you begin, and how did you find yourself moving into the other genres?

Well, the truth is stranger than fiction, I always say! I started out in the cozy mystery genre because I loved the problem solving, small town, quirky feel to it.  Cozies are a place where you can include gentle humor and really explore setting, so I loved that. My agent suggested we pitch to Love Inspired Suspense and after a few tries, they accepted me. I dove into suspense novels which kept me busy with LIS and then Jungle Fire for Moody. I love suspense, but I am a nut at heart and I missed the sweet, humorous style I was able to explore in the cozies, so when my agent said Harvest House was looking for a lighthearted, dog themed series I jumped up and down and said, "Me! Me! Let me write it!" By gosh, they actually did hire me! Such joy I've had writing that series! 

And those books are outstanding! Funny and heart-warming. I used to think mystery, romance, and romantic suspense were all very similar, but they really aren't. What are the main differences between them? How do those differences create special challenges as you move between them?

No, they are quite different and that's why I love to write all of them. Suspense is very danger driven, with tight pacing and no room for much humor. Mystery is more about the puzzle solving than the running for your life, so the pace can be a bit slower. In a straight romance, the conflict has to be teased out from the characters and circumstances, but the pacing is not as ruthless. For me, it's great to write lighthearted romance and suspense because they are so different. I don't get mixed up between the two!

Ha! That could be dangerous! Your 2016 repertoire is impressive! You released Sit, Stay, Love (Romance) in April, Seaside Secrets through Love Inspired Suspense in May, Seek and Find through Love Inspired Suspense in June, and now Fetching Sweetness (Romance) this month. Were you ever writing the different genres at the same time?

When I see my publishing schedule written out, I can't imagine how I did that either. It was an unusually busy year. I am also a part time third grade teacher so that adds to the chaos. I don't typically write two suspense or lighthearted books at the same time, so that helps me avoid confusion. That said, I'm sure my editor would tell you I'm plenty prone to messing things up! I also find it confusing when people say, "How's the book coming?" I just sort of stare blankly and try to figure out which one they're talking about.

Have you ever confused your plots, added a scene to the wrong story, or an element that shouldn't be in that genre? 

Not really, but I make plenty of bonehead mistakes like changing a character's name halfway through a novel, or skipping from a Monday to a Wednesday. That's why my editors are super important to me! They save me on a regular basis.

Oh, yes! Having other sets of eyes on the story is priceless! But your writing year has indeed been a busy one! Yet you have teenagers at home and life outside of writing. How did you publish five books in a 12-month period? What does your normal workday look like?

Normal for me during the school year is getting up real early and writing four days a week. I don't write on Sundays (that's a promise I made to God early on in the process) and I don't write on Thursdays and Fridays because I teach those days and third grade is exhausting! I try to be available as much as I can in the afternoons and weekends when the bear cubs are home. Papa Bear works from home, so we lunch together and chat throughout the day. That keeps things in balance for me (mostly.) In the summer I'm writing pretty much every day except for Sundays. I find that teenage cubs are not very early risers, so I get a lot of uninterrupted time to write!

Wow, that's great! My teenagers never quite stopped this summer. I'm not sure what uninterrupted time even looks like anymore! LOL! What does 2017 hold for you in writing and in your personal life? 

Well, still teaching, of course. I've got more Love Inspired Suspense novels coming out and Fetching Sweetness just released this month. The last in that dog series comes out in February. Looking forward to being a "band groupie" for my daughter's marching band performances and spending as much time as possible with friends and family!

I'm excited to read Fetching Sweetness! Thanks so much for sharing. 

Sure thing! I'm happy to give away a digital copy of Seek and Find and also Seaside Secrets to one of the readers! And if you want to have a sneak peek behind the scenes of my books, there's a YouTube video in which my dog Junie makes an appearance!
Lol! Love your video! 

Readers, if you want a chance to win an e-copy of Seek and Find along with Seaside Secrets, please leave your email address in the comments below. And tell us about your favorite of Dana's books or maybe the one you most would like to read.

TAKEN in Review

The plot was a good balance 

between the internal journey 

and external suspense, 

and the pacing was excellent—

I didn't want to put it down.

 - Iola Goulton

Amazon Book Description

Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She has enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time.

When Shannon contacts private investigator and former cop Matthew Dane to help her navigate her reentry into society, she quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn't mean her troubles are over. For one thing, her brother is the leading candidate in the race for Illinois governor, and news of her escape will create a media frenzy. For another, the ransom her family reportedly paid years earlier appears to have been a scam; no one knows what happened to the money. And then there's the fact that Shannon's escape involved faking her own death. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to silence her.

If justice is to be done, and if Shannon's life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her--even if it means stirring up a hornet's nest of secrets.

See the full review HERE!