Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Monday, June 1, 2026
WHAT'S HOT in Inspirational Mystery and Suspense
Marji Laine here.
This sounds like an emotional and heart-warming suspense! I'm intrigued!
Trace
by Kari
Trumbo
He's done the training. He's tried to fit in. He even had to watch the woman he loves marry another man. Sometimes life isn't fair. When he completes his training, it seems like things might turn around, until his boss finds out Trace went behind his back to get an endorsement from someone else. Now, his new career is at risk. One job. That's all he gets to prove himself.
Lupe Pena is hiding in plain sight from her father. He's threatened her multiple times and now, he wants to marry her off to a man in El Salvador, just to be rid of her. All she can figure is that she reminds him too much of her mother, who died in childbirth. Life hasn't been easy, but she will not leave the only home she's ever known so he can be comfortable.
When she hires the Northern Guardians, she isn't sure about the young man they assign to her. He's only three years older than her and has a temper like her father. But he channels it for good, not evil. Can she learn to trust him, and can he manage the anger that seems to take over when things don't go right? Or will Lupe's father succeed in sending her far away where he doesn't have to think about her anymore?
If you're looking for a story of transformation, love and forgiveness through the love of Christ (all wrapped in a heart-pounding suspense), read on!
THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS
We have exciting things planned for you this week on the Suspense Sisters!
Wednesday, we’ll hear from Suspense Sister Nancy Mehl. She’ll talk about how she became a writer. She’ll also share a little about her upcoming release, FATAL FINALE and will give away a copy.
They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.
"Run!" Kaely said.
A cryptic phone call from Kaely's kidnapper confirms Erin's worst fear--she has exactly six days to save her friend's life by solving his twisted clues. The message comes with a warning: Contact the police or FBI, and Kaely dies. But Erin works for the Sanctuary Police Department, and Kaely's husband is with the FBI, putting her in an impossible situation. As Erin races against time, she's forced to crack the kidnapper's chilling puzzle before it's too late.
BUY IT HERE
Friday, author A. D. Lawrence will share the ways she overcomes writer’s block. Leave a comment and you could win an eBook copy of her intriguing book, THE PURPLE NIGHTGOWN.
Step into True Colors -- a series of Historical Stories of Romance and True American Crime
Marvel at true but forgotten history when patients check into Linda Hazzard’s Washington state spa in 1912 and soon become victim of her twisted greed.
BUY IT HERE
Congratulations to Crystal Stewart for winning May's contest! She's won a $100 gift card from either Amazon, Walmart, Christianbook.com, or Hobby Lobby!
Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!
THE SUSPENSE SISTERS
WE LOVE BOOKS
Friday, May 29, 2026
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Sit Down with Jessica R. Patch
by Patricia Bradley
Today we're going to sit down with Jessica Patch and talk about writing. I met Jessica in 2013 when we rode together to Cincinnati to an American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. For some odd reason, I called her Robin...I guess like Batman and Robin? And I've called her that ever since. Here's a short bio:
Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.
She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso.
Leave a comment with your email address, and Jessica will randomly pick a winner to receive a copy of The Other Sister!
Patricia: When did you start writing?
Jessica: I started writing for publication in 2008.
Patricia Bradley: Oh, wow! That's when I returned to writing after working in the abstinence program in our state for 8 years! Okay, why romantic suspense novels?
Jessica: I’ve always loved suspense and mystery and romance, so it made sense.
Patricia: Same here! What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
Jessica: The words. LOL
Patricia: Oh, my goodness, yes! So how long does it generally take you to write a novel?
Jessica: I’ve written an LIS in 8 days but I don’t recommend it. Usually I like to write one in 30 days and revise in 10. For a trade? I write the first draft in 3 months and take a month or so to revise.
Patricia: I may want to put you in a book and...it takes me months to write a book! Are you a panster or plotter or somewhere in between?
Jessica: I’m an outliner and a meticulous brainstormer. I know I need ABC but how I get from A to B to C, I’m not sure. I do know my cast and their GMC and the twists and villain.
Patricia: Oh, how I wish I could do that! I do have to know my cast and their goals, motivation and conflict, but I don't always know who the villain is... What would you fear the most if Homeland Security went through your computer?
Jessica: Fear? Nothing. But I’d squirm. ;-)
Patricia: Yeah, me, too. What is the most rewarding or frustrating thing about writing?
Jessica: Rewarding: Reader letters when the story has moved them in some way. Frustrating? Having to do it on days I don’t want to. LOL
Patricia: Absolutely about reader letters! And I've been there, have the headaches to prove it about writing when I don't want to! What are you working on now?
Jessica: I’m working on revising my 2027 thriller: Long After We Left Her.
Patricia: I can't wait! Tell us about your current book. It is amazing!
Jessica: The Girl Upstairs is a story about a former homicide detective who’s going through a rough patch in her marriage as they move into an idyllic small town in Maine, right into a fixer-upper. But the moment Gwen arrives, weird things happen and a bone is found by a hunter’s dog on her property. So naturally, she investigates to uncover a house with a dark history and secrets buried in her backyard.
Patricia: The Girl Upstairs completely captured me! Talk about twists that I didn't see coming! You can read my Suspense Sisters review of it here. Anything you want to add?
Jessica: I’d love for you to join me through my monthly newsletter and get Patched In. You’ll receive a free short thriller. https://jessicarpatch.com/subscribe/ And come hang out at my unhinged corner of the world: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessicarpatch/
Here's the back cover copy of The Girl Upstairs. You can purchase it here.
“Jessica R. Patch weaves a dark, twisty tapestry that’s both unsettling and unexpectedly hopeful. Masterful.” –New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan
She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.
Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.
Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s old carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood.
As Gwen delves into the history of the house and Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…
Here's a little more about Jessica:
You’re invited to join the Patched In community at her website: www.jessicarpatch.com and receive a FREE short thriller, Nobody Has to Know.
Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.
BUY LINK: Purchase from your favorite retailer https://jessicarpatch.com/book/the-girl-upstairs/
Leave a comment with your contact info for a chance to win an ebook copy of The Other Sister, "A twisty tale packed with juicy surprises.” –Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Paris Widow
She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Interview with Tara Grace Ericson
Hi readers, I am so excited to introduce you to my new author friend, Tara Grace Ericson. I first met Tara at the Read Write Rendezvous in Saint Louis last November, then we reconnected at the Nebraska Writer's Guild conference this past April.
Tara is a stay-at-home mom, just like me, and writes clean, contemporary romance and suspense with an emphasis on Christian faith and living. Her stories of faith, hope, and happily ever after encourage readers from all walks of life with their memorable characters and uplifting plots. Tara lives in Missouri with her husband and three sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author and mom.
You can connect w/Tara at:
Website: www.taragraceericson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/taraericsonauthor
Instagram: @taraericsonauthor
Interview with Tara
Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to
be?
I’m actually a full time stay-at-home/homeschool mom.
Writing is my main (paying) gig though! I gave up a career in engineering to be
a writer, and God has been so faithful to our family for my (reluctant)
obedience. I never wanted to be an author, and I loved my job as an engineer –
but God started giving me stories to write. I guess as long as he keeps doing
that, I’ll keep writing them down and publishing them!
What has been your favorite part of the publishing
journey?
My favorite part of the journey is seeing God show up and do
far more than I ever expected. He’s constantly surprising me. He especially has
a way of sending me encouragement and affirmation at exactly the time I need it
most. Whenever I struggle with doubt or perseverance, the Lord sends me a sweet
message from a reader or some other nudge that says “keep going. I’ve got this.
I’ve got you.”
What comes first for you — the plot or the characters —
and why?
The plot for me comes first, and then I love deciding what
kind of characters would be fun to drop into that situation. I love complex
plots and villains that drive the story. In my suspense especially, I love
intrigue and all the pieces moving in the background!
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in
your heart? If so, why?
In Calculated Risk, I loved writing Norah. She’s a
challenging nut to crack, but that’s because she finds comfort in numbers more
than people — something I relate to as an engineer. She is incredibly
intelligent and self-sufficient, so bringing her to a point of having her lean
on Marshall was fun to write.
What were the key challenges you faced when writing this
book?
This is book 5 in the Black Tower Security Series. As the
series has gone on, the over-arcing plot has grown more complex. There are a
lot of moving pieces to an international crime organization, and the biggest
challenge is making sure that the plot stays exciting but realistic and
consistent. There were things I knew about the Syndicate when writing book 1
that didn’t come to light until this book!
What is the key theme and/or message in the book?
The key theme of this book was both characters learning to
trust God and trust each other. Both of them see organizations and people they
trusted land on the wrong side of things. They have to come to terms with the
idea that any foundation other than the Lord is going to be one that can be
shaken.
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
The best place for information is on my website - www.taragraceericson.com
and by signing up for my newsletter.
Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?
I’ll be publishing the final books (#6 and 7) in Black Tower
Security in the next 6-9 months, so I hope you’ll read the series and then
finish it out with me! After that… I have some plans, but I’ll keep them close
to the vest for now!
Calculated Risk, Black Tower Security #5, Tara Grace Ericson
She trusts the numbers. He trusts no one. Now their
second chance could cost them everything.
Norah Winslow built her life on precision and loyalty. As a
senior analyst at Summit Capital, she believes numbers never lie—until her
findings point to corruption tied to the highest levels of power. Determined to
protect the mentor who gave her a career, Norah refuses to walk away… even when
it makes her a target.
Marshall Kelley hasn’t forgiven the woman who broke his
heart. As a Black Tower Security operative, he lives by one rule: keep control.
But when Norah’s digging puts her in the Syndicate’s crosshairs, Marshall can’t
let her face the danger alone.
Drawn into a web of betrayal, war profiteering, and deadly
secrets, Norah and Marshall must work together to expose the truth. But old
wounds, unhealed faith, and an unseen enemy threaten to tear them apart.
Can they risk trusting each other—and God—for a love strong
enough to survive the fight?
Giveaway: I'm giving away an eBook copy of Calculated Risk to one commenter. Please remember to leave your email so you can be contacted.
Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic
suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and
epic twists you'll never see coming.
She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves
sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and
new-to-them authors on her blog. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing
the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape
room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her
debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.
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