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Monday, March 18, 2024

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS


We have exciting things planned for you this week on the Suspense Sisters!



On Tuesday, author Patricia Bradley will tell us what’s hot in inspirational suspense and mystery.


Wednesday, we’re reviewing C.C. Warrens’ book, CROSSROADS.

RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK.

I'LL FIND YOU WHEN IT'S SAFE.

Those were the last words Holly whispered to her six-year-old foster sister before the little girl fled into the trees and disappeared from existence.

Fifteen years later, Cassandra Ward is still missing.

Holly is haunted by the possibility that she sent her foster sister running from one monster and into the clutches of another. How else could a child vanish without a trace?

Determined to find her, Holly sifts through her own dark memories for clues, revisits her past, and chases a lead across the country with Jordan by her side. But the search for Cassie takes a dangerous turn when an altercation in the mountains leaves them stranded, cut off from the outside world, and running for their lives.

ORDER IT HERE 

Friday, we'll hear from author Patricia Bradley! Here's a little something about her recent release, FATAL WITNESS!

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With no memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past 25 years.

Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she's been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.


Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.

ORDER IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest! You could win your choice of a $100 gift card from Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble or Christianbook.com.




THE SUSPENSE SISTERS


WE LOVE BOOKS

Saturday, March 16, 2024

SUSPENSE SISTERS' MARCH GIVEAWAY

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Easter blessings...and a question: what's in a name? Roxanne Rustand

 Easter blessings to you all!

This season is filled with such joy and hope, as we move through the weeks of Lent toward the suffering Jesus endured and his glorious resurrection.

It has even more meaning to me this year. I was adopted at three and have been a lifetime church member. My parents were told by the social worker that I had been baptized and they believed it.  But was I?  There were no documents, and I always wondered. 

So this winter, when our Lutheran church had a weekend of open baptism when anyone could walk forward on the spur of the moment, I did. And now I know. I felt such joy at that moment, and now feel so blessed and reassured!


On a completely different note, after I find and buy books by my favorite authors on Amazon, my gaze always drifts to the rows of book covers below the book's description, called "Products related to this item" and "Based on your recent views." Then farther down to "Books you may like."  

Do you do this, too? Just by looking at a cover, book title, and subtitle, I can sometimes find books I want to explore. 


I know those details have been carefully planned by the authors (at least those who are experienced) to show a great deal about the book--and avoid misleading buyers into a purchase they might regret.  Even the font used on a cover can convey useful information. Is it fun and swirly? Intense?

I was so naive when I first started publishing with Amazon. 

I found photos of lovely flowers or landscape scenes, and asked my cover artist to use them. 

I also came up with what I thought were pretty titles, without a thought about actually conveying what the book was about. And I didn't know how to write book descriptions for Amazon, either.

When I look back at my abysmal sales during those early years, I  actually feel gratitude. No one would have guessed those books were romantic suspense! And if readers bought them expecting to read a nice contemporary romance novel, they would have been deeply disappointed.

It's all about branding, really. A way to convey information about a specific book, a book series, and also about the author.

For example, I write both Christian Romantic Suspense and Clean Romantic suspense, so I use those labels as my book subtitles.  The book titles themselves are meant to convey that the book is a suspense. 

If you look at the wonderful books shown here on the Suspensesisters blog, or do a search on Amazon for a category like "Top 100 Christian Romantic Suspense," you can see how authors do this. Clarity is important, for the best reader experience! 

My brand (my promise to readers) is that in addition to suspense and romance, they will find a warm thread involving family relationships, and a thread of faith--but with a lighter touch in the books labeled "Clean romance." And I always include an animal of some kind that makes a difference to a character in the story.  

I hope including that animal on my book covers visually alludes to deeper emotion and warmth, as opposed to covers promising a gritty or far more intense read. Usually, it's a dog. My new release is just a bit different--with a nosy llama! 

 
Here is a quick link to FINAL TRUTH in case you would like to buy or just take a look.

What are your thoughts about book titles and cover art? Do they help spur your interest in looking at a book's Amazon page, or do you mostly go by author names?


Wishing you all a happy Easter!

Roxanne Rustand




Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Interview with Author Dana R. Lynn

 


I'm excited to welcome my friend, Dana R. Lynn, to the Suspense Sisters blog! Hope you have a good time getting to know Dana and her work.




First, tell us a little about your latest release:

The title is Explosive Reunion. I’m really excited about this book. It’s my first completely original indie release. I’d been wanting to write about Trevor Stone since 2015. 

Here’s the back blurb: Madelyn Blake has worked hard to get where she is professionally and to be present to her twin daughters. An abusive relationship has taught her to be wary. It has also shaken her trust in God. When she becomes the target of a killer who enjoys using fire and explosives, her entire life is put on hold.

 

Trevor Stone appears to be a shy, mild-mannered man, but he has seen the worst of people. Still, he retains his unwavering faith that God is in control of everything. As a technician in a bomb squad unit, he has honed his ability to keep calm and clear thinking in life and death situations. When his former best friend is in danger, Trevor puts all his skills to work to keep her and her adorable little girls safe and stop the killer.

 

As the danger escalates, Maddie and Trevor struggle with their growing feelings for each other while trying to outwit a killer who is always one step ahead of them. Will they survive and get a second chance at love?

 

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

I would describe myself as an extroverted introvert. I heard that phrase once and felt like it fit. I’m quiet until I know you. But once I do, watch out. I do love to talk!

 

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

Besides reading, I love learning. I taught myself some Spanish by listening to music and translating it. I am currently teaching myself to crochet. I also love music and singing, as well as walking and watching movies.

 

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

This is a tricky one, as there were several. I read The Outsiders and the Emily of New Moon trilogy multiple times.

 

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

Let’s see. 1. I’m a huge Jane Austen fan. In fact, I have a second penname, D.R. Lynn, specifically so I can publish regency titles. So far, I have two Pride and Prejudice Variation novellas out.  2.  I am a bit of a Trekkie. My husband and I have watched every episode of the Original Series, The Next Generation and Voyager together several times, although we haven’t watched any of the newer series.  3. I am a certified Educational Interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

 

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not? 

I started trying to write regency romance but changed course when Signet Regency Romance stopped publishing new books. I then started trying to write inspirational contemporary romance. I had a book submitted to Love Inspired when Love Inspired Suspense held the Search for the Killer Voice pitch contest. When I was offered a contract, I pulled my LI submission. I still have it and doubt it will ever see the light of day.

 

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The toughest criticism was that one of my heroes was unlikeable and that the editor felt they couldn’t root for him. Which was sad because I really loved my grouchy hero. On the other hand, the best compliment I ever got was from a reader who read a book where the heroine had a huge challenge. The reader had the same challenge and she said I was the first writer who she’d felt understood what she went through daily.

 

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what, and why?

Well, as I said, I’m trying to do some regency. It was my first love when I started reading romance. The other genre I am studying currently with an eye towards possibly tackling one day is dual time. I love the complicated ways the two timelines intersect.

 

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

Honestly, I think I would read up more on the publishers and genres and figure out what I wanted to write. I wasted time getting distracted by every shiny thing instead of finishing one project and making it the best it could be.

 

What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

There is no problem big enough that God can’t work through it and bring His redemptive grace.

 

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Study your genre and the industry. If you are targeting a publisher, get to know the books they publish, read them, and read the guidelines. And persevere. We all get rejected and face criticism. Even when it hurts, learn what you can from it and move on.

Thank you, Dana, for sharing your time and work with us!

Dana R. Lynn is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author who believes in the power of God to touch people through stories. She met her husband at a wedding in Pennsylvania and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania and are entering the world of empty nesters. She is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by day and writes stories of romance and danger at night. Dana is an avid reader, loves cats and thinks chocolate should be a food group. Readers can contact her or sign up to receive her monthly newsletter at  www.danarlynn.com.

For a chance to be entered to win a copy of Explosive Reunion (US only), tell us about your favorite setting for suspense? Is it in the city? The country? A mountain location? Or at the beach? Where’s your favorite place to escape in a good suspense book?

Be sure to include your email address in your comment.  

Until next time. . .happy reading everyone!

Monday, March 11, 2024

WHAT'S HOT IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

 by Patricia Bradley

Wondering what's Hot in Inspirational fiction this week? OPEN WATER by Betty Thomason Owens releases today! 


Here's the cover and back copy and links to buy.



As much as Lisa Oliver wanted to believe that she could be safe in the small Kentucky village, she knew that wouldn't be the case when Agent Farrow's car pulled next to the school where she had been working. They'd found her again? Who was stalking her and why?

Jake Bradley uses his widely popular "Jake on the Road" articles to help him continue to follow leads into Lisa's past, but he didn't expect the people whom he spoke with to be attacked and killed. How could he possibly protect this woman who had become so important to him when he so miserably failed at learning about her past and why someone had killed her parents?

So many secrets whirl around in this second chronicle of the Home Found series. Lisa and Jake learn more about her past, and about each other, in this dramatic suspense. 

You can purchase it here.

We love books! 


 

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS


We have exciting things planned for you this week on the Suspense Sisters!


On Tuesday, author Patricia Bradley will tell us what’s hot in inspirational suspense and mystery.

Wednesday, we’re interviewing author Dana R. Lynn about her new book, EXPLOSIVE REUNION.

Madelyn Blake has worked hard to get where she is professionally and to be present to her twin daughters. An abusive relationship has taught her to be wary. It has also shaken her trust in God. When she becomes the target of a killer who enjoys using fire and explosives, her entire life is put on hold.

Trevor Stone appears to be a shy, mild-mannered man, but he has seen the worst of people. Still, he retains his unwavering faith that God is in control of everything. As a technician in a bomb squad unit, he has honed his ability to keep calm and clear thinking in life and death situations. When his former best friend is in danger, Trevor puts all his skills to work to keep her and her adorable little girls safe and stop the killer.

As the danger escalates, Maddie and Trevor struggle with their growing feelings for each other while trying to outwit a killer who is always one step ahead of them. Will they survive and get a second chance at love?


ORDER IT HERE 

Friday, Suspense Sister Roxanne Rustand will talk about author branding as related to book covers. She’ll also share about her upcoming release, FINAL TRUTH.


Dr. Jolie Maxwell had never planned to move back home.


She knew her sisters wouldn’t welcome her with open arms. But her family needs her. Her brother is in serious trouble with the law, and her dad’s health is failing.

The town needs her, too. It hasn’t had a local doctor in years.

Yet many of the locals aren’t happy about having another Maxwell in their midst.

And now, a hidden enemy will do anything to drive her away.

Coolness from her family, hostility from the townspeople, and a very real threat of danger make Jolie appreciate her new neighbor and his two young children all the more...

Unless he isn’t what he seems.

Start reading today and stay up all night!

This is the sixth novel in the Montana Secrets series. The books can be read in any order.

PREORDER IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest! You could win your choice of a $100 gift card from Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble or Christianbook.com.



THE SUSPENSE SISTERS


WE LOVE BOOKS