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Wednesday, August 19, 2026

SUSPENSE SISTERS: AUGUST GIVEAWAY

Suspense Sisters: August Giveaway

Sit Down with Author Nancy Mehl about Fatal Finale

Kristen here. I'm honored to interview Nancy Mehl, our fearless leader at the Suspense Sisters, about her latest release, Fatal Finale. She's giving away one copy of the book, so keep reading to the end to learn how to enter the giveaway.

Nancy, it's such a joy to chat with you about your new release today. What sparked the first seed of this story—an image, a question, a character, or a “what if” moment?

I needed a dramatic end to Erin and Kaely’s story. My “what if” moment was wondering what would happen if Kaely was kidnapped and Erin was the only person who could save her life.  

I've got goosebumps already! Did any real‑life location, person, or experience quietly inspire elements of the plot or setting? If so, how?

I set this series in the Great Smoky Mountains. I decided it was the perfect place to hide a kidnap victim. Lots of forest and spots to hide.  

If you could step into one scene from the book—not the dangerous ones—where would you go and why?

Interesting question. I guess I can’t lead the police to the spot where Kaely is being held? LOL! Okay, then I guess I’d want to join whoever is left at the end of the book. (See what I did there? I didn’t say that everyone would make it out alive!)

Haha, no spoilers here! What’s one part of your daily routine that quietly fuels your creativity or keeps you grounded?

Praying while I’m writing – asking the Holy Spirit to help me – reminds me that this is more than just entertainment. I want to touch people for Him. That’s the reason I write. 

I love that advice, and it's so relevant for all of us, no matter what we're doing throughout our day. What’s one theme in this book that reflects something you’ve personally wrestled with or learned in your own life?

I think the most pervasive theme of “Fatal Finale” is trust. Kaely must trust God through her ordeal – and Erin must trust Him to find Kaely in time. It’s easy to trust when things are going well. A lot harder when they’re not. 

I feel you there. What are you working on now?

I’m writing book two in my new series. It’s titled “The Holmes and Watson Files.” The series revolves around two police detectives – Nathan Holmes and Rachel Watson. It’s my first series involving the police, and it’s something I’ve wanted to write about for a long time. I hope readers enjoy these books. Book one, “Redux” releases in February. It’s followed by book two, “Resurge” and book three, “Reborn.”

I can't wait to hear more details about those stories soon! Where can your readers learn more about you?

I’m active on Facebook. Readers can also contact me through my website: nancymehl.com. My books are available online and in stores across the country.

Thanks, Nancy, for sharing your time and story with us! Keep reading to learn more about Nancy and how to enter to win a copy of Fatal Finale

Nancy Mehl is the bestselling author of over 50 books. She’s won three Daphne Du Maurier Awards, as well as an ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award and a Carol Award. She was a finalist for the Selah award as well as the prestigious Christy award. Her short story, Chasing Shadows, was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Learn more about her at www.nancymehl.com and on her blog, the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com.

Now, here's more about Fatal Finale.

They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.

"Run!" Kaely said.

When bestselling author Erin Delaney's novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter's arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film's production. However, when Kaely does not arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can't reach her by phone, her concern grows.

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.

Nancy is giving away a print copy (U.S. only) or an eBook for an international winner. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment along with your email address.

Monday, August 17, 2026

WHAT'S HOT in Christian Mystery and Suspense

Marji Laine here. 

Suspense Sister Nancy Mehl has a yummy new suspense that releases TODAY! Happy Launch Day! 


Fatal Finale: a Christian romantic suspense novel with action, cryptic clues, police, and FBI Investigations

by Nancy Mehl 


They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.

"Run!" Kaely said.

When bestselling author Erin Delaney's novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter's arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film's production. However, when Kaely does not arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can't reach her by phone, her concern grows.

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.

Nancy Mehl delivers thrills like no one else in the closure of her high-stakes Christian romantic suspense series full of action, investigations, cryptic clues, and dangerous threats. This promises to captivate fans of Criminal Minds, Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, Irene Hannon, Susan May Warren, and Elizabeth Goddard.

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS




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



On Tuesday, Suspense Sister Marji Laine will tell us what’s hot in inspirational suspense and mystery.

Wednesday, Suspense Sister Kristin Hogrefe Parnell interviews author Nancy Mehl about her new release, FATAL FINALE. Leave a comment and you could win a print copy (U.S. only) or an eBook copy.

FATAL FINALE

They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.
"Run!" Kaely said.

When bestselling author Erin Delaney's novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter's arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film's production. However, when Kaely does not arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can't reach her by phone, her concern grows.

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.

ORDER IT HERE 

On Friday, Suspense Sister Gina Holder interviews author Kari Trumbo about her book, BENEATH STILL WATERS

Fresh out of training and still haunted by a near-fatal shootout, Ferd Kincade retreats to Wayside Ranch to heal.

She expects quiet. Instead, she finds a body.

When she discovers a mysterious boat washed ashore on a nearby lake, nothing about the scene makes sense and Ferd can’t walk away. Pulling Piper’s Ridge detective Duke Campose into the investigation, she soon uncovers signs of something far more dangerous than a simple murder.

Someone is hiding a deadly secret.

And they’re willing to kill again to keep it buried.

As the truth points to a ruthless drug operation, Ferd becomes the next target. Now, she’ll need every ounce of her training, and a lot of faith, to survive long enough to bring a killer to justice.

ORDER IT HERE 



Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!



THE SUSPENSE SISTERS




WE LOVE BOOKS

Friday, August 14, 2026

THE WRITING LIFE - WHEN THINGS GO WRONG



The writing life can be interesting. When I started writing, manuscripts were sent in the mail. (Yes, I’m that old.) I remember when the idea of sending work over the Internet was something publishers weren’t sure about. The change came slowly. Now, our work is sent back and forth in seconds. The idea of going back to paper is…ridiculous. However, this fast-paced digital life can present problems. Like when a manuscript disappears and there’s no way to retrieve it. So…you have to write it again, making your release date much longer than anyone, including me, my publisher, and my readers, expected. After a long wait, FATAL FINALE, the third and final book in my “The Erin Delaney Mysteries” series, will release on August 18th. This series brings back one of my most popular characters, Kaely Quinn. Here’s a little something about the book:

They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.

"Run!" Kaely said.

When bestselling author Erin Delaney's novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter's arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film's production. However, when Kaely does not arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can't reach her by phone, her concern grows.

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.

Nancy Mehl delivers thrills like no one else in the closure of her high-stakes Christian romantic suspense series full of action, investigations, cryptic clues, and dangerous threats. This promises to captivate fans of Criminal Minds, Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, Irene Hannon, Susan May Warren, and Elizabeth Goddard.



It’s hard to say goodbye to characters, especially Kaely. I hope my readers enjoy this book even though it took a long time to release. If you do, will you please leave reviews on bookseller sites and tell your friends? Thanks, I appreciate it.


And by the way, I email my work to myself every day now. A very successful author told me that no matter what advice she’s received, it’s the only way of saving her work that she trusts. Wise words and very helpful. Thanks, Colleen.


Leave a comment to win a copy of FATAL FINALE. (Digital or paperback. *Paperback copies will only be mailed in the United States.)

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

A VISIT WITH CARRIE STUART PARKS

 

Join us today for a great interview with Carrie Stuart Parks. I met Carrie many years ago at an American Christian Fiction Writers conference, and we just hit it off. She is a fascinating writer with a great "Day Job" as a forensic artist. Check her website out for more details. She also raises Great Pyrenees! 


Now for our interview. We'll be talking about her book, Survival in the Mountains. Carrie is giving away a print copy so be sure to leave a comment.

Patricia: What sparked the first seed of this story—an image, a question, a character, or a “what if” moment?

Carrie: I think two things came together in my mind—one was the tricky sales claims of various products: “bestselling suntan oil” doesn’t mean it works, “Doctor recommended” could be a doctor of literature, “Over one million bottles sold” could mean there are a million chumps. There are a lot of ‘miracle’ products advertised that claim to cure anything from hangnails to cancer. What if someone wanted to exploit that? Add to that, when I was going through chemo for breast cancer, one of the chemo drugs came from the lowly yew tree. Soooooo, what if a couple of like-minded bad guys decided to exploit a common berry that could, supposedly, keep you looking young?

Patricia: Oh, wow! I love the way your mind works. What’s your favorite scene? And why. 

Carrie: Any scene with Izzy, the Bull Terrier.

Patricia: I can see that. :-) What keeps you at the keyboard, especially on days you would rather do something else?

Carrie: Deadlines.

Patricia: I'm with you there. Is there a part of the book that comes from your own life?

Carrie: I mentioned the chemo drug. Izzy—we’ve had bullies for 37 years. Idaho. Horseback riding. 

Patricia: How long does it usually take you to write a book from thought to finish?

Carrie: It used to take a year. Now more like 4 months.

Patricia: Deadlines usually make us write faster...or at least make writing a priority. What’s your favorite beverage? Coffee, tea or something else?

Carrie: Coffee and wine. 

Patricia: Ah, a girl after my own heart! What are you working on now?

Carrie: Edits for two books—Dead File Whispers and Tracked in the Wilderness

Patricia: Oh, wow, you are busy! Thanks for taking time to visit The Suspense Sisters Blog!

Be sure to check out Carrie's website and social media. She's giving away a copy of Survival in the Mountains to someone who leaves a comment on the blog. (US addresses only) You can ask Carrie a question or comment whether you've read any of Carrie's books. I've read Survival in the Mountains, and it is awesome!

You can connect with Carrie here:

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