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HEROES AND VILLAINS

Almost all novels include heroes and villains. This is especially true in mystery and suspense. The idea is to present our hero. Then we must take him on a journey. His or her journey will lead him to either victory or defeat. In inspirational suspense, the end of the journey should end in victory since God will undoubtedly walk by our hero’s side.

In my opinion, our heroes and villains should be real. Our heroes should be flawed, and our villains should still have traces of humanity. One way to give them this is to provide them with a backstory. How did they get where they are? What was it that broke them?

How do you feel about this? Can you name some heroes and villains from novels or movies that touched you?

SHATTERED SANCTUARY

Was this the last thing she'd ever see? Would she be able to make things right before it was too late?

"God . . ." was all she got out before he lunged toward her.

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin's intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer's motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

Buy it here

Leave a comment and you could win a copy of my newest release, SHATTERED SANCTUARY. You can choose a print copy or a Kindle copy. (Print copy U.S. only.)

www.nancymehl.com

Review of The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch

I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced reader copy of The Other Sister from NetGalley, and let me tell you, this book far exceeded my expectations! I didn't read the back cover copy before starting the story like I normally do, so I began without any idea of the storyline. I've read quite a few general market thrillers recently, and this one held all the intrigue and suspense without the unnecessary gore, language, and spice I prefer to keep out of my mind. 

 Here is the back cover copy, so you can get a loose idea of the book's premise:

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

From the first page to the last, The Other Sister kept me guessing. The cast of characters added so much room for suspicion, and the scenes from the past were both chilling and intriguing. While the story wasn't written with overtly Christian content, Biblical themes are woven throughout, adding hope, redemption, and light to the darker elements of the story. It even left me with moral questions that stuck with me for days after reading the last page.

So far, The Other Sister is my top read of 2025. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, I fully believe you will love this book.

You can get a copy here, or comment below with your favorite read of 2025 up to this point for a chance to win an ebook copy.

For a more comprehensive review and a recorded interview with the author, check out the Knives and Roses podcast on whichever platform you prefer! The episode will drop on April 21st.

What's HOT in Inspirational Suspense

 Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery? Naomi Stephens has a brand new suspense, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey, just released from Bethany House. Here's a little bit about the story:

Not much happens in the sleepy post-war English village of Wilbeth Green---so when Rosemont Abbey goes up in flames, everyone's buzzing! Even before the embers have cooled, neighbors start hypothesizing about the culprit. Louisa knows her troubled twin brother is a top suspect, but Paul couldn't have done it. Can she clear his name? 

You can buy The Burning of Rosemont Abbey HERE from Christian book.com or whatever fine books are sold.

Have a great week of reading, lovers of inspirational suspense and mystery. ~ Mary Ellis

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

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

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

Wednesday, author A.D. Lawrence will review THE OTHER SISTER by Jessica Patch.

She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

ORDER IT HERE 

Friday, Nancy Mehl talks about “Heroes and Villains ” in fiction. What do you like to see in fictional heroes? Should they be perfect? And what about the villains? Should they be completely evil? Leave a comment about this intriguing subject, and you could win a copy of Nancy’s newest book, SHATTERED SANCTUARY. You can choose an eBook or a print copy. Your choice. (Print copies in the U.S. only.)

SHATTERED SANCTUARY

Was this the last thing she'd ever see? Would she be able to make things right before it was too late?
"God . . ." was all she got out before he lunged toward her.

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin's intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer's motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

ORDER IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

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The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House Book Review

 About the Book

Title: The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: April 15, 2025

A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.

It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.

The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people--including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.