SUSPENSE SISTERS: JUNE GIVEAWAY

Suspense Sisters: June Giveaway

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 Mary Alford will be talking about “Secrets Behind The White Picket Fences - Writing Small Town Suspense Stories.” She’ll also be giving away an eBook copy of TANGLED PAST, a book in the Hope Island Securities series.

A murdered police chief. A missing truth. A witness who can’t remember.

Twenty-five years after his father’s unsolved murder, Asa Dutton returns to Hope Island determined to uncover the truth. His only lead is Maya Callahan—the little girl found hiding in the barn the night his father died.

Maya has no memory of that stormy night. But as fragments of her past resurface, so does danger. Someone is watching. Someone who will kill to keep the truth buried.

As Asa and Maya grow closer, the stakes turn deadly. Because remembering the past may be the only way to survive it.

BUY IT HERE 

On Friday, author Gina Holder presents a list of romantic suspense novels where the main character is new to town. Here’s a look at her recent release, THE ESCAPE GAME:

Twenty years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared, leaving behind a cipher no one could solve… not without his journal.

Puzzle shop owner Demi Kayne has spent twenty years hoping her father would return home. When she discovers his hidden journal, she finally uncovers the clue she’s been waiting for—but it leads somewhere far more dangerous than she imagined.

Liam Shepherd, a missionary and escape-room enthusiast, is searching for answers of his own. His sister has vanished without a trace, and the trail of clues leads him straight to Demi—and the secrets hidden in her father’s journal.

Their search brings them to the eerie Ives Mansion, where its brilliant and reclusive owner has designed a deadly challenge. Once inside, Demi and Liam realize they’re no longer guests.

They’re players.

Trapped inside a twisted real-life mystery game, they must solve a series of lethal riddles before time runs out. Each puzzle brings them closer to the truth about Demi’s missing father and Liam’s sister —but also deeper into a carefully crafted game where the stakes are far higher than they're ready to face.

With the clock ticking and lives hanging in the balance, Demi and Liam must confront their fears, their pasts, and the faith that may be their only hope of escape.

In this gripping Christian suspense novel, every clue matters—and every mistake could be fatal.

Can Demi and Liam solve the final puzzle before the game ends…or will the escape room become their tomb?

BUY IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!

Stay tuned for the announcement of our annual SUMMER OF SUSPENSE CONTEST!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS

Living in Big Sky Country

 

I'm seeing a lot of books coming out that take place in Montana. I know in the town I live in, there has been an influx of people moving here from out of state. Some of this is driven by a TV show that shall remain nameless. Every time I turn around another celebrity has bought up a ranch. I think a lot of people visit and want to live in Montana because there is a lot of myth and fantasy connected to what it means to live in Montana. 

Except for a brief time that I lived in Arizona, I have lived in big sky country all my life. Born and raised as they say. While it is true that Montana is a beautiful state with plenty of outdoor opportunities, there are some harsh realities that never seem to make it into many of the books and movies about Montana. First, it's really hard to make a living. Montana ranks close to the bottom for wages keeping up with the cost of living. Most people end up working a couple of jobs. My late husband drove truck, did bobcat work, fixed motorcycles and guns and owned cows. Second, the winters here can be brutal. Even for people who love to ski or do other winter sports, the below zero temps end up keeping them inside. Because Montana is a rural state, there are a lot of people who have to drive long distances for healthcare and often don't have a lot of shopping options for food and clothing. Montana ranks high for suicides. I think the long winters, isolation, addictions and poverty contribute to that. 

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer here. I have stayed here for a reason. I just wanted to inject a little reality into all the fantasy and myth that float around living in Montana. Not everyone who moves here can buy a ranch or live in a cabin by a lake. When I wrote my Ruby Taylor mystery series, I wanted to show the real Montana using humor so the books were far from depressing. The main character has a master's degree but works in a feed store. I'm giving away a copy of the second book in the series (USA only) Sassy Cinderella and the Valiant Vigilante which won a Carol Award. You can read the second book without reading the first Romance Rustlers and Thunderbird Thieves. Each of the three books in the series has a humorous mystery that wraps up at the end of each book.  The third book in the series is called Cow Crimes and the Mustang Menace.  

Have you visited Montana? What did you think? If you haven't visited, what attracts you to the state? Maybe you live in a place that has a lot of myth and fantasy connected to it. Share about that. Leave a comment along with your email address. I will do the drawing Monday night (USA only) and notify the winner by Tuesday. 

Sharon Dunn

Sit Down with Author Darlene L. Turner about Scent of Peril

Kristen here. Today, I'm welcoming back my friend Darlene L. Turner to the blog. She's talking about her latest release, Scent of Peril, and giving away one e-book copy. Keep reading to the end to learn how to enter the giveaway.

Darlene, thank you for joining me on the blog today! What sparked the first seed of this story—an image, a question, a character, or a “what if” moment?

When I first thought of writing this National Park Protectors series, I wanted each Hoyt sibling to have a vocation connected to a park, so I brainstormed ideas. I thought of the game warden vocation, so I researched it and discovered they’re called Conservation Officers in Canada. Once I looked into their role, the story blossomed from there.

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

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there’s a scene at the end of the book that happens on Thanksgiving Day. The family interaction is special, and I loved writing it into the story!

That sounds like a sweet scene to join. What’s one part of your daily routine that quietly fuels your creativity or keeps you grounded?

Devotions and prayer. Every morning, I start my day in God’s word; then before I start writing, I pray for direction and God’s words, not mine. Oh…and I love writing with a coffee! 😉

I love that routine! What’s one theme in this book that reflects something you’ve personally wrestled with or learned in your own life?

As I wrote the never-ending danger in the relentless wilderness, one truth kept rising to the surface—God is with us in our storms. Wyatt’s struggle to trust, Taylor’s fight to protect, and the K-9’s unwavering loyalty remind us all that faith isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about holding on when nothing makes sense. This is something we’ve probably all struggled with at one point or another. I know I have!

Same here! That's a powerful message most of us can relate to. What are you working on now?

I’m working on book five in the series. It’s Tanner Hoyt’s story, and he’s a search and rescue pilot.

That sounds like it's going to be another fascinating story. Where can your readers learn more about you?

Readers can find me at https://darlenelturner.com/.

Thank you, Darlene, for sharing your time and story with us! Keep reading to learn more about Darlene and how to enter to win a copy of Scent of Peril. 

Darlene L. Turner is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

Now, here's more about Scent of Peril.

An innocent witness taken…

A K-9 in hot pursuit.

Dispatched with her K-9 partner, Shadow, to locate an abducted boy, Constable Taylor Grant finds herself ambushed in the wilderness along with Wyatt Hoyt, the child’s father. As Taylor and Wyatt relentlessly pursue the kidnappers and follow the little boy’s cryptic clues through treacherous terrain, they face persistent attacks and lethal traps. Each step closer to rescuing young Levi uncovers a deadly conspiracy tied to Wyatt’s past and a weapons-smuggling ring. With time running out, can they outwit a ruthless mastermind to save Levi before it’s too late?

Scent of Peril is available in all these places:

• Amazon com: https://bit.ly/4ap9FKU
• Amazon ca: https://bit.ly/4amQPEe
• Chapters - https://bit.ly/3Z8KK8c
• Barnes & Noble - https://bit.ly/4qPy3Lv
• Christianbook - https://bit.ly/3ZFvO1g
• Harlequin - https://bit.ly/4k9RAnv

For a chance to win an e-book copy of Scent of Peril, leave a comment for Darlene, and be sure to include your email address. 

***

Update: Congratulations to Jane S. on winning an e-book copy! Thank you to everyone who commented and participated.

WHAT'S HOT in Christian Romantic Mystery and Suspense

Marji Laine here. 

This book is intriguing! And it has some of my favorite things: faith, romance, dogs, and suspense! 

Sheltered from the Storm
by Abigail Stone 

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A missing woman. A burned packing plant. A storm rolling in fast. And a golden retriever who refuses to leave the trail.

Naomi Hart has built her life around protecting the vulnerable, but one past failure still follows her into every crisis. When Lily Conway disappears during a Mercy Harbor storm evacuation, Naomi cannot shake the fear that history is repeating itself.

Jonah Reed knows what it costs to lose someone in a storm. Controlled, guarded, and quietly distant from the faith he once knew, he has survived by never letting anyone close enough to become another person he could fail.

Then Scout, Lily’s golden retriever, finds a clue no one else noticed — a trail leading from the shelter toward a burned packing plant and a dangerous network with connections far beyond Mercy Harbor.

As Naomi and Jonah follow Scout through ash, rain, hidden records, and rising danger, they uncover a truth powerful men are desperate to bury. But the closer they get to Lily, the more the storm closes in — and the more Naomi and Jonah must learn that courage does not mean carrying fear alone.

Sheltered from the Storm is a clean Christian romantic suspense novel with a missing-person investigation, storm danger, a loyal rescue dog, a protective hero, a determined heroine, faith under pressure, and a complete happily-ever-after.

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 Kristen Hogrefe Panrnell interviews author Darlene Turner They’ll be talking about her new release, SCENT OF PERIL

An innocent witness taken… A K-9 in hot pursuit.

Dispatched with her K-9 partner, Shadow, to locate an abducted boy, Constable Taylor Grant finds herself ambushed in the wilderness along with Wyatt Hoyt, the child’s father. As Taylor and Wyatt relentlessly pursue the kidnappers and follow the little boy’s cryptic clues through treacherous terrain, they face persistent attacks and lethal traps. Each step closer to rescuing young Levi uncovers a deadly conspiracy tied to Wyatt’s past and a weapons-smuggling ring. With time running out, can they outwit a ruthless mastermind to save Levi before it’s too late?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

BUY IT HERE 

On Friday, author Sharon Dunn will talk about being born and raised in Montana and how that relates to her Ruby Taylor mysteries. She’s giving away a copy of book two in the series, SASSY CINDERELLA AND THE VALIANT VIGILATNER.

The harrowing adventures of red-headed heroine Ruby Taylor continue in this murder mystery complete with a frozen corpse, midnight intruders, and an unexpected rescue by lab mice. This sassy Cinderella's in for a crash course on university politics, new love, and what exactly it means to be a genuine Christian.

For fans of CBA author Terri Blackstock and general market authors Sue Grafton, Sharyn McCrumb, and Sara Parentsky

BUY IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS