OOPs! The post Behind the Scenes went out by mistake! Check back next Wednesday for the post. Thanks for all who noticed!! :-)
Patricia Bradley
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
ANNOUNCING THE SUSPENSE SISTERS SUMMER CELEBRATION!
During the month of July we're sponsoring a great summer contest! Someone will win: A $100.00 Amazon gift card, a Suspense Sisters tote bag, a personal CD player, a fun beach towel, print books and audio books to get you through the summer. (And there may be a few other prizes during the month!)
All you have to do is stop by our blog to enter our contest. We'll also be posting some fun summer stories and recipes.
The Suspense Sisters want to add to your "fun in the sun" so visit us on July 2nd for all the details - and to enter to win!
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
What's Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery?
Hot New Inspirational Suspense and Mystery
This week Suspense Sisters is featuring six releases from Love Inspired Suspense!
Here's the back cover blurb for each:
Her true identity is a secret
The next explosive Military K-9 Unit thriller
With his ex-wife next on a killer’s hit list, military police lieutenant Ethan Webb and his K-9 partner, Titus, must guard the woman posing as her. But courageous private investigator Kendra Bell refuses to be just bait—she wants to help bring down the killer. Can she play her part without falling for her pretend ex-husband?
VANISHED IN THE NIGHT by Lynette Eason:
Someone is after her and her baby…
Danger returns to Wrangler’s Corner
After saving Kaylee Martin from abduction and delivering her baby boy on the side of the road, Dr. Joshua Crawford can’t get them out of his mind. Unfortunately, neither can Kaylee’s violent stalker. He’ll stop at nothing to get to the new mom and her child. Can Joshua keep them safe so they can become the family he’s dreamed about?
KILLER COUNTRY REUNION by Jenna Knight
Her family’s being eliminated, one by one…
But he won’t let her be next
After gunmen attack Caroline Marsh, she’s stunned that she survives—and shocked that her rescuer is her ex-fiancé, Zane Coleman. With her family’s safety on the line, there’s no time for grudges over the past. The killers on her trail won’t give up easily. And although Zane already left her once, for her own protection, he’s not about to lose Caroline again.
DANGEROUS OBSESSION by Jessica Patch
The Security Specialists at her side
Security expert Wilder Flynn wastes no time putting behavioral expert Cosette LaCroix under his 24/7 protection when her stalker finds her in Atlanta. Wilder keeps Cosette close to guard her from the quickly escalating threats and attacks. But can he accomplish the mission without breaking his strict code against dating employees? Or putting his heart and life at risk?
FATAL RECALL by Carol Post:
a killer wants her dead
When Paige Tatem loses her memory, she knows just two things: she has a target on her back, and police officer Tanner Brody is the only man she trusts to protect her. As they piece together her past, Tanner wonders what lies hidden in Paige’s mind. And as the truth begins to emerge, it becomes clear that a ruthless enemy wants certain secrets to stay buried.
HIDDEN AWAY by Sharon Dunn:
and had nowhere to run
When two thieves arrive at the Montana mansion where Isabel Connor is working, undercover investigator Jason Enger isn’t sure if she’s in danger…or an accomplice. Either way, with a snowstorm trapping the pair with the violent thieves, survival depends on working together. But how can they trust each other when he’s concealing his identity…and she’s hiding dark secrets of her criminal past?
Be sure to check these awesome books out!
Monday, June 18, 2018
THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS
We’re
planning another great week on the Suspense Sisters. Check out our posts, our
interviews, and our awesome giveaways!
THIS
WEEK:
On Tuesday Patricia Bradley will share What’s Hot in Inspirational
Suspense and Mystery.
Wednesday Nancy Mehl will announce an exciting summer giveaway!
Stay turned for more information!
On Friday, we’ll introduce you to a new cozy mystery author. Don’t
miss our interview with Vivien Chien. You could win a copy of her book, DEATH
BY DUMPLING.
Welcome to the Ho-Lee Noodle House, where the Chinese food is to die for. . .
The last place Lana Lee thought she would ever end up is back at
The Suspense Sisters! We love books!
Friday, June 15, 2018
LISA CARTER INTERVIEW...AND BOOK DRAWING!
Welcome, everyone!
I'm delighted to introduce you to today's featured author, Lisa Carter. I know you'll love her interview, and this chance to hear about her newest book release. Those who leave a comment will be in her drawing for a free copy of her new book! Roxanne Rustand
1. Lisa, can you tell us a little bit about your journey as a writer?
Thanks so much for hosting me today on your blog.
I have written stories in my head as far back as I can remember. As a child, I “told” myself a story every night to go to sleep. I thought everyone did this until I got to kindergarten and realized some people might find this strange. I was the kid, aka Phineas & Ferb, who made up imaginary tales for the other kids in the neighborhood to act out during summer vacation. Those stories were heavily dependent on what I’d watched on television—a combination of Star Trek meets Little House on the Prairie. Apparently, I was writing steampunk without knowing what steampunk was. J
As a teenager, I wrote stories to entertain myself, and the habit continued into adulthood whenever I had spare moments. During my children’s baby years, naptime was writing time for me. I see that period in my life as a time of honing my craft.
At age forty-five, God sort of said to me it was time to get serious about writing. So I stepped out of my comfort zone to attend a writing conference. I heard the stories of how long if ever the path to publication took so I felt pretty safe thinking I’ve got years before I have to deal with the publishing side of writing. Best laid plans . . . God had other plans. I left that conference with my first contract. Three months later, I had three more contracts. Talk about being thrown into the deep end.
I have always been drawn to writing inspirational fiction. I am more recognized for my romantic suspense, but I also have written two series of contemporary romances for Love Inspired. What I love about Christian fiction is the hope we can offer in Christ Jesus. And the opportunity to not just entertain, but to further His kingdom in people’s lives.
The writing journey for me has been a strange mix of sheer terror and absolute dependence on God every step of the way. Which for me is probably what He intended all along.
2. If you could go back in time and do something differently in your writing career, what would it be?Actually, I’m not sure I would change anything. From the beginning, this journey has been so all God. He opened the door to my first contract, and I’m about to write my twenty-first novel. It’s been like a whirlwind, and I’m just trying to hang on. There have been been ups and downs, awards and setbacks, but I can see His purpose in all of it.
3. Tell us about your writing process.
4. What do you enjoy when you’re not writing?
5. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise your readers.
6. What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Write every day. Writing is like a muscle. It gains agility with use, but can also become sluggish and atrophy if not exercised regularly.
Attend the best conference you can afford every year. Writers are lifelong learners, and the writing community is a wonderful network of support at every stage in your career.
7. You have a new book out right now, but what are you working on now, and when might that book be out?
8. Can you tell us about what led you to write your new book? Tell us about your main characters, and the challenges they face in this story.
When I became aware of the horrendously high statistic of veteran suicides, I was gutted. I began to think about what would cause someone so obviously heroic—so willing to give their life for others—to make the decision to end their own life after getting home. And I tried to understand why after overcoming so much, too many came home and lost the will to live.
Then one former soldier told me something profound. “Every soldier, one way or the other, returns a wounded soldier.”
I thought a lot about the cost of war on a personal level. The price, the sacrifice, that these men and women paid on our behalf. Freedom is not free.
I read about quilts of valor that are sent to wounded warriors at Walter Reed Hospital. So the idea came to me about what would happen if a recent amputee who’d lost the will to live received a quilt like that. The quilt would have given him a lot of comfort during grueling physical therapy sessions. And suppose at the end of all hope for a future beyond his injury, he decided to return the quilt to the quilt maker identified on the quilt label, express his gratitude and then end his life?
An added inducement would be that the quilt originated on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and he’d never seen the ocean before. But what would happen if the old lady quilt maker he expected turned out to be a young woman grieving her own losses? Throw in a murderer on the loose and you have yourself a story. That’s what I do, after all, I kill people on paper.
And you just know there’s got to be a happily-ever-after at the end. That’s where the romance comes in. People falling in love while dodging bullets.
Thus was born A Vast and Gracious Tide, about a grievously wounded young soldier desperate to find a reason to live again. In a Southern setting with a lot of Southern characters. Some of us have character. Others of us are characters. J
I like to describe what I write as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.”
A Vast and Gracious Tide
A murder on the tranquil beaches of the Outer Banks puts two strangers on a path to uncover the truth
Caden Wallis has suffered several devastating blows that have left him reeling. He’s lost friends and now his girlfriend to the ravages of war. He arrives on the Outer Banks for one final mission—to thank the woman who sent him a quilt while he was recuperating from his wounds at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
McKenna Dockery knows all about loss. She juggles the family business, her ailing father, and an aging grandmother. Much to Caden’s surprise, she is the quilter—not some elderly lady. The quilt was something she’d begun for her future husband but shipped to the military hospital after the tragic death of her fiancé.
When a man is found snared in a net and murdered on McKenna’s property, she and Caden must work together to bring the killer to justice. Each must learn to trust the other, or no one will be safe in the tangled web of conspiracy, greed, and deceit lurking in the tidal marshlands of the Outer Banks. A nor’easter, a sea turtle named Cecil, and a surf-crazy hound named Ginger conspire to bring these two searching hearts together through the vast and gracious tide of God’s love.
Caden Wallis has suffered several devastating blows that have left him reeling. He’s lost friends and now his girlfriend to the ravages of war. He arrives on the Outer Banks for one final mission—to thank the woman who sent him a quilt while he was recuperating from his wounds at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
McKenna Dockery knows all about loss. She juggles the family business, her ailing father, and an aging grandmother. Much to Caden’s surprise, she is the quilter—not some elderly lady. The quilt was something she’d begun for her future husband but shipped to the military hospital after the tragic death of her fiancé.
When a man is found snared in a net and murdered on McKenna’s property, she and Caden must work together to bring the killer to justice. Each must learn to trust the other, or no one will be safe in the tangled web of conspiracy, greed, and deceit lurking in the tidal marshlands of the Outer Banks. A nor’easter, a sea turtle named Cecil, and a surf-crazy hound named Ginger conspire to bring these two searching hearts together through the vast and gracious tide of God’s love.
Multi-published author Lisa Carter likes to describe her romantic suspense novels as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” A Vast and Gracious Tide released in June 2018. The Stronghold won a 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Sky won the 2015 Carol Award. Beyond the Cherokee Trail was a 4 ½ star Romantic Times Top Pick. She also has two contemporary romance series with Love Inspired. Currently, she is writing her twenty-first novel set in the hauntingly beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Lisa enjoys traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. When not writing, she loves spending time with family and teaching writing workshops. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball.
Follow her at:
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
GUARDED PROGNOSIS, a new book, and the journey from traditional author to indie.
Interviewer: E.E. Kennedy
The very prolific suspense author and physician, Dr. Richard Mabry, used to be the only male among us, a Suspense Brother, if you will. His busy schedule forced him to withdraw from regular contributions to this blog, but he keeps in touch!
So, Richard, what’s been going on with you since you left Suspense Sisters?
At that time, my next contract was with Gilead Press. However, publication of my novel, Cardiac Event, was delayed by a hold-up in financing the new publishing house. When the delay stretched out, they were kind enough to allow a reversion of rights back to me of that novel (including the cover), and after considering the options, I decided to indie-publish it.
Even though I did this through my agent (making it actually agent-assisted publication), there was a lot for me to learn and to do. I now have four indie-published novellas and one (soon to be two) novels that were issued without going through a traditional publishing house. It’s been a long journey. I continue to learn, but there’s more to come.
What differences have you seen between publication via a traditional house and indie-publication?
A traditional publishing contract is vindication of a sort, and I think this is important, especially in the early days of a writer’s career. They suggest ways in which the manuscript can be improved, handle the cover design, arrange for line- and copy-editing, market the book, and in general are in charge of things.
When an author chooses to indie-publish, they bear the ultimate responsibility of manuscript editing (and I can’t stress enough the importance of using a professional’s help here), cover design (again, a situation where using a professional pays off), marketing, and lots of other things that weren’t ever worries when a publisher handled them.
The main difference, of course, comes in the schedule—a book must be slotted into a publisher’s schedule, while an indie author controls the timing—and in the royalty structure. Publishers pay an advance against royalties, while the indie author gets nothing until the book starts to sell. Actually, he/she has paid to have the book edited and a cover designed.
So, what’s next?
My next full-length novel, Guarded Prognosis, releases on July 17. It’s available in Kindle and print format via Amazon.com. It’s actually offered for pre-release starting June 25, with a special price for the Kindle version during that time. Here’s the back cover copy (and, oh yes, the indie author has to write that as well):
When Dr. Caden Taggart saw the two men sitting in his waiting room, he didn’t think they were patients. He was right, and when they introduced themselves as agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency, things started to get bad.
Then Caden felt as though someone had gut-punched him when his father, Dr. Henry Taggart, told him he probably had carcinoma of the pancreas. When he talked about his son assisting with his suicide, Caden wondered how he could talk him out of that.
When he shared his news with his wife, Beth, she tried to assure Caden that God was in control. But as things progressed, he was unsure that was true. At first, he feared for his freedom. Then for his ability to cope. Eventually, he feared for his life.
You’ve had quite a journey since we last heard from you. As a final word, would you advise indie-publishing for the authors among our readership?
As I’ve said, a traditional contract is a vindication of sorts, and I think it’s especially important for a previously unpublished author. However, publication is a business, and slots for new authors are getting to be fewer. Many of us who have been previously published by various houses are now exploring the world of indie-publication, becoming “hybrid” authors.
The best advice is always what I’ve heard from the very beginning. Write the best book possible, keep on learning, and roll with the punches. That should be the mantra of every writer, whether unpublished or multi-published.
Thanks for letting me talk with your readership. And I look forward to your next one, as well.
________
Please leave a comment below, along with your EMAIL ADDRESS, and your name will be put in the hat to possibly win a copy of Dr. Mabry's newest book!
The very prolific suspense author and physician, Dr. Richard Mabry, used to be the only male among us, a Suspense Brother, if you will. His busy schedule forced him to withdraw from regular contributions to this blog, but he keeps in touch!
So, Richard, what’s been going on with you since you left Suspense Sisters?
At that time, my next contract was with Gilead Press. However, publication of my novel, Cardiac Event, was delayed by a hold-up in financing the new publishing house. When the delay stretched out, they were kind enough to allow a reversion of rights back to me of that novel (including the cover), and after considering the options, I decided to indie-publish it.
Even though I did this through my agent (making it actually agent-assisted publication), there was a lot for me to learn and to do. I now have four indie-published novellas and one (soon to be two) novels that were issued without going through a traditional publishing house. It’s been a long journey. I continue to learn, but there’s more to come.
What differences have you seen between publication via a traditional house and indie-publication?
A traditional publishing contract is vindication of a sort, and I think this is important, especially in the early days of a writer’s career. They suggest ways in which the manuscript can be improved, handle the cover design, arrange for line- and copy-editing, market the book, and in general are in charge of things.
When an author chooses to indie-publish, they bear the ultimate responsibility of manuscript editing (and I can’t stress enough the importance of using a professional’s help here), cover design (again, a situation where using a professional pays off), marketing, and lots of other things that weren’t ever worries when a publisher handled them.
The main difference, of course, comes in the schedule—a book must be slotted into a publisher’s schedule, while an indie author controls the timing—and in the royalty structure. Publishers pay an advance against royalties, while the indie author gets nothing until the book starts to sell. Actually, he/she has paid to have the book edited and a cover designed.
So, what’s next?
My next full-length novel, Guarded Prognosis, releases on July 17. It’s available in Kindle and print format via Amazon.com. It’s actually offered for pre-release starting June 25, with a special price for the Kindle version during that time. Here’s the back cover copy (and, oh yes, the indie author has to write that as well):
When Dr. Caden Taggart saw the two men sitting in his waiting room, he didn’t think they were patients. He was right, and when they introduced themselves as agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency, things started to get bad.
Then Caden felt as though someone had gut-punched him when his father, Dr. Henry Taggart, told him he probably had carcinoma of the pancreas. When he talked about his son assisting with his suicide, Caden wondered how he could talk him out of that.
When he shared his news with his wife, Beth, she tried to assure Caden that God was in control. But as things progressed, he was unsure that was true. At first, he feared for his freedom. Then for his ability to cope. Eventually, he feared for his life.
You’ve had quite a journey since we last heard from you. As a final word, would you advise indie-publishing for the authors among our readership?
As I’ve said, a traditional contract is a vindication of sorts, and I think it’s especially important for a previously unpublished author. However, publication is a business, and slots for new authors are getting to be fewer. Many of us who have been previously published by various houses are now exploring the world of indie-publication, becoming “hybrid” authors.
The best advice is always what I’ve heard from the very beginning. Write the best book possible, keep on learning, and roll with the punches. That should be the mantra of every writer, whether unpublished or multi-published.
Thanks for letting me talk with your readership. And I look forward to your next one, as well.
________
Please leave a comment below, along with your EMAIL ADDRESS, and your name will be put in the hat to possibly win a copy of Dr. Mabry's newest book!
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