SUSPENSE SISTERS: MAY GIVEAWAY

Suspense Sisters: May Giveaway

The Secrets Buried Inside Every Cold Case

 

There’s something uniquely haunting about a cold case for writers as well as readers.

Maybe it’s because the crime itself isn’t truly over.

Time has passed. Lives have moved on. People have changed. But somewhere beneath the surface, the unanswered questions remain waiting like ghosts.

As a suspense writer, I think that’s one of the reasons cold cases are so compelling to write. They come with built-in emotional weight. The mystery didn’t happen yesterday. The damage has had years to spread through families, friendships, and entire communities.

In many ways, a cold case story is really about the collision between past and present.

One phone call.
One anonymous letter.
One box of forgotten evidence.

And suddenly, a character who thought they’d escaped the past is forced to face it again.

That tension creates such a rich foundation for suspense fiction because the characters aren’t just hunting a killer or searching for answers. They’re confronting old grief, buried secrets, guilt, regret, fear, and sometimes even the lies they’ve told themselves in order to survive.

As a writer, that opens the door to deeper emotional storytelling.

Cold cases also naturally create atmosphere. There’s an eerie quality to abandoned evidence rooms, faded photographs, missing-person flyers curled with age, old newspaper clippings, and witnesses whose memories may no longer be reliable. Even settings themselves begin to feel haunted by what happened there.

I think that’s why I find myself drawn to these stories over and over again in my own books.

In Unsolved Amish Abduction, the past resurfaces ten years after Anna escaped her kidnapper when she receives her missing sister’s bracelet in the mail. What fascinated me while writing the story wasn’t only the mystery itself, but the emotional fallout of surviving something horrific while never truly knowing what happened to the person left behind.

That’s the heart of many cold case stories.

The unanswered question.
The thing left unresolved.

And from a writer’s perspective, those unresolved pieces create incredible suspense because the truth is often tangled beneath years of silence and carefully buried secrets. Every character may remember events differently. Some may be protecting others. Some may fear what the truth could destroy if it finally comes to light.

Cold cases also allow suspense writers to explore something else. I think readers deeply connect with hope.

Hope that the forgotten aren’t truly forgotten.
Hope that truth matters, even decades later.
Hope that justice, though delayed, is still possible.

Maybe that’s why these stories stay with us long after the final page.

Because deep down, we all want to believe that even the coldest cases can still be solved.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about Cold Case Fiction. What is it about cold cases that fascinates you most?

I’ll be giving away one eBook copy of Unsolved Amish Abduction to one commenter. Please remember to give your email address in your comments.

Bible Reading Plan

 

Photo by Alexandra Fuller on Unsplash

When I first became a Christian forty years ago, I read the New Testament Matthew to Revelations several times. I did not do as well when attempting the whole Old Testament. Through the years, I did studies with other women that were topical or focused on one book of the Bible. When my husband got sick with cancer and then died, I think I mostly sought out comfort verses and did not have the deep study I used to have. Through all the struggle before and after his death, my "quiet time" was really random. 

For some time now, I have felt like I could handle a more cohesive study of the Bible. I have the time. What I find though that in doing a topical study where I'm flipping through the Bible looking up tons of verses, I tend to walk away not remembering much of anything. My brain just doesn't hold onto things like it used to. 

I wanted to read the Bible as a cohesive whole and I want to be able remember the things I have read, to carry the truth with me through the day. In the past, the Bible in a Year plan just didn't work for me. Nothing really sunk in. I was just kind of checking off that I had read the assigned verses. 

I stumbled across a plan devised by John MacArthur that seems to be working for me. The plan will take three years to complete. It involves reading a section of the New Testament that takes about twenty minutes and reading that section for thirty days. Twenty minutes is about 7 or 8 Chapters. I started with reading 1 John for thirty days and then divided the book of John into three sections which took three months. I take notes and try to find verses to memorize. Sometimes I only read a couple of chapters in the chosen section, but the point is to stay with the material for 30 days. I am now in the book of Matthew.  Every once in awhile I need a break and spend my time meditating on a Psalm and reading it out loud. It seems to be working for me. I'll let you know in three years if I got through the whole New Testament. Now I just need to come up with a plan for the Old Testament. 

How about you? What does your Bible study and/or quiet time look like? What works for you? Let me know in the comments and leave your email address. I will choose five people to give a copy of Tracking the Taken Child to or a different older book if you have already read that one.  

Sharon Dunn

 

WHAT'S HOT in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery

 Marji Laine here. 

This one certainly has elements that I love. Particularly a veteran hero! 

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Saving Grace: A Christian Romantic Suspense (The Southern Knight Protectors Series Book 2) 

by Madison Love (Author) 

The man she left behind is now her only hope of staying alive.

Grace Atwood vanished from my life nearly three decades ago, leaving me heartbroken on the courthouse steps. Now, she’s back—using a pen name, hiding from an unknown enemy, and asking for my help. As a journalist who witnessed the murder of a whistleblower, she’s seen too much. And someone is trying to make sure she stays silent.

As a former Air Force Pararescueman turned elite protection specialist for the Southern Knights, I never thought I’d see Grace again—let alone be the one assigned to protect her. When our undercover mission takes us to Duskhaven, a sleepy small town with explosive secrets, we pose as husband and wife. Our goal: infiltrate Noctira Weapons Systems, a local militia, and a community that doesn’t take kindly to outsiders.

Living under the same roof, working side by side, we discover that the embers of our past still burn bright. But trust is fragile, and forgiveness doesn’t come easy—especially when lives are on the line. With a growing conspiracy threatening national security and shadowy enemies watching our every move, our rekindled bond will be tested. It’s either going to break or be forged in fire.

When bullets fly and betrayals cut deep, we must rely on more than our instincts—we’ll have to lean on God’s guidance, the team of Southern Knights, and each other. Because the only thing more dangerous than uncovering the truth... is losing a second chance at love.

Perfect for fans of romantic suspense, this novel features heart-pounding action, emotional depth, and unshakable faith, delivering a thrilling ride that focuses on mercy and grace. This is a clean, kisses-only book free from cursing or promiscuity.

Pick up your copy HERE! 

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, we’ll hear from Suspense Sister Sharon Dunn. She’ll talk about the Bible reading plan she’s following, and she will also give away a copy of TRACKING THE TAKEN CHILD to someone who leaves a comment.

A little girl has vanished. Can a K-9 team find her?

Preschool teacher Lydia Caldwell’s peaceful day in the Rockies becomes her most harrowing nightmare when she’s pushed over a mountain ledge and her three-year-old daughter is abducted. Lydia must now entrust her life and her child’s fate to K-9 Officer River Jameson and his yellow Lab partner, Frankie. As the danger escalates and the trail grows colder by the second, River and Frankie work tirelessly to track down the kidnapper. Is the culprit Lydia’s ex…or is someone from her past seeking revenge? Will River’s skill and Frankie’s instincts save an innocent child—and protect Lydia from the elusive criminal targeting her?

BUY IT HERE 

Friday, author Mary Alford is going to explore the reasons writers and readers find cold cases so compelling. She’ll talk about how they create emotional suspense by blending past trauma, buried secrets, and the hope of long-awaited justice. She will also discuss the inspiration behind her book, UNSOLVED AMISH ABDUCTION. Mary will give away one e-book copy of this thrilling novel to someone who leaves a comment.

The mystery of her sister’s disappearance could reveal some deadly answers…

An anonymous letter containing her missing sister’s bracelet lures Anna Hartzler back to her Amish hometown—and into a trap set by the kidnapper she escaped years ago. She’s rescued from another abduction by Jaxson Thomas, her former neighbor turned police officer. Now Anna must depend on Jaxson to protect her and her little girl, who he doesn’t know is his child. But as the threats grow, can he keep them safe long enough to identify and catch the culprit—before this enemy sets his sights on their daughter?

BUY IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS

Sit Down with Suspense Sister Gina Holder

Kristen here. It's my pleasure to interview our very own Suspense Sister Gina Holder about her latest release, The Escape Game. She's giving away one e-book copy of her book, so be sure to read to the end to learn how to enter.

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

The first spark of this story came when I learned about the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. The home (now a museum) was owned by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Winchester, the creator of the Winchester rifle. A fortune teller convinced poor Sarah that if she ever stopped construction on this home, the spirits of those killed by her husband’s rifles would come to haunt her. I thought that would make for an interesting setting for a story, without the haunting.

Did any real‑life location, person, or experience quietly inspire elements of the plot or setting? If so, how?

This is a continuation of question number one. The setting of the Ives Mansion in the story was based on a blending of the Winchester Mystery House and the James J. Hill House, also a personal residence turned museum, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The website for Hill House includes a virtual tour that I referenced repeatedly while working on the story, including the dragon sconces and the dust chute. I wouldn’t say it quietly inspired it, though. 

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

Well, I guess it would have to be a scene from either the beginning of the story or the end if I wanted to avoid the dangerous ones. I think I would enjoy hanging out with Demi and her friend Maddie either at the puzzle store Demi owns or at Demi’s house. The women’s interactions were a lot of fun to write, and I think they’d be a hoot at a game night or something.  

What’s one part of your daily routine that quietly fuels your creativity or keeps you grounded? 

This may be silly, but I keep a mock book cover on my desktop screen, and whenever I’m stuck, I stare at the image of my main character and ask what she wants me to tell about her story.

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

Several of this book’s themes hit very close to home, which I believe contributed to it being so difficult to write. I had to dig deep inside myself. One of these themes is accepting change and moving on with your life when things change. I’ve never liked change and still struggle to accept change in my life.

Change can definitely be hard, and I'm sure many readers will relate to that struggle. What are you working on now?

I am currently writing The Missing Piece, book #3 of The Game Masters series. This book follows Ginny Clarke, a passionate activist, and homicide detective Freddie Hood as they track down Cipher, the serial killer connected to the murder of Ginny’s best friend.

Sounds intriguing! Where can your readers learn more about you?

Readers can find me on Facebook and Instagram @storiesbygina. I also have a website where I share book reviews and author interviews, https://storiesbygina.com. This is also where readers can sign up for my newsletter.

Thank you, Gina, for sharing your time and story with us! Keep reading to learn more about Gina and how to win an e-book copy of The Escape Game.

Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and epic twists you'll never see coming.

She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.        

Connect with her on social media:

Blog: storiesbygina.com

Facebook: facebook.com/storiesbygina

Instagram: @storiesbygina

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gina-holder

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17074375.Gina_Holder

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gina-Holder/e/B074HC9SHX

Now, here's more about 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.

Gina is giving away one e-book copy of The Escape Game. To enter the drawing, leave a comment and include your email address. 

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Update: Congratulations to Antoinette M. on winning the e-book copy! Thank you to everyone who commented.