SUSPENSE SISTERS: MARCH GIVEAWAY

Suspense Sisters: March Giveaway

Inspiring a New Generation

This week I had the opportunity to do something I've never done before. It was a book-related event, and yet, it wasn't about sales. These people had no money to buy books. In fact, it cost me a little to do this event, but it was so fun and so worth it.

Those people were kids!

I had the wonderful opportunity this past Friday to share my love of storytelling with a local homeschool co-op—kids from kindergarten to 6th grade. I talked about how books get published and how books are written. We talked about what makes a story.

They all had wonderful imaginations. Some of the kids want to be authors when they grow up. Others were less enthused. We wrote a story together about Bob, a human, who worked at McDonald's until someone threw a grenade in the parking lot. So Bob went to work at Burger King. Then he robbed Taco Bell, and because stories have consequences--he went to jail.

There were also stories about an eraser, about another Bob getting attacked by a shark (lots of stories about Bob), a flower getting mowed down and coming back to life as new flowers, fan fiction about Phineas and Ferb, a pencil ... 

I saw the big boys sit up when I talked about giving the character rewards along the way. One young man said appreciation; another said respect. 

And I watched them all sit up and lean forward when I told them this:

"Here’s the most amazing part--stories can be anything you want them to be. Your story can be authentically you. You are the only one who can and will tell your story the way that you can. It’s all up to you and your imagination. Stories can be made of mostly pictures or mostly words. They can be entirely true, like the Bible, or entirely fictional, or anywhere in between.

A story can be anything you want it to be. You can write about the past or the future. You can go anywhere you want. You can ask the hard questions and find the answers through writing."

And I finished with this warning. "Here’s what we never want to do. Never use stories to lie or deceive people. Stories share truth even in a fun, silly way."

In the end, I don't know which children will grow up to be authors and who won't. But I know that if we were to look into the future, they might surprise us. The ones who wanted to write may do just that, or they may be an accountant, and the boys who seemed disinterested—well, one of them may be the next C.S. Lewis.

My point is we never know who we may touch with our stories. Whose lives we may change. Whose future direction we may alter.

What about you? Have you ever tried to mentor someone? Have you shared your love of something with another person? If you haven't, I would encourage you to give it a go. Find someone who wants to learn about something you're good at, and inspire them to be all that they can be.

Giveaway: Comment below to be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card.

  

WHAT'S NEW IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

Wondering what's HOT in inspirational suspense and mystery: Jodie Bailey has a brand new suspense, Tracing Killer Evidence, next in the Dakota K-9 series, recently released from Love Inspired Suspense.

Here's a little bit about the story: A string of unsolved kidnappings. A K-9 team out for justice. Forensic artist Isabella Whitmore narrowly escapes an abduction attempt in the Dakota Badlands, only to find herself targeted by a mysterious assailant. With the help of FBI special agent, Liam Barringer and his K-9, Guthrie, Isabella must uncover the identity of her would-be murderer. Is the culprit the elusive kidnapper turned serial killer who's targeting Isabella because she matches his victim profile? Or has her secret past finally caught up with her? As the attacks escalate, Isabella and Liam must find the truth and stop the danger before it's too late.

You can buy Tracing Killer Evidence by Jodie Bailey HERE Christianbook.com

Have a great week of reading, lovers of inspirational suspense and mystery!

~ Mary Ellis, Suspense Sisters

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, we’ll hear from author Gina Holder. She’ll be sharing her desire to use her gift to inspire the next generation of writers. She’ll also be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card. Here’s a little bit about her intriguing novel, THE PUZZLE WITHIN.

FBI agent Arizona Powers, recovering from a nervous breakdown, isn’t ready to call it quits. Hoping to prove herself, she takes on a protection assignment for Bridgette Van Sloan, the spoiled teenage daughter of an ambassador.

Nick Trueheart, a former escape artist, joined DSS as a risk analyst after the tragic death of his wife. Consumed by his obsession to learn the identity of his wife’s killer, Nick lacks the time and patience to handle the unstable field agent.

When Bridgette disappears from an escape room, Nick and Arizona become entangled in a dangerous game and a race against time. The risks are high as they confront their own failures and unravel secrets hidden within to save Bridgette—and themselves—from a sinister plot.

ORDER IT 

Friday. Suspense Sister Patricia Bradley interviews author Elizabeth Goddard (one of my favorite authors!). Among other things, they’ll be talking about her exciting book, DEADLY CURRENTS. Leave a message for your chance to win a print copy!

USA Today Bestselling Author Elizabeth Goddard Presents a Gripping Thrill Ride

Investigative journalist Cressida Dane arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father's manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the "ghost ship" Specter's Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind--Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces.

County detective Braden Sanders is in Hidden Bay for one reason--to get his niece lifesaving medical treatment. To do that, he is assigned to protect Cressida from a revenge-driven enemy. Together, Braden and Cressida dig deeper to discern the myth from the facts surrounding the Specter's Bounty.

But more is brewing under the surface than they could ever imagine. Entangled in secrets, they must unravel the past before the current sweeps away their future.

Brace yourself for Elizabeth Goddard's final adrenaline-inducing installment in the Hidden Bay series. This clean romantic suspense combines maritime mystery with protective hero romance that readers of Dani Pettrey and Nancy Mehl will enjoy.


ORDER IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS

What Makes a Suspense Story Impossible to Put Down?

 

There’s something about returning home that can stir up memories you thought were long buried.

Sometimes those memories are comforting—family dinners, childhood friendships, familiar places that remind us of where we came from.

But sometimes… the past waits in the shadows and it’s not so nice.

That idea became the heartbeat behind my upcoming release, Unsolved Amish Abduction, releasing March 31.

In this story, Anna Hartzler returns to the Amish community she once fled after receiving an anonymous letter containing a bracelet that belonged to her missing sister. For Anna, the bracelet isn’t just jewelry—it’s a reminder of the worst night of her life.

Ten years ago, two sisters walked into the woods.
Only one came home.

Anna has spent a decade trying to move forward. She built a life. She’s raising her young daughter. She’s tried to convince herself that the past is over.

But the moment she steps back into her hometown, it becomes clear that someone hasn’t forgotten.

Someone has been waiting.

And the only person she can turn to for protection is Jaxson Thomas—the boy she once loved, now a police officer and K-9 handler. Jax never expected Anna to return, and he certainly never expected to find himself protecting the woman who once disappeared from his life.

As the threats escalate and secrets begin to surface, Anna and Jax must confront the truth about what happened that night in the woods… before the same person who stole her sister comes back for her.

One of the things I love about writing suspense is exploring how the past shapes who we become—and how unresolved mysteries can echo through years, even decades. In Unsolved Amish Abduction, the danger isn’t just physical. It’s emotional too. Anna must face the guilt of surviving when her sister didn’t… and the terrifying possibility that the nightmare isn’t over.

Because sometimes the most dangerous place to return… is home.

Buy link: https://amzn.to/49N4dBh

So Let’s Talk Suspense!

One of my favorite parts of being a suspense writer is hearing from readers who love trying to solve the mystery before the characters do.

So, I’m curious…

What kind of suspense hook grabs you the fastest when you pick up a book?

• A cold case from the past
• A missing person mystery
• A secret hidden in a small town
• A second-chance romance in the middle of danger

Or something else entirely?

Tell me in the comments for a chance to win an eBook copy of Unsolved Amish Abduction. Be sure to leave your email address so that I can reach out to you.

I can’t wait to hear your response!

 

Blessings,
Mary

Country Folks

My current book, Montana Ranch Crime Ring, takes place in Eastern Montana, a very rural part of the state where the neighbors are few and far apart. Conflicts between ranches and farms can go back for generations from fights over property lines to who got a BLM lease. Even with all that conflict, I have found that there is much to admire about country people. People put their past aside to help a neighbor out when needed. My late husband was from Eastern Montana and I noticed three ways in which these people knew what it meant to be a neighbor. First, if your vehicle goes into a snowbank or slides off the road for any reason, the first person to come upon you feels an obligation to help you out. If they don't have the equipment to pull you out, they will go get it or find someone who does. Second when you hear that your neighbor is sick, you drive the miles required to bring them some food and let them know you are there to help if needed. Finally, my husband's father at the end of his life had alienated most of his neighbors and had become somewhat of a recluse. But when we drove over for his funeral, people showed up and were very kind to us. In a rural part of the state, when someone dies, you go to the funeral regardless of your history with that person. 

I imagine there are unwritten rules for what people do for neighbors in distress in cities as well. Did you grow up being taught what it meant to be a neighbor? What were some of things you saw your parents do that showed neighborliness? Leave a comment with your email address. I will be giving away five copies of Montana Ranch Crime Ring (USA only).

Sharon Dunn