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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

SPOOKY TALES ON A SPOOKY HOLIDAY!



Just how SPOOKY do you like IT?

Everyone has their favorite genre when it comes to picking out books. Many of us enjoy spooky books, but how spooky is too scary for you?



I admit to reading Stephen King when I was younger. I liked his books. But then I started reading a book titled, “IT.” And that was IT for me. I remember thinking that the description of his killer clown was so dark it bordered on demonic. I put that book down and have never read another King book – except for one he penned about writing.

Over the years, I’ve lost interest in novels with touches of horror except for authors like Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, but even so, I choose my spooky stories very carefully now.

So what do you think? Do you like scary stories or is your reading list a little tamer? By the way, I think a good mystery/suspense novel can give readers enough heart-pounding action to give most horror stories a run for their money!



My readers might find this interesting. When I first started writing, I wanted to be the next Frank Peretti! Many years ago I wrote a supernatural mystery titled MALEVOLENCE. It was part of a three part series sold to a secular publisher. They published my first book and I wrote the second book in the series, but it was never released because the publisher started going in a direction I couldn’t follow. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll edit MALEVOLENCE and publish the second book. For now, though, I’m happy writing suspense and cozy mystery.
 
Leave me a comment, along with your contact information, and let me know whether or not you like spooky! Someone will win a copy of my only ghost story, MAIDEN IN THE MIST*. And don’t worry. It’s cozy mystery. You’ll be fine. (Or will you? Muah ha ha!!!)
*Hard copy. U.S. only.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

HOT NEW INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

What's new in inspirational suspense and mystery this week?
Robin Caroll has a brand new suspense releasing in two days, Strategem from Shiloh Run Press



Here's a little bit about the story:  When his wife, Anna Belle, leaves him for a corporate position, Grayson throws himself into his own work--crafting high-stakes simulation adventures used as team-building exercises. He's surprised when his ex's company hires him to design their executive retreat. But when she dies during the game, he becomes the prime murder suspect! Softcover from Shiloh Run.

Available at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/stratagem-robin-caroll/9781683227304/pd/3227304?event=EBRNL

and Amazon.com:  https://www.amazon.com/Stratagem-Robin-Caroll-ebook/dp/B07D8JYTSV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535318229&sr=8-1&keywords=stratagem+by+robin+caroll



















Monday, October 29, 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 Mary Ellis will share What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery. 

 
Wednesday Nancy Mehl will talk about spooky books. Do you like spine tingling reads? Or do you stay away from them? How much is too much? Let Nancy know your thoughts. You could win a copy of her book, MAIDEN OF THE MIST, a cozy ghost story that won’t frighten you…too much!

MAIDEN OF THE MIST

As autumn leaves and cooler temperatures fall on Martha’s Vineyard, Priscilla Grant finally seems to be finding her sea legs and feeling at home on the island.

However, a ghostly visitor known as the “Weeping Woman,” beings to show up nightly on the cliff outside of her home. Why is she there? Is someone trying to scare Priscilla away from her beloved cottage and lighthouse? Is so, could a local art dealer be involved? Does an eccentric woman with a crush on Gerald imagine Priscilla to be such a threat to her unrequited romance that she wants her gone? Or are the eerie apparitions part of a cruel Halloween prank played by a gang of troubled teens?

On Friday, we visit with Mary Alford who will be giving away a copy of her new book, GRAVE PERIL!

Jamie Hendricks always believed her late father was innocent of murder…and now her uncle claims to have proof. But when she arrives in her hometown, her uncle has vanished—and someone wants her dead. Jamie’s ex-boyfriend, CIA agent Gavin Dalton, is the only person she trusts…even if he believes her dad killed his father. But can he help her uncover a deadly conspiracy that goes deeper than anyone expected?







The Suspense Sisters


We love books!

Friday, October 26, 2018

Called to Protect by Lynette Eason

by Patricia Bradley

Last night I was up reading Called to Protect until 2 a.m.! And I really needed to get up early. But I just had to finish Lynette's latest book. Suspense readers, this is one you do not want to miss! Here's the back cover copy:

For the past year, Chloe St. John has been working as a K-9 cop with her German shepherd partner, Hank. After being dumped by her fiancé for another woman, Chloe has decided that Hank is just about the only male she likes. She's over the whole romance thing and focuses her attention on doing her job. Because a serious case of human trafficking with connections to her missing cousin just landed in her lap.

When US Marshall Blake MacCallum's daughter goes missing, he's ordered to kill the judge he's protecting and tell no one about his daughter's disappearance or she will die. Blake races against the clock to rescue his daughter while Chloe and Hank are asked to be a part of the task force assembled to bring down the traffickers. Chloe finds herself attracted to the silent, suffering man, but thanks to her previous bad judgment, she wonders if she can trust him. And can Blake trust himself around this firecracker of a woman?

I had the opportunity to sit in on a workshop Lynette conducted back in September about plotting vs pansting, and we had a blast. Lynette pretty much writes by the seat of her pants. She plots out some of the details, but not all. 

I am amazed at how she weaves the different threads through her story. In Called to Protect, Blake MacCallum is protecting a federal judge who is trying to get legislation passed to make jail sentences harder those convicted of human trafficking crimes and someone is trying to kill him. 

Chloe St. John comes from a family of police officers and she can hold her own with anyone, especially when she has her K-9 partner. And Hank really comes in handy while dealing with human traffickers.

The stakes are always high in Lynette's books, but when Blake's daughter is kidnapped, and he receives a text ordering him to kill the judge or his daughter will die, the stakes jump sky high. Now you see why I had to stay up and finish the book. 

Called to Protect is a fast-paced read with lots of twists and turns, so when you pick it up, make sure you fasten your seat belt!

I'd love to give away my copy of Called to Protect, but I can't part with it! What I will do is give away a $10 Amazon or B&N or CBD gift card and you can purchase your own copy. :-) A name will be chosen by Random dot Org next Friday night. Just leave a comment and tell me if you prefer ebooks or print. 

If you can't wait until next Friday, you can pick up a copy of Called to Protect at Amazon or B&N or CBD.

AND I'm also reviewing Called to Protect over at my blog and if you hop over there and leave a comment, I'll enter you in a drawing for a copy of my latest book, Justice Betrayed!

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Tis the season....for holiday novels! And a give-away Roxanne Rustand

Many novels transcend the limits of a seasonal theme...clearly set during particular times of the year of course, but a holiday season isn’t integral to the story.  

And then we have holiday themed novels--which I love to read, and to write. I enjoy seeing all of the beautiful Christmas book covers that start to show up in October and continue through December!


I would love to hear your feedback on this question:  are holiday books appealing to you, or do you prefer novels that don’t have a holiday theme?  If you do like holiday theme novels, do you have particular holiday favorites?

My November release, Montana Mistletoe, actually hit the shelves in our local Walmart in mid-October, which was earlier than I expected. It surprised me!   


For those who leave a comment,  I draw one winner an e-copy of this book.

And--in the holiday spirit, I want to share with you my mom's favorite cranberry salad.  She always made it at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we still serve it in her memory.  It's a nice, light, zingy salad that's perfect with a heavy holiday meal.

Arline's Crimson Mold

One  3 oz pkg SF raspberry gelatin (regular or sugar-free is fine)
One   3 oz pkg SF lemon gelatin      (regular or sugar-free is fine)
2 cups water, boiling
10 oz pkg frozen raspberries
1 1/3  cups cranberry orange relish (commercial, or make your own)
8 oz   SF  lemon-lime soda (Like Diet Sprite)

Mix boiling water and the gelatin, stir until dissolved. Cool 10 minutes.
Stir in frozen (not thawed) raspberries, stir until they are thawed
Stire in cranberry relish. 
Chill until cool but not set.
Gently stir in the lemon-lime soda. Pour into a mold or glass cake pan.
Chill four hours before serving 

Happy holiday in advance!

Roxanne Rustand