THIS WEEK

 

 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 tell us What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery. 

 

On Wednesday, we’ll hear from our own Sharon Dunn! Check out her website for information on her books! 

On Friday, Nancy Mehl will talk about some events leading up to her upcoming release, NIGHT FALL. There will a trivia contest and a big giveaway! Check in to find out how you could win a copy of NIGHT FALL, as well as many other great prizes!

 

Alex Donovan was orphaned by age twelve and was sent to live with an unstable aunt. Alex had to leave childhood behind her and learn how to take care of herself and her aunt. Her life felt hopeless. But one day, after listening to the retired father of another student talk about his time with the FBI, Alex knew what she wanted to be. When she left her aunt’s house, she never looked back, determined that nothing would keep her from achieving her goals.

But sometimes the past refuses to stay buried. Not long after she makes it into the BAU, Alex is assigned to work on a strange case that will propel her right back to the life she fought so hard to escape. A killer calling himself the Train Man is leaving strange graffiti on the outside of the train cars that hold the remains of his victims. No one knows what the messages mean…except Alex. She recognizes references to a strange book that her aunt had treasured. Now Alex must go back to her aunt’s house and retrieve the book so the FBI can stop a madman who plans to unleash a deadly virus that could kill millions. And time is running out.

You can preorder NIGHT FALL here! 

 

The Suspense Sisters

We love books!

 

Monday’s Release - Fad Diet or Death Sentence?

 

Don’t you wish salads made you this happy? Yeah … me too.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve tried your fair share of fad diets. I’m talking Adkins, Intermittent Fasting, Paleo, Keto, Weight Watchers, Whole30 … even one with pre-portioned shakes and ‘snacks.’ I use the word snacks loosely, because the company literally sent me a medicine bottle of chalky little Tums-looking discs that were supposed to taste like chocolate. Pretty sure the lab-dweller who designed those little beasties never came within a country mile of actual chocolate. That being said, fad diets are not a recent phenomenon.

The villain in The Purple Nightgown used her own brand of fad diet to bring clients to her health retreat with the promise of healing and vitality beyond their wildest dreams. Since the book is releasing on Monday, I won’t go into gory detail here, but suffice it to say, if I was following her regime, one of those disappointing chocolate Tums wouldn’t look so bad.

What fad diets have you tried? Did it work, or was it so difficult to stick with you abandoned ship as I have done more times than I’m comfortable admitting? 

Drop a comment below for a chance to win an eBook copy of The Purple Nightgown.

The $10 Amazon gift card winner from last month’s post is (insert drum roll here) Bn100! I’ve sent the gift card to the email address you provided.

A.D. Lawrence

Welcome back, Leeann Betts. Leave a comment to win a copy of LITTLE GREY CELLS

LITTLE GREY CELLS ~ A missing woman, a suitcase buried in a ceiling, and a rare manuscript. Who hid them? And why? And who wants them now? 

ME: Welcome back, Leeann, Tell us about something interesting that happened while writing LITTLE GREY CELLS, book 2 of the Mysterious Ink Bookstore Mysteries

LB: While I was writing this book, I realized I needed to nail down more details about my two main characters. Honestly, when writing the segue novella, “The Game is Afoot”, I didn’t see there was a potential for any kind of attraction between my heroine and my police hero. I had the opportunity to really explore that in this book. I also needed to add more businesses in the downtown core of Edgewater, but I didn’t want anything that was actually there, so I made certain the bakery wasn’t where I say it is, and that the address of the bookstore isn’t a real address. I usually invent my settings, which, while it sounds more difficult, has proven to actually be a lot easier! 

ME: Here's a little bit about Leeann: Leeann Betts writes contemporary romantic suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical romantic suspense. Together she and Donna have published more than 30 novellas and full-length novels. They ghostwrite, judge writing contests, edit, facilitate a critique group, and are members of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the Rock, Christian Authors Network, Pikes Peak Writers, and Sisters in Crime. Leeann travels extensively to research her stories, and is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary LLC

Click on the LINK to buy Little Grey Cells:

Please leave Leeann a comment for a chance to win a copy of Little Grey Cells, book 2 of the Mysterious Ink Bookstore Mysteries. Print or electronic ~ reader's choice! You must leave an email address in order to win! Drawing in one week! 

Thanks for dropping by Suspense Sisters, readers! ~ Mary Ellis

What's Hot in Inspirational Suspense by Patricia Bradley

 

Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery?

This week we're featuring Sara Davison's Driven, Book 3 in the Night Guardians series.

Driven by ongoing grief and relentless dreams, Holden Kelly is determined to track down the child his brother Gage abducted eight years earlier. The rescue that might have saved Matthew Gibson’s life had cost Gage his. 

Proving his brother hadn’t sacrificed his life for nothing might be the only way Holden can start fully living his again. And it could be the last chance he has to find his way back to the wife he loves but who is also mired in grief and a crisis of faith. 

Mikayla Grant has nightmares of her own. A road trip with private investigator Jax Rodriguez—a man she is strongly drawn to even though his primary goal seems to be to drive her crazy—can’t be the way to heal from a terrible loss. Can it? 

As Holden, Mikayla, and Jax follow the missing child’s trail from Toronto to Chicago, their mission is not as secret as they thought. Someone knows they are coming and will stop at nothing to prevent them from finding the child Gage rescued. And to make sure that no one ever hears from the three of them again.

You can purchase Driven here:

Amazon

B&N

When "The End" Turns Into A New Direction - The Courage Under Fire Series Continues, And a giveaway!

 

As a reader, I love series because you get the chance to revisit your favorite characters again in other books. As an author, it’s like hanging out with dear friends every day. That’s hard to let that go.

But sometimes, a series and its characters will take you in a different direction than you ever expected to go. 

In August of 2019, I wrote the first Courage under fire book for an anthology called Summer of Suspense. It was entitled Storm Warnings and featured a spy by the name of Casey Montgomery who was accused of killing her entire CIA unit. On the run and hiding out in Alaska, Casey’s location is discovered by CIA fellow agent Reed Decklin, the man Casey loved. But Reed isn’t the only one chasing Casey. Neither Casey nor Reed realized the depth of lies surrounding what happened during the attack that killed her CIA team, or the level of evil they would be facing as they fight to bring to light the truth.

Storm Warnings turned out to be the prequel to the Courage Under Fire Series. A previous book, entitled Distant Thunder, explains how the conspiracy began.    

When I first wrote Storm Warnings, I’d planned to write a couple of books to tie up the story, but I had no idea where this conspiracy would lead Casey and Reed at the time.

Firestorm is the eighth book in the series and comes out on March 23rd.

Her brother told her if she ever needed help—no matter how serious it might be—she should find James Cooper. Well, Sarah Hancock certainly is in need now, after Blake is arrested for treason and taken away in the middle of the night. Somehow, Daniel Pamphili’s men have connected Blake to the former commander of his SEAL unit. Blake’s life is in real jeopardy.

Desperate to save her brother, Sarah drives straight through from Colorado to Idaho where Blake told her James and members of Strike Force were in hiding. Sarah arrives in time to see the team’s compound go up in flames. An attempt meant to wipe Strike Force off the face of the earth.

Has she hung all her hopes on this trip only to arrive too late to save Blake?

When James Cooper receives an unidentified call from a female claiming to be Blake Hancock’s sister, he is filled with doubts. Is this another attempt to ferret the team out lead by Daniel Pamphili, the real power behind the One World drive that James and the rest of Strike Force believe is taking the world toward a future Armageddon?

Yet, from the minute he sees her, James is confident that not only is this Blake’s sister, but Sarah would not be here if Blake were not in danger.

The story she tells about her brother’s imprisonment is frightening. No matter what, James will move heaven and hell to save his brother in arms from death, but will he and Sarah, along with the rest of Strike Force, be walking straight into another carefully designed trap that might result in all their deaths?

The series reads in this order:

Distant Thunder

Storm Warnings

Strike Force

Zero Visibility

Thin Ice

Chinook Winds

When Lightning Strikes

A Gathering Storm

Firestorm

In the recent books, the series has taken on a new twist that is leading the cast of characters toward the rise of the antichrist and the rapture. All are looming on the horizon.

When I set out to write the Courage Under Fire story, I hadn’t intended it to be an end-times series, but the characters have a mind of their own and that is the fun part of writing a series. You never know where it will take you next or what interesting characters you might meet along the way.  

For a chance to win any ebook from the series of your choice, what do you like most about reading a series? 

Leave a comment with your email address and I will announce the winner on the 26th. 

All the best...

Mary Alford 

www.maryalford.net

 

Cover Reveal and GIVEAWAY

Hi, friends!

It's great to be back with you again. In a few short weeks PRESENT DANGER, the first book in my ROCKY MOUNTAIN COURAGE series releases. I cannot wait for you to get this book in your hands.

Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.

When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn--one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he's failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.

Join bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard as she plunges you into a web of deceit made of hidden crimes, open threats, and long-buried family secrets in this gripping first book of an explosive new series.

Learn more about how to get Pre-order goodies at ROCKYMOUNTAINCOURAGE.COM

If reading an EPIC MONTANA ADVENTURE isn't enough to entice you to pre-order, then look at this amazing cover for BOOK 2 in ROCKY MOUNTAIN COURAGE! 

Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her own life in a boating accident on Puget Sound and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job as a criminal psychologist to care for her mother in Montana. At least she is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.

Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.

As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and that the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.

The race is on for the truth in this gripping and complex tale of suspense, intrigue, and murder from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard.

TO CELEBRATE the upcoming release of my new series and the COVER REVEAL of Deadly Target, I'm giving away a print copy of DON'T KEEP SILENT! Characters from Don't Keep Silent appear in Present Danger and I want you to get the full experience.

Comment on the book covers and include your contact information to enter the drawing!!!

Blessings!

Elizabeth Goddard

What's Hot in Inspirational Suspense by Patricia Bradley

 

Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery?

I love Susan's books and can't wait to read this one!

(Nighthawk Security #3)

Susan Sleeman

Edge of Your Seat Books, Inc / January 4, 2021

FBI Agent, Toni Long, lost her father a year ago when he was killed in a joint FBI and ICE investigation led by Clay Byrd, a man Toni had found herself infatuated with. Unfortunately, the killer escaped, and if Toni hadn’t been distracted by her attraction to Clay, maybe her father wouldn’t have died. 

When she receives an anonymous tip on the killer’s identity, she follows the lead and an attempt is made on her life. Clay, having received the same tip, comes to her rescue. Thinking he can help find her father’s killer and keep an eye on her safety too, he quickly offers Nighthawk Security’s help. But as the investigation unfolds, they unearth deep, dark family’s secrets that are more dangerous than anything Toni could imagine. 

Problem is, Clay is right there by her side, offering her comfort and support, and protecting her from menacing danger. She soon has to fight feelings she’s developing for him when her focus should be on the investigation and staying alive.

You can purchase Night Hawk at 

Amazon

Other places

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 tell us What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery. 

  

On Wednesday, we’ll hear from our own Elizabeth Goddard!

 

On Friday, Mary Alford talks about “When The End Turns Into A New Direction - The Courage Under Fire Series Continues, And A Giveaway!” She’ll also be introducing her upcoming release, FIRESTORM! Someone will win their choice of any one of the books in her Courage Under Fire series.

FIRESTORM

Her brother told her if she ever needed help—no matter how serious it might be—she should find James Cooper. Well, Sarah Hancock certainly is in need now, after Blake is arrested for treason and taken away in the middle of the night. Somehow, Daniel Pamphili’s men have connected Blake to the former commander of his SEAL unit. Blake’s life is in real jeopardy.

Desperate to save her brother, Sarah drives straight through from Colorado to Idaho where Blake told her James and members of Strike Force were in hiding. Sarah arrives in time to see the team’s compound go up in flames. An attempt meant to wipe Strike Force off the face of the earth.

Has she hung all her hopes on this trip only to arrive too late to save Blake?

When James Cooper receives an unidentified call from a female claiming to be Blake Hancock’s sister, he is filled with doubts. Is this another attempt to ferret the team out lead by Daniel Pamphili, the real power behind the One World drive that James and the rest of Strike Force believe is taking the world toward a future Armageddon?

Yet, from the minute he sees her, James is confident that not only is this Blake’s sister, but Sarah would not be here if Blake were not in danger.

The story she tells about her brother’s imprisonment is frightening. No matter what, James will move heaven and hell to save his brother in arms from death, but will he and Sarah, along with the rest of Strike Force, be walking straight into another carefully designed trap that might result in all their deaths?

Find out in this next installment of Courage Under Fire.

You can preorder FIRESTORM here!

 

The Suspense Sisters

We love books!

 

Emma Winters Takes Over The Suspense Sisters

 Good morning! Let me introduce myself. I'm Ranger Emma Winters, and I'm doing a takeover of Patricia Bradley's blog today. 

hehehe

I mean, it's only fair. She writes about me...and she brought Sam Ryker back to Natchez, so I have a bone to pick with her. So today, I'm going to interview her! See how she likes it.

Emma: Okay, Patricia, just why did you bring Sam back to Natchez? 

Patricia: You're not happy that I brought him back?

Emma: You're not supposed to answer a question with a question.

Patricia:  Why not? That's what you do when I interview you. And let's not forget how you quit talking to me about halfway through the book!

Emma: You were trying to make me do something I didn't want to do.

Patricia: You could have told me without making me figure it out for myself. How was I to know you wanted to leave Natchez. But aren't you glad now you didn't?

Emma: Maybe. I want to know--do you have trouble trusting other people? Is that why I don't trust anyone? Are you projecting your insecurities on me?

Patricia: Moi? I don't have trouble trusting others until they give me a reason. What's your excuse?

Emma: Everyone I've ever trusted left me. Ryan, then my mother, then Sam...I can't be hurt if I don't open myself up to people.

Patricia: You know what they say--give your characters obstacles, then up the stakes. No one likes a happy character.

Emma: You certainly know how to do that.

Patricia: Well, thank you...I think. Back to Sam. I don't know why you're so afraid of him. He was always Johnny-on-the-spot when you needed him.

Emma, smiling a little: He was, wasn't he. I really was afraid my stalker would hurt him. 

Patricia:  What was it like, having a stalker?

Emma: Scary. And I was afraid for Sam. Wait, I'm the one asking the questions. You never told me why you brought Sam back to Natchez.

Patricia: One reason was his sister and nephew needed him. 

Emma: Jace does need him. The kid is a sweetheart. Can't say the same for his mom, though.

Patrica: You two did have some problems, didn't you?

Emma, turning to you readers. "See, she can't help herself. To learn more about Sam and me, be sure to read Obsession. It's the second book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series! And if I'm not mistaken, Patricia Bradley is giving away a copy of Obsession to someone who leaves a comment. Of course, Random dot Org will choose, so be sure to leave your contact information!

Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters hoped never to see Sam Ryker again after she broke off her engagement to him. But when shots are fired at her at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace, she's forced to work alongside Sam as the Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger in the ensuing investigation. To complicate matters, Emma has acquired a delusional secret admirer who is determined to have her as his own. Sam is merely an obstruction, one which must be removed.

Sam knows that he has failed Emma in the past and he doesn't intend to let her down again. Especially since her life is on the line. As the threads of the investigation cross and tangle with their own personal history, Sam and Emma have a chance to discover the truth, not only about the victim but about what went wrong in their relationship.

You can find purchase links here.

I always wanted to be a NPS park ranger. That didn't happen, but I can write about being one! To be entered in the drawing, leave a comment answering if you could choose your job, what would it be?

One More Dance...a romantic suspense, and chance for a free book..... Roxanne Rustand

 How badly can a relationship be broken before there's just no chance to save it?

When veterinarian Kate Mathers drives past the scene of a terrible accident and sees an ambulance race away, she whispers a prayer for those involved, not realizing that it's her husband's car in flames down in the ditch--and that a woman died in his car.  A complete stranger. Now Jared is in the ICU on the verge of death, and only a miracle can save him.

Kate is at his bedside, trying to face Jared's precarious condition and also deal with the fact that someone is targeting both her husband and her veterinary practice. How had their marriage gone so wrong?

If only they can one more chance to talk and forgive, and one more dance in each other's arms...

On sale March 19th at all e-book retailers, and available now for pre-order.  Here is the AMAZON link.

Since it's bitterly cold, snowy, and icy here in the Midwest, it seems like a perfect time to enjoy cozy evenings by the fire with a good book or something to watch on PBS...though I really ought to be in my office every waking hour. There are four more books coming out this year in the Northern Pines romantic suspense series!

How have you been faring during these short winter days?

Are you enjoying the arctic weather we have now, or are you appreciating the balmy sunshine of a southern state?

And, now that Valentine's Day is just around the corner, do you have a favorite memory from 
Valentines Days in the past?

Ours will certainly be quiet...at home as always, during these pandemic times. Even so, it will be a day to remember how grateful we are to still have each other and to pray for those who have lost their own loved ones this past year.

Leave a comment and be entered in a drawing for a free e-copy of Snowbound with the Cowboy!

Wishing you blessings and peace,

Roxanne

What's Hot in Inspirational Suspense by Patricia Bradley

 

Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery?

HER EVERY MOVE

Kelly Irvin

Thomas Nelson / February 9, 2021

When a deadly bomb goes off during a climate change debate, librarian and event coordinator Jackie Santoro becomes the prime suspect. Her motive, according to Detective Avery Wick: to avenge the suicide of her prominent father, who was accused of crimes by a city councilman attending the event. 

Though Avery has doubts about Jackie’s guilt, he can’t exonerate her even after an extremist group takes responsibility for the bombing and continues to attack San Antonio’s treasured public spaces. As Jackie tries to hold her shattered family together, she has no choice but to proceed with plans for the Caterina Ball, the library system’s biggest annual fundraiser. But she also fears the event provides the perfect opportunity for the bomber to strike again. 

Despite their mistrust, Jackie and Avery join forces to unmask the truth—before the death toll mounts even higher.

Here are the links to purchase Here Every Move.

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 tell us What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery.

 

On Wednesday, we’ll hear from our own Roxanne Rustand! She’ll be sharing her thoughts about writing romantic suspense. She’s giving away a copy of her book, A SUMMER AT BRIAR LAKE, which is part of her Northern Pines series.

In Summer at Briar Lake, a disillusioned lawyer searching for a quiet life in a small resort town ends up sharing a house with a woman who has a dark past, a troubled daughter and a menagerie of epic proportions.

The situation is challenging enough, but add a miniature goat with a penchant for roses and adventure, and an unknown enemy who will stop at nothing to achieve his own goals, and life becomes even more…interesting.

Originally published in paperback as The House at Briar Lake, this e-book version has been fully revised and updated for readers who enjoy a sweet, clean and wholesome (not hot or spicy!) light romantic suspense

Roxanne Rustand is the USA Today Bestselling author of forty romance and romantic suspense novels—secular, sweet and inspirational; both traditionally published and indies. Her books have sold over 2.75 million copies.

To find out more about Roxanne's books, visit roxannerustand.com.

Buy it here!

On Friday, Pat Bradley tells us about her new release, OBSESSION, and she’ll also tell us what it’s like to write during a pandemic.

 

Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters hoped never to see Sam Ryker again after she broke off her engagement to him. But when shots are fired at her at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace, she's forced to work alongside Sam as the Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger in the ensuing investigation. To complicate matters, Emma has acquired a delusional secret admirer who is determined to have her as his own. Sam is merely an obstruction, one which must be removed.

Sam knows that he has failed Emma in the past and he doesn't intend to let her down again. Especially since her life is on the line. As the threads of the investigation cross and tangle with their own personal history, Sam and Emma have a chance to discover the truth, not only about the victim but about what went wrong in their relationship.

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley will have the hairs standing up on the back of your neck with this nail-biting tale of obsession, misunderstanding, and forgiveness.

Buy it here!

 The Suspense Sisters

 

We love books!