Interview with Author DiAnn Mills and a Giveaway!

Kristen here. I am so excited to welcome my friend, DiAnn Mills, to the Suspense Sisters blog! I have had the privilege of getting to know DiAnn through writer's conferences, and she has such a heart for readers and her fellow writers. Enjoy this interview with DiAnn where she shares about her latest release, Lethal Standoff, now available. She’s also giving away one paperback or e-book copy of the book (winner's choice), so keep reading to the end.

1. Tell us about your recent release.

Lethal Standoff: Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene when reports come in that fifteen hostages are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. When she arrives on site, Carrington quickly learns that the brothers are armed and refuse to release their victims, a group of undocumented immigrants, until the local police identify their father’s murderer.

Working closely with Levi Ehrlich, a handsome investigative reporter who has covered some of Carrington’s negotiations in the past, she finds herself being undeniably drawn to him. Carrington digs deeper into the death of the Kendrix brother’s father and begins to notice that some details surrounding his death aren’t adding up.

2. What was your inspiration for this book?

Researching negotiators. I’ve interviewed negotiators and watched documentaries showing how they can diffuse volatile situations and people. Thoroughly fascinating and appeals to my love of psychology. So the thought came to me: What if a negotiator is called to a dangerous situation in which two brothers hold hostage 15 undocumented immigrants? 

3. What is your favorite part of the writing process? Your least favorite?

Favorite part: Developing the character. I’m a seat of the pants writer with a strong emphasis on characterization. The process involves a fifteen-page characterization sketch and takes me a week to complete one POV character. The advantage is I know who my character is on chapter one, line one. That way, I can toss them into an adventure and danger by using their fears and weaknesses against them, forcing the character to change. 

Least favorite part: I have a huge list of weasel words: overused, telling, and fillers. I go through the entire manuscript and look for every usage. But, I will say my least favorite part is the muscle behind a tightly woven story.

4. I can relate to those weasel words. Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

1. I’d like to one day parasail. I’ve done ziplining, and now I’m ready for the next adventure.

2. I’m a very picky eater.

3. I’d like to one day write a dystopian novel.

5. I'll be watching for that dystopian novel one day! What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read, cook/bake, garden, spend time with family, hike, travel

6. What are you working on now?

Canyon of Deceit is a September 2025 romantic suspense release from Tyndale Publishing. A survival expert and a Texas Ranger trek into an off-the-grid area to free a seven-year-old little girl who’s held hostage to silence her Russian father from revealing terrorist information.

7. Your story premises are always so intriguing. Where can your readers learn more about you?

I love to hear from readers! They can contact me through my website at all my social media platforms. https://diannmills.com

Fellow readers, you can get your copy of Lethal Standoff here: https://diannmills.com/books/lethal-standoff/

Keep reading to learn more about DiAnn and how to enter for a chance to win a copy of Lethal Standoff.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? 

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. 

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or her website: diannmills.com 

For a chance to win a copy of Lethal Standoff (U.S. winner's choice of paperback or e-book; international winner will receive e-book), leave a comment answering this question: What is the toughest thing you've ever had to negotiate or something you hope you never have to negotiate?

Be sure to include your email address in your comment.