Introducing Our New Suspense Sister, Gina Holder!

Good morning, everyone! Mary Alford here and today is a truly special day.

I have the honor of introducing the newest member of the Suspense Sisters team, Gina Holder.

I've had the privilege of working with Gina on several collections, and her talent never ceases to amaze me, as many of you probably already know.  

So, let's dive right in and get to know Gina better!

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

I’m a stay-at-home mom who travels the world via literary vehicles.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

I love escape rooms, but it’s not always feasible or affordable to participate in them, so I discovered “Exit the Game.” It’s an escape room in a box with a story line and puzzles to solve right in your own home. I have completed almost all of them (The ones I haven’t played have themes I’m uncomfortable with).

I also enjoy playing the “Hunt a Killer” immersive mystery experiences where you examine fake evidence to solve a fictional mystery.

I’m also a big fan of Hallmark Mysteries, and my husband and I make a game out of guessing Whodunit.

I collect Lego sets, Precious Moments, keychains, and of course, books.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

As a kid, it was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. As a teen, my favorite book was A Matter of the Heart by Janette Oke.

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.  

When I write, often the villain changes throughout the writing process. Sometimes, even I don’t know whodunit until I get to the climax.

I’ve visited 47 states and nearly 20 countries.

I’ve played the piano since 1992 and used to play the cello and the guitar.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

My debut novel was a historical drama titled Whither Shall I Go. I found I got bogged down in the historical research and switched to writing contemporaries.

While writing my next novel, my male protagonist was a police officer, and I knew I needed to have him solve a crime as part of the story. When that crime suddenly tied into the main plot, my love for writing romantic suspense was born.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?  

The criticism that made the most impact on my writing was when a well-respected reader told me she couldn’t picture my settings. She could not form a mental picture of the town. Since then, I have worked hard to change that, sometimes overcompensating.

What has been the best compliment?

When Patricia Bradley told my husband that he had a talented wife, I nearly cried.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

I still have story ideas that happened in the past, so I could see myself returning to historical romance, someday.

What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

God desires to work in their everyday lives.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Be patient. Dreams take time. God will bring the desires of your heart to pass in His time.

About Handmade Mayhem:

Addie Masters, owner of White Elephant Junk Removal, is an artistic, junk-loving redhead from a coastal town on Boston’s North Shore. She enjoys upcycling, rescue dogs, fixing things, and selling her unique creations.

She never planned on being an amateur sleuth.

But when Addie discovers the body of a client during a routine pickup and the police arrest the wrong man, it’s up to her to prove his innocence... and figure out whodunit.

With the help of Detective Noah Daniels, a cat named Friday, three dogs named Sherlock, Nancy, and Miss Marple, and a potbelly pig named Winston, Addie takes on her first murder mystery in Handmade Mayhem.

"Readers will enjoy the spunky and resourceful Addie Masters. Proprietor of the White Elephant Junk Removal company, her occupation adds an interesting dimension to the story. Addie’s a breath of fresh air in the cozy mystery world!"

- Dana Mentink, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Shake Shop Mysteries

"It’s HGTV meets Hallmark Mysteries! Handmade Mayhem introduces readers to Addie Masters, a DIYer who owns a junk removal company. When she finds a dead body and a friend is implicated, she launches her own investigation to figure out what happened. Addie with her pot belly pig is a memorable character you’ll root for. Handmade Mayhem is a fun and cozy small town murder mystery with twists and turns that will keep you flipping pages until the very end!"

- Christy Barritt, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries.

Be sure to watch for, Home Baked Bribery, Book 2 of the Addie Masters Mysteries, coming March 4th, 2025!

Here's a little about Home Baked Bribery:

The annual Rockport bake sale and competition is underway. The stakes are higher than ever for the coveted Golden Whisk Award when a high-profile celebrity chef is brought in as a surprise guest judge.

The competition takes a deadly turn when the celebrity suffers an allergic reaction.

When Addie’s nemesis, Kennedy Graves is banned from the competition for using almond extract, Addie volunteers to prove Kennedy innocent. As Addie investigates the death, she learns each of the local bakers had a motive to dislike the celebrity. But did one of them kill him?

Meanwhile, hundred-year-old twins, Poppy and Marigold, keep Addie hopping, looking for their missing dogs.

Will Addie be able to uncover the truth behind the celebrity judge’s death, or will she become the next victim of the mysterious shenanigans going on in Rockport?

About Gina:

Gina Holder is an author and stay-at-home mom. 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 indie published her debut novel in 2017. Her first traditionally published novel will be released in June of 2025. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

Be sure to comment for a chance to win a paperback copy of Handmade Mayhem. And remember to leave your email address in your comment.

I’ll announce the winner in a few days!