SUSPENSE SISTERS

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

SUSPENSE SISTERS: AUGUST GIVEAWAY

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

A VISIT WITH CARRIE STUART PARKS

Join us today for a great interview with Carrie Stuart Parks. I met Carrie many years ago at an American Christian Fiction Writers conference, and we just hit it off. She is a fascinating writer with a great "Day Job" as a forensic artist. Check her website out for more details. She also raises Great Pyrenees!

Now for our interview. We'll be talking about her book, Survival in the Mountains. Carrie is giving away a print copy so be sure to leave a comment.

Patricia: What sparked the first seed of this story—an image, a question, a character, or a “what if” moment?

Carrie: I think two things came together in my mind—one was the tricky sales claims of various products: “bestselling suntan oil” doesn’t mean it works, “Doctor recommended” could be a doctor of literature, “Over one million bottles sold” could mean there are a million chumps. There are a lot of ‘miracle’ products advertised that claim to cure anything from hangnails to cancer. What if someone wanted to exploit that? Add to that, when I was going through chemo for breast cancer, one of the chemo drugs came from the lowly yew tree. Soooooo, what if a couple of like-minded bad guys decided to exploit a common berry that could, supposedly, keep you looking young?

Patricia: Oh, wow! I love the way your mind works. What’s your favorite scene? And why.

Carrie: Any scene with Izzy, the Bull Terrier.

Patricia: I can see that. :-) What keeps you at the keyboard, especially on days you would rather do something else?

Carrie: Deadlines.

Patricia: I'm with you there. Is there a part of the book that comes from your own life?

Carrie: I mentioned the chemo drug. Izzy—we’ve had bullies for 37 years. Idaho. Horseback riding.

Patricia: How long does it usually take you to write a book from thought to finish?

Carrie: It used to take a year. Now more like 4 months.

Patricia: Deadlines usually make us write faster...or at least make writing a priority. What’s your favorite beverage? Coffee, tea or something else?

Carrie: Coffee and wine.

Patricia: Ah, a girl after my own heart! What are you working on now?

Carrie: Edits for two books—Dead File Whispers and Tracked in the Wilderness

Patricia: Oh, wow, you are busy! Thanks for taking time to visit The Suspense Sisters Blog!

Be sure to check out Carrie's website and social media. She's giving away a copy of Survival in the Mountains to someone who leaves a comment on the blog. (US addresses only) You can ask Carrie a question or comment whether you've read any of Carrie's books. I've read Survival in the Mountains, and it is awesome!

You can connect with Carrie here:

Home Page

Facebook

Monday, August 10, 2026

WHAT'S HOT in Christian Mystery and Suspense

Marji Laine here.

Brand new release this week! What a tempting read!

Wild Fire

by Kendra Cross

A raging wildfire.
A deadly cover-up.
And a truth someone is willing to burn to keep hidden.

Fire Captain Cole Brennan has faced danger before—on the battlefield and in the mountains he now protects.

But nothing has prepared him for this.

When a series of wildfires ignite across the Colorado backcountry, Cole knows something isn’t right. The patterns are too precise. The timing too perfect. And as the fires spread, so does the uneasy feeling that someone is using the chaos to destroy more than just land.

ATF Special Agent Bennett Jameson has spent years hunting arsonists. For her, fire isn’t just destruction—it’s personal. When her investigation brings her to Brennan Ridge, she quickly realizes these fires are part of something far more calculated… and far more dangerous.

Because someone is using the fires to erase evidence.

Evidence tied to a secret the Brennan family has been chasing for years. And if Cole can’t face what’s burning inside him as well as what’s raging around him, he may lose more than the mountains he’s sworn to protect.

A powerful Christian romantic suspense about purpose in the fire, healing from the past, and finding faith when everything feels lost.

We have exciting things planned for you this week on the Suspense Sisters!

On Tuesday, Suspense Sister Marji Laine will tell us what’s hot in inspirational suspense and mystery.

Wednesday, Suspense Sister Patricia Bradley interviews author Carrie Stuart Parks about her book, SURVIVAL IN THE MOUNTAINS. Carrie is giving away a copy of this exciting book to someone who leaves a comment.

SURVIVAL IN THE MOUNTAINS

Someone is hunting them.
But she can’t remember why…

Rescuing a woman from a burning car crash near his mountain cabin immerses undercover Fish and Game officer Joshua McGregor in a dangerous plot. But all Bethany can remember is being deliberately run off the road. Soon killers are hunting both of them through the unforgiving Idaho wilderness, and the discovery that Bethany’s identity has been erased has them grasping for answers. Now they must avoid treacherous traps and unexpected enemies…while trying to trust each other. But when the truth about Bethany's past proves even more dangerous than they imagined, can she and Joshua protect innocent lives—and save their own?

ORDER IT HERE

On Friday, author Nancy Mehl talks about her new release, FATAL FINALE. Leave a comment, and you could win a signed copy of her latest novel!

FATAL FINALE

They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out. "Run!" Kaely said.

When bestselling author Erin Delaney's novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter's arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film's production. However, when Kaely does not arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can't reach her by phone, her concern grows.

A cryptic phone call from Kaely's kidnapper confirms Erin's worst fear--she has exactly six days to save her friend's life by solving his twisted clues. The message comes with a warning: Contact the police or FBI, and Kaely dies. But Erin works for the Sanctuary Police Department, and Kaely's husband is with the FBI, putting her in an impossible situation. As Erin races against time, she's forced to crack the kidnapper's chilling puzzle before it's too late.

PREORDER IT HERE

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Irrational Fears I've Developed From Reading Suspense

One of the many joys of reading suspense is that I get to experience danger from the comfort of my favorite chair while sipping sweet tea. I can follow characters into abandoned buildings, investigate suspicious noises, uncover long-buried secrets, and narrowly escape people who seem far too comfortable hiding in the woods—all while wrapped in a blanket.

It’s safe. Mostly.

The only problem is that suspense novels occasionally introduce me to things I never considered dangerous before. A danger that suddenly becomes extremely relevant to my everyday life. I finish the book and go about my normal routine… only to realize that I am now suspicious of things others view as harmless.

Are these fears rational?

Probably not.

But those fears are stuck in my head somewhere anyway.

Here are a few irrational fears I’ve developed while reading suspense.

1. Swans

Before reading Haven of Swans by Colleen Coble, I thought swans were beautiful. Graceful. Peaceful. The kind of bird you might see gliding across a lake while inspirational music plays in the background.

Now? I have questions.

I’m not saying I’m afraid of every swan.But if I see one staring at me from across a pond, I may start mapping out an escape route. Because if Colleen Coble taught me anything, it's that swans look a lot more pleasant than they actually are. Their territorial nature and knife-like beaks don't make them the most hospitable creatures on earth.

Alfred Hitchcock gave me a healthy fear of all birds, but Colleen Coble gave me a specific fear of swans.

2. Driving Over Bridges

After reading Raging Waters by Dana Mentink, I developed a brand-new appreciation for solid ground. Bridges were never my favorite thing, but I used to view them as a normal part of driving. You approach one. You drive across it. You continue with your day.

Simple.

Suspense novels have added several unnecessary questions to this process: What is underneath the bridge? What if the weather changes suddenly? What if the road is damaged?What if my car breaks down at the worst possible moment? What if someone is following me and tries to bump my car off the bridge? What if the bridge is not nearly as trustworthy as it appears?

Now, whenever I drive across a bridge, I find myself paying far more attention than necessary.

I drive with my window rolled down in case the car ends up submerged and I need to quickly swim to safety. I’m checking the water. Checking my mirrors. Mentally calculating whether turning around would be socially acceptable.

It’s not that I think every bridge is dangerous. I just think bridges have a lot of opportunities to become dangerous, and suspense authors are very creative people.

3. Remote Cabins in the Woods

I used to think that a vacation to a cabin in the woods or mountains sounded relaxing. Beautiful scenery. No traffic. No neighbors.

Wait.

No neighbors?

That used to sound peaceful. Now it sounds like the opening chapter of a suspense novel. Specifically, Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl.

Now, I see a remote cabin vacation completely differently. Because if I scream, who is going to hear me? The nearest town is probably thirty miles away. I probably wouldn't have any cell service out in the sticks. The power goes out during a storm. And the only person who knows I'm there is the suspiciously friendly owner who said, “People don’t usually stay in that cabin this time of year.”

Absolutely not. I’ll take a hotel. With a front desk, security cameras, and at least three coffee shops in driving distance.

4. Nice People

Suspense novels in general have made me deeply suspicious of people who seem too nice. You know the type. They bring cookies. They offer helpful advice. They have an excellent reputation in the community. They smile until their cheeks must ache.

And somewhere around chapter twenty-three, you discover they have been hiding something behind that smile and that squeaky-clean reputation for the last decade. Spoiler alert whatever they're hiding is never good. They aren't secret philanthropists or animal rescuers. Typically, they're hiding dead bodies in the basement or garage.

Now, when someone is unusually helpful, a tiny part of my brain whispers: What are they covering up?

To be clear, I still appreciate kindness. I just think everyone should provide a brief background check along with their homemade banana bread. It would save time.

The Price We Pay for Loving Suspense

The truth is, I wouldn’t trade suspense novels for anything. I love the twists, the danger, the secrets, and the moments that make me stay awake far too late because I have to know what happens next. If the occasional book leaves me suspicious of swans or nervous while driving over a bridge, that’s a small price to pay.

Besides, irrational fears are part of the fun. They remind us that a good suspense novel doesn’t end when we close the book. Sometimes it follows us into everyday life. Sometimes it changes the way we look at a quiet lake. It makes us check the lock on the door twice.

And sometimes it makes us wonder whether that swan across the pond is watching us…

Or waiting to strike.

What irrational fear has a suspense novel given you?

Tell me in the comments. I need to know whether I’m the only one avoiding swans and side-eyeing bridges. Your comment will enter you in a drawing for an ebook copy of The Purple Nightgown.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

What’s Your Favorite Season For Suspense

August has a way of making me dream about cooler days. After weeks of heat and humidity, I find myself looking forward to crisp autumn mornings, colorful leaves, and that first cup of coffee that actually stays hot for more than five minutes.

It got me thinking about something else—does the season in which a story is set change your reading experience?

As a reader, I’m partial to fall and Christmas stories, but I do enjoy ones set in every season They each bring something different to the page.

Spring is full of possibility. New beginnings make it the perfect backdrop for mysteries that uncover long-buried secrets. My novel Unsolved Amish Abduction begins in the spring, when life is starting anew, yet danger is lurking just beneath the surface.

Summer can be deceptive. Bright sunshine, family vacations, festivals, and picnics don't seem like the setting for a suspense novel, but that's exactly what makes summer mysteries so effective. The contrast between idyllic days and dark secrets can make the danger feel even more unsettling. Among the Innocent unfolds during the summer, when appearances can be wonderfully misleading.

Autumn has always felt like mystery season to me. Maybe it's the shorter days, falling leaves, or the hint of winter in the air. There's something about October that practically begs for a good suspense novel and a cozy blanket. Grave Peril is set during the fall, a season that naturally lends itself to suspense.

Then there's winter. Snow can isolate people, icy roads can delay help, and long nights create the perfect atmosphere for tension. Add Christmas to the mix, and the contrast between holiday celebrations and hidden danger makes for a compelling story. Shattered Amish Identity takes place during the Christmas season, where hope and heartache often walk hand in hand.

As a writer, I don't consciously choose a season because I think readers will like it more. Instead, I let the story tell me where it belongs. Sometimes the weather becomes almost another character, shaping the mood, creating obstacles, or even offering clues.

As a reader, though, I do notice that my choices often match the calendar. I tend to reach for lighter reads in the spring, beach reads and page-turners in the summer, mysteries and thrillers in the fall, and cozy or atmospheric suspense during the winter. Of course, there are always exceptions—a great story is a great story, no matter what the thermometer says.

How about you?

Do you have a favorite season to read about? Do you enjoy snowy mysteries, spooky autumn thrillers, sunny summer suspense, or stories filled with the promise of spring? Or does the season make no difference as long as the story keeps you turning the pages?

Comment for a chance to win an eBook of the winner’s choice from one of these seasonal suspense novels: