Melissa here. I’m in a Facebook group for readers, and recently someone posted something interesting. They asked what pet peeves everyone has in books. That got me thinking, and yeah…I have a few pet peeves.

1. The word “suddenly.” This is almost always lazy writing. Don’t tell me something happened suddenly. Show me. Make me jump out of my chair in surprise.
2. Lots of exclamation marks!!!!!! All over the place. All the time. It feels exhausting! They’re okay here and there but not everywhere (maybe 2-3 per book, if that).
3. “Bit her lip” to show anxiety. How many people do you know who actually bite their lip when they're anxious?
4. Dialogue tags other than “said” and “asked.” You can get away with “whispered” or “yelled” here and there where it’s important to clarify tone, but the vast majority of the time, “said” gets the job done. People kind of read over it, and that’s what you want from a dialogue tag—identify the speaker and disappear.
5. Blushed. Who actually blushes? I’m pale, and I have blushed, but I literally can remember one or two instances in my whole 47 years.
6. Feeling “bile rise in his throat” to show being upset. Is that even a thing?
7. Using very specific color descriptions: cerulean, puce, etc. Let’s just say blue and pink, shall we? Maybe add a qualifier like soft or bright—the reader will understand that and not have to Google cerulean (like I literally just did).
8. “Nodded her head.” Just say “she nodded.” What else is she going to nod other than her head?
9. Too much use of “ing”. I’ve not finished books because every single sentence is constructed the same way, and it’s often done incorrectly. “Sweeping the floor, she took out the trash.” Those actions most likely did not happen at the same time (unless she has three arms), but that’s what the construction implies.
10. The word “balm,” especially “balm to her soul.” It’s an unusual word and used SO MUCH in historical novels. It’s probably irrational, but I just don’t like it.
11. ANY overused phrase. If it feels unique, it should be used ONCE in the book. Any non-unique phrasing should still be used sparingly in one book to avoid feeling repetitive. The idea is for the reader to forget they are reading a fictional book. If they notice the writing, that takes them out of suspension of disbelief. Suspension of disbelief allows them to live in the story for a while (in the story, not the writing).

Am I being crazy with any of these (I do reserve the right to be crazy).

Do you have any other pet peeves?

Hopefully, I have not used any of your pet peeves in any of my books! (My one allotted exclamation mark for this post.)

Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books. She and Corey, her husband of twenty-five years, and their young daughter live in Yulee, Florida, where they do their best not to melt in the sun. Find more information on her books at MelissaKoslin.com.

Descended (romantic suspense, borderline speculative)

Ancient bloodlines, secret societies, an attempt on her life, and a familiar yet enigmatic stranger…

Descended

The Lost Library (romantic suspense)

Cali Lebeau and her employer, billionaire recluse Asher Cross, discover a terrorist organization is searching for the legendary Golden Library of Moscow in order to use it for nefarious purposes. It was stolen from them by Calie's ancestor, and she holds a clue to its location. In order to free herself and Asher, Calie must race against the terrorists, find the library, and share it with the world.

The Lost Library

Dangerous Beauty (romantic suspense)

Meric Toledan keeps his dark past and his secrets to himself. But when he meets Liliana Vela, a victim of human trafficking, he finds himself ready to protect her at all costs--including asking for her hand in marriage.

Dangerous Beauty

Never Miss (romantic suspense)

A female former sniper saves a man’s life and, with him, falls into a search for the true source of the Ebola virus before it’s used to cripple America, all while discovering the truth about each other and their pasts.

Never Miss

 

SUSPENSE SISTERS: FEBRUARY GIVEAWAY

Suspense Sisters: February Giveaway

Finding Writing Inspiration in Conspiracy Theories

I recently stumbled across a conspiracy theory that has bent my brain. Photos of celebrities and historical figures that bear a striking resemblance to one another. One doppelgänger might be considered a coincidence, but as I tumbled further down the worm hole, the sheer number of side-by-side images sent a tickle up my spine. Here are just a handful of the photos that brought bits and pieces of story ideas to life. 

The first picture shows Alec Baldwin on one side and President Millard Fillmore on the other. The resemblance is jarring. 

Donald Trump looks an awful lot like Elvis Presley. 

Ryan Gosling could easily pass as a close relation of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. 

Robin Williams and TikTokker Uncle Pappy look the same and have the same voice. Many on TikTok fully believe that Robin Williams retired the character of Robin Williams and is living a quiet life as Uncle Pappy until he resurfaces again in Hollywood someday. 

So many other photos show current Hollywood elites and politicians who look just like Hollywood elites and politicians of the past.  

There are a few running theories in conspiracy theorist circles that try to explain how these seemingly carbon copied faces might be jumping through historical timelines. Some think that celebrities are vampires who remain youthful through terrible means. Others claim that celebrities are nothing more than fallen angels wearing human flesh, immortal and changing identities to avoid letting regular people notice their agelessness. Then, of course, there's the theory that they're being cloned. 

If I wanted to write a fantasy suspense, I'd use the vampire theory. At first, the vampire theory seemed to bleed too far into fairytale (pun intended) for the suspense I typically write, but the recent release of the Epstein files and all the horrors they contain make the idea of vampires feel almost reasonable. (Note the resemblance between Jeffrey Epstein and Andrew Jackson above.) 

The fallen angel option is an interesting one, too. Like the vampire option, this brings with it the idea of immortality and offers an explanation for why people throughout history have looked alike. Down to the scars on some celebrities' faces, they line up in a scary way. The more I consider it, the more I think it would be fun to run with this idea. Spiritual warfare could play a part and fans of Frank Peretti might like it. 

The use of cloning to ultimately explain the doppelgängers would make for an interesting Sci-Fi suspense novel. The thing about Sci-Fi that I don't particularly care for is how much research I'd have to do to understand cloning. 

Setting writing aside, these photos still raise questions. I realize all these options are conspiracy theories, but the funny thing about conspiracies is that people think they're crazy until they're proven right. Will we learn someday that fallen angels walk among us or that more cloning is going on than we think?

Comment below with a conspiracy theory you think would make an interesting story to be entered for a chance to win a copy of The Purple Nightgown!

WHATS HOT IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

Wondering what's new in inspirational mystery and suspense? Our fearless leader, Nancy Mehl, has a new suspense, Dark Design, #2 in the Erin Delaney Mystery series, recently released from Bethany House. 

Here's a little bit about the story: As she began to lose consciousness, she realized that she'd just made a very serious mistake. . . .
She tried to call out for help, but she couldn't see anyone on the shore.
There was no one to save her. When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has mimicked the murder portrayed in her bestselling novel, she joins her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI profiler, in Virginia. Their reunion, only a few months after fending off an eerie killer in the woods of Tennessee, is bittersweet, as Kaely has been tasked by the FBI to recruit Erin's help to identify a suspect. The FBI's team is stumped by the murderer who re-creates killings from the books of multiple authors, with only ominous notes left behind. As Erin is drawn further into the web of fear and chaos, Kaely begins to fear for Erin's safety.

On top of tracking down a murderer, Erin must shoulder the weight of a haunted past and claims that she stole the plot of her novel from one of her sources. As she struggles on multiple fronts, the enemy looms closer than ever--and Erin's life hangs in the balance.

"Readers will be riveted by this non-stop, twisty thriller."--Elizabeth Goddard on Shattered Sanctuary

Bestselling author Nancy Mehl threads a plot of police investigations and shadowy evidence with heart-drumming suspense in this clean, high-stakes read that will thrill fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard.

You can buy Dark Design #2 in the Erin Delaney Mystery series HERE from Christianbook.com

Have a great week of reading, lovers of inspirational suspense and mystery! ~ Mary Ellis

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

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

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

Wednesday, we’ll hear from author A.D. Lawrence who will talk about finding story inspiration from conspiracy theories. She’s also giving away a copy of THE PURPLE NIGHTGOWN.

Step into True Colors -- a series of Historical Stories of Romance and True American Crime

Marvel at true but forgotten history when patients check into Linda Hazzard's Washington state spa in 1912 and soon become victim of her twisted greed.

Heiress Stella Burke is plagued by insincere suitors and nonstop headaches. Exhausting all other medical aides for her migraines, Stella reads Fasting for the Cure of Disease by Linda Hazzard and determines to go to the spa the author runs. Stella's chauffer and long-time friend, Henry Clayton, is reluctant to leave her at the spa. Something doesn't feel right to him, still Stella submits herself into Linda Hazzard's care. Stella soon learns the spa has a dark side and Linda a mean streak. But when Stella has had enough, all ways to leave are suddenly blocked. Will Stella become a walking skeleton like many of the other patients or succumb to a worse fate?

ORDER IT HERE 

Friday. Suspense Sisters Melissa Koslin talks about her pet peeves in fiction. Do you agree with her picks? Do you have any others? Here’s a little about her latest release, DESCENDED.

Thousands of miles from home, Isa sees a man who looks intensely familiar. After she thwarts an attempt on her life, she escapes down the mountain with the familiar man, Xander, and he explains about four ancient bloodlines, each with its own unique set of skills: Cicero, Solomon, Sun Tzu, and Lilith. He belongs to a secret society devoted to observing and recording, but never interfering. Until now.

As Isa fights to survive, she grows close to Xander. She learns of her abilities passed down through blood and struggles to uncover the truths of her past. She decides she has to put a stop to the killing of the bloodlines and protect Xander from any further harm…even if it kills her. But will the truth of the killer's motivations and identity be too much to handle?

ORDER IT HERE 

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest!

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS

Review of Raging Waters by Dana Mentink

 Last week, I had the opportunity to read Raging Waters by Dana Mentink, and the story blew me away! This is the first of Dana's books I've read, and it made me want to read everything she's ever written. 

Back Cover Blurb:

When Mackenzie Bardine's brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing "Bullseye," the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron's best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.

While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he's certainly not interested in helping her after he's already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron's fatal choices, but not for the reasons Mackenzie suspects.

As killers begin to circle Mackenzie like sharks, it's clear to Gideon she's in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can't bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.

There were so many things to love about Raging Waters, so I'll limit myself to three. 

1.) I love that Raging Waters is not just suspenseful because of a killer. So much of the nail-biting stems from the flood and fight for survival. It's not very often I run across a story that includes the element of surviving nature as well as a villain, and I must say, it adds a lot to the plot. When danger is literally hitting from all sides, the stakes are high, and I can't turn the pages quickly enough. 

2.) The characters in Raging Waters are memorable. For starters, the characters have much better survival skills than I would in their situation. I'm pretty certain I would have collapsed and longed for the sweet release of death a third of the way into the perils they faced. Not only were the characters skillful, they also had deep wounds and personal hurdles to overcome. Mackenzie, in particular, had big goals, but those goals often conflicted with the severity of the storm and the persistence of the villain, which created major problems and gave so much room for growth. Both Mackenzie and Gideon made me feel the gamut of emotions as the story unfolded. They didn't feel one dimensional. Instead, they behaved like real people, and I loved it!

3.) Dana's writing style set Raging Waters apart, in my opinion. Not only is her voice unique and fun to read, but her ability to write such extreme weather in a believable way made me feel as if I had been plunged into the middle of the story right along with Gideon and Mackenzie. At certain points of the book, I was left shivering even though I was huddled under a blanket. From beginning to end, this story pulled me in, and I was sad to reach the final page. 

I can't recommend Raging Waters enough! It releases on March 3rd, and you can pre-order a copy here. 

Comment below with your favorite book for a chance to win an eBook copy of Raging Waters.