Welcome Elizabeth Goddard

 Hi everyone! Today Elizabeth Goddard is visiting and I asked her a few questions that she graciously answered. But first a little bit about Beth, as I usually call her.

Elizabeth Goddard is a muliti-published and award-winning author. We happen to be published by the same publisher--Baker/Revell Books. She also writes for Harlequin's Inspirational line--Love Inspired Suspense. Here's Elizabeth's story in her own words:

A reader once told me that when she feels down, she picks up one of my books. She knows it will take her away from her troubles, at least for a while. That made me smile because I understand the need to ride on the winds of imagination. As a reader, I enjoy a novel that will whisk me away to another time and place.

I’ve often heard this response to my novels, which confirms what my ministry of words is about—telling stories set in unique locations and filled with adventure and suspense. Stories that infuse with a sense of hope and redemption. Stories that leave you with a spiritual nugget to take away.

Isn’t that what Jesus did when He told His parables?

Elizabeth's Story

I’m a seventh-generation Texan and grew up in a small town in East Texas once considered the world’s richest acre because of the oil produced on one acre downtown. There were so many oil pumps in my hometown that every night their gentle hum lulled me to sleep.

For a brief few years I lived in Oregon, the setting from which I draw many of my stories. God placed the desire to write within me from an early age. That, along with the love of reading, of course. My mother kept bookshelves filled with books she loved reading as girl, passing that love down to her daughter. Others influenced my life, as well. My third grade teacher read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle to the class—such a beloved and zany story—I couldn’t wait to share it with my children. Only two years later I tackled two adult novels: 2001 A Space Odyssey (admittedly it took five tries before I made it through) and The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I remember spending entire summers doing nothing but reading novels, and sometimes reading the ones I loved more than once!

In addition to reading voraciously, I wrote poetry and numerous stories, even starting my first romance novel at fourteen. My English teachers entered me in UIL creative writing contests, so I’ve been writing off and on for years. But it wasn’t until 2001, when I had three small children at home, that I began to seriously pursue writing a novel for publication. That’s been a few years ago and now my kiddoes (add another one to the mix for a total of four) are mostly all grown,  and I’m still writing and going strong!

I have the Lord to thank for giving me the dream to write novels and for making it come true. My stories have been finalists in contests, but in 2011, my romantic mystery The Camera Never Lies won the prestigious Carol Award in the mystery category. I thank my Lord and Savior for installing this creative gift within me and letting me use it in such a big way. I encourage you to dream big, and follow those dreams He gives you.

Now onto our interview: 

Me: When did you start writing?

Elizabeth: I’ve always been a writer at heart, but I didn’t start pursuing publication until I became a stay-at-home mom. I spent my twenties traveling the country for my job, and I think I had a hard time letting go of a business mindset, and it was then I turned that secret dream of being a writer—a dream God planted in my heart. In 2001, I joined the then-fledgling organization, American Christian Romance Writers—now ACFW (fiction writers versus romance writers). I joined am ACFW critique group which turned out to be such a blessing. All the writers in the group are now multi-published authors. My signed my first contract in 2006 and that means this year I’ve been in publishing for twenty years! 

Me: Why romantic suspense novels?

Elizabeth: I’ve always loved reading them and I think that started with my love of the gothic novels written by Daphne Du Maurier, the Bronte sisters, Phyllis A. Whitney and Victoria Holt. Intrigue and suspense and a bit of romance mixed in. In my opinion, romantic suspense novels have everything you could want! 

Me: What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?

Elizabeth: There are a lot of hard parts of any kind of writing! Balancing writing and life for one, but I think for romantic suspense, the hardest part of me is just starting. Where do I start the story so that the readers will connect immediately with my heroine. Right after I answer these questions, I’m going to dive into my first chapter of a brand-new book. I don’t like to do an information dump but let the reader discover the backstory as they read.  A romantic suspense has to carry a lot of layers—all the suspense and mystery (if there is a mystery), faith elements since I’m a Christian writing for that market, and the romance. I don’t want the romance to be heavier than the suspense and I try to write 50/50 romance and suspense. 

Me: How long does it generally take you to write a novel?

Elizabeth: I guess the bigger question is what do you mean by “write a novel”? Define a novel—the rough draft or a publishable manuscript? Ha ha! I recently took a course on “how to write a novel in 30 days” because I thought---hey, I need to know what their secret is. Turns out, that the writer researched and plotted for six months and then the actual writing took thirty days. For me, I consider all parts of the writing process to include—letting the premise brew, thinking about the characters and on and on, so I’m doing that even while I’m writing on the book that comes before. 

But I get that you’re asking how long it takes me once I sit down and put my mind to it. If I didn’t have interruptions in life, it might take me a month to write the first draft, and then more time to polish and edit, but life. . . right? We have to live it. I write a messy, rough draft over about three months (because I’m not glued to the chair), and then the last month before it’s due, I’m going through and editing and polishing and spend many hours a day on that part, and it’s very intense. I don’t care if I’m given nine months to write a book, this last month or two before it’s due, I’m going to be glued to the chair to make sure the rough draft is polished and is a “publishable” story before I turn it in. Then, of course, it goes through multiple edits via my publisher. How’s that for an answer? Short answer. One to two months for the rough. More months for the polish. 

Me: Oh, wow! Are you a pantser or plotter or somewhere in between?

Elizabeth: I definitely lean more toward pantsing. I usually begin with a strong premise, a few loose turning point possibilities (nothing set in stone), and a sense of where the story is headed, but I also leave room for discovery along the way. I’m always thinking ahead to what would work and coming up with scene ideas and possible twists. Some of the best twists and emotional moments happen while I’m in the middle of writing---and more often, while I’m washing dishes! I give myself a lot of room to change course. 

Me: That's amazing. What would you fear the most if Homeland Security went through your computer?

Elizabeth: Ha ha! What a great question. Honestly my biggest fear would be their complete and utter surprise that someone like me could even write the stories I write, and I’m sure they’d probably just laugh off all my research. 

Me: What’s the most rewarding or frustrating thing about writing?

Elizabeth: The most rewarding part is hearing from readers who connected with a story—especially when they say a book encouraged them, gave them hope, or stayed with them after they finished. I love it when I hear “I loved it” or “It’s unputdownable”—those words really set my heart soaring. The most frustrating part is trying to translate the story in my head onto the page exactly the way I imagine it—I have such great ideas but getting that on the page often feels impossible. 

Me: What are you working on now?

Elizabeth: As mentioned earlier, I’m about to dive into writing a new book—Mercy Ridge book 3, with a tentative title of Where the Fault Lies. I LOVE that title. Doesn’t it just give you goosebumps? I loved writing the Hidden Bay Series, but now I’m already on book 3 of a brand-new series. My stories often feature rugged landscapes, hidden danger, and characters who must face both external threats and personal wounds. I’m always drawn to settings where the beauty is breathtaking—and so is the danger. The Mercy Ridge series is set in the Cascade Mountains—but wait. . ., let’s talk about my current book. Next question . . .

Me: Tell us about your current book.

Elizabeth: My current book is DEADLY CURRENTS, book 3 in my Hidden Bay series, set on the Washington Coast. I love the Hidden Bay series and honestly, after writing Missing in Alaska, I was afraid that readers wouldn’t love the new series as much, but they do and even more, I think. My editor loved it the best in the series. I had so much fun writing it and was afraid I might have stepped out of my lane, but nope—it worked well!  

Deadly Currents follows investigative journalist Cressida Dane as she arrives in Hidden Bay to complete her late father’s manuscript on shipwrecks. While looking into the mystery of the ghost ship Specter’s Bounty, she uncovers secrets that put her in serious danger. County detective Braden Sanders is assigned to protect her, but as they dig deeper, they realize the truth is far more dangerous than either of them expected. It’s a story of buried secrets, rising danger, and romance forged in the middle of danger. I hope you love the surprise ending! Let me know!

Me: Anything you want to add?

Elizabeth: I’m grateful every time a reader picks up one of my books. Writing romantic suspense is more than telling an exciting story for me—it’s about weaving hope, courage, and faith into the middle of danger and uncertainty. Life can feel that way sometimes too, and I love reminding readers that even in the darkest moments, God is still at work.

Please subscribe to my newsletter over at my website (https://elizabethgoddard.com) so you can get the latest news on upcoming releases. 

Okay folks, that wraps up our interview. I hope you've enjoyed it. Leave a comment (with your contact information), and I'll enter you in a drawing for a print copy of Deadly Currents.

Vickie Watts is the winner of the library mug from last month!

CHRISTIAN, CLEAN OR GENERAL FICTION?

 By Patricia Bradley

I'm getting ready for a writing retreat with fourteen other romantic suspense writers in the Great Smoky Mountains, and so I thought I'd ask what type of fiction your prefer and share your answers with my writer friends: Christian, clean or general fiction.

I hesitated to tell you my preference since I didn't want to influence you, but you would probably figure it out since it's what I write. Or not. This is from someone who has always read almost anything, even the backs of cereal boxes when I was a kid (haven't grown up yet, either). 

And the answer is...I read all of the above, but I prefer Christian or clean. I usually only read general fiction when I'm doing research and I know the author had done their work...like for Deadly Revenge. I needed to research how to blow up a dam so I read Wet Desert: Tracking Down a Terrorist on the Colorado River by Gary Hansen, a general fiction book. Boy, did I learn a lot about dams and how to blow them up! And it was an interesting book.

Okay, Suspense readers, which do you prefer and why (If you don't mind saying so)? Leave your answers in the comments along with your contact information and I'll enter you in a drawing for Deadly Revenge. You can click on the graphic below to read about it.

 

 

 

MEET THE AUTHOR, DR. STEVE HOOLEY

 by Patricia Bradley

Dr. Steve Hooley, author of the Mad River Magic Series, joins us to talk about writing books for middle-grade readers--he's giving a Kindle copy away today to someone who leaves a comment. There is suspense and mystery in his stories!

And in his spare time, he handcrafts beautiful pens. You can check out his Legacy Pens made from antique and historic wood dating back to the 1700s here.

Steve Hooley is a physician/writer living in rural western Ohio, the setting for the Mad River Magic series. He and his wife have five children and seven grandchildren, who have inspired his stories.

Steve, many of my readers have asked if I had any books I could recommend for middle-grade readers, and until I met you, I didn't. I'm so glad that's changed. So what got you interested in writing?

I first became interested in writing as a junior in high school. We had a new English teacher, Miss Warner. It was her first year out of college, so of course the guys in the class were excited. Some of us created a ghost student, John Kauffman. John turned in papers for every homework assignment, with a lot of short stories, and a lot of pushing the boundaries. When the teacher began reading John’s papers to the class, it became even more fun. John got an A for the year, and was never uncovered.

After high school, I turned my interest to premed in college, med school, and residency. Then, in 2009, my father had a 90th birthday coming. He had written his memoirs of his work during WWII in Egypt and Ethiopia. He never published it, and had lost the digital file. I found one of the printed copies of his manuscript, had my daughter type it into an up-to-date version of Word, then set out to edit it over the next few months. I had the edited file printed, and we presented him with his book on his birthday, September 29, 2009. His dementia was severe by that time, but the look on his face when we gave him a box of his books to autograph was priceless. It was then that I knew I wanted to write.

I took a correspondence course, read every book on writing I could get my hands on, and began attending the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conferences. I took a second course on writing novels and turned to suspense. My first book was bought by a small press, which quickly went bankrupt. I had been following The Kill Zone blog with a lot of indie writers. I decided to go indie, and turned to Middle Grade Fantasy.

Why Middle Grade Fantasy?

I had seven grandchildren by then. I wanted to create a series that my grandchildren could grow into. So, I set out to write advanced middle-grade to early YA with content that would challenge them to face current issues, but avoid sex and profanity. I call it “clean teen fantasy.”

I’ve written six books in the Mad River Magic series, plus a prequel and a sequel (originally written for Vella, not yet published as a print or eBook). The rough draft of #7 is finished, and I’ve begun editing. 

What’s the hardest part of writing Middle Grade Fantasy?

For me, the hardest part was (and still is) learning how middle grade characters communicate. I have been fortunate to find middle school and high school teachers who will allow their honors students to be beta readers.

That is a great beta-reader group. How long does it take you to write a novel?

I started at about one per year. Then I got serious, with the goal of two a year, but I found that I was sitting all day and not getting enough exercise. My goal is now back to one a year, writing in the mornings, and being up on my feet and active in the afternoons.

Good plan--sitting is the new smoking! Are you a pantser or a plotter or somewhere in between?

I’m in between. I do a lot of planning before I start outlining, make a detailed outline, then begin writing. I find that I am constantly rewriting my outline because the story wants to go in another direction.

Which is why I don't outline. <G> Tell us about Bolt

Bolt is the daredevil on crutches who learned how to fly. With inclusion of characters that are based on my grandchildren (now nine of them), I needed a main character who wasn’t a cousin, so that I didn’t play favorites. Some of the stories don’t include all the cousins, but Bolt is always in the stories.

Bolt has Becker Muscular Dystrophy, which is often late onset (compared to Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy). There is sometimes sparing of upper limb involvement, making for the possibility of being on crutches with weak legs, but strong arms.

Bolt’s father died with Becker Muscular Dystrophy when Bolt was four years old. He is an only child, and his mother works long hours in a restaurant. But the grandparents of the cousins live next door in the magic forest, and Gram and Gramps have adopted Bolt as part of the family. Bolt spends most of his time in his second home.

Partly because of Bolt’s challenges with mobility, Gramps and Bolt and the oldest cousin (Scout) have invented flying “barrel carts” (55-gallon oil drums turned on their side and turned into magic flying machines). The carts are powered by the magic of Omni, the all-knowing invisible presence that goes with the Mad River Magic gang everywhere. And the group's magic spells are based on the language of the Native Americans (Shawnee) who lived in the magic forest over two hundred years ago. Their magic is “light magic,” for good only.

The magic forest reminds me of Narnia. What are you working on now? 

Currently I am working on editing Book #7 in the series. It deals with the dangers of fentanyl and the many creative ways the cartels are using to get the fentanyl into our country.

Wow! Unfortunately, that's a needed subject for middle-graders, and often they will get the message better in story form than preaching. Tell us about the latest book you’ve released.

My latest release was #6 in The Mad River Series, Perfect Strand, in which a Middle Ages wizard plays with genetics in his attempt to achieve immortality. By making arrangements for his descendants to insert his frozen genes into a vaccine, he attempts to spread his DNA to the entire world. The Covid religion and the practice of bleeding is the vehicle. 

That is a great combination for a story! Perfect Strand just went on my TBR table!

Thanks for joining us today for this interesting talk with Steve Hooley. You can find the Mad River Magic Series here.

And you can read Bolt's story for free when you sign up for Steve's newsletter. And if you leave a comment, I'll enter you in a drawing for a digital copy of  The Hemlock Aperture (Mad River Magic Book 1). Be sure to leave your contact info!

One more thing--if you read my Reader Friday blog reviewing The Hemlock Aperture on my website and leave a comment, I'll enter you in a monthly drawing for one of Steve's beautiful hand-crafted pens. And The Hemlock Aperture is free on Kindle the next five days!

The wood for the pen comes from one of the largest hard maple trees in his woodlot. With a trunk of 49 inches in diameter, the tree dates back to before 1750. A large branch was blown from the tree in 2022, and was cut and dried for pen blanks.

The finish is an acrylic varnish mixed with metallic gold pigment. This allows the grain to be seen, but gives a faint golden glitter when held in the light. Three coats of the gold and acrylic are followed by one coat of the acrylic without gold. Then four coats of CA glue (super glue) are applied and polished to give the wet gloss appearance.

The pen is a Slimline kit, using Cross-style refills, allowing a slender look and feel for those who prefer a more delicate pen. Refills can be purchased as generic “Cross-style” refills, 4 ½ inches long. The pen is pulled apart at the middle, and the refill is unscrewed and replaced.

Just click here and leave a comment on the Reader Friday blog!

BOOK REVIEW: Hang on Every Word

Even in a small town, things and people aren't always what they seem. 

This fourth, stand-alone book from Julie Cosgrove's Wordplay mysteries once again marries some of the best things together - mysteries and word puzzles. 

I love them both, so this totally works for me. But let me catch you up to speed. 

Wanda Warner is a closet sleuth that is suddenly not so closet anymore. In fact, she's the head of the neighborhood watch for the whole town of Scrub Oak, Texas, and she takes that role seriously. 

In this fourth stand-alone book of the Wordplay Mysteries, Wanda herself is up against it. Somehow, she has foreknowledge of terrible crimes, and a lot of the townspeople are beginning to doubt her integrity. 

Horrors. 

Here are the details from the back of the book: 

It can't be happening again!

Wanda Warner is delighted to design the wordplay puzzles in The Oakmont Gazette. But when the clues to her Hangman puzzle are used to coordinate robberies, some people in tiny Scrub Oak, Texas wonder if she's masterminding the thefts so she can "solve" them in order to bask in more glory.

Then her own nephew, one of the town's cops, hauls her into the police station as her neighbors look on. The totally embarrassed Wanda is determined to crack this treacherous word puzzle crime spree, but can she do it before her fellow citizens hold a lynch party?

My Take

Since I'm already a fan of word games (Can't get enough of Wordle!) these books are right down my alley. But I also really like the way Mrs. Cosgrove has built consistent characters with realistic responses and genuine friendship. 

Take Wanda for instance. She has a cute little dog. She doesn't forget the dog, draws her into the "at home" scenes, and generally pays attention to her dog. Like a normal person. And she struggles with exercise and her eating habits. She's even been known to put her foot in her mouth and regret a harsh word to a friend. 

Never once does the author paint Wanda outside of those lines. She doesn't change her stripes for the sake of a scene. She's consistently kind, sometimes a little impatient, sincere in her faith, and very sharp. I love it when characters are so real. They make an impact, and their stories (or in this case the entire series) are more memorable for it. 

I also like the interplay between Wanda and her nephew and friends. It isn't the same type of interaction with any of them. Another example of real life. I tend to speak differently to my husband than I do to my grown kids, than I do to my neighbor, than I do to my best friend. So does Wanda. The depth of these characters is keeping readers coming back again and again. 

Add to that a twisted little mystery that kept me guessing to the end. With a well-woven story, I can always reflect and see the details that led to the revelation of the culprit, even if I don't catch them upon the first read. While it's always satisfying to beat the sleuth to the punch, I love being able to plainly see what I missed if I fail. Mrs. Cosgrove does a brilliant job of layering the details that will ultimately make a difference.

I really enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed all of the Wordplay Mysteries. While you don't have to read them in order, it is more fun to watch Wanda's progression through them. 

HANG ON EVERY WORD is available on Amazon as an e-book or a paperback. 

Are you more a fan of cozy mysteries or of word puzzles? Which type of word puzzles do you like the best? (I'm a fan of logic problems along with Wordle!) Share your thoughts in the comments and you might win an e-copy of the first book of this series. 

AN INTERVIEW WITH VIRGINIA VAUGHAN

by Patricia Bradley

Today I want to welcome Virginia Vaughan to the Suspense Sisters' blog! I've known Virginia for several years...was trying to remember when we first met...probably several years ago at an American Christian Fiction Writers conference. She's a really neat person! And she's giving away! So be sure to leave a comment with your contact information!

Me: So, Virginia, what is your favorite part about writing? Least favorite?

Virginia: My favorite part of writing is that moment when you, as an author, get caught up in your story. The words flow so fast and you fall in love with your characters and your plot and can’t wait to share them. For me, that moment often comes after a lot of head banging and trying to figure out who my characters are and what’s going to happen in the story. My least favorite part is the aforementioned struggle to get my story to come together and my character to speak to me. 

Me: How well I know that head-banging time! Are you a Panster or Plotter?

Virginia: At heart, I’m a pantser. I learn about my story as I’m writing it. Those first three chapters are all about exploring and learning for me. However, I’ve had to learn to plot some because my publishers want to know what I’m writing about so I’ve had to learn how to combine my pantser style with a little bit of plotting. 

Me: That had to be hard! What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies? 

Virginia: I love stories! I am, of course, a huge book lover. I also love finding a new show and binge-watching it, reading about and watching True Crime documentaries, and being a backup nanny for my two-year-old granddaughter. 

Me: Those grandbabies are special! Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Virginia: Both. Getting lost in a story or coming up with a new idea really gets me going, but writing is also a lot of work and that can be exhausting. However, it’s still the best job I’ve ever had so I’m not complaining at all about all the work it entails. 

Me: I so agree about it being the best job! What would you like readers to know about your story/characters?

Virginia: Texas Buried Secrets is definitely one of my favorite books I’ve written. It is the last book in my Cowboy Lawmen series, and this hero and heroine have been involved in every book in the series. It was so much fun to watch them grow and lead up to their own story in Texas Buried Secrets, especially since their romance was not planned! I had no idea when I wrote the character of Cecile in book 1, that she would become such a vital part of the series. 

Me: Don't you love it when the characters take on a life of their own? I've just started Texas Buried Secrets and love it! What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Virginia: Read, read, read. And don’t give up. I believe that success in writing is as much about persistence as it is about talent. 

Me: You are so right with your advice! What’s next from you?

Virginia: I have a book releasing in November from Annie’s Fiction called In Too Deep that is part of their Hearts In Peril romantic suspense collection. It takes place on Jekyll Island and was so much fun to write. After that, I’m starting a new series with Love Inspired Suspense called Cowboy Protectors. Book 1, Kidnapped in Texas, releases in January of 2024. 

Me: The Annie's Fiction story sounds really interesting! I've always wanted to go to Jekyll Island! And I can't wait to get started on your next series!

How can readers get in touch with you? 

Virginia: I love to connect with my readers. If you sign up for my newsletter, you'll be the first to know when I have a new book releasing. 

Email Newsletter:   https://bit.ly/3NYqzTl 
Website:  www.virginiavaughanonline.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ginvaughanbooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gin_vaughan
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/virginiavaughan 
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/virginia-vaughan 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/virginiavaughanauthor

 Virginia is giving away a print copy of Texas Buried Secrets (to US residents, digital copy elsewhere) so be sure to leave a comment with your contact information (like pat at ptbradley dot com). She'd like to know what your favorite setting is. Here's more information on Texas Buried Secrets:

An uncovered grave reveals a deadly secret…

Publicly vowing to bring a serial killer to justice, Deputy Cecile Richardson solidifies herself as the criminal’s next target. And when a newly discovered victim is identified, it becomes even more personal for Cecile. She will solve this cold case. Can Sheriff Josh Avery keep her safe long enough to identify and catch the culprit—or will the killer successfully hunt down his prey?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Cowboy Lawmen

Book 1: Texas Twin Abduction

Book 2: Texas Holiday Hideout

Book 3: Texas Target Standoff

Book 4: Texas Baby Cover-Up

Book 5: Texas Killer Connection

Book 6: Texas Buried Secrets

You can find buy links here. Virginia Vaughn's Bio:

Virginia Vaughan is a multi-published author of inspirational romantic suspense. Blessed to come from a large, southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. 

She soon started writing them herself. A former investigator for the State of Mississippi, Virginia utilizes her criminal justice background with her love of writing to transform words into powerful stories of romance and danger. Learn more about Virginia, her books, and her life by visiting her website at www.virginiavaughanonline.com and signing up for her newsletter at https://bit.ly/3NYqzTl 

The winner of last Friday's $10 gift card or Deception is Nancy at allibrary at aol dot com!

 

Interview with Sandra Orchard

 by Patricia Bradley

Hi everyone! Today I'm talking to Sandra Orchard. I've known Sandra for at least eight years, roomed with her once at the Writer's Police Academy where we had a ball! Oh, and she's giving away a copy of one of her previous 24 books!

A little bit about Sandra:

She writes fast-paced, laugh-out-loud whodunits and romantic suspense. Awards for her novels include: a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, a Daphne DuMaurier Award of Excellence, a Holt Medallion Award of Merit, a National Readers’ Choice Award, and several Canadian Christian writing awards. 

When not writing, Sandra hones her imagination by playing make-believe with her young grandchildren. She also enjoys gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and woodworking. 

I asked Sandra a few questios:

Patricia: You’ve been published for several years now. What has being published taught you?

Sandra: Yes, with Boughs of Folly’s release, I’m celebrating the publication of my 25th novel. Writing that many books (and several more besides still in the publishing que) has taught me there is always more to learn, that a story can always be improved, but sometimes you just have to let your baby go. 

Patricia: How well I've learned that one! What is your favorite part about writing. Least favorite.

Sandra: Brainstorming the plot is my favorite part because a realm of possibilities lies open before me free of the dissenting voice that comes later, when making that cool idea work with the rest of the story seems impossible. 

Writing a short synopsis of the story is my least favorite part. 

Patricia: Oohh! I'm with you on both of those! Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Sandra: Both. When the words are flowing, it’s incredibly energizing. Unfortunately, some days getting the story onto the page is akin to pulling teeth and just as painful.

Patricia: You've described it perfectly! :-) You do a lot of research. Where is your favorite place to research?

Sandra: On location! There is nothing like immersing oneself in a setting or shadowing someone in their workplace to gain valuable insights to add depth to a story. Sadly, the pandemic travel restrictions prevented me from traveling to sunny Georgia to research the setting for Boughs of Folly.

Patricia:  I know! This pandemic has been terrible! What would you like readers to know about your story/characters?

Sandra: Boughs of Folly is part of a three-book Jingle Bells Mysteries set, in time to celebrate Christmas in July or to stock up for early Christmas gifts. :-) These are cozy mysteries with a dash of romance written from a Christian worldview. The characters and setting are from the realm of Annie’s Fiction’s popular Chocolate Shoppe Mysteries. They’re a fun revisit with old friends for readers of that series, but each book stands alone. 

Patricia: I love Annie's Fiction! And Boughs of Folly sounds like a great book! What’s next from you?

Sandra: First, I’d like to mention that Boughs of Folly is my 25th book, and I’m celebrating this milestone by giving away 25 books!!! 

Please visit my blog for all the details, but don’t delay, because the rafflecopter giveaway for 10 copies of Boughs of Folly ends on Father’s Day. Other books will be given away throughout the month to newsletter and Facebook followers and on my blog.

Looking ahead, I have two, yet-to-be-titled romantic suspense releasing in 2023 as part of a new Hearts in Peril series from Annie’s Fiction. Each is a stand-alone novel, and I’m super excited to be writing edge-of-your-seat suspense again, with characters who will find their happily-ever-after in a single book.

Patricia: I'm super excited about that as well! I love your romantic suspense stories!! Thank you so much for being here today!

Readers, you can connect with Sandra Orchard here:

Website: www.SandraOrchard.com 

Link to book:  https://sandraorchard.com/books/1-jingle-bell-mysteries/ 

Social media links: www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard https://www.pinterest.ca/AuthorSOrchard/ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sandra-orchard

You can enter the Rafflecopter for a chance at one of 10 copies of Boughs of Folly!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ad4cf14d11/

AND, Sandra is giving away a  copy of one of her previous books, and if you leave a comment that will enter you in the drawing. Be sure to leave your contact info! (like: pat at  ptbradley dot com)

This Christmas Cozy Mystery

Releases June 25, 2022 as part of a three-book set called Jingle Bells Mysteries (with Klaus for Suspicion and Deck the Hearse)

After spending two decades of Christmas seasons in California, Jillian Green celebrates returning to her family’s antebellum mansion in Georgia by joyfully decking the halls for the upcoming Moss Hollow Merry Mansions Tour. However, Jillian’s holiday cheer takes a nosedive when she discovers her great aunt’s new friend Herbert dead at the base of a tree while he’s helping them string lights.

Although his death appears to be a tragic accident, her great aunt insistently blames foul play, and handsome local coroner Hunter Greyson confirms her suspicions. Needled into action by her aunt, Jillian quickly realizes this case is more tangled than a strand of twinkle lights, and lead after lead winds up in a dead end.

Stressed out by exploring limbs of the victim’s family tree, helping a Chocolate Shoppe Bakery customer track down his high school sweetheart, and worrying about her grandmother’s odd behavior, Jillian feels her holiday spirit slipping away. However, she knows the best way to restore her festive mood is to uncover the killer before someone else in Moss Hollow gets hurt—if she doesn’t, Herbert’s night might not be the only one silenced this Christmas.

MEETING YOUR DEADLINE

 by Patricia Bradley

Well, the book is in and I survived. Barely. I don't know if I've ever told this group, but I've never been good in math. Ever. And working on this book was no exception. 

I thought until late December that I had five months to write the book in. You know, like from January 1 to May 2. That's five months, right?

Like I said, math never was my long suit. It was right after Christmas, like the next day, that I realized that, no, there are not five months from January to May, and yes, I had a book due in four months. 

I had zip so far.

So what does a writer do when they have a deadline and are behind? BICFOK--Behind in chair, fingers over the keyboard. And that's what I did from January 1 to May 16--behind in a chair with my fingers over the computer. I discovered if I showed up, so would God. And on May 16 (after my editor was gracious enough to extend the deadline two weeks) I turned the book in.

This book will release in the Spring of 2023. My working title was Counter Attack, and time will tell if they go along with me on that. In spite of being pushed, I really enjoyed writing the book and actually still liked it when I read it for the 5th time. :-) Of course, I'll read it several more times before it's released.

So my question to you is, what do you do when you have a deadline and realize you're already behind? Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for a copy of Book 3 in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, Crosshairs!

Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next target--nor that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley continues her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series with a story about how good must prevail when evil just won't quit.

INTERVIEW WITH Dr. RICHARD MABRY

Patricia Bradley here and I'm so excited to interview Dr. Richard Mabry, a former Suspense Sister contributor. I've always enjoyed Richard's books and was really excited to learn when he decided to write another one. 

Richard and his wife live in North Texas. In addition to occasional efforts (thus far without results) to improve his golf game, he tries to convince his family that sitting at his desk staring into space does indeed represent work. 

I decided to ask him a few questions about that work.

Patricia: You’ve been published for several years now. What has being published taught you?

Richard: When I got that first phone call from my agent, I was understandably thrilled, but I soon learned that, even though my manuscript was accepted, it was not ready for publication. I then was introduced to the “editorial letter,” otherwise known as “why authors contemplate suicide.” Pretty quickly, I accepted the fact that novels may be written by one person, but it truly takes a village of people to complete them. And with every novel since, whether under contract by a recognized house or independently published, I’ve learned that one person does not publish a novel.

Patricia: That is so right and I love your description of the "editorial letter." What is your favorite part about writing. Least favorite.

Richard: Least favorite: coming up with plot points to keep things going. Most favorite: editing (believe it or not), because by and large the plot is set, and I just have to improve it.

Patricia: I knew we thought alike. Editing is my favorite part, too. Are you a Panster or Plotter?

Richard: Mainly pantser. I have a single idea, populate the story, come up with a great (I hope) ending, and then let the characters take over.

Patricia: You do! What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

Richard: I used to play golf, but some hip bursitis has minimized that lately. So I read and re-read some of my favorite mystery and detective stories.

Patricia: Golf has never been one of my vices. lol Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Richard: Initially, it energizes me and gives me a reason to get going in the morning. But occasionally it’s exhausting—especially if I’ve written myself into a corner.

Patricia: I know those corners well! You do a lot of research. Where is your favorite place to research?

Richard: Since I write stories built around medicine, and it’s been quite a while since I was in active practice, I have to be up on the latest things (many of which we didn’t have while was in practice). My computer is the best way to do that—it’s much faster than looking for something written in a library (and much more up-to-date).

Patricia: I really appreciate your diligence in making sure what you write is correct. What would you like readers to know about your story/characters?

Richard: All my characters are flawed, in one way or another. But, as I’ve often said, God uses us despite our flaws—otherwise, He’d have no one to use.

Patricia: I love that! What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Richard: Make everything you produce better than the last. Don’t give up. It’s often being in the right place at the right time, rather than just producing a novel.

Patricia: I agree 100%. What’s next from you?

Richard: I thought I was through with this by now, but my wife convinced me otherwise. Now I’m toying with a novel about a doctor who failed at baseball…or did he fail there?

Patricia: That sounds intriguing! You can purchase here.

Dr. Mabry is giving away a digital copy of Medical Mystery to someone who leaves a comment. Be sure to leave you contact email in the comment-- i.e. you at your email address dot com 

And be sure to check out my blog (www.ptbradley.com/blog) Friday for my review of Medical Mystery! 

When her phone rang, Diane Macklin wondered what her sister wanted now. Then, she heard that their mother was in the Emergency Room with a heart problem.

The doctor tending to her mother was Dr. Joe Adams, who was far from Diane’s idea of the family doctor. He had been alone since his first wife had died, and was apparently heaven-sent as a mate for Diane, if she could only get past the trauma of her previous near-miss at the altar.

The heart problem was hard to solve initially, the subsequent difficulty turned out to be murder, and affected the lives of both Diane and Joe.

***

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, author of “medical mysteries with heart.” He is the author of one non-fiction book, seven novellas, and twelve published novels. His novels have been a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers’ debut novel, finalists for the ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice and Reviewer’s Choice Awards, as well as winner of the Selah Award and the 2017 Christian Retailers Best. 

NATIONAL PARK RANGERS AS HEROES

 by Patricia Bradley

We've had a tough two years and I'm hoping and praying that 2022 will be better! But I did learn a few things during 2020 as I wrote Crosshairs, the book that came out in November. One, if I show up at the computer and make myself write, the words will come. Eventually. Two, I can’t edit what I don’t write. Three, this too shall pass—“And it came to pass” has long been a favorite Bible scripture.

It wasn’t like I didn’t love the story in Crosshairs, more that my mind was paralyzed. I found it easier to spend time on social media or even cleaning the toilets. Before I knew it, it was September and I only had two months to finish the book. 

That’s when I learned the most important lesson—if I practice 1 and 2, the words will add up, ideas will come, and the story will come together, and I will have a completed manuscript and three becomes true.

Another way I lost time was in research. Researching about the Natchez Trace Parkway Rangers and the Investigative Services Branch (ISB) was fascinating, and it was much easier to do that than to pull the words out one word at a time. 

A couple of the things I learned was The ISB, or Investigative Sevices Branch of the NPS has thirty-seven special agents who are regarded as the FBI of the National Park Service. They are spread out all over the US and are sent in when needed, sometimes even undercover.

Another thing I learned, the Natchez Trace Parkway Rangers are separate from the National Park Service, although under the same umbrella. That really changed the way I wrote about them. 

I also learned there's a difference between rangers: there are interpretive rangers--the ones you see the most--they give you all the information about the area you visit. And then there are law enforcement rangers--On the Natchez Trace, they're the ones who carry a gun and give you tickets for driving over 50 miles an hour. lol

Linc is an interpretive ranger with the National Park Service in Natchez, while Ainsley is an ISB Special Agent. Interpretive rangers in the South don’t carry guns which worked well for Linc since I wanted him to be a ranger. Writing this series has changed the way I look at the National Park Service. I’ve always admired rangers, but even more now!

Someone asked me which of the characters in Crosshairs was the hardest to write. I’ll have to say Lincoln Steele was. As a former FBI sniper who suffered from PTSD from almost killing a child and who believed he was responsible for his friend’s suicide, it was hard to flesh out a hero who was no longer a hero—or who at least didn’t see himself as one since he could no longer even hold a gun. Yet, he had to be strong, someone Ainsley, the heroine, could trust. I discovered there are other ways to show strength in a character—like throwing himself in front of Ainsley to protect her. His willingness to do anything to keep her safe showed his true character, and eventually, he came to embrace who he was.

As for Ainsley, she is stubborn. Strong-willed. She didn’t want to admit she had any faults. And she certainly didn’t want to forgive Linc and her father for undermining her singing career. But if she hadn’t lost the singing career, she would never have found her life’s work—that of an elite Investigative Services Branch Special Agent.

I'm giving away a print copy(must have a Continental US address; Digital copy for all others) of Crosshairs to someone who leaves a comment. Tell me if you knew any of this stuff about National Park Rangers. :-) Be sure to leave you email address like this: pat at ptbradley dot com

A VISIT WITH ELIZABETH GODDARD

By Patricia Bradley

I am so excited to interview Elizabeth Goddard on our blog today. Before she got so crazy busy with writing, she was a Suspense Sister and I'm always looking for ways to lure her back. lol. But I understand deadlines and so I kinda understand why she left us.

Okay...last week, Deadly Target, book two in the Rocky Mountain series about three childhood friends, Terra, Erin, and Alex released, and I'm here to tell you, it kept me reading past one two nights in a row to finish it.

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.

Elizabeth, you're a native Texan, but the series takes place in the Montana mountains. Can tell us a little about why you chose Montana?

Yes, I am a native Texan, but I’ve traveled extensively and lived in six states, and currently reside in Washington state. My husband is a Montanan, so I already had a lot of knowledge about Montana and a ready resource in him. As for the locations in the Rocky Mountain Courage series, I created a fictional setting for the stories, but I’ve also been to other locations mentioned, including Boston in Deadly Target, and I live near Puget Sound/Seattle area. Anything else that I didn’t know from firsthand knowledge, I relied on the usual research—books, Internet, YouTube, experts.

Yes, research. What did you learn in doing research for Deadly Target?

Erin is a criminal psychologist who has a crime podcast so I researched and learned a lot about that! I had to listen to several to understand how they worked and to write that additional layer in the story, but before writing this story, I had never listened to a crime podcast. I also took a deeper dive into criminal psychology and all that field of study entails.

When I listened to crime podcasts, one, in particular, brought me to tears and it took me days to get over it. I think that writing suspense can often take us to dark places in order to find the most accurate portrayal of crime and the evils of this world and researching for Deadly Target was no exception.

Oh, wow. Sometimes it's hard for a writer to put her head into the criminal's mind! so what was the fun part about writing Deadly Target?

I had the most fun twisting up the plot. I had ideas in my head about the way I wanted to unfold the layers, and I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off.

Oh, you pulled it off, all right! That book hooked me from the get-go! What's the biggest obstacle you face in writing?

Right now, my biggest challenge is finding the time to write and give my novels the love and care they need. I’m juggling a lot in my life with a big move a few weeks ago and a special needs son, and time is the most valuable commodity. I’m fortunate to have enough experience that I have the rhythm of my stories down, so that helps.

So, what's next for your readers?

Critical Alliance, Rocky Mountain Courage 3 will release next year. I’m working on a new series set in Alaska for Revell, and I also write for Love Inspired Suspense and two books a year release with them.

You are very busy! Thanks for taking the time to visit with us today!

Readers--leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for a copy of Deadly Target! Winner announced next Friday here in the comments. (Must have Continental US Address) And leave your contact information!

Oh, and I'm reviewing Deadly Target on my blog today! Leave a comment and you get two entries for a drawing of Present Danger (That's what I'm giving away on my blog) and Deadly Target!

WHAT'S HOT IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

 By Patricia Bradley

Wondering what's HOT inspirational fiction? Well, two of my favorite genres have releases this week--Romantic Suspense and Cozy!

First, the RS--Susan Sleeman's Night Prey was released October 15!

She lived for upholding the law…

Defense attorney, Malone Rice, doesn’t want to go to her fifteen year class reunion. Attending means running into her former high school flame, now Portland police detective, Ian Blair. But when the committee decides to honor her for her pro-bono work with homeless teens, she knows it would be churlish not to attend. She will have to go and make the best of it.

But now the law won’t save her.

As expected, Ian attends the reunion, but what Malone doesn’t expect—could never expect—is that Ian would find her standing over their classmate’s dead body. Or that she would still have feelings for the once bad-boy of their high school. Ian’s struggling too, between arresting Malone for murder and his age-old attraction to her. He walks a tightrope, until evidence surfaces that the real killer’s still out there, and Malone becomes his prey. Can Ian overcome his feelings to focus and uncover the truth before the killer strikes again and Malone ends up dead?

You can find buy links here.

And my second favorite genre is Cozy Mysteries!

Heather Day Gilbert has a new cozy releasing today! Trouble Brewing sounds great!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

Convinced that the elderly lady in her care didn't die of natural causes, Macy's friend Della determines to look into the broken relationships surrounding the woman. She books a Halloween-themed getaway at a local inn and talks Macy into coming along with her to spy on her prime suspect.

As they join a ghost tour of the candlelit town, Macy and Della feel their guide is a little too fanatical as he shares his spooky tales. He tells the story of the Greenbrier ghost, a newlywed who supposedly came back from the grave to tell her family that her husband murdered her.

When a disturbing apparition makes its presence known, guests at the inn become apprehensive...and for good reason, because soon after, a young bride turns up dead. Although everything points to a copycat killer replicating the historical Greenbrier murder, Macy has her doubts. She's discovered that the inn harbors secrets of its own, and when she pokes into one darkened corner too many, she might not stand a ghost of a chance.

You can find buy links here.

WE LOVE BOOKS!

INTERVIEW WITH JERUSHA AGEN

By Patricia Bradley

Today I'm honored to introduce you to Jerusha Agen who imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. And she's giving away a copy of her latest release, Hidden Danger!

With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives.

Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.

What has being published taught you?

Where do I start? I’ve learned so much through being published. Mostly, I’ve learned patience, perseverance, and to find my affirmation outside of being published.

During twenty years in this publishing industry, I’ve seen my own career take completely unexpected turns and twists, leaving me flummoxed, disappointed, and elated at different moments. And I’ve seen the same happen to many other authors in their publishing journeys.

The path to publication is rarely straight, easy, or predictable. And it never looks the same as someone else’s journey. But a common denominator for most authors is the need to persevere, have patience, and learn to have a steady source of purpose, whether or not one gets published.

Being published by a major house is often the goal for most authors. We dream of it, thinking that once we reach that point, our troubles will be over, and we’ll finally have “made it.” But the truth is that even if God grants you that dream, you’ll still have to cultivate patience, perseverance, and finding your affirmation and worth in Him.

Because even after the “big” contract, you’ll still need to persevere through criticism and closed doors (the editor’s “red pen” is nothing to sneeze at, and don’t forget the harsh reviews after publication). You’ll still need patience (after the contract, it usually takes a long time to see your book in print, and then there’s the wait for future proposals to be considered, etc.).

And you’ll find that you will still struggle with doubt as a writer and perhaps more personally. The doubts may change (what if readers don’t like my second book as well?), but they’ll still be there, rearing their ugly heads.

But you’ll always have an answer for those doubts if your confidence and worth as a writer and as a person are founded in your identity in Christ and in fulfilling His purpose through your writing.

Panster or Plotter?
Plotter! When I first started out as a writer, I was more of a panstser, making things up as I went along. But I got tired of getting stuck while trying to write and of revising. When I gave plotting and outlining a chance, I discovered I could write SO much faster from an outline, I never got stuck without knowing what to write next, and I got to ditch the frustrating revisions.

But something that I’ve realized recently is that, really, all of us writers are both plotters and pansters, we just use those methods at different points in our creative processes.

Some writers, like me, start with the plotting before we get into the writing. But guess what I’m doing when I’m plotting my novel? I’m making up the story as I go! Yep, we plotters are pansters while we’re plotting.

And other writers, known as “pansters,” do their plotting while they’re writing or even after they write the first draft, when they go back through and rearrange and tweak until they get the story they want. So pansters are plotters during part of their process, too.

Both methods are equally creative and suit different personalities!


Do you do a lot of research? If so, what was your favorite part/place to research?

I’m always surprised by how much research I have to do for my stories, even though they’re contemporary fiction (as opposed to research-heavy historical fiction). For Rising Danger, my romantic suspense novel that released in May, I had to do extensive research of river dams. That proved to be a challenge since much of that information is restricted due to security risks!

For my upcoming release, Hidden Danger (the sequel to Rising Danger), I had to research content like narcotics detection dogs, the Drug Enforcement Administration, fixed-base-operators, charter jets, and more.
I think my favorite research, aside from the always fun K-9 research, was learning about how to survive in freezing winter conditions. Why would I need to know that? You’ll have to read

Hidden Danger to find out! 😉

What would you like readers to know about your story/characters?
I enjoy making my characters as realistic as possible, and that means they always have some significant flaws (like all of us real people, right?). The heroine and hero of Hidden Danger are no exception.

Cora Isaksson seems nearly perfect to everyone who knows her. She’s a mature Christian who strives to live out her faith. She also has a sweet, optimistic personality, with a heart that easily and deeply cares for others.
But even Cora has flaws, and when her brother is put in danger, those imperfections are thrown into stark relief. It turns out, even someone like Cora can have blind spots and can fall into a trap of believing something that isn’t true about herself and God.

The hero, Kent Thomson, is a brooding DEA Special Agent who appears to simply be doing his job—working to bring justice to a drug cartel. But his reasons for doing so are deeply personal and sometimes interfere with his judgment, as well as souring his social skills. Take his first impression of Cora Isaksson. He thinks she represents everything he dislikes and sees as weakness. But it may end up that she holds the key to the freedom and redemption he doesn’t know he needs.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?
Cultivate patience and remember your why. The road to publication as a writer can be long, winding, and full of incidents that seem like setbacks. In reality, though, the “setbacks” are God’s way of making sure you end up at the right destination at the right time.

That’s the reason remembering our why is so important. As a Christian author, I write because God has called me to write. I write the stories I believe He wants me to tell. I write for Him, to live in obedience to Him and to glorify Him. Because that’s my why, I know I can trust Him with the results.

If you’re a Christian writer, the same is true for you, too. The results and purpose of your writing may not look like anything you expect or dream, but they will be exactly what God has planned. And that means, no matter what, God will use your writing for its real and best purpose—to glorify Him.

Whether you’re aiming for traditional or independent publishing, or if you’re just aiming to complete your first story or novel, trust God to enable you to accomplish all you need to and enjoy the journey as you wait on Him and His perfect timing.

What’s next for Jerusha Agen?
I’m excited to be launching my romantic suspense novel, Hidden Danger, on November 8! Hidden Danger is Book One in my new Guardians Unleashed Series featuring the elite women and K-9s of the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency. Rising Danger is the prequel to this series, but each book stands alone well.

Next up will be writing Covert Danger, Book Two in the Guardians Unleashed Series, set to release in 2022.

You can find buy links for Rising Danger here and pre-order links for Hidden Danger here.

Jerusha is giving away a copy of Rising Danger to one commenter drawn at random. Why do you think getting the research correct is so important to writers? Is it important to readers? Be sure to leave your contact information, i.e. you at whatever emails service dot com

Also, I'm giving away a digital copy of Hidden Danger on my blog, so hop over there and learn more about Jerusha and Rising Danger! Be sure to leave a comment.