AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LYNN SHANNON PLUS A GIVEAWAY!

 

Hello everyone. Today, we are featuring inspirational romantic suspense and sweet contemporary romance author Lynn Shannon here at Suspense Sisters.

Lynn has graciously agreed to giveaway 2 eBook copies of Ranger Protection, Book One of her Texas Ranger Heroes Series.

I will announce the 2 winners NEXT Friday, August 21^st.  To enter, please leave a comment with your email address!

You can read more about Lynn and Ranger Protection, at the end of the interview.   

Welcome, Lynn!

First of all, tell us about YOU.

Well, I spend most of my day writing, petting my dog, or chasing after my kids. There’s nothing very exciting about my life! I love baking, especially anything with chocolate, and I can’t keep a plant alive. Reading is my number one hobby, and I reach for Christian romantic suspense first every time. I also love to travel.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I don’t know that there was a single moment that I decided to become a writer. It’s been in the back of my mind since my teenage years. I’ve been an avid reader all my life, so writing is a natural extension of that. Becoming an author has been an amazing journey. It’s such a blessing to write stories that bring people joy.

What authors have influenced you the most in your career?

Oh, how much time do you have? I love reading all of the Love Inspired Suspense books. I’m a member of several author groups on Facebook. The advice and guidance from the community has been invaluable.  

Tell us about the moment you finally felt like a “real author”?

When I held a copy of my first book, Ranger Protection, in my hands was the moment I felt like a real author. It was an amazing moment because my daughter was with me when I open the package. I even have a photo of her holding the book. I’ll never forget it.

How does your faith play into your writing?

My faith is part of who I am, and it comes out in my writing as a natural extension of the characters. The same themes tend to show up in my books: forgiveness, love, patience, and holding on to faith in difficult times.

What are you working on now?

I’ve got two projects in the works. One is a new book I want to submit to Harlequin. I’m also writing the next book in my Texas Ranger Heroes series, Ranger Faith.

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

Joy. Books, for me, have always provided an escape from real life. In particular, Christian romantic suspense. From the time I open the book I know that the hero and heroine are going to fall in love and the bad guy will be caught. There’s real comfort in that, especially since real life can be so complicated and messy. My goal with every book is for the reader to close it with a happy sigh and say, “That was great.”

Anything else you want to share with us?

If you love search-and-rescue dogs, check out my debut release from Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Following the Evidence is still available in eBook format from all major retailers.  

About Lynn:

Lynn Shannon is a Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of inspirational romantic suspense and sweet contemporary romance.

After an international move from Texas to Greece, Lynn turned her passion for reading into a love of writing. She lives with her husband, two children, an extremely spoiled dog, and a couple of chirpy lovebirds. The experience of a different country has provided new foods--like Yemista and Kourabiedes--to accompany pecans and Blue Bell ice cream on her favorites list. She also never passes up coffee, chocolate, or the chance to watch cute animal videos. You can learn more on her website at: www.lynnshannon.com

www.lynnshannon.com

Amazon: Lynn Shannon

Twitter: LynnSWrites

About Ranger Protection:

When Dr. Tara Sims is robbed, she fights back to protect her daughter and nearly pays with her life. She’s rescued by Texas Ranger Grady West. Her childhood friend is now a handsome lawman, but Tara refuses to acknowledge the chemistry sparking between them. With a little girl to raise and a growing medical practice, she has no room in her life for romance.

Grady suspects the vicious assault wasn’t a random act. What he can’t figure out is why anyone would attack the single mother. He vows to protect Tara and her little girl while keeping his growing feelings for them out of the equation. Getting romantically involved with his sister’s best friend is more hazardous than hunting criminals.

As the threats escalate and evidence links the robbery to a homicide, Tara and Grady realize nothing is quite as it seems. Untangling a web of secrets makes them the target of a madman, and it’s only a matter of time before the killer strikes again…

This novella kicks off the inspirational romantic suspense series Texas Ranger Heroes. Each book can be read as a standalone and guarantees a fast-paced mystery combined with sweet romance. 

Book Link: www.amazon.com/dp/B07JDZJG1Z

 

Thank you Lynn for joining us here at Suspense Sisters!

For a chance to win one of the 2 e-Book copies of  Ranger Protection, Book One of Lynn's Texas Ranger Heroes Series, leave a comment with your email address. 

I will announce the 2 winners NEXT Friday, August 21^st.  

Thanks so much!

Mary Alford 

 

FightWrite - How Women Kill

Female hostility is different than that of men. However, it’s the male version with which we are most familiar. That’s what is generally depicted on page and screen. But, be not deceived. Though the end result of female violence may be the same as a male, the path leading there is quite different.

Although statistically women kill less often than men, it is not because they are less violent. As a whole, women are as aggressive, if not more so, than their male counterparts. Marriage researchers have noted women are more likely to pick fights, quicker to escalate verbal aggression, and are just as likely to use physical aggression as men (1). However, that is in an intimate relationship. Women are far less likely to be as aggressive with those to whom they have no intimate ties. Yes, you are in far more danger around a woman you know than one who is a total stranger. 

So, if they are just as aggressive or more than men, why do they kill less? Well, that's for another post. In this post, we are going to look at how they get the deed done and it is much different than men.

First, the statistics I am going to show are U.S. statistics. I have a loyal contingency in Europe so I want to point that out. (Love y'all!) You will find that outside the good old U. S. of A. that gun violence will be much lower. In the U.K., according to the Office of National Statistics report in February of 2016, the number one method of homicide was knife. (2) The second most common was kicking and hitting without a weapon. Which is exactly what we saw in our post, Being Attacked, which took place in Glasgow, Scotland. 

However, although the modus operandi in other countries differs from the U.S., the difference in how the genders kill is pretty similar. Before I go any further, let’s look at the U.S. stats.  

Murder Weapons Used by Men Versus Women - FBI Supplemental Homicide Report 1999 - 2012

                                             Men          Women

Murders committed by           160,368          17,431    

Means of Attack                                           

   Gun                                    67%             39%

  Knife                                  12                23

Beating                                 7.1             12

  Other                                    7                12   

Blunt Object                         4.5             5.4

Strangulation                          .7               .9

Asphyxiation                           .6             2.6

Fire                                        .46           1.5

Poison                                    .4             2.5

Drowning                                .1                1

Explosives                               .03           .07

Defenestration                        .02           .04

Defenestration means throwing somebody out of a window. Yes, there's a term for throwing somebody out of a window that's not just "throw somebody out the window!"

Ok, what do we learn here? Yes, in the United States you are less likely to get shot by a woman. But, that may be because women simply own guns less than men. For every three male gun owners in the U.S. there is one female. And, women do tend to be at home more than men and folks don't generally carry their gun in their house. So, that could account for the lesser percentage of gun violence.

But, look at every other means of violence. Women are more likely to use an instrument to kill. And, the instrument is most likely a knife. Why do women use a tool to kill (statistically) more often than men? I see two reasons. If you see more, please put them in the comments. 

First, women do tend to be physically weaker than men. It's how we are and that's ok. I'm not sure who said we had to be as strong as a man or how we even starting comparing physicality of men and women. We are complimentary to one another not in competition with one another. Yeesh! Anyway, that disparity of strength can make overpowering a male victim difficult. Thus, women use a tool to even the playing field.

Two, women tend to kill people they know. (3) And, when you are intimately connected to the victim, you sometimes want to experience their suffering. Almost every other noted means of death requires being in someone's intimate space. That's not an accident. (But, women might make it look like one! Again, another post.)

Well, writers, what did we learn today? One: women are as aggressive as men. Ask the marriage counselors. Two: women kill less often than men. (Or do they? We'll look at that in another post.) Three: when women kill in the U.S. they are more likely to use a means that isn't a gun more often than men. That may be due to a strength disparity or their connection with the victim. 

Apply all this warm, fuzzy info to your female characters that kill. I don't mean soldiers. On the battlefield a soldier is a soldier. I mean in any other instance a woman isn't necessarily going to kill in the same way a man might. And, if your setting is outside the U.S. that method of killing will not likely be a gun. Your character will employ a tool of some sort and that tool might be a window. (Beware of any woman who walks around with a window!!!!)

In our next round at FightWrite.net we will look a little closer at why women kill less often than men. Or, do they??? 

Until then, I leave you with the words of Rudyard Kipling...

When the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride, 

He shouts to scare the monster, who will often turn aside.

But the she-bear thus accosted rends the peasant tooth and nail.

For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.

- The Female of the Species

Now, go out there and get blood on your pages! 

Oh! Wait, wait, don't go just yet. Comment below for a chance to win an Amazon gift card. BUT, you have to comment with the name of the most devious female character from literature! Ready...go!

(1) https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201505/can-women-be-violent-men
(2) https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/compendium/focusonviolentcrimeandsexualoffences/yearendingmarch2015/chapter2homicide#method-of-killing 

(3) http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-05/female-murderers-more-likely-motivated-by-love-financial-gain/9378404

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Single mother Penny Potter has spent months in hiding to keep her toddler from his father, a rogue FBI agent turned fugitive. But he's determined to flee the country with the child, and she can't dodge him forever. When he corners Penny in the Montana wilderness and gets away with their son, she's forced to trust his brother, handsome FBI K-9 agent Zeke Morrow. And Zeke must decide where his loyalty lies: with his sibling or the woman he wasn't supposed to fall for. As the bullets fly and family ties are tested, Penny and Zeke will fight to save the boy who brought them together.

Hot New Inspy Suspense!

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As the local authorities attempt to unravel the mystery, Henry feels God's calling to use his extraordinary talent to aid in the investigation. His ability to draw from memory in photographic detail could help solve this puzzling case.

Henry's closest friend, Emma Fisher, has always urged him to embrace his gift. As their relationship deepens, Henry realizes his involvement could put him and those he loves in the direct path of a killer, one who is willing to do anything to cover up a brutal crime, including framing the bishop.

When the Bishop Needs an Alibi is a compelling story of faith, friendship, and finding courage only God can provide.

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