What's in a Name?

When it comes to novels, particularly romantic suspense or romantic mysteries, the names of the main characters re extremely important. 

It's funny how it works, but more often than not, a female lead will have a short name or go by a shortened nickname. Gabby instead of Gabrielle, Dani instead of Danielle, Sam instead of Samantha, or Mac instead of MacKenzie. 

And then there are the unique names for female sleuths. Names like Lyric, Stella, Addie, Londyn, Bristyl, and Teagan. You might even recognize some of these names from some recent bestsellers. 

Names that you don't often see nowadays as main characters are some of the most popular names from a past generation like Lauren, Karen, Natalie, Janet, Candice, or Carolyn. In fact, a few of these are found more often as the main antagonist or a secondary antagonist. 

Names with three syllables are not often used. And neither are those names with the accent on the second or last syllable, like Colleen, Breana, Denise, Elaine, Elizabeth, Victoria, Catherine, Valerie, or Eileen. 

The same situation is true of the male counter parts in romantic suspense or mystery. Names like Paul, William, Charles, Benjamin, and Larry can make great other guy names - bestie, antag, side kick, or voice of reason, but not usually the romantic interest. Even Joe or Dale can fall into this category. Is it the soft consonants that are used? 

The male lead will usually have one or two syllables with hard consonants. There was a time when names like Clint, Flint, Skeet, Rick, and the like were the most popular. Single syllables with and ending in the t sound have become a little passé at this point. 

But the rule still holds with those names that are a little more normal. Names like Scott, Matt, Eric, Travis, Quinn, Wade, Steve, Dan, Mike, and Matt are pretty well-used. 

So what are the main character names in the book you're reading right now. Or what are the characters from your favorite book? Do they support my thoughts or blow them out of the water? 

Share your thoughts in the comments below for a chance to win a free e-copy of one of my books. 

Book Review: CROSSHAIRS

I just spent the last few days reading a gripping suspense called CROSSHAIRS, by our beloved Suspense Sister, Patricia Bradley. As a reader, it was cool in that I was aware of more going on than the main characters, but the plot was so full of twists and turns, I truly didn't see the end of it coming. 

There's a difference between suspense and mystery genres. You probably already know that, but in case you don't, the mystery genre has secrets - hidden things that must be discovered. The suspense genre has something of a ticking clock. An anticipation of something about to happen. Oftentimes, the "clock" is more like a target on one of the main characters - a mortal threat of which they are unaware. 

And in really juicy stories, there are elements of both suspense and mystery. CROSSHAIRS is definitely one of those. The book is a little different in that there are several mysteries that converge to create a chair-gripping story. I was delighted to see all of the different mysteries tied up in neat little bows. 

Oh, did I mention the romance. True confessions - I love clean romance. Especially when they seem real with elements of doubt, vulnerability, and insecurity. I gotta tell you, the main characters in this story have an undeniable chemistry that is palpable. 

I highly recommend this book for those who love the twists and turns of a juicy mystery and the intensity of a strong suspense. You're going to be delighted from the first page to the last! 

Here's a little more about CROSSHAIRS by Patricia Bradley: 

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.

**Just another little note here. I know this is Book 3 of the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, but it is a completely stand-alone story. You'd probably get a kick out of reading them in order, but I didn't miss a thing by reading this one before I read the others. Which I will DEFINITELY be doing!

I was delighted to find CROSSHAIRS as an audiobook. Do you like listening to stories? I love it because I can do something more productive as I indulge - like crochet or cooking or cleaning. Leave a comment about your experience with audio books. I'm giving away a free kindle copy of one of my own books.  

A Chat With Romantic Suspense Author Patricia Bradley

         

Cozy Mystery Author
Linda Kozar

Step in. Step out. Let's introduce ourselves! My name is Linda. Last name Kozar. And I write cozies, as in mysteries! This is my debut post on Suspense Sisters and I am thrilled to be a part of this stellar group of storytellers.

My guest today on Suspense Sisters is Patricia Bradley, who is a romantic suspense author living in the Deep South. Her short-stories have been published in Woman’s World. Her fourth book in the Logan Point series, Silence in the Dark, released this summer. Gone Without a Trace , is book three in the Logan Point Series, and book two, A Promise to Protect. Book one in the Logan Point Series, Shadows from the Past, has won several awards…the 2008 Maggie (Inspirational Category)…1st Place in the 2012 Touched By Love and Daphne du Maurier contests…finaled in the 2012 Genesis…bronzed in the Frasier. Click here to find out more about the Logan Point Series. Patricia has also written several romances for Harlequin, Matthew's Choice, and The Christmas Campaign. She is an abstinence/healthy relationship speaker and has spoken to many students and adults over the years. When she's not writing or speaking, Patricia likes to throw mud on a wheel and try to make something beautiful. 

Suspense Author
Patricia Bradley

Patricia, how did you get started as a writer? Tell us how far back you go.

Oh, my goodness. When I turned 35 I had trouble sleeping. I would go to bed and toss and turn. Then one night as I stared at the ceiling, a man appeared (in my imagination) and he stood at a window with belching smoke stacks in the background. He turned and looked at me and said, “This wasn’t the way my life was supposed to turn out.” He went on to tell me a lot about his life and that’s when I wondered if I could write his story. I bought a Writers Digest magazine and started learning the craft of writing. I started out with short stories and my very first one was published by Woman’s World. I thought I had it made and would soon have a book released. Thirty-two years later, I did.

I adore your tagline: "Where love and faith cross paths with murder!" How did you come up with that? And when did your love of mystery and suspense begin?

I really don’t know where my tagline came from. I was doodling nouns, trying to come up with one and the words sort of just popped into my head. And my love of mystery and suspense began with Agatha Christie and then moved on to Mary Higgins Clarke. I know I must have read Nancy Drew when I was a kid, but for the life of me, I can’t remember it.

Give us a little rundown on the theme of your books and how you transitioned from romance, adding the suspense factor we at Suspense Sisters love so much.

     

In addition to the books mentioned above, I also have a novella, The Gingerbread Pony, that was in anthology that twelve of the Heartwarming authors got together and wrote. It debuted at #81 on the USA Today Top 150 Books in October of last year. I have written all of these books since January of 2013, plus one more Memphis Cold Case book, Justice Buried. I’m starting books nine and ten.

My overall theme is justice, but each of my books deal with problems we all face, like forgiveness or trust. My last Logan Point book, Silence in the Dark, deals with a missionary running from God, and the first Memphis Cold Case book, Justice Delayed, deals with a woman who has a hard time trusting God after her sister is murdered.

As for transitioning from romance to suspense, it’s the other way around. The suspense comes first. The first draft is almost nothing but the suspense thread, and it’s what I love writing the most. Romance is just so hard for me to write, although it is getting easier.

I never intended to write a strictly romantic book, but in late 2013, my agent, the wonderful Mary Sue Seymour, emailed me that she was meeting with the Harlequin Heartwarming editor in a couple of days and wanted me to send her a story idea and one-sheet.

I took a deep breath and emailed her back that I was in Chattanooga, and if I could come up with an idea on the way home, I’d send her one. Then I prayed, asking God to give me an idea if writing for Heartwarming was in His plan for me. By the time I arrived home, I had a solid plot, the perfect small town and two great characters. Heartwarming eventually bought the story, and that’s when I really learned how to write a romance. I turned in the 293-page manuscript about the time my first Logan Point book released in 2014, and Victoria Curan, the senior editor at Heartwarming then, sent the first revision letter with 269 comments with suggestions on how to fix the story.

Is there a genre you would secretly like to write in but are terrified to do so?

No, romance is scary enough for me. I am actually trying my hand at a cozy mystery which is different from romantic suspense.

How can readers find you? 

| Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |

More on Patricia Bradley with Linda Kozar on Chat Noir Mystery & Suspense Radio

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Patricia is giving away a copy of her latest book in the Logan Point series! 

DO YOU WANT THE CHANCE TO WIN IT?

Leave a comment if you would like to throw your name in the hat. And, if you're wondering what she does with all that "mud she throws on a wheel," Patricia makes beautiful pottery:)

      

Linda Kozar writes both fiction and nonfiction titles, but is well known for her cozy mysteries. She founded and serves on the board of The Woodlands, Texas ACFW chapter, blogs regularly on Cozy Mystery Magazine and is the host of Chat Noir Mystery & Suspense Radio Show, part of the Along Came A Writer radio network on BlogTalk Radio. She and her husband live in The Woodlands, Texas and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters, wonderful son-in-law, and Gypsy, their spunky Jack Russell terrier.




 

Gypsy's trying to sneak onto the dinner table to make off with whatever she can on our plates.