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Showing posts with label #DiAnnMills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #DiAnnMills. Show all posts
Friday, September 25, 2020
Friday, October 11, 2019
"Fatal Strike" by DiAnn Mills ... and a GIVEAWAY!
The publisher has agreed to give away a print copy of this book (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends October 18, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
What
to Do When God’s Plan Feels like a Mystery Novel
DiAnn Mills
Ever
feel like God’s plan for our lives is a futile attempt to solve a mystery? Our
days are spent looking for clues in everything we experience. Is this God’s plan for me? What does this
Scripture passage mean? Is God listening to my prayers? Nights are worse
because we replay and stumble through the day’s incidents with no conclusion.
You
see, I’ve faced the same challenges. But we can turn that mystery into a
satisfactory ending. Take a look at the following:
Who
is the hero in our life story?
While
we may be quick to think we are, that isn’t accurate. God is the hero in our
life story. The glory all goes to Him. When we realize where we fit in the
grand story of life, we can relax knowing our Hero has it under control.
Establish
a problem or a goal.
How
do we discern God’s plan for us? We have choices to make, places to go, and
things to do. Can’t He simply send us a text?
Who
is the secondary character in our life story?
That’s
us. We are servants of the almighty God, not the other way around. When we
resign ourselves to letting God take control, we can toss off our heavy
backpacks of doubt and worry.
Who
is the antagonist?
Think
about it. Satan doesn’t want us to know and live God’s plan. The evil one is
determined to push us in the wrong direction, distract, and discourage us. In
short, he’d like for us to give up on God and find another solution to our
problems that doesn’t involve God.
How
does the plot thicken?
We
hear lies, trip, fall, get back up, proceed, and it all repeats. While the
victories give us momentary relief and assurance we’re headed in the right
direction, the defeats can be painful. But the wounds and scars are how we grow
closer into the image of Jesus Christ.
It
can seem like God doesn’t care. Are we earnestly seeking Him as a priority
instead of self-solving our mystery?
Search
for clues.
Are
we searching in the right places for God’s answer? Does what I need line up
with God’s holiness?
Research
Scripture, talk to respected Christians, pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance,
and be aware of God working in your life.
The
first clue is John 9:31: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if
anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.”
The
second clue is Jeremiah 29:11-12: “For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and
a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear
you.”
The
third clue is Matthew 7:8: “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who
seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
The
fourth clue is Psalm 145:18: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all
who call on him in truth.”
The
fifth clue is Psalm 66:19: “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the
voice of my prayer.”
And
there are many more!
Take
definite steps
We
must constantly ask ourselves if we are following God’s path or one that may be
good but not for us in this season.
Resolution
We
accept that a sovereign God will reveal His plan to us at the perfect time. On
the journey we grow, worship, grasp patience, love others, cultivate a
servant’s heart, and repeat our commitment to joy in all circumstances.
How
do you move ahead when God’s plan feels like a mystery novel?
Great question, DiAnn. Readers, how do you move ahead? Leave your answer below to be entered in the Rafflecopter giveaway for a copy of Fatal Strike.
Q & A with DiAnn...
Q: Tell us about some of the core themes you
discuss in this novel. How can your readers relate to these areas in their
own lives?
There
are two important themes in this story: (1) how unforgiveness can make us
bitter and the peace of embracing forgiveness and (2) the power of adoption in
families and in the spiritual realm. Leah comes from a family that has embraced
adoption, and both she and Jon go on a spiritual journey exploring what it
means to be adopted into God’s family.
Q: What
do you enjoy most in writing about the work of the FBI?
Creating
courageous men and women who dedicate their lives to keep us safe while showing
traits that make them relatable and real.
Q: Can
you tell us about some of the research that went into writing Fatal Strike?
I
interviewed a gentleman who worked FBI SWAT. I learned so much about teamwork,
the role of a negotiator, and the training. A sniper is used as a last resort
when all other means of negotiation fail and people are in danger. The sniper
must be confident his or her shot will not hurt another person. Following a
mission, the team discusses what went well, what went wrong, and how the
operation could be improved.
Q. What
inspired the plot of this novel—especially the motif of snakes and venom?
First
of all, I hate snakes. J
And I believe in writing what we fear. I knew I wanted a female FBI agent who
also worked SWAT and had the role of a sniper. What if she were afraid of
snakes? How would bad guys use rattlesnake venom? While a rattler bite is not
always deadly, it is fatal (fatal strike) when injected into the heart. Plus, the
bad guy leaves less evidence by eliminating the need to discard a knife or giving
law enforcement an opportunity to trace a bullet.
Q. What
was your favorite scene to write?
Actually,
there are two. (1) Leah faces her nemesis when she’s given what she thinks is a
box of flowers and a rattler is inside. Loved her reaction. (2) Leah and her
dad reunite after years of estrangement. I cried during that scene.
Q. What
are you most excited for your readers to experience through reading this novel?
The
characters’ journey to solve a horrible crime. On the way they find forgiveness
for their pasts and the gift of love.
Q. How
do you come up with fresh ideas for your books? How do you beat writer’s
block?
My
ideas come from the media, dreams, watching TV or movies, and sometimes ideas
just pop into my head. Writer’s block means I don’t know what happens next. I’m
an organic writer, so the idea of an outline destroys my adventure. When I’m stuck,
I do one of three things: (1) write a scene I know is coming, (2) go back to
the beginning and read and edit, or (3) do something else creative like cook,
garden, or shopping.
Q. Why
did you decide to become a writer in the romantic suspense genre specifically?
Romantic
suspense is my favorite genre. We live in a dangerous and unpredictable world.
My goal is to show real relational people who are trained to keep us safe. And
along the way, they find the gift of love.
Q: What’s
the most challenging thing about being a Christian author in this genre?
Making
violence a part of the story, but keeping graphic scenes that glorify the
violence out.
Q: Can
you tell us about some future projects you’re working on?
I’m finishing up a book currently titled Airborne. A female FBI agent boards a plane in
Houston for Salzburg, Austria. She needs a vacation to renew her relationship
with God and to figure out her future. Her husband has moved out, wants a
divorce, and he doesn’t know she’s pregnant. Two hours into the flight,
symptoms become evident of a deadly virus onboard, and her husband, a
bioengineer, becomes a person of interest.
FBI snipers Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert are tasked with solving gruesome murders taking place in Galveston. Victims are being injected with rattlesnake venom. The prime suspect is a young man, seen near the latest body found on the church steps, who is missing. A local gang is claiming responsibility. Leah and Jon have a history together, and in order to solve the case, they'll have to move beyond their past.
This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep the reader guessing, as Mills is a master with suspense and mystery. The main characters are intelligent and tough, though they still struggle with realistic fears and faith issues. (The religious element was not overwhelming in any way.) The suspense angle was more prominent than the romance angle, which I enjoyed.
DiAnn Mills is a
bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She
combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create
action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her
titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy
Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational
Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall,
the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014.
DiAnn
is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a
member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and
International Thriller Writers. She is codirector of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Christian Writers Conference, where she continues her passion of helping other
writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing
workshops around the country.
DiAnn
has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader,
loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the
universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn
is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiAnnMills, Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills, or any of
the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, October 11, 2018
"Burden of Proof" by DiAnn Mills ... and a GIVEAWAY!
DiAnn is here to share a bit about her latest release, Burden of Proof. Her publisher has offered to give away a hard copy of the book (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends October 18, 2018. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) Here's DiAnn...
5
Decision-Making Lessons Learned from the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group
By DiAnn Mills
As a writer of many novels that feature FBI special agents,
I’m always looking for ways to apply the research to my personal and
professional life. Making solid and responsible decisions is one of those
areas.
Think
critically.
Using critical thinking skills means exploring all the
facts that are relevant to solving a problem or reaching a goal. We are to
analyze the findings in search of the best possible solution, be objective, put
aside personal biases, and open our minds to embrace plausible answers.
Always
be ready for the worst possible scenario.
None of us want to be labeled as overreactors or negative
thinkers. Yet every decision requires the person to be responsible for his/her
actions and to understand the consequences of making mistakes. We are to look
at the worst possible scenario and examine how our choices could have an
adverse effect.
In
the midst of controversy, negotiation is a priority.
Angry people are seldom rational. They usually make poor
choices that aren’t retractable. Words are powerful; violence is often a crime.
When we are in a confrontation, we either need to walk away until the other
person’s rage is under control or attempt to talk the person down from
potentially harming him/herself or others. If we are the ones with the
inappropriate emotions, we need to apply the same two principles.
Rely
on our training.
Most of us are not in law enforcement and haven’t received
training to negotiate in high-risk settings. But everyday life requires one
decision after another. We’ve learned through education, media, role models,
and life experiences the importance of sound and reliable decisions. We’ve also
learned not to place ourselves in areas where we are not qualified to advise.
If a decision regarding a matter is beyond our expertise, we seek guidance or
find another person more qualified.
Evaluate
the outcome.
While we seldom have a formal debrief after a decision has
been made, we should keep ourselves accountable because this is how we learn.
Evaluate the entire situation, the choice(s) made, and the outcome. If a poor
result occurred, examine how we can improve next time. If the decision proved
favorable, record it for the future.
I heard a pastor say that when we make a mistake, we should
keep the receipt. Some consequences are too costly to repeat.
When I read these five techniques to making logical
decisions, I know I have a lot of work to do. Are there any areas in your
decision-making that need improvement?
My review...
Surprisingly, this is the first book I have read by Mills. I
have heard many good things about her, so I’m glad to have had the opportunity
to read one of her books. It did not disappoint.
April Ramos is a skilled negotiator for the FBI. However,
she never expected to find herself on the other end of the equation.
Jason Snyder is caring for his baby girl after losing his
wife. His world is turned upside down when his best friend is killed and his
daughter kidnapped. How far will he go to find his daughter and get justice for
his friend?
Mills has crafted well-developed, realistic characters for
this tightly plotted suspense. While things started a bit slowly, the pace did
pick up and build throughout. April and Jason are strong leads, and I couldn’t
help but root for Jason and his daughter. Scenes were easy to visualize.
Forgiveness and healing are key themes. As the first book in Mills’ “FBI Rapid
Response” series, this installment sets the stage for further engaging reads,
particularly as this book contains an ample amount of action and suspense.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the
publisher, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
About DiAnn...
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who
believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates action-packed,
suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA
and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the
RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award
contests. Firewall, the first book in
her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library
Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014. Connect with
DiAnn at www.diannmills.com.
Other places to find DiAnn online...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, July 31, 2015
Friday Reads with Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, and DiAnn Mills
This is the second week where I'll be sharing the novellas contained in The Homestead Brides Collection. There are nine stories, and I will be sharing my review of three of them each time.
In case you didn't read my last post, I will tell you a bit about the book. It contains novellas by eight veteran authors (Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Carla Olson Gade, Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, Erica Vetsch, and Kathleen Y'Barbo) and one newbie (Becca Whitham). The stories provide a quick read that will fit in perfectly to your day. They all focus on the pioneering folks of the 1800s, but each story contains its own cast of characters on a search for land and a new future. This collection is a wonderful way for readers to be introduced to new authors and possibly find some favorites!
Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne: Jack
O Donnell is heading to Nebraska to bring his mother Mary back to civilization
in Philadelphia. Mary feels that her place is the homestead she began with her
late husband. She has taken pregnant widow and neighbor Bridget Murphy under
her wing, and they depend on each other. He questions how two women can possibly
keep two farms afloat. Bridgette is rumored to be crazy. Is she all that she
appears? Mary and Bridget are strong, capable women … even without a man. Herne’s
characters remind the reader about the importance of always trusting God. Jack’s
father left him with a wise reminder: “Pay heed to the land and the good Lord,
son, and everything will fall into place.”
You can Ruth online at http://www.ruthloganherne.com/index.html.
This Land is Our Land by Pam Hillman: Mollie Jameson is headed to Nebraska, along
with her siblings and grandfather, to claim her family’s land so they will not be
homeless. Along the way, in the middle of a storm, they encounter Lasso McCall who
helps them find shelter. As her parents are dead, and they only have six days
to reach Nebraska, Molly worries that they may not succeed. Can Lasso help
them? Are they able to trust him with all they have left? Strong family bonds
are evident, and the relationship develops at a realistic pace, which is
tricky in a novella. The characters remind the reader that God’s plans are
always best.
You can find Pam online at http://www.pamhillman.com/.
Flaming Starr by DiAnn
Mills: Starr Matthews wins a Texas Homestead in a card
game. Wanting to change her life, she heads out to lay claim. When she arrives,
however, she discovers that the land is already claimed by widower and single
father Aaron Conrad. He has no plans for another woman in his life. When it
appears that he may have legal claim to the property, Starr worries that she
may need to return to her old way of life. Starr’s faith journey is inspiring, as
is the reminder that God always works for our good. Two wonderful reminders are:
“…life is a progression of always starting over.” and that it is important to
treat others as we want to be treated.
You can find DiAnn online at http://www.diannmills.com/.
You can purchase the book at the following Amazon link:
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