Welcome to Friday Reads!
Stop by to learn about the book, read an article by DiAnn, and check out my review. You can enter to win a copy of the book, too (US ONLY).
Click here.
Showing posts with label #mysteryandsuspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #mysteryandsuspense. Show all posts
Friday, September 25, 2020
Friday, July 31, 2020
"Rocky Mountain Revenge" by Rhonda Starnes ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Stop by my blog to learn about the debut release from Rhonda Starnes, Rocky Mountain Revenge. You can read an excerpt and my review, as well as enter to win a copy of the book.
Friday, May 22, 2020
Friday, May 8, 2020
Stop by my blog to learn about Kimberly Duffy's debut, read an excerpt, and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY).
Click here.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
"The Bird and the Bees" by Neena Gaynor
Stop by my blog to learn about the upcoming release from Neena Gaynor. You can learn the story behind the story and read an excerpt.
Click here.
Monday, April 13, 2020
"Copycat Killer" by Laura Scott (Love Inspired blog tour)
I'm participating in the blog tour for Laura Scott's latest release, Copycat Killer. Stop by to read an excerpt and a Q&A with Laura. Click here.
Friday, January 24, 2020
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring the upcoming release from Virginia Vaughan, Killer Insight.
And the first line is ...
FBI agent Lucy Sanderson stopped running, rested her hands on her knees and tried to catch her breath.
About the book...
From profiling criminals to being hunted by a killer.
Asking FBI agent Lucy Sanderson to profile the Back Roads Killer is the only way Bryce Tippett can prove his brother is innocent--unless Lucy becomes the next victim. When someone begins stalking her just as she arrives in town, it falls to the single dad to protect her. But as clues lead in unexpected directions, can they uncover the truth...and survive to expose it?
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
Saturday, January 4, 2020
"Guarded" by Sara Davison COVER REVEAL BLITZ! (JustRead Tours)
Welcome to the Cover Reveal for Guarded, the second book of The Night Guardians series by Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT GUARDED
Series: The Night Guardians, Book 2
Author: Sara Davison
Release Date: February 1, 2020
Genre: Suspense / Thriller
Nicole is fighting to bury the memories. Someone else is fighting to keep them exposed.
Detective Daniel Grey is back in town, and diner owner Nicole Hunter isn’t sure how she feels about that. It’s been almost seven years, and now she doesn’t just have herself to think about but her six-year-old son as well. If she does find the courage to take a chance on love, her heart could be smashed into pieces. Again.
And it’s not only her heart that is in danger. Someone is working hard to disrupt her present with reminders of the past she has worked hard to forget, especially her darkest memory—of the night her husband was gunned down in the street in front of her. As much as she might want to push Daniel away, Nicole needs him closer now than ever before.
But the one she trusts to keep her and her son safe has a secret that may prove to be the biggest threat of all.
Here's the Cover:
PURCHASE LINK*: Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CONNECT WITH SARA: Website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
Sara Davison is offering a $25 Amazon card to the winner - US and Canadian residents
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight January 4, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on January 11, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US/CAN mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
Friday, January 3, 2020
"Rosanna's Gift" by Susan Lantz Simpson ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Susan 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 January 10, 2020. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
The story behind the story...
I have
always been interested in the Amish and their way of life. I remember going to
the local Amish farmers’ market with my mother when I was very small. I was
totally fascinated even then.
Over the
years my interest increased, and I did a lot of reading and research. When
delving into my own family history, I discovered that, way back, my ancestors
might very well have been Plain. Maybe my interest was something innate!
I’ve written
stories ever since I could hold a pencil, and I remember talking to my mother
about writing an Amish story before any such books were ever on the market.
Those ideas must have been germinating over the years.
My work in
community health sometimes involves children in foster care. Some of our local
Mennonites serve as foster families; hence, the idea of having a Plain young
woman take on the care of an infant was born.
I have read
many Amish stories but never came across any set in Southern Maryland where we
have Amish and Mennonite communities. I wanted to set my novels (six previous
books in addition to Rosanna’s Gift) here in this very different, rural
location.
My goal in
all my writing is to entertain and to encourage. I want readers to enjoy my
stories, maybe pick up some new information, and take away a message of hope
along with the knowledge of God’s love. I pray I have accomplished these goals.
My review...
I’ve read and enjoyed books by this author in the past, and
this one was no exception. The cover is welcoming, and it’s a great match for
the story.
Rosanna is a strong heroine, and I found the secondary
characters to be well-developed, as well. Emma was enjoyable. She’s Rosanna’s
best friend, and she does what everyone needs from a friend: provides honest
insight, along with some laughter. Rosanna’s family, particularly her brothers
and sisters, had realistic interactions. The author has a way with words that
makes the reader feel a true part of the story. Through her characters, she
also demonstrates that people are the same in many ways, whether Amish or Englisch.
And it was hard not to love Mollie!
The prose is beautiful, and the pace is mostly steady throughout.
There were a few lulls in the story, but things balanced out overall. Relationships
develop at a realistic pace. A key theme is trusting that God knows best, even
when His timing is different than our own.
“ The Lord Gott’s plan might be totally different from
ours, but you can be sure He has a plan for you.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t
required to leave a positive review.
About Susan...
Susan Lantz Simpson has been writing
stories and poetry ever since she penned her first poem at the age of six. She
has always loved the magic of words and how they can entertain and enlighten
others. Her love of words and books led her to earn a degree in
English/Education. She has taught students from Prekindergarten to high school
and has also worked as an editor for the federal government. She also holds a
degree in nursing and has worked in hospitals and in community health. She
writes inspirational stories of love and faith and has published a middle-grade
novel (Ginger and the Bully) in
addition to her inspirational romances. She was a finalist in the OCW Cascade
fiction contest. She lives in Maryland and is the mother of two wonderful
daughters. She is a member of ACFW and Maryland Christian Writers Group. When
she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, walking, and doing needlework.
Where to find Susan online...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, November 29, 2019
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep.
And the first line is ...
Christmas or not, there was nothing merry about the twisted alleys of Holywell.
About the book...
Three delightful Christmas tales will transport you to the time of Charles Dickens. Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
Friday, November 15, 2019
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring a book from one of my many TBR piles, The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg.
And the first line is ...
"Evil, unchecked, is the prelude to genocide."
About the book...
A terrible darkness has fallen upon Jacob Weisz's Germany. The Nazi regime, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, has surged to power and now hold Germany by the throat. All non-Aryans--especially Jews like Jacob and his family--are treated like dogs.
When tragedy strikes during one terrible night of violence, Jacob flees and joins rebel forces working to undermine the regime. But after a raid goes terribly wrong, Jacob finds himself in a living nightmare--trapped in a crowded, stinking car on the train to the Auschwitz death camp.
As World War II rages and Hitler begins implementing his "final solution" to systematically and ruthlessly exterminate the Jewish people, Jacob must rely on his wits and a God he's not sure he believes in to somehow escape from Auschwitz and alert the world to the Nazi's atrocities before Fascism overtakes all of Europe. The fate of millions hangs in the balance.
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
"The Sleuth's Conundrum" by Kimberly Rose Johnson ... and a GIVEAWAY! (JustRead Tours)
Welcome to the Blog Blitz and Giveaway for The Sleuth's Conundrum by Kimberly Rose Johnson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Sleuth's Conundrum
Series: The Librarian Sleuth #3
Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: November 1, 2019
Adam and Tara are sucked into a police investigation that might get Tara killed. Can Adam keep her safe or will he lose her forever?
Tara James, the local librarian assistant, is afraid her past will catch up to her when an infant is abandoned outside the Tipton County Library. Will news of the abandoned baby stir up publicity and force her to go on the run again?
Librarian Nancy Daley’s world has become complicated. Carter is pushing to set a wedding date, a woman was left for dead on the side of the road, and Tara, her assistant, is acting strange. Nancy is working every angle she can think of, but the case goes from bad to bizarre. Can she find the baby’s mother, help Tara, and plan her wedding without upsetting her life’s delicate balance?
Slow news days become a thing of the past for local reporter Adam Stacy when a dead body is discovered on the side of the road. Was the woman murdered or was it an accident? Adam’s feelings are growing for Tara, but she appears to have secrets she’s hiding. Is she somehow connected to the abandoned infant?
When things go from bad to worse Adam does everything in his power to protect Tara, but will it be enough?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
EXCERPT
Thunder boomed and rattled the windows. Tara jumped—she
hated storms. “I don’t
remember the last time we had thunder like that.” She
crossed her arms. “Who would abandon a helpless baby on a day like today?” Tara
looked down at the infant and her heart melted. She squatted and unhooked the
safety restraint. “How long was the power out?”
“Thirty minutes tops. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Nancy moved around her desk and powered on her computer. “I’ll pull up the
security footage while I get my mom on the phone.”
Nancy’s mother was the local sheriff, so it made sense that
she would call her directly rather than 911. “And I’ll see if she needs a
diaper change. Do you think she’s hungry?”
Nancy shrugged. She had her phone to her ear.
Tara lifted the light-as-a-feather baby from the carrier and
cradled her. “Shh. It’s going to be okay.”
The baby quieted and snuggled
against her. Her heart melted. Sudden tears burned her eyes. She blinked them
away.
Tara knew little about babies, but how hard could changing a
diaper be? She peaked inside the diaper bag and spotted an envelope. “What do
we have here?” She reached for it then drew out the single sheet of paper.
“This is Amelia. She’s a week old. I wish I could keep her
but my circumstances won’t allow it. Please love her for me and take good care
of her.” Clearly her mom cared deeply for her so why leave her baby at the
library?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
CONNECT WITH KIMBERLY: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card!
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 11, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm November 18, 2019. Open internationally as long as winner can accept gift card from US Amazon. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
"Murder in the Family" by Ramona Richards ... and a GIVEAWAY! (@JustRead Tours)
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Murder in the Family by Ramona Richards, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Murder in the Family
Author: Ramona Richards
Publisher: Firefly Southern Fiction
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: September 17, 2019
Greed Poisons Even The Sweetest Well
Storm chaser Molly McClelland must return to her small Alabama hometown when she unexpectedly inherits her hoarder aunt's house . . . and all of its contents.
Despite her suspicions that her aunt was murdered, Molly wants nothing more than to sell everything and get back to the life she loves. Especially once her homecoming reignites the decades-old family conflict that drove her away in the first place. But when Molly uncovers caches of cash, journals revealing secrets-and a body-amongst the stockpiles, she finds herself locked in a cat-and-mouse dance with a deadly endgame.
Molly teams with local sheriff, Greg Olson, to find the truth. But will her determination and his skills be enough, or will the killer-or killers-put an end to their efforts once and for all?
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook
EXCERPT
A Doubt or Two
“You said you were both in church.”
Molly said. “Did it ever make you doubt? At all? That God would put you through
something like this?”
Russell shook his head. “Why should
I doubt God?”
“You’ve met my family. They’d make
Jesus doubt faith was worth it.”
He scowled. “No. God may allow evil
to exist, but he doesn’t condone it. He helps you get through it, deal with
it.”
“I’m not so sure.”
He hesitated, looking at the house
with a deep sadness in his eyes. “I do sometimes wonder why he doesn’t always
give us enough strength.”
Molly put a hand on his arm, her
voice softening. “It’s not about strength. You couldn’t have stopped it.”
His eyes narrowed in puzzlement as
he studied her again.
“You couldn’t have stopped her from
being a hoarder.”
His voice dropped almost an octave.
“I’m not so sure.”
“You know my family. You knew Liz.
She spent most of her life trying to be the peacemaker. Taking in everyone’s
stuff is a logical outcome.”
He shrugged, as though unconvinced.
Molly squeezed his arm, then released it. “Will you be here in the morning?”
He nodded. “As soon as I can.
Wouldn’t miss it. What are you going to do tonight?”
“Get a motel room. Get some sleep.
Check on my partners.”
Russell frowned. “Your partners?”
She crossed her arms. “I work with
two partners, Jimmy and Sarah. The day you called, Sarah had gotten hurt while
we were shooting a supercell that produced two funnel clouds. She’s in the
hospital.”
“Wow. I’m sorry.”
Molly shrugged. “Lousy timing. But
Jimmy convinced me I’d be of more use here. Get this out of the way. When
Sarah’s well, we can get back to work right away.”
“Reasonable. But are you sure
you’ll be safe to stay alone?”
Molly hesitated. “Probably for now.
Bird’s mean and definitely capable of coming after me physically. But my guess
is they’ll try to get around me another way first. Twenty years ago, it got
ugly only after they ran out of options.”
“That’s when Mickey got hurt.”
“You knew?”
“Liz told me. Just remember that I
have a condo with a guest room, if you need it.” He gestured at the Explorer,
curiosity on his face. “Is that really all
you own?”
“Pretty much. I own the equipment
for chasing. Why?”
“When Liz told me you were a storm
chaser, I had this image of you traveling around with all this high tech gizmo
gear and a slick team of experts to help you, talking in a jargon no one else
could understand.”
She grinned. “If you won’t believe
everything you saw in Twister,
I won’t think all Southern lawyers are Matlock.”
He laughed. “Deal.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ramona Richards is the associate publisher for Iron Stream Media, the parent company of New Hope Publishers, Iron Stream Kidz, and Ascender Books. She has been an in-house editor for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Rutledge Hill Press, and Ideals magazine, and has freelanced for a dozen other publishers. The author of nine novels, three books of devotions, and numerous magazine articles, she is a frequent speaker for women’s and writers’ groups, and has presented at numerous conferences across the country. Her latest book, Murder in the Family, released in October from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.
CONNECT WITH RAMONA: Website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive two signed copies of Murder in the Family by Ramona Richards (it's Christmas!), a $15 Visa gift card, and a signed copy of one of the author's older books!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 7, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 14, 2019. Open internationally except where prohibited by law or logistics. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
Friday, October 25, 2019
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring a line from A Cross to Kill by Andrew Huff.
And the first line is ...
Millions of people would witness the murder of Christine Lewis, and not one of them could do anything to stop it.
About the book...
John Cross is a small-town pastor, bent on leading his flock to follow God's calling. He's not the sort of man you'd expect to have a checkered past.
But the truth is, this shepherd was once a wolf--an assassin for the CIA. When John decided to follow Christ, he put that work behind him, determined to do penance for all the lives he took, pledging never to kill again.
Now his deadly past has caught up to him as a vengeful terrorist swears to take him out for good. All John's secrets are laid bare, and he must face his demons and discover whether a man can truly change. Can he keep his vow--even when his congregation and the brave woman he's learning to care for are caught in the cross fire?
In the end, John's life may be the only sacrifice he has left to offer...
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
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.
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