Julie Klassen did it again! This is another great read!
Sophie agrees to marry Stephen. He is willing to rescue her, she a woman in terrible distress, for Sophie is with child, and without a husband. Who is her child's father? Well, ready for this? Stephen's brother! Stephen and Sophie get to spend time at Overtree Hall, and then he is called away to war. He is fighting against the French forces, but if she opts for a marriage in name alone, it will give her and the baby some standing. After all, she is in a major mess with out support for herself and her child.
Now another complication arises. The father of her child, Wesley has come back. Things are getting very complex indeed. The girl who just wanted to paint might have painted herself into a major corner. Who does she love, and who should she trust for her live and the sake of her baby? This was so hard for everyone! I really felt so much for Sophie and how her life just keeps changing so dramatically. The little twists and turns work to create another wonderful story that I am so happy to get to read!
My copy came from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)
About
Sophie Dupont assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. In private, she paints the picturesque north Devon coast, popular with artists--including handsome Wesley Overtree, who seems more interested in Sophie than the landscape.
Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother Wesley's responsibilities. Near the end of his leave, he is sent to find his brother and bring him home. Upon reaching Devonshire, however, Stephen is stunned to learn Wesley has sailed for Italy and left his host's daughter in serious trouble.Stephen feels duty-bound to act, and strangely protective of the young lady, who somehow seems familiar. Wanting to make some recompense for his own past failings as well as his brother's, Stephen proposes to Miss Dupont. He does not offer love, but marriage "in name only" to save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he fears, she will at least be a respectable widow.
Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie finds herself torn between her first love and this brooding man she barely knows. Dare she wait for Wesley to return? Or should she elope with the captain and pray she doesn't come to regret it?
JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's BEST Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's RITA Awards and ACFW's Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.
Oh my! I'm still reading! LOL! This is a long book indeed, but one I didn't want to put down. The problem is that I had NanoWriteMo and that backed me up a bit. ;) That is totally NOT the fault of this book!
If you wish for world building, it is happening in this book. There are different groups of people, and they all have a purpose. A strong Christian theme is present. We have romance, and Willet is one of our main characters. He is a reeve to the king. His job is to be an investigator, and a murder that they can't solve gets more and more wild when the church stops them from solving this mystery. What really makes it messy is that as we go along we find that Willet can't let this go. He has to have answers. He has a secret buried away, and that never stays hidden.
The "darkwater" area has evil and all kinds of things locked away. No one goes in and comes out the same. The violence didn't bother me in this book. It doesn't take away from it in my opinion. Real life had death, and murders and mysteries.
It is long, as I mentioned, but I don't dislike that in a book. I didn't feel that it was slow, as much as greatly detailed.
Sophie is a crime reporter, well she wants to be one. She is working in a newspaper office when a lead breaks. She got here after breaking free from her strict past, forging her way in a world very different from how she grew up. No longer a Mennonite, but now this changes everything. A murder ties back to her old life, and could expose her past. The huge amount of money missing is a strong motivation for lots of people to go digging to solve this. Topping that off, an old flame is now a Pastor in Sanctuary. Is her life in the hands of Johnathan who is from her Kingdom past?
Sophie and Johnathan need to trust God is that something that they can do? This is a very good third book in this series. I'm happy to have read it!
My copy came from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)
About
Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. Certain she's left her past far behind her, she's now focused on her job at a newspaper and is shocked when she stumbles upon the name of someone she knew in her old life. But when she learns the man--a prisoner--claims a suspect from a decades-old unsolved crime is hiding out in the small town of Sanctuary, Missouri, she can't resist following the lead in hopes of furthering her career. Almost immediately upon her arrival, Sophie's confronted with a face from her past and fears her intention of using a false identity to investigate is doomed. But with the help of Sanctuary's charismatic young pastor, Sophie knows she's getting close. Will she be able to conceal the truth of her own past long enough to find the suspect before someone puts a stop--fatal or otherwise--to her investigation?
Nancy Mehl is the author of twenty-one books, including the Road to Kingdom and Finding Sanctuary series. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit www.nancymehl.com to learn more.
Reviews
"Romantic suspense at its best, with an engaging plot that's not overpowering. Mehl is an amazing author who writes believable stories, knows what fans expect and does not disappoint."
This book is Doris Day themed. I loved it! In Every Girl Gets Confused, we follow Katie Fisher and Brady James. The dress Katie won has every one a-buzz. Katie has her hands full, her Grandmother Queenie is getting married! Everything is going as you might expect, and then in comes Katie's ex! He wants to get back with her? Wait a second! That is confusing to start with right? Oh it gets, far, far better!
Which man is right for Katie? Brady or Casey? Who do you spend the rest of your life with? What is God's plan in all this? Oh yes! Every girl can and does get confused at times! This is a great second book in this series, and like all of Thompson's books, it's good. It doesn't lack in any way. Humor, pain, love, forgiveness sorry, and joy.
Want to find out who Katie picks? You have to read this!
My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)
Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn't seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. In fact, the sounds being heard at the bridal shop where she works are on the contentious side lately, as a bride- and groom-to-be try to mediate the growing rivalry between their basketball-obsessed families in the middle of play-off season. On top of that, Katie's parents are nagging her to get out of Dallas and come home to tiny Fairfield where her former boyfriend Casey is waiting for her, ready to rekindle their relationship. Oy vey! What's a girl to do? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?
The breezy fun continues as Janice Thompson throws everyone's favorite small-town girl into big-city bridal chaos--and makes her choose between the love she thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath.
But can she really leave Brady behind? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?
"Every Girl Gets Confused is romantic comedy at its best. A sweet romance. A wonderful band of supporting family and friends. And enough humor to keep me smiling on each page. I highly recommend it!"--Cara Putman, award-winning author of Shadowed by Grace and Where Treetops Glisten
"A delightful mix of romance, inspiration, and humor, woven together with Thompson's trademark Texas storytelling and a happily-ever-after ending that will make you want to swoon."--Judy Christie, author of Wreath, A Girl in the Wreath Willis series
"Janice Thompson tosses her readers into a humorous whirl of romantic possibilities with characters I swear I've met in small-town Texas. Fun!"--Julianna Deering, author of the Drew Farthering Mystery series
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series, the Backstage Pass series, and the Weddings by Design series, as well as Every Bride Needs a Groom. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.
About the Author
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series, the Backstage Pass series, and the Weddings by Design series, as well as Every Bride Needs a Groom. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.
Melody Carlson, I do love you! It's hard to have book after book that is a great read, but you have done it again! This is a wonderful read! Elderly Widowed Joy Jorgenson has sold her home. Goodbye Chicago, and hello Phoenix. It's near her sons, and while it is a retirement home, that is ok. She was going to fly there but she changed her mind. She has something to do first.
The RV is dusted and packed, and Joy is going by herself! She is going on a trip spreading Christmas joy! Alone, did I mention alone and in her 80's? Her friend Miranda decides that is a bad thing, and so now Miranda is along for the ride. She has been through it of late. Major life changes. So here they go! This ride is to have six stops to spread love and joy. Decked out with lights and more, the RV of fun is on the way!
Will they make it to all their stops? Will they spread the love and joy they mean to spread? Or will disaster and stress overtake them? Full of humor and love, fun and hope, this book is a wonderful Christmas read!
My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)
The Christmas Joy Ride
by Melody Carlson
Miranda did not put adventure on her Christmas list, but thanks to her eighty-five-year-old neighbor Joy, that's exactly what she's getting this year. When Joy tells Miranda that she plans to drive an old RV decked out inChristmas decorations from their Chicago neighborhood to her new retirement digs in Phoenix--in the dead of winter, no less--the much younger Miranda insists that Joy cannot make such a trip by herself. Unemployed and facing foreclosure, Miranda feels she has nothing to lose by packing a bag and heading off with Joy toward Route 66. But Joy has a hidden agenda for their Christmasjoyride--one that could derail the whole venture.
No one captures the heartwarming fun of the Christmasseason quite like Melody Carlson. Fasten your seat belt, because it's going to be an exciting ride!
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books with combined sales of more than six million. She is the author of the bestselling TheChristmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington's, and The Christmas Cat. She received aRomantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more atwww.melodycarlson.com.
Judith and Stan are now empty nesters and they can't even bear to put the "ugly" decorations their kids made on the tree this year. Thanksgiving was a bust, and Judith is depressed. Can they rescue Christmas in more ways than one? Each ornaments had a story, and a time that that child made it. Maybe they can spread this tradition, of wacky homemade tree ornaments, and maybe in the process find Christmas again. I didn't connect with this story as well, but it was still sweet.
My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)
KeepingChristmas
by DanWalsh Stan opened the ugly ornaments box and pulled out the top three ornaments, the ones wrapped in green paper, the kids' favorites, and set them on the coffee table. He picked up the first one, the biggest one--Anna's blue pinecone--and began to unwrap it. Without thinking, Judith walked up, stopped him, and gently took it out of his hand. She wrapped it back up, set it carefully in the box. Then picked up the other two ornaments, put them in the box, and closed the flaps.
"What's the matter?" Stan said. "Did I do something wrong?"
"I don't think I can do this."
Nothing is more beautiful than family
For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it's looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can't bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure, the ornaments were strange-looking--some were downright ugly--but they were tradition.
With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan's only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments . . .
DanWalsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift and The Restoration Series with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for the RT Book ReviewsInspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. Learn more at www.danwalshbooks.com.
I have only read some of this, because I signed up in NanoWriteMo!
What I have read so far is good. Prince Malachi is being forced to marry. He is 21 and this is it folks! So, he is now marrying 19 year old Jessabelle. (I don't really like her name, but that is just me!) She has not dated, she hasn't had a "life" so to speak and now she is marrying a prince and now she is stuck being a public figure. There some new marriage stress with a couple who doesn't even want to be married! Malachi is good to her, so they stand a chance if they can get past the issues and keep focused on God.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
When she’s not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband, four kids, and a dog who weighs less than most hard cover books. She prefers watching NCIS to just about anything, except maybe watching Castle, or Girl Meets World with her kids. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. When not watching her kids – and the dog – race around her big backyard in Southwest Missouri, she’s teaching American Government at a local community college. She’s a founding member and President of MozArks ACFW, category coordinator for First Impressions, blogger at InspyRomance, and represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Prince Malachi Van Renssalaer of Mevendia is getting married. The problem? He’s never even met his bride. His father arranged everything, right down to the marriage contract. Malachi swears to himself that he will be nothing like his father in the ways that count - including his fidelity to his wife.
Jessabelle Keller would happily spend her entire life in obscurity, but her father once saved the life of a future king. Before he dies, her father is committed to seeing that king make good on his promise to have one of his sons marry her so she would be taken care of for life.
No sooner than Prince Malachi and Jessabelle return from their honeymoon, they find themselves dealing with both private trauma and the very public drama of groundless accusations from the press. Just as they begin to weave their fragile trust back together, a ghost from the king’s past arrives and threatens everything they’ve ever held dear.
Secrets have a funny way of coming out and this one could rip the faith of the country in their leaders to shreds. Malachi is determined to protect Jessabelle no matter what it takes, but will it ever be enough for her to not feel like a Hand-Me-Down Princess?
This book was better than the last, if you ask me. This book can stand alone. It is about Faith Marin, a woman who is up and coming in journalism. Faith comes from a shattered past. Her Dad died in a car wreck, with his mistress. If that wasn't bad enough, it was enough that her Mom killed herself. That should have been more than enough for anyone, but nope. She's hooked into a family that isn't good for her, and her brother has a major addiction. Her husband, he is a jerk! Frankly, Faith's life is in shambles and all she has left is her job. Her show is called "Faith On Air". I liked that name a lot!
Something major happens, something that rocks her world on top of everything else she has already dealt with. Is this even enough to destroy her? Is God in her life, or is this all she had left? A rather interesting read!
My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)
A Reason To Stay
By Kellie Coates Gilbert
Sometimes the thing that keeps us from making the wrong choice is the one thing we can't control
As an investigative reporter and the host of her own TV talk show, Faith Marin works to expose the truth for her viewers. But in her personal life, she's anchored her world with firm boundaries in order to hide a family history she'd like to forget. By contrast, her husband Geary's life is an open book. An easygoing pro bass fisherman, Geary is the ultimate family man--and his overbearing relatives don't know the meaning of boundaries.
Faith and Geary haven't been married long when their differences start to derail their tender relationship. Surely love shouldn't be this hard. While Faith considers whether divorce is the only answer to their issues, tragedy strikes. With her life in the balance, she finds that the one she has been shutting out may be the very one she cannot bear to lose.
Kellie Coates Gilbert takes you on an emotional roller coaster as she weaves together unexpected trial, self-discovery, and forgiveness in this profoundly honest portrait of the tensions that can break a marriage--and the ultimate healing power of love.
"I cheered, I cried, I fell in love. An excellent read."--Deeanne Gist, bestselling author of Tiffany Girl
"Kellie gathers the broken shards of a woman's life and with masterful precision pieces together a poignant and victorious story of committed love."--Lynne Gentry, author of The Carthage Chronicles
Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune andWhere Rivers Part. Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband. Learn more at www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com.
A girl named Bridgette is missing. This is now personal to Nikki Boyd, because her sister also went missing. Nikki wants to nail the Angel Abductor who took her sister. She is sure these new missing teens are connected. She wants revenge, she has been tormented and hurt for so long from this.
Tyler and Nikki are interesting. They really have to recover from their pasts and work together to solve this, much less heal from their pasts and what pain they have been through.
Over all, this is a good cozy mystery that I enjoyed.
My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)
Vendetta
by Lisa Harris
"Filled with red herrings and heart-pounding danger,Vendetta will leave readers anxiously awaiting Nikki Boyd's next adventure."--Irene Hannon, bestselling author of the Private Justice series
No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels this case has become personal, and she is not the hunter . . . but the hunted.
With this explosive first book in The Nikki Boyd Files, award-winning author Lisa Harris takes you on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have you holding your breath until the heart-stopping finish.
Praise for the suspense novels of Lisa Harris
"Readers looking for a strong female protagonist and a unique murder mystery will find much to admire in Harris's work."--Publishers Weekly on Dangerous Passage
"A thrill ride from start to finish. Full of twists and turns, this exciting story will keep readers enthralled."--RT Book Reviews, 4-star review of Fatal Exchange
"Appealing characters along with fast-paced action . . . a great read for fans of romantic suspense."--Booklist onHidden Agenda
Lisa Harris is a Christy Award winner and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 fromRomantic Times. The author of nearly thirty books, including Dangerous Passage, Fatal Exchange, andHidden Agenda,Harris and her family have spent twelve years living as missionaries in southern Africa. They currently live in Mozambique. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.
Don't miss the Fall sale if you can help it! My book and many other wonderful books are on sale! It's a great place to follow, and to find new authors that might become some of your favorites!
Poor Katrina! She has moved and boy do the guys have her confused! She thought John was the one, until broke up with him and she moved. Now she is wondering, is he really? Andy Miller sure does like her. However, things are not cut and dry. Can she trust Andy? Where did Andy come from anyway?
Deceptiveness and forgiveness, it is all through out this book. What quantifies a lie, or being deceptive? What about when you didn't feel it was, but others do? Bishop David has a great deal to deal with. I loved seeing some folks from The Inn At Eagle Hill, but you will not have any problem with this book as a stand alone. The tie-in's only add to it for those of us who have read the other series.
My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)
TheImposter
by SuzanneWoodsFisher
A heart once deceived should not be easily fooled again . . . Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. But as her plans crumble before her eyes, she struggles to face an uncertain future. When a widow asks for help starting a new business, Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose. What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farmhand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always seems to say the right thing and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy for real or too good to be true? She's been deceived once before, and she isn't planning on experiencing it again. Bestselling author SuzanneWoodsFisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a tale of love, uncertainty, and trusting God to write your story. "Suzanne is an authority on the Plain folks, and that's important to readers when it comes to Amish fiction. She always delivers a fantastic story with interesting characters, all in a tightly woven plot."--Beth Wiseman, bestselling author of the Daughters of the Promise andthe Land of Canaan series "A heartwarming story of overcoming obstacles to find peace and a place to belong. It will captivate readers who love the Amish culture and enjoy spending time in thePlain community."--Amy Clipston, bestselling author of A Simple Prayer SuzanneWoodsFisher is an award-winning, bestselling author whose most recent novels include Anna's Crossing and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peaceand The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and followSuzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.
Welcome to Hidden Springs, Kentucky. The population just dropped by one. It't not like they had that many people to give either. Now they have 731! Panic almost ensued as the town busy-body Miss Wiladean Dearmon finds the body of a man who refuses to move off the court house top steps. Well, he can't move, he happens to have been murdered! Micheal Keane has left the big city to come to this small quite town. All of the sudden, it isn't so quite anymore! Now he has to solve this murder, deal with a tiny town in shock that a murderer could be there, living there, even one of them! Sure it is a small town, but it doesn't lack in characters or interest at all. A few other mysteries are involved as well as the over all who-done-it. I did figure it out in advance, but I still enjoyed this book, thoroughly. My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing else. Carol :)
Welcome to Hidden Springs pop. 732 --- 731 Michael Keane's stressful days as a Columbus police officer are done. He's ready to relax into his new position as deputy sheriff in his sleepy hometown. Nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky--and that's just fine with Michael. Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. As Michael works to solve the case, it seems that every nosy resident in town has a theory. When the sheriff insists Michael check out one of these harebrained theories, his surprising discovery sends him on a bewildering search for a mysterious killer that has him questioning everything he has ever believed about life in Hidden Springs. Bringing with her a knack for creating settings you want to visit and an uncanny ability to bring characters to life, A. H. Gabhart pens a whodunit that will keep you guessing. A. H. Gabhart is Ann H. Gabhart, bestselling author of many novels, including Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, andLove Comes Home, and several popular Shaker novels such as The Outsider, The Believer, and The Innocent. Ann grew up in a small rural town in Kentucky much like Hidden Springs, but she is happy to report nobody was ever murdered on her hometown's courthouse steps. Ann and her husband still live on a farm near that same little town in Kentucky. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.
Please read to the END because I have a nice long interview to share with Author Diann Mills! What fun! :)
Now, this is book three in this series, FBI Houston. We just right into things right from the start. Special Agent Bethany Sanchez is now working in violent crimes. Her new partner is Special Agent Thatcher Graves. Boom! They are now dropped into the midst of a serial killer case. But are these murders really all from the serial killer? These two have issues, and things to prove, both to each other and others. They clash, but they are a good team as well. I do so enjoy the crime solving aspects, its one of the things I don't get tired of especially in this series.
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 Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library
Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction
award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction
Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith,
Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers
Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various
groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her
husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and
would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms
listed at her website.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?
That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.
When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Deadlock, go HERE.
Watch the video:
I can’t remember when I wasn’t in fiction mode.
Before I could hold a pencil, I created stories. After I could hold a pencil, I
wrote stories. The power of the written word intrigued me then as now—the sound of words,
the look of them on the written page, the ways words are used to entertain,
inspire, and encourage others.
2.
What can you tell us about the setting of this novel?
Deadlock,
a
romantic suspense, is set in Houston, Texas. My city.My home. Familiar
landscapes add more authenticity.
3.
Who are the main characters?
Special
Agent Bethany Sanchez steps into the violent crime division of Houston’s FBI. She’s a bit of a
perfectionist, and her own worst critic. However, she has reservations about
her new partner, the same man who put her brother in jail. To make matters
worse, he has a reputation of getting the job done, no nonsense, and a
womanizer. Are the rumors true?
4.
Special Agent Thatcher Graves is ready to work with his new partner, but she’s hard to get to
know. He’s uncertain if he
can trust her, and he has to know she has his back. Recently he made a decision
to become a Christian, but his past party-image stops him from revealing the
changes in his life.
5.
Which of the characters surprised you the most in this story, and how so?
Bethany
refused to give up on her relationship with her family, even though they chose
her felon brother over her.
6.
How did the writing of this story impact you as a person or as an author?
Definitely
the family dynamics. We all have family members who don’t share our beliefs
or values. This deepened my awareness of unconditional love woven with
obedience to God’s principles.
7.
Why is this story important to you?
Three
reasons:
1.The
complexities of dealing with a depraved mind.
2.Showing
the cultural differences between Bethany and Thatcher and their friendship
resulting in love.
3.Creating
an action-packed story about Houston’s FBI, their dedication and commitment
to keeping people safe.
8.
What would you like your readers to take away from this story?
God’s sovereignty in
all situations of life—family, career,
friendships, love, and obeying laws that correspond with God’s principles.
9. Are there some specific lessons you
hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?
God is bigger than our problems -
whether that be career, spiritual, or personal. In Deadlock, not only
did professional problems attack my hero and heroine, but family dynamics.
10. When you are not writing, what do you like to
do? Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy reading,
cooking, gardening, and grandkids! I’m very much into good health and
exercise to keep my body and mind in the best shape possible.
11.
What can you tell us about Deadlock?
Two
murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer,
or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?
That
is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new
assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special
Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for
being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite:
he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.
When
hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked.
But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer
together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in
on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive
long enough to solve it.
