Showing posts with label romantic suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romantic suspense. Show all posts

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Blog Tour: Treacherous Trails

Blog Tour: Treacherous Trails


About the Book

  Title: Treacherous Trails  
Author: Dana Mentink  
Genre: Inspy Romanctic Suspense  
Release Date: March, 2018  
Falsely accused… Can she escape the real killer? In this second installment in the Gold Country Cowboys series, farrier Ella Cahill is accused of murder—and only former marine Owen Thorn, her brother’s best friend, can help clear her name. Now with someone trying to kill Ella, Owen must protect her…despite his promise to her brother to stay away from her. But can they work together to find the true killer before she becomes the next to die?

Click here to purchase your copy.


My Thoughts

Treacherous Trails is the second book in Dana Mentink’s Gold Country Cowboys series, and if possible, is better than the first which is excellent. The intrigue and suspense kept me turning pages and were deftly woven with the romantic thread of the developing relationships between Luke and Ella. Each struggled with insecurities and doubts in realistic and relatable ways. Luke’s family was warm and hospitable without being contrived or cliché. I felt Luke’s and Ella’s frustrations as they hit dead-end after dead-end while trying to prove Ella’s innocence. The plot twist at the end was a surprise, yet as I thought about it realized the author had laid the groundwork for it. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author



Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over thirty five titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

Guest Post from Dana Mentink

Howdy, friends! I am so thrilled to be galloping into the second book in the Gold Country Cowboy series with you. This book was a hoot to write. It’s got a nice twisty mystery and plenty of danger! Our hero, twin Owen Thorn, is a Marine doing his darnedest not to fall in love with his brother’s little sister, but you know how these things go, don’t you, partners? There’s trouble ahead in cowboy country and this story will take you on a wild gallop to the happy ending! God bless and thanks for coming along!

Blog Stops

Here are Dana's remaining Tour Stops:

April 15: C Jane Read
April 15: The Power of Words
April 16: Among the Reads
April 16: Genesis 5020
April 18: Carpe Diem
April 18: Cafinated Reads
April 19: Maureen's Musings
April 20: Pause for Tales
April 22: A Greater Yes
April 23: Texas Bookaholic
April 23: Artistic Nobody
April 24: Kat's Corner Books
April 24: Big Reader Site
April 25:  Remembrancy

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, Cornbread Mix, and Cowboy Caviar Salsa!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca46
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Sunday, March 25, 2018

Blog Tour: The Tempering Agent

Blog Tour: The Tempering Agent


About the Book

 Book Title: The Tempering Agent  
Author: Victoria Pitts Caine  
Release Date: February 14, 2014
Dr. Priscilla Hackling finds herself thrown back into the murder investigation of her fiancé, Trey Whittington. While she was a suspect three years ago, she’s now working with the police to find the murderer, Egyptian artifact trafficker, Zarka El-Din. During a sting operation in Siwa, she and Agent Donnie Barnes are drawn to each other but Priscilla, overcome by personal ghosts from her past, decides a relationship isn’t possible. Priscilla realizes she’s the bait in the ruse and uncovers others involved with El-Din. Will she and Donnie reconcile and unravel the reason behind Trey’s death before El-Din kills her, too?

Click here to purchase your copy!


My Thoughts

I have a mixed reaction to The Tempering Agent. This is the first Victoria Pitts-Caine book I read, and I enjoyed it enough to want to read the others in this series. The cover captured the essence of the series and the genre, and I was drawn into the story almost immediately. What I wasn’t crazy about – the relationship between Priscilla and Donnie developed too quickly for my taste, and when they were each struggling with whether to pursue the other person, most of what came to mind was memories of kisses and physical attraction. In addition, Priscilla is a British citizen, yet her word usage and mannerisms seem American. The few British references were cliché: greeting each other with “cheerio” and lots of tea drinking. The author seems more comfortable conveying Egyptian and Middle Eastern dialect, mannerisms, and customs and have obviously either done lots of research or had personal experience. Information about archaeology, digs, history, and government oversight is interesting and well-presented, sprinkled throughout rather than dumped onto the reader. The suspense and intrigue steadily increases as the book progresses to the point that I wasn’t sure who to trust, and I began to see “bad guys” in every corner. I loved that! The action sequences are exciting, and kept me reading. Each chapter heading includes information about a gemstone which I found very interesting, but the reference during a conversation to “the tempering agent” felt forced and dropped into the story as if to justify the book’s title.

I was given a copy of this book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Victoria Pitts Caine is a native Californian and lives in the central portion of the state. Her varied interests include genealogy and exotic gemstone collecting both of which she’s incorporated into her novels. The author has received recognition in both fiction and nonfiction from: Enduring Romance top 10 picks for 2008, William Saroyan Writing Conference, Byline Magazine, Writer’s Journal Magazine, Holt International Children’s Services Magazine, and The Southern California Genealogical Society. Her first novel was published in 2007 followed by two more as well as novellas and short stories in anthologies. Victoria is a former staff technician in air pollution control. She is the mother of two daughters. Now retired from the work force, Victoria and her husband enjoy travel, cooking, and are self-appointed “foodies”.

Guest post from Vicki Caine

Since childhood, I have been interested in genealogy and ancient Egypt. Two of my prior novels, Alvarado Gold and Cairo, let me follow my fantasies into those two areas. Donnie the hero in The Tempering Agent is also in the other two books, and it was his turn to find his own romance. When archaeologist Dr. Priscilla Hackling finds herself drawn back into the murder investigation of her fiancé and the missing breast plate of the high priest, Agent Donnie Barnes, is just the man to help her out, even if she doesn’t think so. Traveling along with Priscilla and Donnie, I discovered some interesting facts about ancient Egypt, from the ruins in the Siwa Desert to the mystery of the Valley of the Kings. The genealogy factor in my novels is Donnie is loosely based on my cousin. Alvarado Gold tells the story of my family while Cairo and The Tempering Agent fueled my inquisitiveness about Egypt.

Blog Stops

Here are Victoria's remaining blog stops:

March 25: Big Reader Site
March 26: A Greater Yes
March 29: Carpe Diem
March 30: Pause for Tales
March 31: Mary Hake
April 2: Among the Reads
April 2: Pursuing Stacie

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Victoria is giving away
Grand prize: Murano type heart necklace with lampwork bracelet and $25.00 Amazon gift certificate
1st Place: Green and white lampwork pendant and earrings
2nd Place: Set of three lampwork earrings
3rd place: Set of three holiday themed earrings
4th place: One ten $10 Amazon gift card
5th place: One ten $10 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c9e1
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Sunday, March 18, 2018

Blog Tour: Storms in Serenity

Blog Tour: Storms in Serenity


About the Book

  
Book Title: Storms in Serenity  
Author: Fay Lamb  
Release Date: February, 2018  
Genre: Romance, Mystery  

 How can one man save the town he loves when he’s the reason for the destruction? Serenity Key, Florida, has seen its share of hurricanes, but this time, one foul weather system is about to collide with another storm, and this one has nothing to do with atmospheric pressure. David New has guarded his secrets for years, but when two brothers, John and Andy Ryan, arrive in town and he gets news that the daughter he’s never told anyone about has disappeared, possibly the victim of a heinous crime, and the lives of many of the town residents begin to unravel in the gale force consequences of Jake’s past, he has nowhere else to turn. God is the only one Who can calm the storms, but can David and the good folks of Serenity Key survive until He does? A tempest has been brewing for thirty years, with only one island town in its path.
  
Click here to purchase your copy!

My Thoughts

A deeply moving, well-written story, Storms in Serenity addresses the topic of infidelity in a modernization of the aftermath of David and Bathsheba’s unfaithfulness. In one sense, the book was difficult to read because of the subject matter and the tension and high level of emotions never let up; the characters were in a constant state of upset. Having said that, I liked the characters-they were everyday people trying to handle the difficulties in their lives. I felt sorry for them as they struggled to reconcile their issues with their faith (or lack thereof). Storms in Serenity is told from multiple points of view which sometimes led to confusion, but most the time led to a deeper understanding of the characters. The mystery element of the story was well-done, and I enjoyed trying to figure out who the villain was (I did!). The plot twist at the end kept me reading late into the night. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to seeing whose stories will be told in the next book.

I received this book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author


Fay Lamb writes emotionally charged stories with a Romans 8:28 attitude, reminding readers that God is always in the details. Fay donates 100% of her royalties to Christian charities. Storms in Serenity is the first book in Fay’s Serenity Key series. Fay’s other series include, Amazing Grace and her novels, Stalking Willow, Better than Revenge, Everybody’s Broken, and Frozen Notes. The Ties that Bind Series includes Charisse, Libby, and Hope. Delilah, is coming soon. Fay’s is also the author of The Art of Characterization: How to Use the Elements of Storytelling to Connect Readers to an Unforgettable Cast.



Guest Post from Fay Lamb

ONCE UPON A STORM I’m one of those people who love storms. I revel in the lightning that streaks across the sky, the rumble of thunder as it rolls over the air, and I dance to the eerie sound of the wind coming through a crack in the window. Storms don’t frighten me. I’m an East Coast Floridian. I’ve lived through many a tempest. However, so that you won’t think me completely insane, I have also fled a few hurricanes. In our house, a Cat III storm is something to debate as we watch to see how low the millibars fall at the storm’s center. A Cat IV means gather the important documents, place them into plastic bags and tuck them into plastic tubs, batten down the hatches, and depending upon its projected proximity, hunker down or flee. A Cat V is a no-brainer. Run! If only the storms in our lives had categories so that we know when to stand and face the winds of life or to debate the direction, or to decide when to flee. Sometimes, the storms of life come at us without warning, with no stirring up of the waters by our own hands. Other times, the storms can be abated by the stance we take, the decisions we make, and by failing to move out of harm’s way, perhaps in an opposite direction. That’s what my first novel in The Serenity Key series is about: one man stirred up a storm many years prior. The destructive force of that storm amassed because he didn’t take a stand, he failed to make crucial decisions, and he choose to run from a situation that God would not allow him to outrun. Storms in Serenity is a modern-day retelling of the Biblical truths of the aftermath of David’s sin with Bathsheba and the destruction the storms of life that blew apart not only David’s family but also those he called friends. Mostly, though, Storms in Serenity, is a novel that proves that when it comes to sin, truly, no man is an island.

Blog Stops

Here are Fay's remaining blog stops:

March 22: Texas book-aholic
March 23: Carpe Diem
March 24: Pursuing Stacie
March 26: Among the Reads

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Fay is giving away a grand prize of an Echo Spot!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!  https://promosimple.com/ps/ca75
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Thursday, March 15, 2018

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Suspense Author Theresa Lynn Hall

Talkshow Thursday: Suspense Author Theresa Lynn Hall



Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. My readers love a good mystery or suspense novel, so they will be very excited to hear about your latest release, Ransom in Rio.  

Here's the blurb: Private investigator Braden McCoy wants nothing more than finishing out the week doing a little fishing from his boat. The ex-special ops vet enjoys his peaceful life and loves his new career. Until a mourning redhead walks into his office and changes his plans. 

Lexi Ramos always knew her family was dysfunctional. Until the sudden death of her brother, she never knew exactly how much. Consumed with questions surrounding his accident, she seeks the help of a private investigator. What starts out as a murder investigation in Cozumel quickly crosses borders and escalates into a race against time to save them both from Brazilian kidnappers who somehow know more about her family secrets than she does. Lexi soon learns that life comes with a price.

It sounds intriguing! What was your inspiration for the story?

Theresa: Thank you so much for having me here, Linda. My publisher, Pelican Book Group, has a series called Passport to Romance. They request books from different international locations that include 3 particular items to show up in the book. One location was Rio, Brazil with the items being a formal event, a family secret, and an emerald necklace. The significance of the items can vary.  As luck would have it, my husband was assigned to go on a business trip to Sau Paulo, which included a few days in Rio. The man assigned to host him while he worked there showed him the culture and language. He took a lot of pictures and brought back many stories. I even had to learn some Portuguese so that I could call his hotel. I also learned very quickly that this Texas girl can’t pull that off!

LM: How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on any real people in your life?

Theresa:  Great question! And one my friends and family are going to want to see the answer to! Actually, I do not base my characters on real people intentionally. I have found that my husband tends to influence my hero quite a bit and some of my quirks sneak into my heroine. In Ransom in Rio, Lexi is very determined and strong. She’s a fighter till the end. In the book I’m writing now, my heroine is a bit more vulnerable and less sure of herself. The two women have completely different personalities but each strong in her own way. Neither of them are based on any one person intentionally.

LM: The age-old question for writers: Are you a plotter or a “pantser?”

Theresa: I am typically a “pantser” but it does get me bogged down. I’ve learned to change my process a bit. I’m a full-time, first grade teacher and my job is mentally and physically exhausting. There are weeks when I can’t write at all. On another side note, I also have an autoimmune disease which causes extreme fatigue. When I was a full-blown “pantser” I would find myself getting lost when I came back to the story. I couldn’t focus and I had no real plot. Now, I start out the first few chapters without an outline (which is always the most fun!) and then I stop and outline the rest of the book. It helps me stay on track. However, I always change the outline as I write because my characters usually have a way of doing what they want anyway. But, yes, if I have to identify as one or the other then I’m a “pantser”—with a few modifications.


LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing? For example, do you listen to music or set up in a specific place?

Theresa: I think we all have our fantasy writing spot. Like that deserted island, watching the waves roll in with my laptop, while having food and drinks handed to me. Lol! But in reality, I have an office at home where I have everything set up. I also have a laptop and an iPad. I have strike it while the iron is hot, so to speak. I’m one of those people who can write in front of the TV with people talking around me. I can tune out pretty much anything if I’m in the zone.

LM: What one thing would you like to learn how to do?

Theresa: I’m loving your questions! I’m having to really think on this one. Well, this answer is probably boring…but, writing related I’d have to say I’d love to learn how to successfully use social media for promoting my books. I’m such an introvert and never know what to say! On a personal level, I’d love to learn how to play the piano. I have one and can hardly play it. I took lessons as a little girl but have forgotten a lot.

LM: Quickies:

Favorite Color: blue
Favorite Book: Bible
Favorite Movie Actress: Sandra Bullock

LM: What is your next project?

Theresa: I always have a few going but one I’m focused on now is about a young woman who thinks she’s finally getting herself together and is suddenly thrown into something so corrupt that she’s running for her life. The officer trying to help her soon finds himself running with her, not knowing who to trust next. Underneath the suspense and drama, it’s about two people who have to learn how to trust not only each other, but God’s plan for their lives.

Theresa:
Website: http://www.theresalynnhall.com

Blog: http://www.theresalynnhall.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theresalynnhall
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theresalynnhall
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/theresalynnhall
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/theresalynnhall

Purchase link
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Thursday, February 1, 2018

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Multi-genre author Kelly Irvin

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Multi-genre author Kelly Irvin

I'm pleased to be sitting down the Kelly Irvin who writes both Amish fiction and Romantic Suspense fiction-a fascinating combination! Draw up a chair and meet this interesting author.

Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. You’ve written more than a dozen Amish books, and last month released the second in your Every Amish Season series, Beneath the Summer Sun, available on Amazon. Here’s the book blurb:
Jennie Troyer knows it’s time to remarry. Can she overcome a painful secret and open her heart to love?
 It’s been four years since Jennie’s husband died in a farming accident. Long enough that the elders in her Amish community think it’s time to marry again for the sake of her seven children. What they don’t know is that grief isn’t holding her back from a new relationship. Fear is. A terrible secret in her past keeps her from moving forward.
Mennonite book salesman Nathan Walker stops by Jennie’s farm whenever he’s in the area. Despite years of conversation and dinners together, she never seems to relax around him. He knows he should move on, but something about her keeps drawing him back.
Meanwhile, Leo Graber nurtures a decades-long love for Jennie, but guilt plagues him—guilt for letting Jennie marry someone else and guilt for his father’s death on a hunting trip many years ago. How could anyone love him again—and how could he ever take a chance to love in return?
In this second book in the Every Amish Season series, three hearts try to discern God’s plan for the future—and find peace beneath the summer sun.

Where did you find your inspiration for this story?

Kelly: Beneath the Summer Sun is part of a four-book series that examines the role widows play in Upon a Spring Breeze, is about a young, pregnant Amish woman who suffers a terrible tragedy. Beneath the Summer Sun focuses on Jennie Troyer, a thirty-something widow with seven children. The third book features a grandmother and the fourth book, a great-grandmother. The different seasons of life. It’s been a pleasure to write this series. Each heroine is so different, and I love writing older men. So much fun.

Amish community life. I saw a blurb by an Amish scribe in The Budget newspaper that listed the annual stats for their district, which included number of births, deaths, school graduates, baptisms, weddings, etc. It included number of widows/widowers. They were singled out as an important statistic. I wanted to explore how they fit into the family unit that is so important to Amish communities. I also wanted to write about older women. The first book,

LM: The age-old question for writers – are you a planner or a “panster,” and what is your favorite part of the writing process?

Kelly: I’m totally a panster. I’ve gotten a little better about thinking ahead but mostly I know who the main characters are and what the central conflict is. After that, I let my imagination go wild. I love having a new character pop up or learning something about my heroine that I didn’t know until it appears on the page. That’s my absolute favorite part of writing. I have to do a lot of editing and some rewriting, but it’s working it to have that creative process unleashed.

LM: You write Amish fiction which requires an extra layer of research to ensure accuracy about their culture and beliefs. How did you go about researching Beneath the Summer Sun and did you discover any extra special tidbits of information?

Kelly: Regardless of the genre, a lot of research is necessary to get the details right. We’re so fortunate to have tons of information at our fingertips through the Internet. With all my Amish stories, I go to Donald B. Kraybill’s The Amish to better understand issues of faith, how they’ve been affected by changes in the mainstream world, and many details of day-to-day life. I read The Budget newspaper for glimpses into daily life as well. The Amish scribes are wonderful about sharing about family and community life. It’s a fantastic peek into their world. I enjoy reading Amishamerica.com’s blog which also includes great photographs to get a good visual of how things look in different communities. My husband and I went to Jamesport, Missouri, where this series is set, a few years ago and attended their school fund-raiser auction over Fourth of July weekend. I observed their buggy styles, clothes/colors, whether they had phone shacks, took a look at the schools, and learned about setting. It’s an on-going process of learning.

LM: How did you get started as a writer, and how did you decide to seek publication?

Kelly: I always wanted to be a writer. I decided in high school to become a newspaper reporter so I could write and make a living. I did that for about 10 years, before I jumped into public relations, but I always wanted to write novels. When I turned 45, I realized it was now or never. I spent a few years writing, learning the craft, going to conferences, and finally got an agent. It took another three years to get my first book published, a romantic suspense novel called A Deadly Wilderness. My agent suggested I try writing an Amish romance. She ended up selling my first one, To Love and to Cherish, before I finished writing it. I’ve loved every minute of writing these stories and have been blessed to get them published by Harvest House and Zondervan publishing houses.

LM: You live in a beautiful area of the world, a place many people visit. If money were no object, what is your idea of the ultimate vacation?

Kelly: I’d love to do an extended tour of Europe, with stops in France, Spain, and England. I have a physical disability that makes traveling a challenge, but I’ve always wanted to visit Paris, Madrid, and London.

LM: What is your next project?

Kelly: I’m finishing editing the fourth book in this series, With Winter’s First Frost so that I can jump into a new project. I recently signed a contract with Thomas Nelson Publishing to write two romantic suspense novels. The first one, Tell Her No Lies, will debut in January 2019. It’s already written, but I need to get started in January on the second one, which is due in August. I’m thrilled and excited to get back to my first love, romantic suspense. I’ll continue to write Amish romances too. It’s the best of both worlds and writing in different genres helps keep me fresh.


LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Kelly:
Website: http://www.kellyirvin.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelly.irvin.author
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/irvin0739/
Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin



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Sunday, November 19, 2017

Celebrate Lit Tour: Cowboy Christmas Guardian

Celebrate Lit Tour: Cowboy Christmas Guardian



About the Book:



Name of book: Cowboy Christmas Guardian
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre: Isnpy Romance Suspense

Someone is dead set on stopping Shelby Arroyo from doing her job: assessing mineral rights in a mine in gold country. But after rancher Barrett Thorn rescues her from an attack, the handsome widowed cowboy seems to feel responsible for her. That is, until he discovers she’s from the family that he’ll never forgive for his wife’s death. As the threats against Shelby escalate, cowboy honor and an unexpected attraction keep Barrett by her side, even at his own risk. And since Shelby won’t back down, Barrett must protect the brave, loyal woman he has no business falling for…a woman someone wants to kill by Christmas. 

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts:

As a suburban woman raised on the East Coast, far-flung ranches in the west are foreign to me. Thanks to descriptive writing and realistic dialogue, I was immersed in horses, cowboys, and the challenging life of a rancher. I fell in love with Barrett Thorn, who is strong yet sensitive, and chivalrous without being a caricature. I could feel his grief as he mourned the loss of his wife. I also loved his family and was happy to discover this is the first book in a series. Each brother has his own personality, and I can’t wait to meet them more in depth. Shelby is a well-developed character, and I enjoyed learning about geology through her eyes (a subject I despised in school!). Her struggles are realistic, and I cheered for her successes as she searched the mine. A page-turner, the book raced toward the end as author Mentink ratcheted up the action and predicaments she subjected Barrett and Shelby too. I was sure I had figured out who the killer was, but in the end was wrong. The plot twist at the end when the real killer was revealed was fantastic. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author:

  

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over thirty-five titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, Yogi, Boo Boo, a nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet.

Guest Post from Dana Mentink

Howdy, readers! I am thrilled to be bringing you this four book Gold Country Cowboys series that takes place in an area near and dear to my heart! My family and I have enjoyed many adventures in this amazing area, from exploring gold mines, to climbing through caverns, and soaking in the incredible history. As a matter of fact, we recently enjoyed a train trip on the historic V and T Railroad which took us past abandoned mines and even some active ones where people are engaged in modern day treasure hunting. California’s Gold Country is a fascinating place filled with secret treasures. I hope you will enjoy some wild adventures with four cowboy brothers who have some secrets of their own. God bless you all!

Blog Stops

Here are Dana's Remaining Blog Tour Stops:

November 19: Red Headed Book Lady
November 19: Remembrancy
November 21: Autism Mom
November 21: Janice's Book Reviews
November 22: Moments Dipped in Ink
November 23: New Horizon Reviews
November 24: Pause for Tales
November 24: Ashley's Bookshelft
November 25: Cafinated Reads
November 26: Blogging with Carol
November 26: Daysong Reflections
November 27: Carpe Diem
November 27: Karen Sue Hadley
November 28: Bab's Book Bistro
November 29: The Power of Words

Giveaway


In honor of her tour, Dana is giving away a copy of Cowboy Christmas Guardian in print or ebook, a horse scarf and a $25 Amazon gift card! Click the link below to enter! https://promosimple.com/ps/c0d3
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Monday, August 21, 2017

Blog Tour: Out of Darkness

Blog Tour: Out of Darkness


 
 
To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

 

Book title: Out of Darkness  
Author: Erynn Newman  
Release date: May 18, 2017  
Genre: Romantic suspense

Elisabeth Allen gave her heart to Jesus as a little girl and to Drew Marek as a teenager. When their wedding day finally arrives, it’s the happiest day of her life–until a car bomb transforms her dream come true into a living nightmare. As Best Man at the wedding, Gabriel Di Salvo promises Drew–his best friend and CIA partner–he’ll look after Elisabeth, but he never dreams it will become necessary so soon. As Elisabeth struggles to put the pieces of her life back together without Drew, Gabe becomes her rock, and as they share their grief and begin to heal, their friendship gradually deepens into something more.

Three years later, Gabe and Elisabeth are planning a future together when he receives a shocking call from the one man who can upend his happiness: Drew. Suspecting someone at the CIA is behind his abduction, Drew refuses to come home. Instead, he asks Gabe to bring Elisabeth to him. Now Gabe just has to figure out how to let her go. Drew and Elisabeth race across Europe, dodging international arms dealers and attempting to reclaim what was stolen from them. But years of captivity and torture have left their mark on Drew. He is no longer the same boy Elisabeth fell in love with, but he is still her husband, and she’s determined to build something new and leave her relationship with Gabe in the past, if her heart will get the memo. When their enemies close in and the threat of a terrorist attack escalates, Gabe may be the only person they can trust. Drew, Elisabeth, and Gabe are thrown into a fight for their lives–one that will test their loyalties to God, country . . . and each other.  


My Thoughts

Out of Darkness is a well-researched, well-written thriller that left me breathless. I was stunned when I discovered this was Ms. Newman’s debut novel, and that she is not a long-time CIA operative. I lived in the DC suburbs for years and enjoyed my virtual visit to the area through the pages of this story. The book started off with a bang (literally) and moved at breakneck speed until the last page. I wasn’t crazy about the amount of violence, but it was not gratuitous. I loved Drew, Elizabeth, and Gabe. Each was a unique blend of struggles, personality, and faith. There were a couple of surprising plot twists, and I was fascinated to see how they would work out. I didn’t give Out of Darkness five stars because of the violence, but that is my personal taste and not a criticism. Recommended to those who enjoy clean versions of Robert Ludlum and Ken Follett type books.

I received this book for free from Celebrate Lit Publishing. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

 

Erynn Newman is a pastor’s kid, raised in churches all over the Eastern Seaboard. Since earning her degree in Christian Studies, she has traveled the world and served as a missionary, a counselor, an ESL teacher, and a nanny. Though she has never worked with the CIA, her DVR contains a veritable Who’s Who of international spies. She is a Carolina girl, a wife, and Mama to a very busy little boy, two cats, and a gaggle of characters that live inside her head.

20 Facts About Out of Darkness

  1. I write novels while the rest of the house sleeps. That’s also when I do most of my editing work and social media stalking. During the day, I get to hang out with an awesome 4-year-old who is the reason I get up in the morning (both because he’s my heart and because he’s staring into my soul asking me to make pancakes).
  2. I don’t like wine or coffee. My writer fuel is partially frozen Cherry Pepsi.
  3. It took me a long time to realize I was a writer. I thought that everyone made up imaginary people and back stories for them and imagined the lives they lived and sometimes talked to them in traffic. Turns out no. Fortunately other writers found me and helped me figure it out.
  4. My greatest nemeses are also my greatest inspirations. Facebook and Netflix. Finding the balance of hanging out with other writers and readers and being inspired by great story telling and actually doing the work is the hardest thing for me.
  5. I am obsessed with casting characters. Finding the perfect actor/actress or model who embodies my characters is one of my favorite parts of the process. I also do this for every single book I read.
  6. So, of course now you want to know who I chose for Drew, Elisabeth, and Gabe. I’m glad you asked.
    • Drew is based on Matt Bomer’s portrayal of Bryce Larkin in the show Chuck (there are quite a few nods to this show hidden throughout Out of Darkness).
    • Elisabeth is partially based on a character from a show I watched when I was in college (also a waitress and artist), but she looks like this model.
    • Gabe is based not that loosely on (young) Anthony DiNozzo from NCIS.
  7. Our house has a really great office with a nice desk and comfortable chair that looks out on our wooded back yard. But I work almost exclusively while sitting on the couch with my laptop propped up on the back of it. My uniform is yoga pants and an old t-shirt. The author life is G.L.A.M.O.R.O.U.S.
  8. I got my start writing fan fiction. Most of it has been obliterated from the interwebs, but there may still be a few Star Wars stories floating around out there (I owe this to my love for Ewan MacGregor and my hatred of Annakin Skywalker). Fan fiction is also the way I found my very first critique group. And our leader, Susan Kaye Quinn, best-selling author and real life rocket scientist, helped me realize I could be a real author. And later she taught me how to publish. I want to be her when I grow up.
  9. Speaking of fan fiction, the original idea for Out of Darkness was a fan fiction based on that character from that show I talked about above. The waitress/artist who lost her first love and then fell for someone else. And then when her love returned, he was… recast. And terrible. And she forgot who she was and made every wrong decision. And everyone was miserable ever after. And I was like, what even IS this show?!?! So I started writing my version of how it should have gone. But then a surprising thing happened. My characters took on lives of their own, and I fell in love with ALL of them, and I knew I had to tell their story. So I started creating a different back story for them (and I introduced them to Jesus), and then they became their own characters and started telling me what to do. And I’m a little insane now, but I’m not even mad because I love what this story has turned into (and turned ME into).
  10. I started writing Out of Darkness in its earliest form in 2006. I stopped and restarted several times. I wrote other things that may or may not ever see the light of day. I learned that I was writing all wrong, and I ripped it apart, started over and stitched it back together piece by piece. In fact, my original chapter one is now chapter FOURTEEN. And all of that is after the first fifty pages that now comprise First Light, the prequel novelette that tells the story of how Drew and Elisabeth met and fell in love.
  11. Of all the exotic locations mentioned in Out of Darkness: Venice, Italy; Paris, France; Cordoba, Spain; Trim, Ireland; and even Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland, I have been to two—Baltimore and Paris. Google Maps Street View and Wikipedia are an author’s best friends.
  12. Music inspires me to write, but I can’t write to music. I often hear a song that makes me think of a scene or helps me get the emotion right. And I add those to my play list, but when I write, I prefer quiet (or instrumental music).
  13. I want the Gospel to be front and center in every story I write (including my own), but there were two scenes in particular that I really felt like the Holy Spirit guided me in writing. One is when Drew finds his Bible in the backpack Gabe packed for them, and the other is Gabe’s argument with God when he decides to let Elisabeth go. In both instances, I feel like God really led me to the right Scriptures and gave me the words in a way I didn’t experience with any other scenes.
  14. The hardest scenes were all of the ones with Drew and the gas. Both because I don’t like to torture my characters (contrary to what you may believe) and because the science behind the weapon is way above my head. I worked with a couple of microbiologists to get it at least to plausible/possible, but I’m sure there are still some issues with my science there.
  15. I cried several times while writing this book. Elisabeth and I grieve much the same way, so I saw a lot of myself in her moments crying out to God—especially in the ones where she just wanted to feel Him and couldn’t. I cried when Drew fell apart reading his Bible, and I cried at the end when I wasn’t sure who would live or die.
  16. Gabe was the biggest surprise of the writing process. He was supposed to be out of the picture after chapter sixteen. He was just supposed to be a supporting character in the first half of the book, but at every turn he was tapping me on the shoulder and telling me, “there’s so much more to my story.”
  17. A few scenes didn’t make it into the final book. Two of them are in the outtakes section of my website, but don’t read those until after you’ve read the book. Seriously.
  18. After being told by one agent that Out of Darkness would never sell because it didn’t fit neatly into a genre category, I signed with my current agent in 2012, and we submitted it to several publishers. I received lots of compliments on my writing, but ultimately, people didn’t seem to like the fact that both of my leading men were good guys, and there was no one to root against. One even suggested that I make Gabe complicit in Drew’s abduction. And one suggested I kill Drew (again!) so Elisabeth and Gabe could end up together. Both interesting ideas, but neither were the story I wanted to tell. In the end, I decided to indie publish, which has been really challenging, but I’m so happy with the way everything turned out. We all got the ending we were supposed to have.
  19. Speaking of endings, the one in the final version is very different from the original. I’ll try not to be too spoilery, but let’s just say that the original ending was far less happy, but I felt like it was the only way out. One of my characters made a choice that I couldn’t see any way around. And I thought that a happy ending would be too fake. I didn’t want to tie everything up with a pretty pink bow and say “they all lived happily ever after,” because after everything they’d been through, that wouldn’t be real life. But a very good friend of mine convinced me that I could instead tie everything up with a frayed knot. It’s still messy and difficult and a little raw, but I think it’s real… and full of hope and possibility.
  20. So what’s next, you ask? There’s more to explore here perhaps, but I honestly don’t know what comes next for these characters. That’s something I’m still thinking about. The story I’m working on right now also begins in D.C. but takes place mostly in the Pacific Northwest. It’s the story of an ex Army Ranger who has to protect his three little brothers when the youngest witnesses their parents’ murder. And there may also be a girl involved.

Blog Stops

Here are Erynn's remaining tour stops:
August 21: Blogging With Carol
August 22: Faithfully Bookish
August 22: Mommynificient
August 24: 100 Pages an Hour
August 25: Carpe Diem
August 26: JE Grace Blog
August 26: Karen Sue Hadley
August 27: Back Porch Reads
August 28: Daysong Reflections
August 29: Remembrancy
August 30: Henry Happens

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Erynn is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of Out of Darkness, a signed copy of First Light, The Joy Eternal~A Sweet and Bitter Providence CD, a $10 Starbucks gift card, and Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Creme Cookies.!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/beac
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Monday, January 25, 2016

Mystery Monday: In Harm's Way

I love a good book, and even though I write historical novels I read just about any fiction I can get my hands on. Around Thanksgiving last year, I
picked up books one and three of Irene Hannon's Heroes of Quantico series at my local library book sale.

The first book (Against All Odds) was good, but included a lot of telling rather than showing, so I put off reading book three (In Harm's Way.) A few weeks later looking for something to read, I decided to give Irene another try. Am I glad I did.

The novel is about music teacher Rachel Sutton and FBI Special Agent Nick Bradley who were both foster kids (for different reasons). After work one day Rachel finds a discarded Raggedy Ann doll and when she picks it up, she experiences a panic attack. Despite the negative vibes she gets from the doll, she feels she needs to do something about it. When the local police are disinterested in what she has to say, she turns to the FBI, and Nick is the one chosen to take her statement. His first instinct is to write her off as another nut-case, but he is intrigued by her demeanor and decides to pursue the case.

In Harm's Way is well-written and well-researched. It is obvious Ms. Hannon spoke with subject matter experts to get the technical parts of the novel correct. I learned a lot about several things (won't say what because that would include a spoiler) without feeling like she was hammering me over the head with the information. It is mostly passed along through dialogue. The book was fast paced and I stayed up late a couple of nights to finish it. Highly recommended!

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