I never know where my stories will come from. While working on my first Carolina book, set on the Outer Banks, I became fascinated with the mystery of the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island. You can’t spend time on the Carolina Coast without realizing that theories abound as to the fate of the 117 people who vanished from Sir Walter Raleigh’s ill-fated colony over thirty years before the Pilgrims would land on Plymouth Rock. While writing my second Carolina book, THE STORY KEEPER, I delved into the mystery of what early explorers deemed to be “blue-eyed Indians,” who were found to have been living in the Appalachian mountains decades before other Europeans pressed in. I knew that the third Carolina book would somehow bring these two fascinating bits of history together. An interesting thing happened when THE STORY KEEPER hit the bookstores. Because the novel is about the discovery of an untold story, readers began sharing their own family stories with me. One reader mentioned that she’d traveled through the mountains many times as a child and one day had noticed that there were doors in the mountainside. When she asked about the doors, her father told her that during…

Monday afternoon I won a Christy Award for my novel, THE FIVE TIMES I MET MYSELF. (If you’re not familiar with the Christy’s, it’s the Christian Fiction equivalent of the Oscars.) And I didn’t win one Christy, I won two. First in the Visionary category, then Book of the Year—which I suppose is something like winning Best Picture. Crazy cool. Stunned me to win. So deeply honored. But here’s the twist. I didn’t win. Not really. My name is on the cover of the book. But so many other names should be there alongside mine. Three of those names? Amanda Bostic, Erin Healy, Darci Rubart. Amanda Bostic My editor. When I finished the first version of my manuscript and sent it in, Amanda wrote back and said, “Jim, it’s so hard to tell you this, but what you’ve written isn’t going to work. We’re going to have to start over. There’s a better book than this one inside you.” I was devastated. But she was right. Oh how she was right. So I wrote the book again, 90 percent of it new. Amanda and I are friends. Would have been easier for her to say, “Yeah, okay we’ll work with…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors as a reader you may fall in love with. We’d love to introduce you to Amy Clipston. Writes: Amish fiction, with my latest release THE COURTSHIP BASKET , book #2 in my Amish Heirloom series, hitting shelves June 28, 2016 About: Forty-something romance author seeks readers for sweet and emotional Amish novel, with an outspoken, quick-tempered heroine who’s all but given up on love after having her heart broken and a workaholic hero, who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and is burdened with caring for his six-year-old younger brother and chronically ill father. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Their idea of the perfect date includes a Saturday night in with their e-reader/or paperback, a box of chocolate and perhaps a diet soda… Dreams of horses and buggies Falls easily in love with hardworking heroes dressed in suspenders and straw hats Likes sweet, inspirational stories with touches of humor Doesn’t mind reading about delicious recipes and baked goods Enjoys a fast-paced, emotional plot Wants to learn more about the…

I have a love/hate relationship with social media, which I think is pretty aptly reflected in IN TWENTY YEARS. On one hand, I absolutely adore Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: I love how Facebook and Instagram connect me with old friends and allow me to keep track of their lives in ways that I’d never otherwise be able to. Watching their kids grow up, cheering on their personal accomplishments, finding common ground when the world at large has disappointed us or inspired us. I truly could spend all day “liking” their posts because I am so proud that these people are part of my life. Similarly, I enjoy Twitter a lot, as it keeps me company during my solitary writing days and keeps me informed about news and the world at large. That said… As reflected in the book, I think there are a lot of downsides to social media too, and I guess I balance my love for all of the things I said above with my equally measured view of the perils. I’m not a fan of the sugar-coated, overly-filtered presentation of, well, life, and how people use that presentation to, I don’t know, make others envious or jealous…

Tristan Gallagher walks into the room and stops when he notices me. I turn to face him and he raises an eyebrow, before his gaze slides to the photo I’m clutching of Serena St. Michael and him. Casually, I place it back on the fireplace mantel. *clears throat*“You have a lovely home here in the woodland realm. It’s log-cabin chic.” TG: small smile tugs at his lips*“Log-cabin-chic? That’s a new way to describe it.” Tristan hands me a mug off coffee and motions toward the couch. I take a seat and wait for him to sit across from me. He doesn’t. Instead, he sits next to me invading my personal space. The smell of spice and citrus hits me and I almost ask him to leave Serena and marry me. TG: *smirks in a knowing way* “Shall we get started?” I stare. It’s hard not to. He’s hot. *clears throat* “Um. Yes. Let’s get started.” Character Interview Do you have a nickname? TG: “Nope.” I notice you have this sexy scar on your upper lip. How did you get it? TG: *shifts uncomfortably* “Years ago, during a coronation, I was running through a dark forest and an angry tree branch…

This is the final clue in Nancy Bush’s own version of the Clue game. Post your best guess on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/nancybushauthor/, of how a chess game might be part of her July romantic thriller, THE KILLING GAME, and she’ll send the poster of her favorite guess not one but FIVE of her books! THE KILLING GAME by Nancy Bush Rafferty Family From New York Times bestselling author Nancy Bush comes a tense, intricately plotted novel of suspense, as one woman becomes the focus of a killer’s warped game of revenge and murder. The Rules Are Simple: It’s the ultimate test of strategy and skill. The killer chooses each opponent carefully, learning each one’s weaknesses. Every meticulously planned move is leading to a devastating checkmate. Because in this game, all the pretty pawns must die. First You Play Andi Wren is fighting to keep her late husband’s company safe from vindictive competitors. When she receives an ominous note, Little birds must fly, she turns to P.I. Luke Denton. But though Luke has personal reasons for wanting to take down Wren Development’s opponents, his investigation suggests this is deeper and far more dangerous than a business grudge. Then You Die….

Something about me, the author—I love tattoos because they tell a person’s story. History and archeaology shows us that humans have been wearing ink since we began writing words down. Long before the advent of scientific inquiry, humans had strong, possibly magical reasons for why they got tattoos. These marking identified them as members of certain clans or as healers or chiefs or as those seeking the healing powers from their ancestors. While the times have changed and people of today don’t necessarily believe their tattoos are magical, they still get them to tell a story about their own triumphs or losses or hopes or their history or familial connections. The Deathmark series was born from the idea that tattoos can have good or bad magical properties. Perhaps that butterfly on your shoulder helped you heal a wound or that favorite quote kept you focused on your seemingly unachievable goal. But for anyone unfortunate enough to get a skull tattoo from Master Scrivener Ollie Dormier, they are set on the fastrack to their death. The idea of Ollie’s job—tattooing death into unwitting humans—seems both an interesting and heartbreaking one. The job as a Scrivener becomes a real problem for an…

I’m pleased to be able to talk about the unique connection between my double release books today. TO CATCH A FALLEN SPY, Book 8 in my bestselling Brethren of the Coast series, released on June 28th, 2016, with THE BLACK MORASS, Book 1 in my brand new Pirates of the Coast series, releasing on July 5th. Readers can receive an exclusive gift, an autographed book trading card, with the purchase of either book. Those interested can claim their gift by visiting barbaradevlin.com. What makes this double release so special, you might be wondering? The books converge with the villain in TO CATCH A FALLEN SPY. In TO CATCH A FALLEN SPY, Jean Marc Cavalier has a grudge to settle with the Brethren, which goes back to the first book in the series, ENTER THE BRETHREN. Elaine, the heroine of the story, sees something in Jean Marc that makes him reconsider his plans, and he opts for a different course at the last second. The epilogue sees Jean Marc given a chance at redemption, but he must survive a year of performing good deeds to win a pardon. THE BLACK MORASS is Jean Marc’s tale of redemption and love, and it…

Here’s Clue #9 in Nancy Bush’s version of the Clue game she’s playing on her Facebook page. What could possibly make this car soar off the cliff in her July romantic thriller, THE KILLING GAME? Post your best, creative guest on Nancy’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/nancybushauthor/, and she’ll send the poster of her favorite guess a made-in-Oregon gift. THE KILLING GAME by Nancy Bush Rafferty Family From New York Times bestselling author Nancy Bush comes a tense, intricately plotted novel of suspense, as one woman becomes the focus of a killer’s warped game of revenge and murder. The Rules Are Simple: It’s the ultimate test of strategy and skill. The killer chooses each opponent carefully, learning each one’s weaknesses. Every meticulously planned move is leading to a devastating checkmate. Because in this game, all the pretty pawns must die. First You Play Andi Wren is fighting to keep her late husband’s company safe from vindictive competitors. When she receives an ominous note, Little birds must fly, she turns to P.I. Luke Denton. But though Luke has personal reasons for wanting to take down Wren Development’s opponents, his investigation suggests this is deeper and far more dangerous than a business grudge. Then…

Today Nancy Bush’s THE KILLING GAME is available online and in stores across the country. To celebrate, Nancy’s playing her version of the game, Clue, on her Facebook page. All you have to do is guess how this picture might be part of the plot in this new romantic thriller. What message might be in that envelope? Post your guess on https://www.facebook.com/nancybushauthor/, and Nancy will send her favorite poster a fun gift from her home state of Oregon, where the book takes place. THE KILLING GAME by Nancy Bush Rafferty Family From New York Times bestselling author Nancy Bush comes a tense, intricately plotted novel of suspense, as one woman becomes the focus of a killer’s warped game of revenge and murder. The Rules Are Simple: It’s the ultimate test of strategy and skill. The killer chooses each opponent carefully, learning each one’s weaknesses. Every meticulously planned move is leading to a devastating checkmate. Because in this game, all the pretty pawns must die. First You Play Andi Wren is fighting to keep her late husband’s company safe from vindictive competitors. When she receives an ominous note, Little birds must fly, she turns to P.I. Luke Denton. But though Luke…