1–What is the title of your latest release? HER SECRET PROTECTOR 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Assigned to protect sea turtle biologist Peyton Bradley from a dangerous stalker, former SEAL Gray Wallace is determined to save his headstrong charge—even if she doesn’t want to be saved. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I’ve been wanting to write a book with sea turtles in it, since they are a passion of mine, so I set it in Florida on the beach. I live in Florida as well. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely. Peyton is dedicated to saving sea turtles and the ocean. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Strong, protective, and determined. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? learned a lot about sea turtles in my research, for example, how the temperature of a nest determines the gender of the turtles! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Both. I’m a plotter and pantser, so I’m a “plantser,” lol. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Anything I don’t have to cook when I’m on a deadline, LOL!…
What is so compelling about romantic suspense novels? Is it the tight blend of gripping romance and dangerous suspense? Is it the twisted villains who put our main characters in such life-or-death jeopardy? Is it the heart-pounding adrenaline rush? I was curious about why we love romantic suspense novels (I sure am obsessed with them!), and I decided to task three best-selling authors for their take on the issue. I sent the authors this question: “What makes for a great romantic suspense read?” USA Today best-selling author Morgan James replied, “The tension! A good romantic suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat, with both the plot and the characters. It should move swiftly and keep the action coming. I love when a story draws you in, then spins you in a completely different direction with a well-developed twist. Add to that a healthy dose of conflict between the main characters, and you’ll find yourself cheering them on as you scramble to unravel the mystery alongside them!” I think Morgan is absolutely on target—a fabulous romantic suspense novel will always keep me on the edge of my seat…and turning pages as quickly as I can! Her recent release, DANGEROUS…
Book Title: BENEATH DARK WATERS Character Name: Val Sorensen How would you describe your family or your childhood? We were happy once. Our parents were forgetful and were busy working to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, but if we needed them, they were there. Then, anyway. Now, not so much. Back when we were kids, my twin brother Ivan and I would do all the normal kid things, and I was a tomboy for sure. We climbed trees and played football. We lived in Minnesota until I was ten, when my father got a job teaching university in New Orleans. It was quite a culture shock! But we were still happy. Ivan and I would babysit our little sister Sylvi until our parents got home from work and sometimes even afterward. I complained sometimes, but it wasn’t really a burden. I loved Sylvi then. I kind of raised her. So does that make her problems—and her crimes—my fault? What was your greatest talent? I play the piano and sing—when I’m not playing roller derby with the New Orleans QuarterMasters. My derby name is Val-killer-rie. Significant other? A few in the past. …
When I write a book, one of the first things that I decide is just where I intend to set my story. Whenever possible, I like to visit the cities that I use in my books. There is just something about actually being in the area—you can pick up on sounds, scents, special sights…all these fun little details that you can add into a story in order for the setting to become real for the reader. In my books, I’ve set quite a few stories in New Orleans. Why? First…because I adore the city. New Orleans is just two and a half hours away from my home, so I’ve spent my whole life traveling back and forth to the Big Easy. It doesn’t matter how many times I visit; I always leave feeling inspired. Reason two? New Orleans is perfect whether I’m writing a romantic suspense or a paranormal. In the city, you can find so many unique elements, and those elements just beg to be included in books. And reason three? Readers seem to love the city just as much as I do! I recently headed back with my son, and one of our first stops had to be…
If the characters are chasing a bad guy, if they are facing life or death stakes, if danger is stalking them…then I am absolutely addicted. Long before I started writing romantic suspenses, I was an avid reader of the genre. (And, of course, I still am a crazy avid reader!) What draws me to romantic suspense? I love the balance of danger and romance. One minute, your heart is racing because you’re worried about the hero or heroine, and then, a few pages later, you’re feeling an emotional high because you can see the characters falling for each other. And, sure, considering that I am more than a bit of a crime addict (too many podcasts are in my life), it only stands to reason that I’d be drawn to books with a suspenseful edge. However, I need a happy ending in my stories, and romances can always guarantee me that I will end a story with a smile on my face. There are several romantic suspenses that are currently on my radar as summer reads. First up, Kaylea Cross has written a heroine who is a former assassin (talk about dangerous), and I am so looking forward to her…
1–What is the title of your latest release? BLIND TRUST 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? What do illegal arms trafficking, counterfeit money, the U.S Government, and bombs have in common? According to EOD expert Nicolás Garcia…they’re safer than working with Lyla Fox. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Washington D.C. epitomizes intrigue which made locating my SNAP Agency there perfect. You really never know who you’re walking next to, sitting by on the Metro, or eating dinner near – spies, secret service, politico conspirators. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Definitely. Her spunkiness and spontaneity would make every minute with her an adventure. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Impulsive, generous, loyal. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That tough characters are hard to write. LOL. But seriously. These two characters throughout the series have guarded themselves and trying to break that wall down was way more difficult than I imagined. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I try not to edit as I draft but it inevitably happens. If I’m stuck sometimes it helps to…
They’ll protect the president at any cost—but who will protect their hearts? In Under Fire, US Secret Service Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend—and the woman he desperately wishes could be more. Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president’s protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light. Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time? U – Under Fire is the final book in the Defend and Protect series N – “Not that kind of princess” – Tessa may look like a Disney princess, but she’s tough, smart, and more than capable of taking care of herself and protecting the President…
Book: IN FOR THE KILL, by Shannon McKenna Subject: Svetlana Ardova and Sam Petrie Interviewer, startled: Oh, my gosh! Um…so you’ve both arrived together? I hope I didn’t miscommunicate when I gave you the times of the interviews. I scheduled Detective Petrie at 10 AM. (She turns to Sveti.) I meant for you to come in at eleven, because I thought maybe we could grab lunch together afterward. My treat, of course, since you were the one who put me in touch with these fascinating interview subjects for my journalism project. I will be indebted to you forever, you know. (Sam and Sveti stare at each other in naked alarm, speechless.) Sveti: I am very sorry. I am sure that it was my mistake. It is the kind of thing that happens to me often, with the English not being perfect, you see. I still have these lapses now and then. I will just go, then, and get a coffee, and come back in an hour. Sorry, Delilah. Sam: No, no. Stay. Talk to the two of us together. It’s no problem. Interviewer: A dual interview? That could be interesting. I mean, you guys are friends, right? Or…
Book: FATAL STRIKE, by Shannon McKenna Subject: Miles Davenport Interviewer: Thanks for coming in on such short notice, Mr. Davenport. I know Sveti roped you into doing this for my journalism thesis project as a favor, and I am really grateful to both of you. Particularly after I read the articles about the Greaves Foundation event! Wild stuff. I’m so glad you got through it all right. And I would love to learn more about your incredible adventures! Miles, looking dubious: Uh, yeah, I guess. I don’t know how they covered it in the newspapers, so I can’t speak to what they said about what happened. Interviewer: Well, they told the truth, right? Did they not? And if not, what did they miss? Or fudge? Miles: No clue. I was in a coma when they were writing about it. I’ve been trying not to think about it ever since. So, I’d rather refrain from questions about that. If you don’t mind. Interviewer, crestfallen: Okay, I guess. Well, then. (consults notes) Then let’s just get back to basics. Say, how would you describe your family? Your childhood? Miles, shifting uncomfortably on his chair: My parents were great. They…
My novel, Sycamore Circle, begins in a coffee shop called Sacred Grounds. It’s in the middle of a small Ohio town’s square, and the proprietors converted a former church into a coffee destination. It sounded like a perfect place for Joy, the book’s heroine, to be tutoring her adult literacy students. It’s also the place where Bo, my ex-con-hero, first spies Joy, and where several other important scenes in the novel take place. When I write a novel, I try to fill it with characters who I would like to know. I usually also try to make at least one of the settings a place where I would like to hang out. Sacred Grounds is definitely one of those places. Do you have a favorite coffee shop? I don’t currently have one, but I used to when we lived in Littleton, Colorado years ago. I’d meet my friend Susan E. there every morning at 6:45. We’d stand in line, grab our lattes, then take turns driving to the elementary school where we taught. The school was in the foothills of the mountains, and it was fifty-five miles away. Those coffees were lifesavers, especially when the weather was snowy and cold….