New for July from our Love Inspired Suspense Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with three new must buys from our Love Inspired Suspense authors. Just click on a cover to purchase it. And to learn more about Mary, Maggie, and Dana, click on their names.

Standoff at Midnight Mountain
by Mary Alford 

Her brother is missing
And she’s the next target
After her CIA operative brother disappears, leaving behind only a cryptic message, armed men target former agent Rachel Simmons for information. But with help from her ex, Agent Alex Booth, Rachel eludes them, trekking into the mountains in search of her brother. Pursued through the wilderness by highly trained—and very familiar—men, can Alex and Rachel expose a conspiracy that goes deeper than they ever imagined?

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

Standing Fast
by Maggie K. Black 

Suspected of aiding a serial killer, single dad Chase McLear is desperate to prove his innocence. However, someone’s determined for him to be found guilty—and now they’re targeting Chase’s little girl. Preschool teacher Maisy Lockwood’s father was one of the killer’s victims, but Maisy believes Chase has been framed. Can Chase’s K-9 beagle sniff out the evidence to clear his name before the killer makes them his next victims?

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

Cowboy Bodyguard
by Dana Mentink 

She must protect a baby
With her secret husband's help
In this Gold Country Cowboys novel, Jack Thorn gets a surprise call from the woman he married in secret years ago. Shannon Livingston needs his protection for herself and the baby she’s hiding from a biker gang targeting the mother. Now Jack must help Shannon, even if shielding her means pretending to be a true husband to the only woman he’s ever loved…

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

New for May from Our Contemporary Love Inspired Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with a new must buy from our Love Inspired Contemporary authors. Just click on the cover to purchase it. And to learn more about Lisa, click on her name.

Hometown Reunion
by Lisa Carter 

A single dad starting over.
Is this his second chance at love?
Widowed former Green Beret Jaxon Pruitt comes home to face his toughest battle: reconnecting with his toddler son. He also makes an unwitting enemy of childhood friend Darcy Parks when he takes over the kayak shop Darcy hoped to buy! For little Brody’s sake, she’ll stay until summer’s end. But could a growing connection turn their temporary truce into an unexpected forever?

New for May from our Love Inspired Suspense Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with new must buys from our Love Inspired Suspense authors. Just click on a cover to buy one. And to learn more about these talented ladies, click on their names.

Amish Refuge
by DEBBY GIUSTI 

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Miriam Miller barely escapes the ruthless attacker that killed her mother and kidnapped her sister. Running deeper into the woods, she's running out of hope…until she falls into the arms of an unlikely bodyguard—a peaceful Amish farmer. Something about Abram Zook inspires her trust, but even in bucolic Willkommen, Georgia, Miriam faces danger. Both from the men pursuing her and from her growing feelings for the caring—though guarded—widower who protects her. Because if she falls for Abram she'll have to embrace his Amish faith as her own—or lose him. With each minute, her abductor creeps closer, pushing Miriam to an inevitable choice: stay and risk her heart…or leave and risk her life.

Sheriff
by LAURA SCOTT

HAZARDOUS HOMECOMING
Witnessing a prison break, FBI agent Julianne Martinez is within seconds of death…before she's rescued by the one man she thought she'd never see again. She'd know her long-ago love, Brody Kenner, anywhere, even with a sheriff star on his chest. Years ago she left Texas and Brody, and had no plans of returning…until the trail of a missing agent brought her home to both. Brody won't let her investigation proceed without him, and he needs her and her K-9 dog to track his escaped prisoner. But partnering with Julianne to solve two cases only leads to danger when the hunted becomes the hunter. This is a mission that cannot fail…because Brody lost Julianne once, and he won't lose her again.

Texas Takedown
by HEATER WOODHAVEN

LETHAL SABOTAGE

Presenting her research findings at an oceanology conference should be marine biologist Isabelle Barrows's big break—until she spots two men chasing her. With shadowy assailants on her tail, impressing potential investors becomes the least of her concerns. Especially when the men chase her straight into the arms of her high school crush. Unbeknownst to Isabelle, Matt McGuire still regrets the way they parted. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, Matt vows to keep her safe and make things right. But what good is a second chance when Isabelle's attackers will stop at nothing to destroy everything she holds dear—her life, her promising career and any possibility of a happily-ever-after?

A TRUE ESCAPE!

A TRUE ESCAPE ... Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a little odd. Well, I am. And there are real benefits to my different way of seeing things. I don't have to be satisfied with unhappy endings in books or sad movies as they're presented. I simply let my mind form a new scenario and enjoy things they way they should have been, according to Valerie. When I was in school I thought everybody could do this and was shocked to learn they couldn't. I think authors are masters of it.

We stare out windows and see things that others don't even dream about. We can close our eyes and be transported to another time or place. We may even get anxious and out of breath when we're putting together a frightening scene or rescuing the helpless as only we can. This is one reason why I love writing for Love Inspired in all their lines. There is hope. Faith in action. And the kind of satisfying closure that I crave.

Curiosity drew me to explore Cherokee history before the "Trail of Tears," partly because one of the routes went right through the area where I now live. There are lots of reasons why that epic journey is often featured but I wanted to know what led up to it. When I found the true tale of the little boy who was caught in the clash between his Cherokee culture and Washington politics I was not only astounded, I was livid. How dare anybody do that to an innocent child? I had to help him. Save him! Give him a chance to live the happy, fulfilled life he deserved.

At the time my story takes place, the city of Washington had livestock roaming free and grazing on the mall. There were even water troughs provided for them there. Barges plied the Potomac and communication was by courier, letter or newspaper. There was one paper in the Cherokee language, The Cherokee Phoenix, and its editor was deeply involved in politics, too. So you see, I'm not dealing with the stereotypical Native American, at least not then. But put any man or woman in dire straits and send them fleeing into the wilderness and you will soon see beneath the veneer of civilization that we display so proudly.

As you may know I usually write for Love Inspired Suspense and  love a good mystery. Couple that with the kind of background that takes your breath away and opens a whole new world that our ancestors trod and you have my take on historical fiction. I want to visit often and try to understand how we can be so alike and yet so different.

And I want to take you with me.

Blessings,
Val

National Read a Book Day!

Linda Goodnight here. Bookworms of America, you'll be delighted as I was to know that today, September 6 is National Read a Book Day! Which means, you really, really must give yourself permission to take a break, grab a book, and read!

What am I reading on this momentous "holiday"? Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble, a book I picked up at the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Conference. The story is set along the Maine coast where I vacationed this past spring so I couldn’t resist moving it to the top of my TBR pile. It’s a mystery suspense reunion story, and personally, I love it when old flames cross paths again and the spark reignites.

Speaking of old flames, my newest book, Lone Star Dar, releases September 20. (See how I snuck that in to the conversation?) You’ll find a lopsided old flame story but a lot more in this one. And did I mention a very hunky but damaged hero who can be a bit on the-er-gruff side, a trouble making neighbor kid, a smart heroine with a secret, and a pile of cuddly kittens? This book was such fun for me to write. I hope you love it!

 

What's on your reading list today?

 Order here

It's like a dream come true

Years ago, I began to read those wonderful books by Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt (who didn't love Nine Coaches Waiting or Bride of Pendorric?) and any of those wildly romantic, sometimes historical, always suspenseful novels. Ooh, especially if they had a castle, a cliff and woman on the run in a white gown. Oh, how I loved them!

This is making me all nostalgic for those great novels again. I devoured Barbara Cartland and her historicals. Cadfael novels were candy to me. I absolutely adored them!

So, naturally, I wanted to write one.  And at that know-it-all age of fourteen, I knew I could. Well, I got about 250 words in and had my heroine racing all over Continental Europe, making it to England from Switzerland in less than two days (snort, like that happened in the 1300s) for some enigmatic reason that no doubt made sense at the time. Then I got bored and moved off to other things. Writing an historical obviously took time and you actually had to have a plot. Who'd have thought that?!!?
Well, my dream slipped away as life took over. I grew up, had a career and children before I revisited that dream. My hero stayed the same, though. He got tossed back a few centuries, as I have always loved Medieval settings, but he was always strong and brave.
Then, last year, God plopped me down at my computer. And with his help, I wrote steadily for several months and produced a tale of my hero, still strong and brave, but facing an enemy like no other. A hurt and vulnerable woman in need of God's love in her life.
I found an agent, and I just knew that Love Inspired Historical would publish Bound to the Warrior, then called Her Norman Husband.

It's a tale of God's love for us, and our love for each other. My heroine doesn't dash about Europe. In fact, she's never left her keep and nor does she run away from a mysterious castle in a white gown. Instead, she finds God's love in an unlikely place - her Norman husband.
But, with those memories of Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart echoing inside of me, my hero and heroine face suspenseful dangers that could destroy their budding love.
Cadfael would be proud.
Bound to the Warrior comes out in early March. I hope you'll check it out and enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Celebrating Christian Fiction Readers

By Sandra Orchard

Since Thursday is Readers Day, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce you to my favorite blog of reviews of Christian fiction—Best Reads-Kav  
 

Kav is a librarian with a passion for Christian fiction. Some weeks she’ll review as many as five books, which she then offers as free giveaways. 
 

Recently I had the fun of receiving one of these books, but felt kind of bad when I realized that it cost her almost as much to mail me the book as it would cost for me to buy it. Not only that, I learned that she often buys doubles or supplies a copy when she receives one free to review. So I asked her how/why she does it. 
 

Her response was so inspiring to me that I asked permission to share it. 
 

Her answer: “Quote away. I don't mind if everyone thinks I'm loopy over books and the industry....I am!!!!”    Any wonder why I love her?!
 

This is what she had to say: I'm so passionate about supporting the Christian fiction industry because I don't want my inspirational fiction to become extinct!!!!
 

I manage to read so much because I travel hours (and I do mean hours) to work and back and I am blessed to be able to read in a moving bus -- while standing up even. 
 

I've noticed more than one curious glance at the eye-catching covers, which are so different from the regular market. Who knew Christian fiction would be an introduction to faith discussions? I've had a few interesting chats, let me tell you. 
 

I can't really tell you why I feel so driven to continue giving books away. At first I was only going to offer up a free copy of the books I got from the publisher because I still wanted to support the author by purchasing his/her book. But I get so excited when I read a really, really, really good one that I can't help myself! LOL. 
 

I feel very strongly about supporting the Christian publishing industry. As a library tech I am well aware of how precarious the publishing industry can be and I want to do my part to make sure there will always be a venue for this kind of publishing. 

That means they have to sell and so I buy. 
 

I'm by no means rich or anything and I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it up, but it's almost like a calling to me right now. Supporting and sharing quality literature, which has ministered so much to me. 
 

Honestly, I can't tell you how changed my life is from reading Christian fiction. I really draw from the messages and the scriptures that I find in each book and it's made a tremendous difference to me. 
 

So God bless all you authors who write what I love to read and uplift me at the same time.
 
-Sandra again- 

Authors, don’t you just want to hug Kav to bits? Of course, I could be a tad biased since she called Deep Cover (LIS September 2011) “A great debut novel that will steal your breath away!” --Big Grin--

  And READERS, thank you for buying our books. Writing them is a labor of love that only your support makes possible.

Romantic Suspense ideas?

HI, Terri Reed here. I'm in the middle of writing my 24th novel for Harlequin's Love Inspired line.The first five or so books I wrote were Love Inspired Romances, and the rest have been Love Inspired Suspense. I tend to gravitate toward the romantic suspense genre because I love the action, the tension and the mystery. Coupling suspense with romance is such a great way to get best of both genres. I'm always looking for unique and interesting ways to put my hero and heroines in danger.

Is there anything you haven't seen done that might pose a good threat for my characters?

I'd love to hear your ideas!

The second book in my Protection Specialists: Guarding the Innocent series comes out in January 2012. This book is set in Mississippi at winter time. I tried to give the book a gothic feel, complete with an old house, creepy relatives and a sinister villain all of which make life difficult for our hero and heroine.

A Shocking Revelation!

Finding out she is heir to a fortune shocks Caroline Tully to her core. And to “qualify” for the inheritance, she just has to visit her newfound grandfather’s Mississippi home from Christmas to New Year’s. Adopted as a baby, Caroline knows nothing about her mother’s family...and doesn’t realize they can’t be trusted. When attempts are made on her life, there’s only one man who can protect her. Donovan Cavanaugh—a man who made her lonely heart want to love again. Posing as her fiancé, Don promises to find the would-be killer. But will his protection—and his love—be enough to keep her safe?

Upcoming 2012 titles:

June 2012--The Deputy's Duty, book 6 of the Fitzgerald Bay continuity series

September 2012--The Doctor's Protector, the third book in the Protection Specialists: Guarding the Innocent series.

Allie Pleiter on Kisses

A kiss is just a...?


Today I want to open a discussion.  I’d like to know what you, as readers of inspirational romance, think about a particular topic.  A plot element, if you will.  A kiss.

In my current work-in-progress, two characters are strongly attracted to one another.  Our heroine, a World War I Army nurse, has a strong faith despite being challenged in many directions at the moment.  Our hero hasn’t come to faith yet (but oh my, he will!), and is a all-too-sure-of-himself injured war hero.  He’s open, even insistent, about his attraction to her.  She has strong feelings toward him as well, but is careful not to let the relationship head into areas where it shouldn’t go.

If you read romance, you’ve no doubt figured out how the story ends.  

It’s the middle, however, that has be pondering.  Here’s my question:  will you, as a faithful reader, accept her letting him kiss her in a moment of weakness?  They have a significant discussion after the kiss about why it can’t happen again, and she asks him “not to press his advantage.”  He as a gentleman, complies (albeit reluctantly) until events and his awakening faith move the relationship dramatically forward later in the book.   They get their happy ending, but not before a lot of strife.

What’s your response to characters’ moment of weakness?  Are slip-ups part of believable, well-drawn characters?  Or do they hold up a bad example?