Craftie Ladies ~ Love Inspired Suspense December 2016 Release

Jean C. Gordon here with what's new from our talented Craftie Ladies Love Inspired Suspense writers. To buy any of these wonderful books, just click the book cover. And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

Rookie K-9 Unit Christmas

by Lenora Worth
K-9 HOLIDAY RESCUE
Holiday High Alert
After a cryptic note appears in the playground at Josie Callahan's daycare center, rookie K-9 officer Dalton West vows to protect Josie and the kids she loves—especially his daughter, Maisy. And with a stalker closing in, the widower and his four-legged partner are all that stand between Josie and a deadly Christmas.

Surviving Christmas by Valerie Hansen
When single dad Sean Murray returns from a war zone and discovers someone is following him, he turns to his old friend K-9 officer Zoe Trent for help. But as the threat escalates, can Zoe and her police dog find whoever is menacing Sean and his son…and make sure this Christmas isn't their last?

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Truth and Consequences by Lenora Worth

THE PROTECTOR'S MISSION 

Honoring a promise to a fallen comrade, former army medic David Evans heads to Arizona to check up on the soldier's sister. But as his train pulls into Desert Valley, David witnesses a drug run gone wrong and narrowly avoids the bullets flying his way. And when the police show up, he discovers the investigating officer is the woman he's supposed to look after. With a fiercely protective K-9 partner and a new badge, Whitney Godwin insists she can take care of herself and her infant daughter. But the criminals want both David and Whitney permanently silenced, so David will stop at nothing to protect the family he yearns to join. 

Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

Interview:

Today we're welcoming K-9 Officer Hunter one of the heroes in Truth and Consequences written by Lenora Worth, a May release by Love Inspired Suspense. 

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.   

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. Woof! I was born and raised right here in Desert Valley, in what the humans call the K-9 Training Center. My brothers and sisters are scattered all over this state, but I’m here for now. I’m a working dog. I’m a K-9 Officer. Well, technically I’m still a rookie. Woof! Woof!

2.  So, during the book you met David Evans and Whitney Godwin.  Tell us a bit about him/her.  What was your first impression?  When did you know it was love? Growl. I fell in love with Whitney the first time I met her. I knew we were destined to be partners for a long time. And little Shelby, her baby girl. What red-blooded dog wouldn’t love that cutie. I’ll protect her with my life. David? I’m still not sure about him but he seems mighty determined to protect those two, same as me. I’ll figure out his story sooner or later. I don’t detect any danger with him, which is good. I’d hate to bite the man.

    

3.  What strengths/skills do you have?  What is your greatest weakness?  My strength is that I’m good at finding illegal drugs and man, do we have something going on with the trains moving through here. They try to hide drugs from me but I can sniff through just about anything and smell heroin or cocaine. Bad stuff.        

4.  What scares you? I don’t get too scared but I do get pretty aggressive if those I love are being threatened. I’m trained to work on command and I only ask for chew toys and food as my reward. But don’t mess with my humans. I’ll take you down.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish I could tell my humans how much I love them. I try with my eyes and my ears and my wagging tail. But I hope they know I’m willing to do anything to protect and serve.

6.  Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I’m pretty sure there is a Big Guy in the sky. He gave me Whitney and Shelby, so I’m thankful for that.

7.  Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? Even stronger. Now I have David, too. He’s so good to my two girls. He loves them as much as I do. Thank you, Big Guy in the Sky.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story.  Tell us why this scripture is significant.   “For where envying and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every evil work.” This means that bad men will do anything in their power to try and control the world around them. But I have seen what that kind of evil can do. My human partner and I aim to stop that.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I’d be a doggy treat, of course. ‘Cause I love me some doggie treats!

My month of meeting readers--Lenora Worth :)

Hello and happy first Friday! Hope everyone had a lovely Cinco de Mayo. April went by quickly for me since I had two major trips and a move from our townhouse to a new house and of course, deadlines. I think I might have missed spring. But I've had some good times. After I had fun at the Romantic Times Convention in Las Vegas, we traveled up to Georgia for a funeral. All of my brothers have gone to heaven and it's sad to think about that. But a week after that, Big D and I headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend. This was the fifth anniversary and we had lots of events planned. My first time there, so I had to learn the ropes, so to speak.

Winnie Griggs, that adventurous rebel, got me involved. We did a pre-conference bingo game that brought in two-hundred and fifty winners. I posted some pictures on another blog but I'm posting a few of them here, too. I attended these two back to back events because early on, I made a resolution to connect with readers more this year. I sure have done that. Our readers are so loyal and supportive and giving and lovely. I appreciate them so much. They made the lack of sleep and the constant sore muscles from smiling so worth it!

So here are some pictures for you to enjoy! Oh, and I'm excited about my May release--Truth and Consequences. I have a quote from that book for you, too. This story was challenging but I loved the characters and my K-9 officer dog Hunter. :)

Here I am with Liz Talley. She's a true southern girl and she has a new book out right now titled Charmingly Yours.

Here I am with my table guests. Standing Kathryn Seitz, Beth Sternhagen, Suzi Zimmerman, me, Renata Canino, Stacy Thoreson. Sitting: Stephanie Moran and Dee Ann Fugate.

My table had a beach theme. It was fun to decorate and then have a nice long chat with readers. We had a signing later that was fast and furious and crowded and then some more fun events. Winnie and I had breakfast with four wonderful readers on Sunday morning, too. All in all a nice weekend even if it was too cold for my southern blood.

My next reader adventure will be at the Heart of Dixie Reader Luncheon in Huntsville, Alabama in June. I'm looking forward to that one, too.

Readers, we love you and we enjoy hearing from you. Some days can be very discouraging but a cheerful word from a reader friend always brightens even the worst day! Thank you so much!

This is our goody table at the Bingo game. Winnie and Liz Talley had some cool gifts and the rest of us contributed door prizes. 

Here's a quote from my May release:

Craftie Ladies Love Inspired Suspense Continuity Series

Craftie Ladies Terri Reed, Lenora Worth, and Dana Mentink have a treat for you: Rookie K-9 Unit, a new Love Inspired Suspense six-book continuity series. Terri Reed, the author of the first book in the series is here to tell us about it.

Are you a dog lover? Do you like action and adventure stories that feature the heroic efforts of dogs and their handlers? Then the newest continuity series from Love Inspired Suspense is for you.  In the northwest corner of Arizona sits the fictional picturesque town of Desert Valley. A prominent fixture in the small, rural community is the Canyon County K-9 Training Center. The center’s purpose is to train rookie officers and their K-9 partners for service. These lawmen and lawwomen along with their loyal and brave canines handled the tough cases.  When a serious of crimes shakes the tightknit community, it’s up to the rookies to uncover the truth and bring the guilty to justice. The investigation takes place over the course of the six books with each book having its own mini suspense plot that is resolved.

Protect and Serve 
Book 1 April by Terri Reed

PERSON OF INTEREST
When rookie K-9 officer Shane West and his German shepherd partner find the lead police dog trainer murdered, he's determined to bring the killer to justice. But then he discovers Gina Perry hiding nearby—a pretty junior trainer who had the motive, means and opportunity to kill her boss. Gina insists her troubled brother is the real murderer…and this isn't the first time he's killed. And when Gina's brother comes after her, Shane is assigned to protect her and uncover the truth. Suddenly, Shane—a cop who always hoped to join a big-city force—vows to stay by Gina's side as a murderer lurks in the small-town shadows.

Truth and Consequences 
Book 2 May by Lenora Worth

THE PROTECTOR'S MISSION
When Honoring a promise to a fallen comrade, former army medic David Evans heads to Arizona to check up on the soldier's sister. But as his train pulls into Desert Valley, David witnesses a drug run gone wrong and narrowly avoids the bullets flying his way. And when the police show up, he discovers the investigating officer is the woman he's supposed to look after. With a fiercely protective K-9 partner and a new badge, Whitney Godwin insists she can take care of herself and her infant daughter. But the criminals want both David and Whitney permanently silenced, so David will stop at nothing to protect the family he yearns to join.

Seek and Find 
Book 3 June by Dana Mentink

KILLER HEADLINE
When Reporter Madison Coles wants to write an exposé on the crime spree rocking Desert Valley, Arizona—but the small town's residents and police are tight-lipped. Even when Madison herself is attacked, the only help she can get is protection from rookie K-9 officer James Harrison and his trusty bloodhound. Suspicious of the reporter's motives, the handsome cop keeps her at arm's length. But the more Madison's life is threatened, the more focused she is on finding the truth—and the closer she gets to James. Can he help her find the story without them both ending up in the obituary pages?  

Terri, Lenora, and Dana are joined in the series by:

Book4 July Honor and Defend Lynette Eason  
Book 5 August Secrets and Lies Shirlee McCoy 
Book 6 September Search and Rescue Valerie Hansen

Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Protect and Serve by Terri Reed

PERSON OF INTEREST 

When rookie K-9 officer Shane West and his German shepherd partner find the lead police dog trainer murdered, he's determined to bring the killer to justice. But then he discovers Gina Perry hiding nearby—a pretty junior trainer who had the motive, means and opportunity to kill her boss. Gina insists her troubled brother is the real murderer…and this isn't the first time he's killed. And when Gina's brother comes after her, Shane is assigned to protect her and uncover the truth. Suddenly, Shane—a cop who always hoped to join a big-city force—vows to stay by Gina's side as a murderer lurks in the small-town shadows. 

Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.

Interview:

Today we're welcoming Gina Perry, the heroine of Protect and Serve, book 1 of the Rookie K-9 Unit written by Terri Reed, an April release by Love Inspired Suspense. 

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.   

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. I moved to Desert Valley to hide from my twin brother but then he found me, bent on destroying me. I’ve never been so afraid in my life.

2.  So, during the book you met Shane Weston.  Tell us a bit about him. Shane is a rookie K-9 handler with his officer Bella. They went through the training course that I teach at the Canyon County Training facility.  What was your first impression? I thought Shane was dreamy but I couldn’t let my feelings show. He’s so kind and patient with Bella. When did you know it was love? I think I really fell for him when he chose to believe that I wasn’t capable of murder. He had no reason to trust me but he and that softened my heart and made me want to trust and love him.

3.  What strengths/skills do you have? I’m great with dogs. I understand canine behavior and how to train dogs with positive rewards and love. I'm especially good with puppies. What is your greatest weakness? I’m not so good with people. I have a hard time opening up to anyone or allowing anyone to get close to me.          

4.  What scares you? Mental illness runs in my family and I’m terrified I will be afflicted with the same diagnosis as my twin brother. But Shane has helped me face that fear and will stand with me if it ever happens. He's been a rock for me. I couldn't be more blessed.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would be braver and more willing to risk letting others close. It took a lot for me to allow Shane in and I'm glad I finally did.

6.  Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?  I’m distrustful of God and questioning Him. I want to know why the bad things that have happen in my life have happened.  

7.  Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? I’ve forgiven God and realized that my faith shouldn’t be dependent on my circumstances. God is good all the time even when life is so very bad. 

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story.  Tell us why this scripture is significant.   2 Timothy 1:7  This verse reminds me that God is in control and that fear is my enemy and not from God.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?  Oh, my. I think I’d have to be Pecan Pie. Sweet, salty, crunchy and gooey.  Here’s a good recipe for a version without corn syrup (I have an food sensitivity to corn syrup) http://allrecipes.com/recipe/22544/pecan-pie-v/print/?recipeType=Recipe&servings=8