MISS SERENA'S SECRET, Regency Brides, A Promise of Hope by Carolyn Miller

Serena Winthrop, an artist of true merit and sensitivity, has suffered a terrible blow that causes her to abstain from using her God-given gift. Her struggles are relatable for far too many readers, and yet Carolyn Miller weaves heart, hope, and challenge—creating an engaging story that is beneficial.

I admire Serena, the main character, and her unpredictable hero, Viscount Carmichael. Both of these characters held my interest and caused me to cheer them on! I especially love the depth and familiar feel of how these characters could be modeled after someone I know for they are complex, endearing, and frustrating—sometimes at the same time! I luxuriated in the setting and the breath-taking vista of the Carmichael’s home. I love how Carolyn writes Regency and I’ve never been disappointed! This story, with amazing detail, delivers characters within their society, as well as the beautiful ambiance that I look for with any Regency novel.

If you are looking for an entertaining historical which allows you to emotionally invest in the character’s journey, this will be an excellent novel for you to peruse! I do so love a series that stays with many of the characters from the previous novel for I hate to leave a loved character behind! Don’t worry, I’m really not confusing my fictional favorites on the pages of a lovely novel with real life people—but still my curious imagination wants to know more of what has happened to those characters after I finished an excellent story.  
Thank you, Carolyn for MISS SERENA’S SECRET and the care you took to deliver a sensitive topic with class and encouragement! I highly recommend this second book in the A Promise of Hope series!

Questions for Carolyn:
Your main character, Serena, is shared so true to life and when did you begin to desire to write her journey?
I love Serena! I began writing her story as a NaNoWriMo project immediately after finishing her sister’s story in Winning Miss Winthrop, so I had the story world, characters and settings and themes pretty clear in my mind. This was actually the 4th historical I wrote, and I wrote it in 2015.
Have you been to the Carmichael’s home though maybe not called by that name? How did you keep track of writing the characters into the rooms and porches of this amazing home?
This home is an amalgamation of a few stately homes in England: Castle Howard (for the domed outward appearance - which I have not been to) and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire (which I have been to - simply glorious! - and Derbyshire is where this story is mostly set). The magnificent view is based on a grand hotel here in New South Wales, Australia, the Hydro Majestic in the Blue Mountains, which perches on a cliff and overlooks a beautiful valley with vistas for miles.
Keeping track of where characters were and the various rooms did involve drawing some maps and house designs - which wasn’t a chore at all as I once wanted to be an architect!
Do you paint or did you have to interview an excellent artist so that you could write with authenticity?
I have done some painting, but the descriptions here are mostly based on research. The materials used 200 years ago vary to today’s paints and brushes, so I had some fun trying to find the exact hues and colours used to give a true sense of that era.
What message do you wish to give to those afraid of developing, using, and or sharing their God-given gifts?
Do it! It’s too easy to live afraid, and hide away and live less than the potential God has for us - and I think that leads to a shrivelling of our hearts and souls. Jesus talked about using the talents for the sake of God’s kingdom, and while talents in this gospel story might refer to money, I think we can apply the same principle to the gifts God gives us. Use the gifts and talents God has given you, be brave and have a go, because doing so is a way of honouring our Father who made us. And we never know what awaits us on the other side of our obedience.
I see that I need to go shopping, for you have written a couple of other novels that I don’t have.  By the way—I love your website! You have interesting pages on there for your readers! What do you want to tell us about connecting with you on social media?

Oh, I so appreciate you! Yes, I try to post lots of behind-the-scenes details on my website (www.carolynmillerauthor.com) with photos and information about my England travels and book details. I love to connect with readers, and I post regular updates about my writing news via my newsletters, which people can subscribe to at www.carolynmillerauthor.com and my Facebook page, so please come follow me there and say g’day!
facebook | pinterest | twitter | instagram
 
Thanks so much, Susan Marlene - so appreciate you!
Happy reading!
Carolyn xx

Christy Award Winning "TRANSGRESSION", CITY OF GOD BOOK 1 by R.S. INGERMANSON

Transgression, Book 1, from R.S. Ingermanson’s City of God Series

What a unique and fascinating time-travel story, and the first of this genre I’ve read. But I’ve watched several time-travel movies in which to compare this novel too. Randy delivers excellent character depth and plot twists that are sprinkled with science in layman terms so that anyone can follow and enjoy.

The main characters, Rivka Meyers and Ari Kazan, are buffeted with challenges and dangers because of Damien West’s choices. This story is set in contemporary Jerusalem until a wormhole lands these brave souls in the middle of Ancient Jerusalem.

It was interesting to see Apostle Paul’s Jerusalem though Rivka and Ari’s eyes. Their struggles with belief, keeping history intact, as well as personal overcoming, make this a favorite read for me. I’d ordered this novel on my Kindle and once it was finished—I had to go and purchase the entire paperback set. LaDeda Books & Beans owner commented on the fine quality of these books!

By the way, Transgression sounds great on Kindle!

I was thoroughly entertained by Transgression this first of the City of God series and equally challenged to think about what could have been, as compared to contemporary life.

I’ve sat under Randy’s teachings and had a couple of conversations with him at writer’s conferences a few years ago, and found this man to be intelligent, yet down to earth. He is generous with information and shares his wonderful imagination between the pages of story. When you wrap those qualities up with his education, life experience, and faith, you come away with a memorable tale that stirs curiosity and hope and courage to move forward into the unknown!     

This is a novel that I would expect from a multi-award-winning author with a Ph.D. in theoretical physics and an amazingly active imagination! Well done, Randy Ingermanson! I highly recommend Transgression, Book 1 of the City of God series. 

Questions for Randy:

I’ve enjoyed reading about your archaeology dig site experience. Was this series birthed out of your first-hand knowledge?

It came out of my first-hand knowledge of the world of physics and the way physicists think. And I certainly read a lot about archaeology and the first-century world of Jerusalem before I wrote the books. But I only had a chance to actually work on an archaeological dig after I wrote the series.

I have now spent a number of weeks working and living exactly where my characters did in the first century. Based on that experience, I would change very little in the books. There are a couple of minor tweaks I would make, but nothing major.

I must ask this obvious question—how long have you been interested in time-travel?

Since the early 1990s, when I read Diana Gabaldon’s classic Outlander series.

Do you have a favorite time-travel author or movie that you can recommend?

Outlander and its sequels, by Diana Gabaldon. This is a romance series, which is somewhat out of my wheelhouse—I normally read suspense—but these are great novels that I really enjoyed.

I loved how you included how differently Christians lived in Apostle Paul’s days. I think many of us take our freedom and churches for granted. Did you purpose to add that personal element into this novel from the beginning, or did this story thread develop as you wrote Transgression?
Struggling over belief in God and Jesus—well, we all have been there or have someone or many we know with that important decision. Was this struggle modeled after someone you know or just a general observation?

You can safely assume that I’ve wrestled a lot with questions of faith, science, the meaning of life, and lots of other things. My characters aren’t necessarily clones of me, but they get some of their DNA from me.

I have and used your “how to write” books: Writing Fiction for Dummies & How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method, which were excellent. Do you have any more how to write fiction books in the making?

The next book on my list of how-to-write-fiction books has the working title How to Write Dynamite Action and Dialogue. Of course, that title might change, but it’s what I have planned.

And I should mention that my latest book, How to Write Dynamite Scenes Using the Snowflake Method, actually has the best reader ratings of any of my how-to books.

Do you have any new series planned that you would like to reveal to your readers and potential readers?

I’ve been working now for more than five years on a series of novels about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. This will be a four-book series, titled Crown of Thorns, and Book 1 is due to come out as soon as my cover designer finishes the cover.

Why have I spent five years on this project? Because I’ve been taking annual research trips to work on archaeological digs in Israel, and I’ve also been reading a lot. And thinking a lot. Book 2 is nearly complete in first draft form, and Books 3 and 4 are pretty clear in my mind.

So it won’t take another five years for each of the other books. I expect they’ll each take about a year. Mainly, it took a lot of work to develop the story world and figure out the cast of characters. That work is now done, and I have a clear vision of what the series will be like.
 
I’m glad that I signed up for your newsletter. How do you wish for your readers to contact you? 

For fans of my fiction (anyone who wants to go on an adventure to first-century Jerusalem), visit my personal website at www.Ingermanson.com.

For those who want to learn how to write fiction, check out my business website at www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com.
​ 

PENS OF PRAISE
CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
November 19, 2019
Tuesday 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Manitowoc Public Library
                                      
707 Quay St, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Street parking and parking in rear available. Wheelchair accessible.
 
Franklin St. Room located on the first floor, to the left of the service desk.      
 
“Show and Tell” is our topic in November. Sarah Grosskopf will facilitate the meeting and here is what she has to say about her lesson—Authors are always told, “Show, don’t tell.”  This month, we’re going to look at the difference between “showing” and “telling,” what that really means, how to show rather than tell, and also when telling might be better than showing.

PROMPT: Pick one of the following situations and write two separate poems, prose paragraphs, or nonfiction explanations about it.  (Keep it short, no more than one or two paragraphs.)  In the first version, simply tell what happened.  In the second version, show the reader what it looks like.  Bring both versions to share and compare.  What did you do differently in each of the following: Camping, taking a walk, making an omelet, reading a book? 
​
Let Susan Marlene know if you are attending so that she can save a seat for you and a handout. 

susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com
Inspired readers given excellent take-away = return readers!
We are a safe place to share and Pens Meetings are free.
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or
Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com
 

ENTER

 Enter His gates with thanksgiving. And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name.   Psalms 100:4

Step spritely into the new day dawning. Bumpy country roads, sleek highways, valleys, and mountains topped with snowcaps await your awe.  How Father God delighted in creating every crevice and sculptured rock formation, as well as hot sandy deserts, brush-stroked with copious color schemes reflecting off each unique terrain.

Oceans surge with power and life, reflecting its mood with each twist and turn of the weather or spin of the moon. Such stunning sights take our breath away, cause us to stand on tiptoe, and gasp at the immense sheer wonder of His creation. The measure of our fascination and appreciation cannot comprehend His colossal thrill over…our smile…

His ecstasy is not dampened by our limitations for God is JOY, LOVE, and PEACE in the extreme! He experiences the highest, most delightful, undiluted, and uncontaminated thrills over our praise and attention.

We offer so little. Father God bestows so much. Audaciously allow yourself to nearly burst with heart-pounding gratitude for all He has done. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of light consists in goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Ephesians 5:10

Do enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, give thanks to Him and praise His name. Sure, we cannot imagine the thrill He experiences, but isn’t it wonderful to

TRY…

How much we have to be grateful for! 

Thank you Lord of Lords for this day that you have made!

PENS OF PRAISE MEETING -- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15

PENS OF PRAISE

CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

October 15, 2019

  Tuesday 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

                                      Manitowoc Public Library

                                        Franklin St. Room

                                      

707 Quay St, Manitowoc, WI 54220

Street parking and parking in rear available. Wheelchair accessible.

Franklin St. Room located on the first floor, to the left of the service desk.      

“Total Author Talk” is our topic in October. Susan Marlene will facilitate the meeting. Susan invites you to come and bring a friend. Let’s share goals—past and present or those wonderful only-authors-would-understand writing techniques or worthy finds!

PROMPT: Using notes from last month’s teaching on DiAnn Mills “antagonistic setting” found on www.susanmarlene.com (Writers & Pens page) build a true or fictional story. One for your heart or one for publication—your choice.

Let Susan Marlene know if you are attending so that she can save a seat for you and a handout.

susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com

Inspired readers given excellent take-away = return readers!

We are a safe place to share and Pens Meetings are free.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or

Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com

The sweeping countryside of Arizona Territory in 1871 marvelously sets the stage for this first novel from Regina Scott’s “American Wonders Collection.” From beginning to end, I was delighted. This is another wonder-filled adventure by this author, but that is no surprise to me. I appreciate and esteem Regina’s storytelling ability quite highly. She works hard to entertain and encourage all-the-while she makes the story flow with believability and tension that turns pages. Her characters have depth and are likable, engaging, and perfect for the challenges they meet.

I certainly would like to see more of Meg Pero and Captain Ben Coleridge as well as Dot and Hank Newcomb. Regina’s vivid descriptions are necessary to the story thread and quite enjoyable. I found myself smiling a lot as I read this novel. Becoming acquainted with her characters who were dealing with immense difficulties and trials that would test any man or woman’s fortitude—kept me engaged in the adventure.  

I’m grateful that this is the first of the American Wonders Collection, and I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series. Especially since there is a sneak peek first chapter for her second novel. I wonder when that is coming out! Revell provided a lovely cover that matches the quality of this story, a novel I’m proud to promote. Thank you, Regina, for the free book and I am offering my honest opinion and impressions of this wonderful novel.

 

QUESTIONS FOR REGINA:

Your adventures are so unique and positively interesting! What or who inspired this series?

I started out to write a story about a lady photographer in the Old West, and I wanted her to shoot something grand, amazing. What more amazing than the Grand Canyon? My publisher suggested that I use the story to start a series of books set in the history of our national parks. A Distance Too Grand is the first. Nothing Short of Wondrous, out next October, will be the second. It is set in Yellowstone National Park. And the third book (as yet untitled) will be set on Mt. Rainier.

Your descriptions were so fresh and realistic, did you hike or camp out close to this location?

I visited the Grand Canyon a couple years ago with my family, but I didn’t get to do much more than walk the rim and marvel. But there are dozens and dozens of pictures online plus first-hand accounts from the time period. But that all together, and it seems I came close to describing the amazing vistas!

If you did visit, camp, or hike in the “Arizona Territory” did you take photos? If so, will you share one with us?

Delighted! Though I am not nearly as good a photographer as Meg.

What a WONDERFUL photo, Regina!  Thank you for sharing!  :) Beautiful!  

Do you have a fun or interesting fact about this location and time that you didn’t get to include in A DISTANCE TOO GRAND?
I briefly mentioned it in the book, but the landscape cameras of the time were massive, like two feet square! The bigger the picture, the bigger the camera you needed.

Did you find those cooking tips that Dot used, or were some handed down? You have my curiosity awakened!
My oldest son is a Sous Chef in Seattle. I took the information I found about Army supplies plus what I’d learned would have been in season naturally at that time and asked him what Dot could have cooked. He helped me come up with a repertoire for the survey.

Is there anything you would like to share with your readers concerning your theme or your experience while writing this book? (Or an experience that led to your writing this book.)
It’s the 100 anniversary this year of the founding of Grand Canyon National Park. If you have a chance to visit, I highly recommend it! And if not, I hope you get a chance to go out near you and enjoy the changing of the Seasons. Nothing draws me closer to our Creator than being out in His creation.

On your website, I enjoyed the historical elements that you posted on your blog page. http://www.reginascott.com/
Thank you! I have more information about the stereographs that Meg specializes in. Go to http://www.reginascott.com/adistancetoogrand.html and scroll down to the bottom, then click on the link.

Regina Scott's bio:
Regina Scott is the author of more than 45 historical romances set in Regency, England; pioneer Seattle; and the Old West. A stickler for getting it right, she’s sailed on a tall ship, driven four-in-hand, and learned to fence, all in the name of research. She and her husband of more than 30 years live in the South Puget Sound area, on the way to Mt. Rainier.

Simply another wonderful review with you, Regina! Thank you for your time and whimsical answers! You always make it fun!

1871

This exquisite, richly woven tale shares Raina’s journey cloaked with unfathomable discoveries. Raina is given an invitation that if accepted, will change her life forever—as well as those whom she comes to know. Victor Eugene Prenderast, Sully—who stole Raina’s heart long before The Maiden Faire’s terrible shipwreck drowned her hopes, and the elusive Countess of Enderly, all make a profound impact upon the choices and decisions Raina will make.

The author, Joanna, skillfully unwraps the hearts of her characters and places them within the boundaries of this hauntingly beautiful and dangerous story. The stakes are high, and the mysteries and intriguing characters add depth which latched onto my curiosity and wouldn’t allow me to break free. This is a tale where influential people, beauty, fear, and identity merge and flow with passion and grace that beckoned this reader to write this review and share the good news about another pleasing and worthy tale to read or listen too. I will gladly sequester time for other novels that Joanna Davidson Politano will write! (I’m ever so glad to listen to Kindle while attending to the mundane, for I began this novel when I entered a very busy time.)

I highly recommend this story because this author also unwrapped my heart to want to find out more about Raina and cheer her on! Let me take a moment to politely beg for more of the same type of story from this writer. There it is, all said. Joanna’s stories are welcome here!

QUESTIONS FOR JOANNA:


Was Rothburne Abbey a real place in England?

It was based on real abbeys in England, mostly Forde Abbey. I took bits and pieces from various places and put them together to make an abbey that truly charmed me.

What a unique and fascinating plot—how did you come up with the idea for this tale?

Thank you! The idea has been percolating since I was a young kid and my mom and I were watching the news. Princess Di had just passed away and I was heartbroken. My mom said she wondered if she'd actually escaped the media and gone to live on a deserted island for the rest of her life, and I wondered--would she still be Princess Di? Would she be royalty? Would she have the ability to be as kind? It all spiraled from there!

Have you visited 1800s abbeys before?

I visited all sorts of places when I visited the UK a few years ago--most are now ruins, but the cool thing about them is that you can still see the layout of every room. It's all there on the ground like a live blueprint. I got a sense for how things were set up, and how they lived. Fascinating trip!

When did you get the writing bug?

My first book was written at age 5 and was called, Moving Day. You can guess what was going on in my life. Honestly, I think I caught the novel-writing bug when I found myself in a caretaking situation, mostly homebound every day. My grandma had been slowly unraveling for me the story of her parents, how they came to America as children, and the surprising family secrets they found when they arrived. That book just poured out of me, then I was addicted to storytelling.

What is your favorite snack to enjoy when writing or plotting?

Cereal! I know it's crazy, but I love to munch on handfuls of cereal while I write. It's my favorite "sweet."

Did Widow McCall remind you of anyone as you wrote her?

Mostly she came from a woman who rented my family some cabins when I was a young kid. That delightful little cackle and clipped voice always stayed with me--as well as her quirky advice. It's those really unique characters who take up residence in your mind and percolate into something fictional that you can drop into a story.

Do you have another novel adventure in the works?

Always! I just turned a book into my editor that features a lost love letter, and the spinster who finds it and decides to return it--if she can figure out who wrote it. After that comes a book set in the Victorian ballet.

Where do you want your readers to connect with you?  

I have a prayer spot on my webpage, jdpstories.com, as well as a newsletter signup. I also love to see readers on my facebook author page, https://www.facebook.com/joannadavidsonpolitano/.

Thank you, Joanna! I loved the answers that you gave for this interview! I look forward to reading your next book. I have two other books that you have written and I can't wait to dig into those also! Blessings always! 

Sue

Readers’Favorite—AWARD FINALIST—MYSTERY AT POINT BEACH, ALIEN INVASION

Readers’Favorite—AWARD 

FINALIST—ALIEN INVASION

What a fun story! I purchased this book for my granddaughter. While I’m waiting for her to get older so that we can read it together—I sampled the pages—kept reading and enjoyed the whole experience!

MYSTERY AT POINT BEACH, ALIEN INVASION is Dominic’s third adventure at Point Beach State Forest, and yet this is a fresh story with an interesting spin to it. Sailor and Forest—important friends from the first and second books—are there to add assistance as well as their humor! I love the situations the kids find themselves in. The mysteries are believable and keep me guessing.

The characters are so different and entertaining that I find myself laughing out loud.

​I like all of the main characters that I’ve already mentioned along with GB, Windsong, Ranger Rick, and one I’d met in person—Ollie. I find that I actually learn about stuff as I’m enjoying how the mystery builds. Also, I live in the area and learned about the local Sputnikfest event. Now, I want to make it a point to attend this unique-to-our-area festival. I’ve never stayed at our local Point Beach Park either, but it does sound like an exciting place to camp and share summer memories. If I ever do, I will be sure to look for the famous Nimrod. For if Nimrod is there, I’m sure that Dominic and friends might possibly be solving another fun mystery. Thank you, Kate and Deborah Ann, for another fantastic and entertaining story of merit! I’m glad to have read this adventure, and I do highly recommend this book to other readers.

QUESTIONS FOR KATE & DEBORAH ANN:

Dominic is a real person! I know this from attending one of your book signings. Which story in this series is his favorite?
DEBBY: Dominic likes all of the books. He’s looking forward to more adventures from his namesake.
​
You have such interesting and different mystery topics in each book. How did you come up with the “Alien Invasion” focus for this book?
KATE: I thought about the reading audience, and what keeps kids entertained at that age—that’s where the aliens come in. Since the books each include local history, I also drew off of an eye- witness account involving a spacecraft spotted near Point Beach and a newspaper article about a green meteor that landed in Lake Michigan a few years ago.  It’s fascinating story material—even for adults.

Do your children influence your writing and topics?
KATE: Definitely. They give me a pocket full of insight as to what interests young people, how they talk, and react which I can then apply to the main characters’ personalities. Also, it helps that I can go to some of my son’s favorite books and study the writing techniques used by other authors for that age level.

Do you have another story idea brewing?
KATE: Just one??? LOL Right now, we’ve been approached by someone who is encouraging us to turn book 1, Sundae Wars, into a play that would be performed locally. Other than that, we were contemplating a story that revolves around the “ghost” of a lumberjack for book 4.

Without revealing who Ollie is, may I ask whose idea it was to include him? (By the way, I was touched when I read his part in the story.)
KATE: Debby had a great idea for the mystery portion of this book, which involved this additional “character.”  We chose the name Ollie, because he was a “Big” part of one of our fellow writer’s life, and she missed him very much. He was one of a kind!
Where can your readers find you online? Do you have fun activities for your readers there?

DEBBY: We’re online at Facebook.com/MysteryatPointBeach and on our website: www.MysteryatPointBeach.com. Be sure to check out the fun game our web designer created!

​Mystery at Point Beach: Alien Invasion is a 2019 Readers' Favorite Finalist in the Children - Mystery genre!
Author's new book receives a warm literary welcome.
Readers' Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the "Best Websites for Authors" and "Honoring Excellence" awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.

You can learn more about Kate Jungwirth and Deborah Ann Erdmann and "Mystery at Point Beach" at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/mystery-at-point-beach/1 where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.

DiAnn Mills' use of deep characterization, thoughts, emotions, and motives of the main characters—Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert—securely pinned me to “Fatal Strike’s” pages. I’ve raved about every one of DiAnn’s novels that I’ve read, but she has plunged into a new level that I appreciate and celebrate! Thank you, DiAnn, for offering this novel to me for my honest review. You wrote on the inside cover, “Expect an Adventure,” which you delivered with excellence.

I felt heat burdening Galveston and Houston Texas as descriptive local countryside and shoreline scenes aided the plot. Local restaurants and businesses etc. became realistic as the character’s sweating and or other reactions moved the suspense forward. DiAnn lead my imagination easily through the layers of conflict and anticipation. The support characters and antagonists were varied, mysterious, and kept me guessing until the very end. Okay, I’ll admit it, I did think the main bad person was a different character. What a fun puzzle of a story with characters I enjoyed getting to know. The preverbal feeling of being that fly-on-the-wall—observing interactions as the story progressed—followed me throughout this adventuresome read.

FBI agents have a difficult and dangerous occupation, and this novel helped me to become aware of their sacrifice and courage. They engage in emotionally charged emergencies and gang-related activities which I can’t imagine facing. Strong, dedicated, and focused agents are willing to put in long hours to conquer threatening situations. Yet, how many are appreciated for their full worth?

Known for rigorous research—DiAnn spends quality time with FBI, border control, or whatever occupation employs her heroine. Her stories shine with authenticity. Thank you, DiAnn, for taking the time to become familiar with those who serve our country with selfless tenacity. In my estimation, you exude that same tenaciousness with the written word, exploration of hot issues, as well as those who counteract very real danger.

“Fatal Strike” is a highly recommended suspense story because quality writing and interesting subject matter keep me intrigued. I suggest that you not wait for Christmas shopping to include this in your must-read list. “Fatal Strike” is an emotionally impacting and exhilarating tale of bravery, intelligence, and synergy that burned my midnight candle until the very last word was read.

Questions for DiAnn:

Bravo, DiAnn, for a perfect title for this unique story of a gang using venom to murder and spread fear. How did you come up with this idea?  I wanted a different method for the villain to eliminate victims—no fingerprints, bullets or a gun. Snake venom injected into the heart worked.

Did this story idea wake you, sending your active imagination soring in the middle of the night? Did you jot down story ideas by nightlight?  A number of factors played into the storyline for Fatal Strike. 1) The idea of using injections of rattlesnake venom. 2) A female sniper who longed for reconciliation with her family. 3) A hero who was running from guilt. 4) A setting that is normally seen as a peaceful, a vacation resort. Thoughts rolled through my mind until I had to write the story.

Do you have a theme message in this story especially crafted for your readers?  Yes! Adoption provides a sense of belonging, but we all choose our behavior. Throughout the story, adoption is a thread that binds the characters.

How much time did you spend with FBI agents to come up with these characters?  I interviewed a FBI SWAT member who was also a hostage negotiator. I also spent considerable time researching a sniper’s mindset, what skills are required, and how a sniper processes after a mission.

Can you tell us about your next story venture?  The title is Airborne. An FBI agent boards a plane for Salzburg, Austria for a much-needed vacation and to make decisions about her future. Her husband has asked for a divorce, and he doesn’t know she’s three months pregnant. Two hours into the flight, several people on board begin showing evidence of a deadly virus. 

How do you wish for your readers to contact you? 
My website has all my social media, contact, and blog sign up information. I love hearing from readers! https://diannmills.com/ diann@diannmills.com

Author Bio:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com

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