The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction: November 2019

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Interview with Award-Winning Historical Romance Author, Jodie Wolfe

Today I'm extremely pleased and honored to feature historical romance author, Jodie Wolfe and feature her book about the Oklahoma Land Rush, To Claim Her Heart.

I'm a huge fan of audiobooks because I get stuck in traffic a lot. I also have to do a lot of mindless tasks prepping lessons as a special education teacher (cutting out pieces) and love listening to books when I do so. Guess what? I just ordered Jodie's book on AUDIO! It's featured in all sorts of places: Target, Apple, and Amazon's Audible! Wow! AND it's also a book included in the Audible Escape program.

I'm really looking forward to Jodie's next release, but while we wait, let's peek in on the chat we had about Oklahoma and To Claim Her Heart.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Writing Inspiration and More with Romantic Suspense Author Sharee Stover

Welcome, friends! This week I'm excited to introduce you to Sharee Stover who writes for Love Inspired Suspense. If you enjoy a fast-paced, intense suspense with plenty of romantic tension, you should check out Sharee's books (keep reading to enter to win a print copy of her upcoming December release).

About Sharee Stover

Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and two ridiculously spoiled dogs. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. Her Christian romantic suspense stories combine heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer's Guild. Sharee is a three-time Daphne du Maurier finalist and the winner of the Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award. Her debut book, Secret Past, was named the 2019 Best First Book by the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards.

When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd.

Connect with Sharee

SW: Share with us what your writing journey has been.

SS: I have always loved to write though early in my career I did a lot of professional technical grant writing. After the birth of my youngest child, I began working on devotionals. As the desire to write grew, I attended seminars and writing conferences to learn everything I could. I’ve always been an avid reader and about nine years ago, I wrote my first book, a suspense story where I did everything wrong. I had a blast writing it!

In 2017 I responded to a Facebook post by my editor. She was snowed in and was willing to look over story blurbs. I sent mine in and was floored when she asked to see the full manuscript. You can read the entire story here http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/getting-the-call-meet-sharee-stover/

My debut novel, Secret Past, released in April 2018. Since then I’ve contracted four more books with the next, Silent Night Suspect, releasing in December 2019.

Writing is a dream come true and I’m beyond grateful that God has given me such amazing opportunities.

SW: Congratulation on four more books!! Speaking of books , what three books are at the top of your TBR pile?

SS: My TBR is constantly changing with all the new releases! I cannot read them fast enough. But right now, I have Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard, Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright and The Coroner by Jennifer Dornbush.

SW: What does your writing space look like?

SS: (Ducks head embarrassed) One word. Messy. It’s a disaster area. But I know where everything is and it works for me. As long as I can dig my keyboard out from under the piles of books, notepads and files, I’m good. I try cleaning it up on a regular basis, but as soon as I start to write again, all that stuff comes out. Sigh. It’s a never-ending battle.

SW: I'm sure several authors can relate. What are your favorite elements of the romantic suspense genre?

SS: I love weaving believable and intense suspense scenes with the intricacies of falling in love. It’s a balancing act and that makes it super challenging.

SW: Who are your writing mentors and/or partners?

SS: My number one partner is Jesus. I cannot write anything without Him so I spend lots of time in prayer. My husband is my second. He’s my litmus test for all things law enforcement. Over the years I have been blessed with several mentors and critique partners who have helped me to write deeper and better. They’re also prayer partners and that means a lot.

SW: Just for fun (and you can include unpublished works here), which of your male characters would plan the best first date? Which of your heroines would you like to hang out with for a weekend?

SS: What a great question! I really had to think on this one. I’m going to say Slade Jackson from Silent Night Suspect. He’s a natural romantic so he’d definitely plan something wonderful.

Katie Tribani from Secret Past would be fun because she’d have tons of questions. She’s spent her life in witness protection and heavily protected away from the internet and social media so everything would astound her.

SW: Share a little about Silent Night Suspect.

SS: Silent Night Suspect is my second Love Inspired Suspense book and I’m super excited for its release. The story is based around a reunion relationship between widow, Asia Stratton and Nebraska state trooper, Slade Jackson. Although Slade is imaginary, the State Patrol is a group near and dear to my heart because my husband is a State Trooper. I love the themes of second chances and forgiveness woven in their story.

The inspiration came while I was watching a television program featuring a police officer who was a recovering drug addict. He talked about his battles to uphold the law while struggling with his addiction and the effects it had on his family. I was touched by his authentic and vulnerable openness in sharing his story. It sparked my imagination and the backstory for Silent Night Suspect developed.

SW: I've read an early copy of the book, and you don't want to miss it! Thank you for spending some time with us and sharing a little about your writing and your heart. How can we pray for you?

SS: Again, what a wonderful question. First, thank you for praying for me. Writing can be tough because I’m striving to produce a great story while sharing my heart. My prayer request is for wisdom to share whatever message will shine the light of God’s incredible gift of redemption, and how he makes beauty out of ashes.

Silent Night Suspect

Suspected of a crime she knows she didn’t commit…

All she wants for Christmas is to remember.

Blood on her blouse. A gun in her hand. A cartel leader’s dead body in front of her. Widow Asia Stratton can’t remember what happened—just that she’s been framed. The only way to prove her innocence is to work with her ex-sweetheart, Nebraska state trooper Slade Jackson. But can they clear her name before this Christmas turns even deadlier?

Preorder your copy here.

Giveaway

Sharee Stover is graciously giving one of our visitors a paperback copy of Silent Night Suspect (US addresses only). To enter to win a copy of the book, simply leave a comment below and tell us your favorite Christmas tradition and a way we can contact you if your name is randomly chosen as the winner. Giveaway ends 11/19/19 at midnight CST.

Friday, November 8, 2019

God Has a Plan!

Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby. But her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in her books thanks to all of her grown children and a couple grandkids.

Here is what Erin had to say about one of her latest book.

Fateful Fall is my fourth book and I’m beyond excited to share it with readers. It is the perfect example of God’s timing. You see, this book was born once before. My first book to come into the world. It only had four days to live that first time. And when the publishing house closed right after its release, I was devastated. I thought it had to be a clear sign I was done as a writer. I put my keyboard aside for what I thought was going to be the last time and bowed my head in defeat and tears. But this story wasn’t over. God was going to use some incredible circumstances to bring it back to life.

A year passed. My heart was heavy with lost dreams and an unsure future. But one thing I knew was that God didn’t want me to write anymore. So I dove into life at home in a busy household, where teenagers and friends came and went at a dizzying pace. But no words ever crossed my screen even though my writing haunted me. God was about to show me in the most incredible way that He had a plan…and it took a woman from across the world to accomplish it.

I had made many friends on social media over the years. One in particular was from the United Kingdom. How cool was it to have a friend in England? One night I was sitting on my couch when I got a message from her. She told me she felt God telling her to encourage me to keep writing. It was so out of the blue, so astonishing that I burst out in tears. She had become friends with a lady from my church and they had been talking about Fateful Fall prior to her message to me. What were the chances that she would know this lady from my church?! Sure, social media can make connections, but this was extraordinary.

God could not have spoken clearer to me than in that conversation. I can’t thank my English friend enough for letting God use her to get me back on track. Now my book is reborn. And it’s so much better than on the first go around, because I had time to grow and learn more by the time it was getting to the editing stage.

If you’ve been discouraged to the point of giving up, take courage. God has a plan!

Here's a blurb:

Private Investigator Ava Worthington and her partners head to the mountains to solve the death of a farm owner’s son who was discovered murdered in an outhouse on the property. Without local cowboy Cory’s protection, Ava won’t get the chance to follow leads as the killer tries to stop her investigation. But Ava’s falling for Cory against her better judgment. She should be working and not pining after a cowboy. And Cory doesn’t want a relationship. His successful career was destroyed by a woman he trusted, and he won’t make the same mistake twice.

One suspect after another is cleared from Ava’s list until she’s sure she has the real killer targeted in her sights, but he’s hunting her, too. How will Ava and Cory find the killer and admit their love before they are buried under a mountain of secrets?