Bestselling author Mary Alford recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? One of the biggest challenges in writing romantic suspense is balancing the intensity of danger with the emotional and spiritual growth of the characters. I want the suspense to feel real and gripping, but also allow space for hope, healing, and faith to develop naturally within the story.
How do you connect with your characters? For me, connection starts with empathy. I spend time imagining what my characters have been through and how those experiences shape the way they see the world. When I can feel what they’re feeling—their fear, their hope, their longing—that’s when I know I’ve truly connected with them.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? Most of my stories begin with a question that won’t leave me alone—usually something like, what if the past you thought was over suddenly came back? From there, I start imagining the characters who would be caught in that situation and how they would fight their way through it.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels? I’m drawn to places with atmosphere—settings that carry a sense of history or quiet mystery. Locations like small towns, mountain communities, or coastal areas allow me to build suspense while also creating a strong emotional backdrop for the characters’ journeys.
What does your family think of your writing romantic suspense?
They’re very supportive—though I think they sometimes wonder what goes on in my imagination! Writing suspense means I spend a lot of time thinking about worst-case scenarios, but they know it all leads to stories of hope and redemption in the end.
What are some of the questions you hear when you say you write romantic suspense? One of the most common questions is, “Should I be worried about what goes on in your head?” Writing suspense tends to spark a lot of curiosity about how those ideas come together!
What do you wish readers knew about the romantic suspense genre? I think some readers might expect only danger and intensity, but at its heart, romantic suspense is also about hope. Even in the darkest situations, these stories remind us that light, love, and faith can still break through.
What do readers ask you when they meet you? One of the questions I hear most is, “Where do you get your ideas?” But I also love when readers ask about the characters—what happens to them next or if they’ll appear in future books. It tells me they’ve really connected with the story.
About Mary Mary Alford is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two rescue dogs.
Unsolved Amish Abduction
An anonymous letter containing her missing sister’s bracelet lures Anna Hartzler back to her Amish hometown—and into a trap set by the kidnapper she escaped years ago. She’s rescued from another abduction by Jaxson Thomas, her former neighbor turned police officer. Now Anna must depend on Jaxson to protect her and her little girl, who he doesn’t know is his child. But as the threats grow, can he keep them safe long enough to identify and catch the culprit—before this enemy sets his sights on their daughter?
A Secret Amish Arrangement by Amy Grochowski — After stumbling upon Reuben Bender’s hidden library in the woods, Nan Burkholder strikes a deal with the reclusive Amish farmer. She’ll keep his sanctuary secret if he’ll accompany her to an upcoming wedding to discourage an unwanted suitor. But when a natural disaster hits, their onetime arrangement turns into a partnership to save the community. Soon Nan discovers the courageous heart behind Reuben’s aloof demeanor, and feelings she never expected begin to bloom. But as Reuben withdraws to his isolated world, Nan will have to convince him to forgive his past for a chance at a life together after the storm. (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Contemporary Romance:
More Than Friends by Denise Hunter — Jenna expected to enjoy visiting her mom, Tyson, and his whole family. She’d expected to feel closer to her deceased father on the island where the foal they’d named years ago now roams the wild salt marshes of Assateague like its ancestors have for hundreds of years. What she didn’t expect was for her feelings for her best friend to change. But she’s always sworn she’d never date a firefighter. Plus, Tyson is fresh off a betrayal. And also, there’s that teensy commitment problem she seems to have. Would she even have the courage to finally give her heart away? And should they really risk their beautiful friendship in the hopes they could someday be something more? (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
The Art of Starting Over by Tara Baisden — Nicole Sullivan came to Serenity Crossing, Tennessee, to find herself again. After walking away from a two-year engagement—and a fiancé who loved the version of her that fit his plans—she’s determined to build a life on her own terms. Her new third-grade classroom is the fresh start she’s been praying for. But when her brightest student turns out to be a motherless little girl with sad eyes and matchmaking schemes, Nicole finds herself drawn to the one man who could make her repeat every old mistake: a grieving widower who might only see her as a solution to his daughter’s longing. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Hometown Second Chances by Megan Besing, Tabitha Bouldin, Andrea Christenson, and Rebecca Reed — Sky-diving, sled dogs, Russian photographs, and buried journals add up to 4 novels filled with sweet romance, excitement, and mystery enough to red-line your romantic adventure meter for days. (Contemporary Romance from Two Dogs Publishing)
The Top of the World by Elizabeth Camden — They were perfect together—until powerful forces pulled them apart. Now fate has given them a second chance at the top of the world. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer — McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She’s spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She’s ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister’s boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right? Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom’s bed and breakfast is struggling and there’s a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn’t have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska. (Contemporary Romance from Tyndale House)
A Second Chance for a Dancer by Carolyn Miller — Poppy James is on the brink of attaining national fame, just like her friend and fellow dancer Bailey Donovan, when a blast from the past leads to a devastating injury. Jake Guillemette is used to being overshadowed by his NHL-playing younger brother. When a job opportunity leads him to start afresh somewhere new, he never thought he’d run into the person who made him second-guess everything, but who ultimately led him to become a better man. Horrified, Poppy is desperate to keep their past a secret, and it takes some time to learn to trust this different version of the man she’s long loved to loathe. Can Jake win her trust and prove he’s changed? And will Poppy learn to trust God with all her future? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Contemporary Women’s Fiction:
Birds on a Wire by Katie Powner — A troubled teen whose baby Providence is taken by CPS, a mother of three who takes baby Providence in, and a tenuous friendship that leaves the two very different women asking the same impossible question: Who is the best mother for Providence? (Contemporary Women’s Fiction from Kregel Publications)
Dual Timeline/Historical Mystery:
The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson — In 2006, searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a 1940 bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it. (Dual Timeline – Historical Mystery from Tyndale House)
General Contemporary:
Stronger than the Storm by Deena Adams — In Stronger than the Storm, Kevin, a devoted pastor, and Beth, a parenting expert, are blindsided when their teenage daughter runs away and returns home pregnant. As they struggle to hold their family together, a long-buried secret from Beth’s past threatens to destroy all hope of reconciliation. (General Contemporary from Scrivenings Press)
General Historical:
Sani – The German Medic by Aubrey Reiss Taylor — There are two sides to every story. Can he navigate between them? Frederick’s childhood was spent in America, helping care for his ailing grandparents. Now, he has come of age and craves the adventures he missed out on. It begins with a return to his family’s homeland, into the heart of a continent gearing up for war. His new friends say he can’t possibly understand. Can a German army chaplain help bridge the gap? Or does the man’s own past disqualify him from becoming Frederick’s confidant? (General Historical, Independently Published)
Norwegian Nights by Linda Shenton Matchett — The second anniversary of Germany’s occupation of Norway has passed with no end in sight, so Gustav Westgard and his wife are still exiled on Shetland. He’s convinced Oda’s miscarriage would have been prevented back in Norway and decides he must return to his homeland to do whatever possible to rid the country of its invaders. Will he live to see liberation? Grieving the loss of her baby, Oda turns toward her heavenly Father as Gustav retreats inside himself. Rather than try to stop him after she discovers he plans to join the Norwegian resistance, she stows away onboard the ship taking him home. Can she convince him that they are better united in a cause than apart? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)
Psychological Suspense:
The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R Patch — She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life. (Psychological Suspense from Love Inspired Trade [Harlequin])
Romantic Suspense:
Witness Safeguard Mission by Carol J Post — When Nicole Woodard and her young sister witness their father’s murder by an unknown assailant, Nicole knows they’re next on the killer’s hit list. Now they must rely on Officer Braydon Feldman and his K-9 partner, Caesar, for protection. The killer will stop at nothing to silence the sisters and keep the crime hidden. But what could their father have been involved in that got him killed? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Speculative/Fantasy:
Paradise Unfallen by Chuck Richardson — What if Adam and Eve had resisted the serpent? Welcome to Erimea—Earth’s twin world, untouched by original sin. Solis and Livi, the first parents of Erimea, begin their lives in perfect fellowship with God. But their obedience does not end the war. Satan and his legions simply turn their fury upon the new world. As the population of Erimea rises, tensions crack the harmony of paradise. A powerful life-giving resource becomes scarce. Rumors spread. God is silent. And a restless humanity flirts with fear, force, and false gods. To save their descendants from repeating Earth’s tragedy, Solis and Livi must confront deception, division, and the relentless pressure of darkness. Their journey—from innocence to holiness—will determine the future of an unfallen world. (Speculative/Fantasy, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
Hearts Restored by Tara Baisden — She was the one thing he could never blueprint. He was the one man she couldn’t wall out. (Contemporary Romance)
Last to Fall by Lynn H Blackburn — She’s caught in a deadly game. He’s the only one who can help her win. They’ll have to risk everything–including their hearts–to expose the truth before it’s too late. (Romantic Suspense)
Anna of Bethsaida by Susanne Blumer — Anna believed choosing Andrew meant gaining a home. Instead, she finds herself on the dusty roads of Galilee, under the watchful eyes of hostile Pharisees, walking ever closer to miracles that both heal and unsettle. Some journeys test what you believe. Some reshape who you become. Anna’s does both. (Biblical Fiction)
Find Me in the Story by Lisa Jordan — He built walls. She brought sunshine. Something had to give. But trust doesn’t come easy for two people who’ve been hurt. And one misunderstanding could destroy everything—including their chance at love. (Contemporary Romance)
Lifekeeper by Colleen K Snyder — A girl and her dragon face life and death decisions not only for themselves but also for their enemies. (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy)
Jackal by Michael Jack Webb — In a land where the dead speak and ancient gods walk in human skin, Kate Justice confronts a darkness older than civilization. (Supernatural Suspense)
Award-winning author Donna Wichelman recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.
Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels? You might remember a book from 2003, a little-known novel called The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. (I speak tongue-in-cheek because the novel not only was a great success, but stayed on the bestsellers list for 136 consecutive weeks.) The book starts with a prologue in which a person is killed, and as the book unfolds, we discover that he was killed for discovering the truth behind Christianity—a very different narrative than Christians have believed for 2,100 years.
I decided it was important for me to write a contemporary romantic suspense that debunked Brown’s theory and showed that the ancient words of Christianity came from reliable sources. In my research, I found a relatively unknown Christian sect, the Waldensians, who trace their origins to early Christianity. So, in Light Out of Darkness, a prestigious art exhibition turns into a horrific spectacle when a murder sends an art curator and a professor on a hunt for a highly covet stolen painting. Jamie and Alesandro risk their lives to uncover why the painting has caught the attention of art critics and criminals alike. At stake is a two-thousand-year-old drama, unfolding in the contemporary world of the Italian Alps.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? By far, the hardest part of writing romantic suspense for me is the romance. There’s just something personally vulnerable about developing the romance between two characters. It’s much easier for me to dig deep into a villain’s character and explore their darker, visceral side. I’m not sure what that says about me. Maybe it has something to do with what the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed in Jeremiah 17:9: “The human heart is more deceitful than all else, and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”
When do you find time to write? I decided a decade ago that I would consider my writing career my fulltime job. So, except for the occasional obligations and outings with church, family, and friends, I work at a desk in my home office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. However, I have been known to get up at 4 a.m. at times to write. My brain seems to function more optimally in the still hours of the morning.
What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress? I love to sit on my back deck during the warmer months, where I have a peaceful view of a field and reservoir, where I can read, write, and reflect. Sometimes I do my quiet time devotions there in the early mornings, listening to the birds flitting and singing around me. If it’s too cold or snowy during the winter months, I can sit in my home office or at my kitchen nook table, where I have the same view.
How do you connect with your characters? One of the best ways I connect with my characters is by getting to know their personality types. I use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (16 personality types). Then, when I need to understand what motivates the character to act in a certain way in a given situation, I go back to the personality type and ask, “How would this introverted, intuitive, feeling, extremely organized person handle the problem?” It honestly helps me think through what they’ll do next.
What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing? I start off with a cup of French-pressed coffee in the mornings (no cream or sugar), and then usually between one and two o’clock in the afternoon, I find I need a cup of tea. I also keep a stash of these yummy soft chocolate espresso candies, called Pocket Coffees, that we found in Germany many years ago. I can’t tell you how scrumptious they are. You’ll just have to try them for yourself. Ferrero makes them.
How do you research ways to kill someone for your books? Oftentimes, it’s the setting that dictates how a person is killed. In books one and two of my Singing Silver Mine series, the setting in the mining communities of the Colorado Rocky Mountains meant that the deaths in both books occurred in a mine.
In A Song of Deliverance, I had to wrap my brain around the gold and silver mining industry of that decade in the nineteenth century to understand what could have caused a mining disaster that would kill nine men in the belly of the earth. I explored several scenarios and chose one that seemed plausible for my story, devising a way for my hero to discover how the villain caused a cave-in down the mine shaft. This meant the hero, Stefan, had to descend into the dangerously precarious situation in which the wood framework undergirding the shaft had been destroyed. Make the wrong move, and he could get trapped as the original nine men had.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels? My husband and I have traveled extensively in the United States and other parts of the world over the years. Most of my settings come from places we’ve visited that have intrigued me because of their history or captured my attention because of their beautiful landscapes. Light Out of Darkness was set in Italy because of the Waldensians’ history in the Italian Alps. We had also visited Varenna in the Italian Lake District, where I set the art exhibition for its spectacular views.
How do you ensure your books are accurate? I’m all about research, reading as much as I can from as many different sources as I can on a topic. Usually, if three sources agree, I’m good with the information. But I have to limit myself at times, or I find I’m going down bunny trails that don’t add to the story. It is possible to do too much research, which detracts from your writing.
Who’s your favorite romantic suspense writer and why? There are many excellent romantic suspense writers in the Christian fiction industry, so it’s hard to choose. But if pressed to the wall, I’d say Lynette Eason. She’s a fabulous person as well as an author, and her stories are consistently good every time.
About Donna Donna Wichelman is a 2025 Angel Book Award-winning author for A Song of Deliverance, Book 1 in the Singing Silver Mine series. Her articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two novels in her contemporary suspense Waldensian Series. Donna and her husband live in Colorado and love spending time with their grandchildren. They also bike, kayak, and travel.
Life as Cassie Munro knew it ended the day her husband and children were torn away from her in a deadly train disaster. Haunted by ghosts from her past in Ohio, she takes a teaching position in Georgetown, Colorado, where her parents pastor a church. One thing she knows—she will never risk her heart again.
Born of privilege and educated at the Philadelphia School of Medicine, Dr. Daniel Criley never expected to lose the woman he loved to sepsis. Disillusioned with a hospital that won’t integrate antiseptic procedures and blamed by the family for her death, Daniel moves to Georgetown, where he can practice medicine his way. But just when all seems idyllic, the demons of his past appear to destroy the life he’s built.
When Cassie and Daniel meet, their attraction is undeniably intense. Will they risk following their hearts and step into a future together? Or will the fear of loss stand in the way of their happiness? Only God knows how to mend two broken hearts.
Feuding with the Amish Farmer by Anne Blackburne — Lida Mae Beiler and Tom Fisher, both feeling betrayed by their parents, find healing, acceptance and forgiveness, while forging a future together. (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Children’s Middle Grade /Chapter:
The Case of the Duct Tape Disaster by Becca Wierwille — A mess of duct tape. A missing dress. Can Scout and Barnaby bring the dress destroyer to justice? Along with her trusty canine sidekick, Barnaby, Scout is determined to crack the case—before the Camp Gala begins and the culprit gets away with it. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)
Contemporary Romance:
Fairest Inn All by Amy R. Anguish — Kari White never planned to rescue a historic inn—or risk her carefully guarded heart. Summoned to coastal Georgia by seven uncles she barely knows, Kari arrives with one goal: fix the failing Apple Inn and leave before old wounds or deeper feelings can surface. But with an aggressive developer closing in, deadlines looming, and the inn’s future hanging in the balance, walking away may cost more than she’s prepared to lose. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)
A Father’s Promise by Sandra Ardoin — Nothing has changed for him, but everything has changed between them. Years ago, Paige Matthews left Hidden Veil to escape her love for Sutton Vance and their opposing visions for the future. Now, struggling to relate to her adopted children, she returns to her hometown with the keys to the house she and Sutton always imagined would be theirs. But nothing in life has turned out as Paige expected. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
The Rancher’s Stolen Past by Tabitha Bouldin — Coming home isn’t easy for cowboy Zane Kingsley—but he’s eager to earn back the trust of the woman he never stopped loving. Single mom Molly Jacobs is still grieving the husband she lost six years ago, and the last person she wants to see is the man she blames for his death. When they’re forced to work together at a summer riding program for kids, Molly can’t help but notice the growing bond between Zane and her young son. Can Zane convince her that he’s a changed man and that he’s worthy of her forgiveness…and her love? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Police Chief’s Instant Family by Mindy Obenhaus — Tumbleweed police chief Daniel Montgomery never understood why Emily Kent walked away from him back when they were high school sweethearts. But when tragedy makes them co-guardians of their siblings’ twin daughters, Emily and Daniel find themselves together again after years apart, facing the unexpected challenges of parenthood. As buried feelings rise to the surface, the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore. With old hurts and past secrets between them, will they ever get a chance at their long-awaited happily-ever-after? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner by Susan L. Tuttle — Brooke Sumner has been carefully avoiding Storm Whitlock ever since he betrayed her trust. When he also joins Caspar’s mysterious treasure-hunting group, she steps away to focus on her antique shop and keep herself busy rather than work alongside him. Then Caspar invites her back for one final assignment, and Brooke is torn. Returning to Halstead Manor to help the team she’s been a part of find the second half of a key sounds intriguing. It also means this time, she’d be working with Storm. (Contemporary Romance from Kregel Publications)
Cozy Mystery:
One Rotten Apple by Penny Frost McGinnis — Lyndie Lavender expected apple pie and pumpkins, not murder. With her sister and her aunt’s handsome tenant, she sleuths through Seldom Seen to catch a festival killer. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)
General Contemporary:
A Most Peculiar Providence by Angela Hunt — Joshua Donnelly has lived a careful, orderly life in the old house on Church Street, as his mama taught him. Then, on the coldest night of the year, a newborn baby appears in his care with no explanation and no instructions. Only a prayer answered in the most unexpected way. Heather Thomas arrives in Peculiar carrying her own heartbreak, running from mistakes she cannot undo. When her path crosses Josh’s, the two form a fragile, improbable unit built on kindness, faith, and more hope than sense. (General Contemporary from Hunt Haven Press)
Historical Literary:
Chasing the Wind by William Isley — Three young men, James an Epicurean, Freddy an atheist seeking knowledge, and Bart desiring wealth, make a pact in 1972 to meet 25 years later to see how their philosophy of life worked out only to discover that their dreams were not only unfulfilling, but deadly, without God. (Historical Literary, Independently Published)
Historical Romance:
The Blacksmith’s Songbird by Kimberly Burkhardt — Beneath the glow of the gaslight lamps and smoky haze of the Big Blue Saloon, nineteen-year-old Laura Shining feels like a songbird trapped in a cage. She longs for freedom, a life away from the leering eyes of the drunken cowhands and controlling saloon owners. When one of the saloon owner’s simmering jealousy turns violent, Laura must rely on courage, friendship, and the love of a man who has forged his way into her heart, to escape the saloon life. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Eyewiness Sketch by Danielle Grandinetti — CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—Gabriella Salatino, an illustrative journalist for the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, never planned to return to her island home at the tip of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Nor did she plan to witness a murder. But when her life is threatened, she has no choice but to hide out under the protective care of the man she left behind. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Shetland Sunset by Linda Shenton Matchett — Bonded by a cause but an ocean apart, will their love survive a world war? After months in Norway helping his cousins with their fishing business, American Askel Westgard seems trapped when the Germans invade until he has a chance to get back at the Occupiers as part of the Shetlandsgjengen, or Shetland gang, a group of fisherman who transport weapons and equipment from Shetland to Norway under cover of darkness. Unfortunately, the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s just met refuses to join him in safety. Will he ever see her again? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)
Listen For the Chickadees by Terri Wangard — John Walsh is a skilled aircraft carrier fighter pilot, but on December 7, 1941, he’s shot down over Pearl Harbor by American sailors. Taken to an aid station, he comes face to face with … Gloria Bloch? His friend Daniel’s cousin? She’s all grown up now and a navy nurse. And she’s gorgeous. Gloria’s thrilled to see John. She’s loved him her whole life. As a nurse aboard the USS Serenity, she follows the combat task force across the Pacific. John comes to the Serenity often because he’s frequently wounded. He’s always pleased to see her, but is she more than just a kid from home? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)
Zenith of Tea by R F Whong — Tomb robber Wang Mijen survived the 1920s with her blade, but her heart remains guarded. When she saves Joseph Cheung, their journey leads from dangerous bandits to a Vancouver teahouse. Can faith and a fight for justice turn a hardened survivor into a woman of hope? (Historical Romance from Vidasym Publishing)
Romantic Suspense:
Unexpected Target by Penny Zeller — What if a random break-in isn’t as random as initially believed? That’s what Oaklee Newbold thinks when a series of forced entries shakes her quiet neighborhood. With seemingly nothing stolen and no obvious motive, the police are stumped. No one is prepared when the perpetrators strike again. Only, this time they aren’t targeting houses—they’re targeting Oaklee. (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)
Suspense:
Special Target by Jerusha Agen — For tough-as-nails Chicago social worker Ashley Sorenson, it’s nothing new to risk her life for hurting children. But Ashley faces a special challenge when Matthew Borden, a sixteen-year-old with Down syndrome, is orphaned. Finding a suitable foster home for the boy becomes the least of her problems when someone starts threatening her and Matthew. (Thriller/Suspense, Independently Published)
Suspense – Police Procedural:
Logan’s Way by Urcelia Teixeira — Logan’s Way is the long-awaited turning point of the Angus Reid Mysteries. What begins as a procedural investigation becomes a dangerous descent into family secrets, small-town corruption, and a system built to quietly erase inconvenient lives. The deeper Angus searches, the higher the cost. Because some truths don’t set you free. This isn’t just another investigation. This is the one that will shake his foundation. (Thriller/Suspense Police Procedural, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats by Kayla E Green — Hadley the Hippo is hungry, and she won’t rest until she finds something to eat. But as she walks through her jungle home, she finds that the snacks in the jungle have an odd effect on her-they change her color! (Children’s Picture Book)
Trading My Way To You by Elle Ann Brown — When a hopeful nurse barters her way toward a new home, the only thing more complicated than the trades is falling for the man she’s not allowed to love. (Contemporary Romance)
Frazzled Moms Play Matchmaker by Stephanie Paige King — Two moms play matchmaker to pair up their cantankerous colleagues only to find out the hard way that love can’t be managed or organized, no matter how hard you try. (General Contemporary)
Sunshine Alley by Gail Kittleson — Sunshine Alley is a sweeping, multi-generational saga set against the historical backdrop of rural Texas, the American home front, and the fractured battlefields of the War in the Pacific. (Historical Romance)
Shadows Over Hotel Grim by Robin Caroll — In the heart of Texarkana at the Texas/Arkansas state line in 1946, the Hotel Grim stands as a beacon of grandeur, but beneath its elegant facade lurks a shadow of fear. The Phantom Murderer, a cunning and elusive serial killer, haunts the areas teenagers like to use as a “lovers’ lane,” preying on unsuspecting victims. (Historical Suspense)
Shield of Fire by A L Evans — When Elizabeth’s supernatural special-ops team joins forces with local law enforcement to dismantle a human trafficking ring, they expect monsters of the mortal kind, but what they uncover is far darker. (Speculative Fiction/Romantic Fantasy)
Author Amy Walsh recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.
When do you find time to write? I work full-time as a fifth-grade writing teacher at a public middle school in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which keeps me wonderfully busy. After a full day of guiding energetic young writers and grading stacks of papers, I don’t always feel like tackling my own stories in the evening. One of the great perks of teaching, though, is having summers off—so most of my writing happens between June and September.
On summer mornings, you’ll usually find me on our front porch, which I’ve happily claimed as my outdoor office. With a notebook or laptop in hand, I write to the background music of chirping birds and the gentle mountain breezes that drift up the hill. There’s something about those quiet, sunlit hours that makes creativity come alive and stories flow a little more freely.
What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream come true)? I wanted to be so many things when I was young—a detective, for one. In third grade, I signed every letter to my pen pal, “Amelia, the Great Detective.” I also dreamed of becoming a singer, a National Geographic explorer, a spelunker, an artist, the owner of an orphanage… and, of course, an author.
In many ways, my life as a teacher has allowed those dreams to find their fulfillment. I use my creativity every day in the classroom. I sing with my students often. Being surrounded by children brings me genuine joy. And as for running an orphanage—well, raising the three children God blessed me with was adventure enough!
I’m especially grateful that God eventually opened the door for me to become an author. It’s been a gift to finally put to good use the imagination that once got me into trouble as a chronic daydreamer in school. Now those daydreams have become stories, and those stories have become one of the sweetest callings of my life.
What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers? I truly enjoy connecting with readers in Facebook groups—especially during virtual celebrations and shared literary adventures. Over Valentine’s weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting a mystery tea party where readers concocted tea recipes inspired by book descriptions. We also solved a tea-themed whodunit that everyone seemed to delight in.
Through gatherings like these, I’ve formed some very dear friendships online. It’s a special gift to have friends all over the world who share a love of reading—and a love for God.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? I write in several different genres, though I tend to gravitate toward romantic comedy and historical fiction more than romantic suspense. For me, the greatest challenge in writing suspense is immersing myself in a world that feels gritty and a bit dark—especially when the real world already holds so much of that. My husband is a police officer, and at times he comes home with heartbreaking stories of real-life crime, which makes stepping into that atmosphere on the page even more sobering.
Still, there have been moments when God seemed to place more suspenseful stories on my heart—Voices in the Sanitorium and The Sisters’ Tour among them. I truly enjoyed writing both, yet I found myself missing the smiles and laughter that naturally accompany my lighter novels
So I’ve made a decision: my next romantic suspense will carry its share of intrigue and tension—but also a generous measure of warmth, humor, and hope.
About Amy
Amy Walsh is a fifth-grade teacher who loves bringing stories to life, whether she’s in the classroom, around a campfire, or at her keyboard. She’s a fan of kayaking, church singalongs, and family ping pong tournaments. Fueled by faith and a deep love of words, Amy writes to inspire joy and hope.
Grieving her father’s death, Natalie is stunned to discover Alexandra, the half-sister she never knew existed. Hoping to build a bridge, Natalie agrees to join her on a Lochs & Legends tour through Scotland. But amid misty castles and breathtaking glens, old wounds surface. Alexandra is charming, unpredictable… and hiding a lifetime of resentment. Before long, Natalie begins to wonder if she’s the villain in her sister’s story.
When Jonas—Natalie’s longtime friend and secret love—arrives unexpectedly, concerned about the “accidents” dogging her every step, buried emotions rise and tensions deepen. Then an eerie Scottish ballad about sisterly jealousy begins to mirror their journey with chilling accuracy.
Is Alexandra simply wounded… or truly dangerous?
Set in the rugged Highlands, this heartfelt Christian suspense novel weaves family secrets, unspoken love, and faith into a story where beauty and betrayal walk hand in hand—and where God’s grace may be the only path to healing.
About Mary
Unsolved Amish Abduction
About Donna
The Sister’s Tour by Amy Walsh
