Award-winning and bestselling author Sami Abrams recently stopped by to share some about her writing life.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots?
My inspiration comes from many different sources. Sometimes, it’s either from a single piece of personal experience OR a friend’s experience. Usually, it’s only a small event that gives me an idea to run with. For example, I used my own experience with the county fair and carnival to give me perspective in Rodeo Witness Protector. Then there are times I see a story on the news or online and think. Oh, that’s a great jumping off point. And of course, there are TV shows with scenes that spark an idea. Basically, ideas come from almost anywhere.
Have you ever regretted killing off a character? Why?
Now why would I regret that? LOL! I did have one character I planned to kill off, and by the end, I changed my mind. Instead, I kept him alive and used him as the hero in Tracking the Missing.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels?
Almost all of my locations/settings are fictional. I do that on purpose. It keeps my readers from calling me out on mistakes. LOL!! There are times when I do use real locations, but I try to be a bit vague so I don’t mess up the details. 😊
What does your family think of your writing romantic suspense? It varies. Everyone thinks it’s awesome that I’m writing, but I do get raised eyebrows when I kill people off in my stories. (Insert evil laugh here.)
How do you ensure your books are accurate? The key is ‘Is it plausible?’ Whether law enforcement, rodeo, or any other job. I tend to do online research on what I don’t know and/or ask those with inside information, i.e my law enforcement consultant.
What has been most frustrating about writing romantic suspense?
Remembering to add the romance. Hahaha!! Kidding, not kidding. There is that, but I think the hardest part is the crime. Tying up all the loose ends and having it make sense. There are times I start with one thing, and it shifts. Then I forget to fix it.
About Sami Award-winning, bestselling author Sami Abrams lives in Northern California, but she will always be a Kansas girl at heart. She is a retired teacher and has a love of sports, family, and travel. However, a cabin at Lake Tahoe writing her next story is definitely at the top of her list.
About Rodeo Witness Protector
While stopping an attack near the rodeo grounds, bullfighter and part-time deputy Daniel Sinclair is stunned to see his high school sweetheart attempting to save a stabbed undercover deputy. As a witness now in possession of crucial evidence about a narcotics investigation, new rodeo doctor Annie Davis needs Daniel’s protection—for her and her missing four-year-old daughter. And the stakes only grow higher when the girl’s babysitter is found murdered and the recovered child refuses to speak. To safeguard the targeted family, can Daniel uncover who is behind it all…before a drug ring silences them for good?
New Beginnings in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch — When the storm passes, can two guarded hearts believe in love again? Perfect for fans of heartwarming Christian romance, this tender small-town story weaves together friendship, faith, grief, and healing as two guarded hearts must decide whether love is worth trusting again. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)
Second Shot at Love by Carolyn Miller — Ten years ago Genevieve Rivas made a mistake that changed her entire family. Since that, she’s done all she can to make up for it and make them proud and is now working as a junior doctor in one of Seattle’s leading hospitals. Everything is finally tracking as it should be, until one day a blast from the past re-enters her life. Ten years ago, Kyle Tinkler thought he had it all. Until a night of celebration went too far and he lost the person he held most dear as he chased his NHL dream. Now he might be Seattle’s top player, but his hard shot and skills on the ice aren’t enough to dodge the guilt now he’s returned to his old stomping ground. When injury reunites these two, regrets soar and secrets become increasingly hard to hide, threatening to fracture two families. And while God is a healer and redeemer of broken pasts, can they learn the power of forgiveness to find a way forward? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Trusting the Single Dad by Meghann Whistler — Former bad boy Devin Spencer never thought his past would follow him back to Cape Cod—but neither did Cassie Reed. Tasked with reopening her family’s beloved summer camp, Cassie is determined to keep her distance from the man. But Devin’s dedication to giving his young daughter a stable life starts to break down her walls. As they grow closer, Cassie’s heartbreaking secret and Devin’s troubled history threaten to keep them apart. Can they find the courage to face the past and create the family they’ve both been searching for? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Cozy Mystery:
Dumpsters and Dragons by Susan Page Davis and Page M. Davis — They threw it away, and now they’ll kill to get it back. When garbage collector Cassie Willis finds coded documents in a dumpster, her routine route turns deadly. Chased by a sinister biker and pulled into a murder investigation, Cassie must follow hidden clues tied to an online game before the killer strikes again. Dumpsters and Dragons is a small-town suspense novel where faith, danger, and mystery collide. (Cozy Mystery from Scrivenings Press)
Crime Thriller/Suspense:
When Daylight is Gone by Georgia Curtis Ling — The Pastors’ Wives Club is back! From #1 Amazon bestselling author Georgia Curtis Ling comes When Daylight Is Gone a new standalone novel in the Pastors’ Wives Club Suspense series. When a child is left for dead in the Appalachian wilderness, four pastors’ wives hunt a monstrous predator through a dark forest of buried sins. These unlikely warriors, armed with unshakable faith and a refusal to yield, are determined stop him before another child vanishes into the darkness. (Crime Thriller/Suspense, Independently Published)
General Historical:
The Amazing Crab Alley Revival by Sharon Wilharm — The year is 1897 and wealthy widow Lydia Culpepper is evaluating her mundane existence. For sixty-three years, she’s faithfully gone through the motions of fulfilling everyone else’s expectations for her life, but nothing she does is ever enough. She longs for something more. When a young boy comes to her house in search of his missing coon dog, she gets her wish. She meets Emily Reed, a young finishing school instructor, and Opal Jackson, an Irish single mother, and the three women join together on a mission that turns the First Baptist Church on its head. Suddenly, the town is in an uproar as lives are being changed. When Yellow Fever hits, it looks like their efforts may have been in vain, but the epidemic isn’t enough to thwart the fruits of the Crab Alley Revival. (General Historical from Elk Lake Publishing)
Historical Romance:
Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot — By the spring of 1946, life in Sweetwater Crossing is almost back to normal after the war. Not Anna Finley’s. She lost her chance at happily-ever-after when the man she loved was killed in France. Anna does her best to hide her sorrow and a secret that haunts her as she works on the jukeboxes she inherited when her brother died in combat. There’s no point in dreaming about what might have been. Jim Smythe is also grieving a shattered life. His fiancee broke their engagement, reminding him that a respected magazine said it should take no more than three weeks for a veteran to forget the war. But Jim cannot forget the men in his platoon who didn’t return home, and he’s made it his mission to visit each of the fallen soldiers’ families, hoping to give them some small measure of comfort. Sweetwater Crossing is his final stop. After that, he’ll have to return to Boston and the life that holds no appeal. If only he could find an alternative, one where people saw him for himself, not his family’s name. He’s given up hope that anyone will understand what his parents and fiancee did not, but everything changes when he enters a small cafe and sees a woman whose eyes reflect his own pain standing next to a jukebox. Jim knows he’ll never see her again, yet it somehow feels right to extend his hand and say, “May I have this dance?” It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment for two wounded people unless they can overcome their fears and find the courage to love again. (Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing)
To Fall in Love at Christmas by Robin Lee Hatcher — Alice MacPherson came to Idaho with nothing but her nursing skills, her Bible, and a lifetime of rules that have left her weary in both body and soul. Color, beauty, and celebration feel frivolous to her, a distraction from the seriousness of faith and her nursing profession. She expects nothing more for her future than work and solitude. Reverend Truman Blankenship has spent five years tending his small flock in Gibeon. Shy by nature, but strong in faith, he delights in the joy of Christ—especially at Christmastime, when he fills the church and parsonage with greenery, candles, and celebration. Thrown together in the homes of the sick, in the bustle of the town’s Christmas preparations, and in the laughter of children rehearsing a nativity play, Truman and Alice discover unexpected attraction. Her rigid beliefs may clash with his merry faith, but in the glow of Christmas, both will find that God’s love can heal the past—and open their hearts to a future filled with hope and joy. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
To Chase the Stars by Tara Johnson — A sailor hiding a dark past, and a woman on the run… Will they find what their hearts are looking for? Isabelle Holland is trapped in a life she never wanted. When her tyrannical aunt plans her marriage to an odious man, and with no word from her family in Charleston, she feels her life is over…until she meets a sea captain who can offer her a way to flee Savannah and unravel the mystery of her family’s secrets. Captain Henry Kincaid is running from the demons of his past. His only solace? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
A Mess of Dreams by Jessie Mattis — In spring of 1943, seventeen-year-old Lorene Stewart isn’t looking for complications. She’s content on her parents’ Illinois farm, longing for the day she might travel beyond the cornfields of Potomac. But when Amos Alexander chooses her angel food cake at the town cakewalk, everything changes. For the first time since tragedy struck her family long ago, Lorene’s heart stirs with hope. Yet as quickly as their romance sparks, a world torn apart by war threatens to extinguish it. When Lorene befriends Dietrich, a German POW whose kindness and mysterious past captivate her, she begins to question everything. How can someone deemed “the enemy” side with all that’s right and good? And what if Amos has inherited his father’s deep prejudice, which he swore to resist? Amos seems to know what he wants, but when his father forbids him to court Lorene, it’s unclear if he will honor his parents’ wishes or pursue true love no matter the cost. Lorene must discern who she can trust if her dreams are to become reality. Her hope of a future spent changing the world with the right man at her side depends on it. (Historical Romance from Ashberry Lane)
Romantic Suspense:
Trapped by Jerusha Agen — Her lies keep her safe. Until the truth shows up. And it’s carrying a gun. Kristen Grant will do anything to protect her adopted teen daughter from the dangers of their past. No matter how many secrets it requires, Kristen will ensure Rosalia enjoys a happy life and promising future Kristen didn’t have. His childhood friend may have a different name, but that doesn’t change the way he feels. Security specialist Sean Kingston never expected to meet his childhood buddy in sleepy little Leben Falls. She’s changed, shrouded in mystery and secrets she doesn’t want to share. But when a shooter wakes up the small town, it seems those secrets are going to get Kristen killed. Freedom has a price, and the enemy of Kristen’s past has come to collect. Will Kristen have to pay with her life, or can Sean and his God set her free? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Overdrive by Taylor S. Newport — The mission looked simple. But the enemy is closer, faster, and deadlier than they imagined. Tyler Reid needs a break, but trouble finds him first. A call from London pulls him into a missing-person case linked to a powerful surveillance project that’s suddenly worth killing for. The deeper he digs, the more bodies he finds—and the more obvious it becomes that someone wants the entire system for themselves. Alexandra “Alex” Romanova is looking for an escape from Veritek and the weight waiting for her back home. A trip with Tyler should’ve been the break they both needed. But when the case escalates and puts her company in the crosshairs, she goes with him—trying to keep him grounded even as the danger forces him to speed up. The investigation spirals into a breakneck pursuit, ambushes snapping at their heels as their unknown enemy stays one move ahead. Someone is erasing anyone tied to the project, leaving bodies instead of answers. With the elusive threat closing fast, Tyler and Alex are fighting to get ahead long enough to expose who’s hunting them. (Romantic Suspense from Whitewater River Publishing)
Western/Historical:
Seeds of Hope by Teresa Wells — Blooming Grove, Texas, 1896- Deputy Rabb Truitt has sworn to protect Blooming Grove. But when a clerical error sets a criminal free, Rabb blames himself. He should’ve admitted he can’t read, and now he must resign. If he failed the town once, he could fail it again. A recent survivor of a devastating fire, Sallie Parker refuses to let Rabb give up the job he loves. She helps him make sense of letters on the page, and as his knowledge grows, so do their feelings for each other. When a series of mysterious events surround Sallie’s school, Rabb fears a connection to cattle rustlers he’s pursuing. Each day without arrest, the demands for mob justice increase. Rabb races to protect the town and the woman he loves. But is he too late? (Western Historical from Scrivenings Press)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
Burns and Beauty – Philistines by Christine Dillon — Saphi has spent her life despising the mother who scarred her face and condemned her to obscurity as a temple sweeper in the house of Dagon. Scorned and friendless, she expects nothing from the Philistine gods except silence. Then the Philistines capture the ark of the God of Israel. (Contemporary Romance)
Dotty Makes a Difference by Jeni Jennings — What if what makes you different makes all the difference? Set against the stunning backdrop of gorgeous African landscapes, this heartwarming story of faith, courage, and friendship for readers 3-8 will inspire children to embrace their differences and see the beauty in all God’s creations. (Children’s/Picture Books)
Praying for Mr. Wright by Kimberly Kirkland Absher — A worship leader, a matchmaking scheme, and an unexpected love story. Praying for Mr. Wright is a warm, faith-filled contemporary Christian Romance about surrendering expectations, trusting God with your heart, and discovering that sometimes the answer to prayer looks nothing like the plan you imagined. (Contemporary Romance)
Diamonds & Dynamite by Jane Daly — When a stolen diamond, a deadly cartel, and a secretive mine collide, love might be the most explosive force of all. (Romantic Suspense)
Rainbow Valley by Cathe Swanson — The life they built is changing. The past they buried is calling. Rainbow Valley is a heartfelt story of marriage, faith, identity, and the courage to rediscover each other after a lifetime of becoming someone new. (Historical Romance)
Something New by Cathe Swanson — Coming home is the last thing Charlea wants—but it may be the beginning of everything she’s been searching for. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction)
Seralynn Lewis recently stopped by my newsletter to share about her writing life.
Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels? I’ve always loved romance novels in almost every sub-genre there is. But I found that the romance stories that moved me had more than just a romance in them, they had a hint of mystery and a dash of suspense. I’ve included those elements in all of the novels I’ve written, but my editor suggested I focus on romantic suspense because that’s what I’ve been writing all along, the other novels were just not marketed as romantic suspense because they didn’t always have death in them. Some suspense books keep the reader on the edge of their seat for the entire book. That can be exhausting. I prefer to interject pauses in the story to keep that exhaustion at bay and possibly create niche readers who love suspense but don’t want to be overwhelmed by it to fall in love with my stories.
What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress? My favorite spot is my gray easy chair in the living room. It’s comfortable and for the past five months, I’ve been using it to not only think about my stories but I update ideas and write on my laptop from there. My husband sits next to me and wears ear plugs when he watches television so he doesn’t disturb me. I will admit, however, that on occasion, I do get distracted by whatever is on the television.
How do you come up with titles for your books? I usually like to take what moves me from the book and fashion the idea into a title. Many times, the title comes to me as I’m getting into bed. I know I won’t remember them in the morning, so I quickly type it on my phone in notes. That allows me to sleep on it, and determine if it’s right for the book. Oftentimes, I get the title long before I even start writing the story because I have already outlined it and the title is percolating along with the story.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? The inspiration for my plots comes from a vast variety of places. They come from television programs and movies I’ve seen, books I’ve read, articles and true life situations. There are millions of combinations of plots and sub-plots that can be rearranged into forming a new plot. That is the beauty (and fun) of being an author, mixing and matching conflicts within a story. Many times, I go to sleep thinking about the basis of a novel and I’ll dream about it. And sometimes, I’ll figure it out as I’m falling asleep.
What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream come true)? My family was in construction and I was always fascinated by residential floor plans. I wanted to be an architect, but when I shared that desire with my father, he laughed and said a woman can’t be an architect. That was back in the day when the majority of women’s aspirations were limited to being a wife and mother, secretary or teacher. I never did become an architect, but I believe God had a different blueprint in mind, one that led me to building faith-based stories instead of structures.
Which of your books is your favorite and why? That’s a difficult question to answer. Like my children, I love all my books equally because each character is lovingly created to have human flaws and strengths. I write across several sub-genres of romance. Across Oceans Through Time is the one closest to my heart because it is based on my grandparents’ love story. However, for the Christian Romantic Suspense trilogy, Movers & Shakers, my favorite (thus far) is Surviving the Deal because Adam and Rini make a commitment to one another without considering the consequences. When that decision upends the relationship, it reminds me that we all need to look to God for our strength. Always.
About Seralynn Seralynn Lewis came to Christian romantic suspense after first writing inspirational and historical romance. Fueled by faith, a second-chance marriage, and decades of life’s hard lessons, she writes stories where danger is real, relationships are tested, and God is never as far away as her characters think.
When billionaire developer Adam Baylor is backed into a corner, there’s only one way to save the biggest deal of his life–get married. Temporarily. No strings. No emotions. Easy… until he meets Rini Miller.
Rini is a single mom, a woman of faith, and the last person Adam expected to upend his well-ordered world. But as their arrangement begins to blur the lines between business and love, secrets surface, past wounds reawaken, and. Deadly threat looms closer than either of them could imagine.
Can a marriage built on a lie become something real? Or will the cost of the deal be more than either of them is willing to pay
Would You Rather: Bible Attire Adventures by Jerah Alvarado — Would you rather wear a coat of many colors like Joseph? Or would you rather wear clothes made of camel fur like John the Baptist? Choose from thirteen different Bible clothing adventures, the one you would rather experience! (Children’s Picture Book from Mt. Zion Ridge Press)
Contemporary Romance:
Wildflower Heart by Tara Baisden — She didn’t come to Serenity Crossing to fall in love. She came to disappear. Tori Hamilton has spent nearly her entire life being managed by a powerful family who gave her everything except the one thing she actually wanted — to be loved for who she is. After a lottery win hands her the means to finally break free, she leaves Atlanta behind and drives to a small mountain town in Tennessee where nobody knows her name, her family, or the secret she’s carrying. She buys a house, purchases a building for the flower shop she’s always dreamed of, and begins building the ordinary, beautiful life her parents would call beneath her. But the fresh start she’s counting on has a crack running through it — because the truth she left out of her new story is the one thing that could cost her everything. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Cozy Mystery:
Gone with the Woodwinds by Jennifer Lamont Leo — January 1921 brings two arrivals to Timber Coulee, Idaho: the Idaho All-State Music Competition, and a killer. Amanda Parrish, proprietress of Mountain Melodies Music Shop and newly engaged to Sheriff James Holcomb, has pulled off a small coup for the local planning committee—convincing her old conservatory friend to come up from the University of Idaho to judge the woodwinds competition. Gerald arrives on the train charming, warm, and unchanged after twenty years. He is dead before the week is out. Suspicion settles immediately on Amanda’s co-manager, Callan MacTavish—a Scottish WWI veteran whose midnight walks and troubled silences make him an easy target. Amanda knows better. The clock is ticking on finding the real killer before they vanish forever…or strike again. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)
Dual Timeline:
Jane’s Secret by Jennifer E. Tirrell — Bound by blood, but separated by centuries, the two women unravel a hidden family secret in a thrilling quest for truth that could change everything. Jennifer E. Tirrell’s richly layered suspense story weaves between the Tudor period and present day, pulls readers into a world of hidden truths, historical intrigue, and modern-day discovery. (Dual Timeline from Ambassador International)
General Historical:
Shining Bright by Janet Joanou Weiner — How can a young woman with disability contribute to the French Resistance? Can she survive Nazi contempt? Jeanine Bourguet resides in a château in the south of France, but her life is no fairy tale. A repressive grandmother and a wheelchair have long impeded her desire to make significant contributions to her community. When those limitations threaten her determination to take in a young Jewish refugee, Jeanine’s lively mind and sharp sense of justice overrule her fragile body. Increasing deportations of Jewish families, food and clothing shortages, and a constant stream of Nazi propaganda present her opportunities to resist the tightening noose of Nazi control under the turncoat Vichy regime. (General Historical, Independently Published)
Historical Romance:
Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M Beller — When a Montana blizzard strands two strangers in a cave, honor demands a vow neither of them want. Nobody knows the truth about newly knighted Lord Thomas Balfour. He doesn’t deserve the being honor showered on him, so after this last trip with his brother and sister-in-law to Butte for supplies, he’ll leave this territory behind completely. But once he reaches town, he’s blindsided to discover his brothers have ordered him a bride by post. A woman complicates everything. And even worse—the bride has brought her sister. Kate McKinney masterminded this journey west to rescue her younger sister from their controlling mother’s plans. Yet one look at the intended groom’s scowl, and Kate’s doubts bloom. Maybe this mail-order marriage scheme will be far worse for her beloved sister than the wealthy brute their ambitious mother arranged. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Freed by the Frontier by Denise Farnsworth, Sherry Shindelar, and Susan F. Craft — Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge’s daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Uncharted Blessing by Keely Brooke Keith — When Charlotte’s caregiving leads her into Josiah’s home and an orphaned baby into her arms, two wounded hearts discover an unexpected blessing. Uncharted Blessing (Book Sixteen in the Uncharted series) weaves past and future in a faith-filled story of life in a hidden land. Prepare to be captivated by this timeless romance, brimming with mystery and suspense. Perfect for readers seeking traditional family values, faithful men who are true heroes, and clean, heartwarming courtships. If you enjoy the simplicity of frontier romance and the wholesomeness of Amish fiction, you’ll adore Uncharted Blessing. (Historical Romance, Independently Publish)
Eye of the Beholder by Linda Shenton Matchett — Left with physical and emotional scars after the Great War, Hank Drake has been shunned by polite society as the Ugly Duckling. Fine by him. He’d much rather be alone. Until he meets the kind proprietress of a tea stand at New York’s World’s Fair who isn’t repulsed by his appearance. Can he hope for acceptance…or even love? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)
The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town by Naomi Musch — After being sent away on an orphan train and surviving years of hardship, nineteen year old Lily Mae Dodge is finally heading east, determined to find the mother she lost and a life shaped by hope rather than fear. On the journey she meets Francis Basnett, a kindhearted circus roustabout barred from the Great War by his failing vision and concealing deeper unworthiness behind a pair of dark glasses. Though branded a coward by strangers, Francis longs to prove his courage. Drawn to Lily’s quiet resilience, he offers friendship and refuge in the dazzling world of the traveling Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, as she begins her search. There, amid the sawdust and spangles, Lily allows her guarded heart to soften. But when a runaway train slams into the circus cars in the dead of night—igniting a catastrophic fire—her fragile new beginning collapses. Dozens are dead, hundreds injured. . .and Francis is missing. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Sarah’s Search by Jodie Wolfe — Can two searching hearts find the same path? All her life, Sarah McBride has gone along with whatever her guardian dictates. Now on the verge of graduating from the Shippensburg State Normal School, she questions her ability to teach in a classroom when her heart isn’t in the profession. What she wouldn’t give to pursue her heart’s desire of becoming a writer instead of following what’s expected. But how can Sarah defy her guardian’s plans? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
A Heart’s Hope by Penny Zeller — To what lengths will one woman go to rescue her sister? She’s from high society. He’s a humble rancher. Can an unorthodox marriage lead to love? A Heart’s Hope is a heartwarming marriage-of-convenience love story that reminds us that God has a way of working out even the most unconventional things. (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)
Speculative Fiction Fantasy:
Scarlet Oak by Demi Griffin — With the fragrance of Cerulean roses filling the air, all seemed well in the kingdom at last. Dealing with guilt and fractured loyalty, Enris wasn’t prepared to embark on the quest his father asked him to take. With his newly restored relationship with the King of Cerulean redefining him as both a son and a prince, Enris couldn’t refuse the odd request to locate a twin brother he never knew he had. (Speculative Fiction Fantasy, Independently Published)
Speculative Fiction Romance Fantasy:
Canthany Rising by Kenneth Bliss — T’alla was a simple cat frolicking in Eden until the serpent came and changed everything. She and six other animals willingly ate the only fruit T’WA-O, the Three-Who-Are-One, had forbidden. Instead of just being expelled from the Garden, they awake in another world called Canthany with human-like forms. Strange rules govern this world, where health points, character levels and special abilities determine survival. And they’re not alone. The fallen angel, Ashtoreth, wants to steal them away from T’WA-O and make them and their future generations her slaves. Unsure of her place, T’alla must master her newfound psionic abilities and conquer her fears. Armed with a mysterious staff called Kolonos, every battle with Ashtoreth’s demonic minions brings new knowledge and new skills, but also a test of the Seven’s faith in T’WA-O. In a world where prayer is power and sacrifice unlocks miracles, some victories will require the ultimate price. (Speculative Fiction Romantic Fantasy, Independently)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
Three Good Lies by Luana Ehrlich — When CIA operative Titus Ray arrives in Panama, he discovers the intel is false, the sources can’t be trusted, and the objective is a lie. With his team under fire and the secret police closing in, Titus must rely on his training—and his faith—to survive and uncover the truth. (Romantic Suspense)
A Refuge in Montana by Allie Pleiter — In Big Sky Country, Sometimes forgiveness takes the most courage… For her son’s sake, widowed veterinarian Vicky Siden works hard to pretend all is well. But the arrival of game warden Nick Youngston at her family’s animal rescue—with a horse and donkey in tow—changes everything. (Contemporary Romance)
Callie’s Redemption by Tammie Edington Shaw — Can a pampered Eastern young woman, alone and betrayed, learn to trust and love again in the rugged West and a young man from the West pursue his calling to be a preacher and leave his love for a transplanted Eastern girl behind? (Historical Romance)
The Stained Glass Window by Crystal Walton — She’s fighting to heal him. He’s risking everything to protect her. In the line of fire, they’ll need a miracle to survive. (Contemporary Romantic Suspense)
Award-winning author Elle E Kay recently stopped by my newsletter to share some about her writing life.
Why do you like writing romantic suspense? I write romantic suspense and thrillers because that’s what I most like to read, so they feel the most natural to me. I enjoy crafting gripping stories that keep readers flipping pages to find out how the hero and heroine achieve their happily-ever-after.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? Inspiration often starts with the setting. For the Pennsylvania Parks series, I drew inspiration from family camping trips to state parks like Hickory Run, Worlds End, Ricketts Glen, and Promised Land. I knew I wanted to write romantic suspense set in these beautiful locations even before I had characters or a suspense plot in mind.
What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress? In the spring, summer, and fall, my favorite go-to place to write is my screened porch, where I can look out over the acres and enjoy the animals on our hobby farm. In the winter, I usually write from the couch.
How do you ensure your books are accurate? I research as I write. I establish the basics first and then hunt down specific details as I need them. For example, when I needed information about bomb-sniffing dogs and their handlers, I found most of what I needed on government websites and through videos. There are times when I get the details wrong and have to go back and fix them, though. I had to completely redo the beginning of Midnight Masquerade when I realized I’d misread the landscape of the area of Turkey where the opening was set.
Which of your books is your favorite and why? My favorite is The Bodyguard’s Fake Bride. I adore everything about this novel, which features a protective, kilt-wearing Scottish hero who brings the heroine to a fictional castle in Scotland for a family reunion.
About Elle Elle E. Kay is an Angel Award-winning author of 25 Christian fiction titles with 15 million page reads. Her recent release, Midnight Masquerade, delves into the dark world of human trafficking and finaled in the 2026 ACFW Carol Awards. Elle lives on a North Central Pennsylvania hobby farm, and serves in women and teen ministries.
CIA operative Dante Reyes has strict orders at the Turkish port: gather intelligence on the trafficking ring, do not intervene, and do not blow his six-month cover. Then the shipping container doors screech open. His former SEAL brother’s kidnapped sister stares at him through the darkness, and every order he was given means nothing.
He fails in his attempt to save her and carries the weight of that failure back to Virginia where his handlers ground him, reassign him to a domestic task force, and hand him the one case that puts him face to face with the woman he never stopped thinking about.
HSI analyst Lisa Harper has been following dirty money for weeks. Wire transfers. Shell companies. A charity called Liberation Trust connected to a polished anti-trafficking nonprofit hosting an annual masquerade gala in seven days. Every lead she pulls confirms the same ugly truth: the people profiting from human trafficking are hiding behind the cause of stopping it. And someone inside her investigation is leaking every move her task force makes.
When Lisa goes undercover on the dating apps the network uses to recruit victims, she walks deeper into the trap than anyone planned. Dante is the only backup she trusted enough to call. What they discover beneath the chandeliers of a Philadelphia ballroom will demand everything they have, including the faith neither of them is sure they can afford.
Dante carries his failures in a prayer journal and leans on scripture for strength. Lisa carries hers alone, because the last man she trusted with her faith used it against her family. Between them runs a mission that will cost everything, and a question neither can keep running from.
About Seralynn
Surviving The Deal by Seralynn Lewis!
About Elle
