Christmas is Mary Vee’s favorite holiday. What better time
to set a mystery or a suspense story! She loves to travel to exciting places
like New York City, Paris, the Iditarod trail and much more. Mary has been a
finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king.
What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on
your stories? Mary: My favorite place to reflect on my story is hiking almost
anywhere. Every oxygenated breath I take, every natural sight I see, every
earthen scent I smell, every created thing I touch, I participate in the
created world. Ideas materialize. I chat with my characters and discover what
they think will happen next, then, despite my character’s protest, I write the
opposite for tension, suspense, and a reason to turn the page.
Have you ever regretted killing off a character? Why? Mary: I have never regretted killing off a character, although I
have soaked many tissues while grieving and mourning with them.
What did you want to be as a child? Mary: At age 10, I chose my life-long career. I wanted to be a
cowgirl. I have no idea why. I had lived in the city and had never been west of
the Mississippi River. But that was my decision, and I stuck to it. The adult
translation might be this: To live an exciting life. This I have and continue
to do. I have ziplined in the California Redwoods, whitewater rafted on the
Olympic level Tennessee River, hiked in the mountains, spent time in a
communist country, served as a missionary in a drug cartel area of Honduras and
on a Montana Indian reservation, walked portions of the Iditarod trail, stood
at the top of the Eiffel and Sears towers, walked on the frozen Lake Superior,
driven the road to Hana and much more! These experiences have given me a wealth
of setting ideas for my characters.
How do you pick the location/setting? Mary: I let the story and characters choose. For example, my new
release, Sylvia’s Secret, A Christmas Story, is about a very wealthy
woman. Right away, I knew she had to live in or near a big city. Since I have
been to New York City, I set the story mostly there. On the other hand, “Christmas
With The Enemy” needed a terrible snowstorm that marooned the characters.
This story takes place in the Rocky Mountains, specifically Big Sky, Montana,
another place I have visited in the winter many times.
Current book: Sylvia’s Secret
Right before Christmas, the staff at Sylvia Duvet’s mansion discover she is
missing. Her daughter arrives to find her mom before it’s too late.
Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey by Barbara M. Britton — To keep her orphaned sisters together, Mahlah must seek what has never been granted to girls, an inheritance of God’s Promised Land. (Biblical from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])
Contemporary Romance:
Hiding from Christmas by Alice K. Arenz — No matter how hard she tries, Maddie Kelley can’t seem to fit in at Ornamental, a company founded by her great grandfather and his best friend. Now, after yet another screw-up, she’s been sent into the “enemy’s” camp—two hours away from home for the next two months. A punishment or a blessing? Her life is turned upside down when the mundane turns unexpected, and she finally discovers where her heart truly lies. (Contemporary Romance from Forget Me Not Romances [Winged Publications])
Practically Married by Karin Beery — Ashley Johnson moved to northern Michigan to finally meet her fiancé face-to-face, but she arrived in time to attend his funeral. With no home back in Ohio, she decides to stay in what would have been their house, except his cousin Russ lives there too, and Russ has never heard of Ashley. To complicate matters, her fiancé accidentally willed her the family farm house. Eager to please everyone and desperate to disappoint no one, she proposes a marriage of convenience that could solve her and Russ’ problems, if they can get past her aunt, his sisters, and an ex-girlfriend. (Contemporary Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Once Upon a Christmas by Andrea Boyd, Mikal Dawn, Toni Shiloh, Angela Ruth Strong, and Jaycee Weaver — Embrace the magic of the Christmas season with these contemporary twists on timeless tales. Upon a Dream: A rare sleeping disorder keeps Talia from performing, but when Philip recognizes her gift, he’ll do whatever it takes to see her onstage. Claim My Heart: Li Na and Colin Wen face off in a Mulan-esque courtroom battle where the real win might be losing their hearts. A Snow White Christmas: Sheltered heiress Amala White flees her conniving stepmother’s plans and finds refuge with a handsome orchard owner and his seven quirky uncles. Christmas Ella: Reality TV meets Cinderella story when a location director is swept off her feet by a rising star. A Splash of Love: Las Vegas glitz meets Land of Enchantment culture in A Splash of Love, a modern twist on the Little Mermaid. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
The Twin Bargain by Lisa Carter — A mutually beneficial temporary arrangement…But can they keep it strictly professional? Nursing student Amber Fleming couldn’t be more stunned when ex-marine Ethan Green makes an offer: he’ll babysit her twin girls if she cares for his injured grandmother. Amber knows it’s temporary. Ethan isn’t one for roots—or their hometown. But his steadfast caring has her wanting more than friendship. And with help from Amber’s mischievous twins, can they risk becoming a forever family? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman — With her wedding business thriving, Annie Kauffmann could never leave her beloved Amish community. So when handsome Amish cowboy Levi Lapp tries to convince her father to move the family to Texas, she must put a stop to it. If Annie finds Levi a wife, he might forget his dream of moving…but can she keep from falling for him herself? (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Sara’s Gift by Kimberly Rose Johnson — Christmas is the season of giving, but Sara isn’t sure she is up to the task. Playing secret angel in high school was fun, and now, years later, Sara has the opportunity to do it once more on a bigger scale. She enlists the help of Gabe, her long-time best friend, to come up with a deserving recipient. But something is off with Gabe—he’s more attentive than usual. The Christmas season has put Gabe in a reflective mood. His evaluation of his life has left him lonely and wanting more. But can his heart have its desire? That’s up to Sara. Can these two long-time best friends navigate their changing relationship, or will the romance Grinch steal their Christmas joy? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Their Christmas Prayer by Myra Johnson — Searching for a new start, Pastor Shaun O’Grady can’t wait for his next foreign missionary assignment…until he begins working with Brooke Willoughby on the church’s Christmas outreach program. Even as they clash over program specifics, Shaun and Brooke are drawn to each other. Now Shaun’s not sure where he belongs: overseas for his ministry, or at home by Brooke’s side… (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Her Amish Holiday Suitor by Carrie Lighte — Lucy Knepp has no time for heartbreaker Nick Burkholder…until a pretend courtship means she can finish her embroidery for a Christmas fund-raiser in peace. Nick’s arrangement with the too-reserved Lucy is the perfect cover while he repairs the cabin his brother damaged. But once Nick sees how vibrant Lucy really is, can he prove himself—and show their love is for all seasons? (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
General/Contemporary:
Chasing Dreams by Deborah Raney — Reconsidering her dream of law school, Joanna Chandler finds promise in a possible wedding planning career—especially when she meets wedding DJ Lukas Blaine. But there’s more to Luke than meets the eye. The angry young boy he’s been mentoring has lost his mother and become Luke’s ward. How can Luke possibly find the time to start a new relationship or saddle someone else with a wounded child? He may have to let go of the woman of his dreams–and crush her dreams at the same time. (General/Contemporary from Kregel Publications)
Historical Romance:
Unwrapping Hope by Sandra Ardoin — When Phoebe receives a handcrafted cigar box by mistake, her desperation to give her daughter something special for Christmas drives her to suggest a trade with Spence Newland, a man she views as no more principled than her daughter’s late father. But the more time she spends with the department store heir, the more Phoebe struggles to keep up her guard against him. Spence believes the cigar box will help him gain a reclusive investor’s financial support for his proposed five-and-ten-cent stores. Yet he hesitates to bargain with a widow who mistrusts him for no apparent reason…until he meets a charming little girl at the train station who awaits the arrival of a prince. Will a betrayal in Phoebe’s past and Spence’s unraveling business plans derail their hope for happiness and keep a child’s fairy tale from coming true? (Historical Romance from Corner Room Books)
Hope’s Highest Mountain by Misty M. Beller — Ingrid Chastain travels readily with her father to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory. But after a tragic accident leaves her alone and injured, Ingrid finds rescue in the form of a mysterious mountain man who tends her wounds. Micah Bradley gave up his own medical career after unintentionally bringing home the smallpox disease that killed his wife and daughter. With Ingrid dead set on trekking through the mountains to deliver the medicine as soon as she’s well enough, he has no choice but to accompany her through the treacherous, snow-covered Rocky Mountains. The risk-laden journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])
Aiming for Love by Mary Connealy — Josephine Nordegren is one of three sisters who grew up nearly wild in southwestern Colorado. She has the archery skills of Robin Hood and the curiosity of the Little Mermaid, fascinated by but locked away from the forbidden outside world–a world she’s been raised to believe killed her parents. When David Warden, a rancher, brings in a herd much too close to the girls’ secret home, her older sister especially is frightened, but Jo is too interested to stay away. David’s parents follow soon on his heels, escaping bandits at their ranch. David’s father is wounded and needs shelter. Josephine and her sisters have the only cabin on the mountain. Do they risk stepping into the world to help those in need? Or do they remain separated but safe in the peaks of Hope Mountain? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])
Lessons on Love by Susanne Dietze, Rita Gerlach, Kathleen L. Maher, and Carrie Fancett Pagels — Step back into the classroom alongside four new teachers who face unexpected tests. In 1840 New York, Gilda’s religious beliefs are challenged. In 1870 Kansas, Mary helps ostracized immigrant children. In 1894 Michigan, Jesse discovers an unlikely friendship. And in 1904 Virginia, Margaret wants to make controversial changes. Will these tests teach the teachers about faith and love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Mystery:
The Silver Lode by Suzanne J Bratcher — A dying child and a seventy-year-old cold case draw historian Paul Russell and antiques expert Marty Greenlaw into a desperate search for the silver lode, a rich deposit of silver and gold one person considers worth murdering to keep. (Mystery from Mantle Rock Publishing)
Romantic Suspense:
Deadly Commitment by Kathy Harris — When Danielle Kemp walks out of her downtown Nashville condominium, she gets the eerie feeling that someone is watching her. She’s convinced that the homeless man outside her building is stalking her. But after learning the real identity of the intimidating stranger, she faces something even more threatening?the truth about her fiancé. (Romantic Suspense from New Hope Publishing)
Cold Pursuit by Gayla K. Hiss — A December tour of Yellowstone National Park sounded like the perfect escape from Faith Chandler’s problems at home—until she discovers her tour guide is her jilted childhood sweetheart, Jake Mitchell. (Romantic Suspense from Mountain Brook Ink)
Legacy Restored by Robin Patchen — She’s a new Christian working to take down an art thief and murderer. He’s a grieving artist who refuses to let another woman die needlessly. When their desires clash, will it lead to hostility… or fireworks? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Young Adult:
Heart of a Royal by Hannah Currie — Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever. With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna’s presence as companion is no longer required and, like it or not, she must return to the birthright which should have been hers – that of a commoner. But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. When the truths she’s based her life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust, both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with? (Young Adult from WhiteFire Publishing)
Lillian
writes
the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced romantic suspense and mystery
that demonstrates God’s love for us. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, she believes in the power of words to transform
lives, especially God’s Word.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? Lillian: From all sorts of places. Sometimes, I come
up with a premise, such as what would happen if a big city lawyer fell in love
with a farmer? (Pursued) Sometimes a scene just pops in my head from nowhere like
when a woman receives a phone call from a young girl asking for her aunt and
she knows it can’t be for her because she doesn’t have a niece. Or does she? (Deception).
Sometimes a story comes about because
of characters from another story. My Deadly Communications series happened when
my writing life crashed into my other life as a speech pathologist. The series
features a speech pathologist who gets way too involved with her clients!
So, like I said my story ideas can come from anywhere at any time. Game On is no exception. I got it from watching a TV talk show of all things. Of course, all I got from the show was a germ of an idea, the rest was up to me!
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic
suspense novels? Lillian: Since I live in Ohio, most of my stories start out in Ohio,
either in a real location like Cleveland or a fictitious one like Serenity
Springs. But my characters are usually running from someone or chasing someone
so the story usually moves to somewhere I’ve traveled before, like the Bahamas
or Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Game On is an exception. It starts out in Washington,
D.C., a place I’ve visited numerous times, and then moves on to Florida and
North Carolina. I lived in Florida for a short time when I was younger as well
as visited it several times and my husband and I were spending a month in North
Carolina as I wrote Game On.
If the character ends up in a location I’m not familiar with
such as San Francisco in Deception, I’ll do a lot of research on the
Internet as well as ask questions on my writer loops.
Current book: Trapped Nikki Kent uncovers other people’s
secrets, but lives with one of her own. When former boyfriend Lucas McMann needs,
her faith pushes her to accept.
Tanya Stowe is an author of Christian Fiction with an
unexpected edge. She fills her stories with the unusual… mysteries and exotic adventures,
even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you… on a trip to foreign
lands or a suspenseful journey filled with danger… be prepared for the
extraordinary.
Why do you like writing romantic suspense? Tanya: I love writing action and suspense leads to writing some
awesome action scenes. I love stories where I learn something new or have to
solve the puzzle so writing suspense with action scenes and “who-done-it” is
perfect for me.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed
in your novels? Tanya: The weirdest death was in the book I just finished called Killer
Harvest. It doesn’t come out until March. The killer is like a terminator
and seems impossible to stop so I had to come up with an unusual way to stop
him. I’m not giving away any secrets as to how it happens though! LOL!
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? Tanya: My husband and I are full-time RV’ers—we live in our RV and
travel year-round. Everywhere I go I find inspiration whether it’s a beautiful cliff
and peak, a roaring river or a dense swamp-like area on the side of the road.
Then my mind just takes off wondering how people settled the land, how would one
survive if they ended up floating down the river? What was life like without a
GPS? LOL!
What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream
come true? Tanya: I wrote my first book when I was 11 years old so yes, I’ve
always wanted to be a writer and yes, my dream came true. But there was a LOT
of hard work and sacrifice in between!
How do you ensure your books are accurate? Tanya: Lots and lots of research, including travel to the area to
see, smell and just feel the air. It really makes a difference. Plus my publisher
has multiple editors who comb over the story and question everything to make
sure I’m accurate. It’s sometimes painful but I’m always thankful in the end.
Current book: Fatal Memories Border patrol agent Jocelyn Walker has no memory of why a gang is trying to kill her. DEA agent Dylan Murphy guards—and suspects—her.
Like most families, mine is, well, a bit unusual. True, I
have a father and a mother, who have been married for more than fifty years. But
I have had more than forty siblings.
When I was child, I had two sisters and a brother who were
many years older than me—fifteen, thirteen, and eleven years older, to be
exact. So in grade school, I was an only child of sorts, who had older siblings
drop by once in a while.
Soon after my twelfth birthday, my parents decided to fill
our great, big house with more children in a rather unconventional way: as
foster parents. Through the years, my mom and dad showed love to many children
of all ages, whom they treated as part of the family. As for me, I gained numerous
brothers and sisters—both older and younger.
There was Hope, who joined our family as a 16-year-old and
ended up staying for two years. A few years after she left our house, she asked
my father to walk her down the aisle at her wedding, a testimony to the special
relationship she developed with my parents. Sandy, an eight-year-old with
emotional problems, attached herself to me and sometimes would refuse to go to
court-ordered counseling sessions unless I accompanied her.
There were newborn babies, like Mark and Stephen, whose
smiles and coos are some of my happiest memories of those days. Then there were
the twins, a brother and sister who were five months old when they arrived.
They, like many foster children before them, ended up staying with us for more
than two years and then becoming eligible for adoption. By this time, my
parents already had raised four children and were grandparents, but they ended
up adopting Jenny and James.
Much has been said about the importance—and necessity—of foster
parenting, but being a sibling to foster brothers and sisters brought its own
rewards. I reveled in being a big sister to countless children. However, it
wasn’t always laughter and lightness. I had to share “my” things and “my”
parents with other children, many of whom had no concept of family life.
Yes, there were times when I hated having strange kids in my
house playing with my toys and interrupting my schedule. But my parents taught
me that these relatively small sacrifices made a big difference in the lives of
these neglected and abused kids. I had a real chance to make a difference, to
show sisterly love and affection to children whose own families had not shown
much love. With my parents’ encouragement, I could play a small role in helping
to ease their pain and to show them that someone cared about them.
I also knew the love that my parents showered on these
children in no way took away from their love and care for me. I never felt
neglected or overlooked, no matter how packed the house became or how often I had
to sacrifice my wants to their needs.
My parents raised foster children for three decades.
Amazingly, many of those foster children who passed through our house—whether
for a few months or a few years—kept in contact with my parents after they
left. Some send annual Christmas cards, some call my parents regularly, and a
few occasionally even visit—all a testimony to the love and impact my parents
had on their lives.
Today, as I raise four young children of my own, I look forward
to a time when me and my husband might reach out to other children in need of a
temporary haven. I hope one day that I can pass along some of the things learned
by watching my parents foster children and teach them about love and life.
This story originally appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family.
