Faith Hope and Love Reader’s Choice Finalist, Kimberly Rose Johnson, lives in the Pacific Northwest. Since childhood Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
When do you find time to write? Kimberly: I like to write in the morning. I generally stop writing around one in the afternoon.
What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream come true)? Kimberly: I wanted to be a famous singer. That dream was never realized.
What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers? Kimberly: My favorite way to connect with readers is on Facebook. I have an author page as well as a Reader’s Group.
What is absolutely essential for you to write? Kimberly: I must have quiet when I’m writing. I need to be able to hear my thoughts so the story can play out in my mind.
The Sleuth’s Miscalculation Librarian Nancy Daley loves a good mystery and enjoys moonlighting as a consultant for the sheriff’s department.
The Redemption Road by Christa MacDonald — As Alex awaits retribution, he means to keep Annie safe at any cost, but she knows it’s redemption he needs and she’ll pay any price for him to find it. (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)
Scarlet Tears by Laura Hervey — Caught in a romantic triangle with her brother’s best friend and a charming pastor, former call girl Carly Lawrence struggles to start a new life. (Contemporary Romance from Alabaster Box Press)
Historical Romance:
Rebecca’s Legacy by Betty Thomason Owens — After a threat against her family, a spoiled heiress is sent to the country to work on her aunt’s produce farm and finds love. (Historical Romance from Write Integrity Press)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse — Faith Jackson is a wealthy widow, friend of George Washington, and staunch supporter of the Patriot cause. Matthew Weber is friends with both Ben Franklin and his son William, who increasingly differ in their political views; and Matthew finds himself privy to information on both sides of the conflict. When a message needs to get to a spy among the Loyalists, Faith bravely steps up and in turn meets Matthew Weber. Suddenly she believes she could love again. But someone else has his eye on the Faith she portrays in elite social circles. What will Matthew and Faith have to sacrifice for the sake of their fledgling country? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Cozy Mystery:
Deadly Harvest by Marissa Shrock — Georgia’s biggest challenge in the farming town of Wildcat Springs, Indiana, is figuring out how to win Evan Beckworth’s heart. Until the day she discovers the body of a former student in the woods. When she starts to suspect this wasn’t an accident, memories stir of her father’s murder nine years earlier. A murder never solved. As Georgia works with the sheriff’s department’s newest detective, Cal Perkins, she finds her heart slipping into his hands. But her head is pummeled with conflicting evidence and anonymous threats of severe consequences if she digs any deeper. In the end, Georgia faces a paralyzing choice. Ignore the dark secrets inside the family and friends who surround her or be willing to risk her own life to uncover the truth. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)
Unknown Enemy by Janet Sketchley — A young woman with a traumatic past must discover the truth about who’s playing mind games with the Green Dory Inn’s owner. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)
Romantic Suspense:
Hiding in Plain Sight by Mary Ellis — When a Charleston PI rents a room above an Italian restaurant owned by a handsome chef, she lands in the middle of a family feud with robbery, arson and murder for the daily specials. (Romantic Suspense from Severn House Publishers LTD)
Wildfire by Gayla K. Hiss — A female wildfire scientist and a firefighter team up to solve the mystery behind the outbreak of wildfires in the Rockies and find themselves at the center of a firestorm. (Romantic Suspense from Mountain Brook Ink)
Amish Country Ambush by Dana R. Lynn — A police officer and a dispatcher travel deep into Amish country to rescue her nephew and to escape a killer. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Imperfect Promises by Elizabeth Noyes — When a homegrown terrorist threatens the woman he loves, former Special Forces soldier Jonas Cameron calls on old friends to help him eliminate the danger. (Romantic Suspense from Write Integrity Press)
Cold Fear by Susan Sleeman — When a sniper’s ex-girlfriend, a musician, is framed for murder during her summer tour, he jumps to defend her from an imminent arrest and a killer’s deadly rage. But the evidence against her stacks higher as three bodies are found with her name tattooed on their wrist. (Romantic Suspense from Edge of Your Seat Books, Inc.)
Cold Case Cover-Up by Virginia Vaughan — The first thrilling Covert Operatives tale An infant is believed to have been murdered thirty years ago—but investigative journalist Dana Lang is convinced she’s that baby. Now someone’s willing to kill to stop her investigation. And only secretive deputy Quinn Dawson, whose grandfather may have faked Dana’s death to protect her, can keep her safe. But a killer’s dead set on burying the past—and them—for good. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Thriller/Suspense:
Pretense by John Di Frances — A dark cloud hangs over Europe after the brutal murders of two heads of state just days apart. A diabolical plot appears to stretch westward to the United States, implicating the CIA. But do the facts reflect reality or is there a sinister force working behind the scenes to destabilize Europe and NATO? The team of investigators led by Interpol’s Marek Frakas, ‘The Wolf,’ moves quickly to track the perpetrators and uncover the identity of the unseen mastermind behind the conspiracy. This cadre includes the lovely Adrianna, a young forensic weapons expert who can hold her own on the male-dominated international team of investigators. Together they seek to understand reality versus the shattered mirror-like reflections meant to obfuscate the truth and shroud the mastermind’s identity and ultimate purpose. (Political Thriller from Reliance Books Publishing, LLC)
Thirst of Steel by Ronie Kendig — Dismantled centuries ago, the sword of Goliath is still rumored to thirst for its enemies’ blood. Cole “Tox” Russell wants only to put the dangers of his past behind him and begin his new life with Haven Cortes. First, though, he’s called to complete a final mission: retrieve the sword and destroy the deadly Arrow & Flame Order. The AFO, however, is determined to reunite the sword. With the Wraith team slowly being torn apart, things worsen when Mercy Maddox, a new operative, emerges with the stunning news that the artifact is tied to a string of unsolved serial murders. Tox and the others are forced to set aside fear and anger to target the true enemy. No matter the cost, Wraith must destroy the AFO . . . or join them in the flames. (Military Suspense from Bethany House [Baker])
Gayla’s inspiring novels combine her love for the great outdoors with romance, suspense, and adventure. She and her husband often tour the country in their RV, visiting many state and national parks. She enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling, and lives in the Pacific Northwest.
What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing? Gayla: Writing for long hours can be very challenging, so I like to treat myself when I finish a chapter or a major revision. Sometimes it’s a latte at my favorite coffee shop, a dinner out, or even a vacation after I complete a significant milestone. I also like to go shopping.
When I need a break, I take a walk outside and that usually refreshes me enough to get back to work and recharges my creativity. Many times, the right word or phrase comes to me while I’m walking or exercising. It’s a great way to relax and rejuvenate.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels? Gayla: Recently, I was hiking in Yellowstone National Park and new book ideas suddenly flooded my mind. Being in the great outdoors always inspires me with story ideas. That’s why my Peril in the Park series is set in the national parks, and since I like to include romantic suspense and adventure in my stories, I look for specific national parks that have interesting features with plenty of avenues for adventure. My first book, Avalanche, is set in North Cascades National Park. The second book, Dangerous Ground, is set in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and my third and latest book, Wildfire, is set in Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ve been to all three national parks and each is spectacular and unique in its own way.
How do you ensure your books are accurate? Gayla: I do a lot of research. For my most recent book, Wildfire, I read several nonfiction books about wildfires and wildland firefighting. I researched those topics online as well. I also developed a list of specific questions and consulted experts who could answer them. For the settings, I try to pick places I’ve been to and am familiar with. For example, before I wrote Wildfire, I had visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times. Even so, I still researched the national park maps and websites to make the scenes in the park as accurate as possible.
What is absolutely essential for you to write? Gayla: A quiet space is essential, as well as long periods of uninterrupted time. Sometimes I use instrumental music to help me get into the mood of a scene.
Last winter, I was wrapping up my third book in an RV on a road trip with my husband, so it was a bit of a challenge to finish my work-in-progress between traveling and living in a small space. However, we were in warmth and sunshine, and that energized me, which made up for not having a private space. As a result, I would say that, for me, having an agreeable climate can be as important as a quiet space.
Current book: Wildfire A female wildfire scientist and a firefighter team up to solve the mystery behind the outbreak of wildfires in Rocky Mountain National Park.
After retiring from Department of Homeland Security, David became a full-time author/speaker/humorist. He writes suspense and nonfiction. Before his next fiction release, Taking God to Work: Keys to Lasting Success will bow in September 2018.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? David: Dealing with the expectations of some female readers. They imagine guys are having all these deep thoughts. Truthfully, we are a primal lot. If the bacon-and-egg sandwich rang our bell for breakfast, that distant look is probably us remembering the bacon.
When do you find time to write? David: I’m a full-time author, so sometime between rolling out of bed and getting back in at night. Currently, I have four manuscripts in some stage of editing or pre-release. My next two fiction releases are coming in November 2018 and January 2019.
What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress? David: I like to work in my home office, with Gumby and Pokey staring at me. They are relentless taskmasters.
How do you connect with your characters? David: We usually go out for imaginary breakfast sandwiches, like bacon and egg.
How do you come up with titles for your books? David: Seriously speaking, I pray about them. I feel like God gives me a thumbs-up when I find the right one.
What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing? David: I’m a Diet Pepsi fiend. Some of my friends try to get me to stop, but I quote them Mark 16:18 about “drinking any deadly thing” and it not hurting me.
Why do you like writing romantic suspense? David: I’m a romantically suspenseful kind of guy. When they meet me in person, women often think to themselves, “I’ll bet he’s romantic and suspenseful.”
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels? David: In my next release, Stock Car Inferno, the female protagonist is a stock car driver. She bumps the car of her major rival and it blows to smithereens. With that initiating event, the plot goes airborne (with the other driver.)
How do you research ways to kill someone for your books? David: I drive on the Washington, D.C., beltway. It provides a lot of inspiration as some drivers go 80 mph and others 50 mph. Seriously though, I enjoy police investigation shows on television.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? David: They just come to me. I start with a basic premise, pray about it. Then, I think about the major moral lessons I would like believers and non-believers to take away from the book. Then, I do a loose outline and start writing. The characters and action tend to drive the direction of each chapter.
Have you ever regretted killing off a character? Why? David: Without spoiling anyone’s fun, I kill off a likable character in Stock Car Inferno. Test readers hassled me about it, but the plot needed it. So, he or she had to go.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels? David: I start in Washington, D.C., then branch out to other places I’ve lived or visited. My next book has a sizable number of scenes in Oklahoma where I lived for a few years.
What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream come true)? David: Safe. My family had a lot of turmoil in the 1960s and 1970s. People made choices that affected my sense of well-being. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t have a specific direction.
What does your family think of your writing romantic suspense? David: The only immediate family member still alive is my sister, Susie. She is crazy supportive and I depend on her for feedback and suggestions. She is always test reader number one.
What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers? David: I like live events. People can be so kind, and I love to get to know a little about them. My selfies with readers are among my most prized possessions.
What are some of the questions you hear when you say you write romantic suspense? David: “Can I date you?” My answer is: “Will you use carbon dating?”
How do you ensure your books are accurate? David: I do a lot of research and I trust my editors.
What is absolutely essential for you to write? David: A keyboard, a computer and bacon.
What has been most frustrating about writing romantic suspense? David: Reading big-name Christian romantic suspense writers and finding their content too steamy. It makes me feel like I’m in a club that I want to drop out of…but maybe some readers prefer their characters to keep their clothes on, unless they are married.
What has been most rewarding about writing romantic suspense? David: Meeting fans.
Current book: Driver Confessional A Christian Uber driver is plunged into a world of espionage, murder and secrets by a mysterious passenger.
Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. Leeann has released eight titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, with A Deadly Dissolution as the most recent. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter; subscribe at www.LeeannBetts.com or follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com.
How do you connect with your characters? Leeann: I usually end up writing a chapter of yak-yak-yak until I hit the ground running, but the conversation time helps me reconnect with my recurring characters, and start to develop a relationship with the new characters.
How do you come up with titles for your books? Leeann: The funny thing is, usually the title comes first, then the book flows from that. This time around, the story was first, and I struggled with the title. I also struggled getting the story started, because without a title, I didn’t know where it was going. Once I figured out the title, the story flowed from there.
What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing? Leeann: Coffee. And chocolate.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels? Leeann: I’m pretty much old-school, so I guess the weirdest way was drowned in two inches of water. That was in Petty Cash.
Current book: A Deadly Dissolution Carly loses more than daylight when the total lunar eclipse and crime come to town. Can she figure out what’s going on before the suspects escape?
Faith Hope and Love Reader’s Choice Finalist, Kimberly Rose Johnson, lives in the Pacific Northwest. Since childhood Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
Gayla’s inspiring novels combine her love for the great outdoors with romance, suspense, and adventure. She and her husband often tour the country in their RV, visiting many state and national parks. She enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling, and lives in the Pacific Northwest.
After retiring from Department of Homeland Security, David became a full-time author/speaker/humorist. He writes suspense and nonfiction. Before his next fiction release, Taking God to Work: Keys to Lasting Success will bow in September 2018.
Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. Leeann has released eight titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, with A Deadly Dissolution as the most recent. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter; subscribe at 
