How Dana Mentink and Terri Reed Keep Readers on the Right Path (Episode 69)
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” my guests are Dana Mentink and Terri Reed. Among other things, we chatted about the dangers of exploring Death Valley with GPS and introducing too many characters at once.
“You can’t really hand over your brain to any electronic,” Dana said. “I say that as somebody who’s lost all the time—I’m perpetually lost everywhere.”
“You don’t want people to have to have a roadmap to get through your book,” Terri said. “That’s the beauty of series, though. You can introduce a seemingly throwaway character in the first book that’s going to be very, very important later.”
Dana is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Poisoned Pen Press.
Connect w/Dana
Website: danamentink.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordanamentink/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7tY41VV_Velenocrku4LJw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danamentink
Instagram: dana_mentink
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dana-mentink
Award-winning, multi-published author Terri found solace from a chaotic childhood in the pages of books that took her far away to different realms and realities. When she discovered Christian fiction, she also discovered her own story telling voice. Now she writes books of heart-warming romance and heart-pounding suspense infused with faith. Her romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publisher’s Weekly top ten and Nielsen BookScan top hundred lists, and have been featured in USA Today. She’s a member of the Honor Roll of Romance Writers of America. Her books have finaled in Romance Writers of America RITA contest, National Readers’ Choice Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. One of her romance novels was adapted into a Hallmark movie for Christmas 2019. Terri resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and running the agility course with her Australian shepherd.
Connect w/Terri
Website: https://www.terrireed.com/
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/o4x4h1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrireedauthorpage/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrireedauthor/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/terri-reed
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Terri-Reed/e/B001H9VYCQ%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/178940.Terri_Reed
Listen to the podcast for more from our interview, plus teasers for Death Valley Hideout and Detection Detail.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” my guest is Shannon Redmon, who remembers the first grown-up book she checked out from the neighborhood bookmobile. A Victoria Holt novel with romance, intrigue, dashing gentlemen and ballroom parties captivated her attention. For her mother, the silence must have been a pleasant break from non-stop teenage chatter, but for Shannon, those stories whipped up a desire and passion for writing.
Listen to the podcast for more from our interview, plus an excerpt from Secrets Left Behind.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m talking with Michele Chynoweth and Michele Olson, who each shared how they incorporate faith and suspense into their books.
Michele Chynoweth is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Faithful One, The Peace Maker, The Runaway Prophet, The Jealous Son, and The Wise Man, contemporary suspense novels that re-imagine Bible stories. Michele is also a sought-after public speaker who has addressed a variety of writers’ conferences and other organizations across the country, a professional editor and book coach, college writing instructor and founder of “Your Book Done Right” Master Class and Elite Coaching. A former news reporter and marketing director, she’s a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and lives with her husband in North East, Maryland.
Incorporating her work as an artist and a voice professional into her writing whenever she can, she enjoys creative endeavors of all genres and fueling faith with fiction. She speaks to groups about authentic living and creativity and teaches doodling and sketch noting in seminars to build engagement, retention, and pure fun to everyone. She works within the creative imprint of Lake Girl Publishing.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m talking with Lisa Phillips, a USA Today and top 10 Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than 50 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m talking with Jodie Bailey and Laurie Wood. Among other things, we discussed how each develops their characters.
Connect w/Laurie
