On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m chatting with Joanna Davidson Politano, who writes atmospheric historical fiction that blends romance, mystery, and emotional depth, often set in distinctive old estates. Drawn to coastal landscapes and old houses steeped in story, Joanna’s work is known for its immersive settings, layered characters, and a poignant sense of hope, no matter the circumstances. Joanna is the author of multiple award-winning historical novels and is an avid researcher who delights in uncovering forgotten details of the past and weaving them into stories that feel both timeless and intimate.
Outside of writing, Joanna is a homeschooling mom and adventure coordinator, exploring every park, library, and hiking trail within driving distance, and coming up with wild stories on the drive. She and her family live in the woods near Lake Michigan.
“My husband and I went to Scotland on our honeymoon, and all we did was run around visiting all these estates [with all their stories],” Joanna said. “It made something come alive in me. … There’s something so unique about a house that has lasted so many generations and seen so many stories. … That makes these houses worth something that’s so unique.”
Listen to the podcast for more from our interview, plus an excerpt from The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano. Excerpt and back cover copy read by Janda Sample of Janda Sample Storytelling.
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)
During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from three authors about their romantic suspense books available this month. Here’s the list of authors and books for July 2026, with the book’s release date if not available now.
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
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” my guest is Ciara Knight, a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author. She’s known for her “Southern Grace to Western Embrace” stories. She has captivated more than a million readers with her 60-plus novels. Her heartwarming and inspirational romances are inspired by her husband, children, and dream of sailing the world.
“I’ve always been a prolific writer—nothing ever gets in my way. I’ve never had writer’s block,” Ciara said. “When I first moved onto the trawler, I did. I was writing sweet, small town romance among other genres, and I just was having problems [writing]. So I took all of my fears—if I’m scared of something, I go for it. I don’t hold back. I think part of [writing] was my therapy when we got onboard. It was learning to live on a boat with storms and … those first two books in my Harbor Secrets series were a kind of therapy.”
Listen to the podcast for more from our interview, plus an excerpt from Winter Harbor Secrets by Ciara Knight. Excerpt and back cover copy read by Janda Sample of Janda Sample Storytelling.
About Seralynn
Surviving The Deal by Seralynn Lewis!
