On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m talking with Shelley Shephard Gray, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Her Heart’s Desire, Her Only Wish, and Her Secret Hope. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
“I’m a huge reader,” Shelley said. “I’m always drawn to mysteries, romantic suspense, thrillers—I find those books fun to read. Even though I do write a lot of straight romances, I love to have a romance suspense book in my back pocket. … It was fun as a writer to keep the pace going.”
I’ll Be Home by Darlene L. Turner, by Sara Davison, Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson — With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas? The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time. Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)
Chokecherry Valley Collection by Jean Rezab — One accident. Two devastated families. Paul Richmond’s life changed in an instant when his wife and seven-year-old daughter die in a car accident. He struggles to move forward with this huge change. As his two-year sobriety anniversary approaches, he knows he’s on the edge of a relapse. He takes a sabbatical from his work as a doctor and works on his in-law’s farm to get perspective and try to come to terms with his new life. What if Paul could have the one thing he desires most? To see and speak to his daughter again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)
The Warrior’s B&B by Jennie Atkins — Is it possible for a man to fall in love with two different women and never suspect they are the same person? (Contemporary Romance from Amazon)
The Dream of a Cowboy by Elsie Davis — Cowboys who deserve a second chance at love and happiness and the women strong enough to show them the way…Texas style! (Contemporary Romance from Sweet Romance Publishing)
One Starry Christmas by Mary A. Felkins — A pastor with a past faces his greatest challenge. Redemption. (Contemporary Romance from Gardenia Press)
Wild at Heart by Alyssa Schwarz — She craves adventure. He’s had enough adventure for a lifetime. But when these two friends find themselves searching the skies for an endangered hawk, they’ll find there’s more at stake than the future of Wild Rose Ridge. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Historical:
Brave by Mesu Andrews — In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam–a fierce and unconventional Kenite woman–flees her family farm with her dagger-wielding father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul’s treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam’s conviction that David’s anointing makes him Yahweh’s chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab, only to encounter hardship and betrayal. (Historical from Bethany House Publishing)
All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee — In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them. (Historical from Tyndale House)
Historical Romance:
One Special Christmas by Amanda Cabot — It will take a miracle to salvage her dreams, but Christmas is the season of miracles, isn’t it? (Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing)
A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado by Kathleen Denly — Her entire life, Eleanore Wainright has been molded to fit the ideal society wife in the glittering world of New York’s elite. Her father’s aspirations for her are clear: marry a man of wealth and status and secure their family’s future. But when she arrives at the Hotel del Coronado with intentions to do just that, Eleanore’s carefully laid plans are thrown into disarray when she comes face to face with Thomas Harding, the man who shattered her heart and disappeared without a trace. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Beyond Shattered Dreams by Cynthia Roemer — After months in a Confederate prison camp, Private Will Everett boards the Sultana eager to return home and leave behind the horrors of war. One day into the voyage, the overcrowded steamboat explodes, rendering Will injured and unable to recall his identity. With only a pocket watch and the name Will E. etched inside to guide him, Will begins a relentless quest to find his forgotten past. (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)
Healing Hearts by Sherida Stewart — Two wounded hearts. His shattered by grief, hers burdened by guilt. Will these two hurting hearts be healed by love and faith? A frontier “Beauty and the Beast” tale set in New Mexico Territory. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Middle-grade Chapter books:
The Beastie of Brambly Bald by Amanda Cleary Eastep — Jack Finch’s plan to gobble up tons of turkey over Thanksgiving Break and work on the Tree Street Kids’ fort has been foiled. Instead, the Finches are traveling to the mountains of North Carolina to visit grandparents Jack barely knows. Thank goodness his best friends Ellison and Roger are coming with him to the cabin on Brambly Bald mountain. But something is lurking in the forest, and soon Jack uncovers a secret bigger than Bigfoot. When the kids come face to face with a real threat, will Jack find a way to protect his friends? Jack braves danger, finds new branches on his family tree, and discovers what it means to be rooted in God’s great family. (Middle-grade/Chapter Books from Moody Publishers)
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
Time to Pay by Susan Page Davis — A near miss for Tony throws the squad into high gear. Captain Harvey Larson is summoned by the mayor to help solve a crime she doesn’t want publicized. Was the caller threatening her or her husband? Meanwhile, the detectives in the Priority Unit are chasing down other criminals. (Mystery [Police Procedural] from Tea Tin Press)
70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse — In this thrilling finale, mysteries deepen, faith is tested, and the pulse of cyber threats intensifies against the striking backdrop of Deadhorse, Alaska. (Contemporary Suspense from Kregel Publications)
Romantic Suspense:
Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen — When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])
Finding Amanda by Robin Patchen — A gripping tale of trauma, justice, and the extraordinary strength of a man who’ll do anything to protect the woman he loves. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])
Search and Detect by Terri Reed — When her home is destroyed by a bomb, Zoe and her little girl need protection and FBI agent Chase Rawlston takes on the job while determining if the bombing is related to the serial killer he’s tracking. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Assigned to Protect by Melanie D. Snitker — Police Officer Jenny Durant and FBI Agent Blake Patterson are assigned to protect a witness who is testifying in a high-profile case. Before she can testify, a bomb goes off at the courthouse, throwing everything into chaos. With multiple casualties and another missing defendant, it’s impossible to know for sure who the actual target was, and whether this attack is only the beginning… (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Guarding Truth by Kelly Underwood — The one thing that Former Army Ranger turned elite bodyguard Juliette Montgomery regrets is never telling fellow solider Caleb Styles her true feelings. But how could she? They were co-workers, and then the guy went and saved her life. And that turned out to be the one thing that cost them their relationship. So Juliette has moved on, trying to forget Caleb—and her feelings. Caleb hasn’t forgotten her either. But he has no idea she now lives in Savannah, Georgia…especially since his life is full as guardian of his niece, Ivy, after her parents were killed.… (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)
Unexpected Witness by Penny Zeller — Nurse Mila Casey did not expect to witness a murder in the clinic’s parking lot. Nor did she imagine seeking protection from the at-large killer would land her on a secluded ranch owned by handsome, but standoffish, Roarke Brenneman. Mila finds herself in the center of ever-growing danger as the police are unable to locate the suspect. When the protection of the ranch is compromised and Mila’s location is discovered, can she, with Roarke’s aid, stay one step ahead of a crazed murderer who intends to silence her… (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)
Speculative Fiction:
The Castle Rose by Tabitha Caplinger — Bastian Roux lived and died a hundred years ago. Kind of. He certainly feels like nothing more than a ghost as he haunts the abandoned Castle Rose Theatre, his only solace found in the notes of his piano. That is until Odette arrives. (Speculative Urban Fantasy from Blue Ink Press)
Western:
Into the Sunset by Mary Connealy — To finally escape the clutches of her controlling husband and the threat of being recommitted to an asylum, Ginny Rutledge enlists the help of her friends, Maeve O’Toole and Dakota Harlan. Fleeing their own tumultuous pasts, the group embarks on a journey to prove Ginny’s sanity. However, as they confront the shadows they wish they could forget, danger looms from unexpected places. (Western from Bethany House)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
The Reluctant Pioneer by Julie McDonald Zander — In 1847, with her husband and four young sons, a pregnant mother crosses the Oregon Trail, a two-thousand-mile journey to the Pacific Northwest. When tragedy strikes, she must find the strength to continue. (Western)
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 October 2024, with the book’s release date if not available now.
Bestselling author Kate Angelo recently stopped by my newsletter to share some about her writing life. Plus, she’s giving away one print copy of her most recent romantic suspense, Fire Line, exclusively for my newsletter readers. See below for details.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? The hardest part of writing romantic suspense is weaving together so many intricate threads: the pulse-pounding action, the slow-burn romance, the journey of faith, and the deep character growth for both the hero and heroine. Add to that the villain’s motivations, unexpected plot twists, and red herrings—it can feel like trying to create a masterpiece. Sometimes I feel like Monet, spending so much time meticulously painting the fine details of the story, scene by scene, that it’s hard to see the bigger picture until I step back.
Each element has to work in harmony, pulling readers to the edge of their seat while rooting for the characters to find love. It’s all about balance—letting the romance breathe without losing the suspenseful tension that keeps readers turning pages. That challenge is what I love most; it pushes me to dig deeper into my characters’ emotions and motivations, so their love story is as compelling as the danger they face.
When do you find time to write? Finding time to write is definitely a balancing act, especially with all the traveling I do for work and my role as vice president of our nonprofit. Routine can be hard to maintain with so much going on, but I’ve learned to discipline myself to write and edit wherever I can, whether it’s early mornings, late nights, or even while waiting in airports. I see the word busy as “being under society’s yoke,” so I try to cut out as much of what society thinks I should do with my time. Instead, I focus on being intentional. I don’t waste much time on consumption—scrolling endlessly or getting lost in distractions—because I know that time is better spent creating. That’s been crucial for meeting deadlines and staying on top of my projects.
But don’t think I’m all work! I love spending time at the lake to relax, diving into a good book, or chatting with friends and family. At the end of the day, writing isn’t just a job—it’s my passion. And I make it a priority because those stories won’t tell themselves! Plus, I always remind myself that every small window of writing time adds up to something bigger.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels? The weirdest death in my novels? Definitely the scene where a character falls from a hot air balloon. It was one of those moments where I could turn own fear of flying and heights into sheer terror. Suspense is all about those unexpected twists and that pulse-pounding question of, how are they going to get out of this!? The scene wasn’t just about the shock factor, though—it became a turning point in the story, forcing the characters to confront the very real threats they were facing.
What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers? First, I absolutely love connecting with readers in person—there’s nothing quite like meeting at book signings and meet-ups where I can hear thoughts and see smiles in real life. But my second favorite way to connect is through my newsletter. It’s more personal, like writing a letter to a friend, and I always make sure to give my newsletter subscribers the inside scoop. They get the updates first—like when my book is on sale, when a new title or cover is revealed, or when I sign a new contract. And it’s not one-sided—I encourage readers to reply directly to my emails, and I make it a point to respond as quickly as I can. It’s intimate, and I love that connection. Plus, through my newsletter, I can pray for my readers, which makes it even more special.
I also learned the hard way that my newsletter is the most reliable way to stay connected. One time, my social media got shut down, which was a huge nightmare! That experience taught me how important it is to have a direct line of communication with my readers that I control. I’m active on Facebook and Instagram and love engaging with readers there, but my newsletter is where I can really share behind-the-scenes insights and connect on a deeper level. If you’re looking for the best way to stay in touch, I’d love for you to subscribe—you’ll be the first to know everything!
What is absolutely essential for you to write?
For me, the essentials include coffee (always), water, and some background noise—like the hum of an airport, airplane, or coffee shop. There’s something about that ambient buzz that helps me focus. I’ve also had a lot of success with Zoom writing sprints using the Pomodoro method. Writing with others, even virtually, gives me that extra boost of accountability. Plus, breaking the writing time into sprints helps keep me productive and energized, especially on those long writing days!
What do you wish readers knew about the romantic suspense genre? Romantic suspense isn’t just about the fast-paced action or the thrill of danger—it’s about heart lessons that run deeper than the physical side of romance. My stories focus on the truth that God created us for relationships and to serve others, especially through love and sacrifice. In my work with marriage ministry, I’ve seen firsthand how God restores broken relationships, which deeply influences how I write about love, forgiveness, and redemption.
I also come from a background of foster care and trauma, and that shapes the journeys my characters take. They aren’t just fighting external battles; they’re facing deep emotional wounds and learning how faith and love can heal. My stories reflect the hope that even in the darkest moments, God’s love—and the love we show one another—can provide light, healing, and courage. I wish readers knew how much depth there is to this genre, how it’s not just about suspense, but about heart transformation and that could be the biggest thrill of all.
About Kate Kate is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Selah award winner, and Amazon Top 100 bestseller from southwest Missouri who works alongside her husband championing stronger marriages and families through their nonprofit. Both as an author and minister, she regularly teaches and speaks at conferences and events across the country with her husband. Having aged out of foster care, Kate brings a unique perspective to her writing, breathing life into flawed characters who find hope and healing amidst danger.
As the niece of a legendary smokejumper, Nova Burns is tough as nails. When their crew chief Tucker Newman breaks his leg, Nova longs for the opportunity to helm the team, ready to take risks and prove herself. But there’s one risk she refuses to take—falling in love.
He’s living a lie…
Undercover Homeland agent Booth Wilder is seeking redemption. Scarred by a past explosion that took the life of his partner, Booth is hunting a rogue CIA faction known as the Brotherhood. Now, he’s determined to uncover their secrets and find a hidden nuclear weapon that could turn the world to ash.
Only problem…summer sparks have ignited between Booth and Nova. Nova is torn between her future as the smokejumping chief, her growing attraction to Booth, and the belief that he’s hiding something from her. Of course he is…Booth is hiding his true goal—unrooting the Brotherhood and returning to his life as a Homeland Security agent, a life that he’s not sure he really wants.
Then the wildfire threatens the home of the Jude County Firefighting team, and Nova doesn’t care what secrets he might be hiding—she needs everyone to save the town. But when the Brotherhood discovers Booth and his goals, the fight becomes personal. Now, Booth must choose between accomplishing his mission and saving the woman he’s come to love.
It’s a dangerous game of loyalty, betrayal, and pulse-pounding action in the fifth installment of the Chasing Fire: Montana series.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m chatting with Amanda Cox, the Christy Award–winning author of The Edge of Belonging, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, and He Should Have Told the Bees. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible and theology, and a master’s degree in professional counseling, but her first love is communicating through story. Her studies and her interactions with hurting families over a decade have allowed her to create multidimensional characters that connect emotionally with readers. She lives in Chattanooga, Tenn., with her husband and their three children.
“There’s only character I sort of regret killing off,” Amanda said. “But it had to happen for the story. I just loved this character so much and I enjoyed writing the character in The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocer and he has a tragic ending to his story.”
Connect w/Shelley
About Kate
Connect w/Amanda
