Mary L. Ball is a multi-published Christian author. She lives in North Carolina and enjoys fishing and ministering in song with her hubby at various functions. Her books are about small-town romance, suspense and mystery influenced by the grace of Jesus Christ.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels? Mary: In my debut novel, Escape to Big Fork Lake, a pie baked with berries from the Yew bush poisoned a character.
How do you research ways to kill someone for your books? Mary: I’ll get a vague idea and spend hours on Google or Bing researching stories and articles that pertain to the situation.
Have you ever regretted killing off a character? Why? Mary: Yes. In Sparks of Love, the main character’s father was killed by arson. It was hard because of the emotions associated with losing a loved one.
Current book: Rose Colored Christmas Young widow Emilee Arnold enjoys everything about Christmas. She rescues a pilot from a burning plane and is snowed in with her very own Scrooge.
The Amish Sweet Shop by Laura Bradford, Mary Ellis, and Emma Miller — It’s almost Valentine’s Day at Beechy’s Sweets, where the Amish gifts of love and faith are even sweeter than the home-made candy. In The Sweetest Courtship by Emma Miller, bachelor Jacob Beechy is a master candy maker whose mother longs for grandchildren, so she sets out to find him an assistant confectioner during the Valentine’s holiday—and a wife. In The Sweetest Truth by Laura Bradford, Sadie Fischer can’t see beyond her scars from a barn fire, but there’s a young man who sees only sweetness when he looks at her, and he’s sending her Beechy’s chocolate and mysterious gifts leading up to Valentine’s Day. In Nothing Tastes So Sweet by Mary Ellis, Pregnant widow Hannah wants to buy her English employer’s hardware store, but ends up following a clue from Beechy’s to clear a man’s name—and finds a partnership in work, faith, and love. (Amish Romance from Kensington)
Amish Christmas Memories by Vannetta Chapman — When a young Amish woman collapses in the snow shortly before Christmas, Caleb Wittmer rushes to her aid. Only, “Rachel” remembers nothing of who she is. Now his family has taken in the pretty stranger, disrupting Caleb’s ordered world. He’s determined to find out where she belongs…even if Rachel’s departure means saying goodbye to his old-fashioned heart forever. (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
A Quilt for Jenna (Apple Creek Dreams #1) by Patrick E. Craig — On her way to win a quilting competition—and a ticket out of Amish life, Jerusha finds her God, her missing husband, and a lost little girl in the heart of the Storm of The Century. (Amish Romance from P & J Publishing)
The Road Home (Apple Creek Dreams #2) by Patrick E. Craig — Adopted into an Amish family as a child, local historian Jenny Springer is looking for the parents she never knew. When Jenny meets Jonathan Hershberger, a drifter from San Francisco who lands in Apple Creek fleeing a drug deal gone wrong, she is intrigued by this Englischer with an Amish name, and offers to help him discover his Amish roots. While Jonathan discovers his need for home, family, and a relationship with God, Jenny finds more than she hoped for—truth and love and the knowledge that you can go home again. (Amish Romance from P & J Publishing)
Jenny’s Choice (Apple Creek Dreams #3) by Patrick E. Craig — When Jenny’s husband disappears in a terrible boating accident, she returns home to Apple Creek, Ohio and her adoptive parents. Working through her grief, she pursues newfound writing dreams and is presented with a possible romance with a handsome young publisher, until the elders of her church confront her consideration of going outside her faith to pursue her dreams. At the same a faint hope that her husband might someday be found alive holds her heart in the past. (Amish Romance from P & J Publishing)
Minding the Amish Baby by Carrie Lighte — Amish store clerk Tessa Fisher isn’t ready for marriage or a family—until a baby girl is abandoned on her doorstep. Now Tessa and her gruffly handsome landlord, Turner King, must mind the baby together. And soon Turner and the sweet-cheeked kind are burrowing into Tessa’s heart. But with secrets between them, can the temporary family find a way to stay together forever? (Amish Romance from P & J Publishing)
Contemporary Romance:
Who I Am with You by Robin Lee Hatcher — Jessica was pregnant and facing divorce when her husband and daughter were killed in a car accident. Withdrawing from friends and family, she feels far away from God. Then months later she receives her great-grandfather’s Bible at her grandmother’s funeral. Ridley has suffered his own loss. Bitter over disgrace at his job, an ended career, and subsequent breakup with is girlfriend, he retreats to a vacation property owned by his parents to lick his wounds and hide from the press. Thumbing through the Bible later, Jessica journeys through the aged margin notes, back to faith and wholeness. And the broken roads they have followed bring Jessica and Ridley to each other as well. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
Historical:
Three Christmas Novellas by Mary Connealy — Three Christmas Novellas in one volume: Long Horn Christmas, The Sweetest Gift and The Christmas Candle. (Historical, Independently Published)
The Making of Mrs. Hale by Carolyn Miller — Can a runaway marriage ever be redeemed? Julia Hale ran off to be married in Gretna Green, following romance instead of common sense. But her tale isn’t turning into a happily ever after. Her new husband is gone and she doesn’t know where—or if he’s ever coming back. Julia has no option but to head home to the family she betrayed by eloping and to hope they’ll forgive her.Along the way she will learn how relationship with God can bring restoration and hope, and find the answers she needs both for her husband and her future. (Historical, Kregel Publications)
Child of Light by Annette O’Hare — While praying for her own Christmas miracle after five years in a childless marriage, Margaret offers aide to a destitute and expectant young woman during the holidays. She is condemned for her decision to help a woman of ill repute and must face the consequences of doing what is right. Will Margaret’s prayers for a child of her own be answered this Christmas or does God have something else in store? (Historical from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])
The Plum Blooms in Winter by Linda Thompson — Inspired by a Gripping True Story from World War II’s Daring Doolittle Raid–Japan, 1948: A prostitute seeks her revenge; a war hero finds his true mission. (Historical from Mountain Brook Ink)
Historical Romance:
The MissAdventure Brides Collection by Mary Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Kathleen E. Kovach, Debby Lee, Donna Schlachter, Marjorie Vawter, and Kimberley Woodhouse — Seven daring damsels refuse to let the cultural norms of their eras hold them back! Follow along as they trek the wilderness as a fur trapper; teach in the backwoods; campaign for women’s rights; breed llamas; drive cross-country; become a hotel tour guide; and pursue art. Will they meet men who admire their bravery and determination? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Kiss Me Once Again by Gail Kittleson — When Glenora Carson’s first love perishes along with the crew of the U.S.S. Arizona on December 7, 1941, she locks away her heart and her dreams of attending college on scholarship, instead choosing to hold down the home front by helping out the family business – Carson’s Garage. The grease-stained overalls don’t do much to compliment her female figure, but they cover her female heart well enough. That is, until Hank Anderson, a wounded warrior back from battle, walks into the garage and into Glenora’s life. Is an old maid’s future Glenora’s fate, or will Cupid throw a wrench in her plans? (Historical Romance from WordCrafts Press)
Stagecoach to Liberty by Janalyn Voigt — Can a desperate young woman trust the handsome Irish stranger who wants to free her from her captors? (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)
A member of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of 10 books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books. She and her husband reside in Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? Carole: Keeping instances in order. I like to take lots of notes: questions I want to make sure are answered when I go through the draft, that timing is correct and that details are happening at the right time, that personal descriptions hold true throughout.
How do you come up with titles for your books? Carole: I brood constantly about any new book I begin for a title. Most times, with a little musing, I know and feel what the title should be. Sometimes, not often, I will ask friends or fellow authors for suggestions. Most times, I will get enough fodder to put together one that pleases me. They come easy, and they come with work. 🙂
Have you ever regretted killing off a character? Why? Carole: No, but I’m planning a second, follow-up, book for my debut novel. In it, I feel there has to be a traitor in the new church family, and I’m dreading that. Those who came out of the cult from the first book all hold a special place in my heart. I don’t want to be disappointed or sad over them, but, so far, it looks as if it will come to that. Someday…
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels? Carole: We’ve traveled through a lot of the United States, so, with research, I can usually get the feel of the setting in my books. In an upcoming new series, the setting is up in the air, so we’ll either vacation there (with research that I enjoy) or do extensive research online and/or with physical materials, as the area will be totally different than I’m used to.
I also like to study pictures of states where my settings take place. There’s an online site where you can sign up to get regular emails from states that you choose. It’s a valuable resource with lots of pictures, articles about different towns, activities, places to eat, and lots more.
Current book:Toby’s Troubles A ghost, a thief, a girl in love, and unsuccessful bidding at the auctions keep Toby and his antique shop, Undiscovered Treasures, on edge.
Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, speaker and history geek. A native of Baltimore, Md., she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry and has lived in historic places all her life. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII.
When do you find time to write? Linda: I’m a very structured person, so I schedule my writing time to ensure it happens. I’m an early riser, so am usually at my desk by 5:30 or 6 a.m. at the latest. Sunday mornings before church are dedicated to my blogging and other social media writing. Weekdays mornings are used to write my books. My favorite day is Wednesday. I don’t have to be at work until 1 p.m., so I have hours to write!
How do you research ways to kill someone for your books? Linda: Research is one of my favorite aspects of writing, and I’ve been lucky to stumble on several excellent resources. A co-worker is a former NH State police officer, and he has been incredibly helpful. In addition, The Great Courses is a video educational company that offers several forensics courses I’ve purchased. The teacher is Professor Elizabeth Murray of Mount St. Joseph University, and she has graciously answered lots of questions for me. As a member of Sisters in Crime, I’ve been able to tap into a number of subject matter experts. My brother is in the medical field and has been a huge help also.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? Linda: Everywhere! Seriously, I have a folder where I stuff ideas. Inspiration has come from Bible stories, newspaper and magazine articles, books or movies that I think should have been done differently, historic events, brainstorming sessions with my husband, and overheard conversations—you can’t believe what people talk about in public!
What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers? Linda: My absolute favorite way to connect with readers is through Facebook parties. I’m an extrovert and love to socialize, so the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and talk about everything from books to childhood memories is wonderful. FB parties have also been a great way to discover new authors, so my TBR continues to grow!
Current book: Murder of Convenience Geneva Alexander joins the USO to escape the engagement her parents have arranged for her, and winds up as the suspect for her betrothed’s murder.
Ada Belle Brownell is the author of nine books. She loves inspirational historical suspense. When she plots, it’s all about putting challenges and disaster into the lives of fictional characters, and it sometimes hurts her as well. She wept three times over one section of Love’s Delicate Blossom.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? Ada: Creating the complications and then getting the characters out of them.
When do you find time to write? Ada: Early morning, and late afternoon. Sometimes in the evening.
What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress? Ada: During the night when I can’t sleep.
How do you connect with your characters? Ada: When I throw people into a situation, their personalities and characteristics usually develop on the spot, whether it’s fear, humor, romance or ingenuity.
Why do you like writing romantic suspense? Ada: I like books where the main character has a worthy purpose against severe conflict.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels? Ada: A sweet 12-year-old boy with Down Syndrome was killed by an asylum patient. My editor almost didn’t forgive me for that one. In the early 1900s, Down Syndrome patients were held in the same wards as insane adults.
What did you want to be as a child and did that dream come true? Ada: I wanted to be a secretary. I had been a youth leader, then my husband’s job required moving to Thompson, Utah, population 98, with four bars and no church, The fire of the Holy Spirit still burned in me to reach the lost, especially, youth, so I began writing articles for youth magazines and expanded. I sold an article to David C. Cook’s leadership magazine for $35 when that much money was significant. I advertised my accordion, bought an electric typewriter, and enrolled in a writing course. The instructor suggested I write for newspapers to give me experience with words, and I became a correspondent for The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction, Colo. Then when we moved, I worked for The HeraldDemocrat in Leadville, Colo, then another move and was hired by The Pueblo Chieftain. I took out 20 years in the middle of my career to raise our five wonderful children.
I sold my first full articles to Christian publications in my teens, and never stopped the freelance writing, even when I had a “real job.”
How do you ensure your books are accurate? Ada: I don’t claim that my books are true historicals. My characters never existed and many that I patterned them after were dead before I began writing. I do base many events and some characters on real people from my family. Love’s Delicate Blossom is wrapped around my parents’ romance, but I’m the youngest of eight children and I wasn’t there when they were young. I’m old and experienced now and saw much of what is in my historicals. Mama told me many romantic things about how they fell in love, and they had complications galore.
Yet, my characters are involved in many things, and some of those require extensive research. I received a great comment from a reader: “Your book set a tone and world from your grandmother’s time, the historical elements are what readers read the genre for.”
What has been most rewarding about writing romantic suspense? Ada: A great story, and substance! A straight romance can’t hold my attention. Something else has to be happening. All my books make we want to know what will happen next and I can’t wait to write it and find out.
Current book: Love’s Delicate Blossom
Schoolteacher Ritah Irene O’Casey must decide between two suitors while protecting an orphan girl.