During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from five authors about their romantic suspense books available this month. Here’s the list of authors and books for July 2024, with the book’s release date if not available now.
Multi-published author Cate Nolan recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.
Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels? I actually started out writing historical, but I always loved reading romantic suspense. Back in 2013, the Love Inspired editors announced a “Killer Voices” contest to find new talent for Love Inspired Suspense. I had followed Emily Rodmell on social media, and I knew she loved witness protection stories. The first round of the contest just required a first page. I had an idea for a WITSEC story, so I submitted it. Emily chose me for her team, and I progressed step by step until I had to submit the full manuscript. It was a whirlwind, and then Emily called to tell me they were buying Christmas in Hiding. I’ve been writing suspense ever since because I discovered I love having that extra element to add to the story.
When do you find time to write? My best answer to that question is one word: Summer. During the school year, I teach grades six to eight English Language Arts, so my days are pretty full. I try to manage 1,000 words a day during the school year, but summer is the time I really get to set everything aside and focus on my stories.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? I literally get my ideas everywhere. My brain seems to be constantly open to suggestion. I was walking the dog with my daughter recently, and we saw something. I said, “That gives me an idea for a story.” She looked at me and said, “Let’s be honest. What doesn’t give you an idea for a story?” She’s not wrong. For example, I was walking to school one day, and I saw an abandoned veil on the ground in a child’s size, most likely lost by a young girl making her First Holy Communion. By the time I got to school that muddied veil had sparked an entire story.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels? Most often the location is dictated by the characters and the story I want to tell. I have to think about where that would work best. Sometimes, the setting is triggered by something I discover in my research. For example, Colorado Mountain Kidnapping is about an ex-Army Ranger who suffers from PTSD. I knew I wanted him in a remote area. In my research, I discovered Wilderness Therapy and some specific programs located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Voila! I had my setting.
Which of your books is your favorite and why? I chose this question, but I don’t actually have the answer. I know it’s a cliche, but that’s like trying to choose your favorite child. You love them all for different reasons. Christmas in Hiding will always be a favorite because it was my first. I fell in love with Jackson and Callie, and didn’t think I’d ever love any other characters the same. But then came Christine and Blake in Texas Witness Threat. They hold a special place in my heart because a lot of people were turned off by the snake on the cover. I’ve since learned to cover it with a “Signed by the Author” sticker. Colorado Mountain Kidnapping is really special to me because Adam Dalton is the kind of heroic man who sacrifices his own well-being to protect the innocent. He suffers from PTSD, but he pushed through because it’s what he needs to do for Isabelle and the children. Who wouldn’t love a hero like that?
About Cate Cate Nolan lives in Maine, where she loves to leave her real life behind and play with the characters in her imagination. She’s got that suspense writer gene that sees danger and a story in everyday occurrences. Cate particularly loves to write stories of faith enabling ordinary people to overcome extraordinary danger.
Colorado Mountain Kidnapping
An infant in peril…and nowhere to hide
A cryptic phone call sends Isabelle Weaver running from armed intruders—with her daughter and best friend’s baby under her care. Nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted…except former army ranger Adam Dalton. Together, they must uncover a kidnapper’s motives while protecting the children. But as danger tracks them through the mountains, can they outwit a criminal mastermind before they all lose their lives?
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m talking with Terry Toler, a best-selling and award-winning author who has written 17 nonfiction books and 32 novels, including the Jamie Austen and Alex Halee spy novels, Cliff Hangers, along with The Eden Stories. He won the 2020 American Bookfest Best Book Award for Religious Fiction. In 2021, he followed with two books that were finalists for the Best Book Awards in the categories of Thrillers and Adventure and Religious Fiction. Terry is a public speaker, counselor, and entrepreneur. Impacting the lives of people worldwide through storytelling has become one of his passions in life.
“I do write fulltime now,” Terry said. “Over a five-year period of time, I wrote 25 novels in 30 months. The first book that I wrote took me about 90 days. I studied and learned all the rules of fiction, … but I got so I could write about thousands of words in the morning before my wife gets up. She’s my editor, so I have a chapter for her in the morning, six days a week.”
Petra: An Unbroken Legacy by Lisa L. Dorsey — Embark on a journey through time and faith. Witness as the survival of a family’s faith intertwines with pivotal moments in history to build a spiritual legacy anchored in God’s steadfast Love, timeless Word, and infinite Wisdom. (Biblical Adventure from hope*books)
Contemporary Romance:
The Triplets’ Summer Adventure by Laurel M. Blount — Back home for the summer, adventure-seeking Nick Marshall thinks his park ranger gig will be easy—until the children’s camp he’s overseeing is left without a cook. Desperate to fill the position, he offers his high school nemesis, Cara Andrews, the job. As the two work together, Nick can’t help but fall for the single mom and her triplet sons. But convincing her to take a chance on him might be Nick’s toughest challenge yet… (Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne — Mary finds courage to face her fears about pursuing further treatment for serious injuries sustained as a child, and she and Reuben find a way to be together, with God’s help. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Love’s True Home by Lori DeJong — Born and raised on the foreign mission field, all Allyson Kincaid wants is home and hearth on American soil. Too bad the first guy who’s made her pulse skip dreams of a life spent in foreign missions. Although she supports him in his calling, knows his choice means she’ll be laying more broken dreams, and a newly shattered heart, at the feet of Jesus. When Zane Carpenter relocates to Arlington, Texas, his seventh move in thirteen years, his only thought is to meet his obligation with Becker Ministries in a few months then take a foreign mission assignment. But working so closely with Ally in student ministry has him feeling things he’s never experienced. He’s ready for a future with her, until he accepts an opportunity to work on foreign soil and Ally stays behind. He knows God put him at the mission for a reason, although his heart still longs for the girl back home. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)
When the Ocean Roars by Charlsie Estess — Weeks before the Ultimate Fighting World Championship, Keane “The Golden Lion” Temple lands in Japan for the battle of his professional life, primed to take the win. But when his path collides with an intriguing woman, he gives in to impulse and asks her to spend his day off from training with him. Ami Ono cannot pass on the invitation but also hides her full identity. As their extraordinary day bleeds into night, both realize one day won’t be enough. Then the excursion ends in disaster when Keane discovers who Ami is. They part ways, but compelling circumstances and an undeniable attraction draw them back together. As the forbidden romance threatens to take down his principles, he struggles to honor his beliefs. Will The Golden Lion surrender his heart? Will Ami defy the domineering men in her life and accept it? Do they stand a chance against nature? (Contemporary Romance from Iron Stream Media)
A Midsummer Romance by Alyssa Schwarz — The meddling mothers of Wild Rose Ridge will do anything to match up friends Caleb Weaver and Jessica Daniels. Real life begins to mirror Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream a little too much when they are strategically cast as the main couple in the town’s summer play. Will the course of true love end in tragedy? With a touch of summer magic, anything can happen. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])
Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner — Cole and Laila have been inseparable since they could crawl. And they’ve never thought about each other that way. Except for when they have. Rarely. Once in a while, sure. But seriously . . . hardly ever. If When Harry Met Sally had a quippy literary love child with Gilmore Girls’ Luke and Lorelai, you’d get Cole and Laila. Just . . . don’t tell them that. (Contemporary Romance from Thomas Nelson Fiction [Harper Collins])
Western:
Toward the Dawn by Mary Connealy — Two people marry for convenience then strike out to find happiness…and find danger instead. Together, they must confront the perils from their pasts to forge a future with hope and the promise of love. (Western from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Historical Romance:
Rocky Mountain Journey by Misty M Beller — To fulfill a dying wish, Faith Collins masquerades as a man to find the woman who once saved her father’s life. On her journey through the Rockies, she teams up with a man in search of his brother, and together they must navigate the treacherous terrain while keeping Faith’s identity a secret and their growing affection at bay. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)
When Plans Go Awry by Denise M Colby Olivia Carmichael escapes her past to be the next schoolmarm in a small ranching community in California. Her plan? Live a quiet spinster life, alone, never to depend on anyone ever again. Luke Taylor selected a mail-order bride, a necessity to help raise his two younger sisters, and the only way he knew to protect his heart. His plans don’t include being responsible for the beautiful new schoolmarm, who threatens his resolve between his need to stay away and his need to be near to make sure she stays safe. Along the way, neither feel much in control of their circumstances. Olivia’s carefully laid-out plans are challenged at every turn. Luke’s mail-order bride is not what he expected. Will Luke and Olivia learn to trust God’s plan for their lives? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)
Dreams on the Horizon by Penny Zeller — Mae Shepherdson’s dream of a school for the deaf has finally come to fruition. All is going well until she receives devastating news: the railroad wants to build a spur through the property where the Horizon School for the Deaf is located. Landon Bennick is accustomed to obeying his father’s orders and has assisted with the building of many railroad spurs, and the newest in Horizon should be no exception. However, things grow complicated when he falls in love with Mae, a soft-spoken teacher at the Horizon School for the Deaf—the same school blocking the railroad’s progress. When nefarious characters bent on seeing the railroad project succeed begin to threaten innocent lives, will Landon intervene and save the woman who has claimed his heart? (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)
Romantic Suspense:
Hidden in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard — At the behest of her ailing mother, former FBI special agent Ivy Elliott arrives in Alaska to secure an unpublished Jack London manuscript kept secreted away for decades. But when she arrives, she learns the manuscript is gone–taken by the granddaughter of the woman who possessed it. Ivy sets off in pursuit, not just to save the manuscript but to save the vulnerable girl, who was previously trafficked and has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Joining forces with Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long, Ivy must battle a blizzard, sabotage, and the worst of an Alaskan winter as the search goes on. But every answer they find only raises more questions–and the danger to their lives and to the missing girl may only be the tip of the iceberg. (Romantic Suspense from Revell)
Suspicious Homicide by Elizabeth Goddard — When Finnley Wilbanks is run off a mountainside road, it confirms her worst fears—her father was murdered. With her life hanging in the balance, she turns to bodyguard and investigator Caine Honor for protection. As they work together to solve the mystery behind her father’s death, danger stalks their every move. And keeping Finnley alive long enough to find answers might be Caine’s hardest mission yet. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Celebrity Pastor by Creston Mapes — Pastor Neil Gentry embarked on his ministry with genuine intentions, unwavering passion, and undeniable charisma. As his influence grew, so did his fame. Vine & Branches Church became one of the fastest growing in the world. Soon, Pastor Gentry and his wife Becky resembled royalty, enjoying fame and power—and basking in the adoration of their devoted followers. Beneath the glitz and glamor, however, whispers of misconduct began to surface. As the allure of popularity and power consume the Gentrys, they find themselves plummeting into the abyss of moral compromise. With the weight of their actions threatening to shatter everything they’ve built, one dire question remains: can anything or anyone break the spell before the unthinkable happens? (Suspense from Rooftop Press)
Colorado Mountain Kidnapping by Cate Nolan — A cryptic phone call sends Isabelle Weaver running from armed intruders—with her daughter and best friend’s baby under her care. Nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted…except former army ranger Adam Dalton. Together, they must uncover a kidnapper’s motives while protecting the children. But as danger tracks them through the mountains, can they outwit a criminal mastermind before they all lose their lives? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Children’s Picture Books:
Would You Rather: Bible Water Adventures by Jerah Alvarado — Would you rather cruise on Noah’s Ark with stinky animals? Or would you rather be in a huge storm with Jesus asleep in your boat? Choose from fourteen different Bible water adventures the one you would rather experience! (Children’s Picture Books from Mt Zion Ridge Press)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
The Filbert Ridge Miracle by Tamelia Aday — It was October 7, 1967. The festival in Filbert Ridge, Oregon came early. Town history and the lives of its citizens changed forever. That was the day little Stephen McMillan disappeared. (Literary Contemporary)
The Elder by Roger E Bruner — How can an elderly man regain his sense of worth once his one big success fades and God doesn’t seem to have other plans for him? (Contemporary General)
Bright Lights by Lisa Phillips, Rebecca Reed, Gina Conroy and Andrea Christenson — Four Christian Fiction Romance novels
from Christian fiction’s hottest contemporary romance authors. (Contemporary Romance)
Visible by Darlene M. Corbett — Rachel Karem, a 55-year-old widowed therapist, runs a group for five “stuck” professionals, and along the way, she explores obstacles interfering in life’s journey, ventures out to a Tango Dance Studio, and encounters an older, attractive gentleman. (Contemporary Romance)
Flat Deception by Paige Edwards — Falsely accused of equine doping, Lady Sophie Henderson must prove her innocence. In a world where people are willing to do anything to win, it’s impossible to know who to trust. (Romantic Suspense)
Justice Delayed by Sarah Hamaker — After serving her time, a convicted murderer tries to clear her name with the help of a washed-up investigative reporter. (Romantic Suspense)
Billionaire Sheriff on the Move by Bonita Y. McCoy — Bernadette has known Wade for years. Shoot, he even saved her life, once. So, when Wade moves back to town and wants more than just a simple friendship, Bernadette must face a new decision and an old fear. Can she overcome her past and open her heart to a new kind of love? (Contemporary Romance)
During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from seven authors about their romantic suspense books available this month. Here’s the list of authors and books for June 2024, with the book’s release date if not available now.
Colorado Mountain Kidnapping
Connect w/Terry
