romantic suspense

Author Amy Walsh recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.

When do you find time to write?
I work full-time as a fifth-grade writing teacher at a public middle school in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which keeps me wonderfully busy. After a full day of guiding energetic young writers and grading stacks of papers, I don’t always feel like tackling my own stories in the evening. One of the great perks of teaching, though, is having summers off—so most of my writing happens between June and September.

On summer mornings, you’ll usually find me on our front porch, which I’ve happily claimed as my outdoor office. With a notebook or laptop in hand, I write to the background music of chirping birds and the gentle mountain breezes that drift up the hill. There’s something about those quiet, sunlit hours that makes creativity come alive and stories flow a little more freely.

What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream come true)?
I wanted to be so many things when I was young—a detective, for one. In third grade, I signed every letter to my pen pal, “Amelia, the Great Detective.” I also dreamed of becoming a singer, a National Geographic explorer, a spelunker, an artist, the owner of an orphanage… and, of course, an author.

In many ways, my life as a teacher has allowed those dreams to find their fulfillment. I use my creativity every day in the classroom. I sing with my students often. Being surrounded by children brings me genuine joy. And as for running an orphanage—well, raising the three children God blessed me with was adventure enough!

I’m especially grateful that God eventually opened the door for me to become an author. It’s been a gift to finally put to good use the imagination that once got me into trouble as a chronic daydreamer in school. Now those daydreams have become stories, and those stories have become one of the sweetest callings of my life.

What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers?
I truly enjoy connecting with readers in Facebook groups—especially during virtual celebrations and shared literary adventures. Over Valentine’s weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting a mystery tea party where readers concocted tea recipes inspired by book descriptions. We also solved a tea-themed whodunit that everyone seemed to delight in.

Through gatherings like these, I’ve formed some very dear friendships online. It’s a special gift to have friends all over the world who share a love of reading—and a love for God.

What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
I write in several different genres, though I tend to gravitate toward romantic comedy and historical fiction more than romantic suspense. For me, the greatest challenge in writing suspense is immersing myself in a world that feels gritty and a bit dark—especially when the real world already holds so much of that. My husband is a police officer, and at times he comes home with heartbreaking stories of real-life crime, which makes stepping into that atmosphere on the page even more sobering.

Still, there have been moments when God seemed to place more suspenseful stories on my heart—Voices in the Sanitorium and The Sisters’ Tour among them. I truly enjoyed writing both, yet I found myself missing the smiles and laughter that naturally accompany my lighter novels

So I’ve made a decision: my next romantic suspense will carry its share of intrigue and tension—but also a generous measure of warmth, humor, and hope.

About Amy
Amy Walsh is a fifth-grade teacher who loves bringing stories to life, whether she’s in the classroom, around a campfire, or at her keyboard. She’s a fan of kayaking, church singalongs, and family ping pong tournaments. Fueled by faith and a deep love of words, Amy writes to inspire joy and hope.

Connect w/Amy
Website: https://walshmountainpublishing.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walshmountainpublishing
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amylynn_walsh/_saved/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyLynnWalsh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amylynn_walsh
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Walsh/e/B08RRLKTXT/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21299823.Amy_Walsh
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-lynn-walsh

The Sister’s Tour by Amy Walsh

Grieving her father’s death, Natalie is stunned to discover Alexandra, the half-sister she never knew existed. Hoping to build a bridge, Natalie agrees to join her on a Lochs & Legends tour through Scotland. But amid misty castles and breathtaking glens, old wounds surface. Alexandra is charming, unpredictable… and hiding a lifetime of resentment. Before long, Natalie begins to wonder if she’s the villain in her sister’s story.

When Jonas—Natalie’s longtime friend and secret love—arrives unexpectedly, concerned about the “accidents” dogging her every step, buried emotions rise and tensions deepen. Then an eerie Scottish ballad about sisterly jealousy begins to mirror their journey with chilling accuracy.

Is Alexandra simply wounded… or truly dangerous?

Set in the rugged Highlands, this heartfelt Christian suspense novel weaves family secrets, unspoken love, and faith into a story where beauty and betrayal walk hand in hand—and where God’s grace may be the only path to healing.

Award-winning author Melanie D. Snitker recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.

Why do you like writing romantic suspense?
I really enjoy writing romantic suspense because I like to keep my readers on the edge of their seat. I also strive to throw in at least one curveball to keep them guessing. The funny thing is, sometimes the characters do the same to me as they come to life!

Where do you get the inspiration for your plots?
They come from a variety of places. Generally, I have way more ideas than time to write. For my novella, Fear the Shadows, the inspiration was a huge mansion in my town that has been empty for years. Every time I drove past it, I imagined different reasons for why it had been left behind and what might be hiding inside. That’s when I decided that my heroine was going to be an estate liquidator who is hired to inventory the contents of a mansion and uncovers a mystery that she and her friend, the chief of police, must solve together.

What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream come true)?
When I was a child, there were three things I wanted to be more than anything else. First and foremost, I knew I wanted to be a mom someday. Secondly, I wanted to write books and become a published author. Finally, I had hoped to be a marine biologist and swim with sharks to study them. Two out of three of those dreams came true! As far as diving with sharks, I took SCUBA diving lessons in college. While I never saw sharks, there was something about being out in the ocean and completely vulnerable that made me realize I was okay with letting that dream go. Ha!

What is one of your favorite ways to connect with readers?
My newsletter is my favorite way to connect with readers. I send one out weekly and always include news that isn’t directly related to my books. I’ve had a number of loyal readers who checked in with me when I had surgery last month or who ask how our special needs son is doing. It’s been such a wonderful community, and I’m so thankful for them! Many of them also follow me on Facebook, but I’ve found the newsletter is the best way to stay in touch.

What is absolutely essential for you to write?
My house can be relatively chaotic. Regular time to write is hard to come by, which means I need to be able to focus quickly when I get it. I have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that I wear when I write. Partly because it signals to my family that I’m working, but also because it helps me focus on what I’m doing. I usually have music playing through the headphones. It’s almost always either my playlist that I created specifically for writing, or it’s This is Eli Young Band: Greatest Hits.

What has been most rewarding about writing romantic suspense?
One of the most rewarding things is having readers reach out to tell me that they couldn’t figure out who the bad guy is in my books. That, even though they had multiple suspects and guesses, I still managed to surprise them in the best way. That’s what I’m going for!

Which of your books is your favorite and why?
Frozen Jeopardy, the second book in my Danger in Destiny series, is one of my favorites. Officer Gabe Harrison, along with his K-9 partner (who happens to be named after my own dog, Loki) finds out that his veterinarian friend, Paige Wade, is in danger. I absolutely love the characters (human and dog alike). What was fun about this book is that I got to do a lot of research on how the police and K-9 officers work together. I even got to go on a ride along with a local officer and his K-9 partner, Barco. It was an amazing experience, and I really think it helped bring even more details to the book to strengthen the story.

About Melanie
Melanie D. Snitker is a USA Today bestselling author who writes inspirational romantic suspense. She and her husband live in Texas with their two children, four dogs, two frogs, and a toad. When she’s not writing, Melanie enjoys gaming, building Lego, and spending time with her family.

Connect w/Melanie
Website: https://www.melaniedsnitker.com/

Mac

Christian singer Sedona Reeves shines under the spotlight—until a relentless stalker lurking in the shadows turns her tour into a nightmare. Determined not to let fear steal her voice, she hires private security specialist Mac Durham, whose quiet strength and steady focus make her feel safe in ways she didn’t expect.

Mac approaches every assignment with unwavering discipline and a single goal: protect his client at all costs. But Sedona’s courage and vulnerability stir something he thought he’d long buried—feelings that threaten the clear lines he’s always drawn between duty and emotion.

As danger closes in and secrets come to light, Mac must rely on every skill, instinct, and ounce of resolve he has to protect the woman he’s realizing he can’t live without.