Getting to Know Hallee Bridgeman
USA Today bestselling author Hallee Bridgeman recently stopped to share some about her writing life.
Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels?
I wrote my first romantic suspense between January and March 2000. I actually had a dream New Year’s Eve and woke up from that dream about 2 a.m. and started writing. The final product was A Melody for James.
What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing?
My inbox. I get such amazing letters from readers that completely encourage and inspire me to keep writing. If you ever feel the urge to write an author—do it. You have no idea what it means.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels?
I skied a philandering woman, who was pregnant with her lover’s child, into a tree. I wanted to just divorce my characters, but a poll of my readers said they wouldn’t approve. Funny—I’ve never had anyone complain about killing off a pregnant adulteress.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots?
I always start with my characters. Once my characters are established, then I create the plots.
About Hallee Bridgeman
Hallee is the USA Today bestselling author of several action-packed romantic suspense books and series. An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee settled with her husband in central Kentucky, where they have raised their three children. When she’s not writing, Hallee pursues her passion for cooking, coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. She’s also an accomplished speaker and active member of several writing organizations.
Connect w/Hallee
Website: www.halleebridgeman.com.
Honor Bound
She’s trained to save lives. He’s ordered to take them. Can extreme opposites really attract?
Medical missionary Cynthia Myers is trained to save lives. Captain Rick Norton of the Special Forces A-Team is ordered to take them. When Cynthia’s past catches up to her, they must learn to put aside their differences to make it out alive from the treacherous jungles of a war-torn African country.
One of the questions I often get is why did I call book one in The Cold War Legacy series The Dark Guest? It came from a very unlikely source.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m talking with award-winning author Linda Wood Rondeau, who writes stories that grip the heart, inspired by her nearly 30 years of social work. When not writing or speaking, she enjoys the occasional round of golf, visiting museums, and taking walks with her best friend in life, her husband of 45 years. The couple resides in Hagerstown, Md., where both are active in their local church.
Connect w/Linda
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” my guests are Lori Altebaumer and Wendy Wilson Spooner. Among other topics, we discussed how the past has implications for the present and future.
Multi-published author Lori describes herself as a wandering soul with a home-keeping heart. Her tagline of head in the clouds, boots on the ground, and heart in His hands isn’t just a catchy phrase, but sums up the way she lives her life. Lori has enjoyed both traditional and independent publishing. Her debut novel, A Firm Place to Stand, has been recognized as 2020 AWSA Golden Scrolls Awards winner as well as being selected as a finalist for multiple Selah Awards and the BRMCWC Director’s Choice Awards in 2021. Her work has been included in multiple compilations including Arise to Peace published by Right to the Heart and The Power to Make a Difference published by Lighthouse Bible Studies. Lori enjoys engaging with all facets of the writing industry and people who are passionate about the craft of writing. A life-long Texas, she loves her Southern roots, things that make her laugh, and the company of family and friends.
Wendy, Lic. G., LCoT, is a genetic genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between. Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths during her research because she has found that truth is indeed, much more exciting and inspiring than fiction. She’s a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogist, The Association of Professional Genealogists, Romance Writers of America, and The American Night Writer’s Association. As an award-winning author of professional articles and poems, she’s turned to novel writing to share what she has learned with a greater audience. When not writing or researching, Wendy paints, hikes, binges on Bollywood movies, and spends time with her greatest loves—her family.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m chatting with Cathy McDavid. Since 2006, New York Times bestselling author Cathy McDavid has been happily penning contemporary Westerns for Harlequin. Every day, she gets to write about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. With more than 55 titles in print, Cathy is blessed to share her Arizona home with her own real-life sweetheart. Her grown twins have left to embark on lives of their own, and she couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.
She got started writing about wildfires because of a personal encounter with one. “A wildfire came [close to our cabin in Arizona] and we were watching it from our front porch,” Cathy said. “That gave me the original idea for the first book I did … about hotshots. … That was a subject that was personal for me.”
