Brenda B. Taylor writes sweet historical romance connecting readers of today with events in history, and telling stories about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. She most enjoys writing stories set in post-Civil War Missouri and 16th century Scotland.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? Brenda: The hardest part of writing romantic suspense is keeping the tension going between the hero and heroine, then weaving in the mystery.
When do you find time to write? Brenda: I write each morning. After a short devotional in my favorite chair, I open my computer and begin work on the current story. About noon, I stop, cook lunch, rest, then sometimes return to work in the afternoon. However, my best writing is completed during the early morning hours.
What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress? Brenda: My favorite spot for reading and reflecting on the WIP is a favorite chair beside a window overlooking bird feeders. I rest my eyes by watching the birds and squirrels at the feeders.
How do you connect with your characters? Brenda: I connect with my characters by getting into their heads. I write by scenes, so I determine the POV character for each scene, then imagine what he/she does and says. The story is outlined before writing begins and a character sketch for each character completed. Sometimes I search for photos of the character to look at while writing. By sketching characteristics and looking at photos, I get an idea of the character’s actions, reactions and conversations for the scene.
Why do you like writing romantic suspense? Brenda: I enjoy writing romantic suspense because my favorite genre is historical romance with interwoven mystery.
Current book: A Highland Bride After six years as a fugitive in France, Alistair returned to Scotland. His wife and son are gone. Can he find love again?
JP Robinson began writing as a teen for the Times Beacon Records in New York. He holds a degree in English and is a teacher of French history. JP is known for creating vivid, high-adrenaline plots laced with unexpected twists. JP Robinson writes to ignite faith in a living God.
When do you find time to write? JP: I don’t find time to write—I make it. For me, writing is a commission—it’s part of my life’s purpose. There are thousands of compelling stories to write, lined up inside my head like planes waiting to take off. Each one carries a powerful message that reflects God’s relationship to humanity and our relationships with each other.
How do you connect with your characters? JP: Simply put, I become them. For me, they are people with scars from their past, dreams for the future and challenges in the present. I start by searching on Google for a photo of someone that visually epitomizes the character in my head. This can take hours or even days. But I always know when I’ve found my character.
I also do extensive research on the people, times and climate I’m writing about. Bride Tree, set during the French Revolution of 1789-99, took well over a hundred hours of research. This allows me to better understand my characters’ problems, background and probable reactions to their own unique situations.
Why do you like writing romantic suspense? JP: I see the Bible as one intense love story. Genesis, Song of Solomon, Revelations and all other 63 books are actually chapters of the greatest book of all time. This kind of love is to die for—as Christ showed us on the cross. As to suspense? No mortal could ever pen the kind of drama in the Bible. Bride Tree is driven by intertwined factors of love, intrigue and revenge. It is my attempt to encapsulate the greatest love story of all time.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? JP: You’re going to laugh at this one. Most of my inspiration comes from sermons! Especially those by the late Rev. WM Branham.
There’s so much in the Word of God that relates to any society’s problems. From religious hypocrisy to political liability to temptation, each sermon holds the potential to be dramatized and set in a different epoch of the past or the present. For example, my first novel, Twiceborn, was created based off a mind-blowing sermon on the Fall of Man called the “Serpent’s Seed.” Bride Tree is a riveting allegory of the Church condensed into 430 unforgettable pages.
Current book: Bride Tree In 1789 France, one woman finds herself torn between a noble who has sacrificed everything for her and a peasant who promises true freedom.
Pelican Point by Irene Hannon — After inheriting a crumbling lighthouse, ex-Army doctor Ben Garrison wants to sell it. But Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber is determined to save the town landmark. Can these two romance-wary souls finds a meeting of the minds…and hearts? (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing)
This Wilderness Journey by Misty Beller — He’s been sent to retrieve the new missionary… But she’s not at all who he expects to find. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy — Deborah and her sister and two little children survive a wagon train massacre. Trace finds them and takes them home. He finds himself their accidental guardian. He must protect them all and gain justice. When he does, all these friendly visitors–especially Deborah–will leave him forever. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])
All Things Beautiful by Keely Brooke Keith — It’s 1868 in the settlement of Good Springs, and Hannah Vestal is passionate about writing fiction and keeping her stories to herself. When her father asks to read her work, she decides to have it printed secretly for his 50th birthday. Hannah tries to arrange the printing with the settlement’s pressman, but the witty and dapper Henry Roberts has better things to do with his ink. In order to secure settlement support for his printing press, the elder council says Henry must print an error-free copy of the New Testament before the settlement’s 8th anniversary celebration. He is determined to meet their challenge, but when the enigmatic Hannah proves to be a beguiling distraction, Henry longs for something more than a life at the letterpress. (Historical Romance from Edenbrooke Press)
Adoration by Olivia Rae — Sir Darrin de Longue is desperate to get his lands back from Lady Faith de Sainte-Marie, the woman who betrayed him and may have had a hand in his father’s murder. But King Richard discloses on his deathbed that Lady Faith is the king’s daughter and then issues an ultimatum Darrin must obey. In order to reclaim his lands, he must marry Lady Faith and get her with child in a year’s time. Lady Faith has loved the rowdy and bold Sir Darrin since childhood, but cannot be a true wife to the bitter, angry man whom she has wed. In order to gain his trust and love, she vows to find the truth about his father’s murder. But when she stumbles upon deadly secrets, will she be able to prove her innocence–and his–to erase the past and win Darrin’s heart? (Historical Romance from HopeKnight Press)
Under Prairie Skies by Cynthia Roemer — Illinois prairie, 1855. Unsettled by the news that her estranged cousin and uncle are returning home after a year away, Charlotte Stanton goes to ready their cabin and finds a handsome stranger has taken up residence. Convinced he’s a squatter, she throws him off the property before learning his full identity. Little does she know, their paths are destined to cross again. Quiet and ruggedly handsome, Chad Avery’s uncanny ability to see through Charlotte’s feisty exterior and expose her inner weaknesses both infuriates and intrigues her. When a tragic accident incites her family to move east, Charlotte stays behind in hopes of becoming better acquainted with the elusive cattleman. Yet Chad’s unwillingness to divulge his hidden past, along with his vow not to love again, threatens to keep them apart forever. (Historical Romance from Mantle Rock Publishing)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo — The last time New Orleans attorney Jean-Luc Valmont saw Maribel Cordoba, a Spanish nobleman’s daughter, she was an eleven-year-old orphan perched in the riggings of his privateering vessel proving herself as the best lookout on his crew. Until the day his infamy caught up with them all and innocent lives were lost. Unsure why he survived but vowing to make something of the chance he was given, Jean-Luc has buried his past life so deep that no living person will ever find it—until a very much alive and very grown up Maribel Cordoba arrives on his doorstep and threatens all he now holds dear. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
General Contemporary:
Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels — Crisis pregnancy worker Marissa Moreau suspects her husband is cheating, but little does she know how close to home her husband’s infidelity hits. College student Kaitlyn Farrows is floundering after a relationship with her professor leaves her pregnant. Soon she lands a job and a support system at the local pregnancy resource center and things seem to be turning around. But when Marissa and Kaitlyn become friends, neither one knows they share a connection—Colin, Marissa’s husband and Kaitlyn’s former professor. When their private lives collide, the two women must face the ultimate test of their faith and choose how to move forward as they live in the shadows of hope. (General Contemporary from Barbour Publishing)
Romantic Suspense:
Secret Past by Sharee Stover — With gunmen at her doorstep, Katie Tribani learns her true identity. She’s been in witness protection since childhood, and now her crime-lord father has found her. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Young Adult:
Chase by Glenn Haggerty — Tyler, a middle school newbie, shadows drug runners to rat out the methamphetamine dealer before his friend turns into a brain-dead druggie. (Young Adult, Independently Published)
Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, writing historical suspense. She is a member of ACFW & Sisters In Crime; teaches writing classes & courses; is a ghostwriter & editor, & judges in writing contests. She loves history & research, & is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? Donna: For me, getting the romantic part in! Although I’m finding with every romantic suspense book I write, it’s getting easier.
When do you find time to write? Donna: I am a kept woman in that I don’t have to work outside the home. My husband is very supportive of my writing. I think he’s figured out that if I don’t write, he’ll have to live with a crazy woman.
What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress? Donna: A local coffee shop. Away from the distractions of home, I am most productive. I have a standing appointment to write there on my calendar for every Monday morning to get the week started out right.
What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing? Donna: A cup of coffee, usually around three in the afternoon.
Current book: Mail-Order Brides Collection John Stewart needs a wife. Mary Johannson needs a home. On her way West, Mary falls in love with another. Now both must choose between commitment and true love.
H.L. Wegley is an award-winning author of inspirational thrillers and romantic suspense. He’s worked as an USAF intelligence analyst and a weather officer, and a research scientist, and developed computing systems for Boeing. He and his wife retired near Seattle where they enjoy small-group ministry, grandchildren, and Washington beaches.
How do you research ways to kill someone for your books? H.L.: The Crimescenewriter group on Yahoo has policemen, doctors, scientists, lawyers, military—just about any way you might want to kill someone, there are people in the group who know how to do it or have become acquainted with people who have done it. This group is a great resource for anyone who writes suspense, thrillers or mysteries.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? H.L.: Many of my plots have come from my Air Force experience, and my scientific and computer work as a civilian. Viewing historical events from inside the intelligence community is eye-opening, sometimes a bit scary, and filled with plot material. I’ve seen things I can’t talk about, but no one seems to care if they seep into stories.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels? H.L.: My novels often deal with dark subjects like terrorism, coup attempts, human trafficking and other types of crime. I try to set these stories against beautiful backdrops—places I know well—to contrast the ugliness of what man often does against the beauty of what God has created. I’ve really enjoyed using the beautiful Crooked River Ranch area of Central Oregon for the setting of two books.
What does your family think of your writing romantic suspense? H.L.: My personality type, according to Meyers-Briggs, is INTJ, the research scientist type, known for not openly expressing much emotion. INTJs feel a lot of emotion, but it gets processed through their minds before it comes out. As a result, my wife, who is an ESFP (my antithesis), has asked me several dozen times, “How can you write such romantic characters and yet be—” Let me paraphrase this a bit, “Yet be like Mr. Spock?” My answer, “Crafting a story is just an exercise in logic.” That doesn’t satisfy her and I’m sure she’ll ask me again. 😊
What is absolutely essential for you to write? H.L.: The most important essentials for me to write are a rested mind, or one fueled by a couple of shots of espresso, and no human voices. The only exception I’ve found to the human voices requirement is that I can write when there are a lot of background voices, like in Starbucks. But maybe that’s just one buzz cancelling out another.
Current book: Chasing Freedom: Against All Enemies, The Prequel When a young woman asks for asylum, she finds herself Chasing Freedom with everything she’s ever held dear at stake. A high-action, romantic suspense story.