I had set a goal to complete my first draft of a new romantic suspense novel by Jan 31, 2021 — and I did it! This title began as a novella project, but it quickly grew into something far too big to contain within the confines of a novella. I don’t have a title yet, and I would love your suggestions. Some keywords to consider are:
holiday (Christmas)
stalker
mountain lodge
winter
second-chance romance
army chaplain
writer
You can comment below and share your brilliant title ideas or email me personally. I can’t wait to read your ideas. Maybe one will become the actual title! How cool would that be?
New to You
In the past few months, I’ve partnered with several authors for cross-promotion. Several of you have emailed to express your thanks for the title recommendations. I have a few more for you to check out today. I have NOT READ these titles. The first two are discounted novels, and the last one is a link to several FREE reads you might enjoy. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: When I reach out for these kinds of “swaps” (that’s what authors call this kind of cross-promotion), I am extremely clear that my readers are clean Christian readers. I explain that means I request swaps for titles with no foul language, no intimacy before marriage, no skin on the cover, and no sorcery. I ask for titles that contain an inspirational tone or message. I take the author’s word that their title meets the criteria. If you stumble across a title that does not meet these conditions, I would appreciate it if you would send me a quick message so that I can make a note.
Looking for a few free reads? This link takes you to several clean, inspirational, romance and romantic suspense titles FREE until March 28th. Feel free to send the deal to your friends, who might also enjoy these titles.
Marilyn Darby makes bad decisions. That’s what landed her in New York, working meaningless jobs as she strives toward dreams that insist on never coming true. It wouldn’t make sense for her to go after someone like Bo Sutton. Mr. Perfect Superhero—respectful, responsible, and exactly the kind of man her parents would want her to date. Bo is too nice. He’d be a fool to look at her. And she’d never be interested in him. So, why can’t she stop pushing his buttons and hoping he’ll change his mind about her?
Bo Sutton landed the perfect job, which also meant a perfect living situation and a life plan that finally looked solid, if only he ignores that he’s spent the last few years lying to his family about what he does, where he is, and who he spends time with. Details. Sometimes Bo hated details. One thing he didn’t need was a relationship to screw it all up. He’d be an idiot to get mixed up with Marilyn Darby—all that chaos and spunk. He needs a plan to get rid of her before she ruins everything for him. Or worse, he falls in love with her.
Her Best Bo – click the cover image for the buy link
Her Best Bo is an opposites-attract follow-up to Picking Daisy and Pushing Robby, featuring Daisy’s bodyguard Bo Sutton and her dance teacher, Marilyn Darby. This book can be read as a standalone novel.
Megan McCormick doesn’t leave Atlanta looking for love. Far from it. She runs to the mountain town of Laurel Crest to flee from her past and a broken heart. When she’s knocked over by Lee Grainger, handsome veterinarian and lover of small-town living, Megan’s life takes an unexpected turn.
Tired of fast-paced city life, Lee is considering a permanent move to the mountains. His run-in with Megan has him believing he’s in Laurel Crest for more than a partnership in an animal hospital.
After a case of mistaken identity is cleared up, Megan and Lee strike up a friendship. Lee is everything Megan ever wanted—smart, loyal and dedicated to his faith. But Megan has experienced deep betrayal twice, and she’s reluctant to give romance another try.
Can Megan come to terms with the secret that haunts her, get past her distrust of men, and accept the love Lee offers or will her heart be broken again?
Someone to trust – click on the cover for the buy link
“My desire for writing Someone To Trust was to take readers on a journey of forgiveness. A journey that not only encompasses the power and grace to forgive others but also one of accepting the forgiveness God offers us and forgiving ourselves.”
Because she survived a botched abortion, Piper McCormack has a super-sensitive skill which she uses in her job as a Fragrance Chemist.
Piper meets OBGYN Dr. Jake Connors on a blind date. Piper doesn’t know Jake fights a secret war. During Piper’s third date with Jake, three professional thugs kidnap him.
Piper uses her super skill to help the police track the kidnappers. Both Piper and Jake have difficult, life-choices to make. Will they choose danger and love? Or will they retreat into safety?
Will the baby have a voice?
A Small Voice – click the cover image for the buy link
Readers who love to read about contemporary issue as well as romance and suspense will love A Small Voice.
Gianna Harper is living on borrowed time. Newly widowed, she’s struggling to hold things together at home and keep her business afloat while dealing with her late husband’s effects. But something’s not right and now Gianna is convinced that he was involved in something a lot more sinister than shady business dealings.
Brock Hennessey fled California to make a fresh start in northwestern Montana. He hopes he’s put enough miles between him and danger, banking on a promised job to give his family a new start in a safe place. Circumstances pit Gianna and Brock against one another, and neither one is willing to give an inch. As their professional dealings grow more acrimonious, their daughters become best friends and suddenly, the four of them are thrown into situations that have them acting, looking, and sounding like a real family.
Sisters Ever After – click the cover image for the buy link
Set against the stunning backdrop of northwestern Montana, Sisters Ever After is the first book in the Canadian Meadows series.
Yes, you read that right. This post is full of free short stories or novellas that can be yours. These have been generously offered to you by “clean read” authors as a Valentine gift. To download your copy, click the link under the image and enter your email. This subscribes you to the author’s newsletter, so you don’t miss out on any future deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. What a great way to discover new authors!
Disclaimer: I share a publishing house with the two authors below. Both are clean stories with an element of faith.
I’ve highlighted Carol James before, and I am happy to let you know she gives her newsletter subscribers a free short story called Promises. Isn’t the cover calming? Water scenes always help me relax.
Where is a special place you’ve always wanted to visit? Emily’s dream was to go to the top of the Eiffel tower on Valentine’s Day. But when her fiancé’s job prevents him from joining her in Paris, she must decide whether to go to the top without him or turn her back on her dream. Read more of Emily’s story in Promises.
E.A. West is offering a short romantic suspense called Saving Chasity. I’m drafting a suspense story, and I’m eating up titles that keep me in this mindset.
Security guard Kennedy Drake loves exploring dark places. His elderly neighbor’s call about strange noises in her basement provides the perfect opportunity to explore the space and ensure her safety. Instead of the burglar his neighbor expected, Kennedy discovers a woman trapped in a hidden room. After he hears that her police officer ex-boyfriend is stalking her, he’s determined to help her escape the nightmare.
I’ve also joined up with a group of 50 “clean romance” authors to offer you an early Valentine’s Day gift. Each author is giving away a sweet Valentine’s read! I HAVE NOT READ THESE STORIES, but I have been guaranteed they are PG-13 or under. Take a look. Maybe you’ll find one you like. And free is the perfect price-point for checking out new-to-you writers. To see the selection of titles, click the link under the image. It will take you to the selection of books. If a cover catches your eye, click on it, and enter your email. This subscribes you to the author’s newsletter, so you don’t miss out on any future deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. What a great way to discover new authors!
It’s always exciting to visit the blogs of readers and writers to talk about books. It’s a great way to learn about new authors! Ten blogs hosting me and/or posting their thoughts about my latest release. You can follow the blog tour at the all stops listed below and learn more about Mistletoe Movie Star.
Nov 20th: Looking Out the Windowteaser: As winter temperatures dipped to life-threatening lows, concern for those without warm and safe beds grew. Several people from different churches banded together to combine their energy and resources into serving this community that had been surviving in tents. Their passion for the least among us inspired my heroine, Charlene. Char’s drive for those less fortunate in Mistletoe Movie Star shines in her speech to the town council. Her line about the transient community being made in God’s image and deserving of dignity and stability come right from my friend’s speech to our city council.
Nov 26th: Andrea Thom Faith in Fearteaser: … Regardless of why or how fear has come, its presence will either move us to focus on the circumstances that we can see, or move us to trust in the One who controls the circumstances. When our minds fill up with worry, let’s meditate on Jesus’ sovereignty. When our emotions fear rejection, let’s lean into His acceptance. Like Char, let’s step out in faith whenever we fear by calling on God’s power and presence to overcome the worry that we cannot. The very fear that distresses us can be the means God uses to grow our faith and testify to the One who ushers in peace …
Nov 28th: Faith, Encouragement, and Happily-Ever-Aftersteaser: Often, the things I am studying in the Bible, or life events that rock my world, make their way into my novels. At the time of writing Mistletoe Movie Star, I attended a local city council meeting regarding our growing homeless crisis. As my friend gave a speech that championed the transient community made in God’s image and deserving of dignity and stability, I found my heroine Charlene.
Dec 1st: Christian Bookaholicteaser: … The reader becomes cocooned in the friendly welcome from the town of Mistletoe. It is a town with a social conscience and a heart for the homeless … Everyone wants a place to call home. We have physical homes and spiritual homes but sometimes ‘home’ is wrapped up in the ones we love. No matter what we do or where we go, we all long for a home.
Dec 3rd:Penelope Marzec Bookish Thoughtsexcerpt: Char forgot all her volunteer training about keeping a safe distance and respecting the personal space of others. She wrapped her arms around Natalie, careful not to squeeze Cinnamon, and let the girl cry. She stroked Natalie’s hair as quiet sobs shook her body. When only the occasional sniffle remained, Char pulled back to look Nat square in the eyes. “Thank you for trusting me with the truth.”
Dec 5th:Where Faith and Romance Meetexcerpt: Jonas held up a hand and ignored the questions until the crowd settled. It was like watching a kindergarten teacher reign in a room of four-year-olds.
Jonas spoke softly, and the crowd hushed, leaning in to hear his instructions. “If you let the children through without bothering them, I’ll give you a few minutes before going into the house. If one person says anything to the girls, snaps any photos of the girls, or reaches out to touch the girls, the interview is over, and charges will be laid.”
With surprising respect, the reporters lowered their cameras.
Jonas nodded at Char.
“OK, girls,” Char said, “go right into the house or directly to the barn. Keep your heads down and don’t talk to anybody.”
They nodded.
Char looked at Suzy. “You good?”
Suzy lifted her chin. “I’ve dealt with worse.”
I’ll bet you have.
Dec 10th:Writing to Foster Faith that Flourishes, Needs, Humanity, and Baby Skunks teaser: I love it when fiction does more than tell an entertaining narrative. I love fiction that forces me to think deeply about my faith and consider how God might be prompting me to respond. There are a lot of loveable characters in Mistletoe Movie Star who might stir this response in your soul, and my favorite is Charlene Kelley, the town veterinarian. Charlene not only sees a great need in Mistletoe Movie Star, but she strives to be part of the solution. She observes the growing homeless crisis and steps in to help, but this crisis becomes deeply personal when three young girls land in her care. As a woman of faith, she worries about not only helping them physically but also introducing them to a Father who loves them.
Dec 12th: Pam’s Wild Rose Saturday Spotlight, Excerpt: “Kittens sound like fun.” Jonas winked at her.
Beth yanked off the lid. “Look how little they are.”
Small gasps and yelps rolled through the press. They collectively leapt back.
A quick bark of laughter escaped Char as she reached in and pulled out a baby skunk. Its folds of skin layered over the petite frame, and one tiny eye slit wiggled as if it wanted to open and see who dared to disturb its rest.
Dec 14th:Fear Warrior Blog. Escaping Anxiety and Fear teaser: In many ways, we are approaching a Christmas like no other. We battle a global pandemic and an uncertain future. The ever-changing circumstances tempt us to shift our eyes from God and fix them on the brewing storm, the evolving virus, or the angry headlines. As our attention diverts, anxiety rises. Stomachs churn. Hearts pound. Palms sweat. Uncertainty and fear birth physical symptoms that cause real, physical pain. I suspect that Christmas isn’t playing out exactly as many of us had hoped or planned. One of my coping strategies, when anxiety rises, is to temporarily escape into a fictional world where I am confident that despite the obstacles in the story, the ending is happy.
Dec 16th:Giveaway series on ReadingIsMySuperPower, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas teaser: … You see, the miracle isn’t on 34th Street; it’s found in a manger that led to a cross. The miracle is how God made it possible for every weary soul to rejoice. He accepts Christ’s death as payment for my sins and then raises Jesus to life again with a promise to raise also all who believe in Him. When we embrace that gift, this becomes the most wonderful time of the year …
It’s finally here! Mistletoe Movie Star’s cover is beautiful, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s always a little nerve-wracking waiting for a cover design. What if I don’t like it? What if my vision for the book is different from the publisher’s vision for the book?
Thankfully, the people at Pelican Ventures produce top quality covers, and I have loved every single one.
Without any more delay, ta da! Book three in Mistletoe Meadows.
Mistletoe Meadows is built around the magic of Christmas. As jingling sleighs cart rosy-cheeked lovers around the Mistletoe Mile, Charlene’s holiday dream is more complicated than photoshopped perfection. She proposes a compassion ministry initiative called the Gingerbread House but struggles to convince the town that their need for a homeless shelter is real.
Famous for his made for television holiday movies, Jonas longs for a happily-ever-after that isn’t as neat and tidy as his unrealistic films. Partnering with Char to champion her ministry invigorates him with a new purpose and provides an excuse to spend time with the girl he never forgot. But when they embrace three young sisters fighting to stay together while living on the streets, their project becomes deeply personal.
Together, they prove to a town reluctant to see anything other than holiday perfection that the greatest gift of the season isn’t found under a tree.
I hope you love the cover as much as I do. Mistletoe Movie Star releases Dec 1, 2020. Do you agree that the three novellas in this series look wonderful together?
Book two
While her relationships always end up doomed, Emily Colt is still determined to create happily-ever-afters through her wedding and event planning business. In hopes of expanding her business, she enters her latest project–staging the Christmas wedding of the year–into a town-wide contest. But between crossing paths with the first man to break her heart and dodging a saboteur, she doubts even career success is within her grasp.
Jilted pastor, Luca Wilson, fled to the mission field to escape a broken heart. All the hurt rushes back when he returns home to officiate his cousin’s wedding, and he finds Emily. The girl to whom he once promised forever is organizing the celebration. Despite his lost faith in love, their unforeseen reunion rekindles a spark, and Luca vows to help her save her struggling business. But to succeed, they will have to learn what it means to trust each other and believe in the God of Christmas miracles.
Book one
Former musician, Melody Staff, spends Christmas at a bed and breakfast in the village of Mistletoe Meadows. While everyone sings familiar carols of Christ drawing near, Melody stumbles over misplaced notes. Her recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis has scared off her fiancé and thrust her life into a grand pause. She’s not sure her heart will ever sing again.
Quentin Oxford has endured a devastating year. His preteen daughter suffered a stroke, and they’ve grieved his wife’s sudden death. But the Lord coaxes a surprising refrain from Quentin’s heart as God rewrites his and Melody’s score into a holiday love song that will last for Christmases to come.
Today is my birthday. As I begin my 46th year, I can’t help but count my blessings. I serve a wonderful, merciful God who perfectly loves me just as I am while shaping me into who He wants me to become. I have a supportive family, an opportunity to attend seminary, and I’m living the dream of writing books. I have the privilege of homeschooling our kids, meaning that we get TONS of time together to make memories. I love my current season of life.
September also marks another birthday. A half birthday. September is the six-month birthday of Chasing Holiness. Initially, Chasing Holiness was set to release in August 2020. But for reasons unknown to me, the publishers launched it in March—one week before the world shut down.
I don’t usually celebrate half birthdays, but this one is pretty special. Had I been in control, I would have waited to release Chasing Holiness. I like schedules, and even more, I like sticking to schedules . But it was not up to me.
The change of dates ensured that I spent the months before COVID-19 saturated in the Word of God as I worked through final edits for this book. It burned deep into my mind truths that I needed to remember during the shutdown. It challenged me to live out what I just challenged my readers to do: allow the Lord and His Word to overwhelm me more than the world and circumstances.
So on this ‘half-birthday’ book birthday, I’m celebrating that perhaps the person who needed to read Chasing Holiness the most was me. I thank God for His perfect timing, and I thank you – my wonderfully encouraging readers – for your private messages and social media comments about the impact Chasing Holiness has had on your life. It is truly a privilege to run this race together.
