I’m excited to share that my newest release, Bitter Truth, received second place in the Angel Book Awards (mystery/suspense category)!
Congratulations to first-place Carrie Stuart Parks with Woman in Shadow and third-place Mary Dodge Allen with Hunt for a Hometown Killer. I feel like my characters are in good company!
You can see the full list of winners at the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival page on Facebook. Here’s the link to the announcement post.
Come to the Green Dory Inn for the mysteries, stay for the characters.
Book 1, Unknown Enemy, is 99 cents for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Apple, and Google Play until July 5. Great time to discover a new-to-you Christian fiction series set in beautiful Nova Scotia!
Buy your copy here: https://www.books2read.com/unknownenemy
Mystery and suspense writers joke about law enforcement flagging our internet searches. For the murder in the opening pages of Bitter Truth, I spent hours looking up ways the killer could dispatch the victim from a distance or with a time delay.
Truth told, it’s a little creepy looking at weapons sites on the internet. There are some disturbing subcultures. If you want to know what a “TEOTWAWKI kit” is, first try to guess. Then I’ll tell you at the end of this post.
On the upside, I discovered you can buy “Batman Batarang Throwing Knives.” I’m not a weapons person (although I love a good kitchen knife) but these are, well, if you’ll pardon the pun, they’re very “sharp looking”!
Back to the research… So many options for a fictional murderer! I decided it would be dramatic to have the killer use a poisoned dart. So I studied various types of poisons. And blowguns, because he could fold it up and not look suspicious. How long would he need to practice with something like that? And how close would he have to be?
It could work. I wanted it to work.
Then I thought about the character of the killer, his goals and his style.
All he needed was a sniper rifle.
There went all my fancy plans! But you never know, a poison dart may show up in a later book. Nothing’s ever wasted.
And the answer to the mystery question is…
“TEOTWAWKI” = “The End Of The World As We Know It”
Yikes! It’s good to be prepared for emergencies, as Green Dory Inn character Nigel Foley would attest.
Still, in these days following Easter I’d rather focus on the One who laid down His life on the Cross to save us and took it up again in triumph three days later. His purposes are best, His promises are true, and His love never fails. As the Bible says, our times are in His hands (Psalm 31:15).
“A nice assorted cast of possible suspects, and lots of twists in the plot that will keep you guessing.” ★★★★★
Jeffrey C. Reynolds, blogger and reviewer
“Recommended reading for all who love a good puzzley story.” ★★★★★
Violet Nesdoly, author, blogger, and reviewer
“I definitely recommend this book!” ★★★★★
Amy C. Blake, author and Goodreads reviewer
“Lots of twists and turns. A must read!” ★★★★★
Charlene, Goodreads reviewer
“A fun and thought-provoking read” ★★★★
Miranda S., Goodreads reviewer
“I did NOT see the ending!!” ★★★★
Trudy C., Goodreads reviewer
If you like clean Christian mystery and suspense, read Bitter Truth today! This link has international options for major ebook retailers and Amazon for print: books2read.com/bitter-truth.
Happy “book birthday” to the newest Green Dory Inn Mystery, Bitter Truth! The paperback version sneaked onto the scene early, and now the ebooks are live too.
The clock is ticking down! With Bitter Truth releasing later this month, I had the chance to chat with blogger Jeffrey C. Reynolds about the novel, writing in general, and a few other things. And I may have let slip something about the print version that’s not yet been shared… come join the conversation!
Come back to the Green Dory Inn for another mystery! Bitter Truth releases in March 2022.
Who would want Ciara dead? And why? Landon’s quest for the truth will uncover secrets and betrayal that could cost her life.
Digital preorder discount price is $2.99 USD or international equivalent for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Apple, Google Play, and a few other places. A print version will also release in March without preorders. Here’s an international link for the ebooks at various stores: books2read/bitter-truth.
Who would want Ciara dead? And why?
Against all odds, Landon Smith and her ordinary-hero neighbour Bobby Hawke survived a murderous plot six weeks ago. Now, she’s determined to leave solving mysteries to the experts—like handsome local police officer Dylan Tremblay.
But when a friend is nearly killed in a daring daylight attack, Landon can’t sit this out. Not when she knows the anger of being a victim.
Her faith tells her to leave room for God’s vengeance. Her heart says to retaliate.
The fight to expose Ciara’s enemy will uncover secrets and betrayal that could cost Landon her life.
And now… the cover!
Pre-orders coming soon, for release in March 2022.
Landon Smith vowed never to return to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Despite her faith, the memories might undo her.
But a shadowy figure has been skulking around the Green Dory Inn—seen only by her friend Anna.
Loyalty demands she stand by this woman who’s been a second mother to her. No matter the cost.
With the police unable to find solid clues, and the incidents escalating, Landon must help Anna discover the truth about the prowler and stop him. Before he turns violent.
Unknown Enemy is a novella-length read. Hidden Secrets and the books to come after are all novel-length.
There’s a print book giveaway this month for Hidden Secrets. Unfortunately, it’s only available in continental US and Canada, but if that works for you, check it out at The Suspense Zone. There are a few other suspense giveaways at the same link, for continental US residents only. [Giveaways end October 31, 2019]
And Susan Sleeman from The Suspense Zone also interviewed me. You can check out that conversation here.
If, by chance, you’re a NetGalley reviewer or if you know someone who is and who enjoys mystery/suspense, Hidden Secrets is available there during the month of October. Link: NetGalley. I’m really excited about this chance to get the book in front of some new-to-me reviewers.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you I’ve dropped the price of the ebook version of Unknown Enemy to 99 cents USD ($1.32 CAD and the equivalent worldwide). It’s available for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, and Apple, so please let your mystery/suspense-reading friends know! International buy link: Unknown Enemy.
