FEATURED BOOK: HOLIDAY HAVOC BY TERRI REED AND STEPHANIE NEWTON

Yuletide Sanctuary by Terri Reed
A cry for help shatters youth counselor Sean Matthews's quiet Christmas night. He saves Lauren Curtis from her attacker—for now. But the vengeful man on her trail won't be held at bay for long….

Christmas Target by Stephanie Newton
She hadn't wanted the contest "prize" in the first place. But when police officer Maria Fuentes arrives for the holiday vacation she won, she finds much more than expected. Her "date"—handsome weatherman Ben Storm—is in danger, and Maria is the only protector he'll trust.

Holiday Havoc Interview

Today we're welcoming Ben Storm, the hero of “Christmas Target” in HOLIDAY HAVOC, by Stephanie Newton.
Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. I’m Ben Storm, a meteorologist with Weather 24, the cable weather network. And before you ask, I was actually born with that name. I can’t tell you much, but what I can tell you is that someone was very determined to kill me.
2. So, during the book you met Maria. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?
Maria and I met because she won a contest for a vacation...and a date. My first impression of Maria? She was dressed in cargo pants, combat boots and I couldn’t see much more than her crazy hair. But she had these really beautiful eyes. I think I first fell in love when I realized that protecting my life was more important than saving her own. She’s really unselfish, like that, but I’m not sure she even realizes it.
3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
I think I have a good head on my shoulders. My greatest weakness? You don’t really think I would tell that in an interview, do you?
4. What scares you?
Not being able to finish the job. Not being able to be the man I know I can be. Not being there for the people I love.
5. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. Lamentations 3:21-22 says, “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease.” I lost my wife two years ago. This verse kept me from losing my mind.

Today we're also welcoming Lauren Curtis, the heroine of “Yuletide Sanctuary” by Terri Reed in the book HOLIDAY HAVOC.
Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. I’m an artist by passion and career but a few years ago a horrible nightmare derailed by life. I was physically and emotional scarred. I’d moved to Cannon Beach to hide from the world but my nightmare showed in the flesh and shattered my peaceful, if lonely existence.
2. So, during the book you met Sean Matthews. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love? I did meet Sean quite unexpectedly. He happened to be out for a run just at the precise moment that I need someone. I don’t believe in coincidence. I know God put Sean out on the beach that night for a reason. I thought he was handsome and kind to help a stranger in peril. I knew pretty quickly but I was afraid to even hope for love so it took me longer to admit it to myself, let alone to him.
3. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I’m very much questioning God, His goodness and His plan for my life. I was angry and feeling unloved.
4. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? With Sean’s help I realized that God’s plan is not our plan. I’ve come to accept the circumstances of my life and embrace my faith in God. I know God loves me and is with me regardless of how I feel.
5. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I’d be Christmas cookies. Sweet goodness, sprinkled with love and decorated with care. Because that is how Sean’s love makes me feel.

Holiday Stories

Terri Reed here on my regularly schedule blog day.
I received the eHarlequin newsletter in my inbox this morning and to my delighted surprise saw that Love Inspired Suspense novella collection Holiday Havoc, for which I have a story in along with Stephanie Newton, is listed on the top ten holiday stories. I also see that a Love Inspired Romance Novella collection Mistletoe Prayers by Marta Perry and Betsy St. Amant is listed as well. What fun to be listed with some of my favorite Harlequin authors.
Yea! for Love Inspired!

So for you Christmas shopping pleasure here is the list:

Top 10 Holiday Stories

1. A Chesapeake Shores Christmas
by Sherryl Woods
2. High-Caliber Christmas
by B.J. Daniels
3. Mistletoe Prayers
by Marta Perry and Betsy St. Amant
4. Regency Christmas Proposals
by Various Authors
5. Home in Time for Christmas
by Heather Graham
6. 'Tis the Season
by Various Authors
7. A Creed Country Christmas
by Linda Lael Miller
8. Shameful Secret, Shotgun Wedding
by Sharon Kendrick
9. Holiday Havoc
by Terri Reed and Stephanie Newton
10. One Winter's Night
by Lori Borrill

MOVING TARGET INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming Sailor, the heroine of Moving Target, an August 2009 release, by Stephanie Newton.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. I own a coffee shop. Murder wasn’t even on my radar until my business partner—my friend—was killed. If that wasn’t crazy enough…the cops thought I might have been the target.

2. So, during the book you met Gabe. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love? Gabe was my childhood sweetheart, but after the traumatic event that tore us apart, I really never expected to see him again. I knew it was love when he showed me a surprise that made me believe that God could rebuild our life together making us better and stronger for what we had been through.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? My greatest strength is compassion. My greatest weakness is fear.

4. What scares you? What scares me the most is the fear of being hurt and I don’t mean just getting my feelings hurt, I mean the deep, brutal kind of hurt that you aren’t sure you’ll survive.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’m not sure I’d change anything. Obviously, I have faults and weaknesses that I’m working on, but sometimes I think those are the things that give us compassion for other people who may be in similar situations.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?
I’ve been a believer for a long time, but I didn’t necessarily believe all of God’s promises were meant for me.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?
I know God wants me to live life to its fullest. There’s more potential for hurt that way, sure, but there’s also more potential for joy.
8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. See the above answer. God is a loving God and He wants his best for us.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?
It’s not really a dessert, but my specialty at the coffee shop are the fresh-baked homemade scones. Drop by for one anytime!

Yum! The scones sound good and so does this story. Thank you Stephanie for sharing Sailor with us. What a cool name!

Perfect Target Interview

Today we're welcoming Bayley Foster, the heroine of Perfect Target, by Stephanie Newton, a March 2009 release. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.
I had some problems with a stalker when I was in college. I thought that time in my life was over, but when creepy—and familiar—things started happening again, I realized the stalker was back.

2. So, during the book you met Cruse. What was your first impression? I’ve known a lot of cops and I thought Cruse was just like every other cop I’d ever known—overbearing, know-it-all, hyperprotective.
When did you know it was love? It wasn’t a big romantic gesture that opened my eyes, more of a quiet night after a really rough day. I realized things weren’t as complicated as I’d been trying to make them.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? I’m skilled at plumbing repairs, thanks to the internet! And I definitely have a weakness for a good cup of coffee.

4. What scares you? The thought of not being able to find enjoyment in life.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Oh, wow. That’s a tough one. But really, I wouldn’t change anything. I might make different decisions…but God made me the way I am for a purpose.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?
I know that God is trustworthy—He has brought me through some tough times in my life—but trusting other people is more difficult. When the stalker comes back into my life, it even gets hard to see God’s hand at work.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?
I’ve learned to trust Cruse and accept that God has a plan for both of us—together.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
I’ve spent a lot of my life being afraid. Psalm 27:1 tells me I don’t have to be—that I have a safe place to run to because the Lord is the stronghold of my life. I love that word stronghold. Can you imagine a safer place than that?

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?
A white chocolate mocha with lots of whipped cream, of course!

Thank you Stephanie for sharing Bayley with us. She sounds like a strong and caring person. Can't wait to read this story!