When Night Falls

I am part of the Love Inspired Suspense continuity series for 2009. What Sarah Saw, coming out next month, is the first book in the series. I was asked to write the prequel to that book when my hero and heroine first met in New Orleans a year before the series starts. Below I have posted the first chapter of the novella (really a long short story) and given you a link to download the whole story from Harlequin Steeple Hill. When Night Falls is in PDF format, and when it comes up, I right clicked to download the pages to my computer (on a Mac it says Save Pages As...). The link to the free download for the novella is HERE.
I hope you enjoy it, and if you want to read more about Sam and Jocelyn, get What Sarah Saw in January.

When Night Falls
Chapter One

In the dead of night darkness, closed in on Dr. Jocelyn Gold as she approached her car, parked in the last row in the large lot, full of vehicles but not people.

Glancing up at the security light, she couldn’t remember it being out when she arrived at the apartment building earlier. She’d been meeting with Sam Pierce to consult with him and interview a teen in an FBI case. She should have waited for Sam and left with him, but she’d wanted to get home. Usually place was teeming with people. She checked her watch. One in the morning. That would explain the emptiness. She’d been here longer than she thought. She hurried her pace, clicking her remote to unlock her car.

She reached for her door handle of her yellow Thunderbird. A sweaty hand clamped over her mouth. The taste of salt gagged her as a large body flattened her against her vehicle. The force of the action knocked the breath from her lungs and her purse from her grasp. A knife pressed into her neck while a musky odor assailed her nostrils.

Terror held her immobile. Her breath trapped in her lungs, she tried to recall her self-defense training. Her mind blanked.

The man leaned into her, the scent of beer chasing away all other smells. “You should have left my daughter alone.”

The gruff, muffled sound of his deep voice pierced the thundering of her heartbeat in her ears. Daughter? Who?

Her assailant shoved her head into the soft top of her convertible, his hand no longer over her lips, the sharp weapon no longer at her throat. But before she could scream, he stuffed an oily rag into her mouth. With her body still trapped between her car and him, he tied a gag on her. When he lifted the knife, even in the darkness she could see its glinting steel. She squeezed her eyes closed, anticipating the bite of the knife.

Seconds passed.

The hammering of her heartbeat in her ears proclaimed she was still alive. She stared at the black shroud of night, the apartment building a hundred yards away. He shifted, bearing his full weight on her body.

Then it came--the steel blade sliding across her flesh, nicking her. The sweat running down her neck stung the cut. A cold, clammy feeling washed over her.

“I’m gonna enjoy slicing you up. But not here.” He used the tip of the knife to toy with the shell of her ear.

The threat shoved her survival instincts to the foreground. Snippets of her training finally leaked into her thoughts. She ground her foot into his, and the instant his hold lessened, she jabbed her elbow back into his soft stomach. A whoosh of air blasted from his lips.

The hulking man struggled to breathe. His grip loosened even more. Jocelyn went limp, totally slipping from him. Wrenching away, she swung her arm against his wrist, and the knife flew from his grasp. The clanking noise reverberated in the quiet. She kicked his shin, then whirled and ran toward the building.

The sound of his pounding footsteps filled her ears. Her own breathing shallow and ragged, Jocelyn knew the distance between them was shrinking, but she dared not look back.

Eighty yards.

I can make it. She tore at the gag over her mouth.

Sixty. She spat out the rag. She felt a catch in her side.

A hand grabbed her jacket. She shrugged out of the garment and kept going.

Forty more yards and safety.

But the thud of his footsteps sounded right behind her. She screamed.

He slammed into her, and she crashed to the asphalt, all the air rushing from her. Pain shot up from her knees and palms. A heavy weight pressed her into the cement, constricting the rise and fall of her chest. The grit of the pavement dug into her cheek. Her lungs burned with the effort to draw oxygen into them.

Suddenly the pressure on her back eased. She started to scramble away when he yanked her arm up, hauling her to her feet, facing him. Over six feet tall, he towered in front of her. Through the slits in the black ski mask she felt his gaze boring through her although it was too dark really to tell.

“I’ll make you pay for destroying my family.”

His mumbled threat, a menacing whisper, hung between them. They were only mere inches apart. Squeezing her arm so tight that her fingers were going numb, he yanked her closer until her length mashed into his. Again the smell of beer accosted her. Bile rose into her throat. With one hand fisted in her hair and the other digging into her arm, he began dragging her toward some bushes off to the side. She fought to block the pain and focus on getting away.

She screamed. Her voice barely worked. Swallowing hard, she started to shout again. He locked his arm across her front and braced his fleshy palm against her mouth.

“Stop! FBI.”

Her attacker jerked around, taking her with him. He knocked her to the ground, then fled.

“Jocelyn, you all right?”

She blinked and looked up. Sam Pierce hovered over her, his gun drawn.

“Yeah,” she answered in a raw whisper while the blackness around her threatened to swallow her.

He thrust his cell into her hand. “Call the police. I’m going after him.” Sam raced after the man who had a good minute head start.

* * *

The pounding of his feet ate up the distance. A picture of Jocelyn with her long, blond hair clutched in her assailant’s hand and her blue eyes full of fear and pain spurred him even faster.

He glimpsed the large perpetrator dash into a dark alley. Sam followed. Thoughts of hearing Jocelyn’s scream propelled him into a situation he knew was dangerous. When he got his hands on the man, he would regret messing with Jocelyn. Rage fed Sam until he realized he’d lost sight of the attacker.

Slowing his pace, Sam searched the shadows. He had to stay focused on his target, not on his anger. He saw a movement up ahead and increased his speed. His grip on his weapon tightened, all his instincts sharpened. The only illumination came from the buildings lining the sides of one back alley after another.

When he reached a dead end, a chain link eight-foot fence towered before him. Scaling it, he leaped to the ground and scanned the inky curtain surrounding the abandoned warehouse. He dug into his suit pocket and retrieved his penlight, then made a sweep of the area.

A crashing noise jerked him around to the left.

* * *

Jocelyn picked herself up from the pavement. Her legs wobbled. She stumbled and nearly went down. The trembling started in her hands and quickly spread throughout her. She hugged her arms across her chest and trudged toward the apartment building.

At the double glass doors that led inside, she pulled on one and nearly cried out when it didn’t budge. Yanking on the other produced more frustration. The locked lobby afforded no safety for her. She raised her hands to hammer her fists against the glass when she saw Sam’s cell. Quickly she made a call to the police, then wilted to the pavement before the doors, hoping they arrived soon.

Finally Jocelyn looked down at herself and gasped. Through her torn black pants she could see her bloodied knees. Turning her hands over, she examined her scraped and bleeding palms. She brought her finger up to her neck and felt the sticky wet of her own blood.

What if something happened to Sam because of her? That question renewed all her panic and fear. With everything else going on in her life, how would she forgive herself if it did?

* * *

A white cat darted in front of Sam, and for a few seconds he relaxed his tense body, drawing in a calming breath.

Then he continued his search of the tall weeds and trash littered yard encircling the warehouse. Nothing but a black wall greeted his inspection.

Suddenly he realized where he was. The assailant had doubled back around. The apartment parking lot was nearby. Visions of Jocelyn at knifepoint flashed through his mind.

Sam set out in a jog, skirting the abandoned structure. Lord, protect her.

He rounded a corner when something hard whacked him across the chest. He stumbled and fell to his knees. The grip about his weapon momentarily went slack.

Sucking in gasping breaths, he lifted his head at the same time he strengthened his hold on his gun. A two-by-four came at him, catching him on the side of the head. He collapsed forward. The sight of white tennis shoes was the last thing he saw before darkness rushed in.

* * *

Jocelyn hugged Sam’s cell phone as though that would protect her from her attacker if he reappeared. She continually scanned the parking lot, so tense that her muscles ached.

A movement in the shadows at the edge of a pool of light from the nearest security lamp caught her attention. A figure emerged. She struggled to her feet, praying it was Sam coming back.

In the distance a siren broke the stillness of the night.

The unknown person froze, stared down the street then spun about and ran.

Jocelyn slid down the glass as patrol cars came to a shrieking halt. Two police officers raced toward her. One placed a call while the other homed in on her.

“Jocelyn, I heard the dispatcher and came as quick as I could.”

Relief washed over her. She knew her. Terri Morgan. She quickly explained what happened, finishing with the fact Sam was still gone. Her mounting fear crept into her voice as the other officer joined Terri.

“I called for an ambulance,” the newcomer said.

“Why?” Jocelyn asked, trying to stand, needing to go look for Sam.

“Jocelyn, stay right there until the paramedics can check you out.” Terri placed a hand on her shoulder.

“No! Something’s wrong. I can feel it.” Her voice rose.

“You’re hurt, Jocelyn.”

The patience in her friend’s voice did nothing to alleviate her dread. “I’m okay. Find Sam.”

She took a step forward and sank to the pavement, Terri’s arm about her in support. Her body throbbed in pain.

More sirens disturbed the night.

An ambulance slammed to a stop in front of the building. One paramedic jumped out and hurried toward her while another opened the back of the vehicle.

She shook off Terri’s assistance and shoved to her feet, determined to remain upright. “You don’t understand. I’m not going anywhere until I see Sam. Make sure he’s all right.”

The other policeman murmured something in her friend’s ear, then made a call for backup. Panic surged through her.

Where was Sam?

A paramedic wheeled a gurney to her. A protest welled up inside her, but before she could utter it, a figure staggered out of a dark alley across the street and pitched forward.

Getting Scared While You Write...

I believe that each writer has their own way of tapping into their creative mind. For some people, words flow freely when they sit down to write and they can put their characters, and themselves, through the twists and turns of their story to the happily ever after with ease.

I love those times, although I must admit that they don't always come when I want them to. What I've found though, is that all too often it's easy to settle back and allow myself to just get comfortable. I could be writing, aimlessly wandering through a scene and the scene might be good. But is it great? Can it be better?

Nine out of tens times when a scene doesn't excite me, it's because I'm resting too much on my comfort zone. As as I write my stories I'm getting to know my characters. I'm getting to like them and even love them. So it's hard to be nasty to them and make them work for their happy ending. It's hard to allow bad things to happen to them. But as writers we have to. We have to allow our characters to get scared, to feel, to suffer and in turn WE have to get scared while we're writing. If we don't, the words will just be "okay".

Now, as a writer, if "okay" is all you're striving for, that's fine. For me, I want my readers to come back to me and tell me they couldn't put the book down. I want them to be as involved in the story as my characters. I want them to get scared, to feel, to suffer along with the hero and heroine. That turns an okay story into a great story.

For me to achieve that, I need to get scared too. Sometime that involves me taking my characters down a path that is foreign to me. When I wrote The More I See, a story about a blind Cutting Horse Trainer, I had to feel what it was like to suddenly lose something precious. It wasn't just the heroes eyesight that he was mourning, but the job that he loved that he thought he could no longer do. I couldn't put myself in his shoes, but I could dig as deep as I could and explore what would affect me just as profoundly. How would that make me feel?

Sometimes getting scared means feeling your character's pain. Sometimes it means digging deep into yourself to feel your own pain and then transferring that pain onto the page. I imagine it is much like an actor who is rehearsing for a difficult scene. Emotion needs to come from somewhere. To make a good story great, a writer needs to dig deep and allow him or herself to get scared.

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello

James Scott Bell Comes to Visit

I’m delighted to have James Scott Bell join me today. Currently, he writes legal suspense for Zondervan and Center Street. He’s also a great guy who loves to share what he’s learned about writing through his craft books and teaching at writing conferences. He also doesn’t mind giving career advice to a novice like moi.

So when I thought about interviewing some of my favorite suspense authors, he was at the top of the list. Fortunately, he was gracious enough to volunteer before I could beg him to visit. So here we go…

You're known for writing legal suspense. This latest series dives into the ABA waters. What prompted that?

Circumstances just sort of presented the opportunity. Besides, I've been thinking for years that there's been a turn toward too much darkness in general market suspense, and I think the readers are looking for alternatives. That's what I'm providing. I wanted to write a suspense novel that could have been published in 1947. That's my favorite era for movies, by the way. Film noir. Suspenseful without being offensive. In a way, that's what I've always written.

The scenes are short -- often very short -- in Try Darkness. Was that a conscious decision or did it simply flow better that way?

I wanted to create a bit of a movie feel, where you can cut here and there without being constrained by certain lengths. It's a style I've developed over the years. Readers today are much more cinematic in expectation, and this style fits that.

You've written close to twenty books. How do you find a fresh angle for each?

The secret is the characters. That's where writers should look for their originality. One way some secular fiction has gone off the rails is trying to be original by being ever more violent or sexual or descriptive of evil. So how far do you push those envelopes? It's not even necessary. More fascinating is the inner life of a character, and here the possibilities are limitless. So I want to present situations that are every bit as suspenseful as the best in the genre, yet also show how it affects a deep, dynamic character.

For example, there is more tension in "Double Indemnity" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (the Lana Turner - John Garfield version, NOT the Jessica Lange - Jack Nicholson version!) without being explicit than in any ten "show everything" movies you could randomly name today.

Why do you think people are so fascinated with all things legal? And what keeps you writing them?

There's natural drama in the law, in conflict. Especially in the courtroom. It's the modern form of jousting--which, by the way, is where the whole trial system came from. I keep writing them because it's what I know, and there are fresh plots all over the place. For example, in Try Darkness I wrote about an illegal practice I found out about called "the twenty-eight day shuffle." That just sounded interesting. I researched it and it became the basis of the plot.

If you could write any book you wanted and know it would land on the bestsellers list, what would you write?

I think I'd write something in the Speculative Fiction genre. Maybe time traveling aliens who snatch someone they think represents the whole earth, like Oprah. Zany hijinx ensue. I love the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, so it would probably be along those lines. But then I'd go right back to my suspense fiction, which I also love.

As an attorney, I know I sometimes find myself analyzing legal thrillers for accuracy. What's your pet peeve legal mistake in novels?

When the writer doesn't know the rules of evidence, and all sorts of improper questions get asked in a trial--or, worse, a lawyer asks dumb questions a good trial lawyer never would. Like, on cross-examination, asking the witness, "Why did you do that, Ms. Smith?" On TV, the witness breaks down. In real life, such a question leaves the witness a wide swath to explain away the damaging admission you're looking for. You almost NEVER ask an open ended question on cross.

A trial lawyer needs to have these rules and tactics as part of his bone and sinew, and it takes years to develop. Of course, this is from a specialist. The readers don't know the rules, so most of this stuff probably slides by.

Ty Buchanan is an agnostic living in an abbey with a priest and a sister. How did they step into your imagination?

I wanted Buchanan to be a work in progress, like most people are.

Events in the first book force him to think more deeply about big questions. I came up with Father Bob, an African American priest, and Sister Mary, a basketball playing nun, to present him with ideas he's unfamiliar with. I also came up with, on the other side, "Pick" McNitt, a former college philosophy professor who went crazy, and now runs a coffee house. He's an atheist, but friends with Father Bob. Ty is in the middle, and keeps hearing things that make him think. But mostly, Ty is going after the bad guys, as well he should.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Jim. Can’t wait to read that next novel!

Here’s more info on Jim:

JAMES SCOTT BELL is the bestselling author of Try Dying, Try Darkness, No Legal Grounds, Presumed Guilty, Glimpses of Paradise, Breach of Promise and several other thrillers. He is a winner of the Christy Award for Excellence (Suspense category), and has also been a finalist for the award in the Historical category. He has served as the fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine and has written two bestselling craft books in the Writers Digest series Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing.

Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver. A former trial lawyer, he now writes and speaks full time. He lives in L.A. with his wife, Cindy.

Week 26: Let’s Breakout Again

As many of you recall, earlier in the year, we spent time working our way through the first twenty-five sections of Donald Maass’ WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK. Let’s pick up where we left off and look at lesson 26, Moments in Time.

Maass uses one of my all-time favorite humorous reads, JULIE AND ROMEO, by Jeanne Ray, as an example. It’s a modern day slant on Shakespeare’s classic but with two feuding florist families and a sixty-something hero and heroine who fall in love behind their warring children’s backs. If you’re looking for a heart-warming and tickle-your-funny-bone read this holiday season, ask Santa to place it under your tree.

Pulling an excerpt from Ray’s book, Maass illustrates the importance of incorporating what he calls Moments in Time into our stories. He explains when writers allow their protagonists to capture the feel, the flavor, the special “something” that spotlights and clarifies a particular moment in the story, be it a kiss, a flash of time in history, a pause in war before the storm of the next battle, the reader is pulled more deeply into the story. In Maass’s words, the writer “heightens the reality of the tale” and “aids in the reader’s suspension of disbelief.”

The writing guru encourages us to pick six places within our manuscripts to “freeze” the moment through the keen awareness of our lead character's point of view. When our protagonist takes a closer look at his/her surrounding world, our readers do as well.

Happy writing!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com

PS: In this hectic holiday time, may we find peace, joy and love as we prepare for the birth of the Christ Child.

DEADLY HOMECOMING INTERVIEW

Today, we’re welcoming Peta Donald, the heroine of Deadly Homecoming by Barbara Phinney a December 2008 release. Wow, you’ve had quite an adventure!

1.Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I really didn’t want to be in the middle of this story. In fact, I didn’t want to come home at all. But my old friend, Danny, wanted me to come home and I thought it was God’s way of offering me a chance to minister to him. But as soon as I got there, I found him dead, and myself accused of the murder. And everyone on the island remembered the way I was, and assumed I’d kill my friend.

2.So, during the book you met Lawson Mills. Tell us about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

I thought that Lawson Mills was just too mysterious. He seemed to be a little too kind to me. But then, he seemed to be interested in something else, especially about Danny. But I think I knew I was in love with him only toward the end of the story. I watched him face his greatest fear and I knew I couldn’t let him do it alone, so I had to set aside my own fears. It wasn’t hard but I love Lawson, and needed to do it.

3.What strength/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

Let me tell you my weakness first. I knew it even before Danny called me. I didn’t want to face my hometown, and was ashamed of what I’d done years ago. It ended up weakening me. And yet, my strength was my faith. I knew that I’d been forgiven by the Lord. It just took me a while to figure it out. I also have to add that because I was in trouble with the law so much, I’d developed a tough skin when dealing with police matters.

4.What scares you?

I’m most terrified that my antics from years ago would hurt a person.

5.If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Oh, that’s easy. My past. Some people say they wouldn’t change a thing, but honestly, my youth was bad! I’d be crazy not to want that.

6.Where was your faith at the start of your story?

I think my faith was strong, just a bit confused. I couldn’t forgive myself and I didn’t realize that God could, so I should.

7.Where was your faith at the end of the story?

I was so much more comfortable with myself. I wish I hadn’t done all the bad things I did, but was able to accept them all now, because my faith is clear and I understand Grace better.

8.You’ve got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant?

“Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.” The Apostle Paul knew that people like me would struggle with people who accuse a person based on their pasts. The islanders did that. They assumed the worst about me and let me know. That scripture reminds me that I shouldn’t get back.

9.If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

I haven’t thought of dessert for so long, I can’t remember when. I think it would be fruit salad, with cream. Something with tropical fruit in it. Papaya and guava. I used to buy them occasionally in Toronto.

Thank you, Barbara for sharing Peta with us. This sounds like an exciting Holiday read. Can't wait!

Seventeen Days until Christmas

Last Monday I made my list of 25 things to do until Christmas. At that time there were 25 days until Christmas. Now, there's only 17! So, I have to look at my list.


Done:
1. Put the knick-knacks around the house (Memo to self: time to get rid of some)
I'm pretty sure there's a box of Christmas stuff still in the shed, but I don't think I'll mention that to hubby.
2. Clean house (We're having a kiddie party next Saturday for Mikey's Bible Hour class)
We had the kiddie party. It was great. And, boy was my house clean.
3. Call CWOW members who haven't responded to Christmas invite (CWOW stands for Christian Writers of the West. It's the local ACFW group. We're having our first Christmas party and a few members don't comprehend the meaning of RSVP)
I'm putting this in the done column because we had the party. I never did call the members - got busy. But, we had a great party. I made three new writer friends (that's the best Christmas present!). In the picture, you see Leslie, Lori, Kathleen, Sheri, and me!)
4. Make chips and dip for above party.
Not only did I make chips and dip, but I looked at the sign-up, in time, and realized I'd volunteered dessert. So, I stopped at Safeway and got cheesecake. Plus, I had all these vegetables and dip left from the kiddy party and took that, too.
5. Book a hotel near Williams, Arizona, for the 19th (I would have done this already but Don says we have to stay at a hotel where he can earn points. I don't know which hotel to book.)
Booked hotel. According to Triple A book should have been 40 a night. According to reservationist, we'll be paying 70 a night because of the Christmas season. Me, I'm thinking hotel never honors amount they put in Triple A book.
6. Make sure I have babysitters for all adult events.
Now, if they just don't cancel!
7. Urge husband to decorate outside.
Didn't need to urge him. He did it on his own. Plus, the next-door neighbor gave us a giant blow-up Santa after watching Don put up our giant blue-up snowmen.

Almost Done:
1. Set up the tree (It's fake. I've never had a real one. Think cats.)
Tree is up, lights are on, ornaments are still in the shed.
2. Buy gifts (I buy gifts all year round. About a week before Christmas, I unload the gift closet and I get out my Christmas list. I make little name cards and make a spot around the house for everyone. This is how I find out if I bought too much for one relative or not enough for another relative. My husband shops on Christmas Eve.)
I almost wish this was still on the not done list. See, our neighborhood K-Mart is closing, and I went there last week - twice!. I'm probably down to just four more presents to buy.

Not Done:
1. Write my Christmas letter (My favorite thing! God has truly blessed me)
2. Mail the cards (There's usually more than a 100)
3. Wrap gifts (hubby does paper - he even measures when he cuts! Me, I'm a big believer in decorated bags)
4. Mail gifts (This is no fun. You can't just drop the gifts in a bag and black marker a name. I'm usually running late on this)
5. Make green bean casserole for RWA party (Somebody - think best friend Cathy McDavid - grabbed the chips and dip card before I did!)
6. Buy the book the Polar Express (We're actually going to ride it on the 19th)
7. Attend church group party (There might be singing around the piano. What fun!)
8. Critique group party (My amazing critique group - Cathy McDavid, Connie Flynn, and Libby Banks - usually has dinner at an Olive Garden. I found the perfect presents this year. I really must drop those presents in a gift bag soon.)
9. Attend Mikey's pre-school Christmas presentation.
10. Take Mikey to get picture with Santa Clause (I'll probably do this at Sears.)
11. Finish grading finals at work, clean office, lock office door.
12. Still need to write five pages a day on Fugitive Hearts, due January 15th.
13. Urge husband to drive two hours to take whole family to the snow.
14. Take Mikey to Chaz's birthday party.
15. Settle back and enjoy the season.
16. Thank God every day for more than twenty-five blessings.

Christmas is coming fast!

Posted by: Terri Reed
Currently working on: My December 2009 release titled (for now) Chasing Shadows
Mood: fair, I have a sore throat compliments of my son who had a sore throat earlier in the week.

By now you should have your travel plans made and confirmed for the Holiday. We were going to head to Seattle but alas, I'll be having surgery on the 23rd with atleast one overnight stay possibly two.
So because I have to be completely ready for Christmas by the 22nd, I've started making lists. Lists of presents bought and yet to be bought, lists of food items for the big day as well as the weeks (yes, weeks) after and lists of who to call when I'm out of surgery (or atleast for my husband to call).
Thankfully, though I do alot of my gift shopping throughout the year as I find something that I think would be liked and appreciated. My kids are the hardest to find things for. They're at the ages where everything they want is very expensive or they just want gift cards so they can pick out their own items. Not much fun in that. But I have a few ideas up my sleeve. If I can find them. My huband's also difficult to buy for except this year the kids and I found the perfect thing.
So really I'm feeling pretty prepared but I know the time will go by fast and I will need to power through as much of this current book as possible before the 23rd. But thankfully the book isn't due until March.
Lists are good things. They keep me focused and on track when I can so easily be distracted by, say a sale rack and oh, if I see a clearance rack, I'm done for.
Anyone else make lists and find them helpful?

I'm finished!

I have finished my rough draft of my book! Yay! I want to get it in the mail by Dec. 15th and I should. After that I have a proposal for the new Love Inspired continuity for 2010. My book, Cowboy Protector, will be the third one in the series. What will be interesting about this series is it concerns the Witness Protection Program. I can't imagine having to walk away from my life and leave my friends and family who can't come with you behind.

If you had to start your life over, what would you do? What occupation would you do? I understand you shouldn't do the same thing you did in your old life. Since I'm doing what I love to do, that would be a tough dilemma for me. Maybe I would be a librarian since I love books. I guess that would be different than a writer (retired teacher).

Reaching out to old friends...

Recently I was going through a box of my "keeper" books and came across some books from an old friend I'd met online way back in 1996 or so on what used to be known as the AOL Series Romance Message Board. That board has now closed, but many of the people who were part of that group up and moved to their own email loop we now affectionately call the Series Mafia Loop.

I picked up this book by Anne Eames, an author who used to write for Silhouette Desires, and I wondered what had happened to her. Was she still writing? Was she still a part of Romance Writers of America? I decided to Google her name and found a blog post that talked about how Anne and her husband, Bill, had heard a calling to help the people of South Africa after visiting the area. They took their life savings, packed their bags and moved to South Africa where they work with the poor and people afflicted with HIV/AIDS.

I was struck by how wonderful it was for them to hear their calling to let God work through their hands. I questioned whether I should contact Anne through her website. It had been nearly 10 years since we'd connected. Would she remember me? We'd never met face to face, only interacted through email. I took the next step and decided that reaching out to an old friend was the way to go. I'm so glad I did.

I'd like to dedicate this blog to the project Anne runs with her husband, Bill. The work they do in South Africa is much needed and goes a long way toward making life a little easier for those who are sick and don't have much. It reminds me of how truly blessed I am here in the United States.

Please visit the African Hope Crafts project at http://www.africanhopecrafts.org/. I've discovered some beautiful crafts that I'm looking into purchasing as Christmas presents. Maybe you will too. And it will go a long way toward helping a wonderful cause.

On another note, our very own CRAFTIE LADY, Pamela Tracy, is blogging over at the CRAFTIE LADIES OF ROMANCE blog today at http://www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/. Please go on over and visit the CRAFTIE LADIES OF ROMANCE website and introduce yourself to some new authors.

Many blessings, Lisa Mondello

Dark Pursuit Review

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a fan of Brandilyn Collin's books. I discovered her with the Hidden Faces series, wrote a character on the first year of the character blog for Kanner Lake, and just read Dark Pursuits last week. I LOVED it. The premise: what if suspense writer Darell Brooke has lost the ability to write due to an accident. But now, he has to do something because his granddaughter is targeted. Darell had kicked Kaitlan out of his home years earlier, but now she's come to him for help. Can he give it and can he give it in time?

The pacing in this book is intense. It races from page one to the last with a timeframe of about 24 hours. Personally, I love that kind of pacing in the suspense I read. I don't want time to breathe as a reader, and the characters certainly shouldn't have any.

There were times I was convinced Darell would pull it off and other times I knew he'd get everybody killed. The characters did unexpected things that kept me guessing. In a twist, this book sets out from almost the first page with the bad guy revealed, which in many ways intensifies the suspense.

Pride laces the plot together. The pride Darell used to have in his life when he was adored as the King of Suspense. The self-hate that arises from the death of that adulation. Pride twists and turns the motives and actions of the characters. And it's handled with Brandilyn's light touch.
Get this book if you love suspense. You won't regret it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Brandilyn Collins is known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. She is currently working on her 20th book. For chances to win free copies of her work, join her Fan Club on Facebook. Here’s what Brandilyn has to say about why she wrote Dark Pursuit:

In John Milton’s Paradise Lost Satan’s followers, kicked out of heaven, boast about storming the gates and reclaiming their territory. Beelzebub scoffs at their boasting as merely “hatching vain empires” and suggests a different revengeful scheme: seduce mankind away from God. So Satan visits the Garden of Eden to teach humans the very thing he and his cohorts have learned to be futile—the dark pursuit of hatching their own vain empires instead of following God. He presented man with this “gift” of death, disguised as life. And man fell for it.

Upon this theme of man’s fall and spiritual blindness, I created the characters and events in Dark Pursuit. The story clips along at a fast pace, with much symbolism running underneath.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dark Pursuit—A twisting story of murder, betrayal, and eternal choices

Novelist Darell Brooke lived for his title as King of Suspense—until an auto accident left him unable to concentrate. Two years later, reclusive and bitter, he wants one thing: to plot a new novel and regain his reputation.

Kaitlan Sering, his twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, once lived for drugs. After she stole from Darell, he cut her off. Now she’s rebuilding her life. But in Kaitlan’s town two women have been murdered, and she’s about to discover a third. She’s even more shocked to realize the culprit—her boyfriend, Craig, the police chief’s son.

Desperate, Kaitlan flees to her estranged grandfather. For over forty years, Darell Brooke has lived suspense. Surely he’ll devise a plan to trap the cunning Craig.

But can Darell’s muddled mind do it? And—if he tries—with what motivation? For Kaitlan’s plight may be the stunning answer to the elusive plot he seeks...

Read the first chapter of Dark Pursuit, HERE.

Good News!!!

Steeple Hill asked me to take part in a Love Inspired Suspense continuity series for 2010. I’m writing book 2, which will come out in FEB. Of course, I’m thrilled and honored to work with the other authors.

My dear mentors and wonderful friends Margaret Daley and Lenora Worth are part of the group. (The above photo of me with Lenora (L) and Margaret (R) was taken shortly after I made my first sale. Margaret and Lenora held my hands through those first months on the job, and they’re still the gals I turn to when I have a question or need advice.)

Marta Perry, Shirlee McCoy and Barbara Phinney are in the continuity lineup as well. Who could ask for a better and more talented group of authors?

I’ll share more details when the stories are firmed up and the editors give us the go-ahead to start promoting the series.

More good news! Margaret and I will have a two-in-one book that will come out in DEC 2009. The stories will both be Love Inspired Suspense reads sure to put a chill in your Christmas eggnog! Again, more details will follow.

As you can imagine, I'm filled with gratitude and giving thanks for all God's blessings!

Happy writing! Happy reading!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.Seekerville.blogspot.com

DOUBLE THREAT CHRISTMAS INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming MEGAN MCCLAIN from DOUBLE THREAT CHRISTMAS, released December 2008 by TERRI REED. 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 grew up smothered by love and affection from my three brothers, my mother and the majority of the Boston Police Department. My fahter was a BPD officer killed in the line of duty when I was a child. The trauma from his death affected all of us in different ways. I’m slowly learning to cope with how it affected me but it’s been a long struggle.
So when I found two dead men in the gallery one snowy night, I thought for sure I wouldn’t have the strength to cope any longer.

2. So, during the book you met PAUL WALLACE. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Paul was the homicide detective assigned to investigate the double murders in the gallery. Tall, blond and handsome. Certainly every girls dream, at least he made my heart flutter, but when he looked at me with suspicion in his eyes, I knew he thought I was capable of the crime. As hard as I knew it would be I wanted to prove my innocence to him. Though why I cared what he thought was a mystery until I thought I was going to die and then I realized that I loved him. Knowing I wouldn’t get a chance to tell him how I felt was nearly as horrific as facing death.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
Well, I’m observant and orderly to the point of obsession. Sometimes my need for control pushes people away.

4. What scares you?
People finding out my secret. If people knew the real me, they wouldn’t want to be around me.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d be braver. Though Paul tells me all the time I’m brave, but I don’t feel brave.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I believe but question God and His love for me.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Through Paul I’ve come to understand that God made me the way I am and of course He loves me. Knowing that has given me a peace I didn’t realize I lacked.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadows. James 1:17

This verse is such a good reminder that everything good in life comes from God and He is faithful and trustworthy.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Oh, my. Anything chocolate. But if I had to choose, I’d say Mississippi Mud Pie because it’s layered with chocolate brownie and marshmallow and more creamy chocolate on top. Gooey and yummy.

DOUBLE THREAT CHRISTMAS IS ON SALE NOW IN A STORE NEAR YOU
OR YOU CAN ORDER ONLINE AT www.eharlequin.com click on the Steeple Hill tab then click on Love Inspired Suspense

Twenty-Five Days Until Christmas: Twenty-five Things to Do!

You know, I'm really happy about how the cards landed. I mean, I get to post on December first. I love Christmas! Yesterday was busy, busy, busy. My husband, a plumber, worked over the Thanksgiving holiday. Go figure, holidays are a busy time for plumbers because businesses shut down, employees have the long weekend, and what better time to turn off the water. This left me alone with my three year old. I didn't get a good start on Christmas, but I did get a pinkie-hold.
I figure I have at least twenty-five more things to do!

1. Set up the tree (It's fake. I've never had a real one. Think cats.)
2. Put the knick-knacks around the house (Memo to self: time to get rid of some)
3. Write my Christmas letter (My favorite thing! God has truly blessed me)
4. Mail the cards (There's usually more than a 100)
5. Buy gifts (I buy gifts all year round. About a week before Christmas, I unload the gift closet and I get out my Christmas list. I make little name cards and make a spot around the house for everyone. This is how I find out if I bought too much for one relative or not enough for another relative. My husband shops on Christmas Eve.)
6. Wrap gifts (hubby does paper - he even measures when he cuts! Me, I'm a big believer in decorated bags)
7. Mail gifts (This is no fun. You can't just drop the gifts in a bag and black marker a name. I'm usually running late on this)
8. Clean house (We're having a kiddie party next Saturday for Mikey's Bible Hour class)
9. Call CWOW members who haven't responded to Christmas invite (CWOW stands for Christian Writers of the West. It's the local ACFW group. We're having our first Christmas party and a few members don't comprehend the meaning of RSVP)
10. Make chips and dip for above party.
11. Make green bean casserole for RWA party (Somebody - think best friend Cathy McDavid - grabbed the chips and dip card before I did!)
12. Buy the book the Polar Express (We're actually going to ride it on the 19th)
13. Book a hotel near Williams, Arizona, for the 19th (I would have done this already but Don says we have to stay at a hotel where he can earn points. I don't know which hotel to book.)
14. Attend church group party (There might be singing around the piano. What fun!)
15. Critique group party (My amazing critique group - Cathy McDavid, Connie Flynn, and Libby Banks - usually has dinner at an Olive Garden. I found the perfect presents this year. I really must drop those presents in a gift bag soon.)
16. Attend Mikey's pre-school Christmas presentation.
17. Make sure I have babysitters for all adult events.
18. Take Mikey to get picture with Santa Clause (I'll probably do this at Sears.)
19. Finish grading finals at work, clean office, lock office door.
20. Still need to write five pages a day on Fugitive Hearts, due January 15th.21. Urge husband to decorate outside.
22. Urge husband to drive two hours to take whole family to the snow.
23. Take Mikey to Chaz's birthday party.
24. Settle back and enjoy the season.
25. Thank God every day for more than twenty-five blessings.

Thanksgiving

I spent some time on Thanksgiving thinking about what I was thankful for, especially this year. I'm thankful mostly because my walk with the Lord has deepened this year which has made me look at things differently. I'm also thankful for my family and friends. Today I'm going to spend some time with my three granddaughters (and the rest of the family, too), decorating our Christmas tree. It should be interesting since one of my granddaughters is 17 months old. I'm also going with a good friend to lunch and a movie, Australia. Now if I could write about 2000 words that would be considered a perfect day to me. I'm thankful I've finally realized I'm finished with teaching as a job. I've done two long term sub jobs since I retired last January and I know that I truly walked away from teaching when I retired. I want to commit myself to writing full-time. My focus in my life is changing and I'm excited to see where it leads me. I'm also thankful to have a wonderful husband who understands me and is my best friend. I have to say I'm not so thankful for having a third cat--an abandoned kitten. She has managed to shred my furniture and destroy a few other objects. Okay, I love animals and I know she will settle down over time, but it's been a long time since I had such a young animal. I think the Lord is trying to teach me patience. Now if I could just keep Ringo, my twenty pound male cat, from teaching her all his bad habits, that would be an accomplishment!

What are you thankful for?

My Thanksgiving Wish on Black Friday

I've been blessed in so many ways. Yesterday I spent the day with my family, ate too much, laughed a lot and Thanked God for all that I have. As I sit in a recliner in my mother's living room surrounded my my sisters and my mom, my wish is that this holiday season you will all know and feel the love and comfort from the people you love. I also hope that for those who are separated from their families that you are embraced by friends and your community so that you know and feel love during this holiday season.

Today is a big day for shopping for so many people. Watching the news I see how people have stood in line for Black Friday sales in the freezing cold to get a bargain or too. As you're out and about shopping, consider picking up an extra gift for someone who is less fortune and dropping it off at one of the centers who have gift giving programs. Years ago I stopped doing the buying and handed over the task to my children. I would take them to the store with a list and ask them to pick out a toy that they like for a child their age. I wanted them to learn to think of others and not just themselves and was always warmed by the their excited faces as they wondered if the child they'd bought the gift for would like it as much as they liked it.

Contact your local school, church or police department for programs in your area that have gift giving programs. And while you're out doing your Black Friday shopping, pick up an extra gift and make someones holiday season a little brighter.

Many blessings,
Lisa Mondello

Reasons I'm Thankful

Enough said :-) God has been so good to me!

Three beautiful gifts from heaven and the knowledge that another waits in heaven for us. I have been blessed with smart, beautiful, fun-loving children. Kids who push me, challenge me, love me -- even when I have to spend time writing and on other projects. I can't imagine my life without them and am so grateful that God has entrusted them to us.

I'm grateful that back in 1990, God introduced a boy from Indiana to a girl from Nebraska in the beautiful town of Colorado Springs. I may have been 16, but I knew at the end of two weeks, that Eric was a man that I should get to know. He loved God in a way that I hadn't seen in many young men. He was good looking, competitive, smart, and fun. My brothers will tell you I was born without a funny bone, but Eric managed to find it. As time passed, I loved the heart I was seeing. And on my 21st birthday he asked me to marry him. He's put up with me for almost 13 years, and I'm forever grateful that God put us together. Maybe that's why most of my books have a romantic thread :-)

God has blessed my dream beyond anything I could imagine. And as you read this I'm preparing ot send the sequel to Deadly Exposure to NYC; I'm opening the content edits for the first book in the Ohio World War Two series: A Promise Kept; and I've turned in all the edits to The Complete Idiots Guide to Business Law. It's been a crazy fall, but God is good. And next month I get to dream new proposal into being. What an exciting business!

CHRISTIMAS CARE BOXES FOR OUR MILITARY

We all know it’s better to give than receive, and what better way to show our thanks to the brave men and women in uniform deployed far from home than to send a Christmas Care Box.

Army Chaplain Kevin Peek hopes to receive gifts for 1,000 soldiers stationed in Iraq this holiday season. Want to help?

Go to your local Post Office and pick up an APO mailing box, which has a flat-rate shipping cost of $10.95. Fill the box with any of the items listed below. Attach a customs declaration, which you’ll also get at the PO, and list the items included, such as books, toiletries, Christmas ornaments.

Mail the Care Box to:

CH (CPT) Kevin Peek
HHC, 2-8 IN
Camp Echo
APO AE 09332

Some items Chaplain Kevin requested for the soldiers are:
Christmas decorations, lights, trees, tinsel, etc, with hooks if needed
Coffee, Q-tips, baby/wet wipes, chocolates, Starbursts, any type of candy, gum, magazines
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, bar/liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner
Shaving cream, razor blades (all types, they can trade for what they need)
Foot powder and creams, Gold Bond, athlete's foot, etc.
Cigarettes, Copenhagen smokeless tobacco, long and short cut
Granola bars, cookies, energy bars, etc., beef jerky, nuts
Puzzle books, suduko, logic, crossword, jumble, etc.
DVDs, video games, daily devotionals, posters, calendars (wall or daily comic ones, i.e. Farside)

Seal toiletries in plastic bags to keep them separate from food items.

There are 10 female soldiers who would like soaps, creams and lotions. If you send a box specifically for a female soldier, please label the outside accordingly.

THANK YOU!!!

This Thanksgiving, I give thanks for all of you and the help you’re able to provide to our military heroes! May the Lord keep you and them in His care.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com

Shield of Refuge Interview

Today we're welcoming Amber Scott, the heroine of Shield of Refuge, November 2008 release by Carol Steward. 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 have just recently taken over my grandmother's bakery and am turning it into an all-inclusive party store. I'm a party planner, cake decorator and shop owner of a party store for those who do like to coordinate their own parties.
I was delivering an anniversary cake to the restaurant for a customer. When I came out of the inn, I saw a police officer and woman arguing – and then he forced her into his car. I don't like cops anyway, so I was terrified to say anything at first. Then I was doubtful that he was really a policeman. I tried to follow them in my mini-van while I called 911 to verify it was a real officer. During the chase, I ran into a police SUV and flipped it over. Turned out, Garrett was driving.

2. So, during the book you met Garrett Matthews. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?
My first impression of Garrett was 'Thank God, he's alive.' I was surprised to find out that he had a sense of humor, even after I'd toppled him. It was impossible not to find him likeable, but since I don't like cops, I kept expecting him to cuff me and throw me in jail. It didn't help that at least a dozen officers were glaring at me and treating me as if I'd hit him deliberately. It didn't take long to realize that Garrett is extraordinary. He should have hated me for running into him. It jeopardized his chances for his dream job. It ruined his perfect record on the police force. I can list a dozen reasons why he should have, but he didn't. Garrett is the youngest in a long line of law enforcement officers. So he made it very clear that that wouldn't change, no matter how much he loved me or how much I wanted him to find another career. But being Garrett, he dealt with everything very directly. That's very reassuring to always know where we stand.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
I'm creative. I love to bake and plan celebrations. It was my escape from family problems as a teenager, and I found out God has blessed me with a skill that I can use to make others happy. My weakness is setting work hours, not letting it consume me.

4. What scares you?
The rise in crime scares me. It's so senseless. Even falling in love is frightening because I'm afraid of losing those I love. Giving your heart to someone takes courage. When I was a teen, my parents divorced, and that rocked my foundation. I'm learning the importance of relying on my faith in all aspects of my life, thanks to Garrett, and his family. I'm learning to love and let God mold us for one another and beginning to really listen to God's guidance.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To set aside time for myself and my relationship with God. I'm always on the run, and I tend to give God what is leftover instead of giving him my first priority and letting Him make time for the rest of life. Since I tend to be a little hyper, time gets away from me. I can't help but push to get a little more done. That gets old for those around me because I tend to push them, too.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?
Definitely a fledgling Christian. I wasn't raised as a believer. I took a lot of wrong turns during my late teens, and it took hitting bottom to listen to anyone else who suggested I might find peace with God. I resented it. Until I realized I was going to hit head-on with a life of misery. I went into it very skeptical that even God could help turn my life around.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?
I'm still learning. I know that being a Christian doesn't stop the ups and downs of life, but it's truly different with God. He never abandons us. It's not that I'm without fear of bad things happening, but I know that I won't be alone.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
This God, his way is perfect, the promise of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for those who take refuge in Him. 2 Samuel 22:31
God has our lives planned from the day we are conceived. He knows our every weakness and flaw, yet he loves us unconditionally and offers us salvation, just for loving Him in return. We weren't promised a perfect life. In fact, we're assured that we will be tested. We are born with the shield at our service, yet in order to use it, we must seek Him.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?
Eggnog Pie. It's the one pie that my grandmother only made for family occasions, so it was extremely special. It's also unique. I think all of us should feel unique and special. After all, God created us to be like no one else.

Yummy sounding dessert! Thank you Carol for sharing Amber with us. This book sounds like a perfect Holiday read.

Where I Work

Margaret's post inspired me. It was interesting to see what her office looked like. I loved the color and the flamingo! Here's my office. We moved into our home just over seven years ago. We're in the historic district of Scottsdale, AZ. Yes, there is a historic district. We're pretty amazed too. Our house is just over sixty years old. Here in AZ, that's old. See, we only became a state in 1912. We're the 48th state. In Boston, people own shoes that are sixty years old. They laughed when my neighborhood became historic, but I digress. We purchased the home seven years ago, and we're remodeling as we go. Hence, the dark, wood paneling on the walls of my office. My office started life as landscape. Yup, the house ended two rooms over. Then, about twelve years ago, the home's second owners turned it into a mother-in-law's room. This room is what sold the house to me (you should see the master bathroom TILE, THE BATH IS COMPLETELY MADE OF TILE. YUK! Needless to say, the master bathroom is why we had to come back three times before deciding to buy. I hated the bathroom that much - think burnt orange). I saw potential, though, in the mother-in-law's room. It would make a great office!

I have dark paneling on the walls. But, I've decorated those walls nicely with, like Margaret, framed covers, and also pictures of my family, a giant calendar, and books, books, and more books. I don't really have a theme unless you want to count Early Mess.


Two weeks ago my office was clean. I almost didn't take pictures this morning because my office is a mess. See, my husband bought me a new TV for my birthday (Oct 22). He's already set it up. He, of course, left the old telly on the floor. The new telly's box is also on the floor. All the DVDs and VHSs he moved are scattered on the flooor. My three-year-old's bean bag chair is in the middle of the floor. A fan my husband dragged in six months ago (when he tried to set the bathroom on fire) is still blocking my way. The lamp that didn't sell at the garage sale somehow wound up in here. And then, where did all this paper comes from.

Someday the paneling will be gone and I (my husband that is) will paint the room forest green. I have cat and book wallpaper border picked out (seven years ago it was on sale. Wonder if it still is?) I'm learning to get rid of books (look, I accidentally purchased two of Kathryn Springer's new one). And as for the exercise bikes you see, someday I will really use them.

Oh, and last weekend, I purchased an hourglass. Right now it's on the floor by my chair. I'm going to start using it every morning. I'm making a rule that I can't play on the Internet, blog, update my website, or play Solitaire, until after I've worked on my current manuscript.

So, what does your office look like?

Where I work

Someone asked me to take a picture of my office for an interview I was doing for them. Now that I'm home writing full-time, I spend most of my days in my office. I have hot pink walls with white accents. I have a desk, file cabinet and 5 big bookcases (overflowing with books). I also have a couch and a coffee table that looks like two huge books. My husband years ago when I started out selling framed each of my books and they are up on the walls around my office. In the warm weather when I'm working (my desk is next to a large window), I can look out on a garden we put in a few years ago in the front yard. We have a butterfly bush that attracts so many butterflies (and hummingbirds). It's so neat watching them.


The first picture is my desk with Flo sitting in my chair. Flo is a huge flamingo given to me by Cheryl Wyatt. Thank you again, Cheryl. My granddaughters love playing with her. But at the moment she is thinking about writing a book.

The second picture is a tree I leave up all year with my flamingo ornaments on it. There are a few others besides the flamingo ones that have special meaning to me. My lights on the tree are palm trees or flamingos.