Waiting for inspiration?

Hello, all. Dana Mentink here, astonished to report that it’s fall! Oh I know, maybe not officially, but my Japanese Maple is turning colors and most importantly, school has started. For an elementary teacher in a combination class that means a roster full of enthusiastic little ones and very long hours. Folks ask me how I manage to write books on top of the life hysteria. The answer is, I get up pretty darn early in the morning, say around 4ish. I’ve heard people say that they can’t write unless they’re feeling inspired. This amuses me. Inspiration for me is beside the point. My tushy is in the chair in the morning and I’m writing because that’s my job and my passion. Sooner or later (after the second cup of java, maybe) that inspiration will kick in and things are humming along nicely, but even if they aren’t, it’s tushy meets chair at that wee early time. I have this theory that we always make time to do the things we love to do (TV, Facebook, outings with friends) even when time is short. What do you think, friends? What passion do you have that you make time for regardless of the craziness in your weekly schedule? Do tell.

Secrets of the Secret Service

Terri Reed here and I'm watching this really interesting show on the Discovery Channel all about the Secret Service: the weapons, the technology and protecting the president.

So fascinating to hear how the Secret Service protected President Bush during 9/11. AirForce One became the White House. They were airborne for nine hours with two stop at top secret air force bases before returning to Washington DC.

During that time the president couldn't address the country because AirForce One wasn't set-up for it. Now it is.

In 1989, a gunman stood outside the White House gates and shot at a man in a suit that the assailant thought was President Clinton. The man got off 29 shots before being taking down by bystanders. I hadn't heard about this.

While President Truman was in office, an assignation attempt resulted in one

agents death.

I found this great website while I was researching my July release, The Innocent Witness.

Check it out http://www.funtrivia.com/en/World/US-Secret-Service-18594.html

Next up on the Discovery Channel is Secrets of SEAL Team 6. Perfect timing for one of the books I'm currently working on. I've got the DVR set up ready to record.

Though so sad on the heels of the tragic deaths of so many SEALS this week. My prayers are with the families of our fallen heros.

On Deadly Ground Interview

Today we're welcoming Rachel Patterson, the heroine of ON DEADLY GROUND, an August 2011 Love Inspired Suspense novel by Lauren Nichols.

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.

How did I get involved in this mess? Believe me, for a long time, I wondered the same thing. One moment, I was a young widow who owned a campground several miles outside the small town of Charity,Pennsylvania, and the next I was running for my life from my burning home. It took me a while to realize that the hooded figure I saw skulking around on my property one night wanted me dead!

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

Jake's the tall, ruggedly good looking Wildlife Conservation Officer who'd recently transferred to the area, and I was instantly attracted to him. I hadn't dated since my husband David passed away, and to be honest, I didn't want to feel anything but friendship for Jake. David and I had loved each other deeply, and I was plagued by feelings of disloyalty. I'm not sure when I realized it was love; it kind of crept up on me. But looking back, how could I not fall for him? He's as wonderful on the inside as he is on the outside--strong and confident, caring and protective, totally committed to family and his job. Now he even attends church.

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

That's a tough question. I guess I run my business pretty well, and according to Jake, I make a great cup of coffee. As for strengths, I think the only true strength I have is my faith in God who gives me courage when I need it, and helps me be the best daughter, friend--and now wife--that I'm able to be. As for weaknesses...I sometimes trust too easily, and that got me into trouble.

What scares you?

I didn't think anything could scare me other than losing someone I love--although friends seemed to think that I should be afraid to live alone in a wooded valley populated by coyotes, elk, bear and the occasional wildcat. Little did they know that I had less to fear from my four-legged neighbors than I did from a two-legged predator intent upon covering up a crime.

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

I wish I were more courageous.

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

My faith was strong. God and I had a great relationship.

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

The same place--trusting and believing in God, and ready to accept His plan for me. Happily, He decided that I should be with Jake for the rest of my life.

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

The scripture verse I chose is "The Lord is close to the broken hearted. He rescues those who are crushed in spirit." These lovely words applied to both Jake and me. When we first met, he'd just broken off his relationship with his unfaithful fiancée, and he was hurting. I was still missing David terribly. But thankfully, God brought the two of us together, and helped us heal.

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

What I do and where I live pretty much makes me the all-American, girl-next-door type. There's nothing complicated about me. I'd probably be an apple pie.

Do you know your treasure movies?

Dana Mentink here, with thoughts of treasure on my mind. This could be because I’ve just finished up the first book in a three book treasure seeker series for Harlequin. It got me to thinking about all the wonderful movies that have focused on the desire to find treasure. I thought it would be fun to wrestle up a little quiz. Here is a list of movies about treasure. Can you name the prize being sought after in each flick? Got your thinking caps on? Okay. Here goes.

Romancing the Stone
National Treasure
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Goonies
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear
Paint Your Wagon
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Dangerous Reunion Interview

Today we're welcoming Brock Gentry, the hero of Dangerous Reunion, by Sandra Robbins, releasing in July 2011.

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 thought I never would come back to Ocracoke Island when I left there six years ago because I had just broken my engagement with Kate Michaels who lived on the island, but now I find myself back. A few months ago I was working as a police detective in Nashville, Tennessee, when I received a phone call from a man who claimed to have evidence that would clear a man scheduled to be executed in a few weeks. I wasn’t familiar with the case because it had occurred before I came on the force, but I promised to meet with him the next day to listen to what he said. Before we could meet, I received a call that my father in California had been in an accident and wasn’t expected to live. I left a note for my partner and rushed to Los Angeles where I stayed for six weeks until my father was recovered. When I returned to Nashville, I found out there had been a series of mishaps, and the evidence never reached the proper authorities until after the man was executed. Later he was proven innocent. Harboring feelings of guilt over the man’s death, I came to Ocracoke to see if could find forgiveness from God for my failures and from Kate for hurting her six years ago. I never would have dreamed what events I would encounter there.

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

Kate and I met in college where we both majored in criminal justice and were on the track team. I loved her from the very beginning, but we had different ideas on where we wanted to go in life. I wanted to live in a city and work on a large police force. She wanted to live on Ocracoke Island, but I couldn’t see myself living on a speck of land twenty-five miles off the coast of North Carolina. Now six years later I’m back, and we met at a crime scene. She’s still just as beautiful as she was when we were in college.

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

I’m a good criminal investigator because I can think logically. I’m also loyal to my friends. I am working on overcoming my greatest weakness which is being more understanding of the feelings of others. That wasn’t always the case. When I was younger, I was cocky and thought I knew it all. I’ve come to see how wrong I was.

4. What scares you?

I want Kate back in my life, and it scares me to think she will never forgive me for what I did to her six years ago. I’m trying to show her I’ve changed, but I’m not sure she believes me yet. Even if she never does, I have vowed to keep her safe from a crazed killer who is stalking her.

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

I would work harder at relationships. I didn’t realize how important my father was to me until I almost lost him. It was the same with Kate. I’m beginning to see that the love you show other people helps define the type of person you are.

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

One of the things that Kate and I always disagreed on was faith. She is a strong woman of faith, but I never had much time for God. When my life fell apart, I wanted to come back to talk to Kate and see if she could help me find God on the island where she sees God’s handiwork everywhere.

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

Kate was right when she said I could find God on Ocracoke. God showed me He’d always been with me and was just waiting for me to accept Him. I’ll always be grateful to Kate for helping me to become a man of faith.

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

The scripture is Mark 11:25—And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

That scripture sums up the journey I take in Dangerous Reunion. Through faith in God, I learned to forgive myself for all the bad choices I’d made in my life and discovered that God didn’t hold any of my mistakes against me. Now I am able to incorporate that principle in my dealings with other people.

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

Just like apple pie is a traditional American dessert, I think I’m a typical American guy. I like sports and enjoy jogging every day. I love God and am content to spend time with my new family and friends. After all what’s more American than God, family, and apple pie.

Her Guardian Interview

Today we're welcoming JULIA, the heroine of HER GUARDIAN by Sharon Dunn due out in July 2011.

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.

When I was 13 I was kidnapped by the cult leader Elijah True. I escaped when I was 20. It’s been two years now and Elijah’s trial is one month away. Elijah is in jail, but the cult members are very loyal and will stop at nothing to make sure I don’t make it into that courtroom. My father has hired a bodyguard, Gavin Shane, and we will hide out in a safe place until the trial.

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

He wasn’t what I expected for a bodyguard. I mean he has the build of a bodyguard broad shoulders, lots of muscle, but he kind of looks like he just stepped off the beach with his sun bleached hair and tan. I guess he just moved back to Montana from Florida. Something happened in Florida that he doesn’t want to talk about.

Also, I don’t know how to describe it but since we have been together, it’s like my load is lighter, like he carries some of the burden of worry and always having to look over your shoulder.

I don’t know if he even notices me in a romantic sense. I missed out on a lot of things when I was held captive: learning to drive a car, graduation, prom and dating. I’m twenty two years old and I have never been on a date. Honestly, I am kind of clumsy when it comes to making small talk with a man. I don’t know how to read the signals of attraction. I do think there is something between us, something more than a professional relationship.

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

Gavin says that he has been impressed with my ability to think on my feet and my survival instinct. I suppose that is true. All those years in the cult, I learned how to stay alive.

My greatest weakness is that I am tired of being confined. All those years in the cult being watched closely, then two years of staying in my father’s house and now this final month in a safe house. Now that the end is in sight, I guess I am restless. It’s like I have gone from one prison to another. I want to feel the sun on my face and go for a walk by myself. It would be heaven just to do something ordinary like sit in a coffee shop and read a book.

4. What scares you?

Elijah’s favorite form of punishment when I tried to escape or questioned his crazy beliefs was confinement. He pushed me into the crawlspace and slid the bolt. It was dark and there was a dirt floor. I could hear the mice moving around in the walls. Small spaces are hard for me, the sound of a door locking or a bolt sliding makes me cringe.

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

Actually, I have made a change recently that is kind of wild. I have this long blond hair. I’m really easy to spot at a distance because of that. Gavin thought it would be a good idea if I cut my hair and dyed it red for my safety. One of the reasons Elijah took me was he said the blond hair made me look like an angel. Something about changing my hair has been really cathartic, like I’m letting go of that old identity of the kidnapped girl and stepping into the new me, the me God intended before all of this happened.

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

My father brought me up with a strong faith and it’s what sustained me during my captivity. I saw the way Elijah distorted scripture and borrowed from other religions to suit his needs. And all those times I was locked into a small space, I prayed. Jesus was in there with me. I am not saying it was easy, but what Elijah intended to use to break my will I used to increase my faith.

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

So much was taken from me because of the captivity, just those ordinary things that everyone takes for granted. I will say that God truly can restore what the locusts have eaten. But the way he restores is always a surprise.

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

Guess I kind of hinted at that verse in the previous question. Joel 2:25 is the verse about how God restores. I think for anyone who has suffered loss or felt cheated by life in some way that is a good verse to cling to. But you can’t force God’s hand and dictate to him what you want the restoration to look like.

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

My life has been so complicated, so out of the ordinary. What I

Really long for is normal. So I don’t think I would want to be a fancy dessert. I think I would like to be an ordinary dessert like an oatmeal or chocolate chip cookie.

Dead Reckoning Interview

Today we're welcoming Ginny McCutcheon, the heroine of Dead Reckoning by Rachelle McCalla, July 2011.

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.

As an acrobatic flier, I’m used to living life on the edge and risking my life every time I climb into the cockpit. But lately, I’ve been in more danger than usual. I’ve been shot at—twice. My plane engine was tinkered with. One of my friends was horribly injured when she was flying my plane. If I didn’t know better, I’d think someone was trying to kill me.

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

Okay, don’t tell anybody this, but Ben McAlister has always been my hero. Not only is he an Air Force veteran who’s bravely flown many missions, but he’s also a super-swell guy. I even ‘borrowed’ his last name for my flying moniker—which nobody is supposed to know about, which is why I’m doubly upset that Ben figured out that Ginger McAlister is really just little old me, Ginny McCutcheon from down the road.

Love? Who said anything about love? Look Girlfriend, I’ve got a lot of planes to fly before I settle down with anybody.

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

I’m just about the best stunt pilot with two wings—or I was, before all these attempts on my life started giving me panic attacks. Just don’t tell anyone about the panic attacks, okay? I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m not fit to fly any more.

4. What scares you?

You mean, besides the constant threat of death around every turn? Ben McAlister scares me. Somehow, he managed to convince me to come back to Holyoake, Iowa. If he has that much influence over me, well, I don’t dare spend any more time around him than I have to.

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

Nine years ago, when my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I was supposed to help take care of him. I tried. Really I did. But I couldn’t handle watching him get weaker and weaker. As soon as I graduated from high school, I ran off and joined the Dare Divas Stunt Flying Troupe. And I’ve been running ever since.

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

I’m mad at God, because I prayed and prayed that God would cure my father’s cancer. Sure, Dad beat cancer twice, but it kept coming back, and he died. What did I do wrong? Was my faith not strong enough? I just can’t trust God since he took my dad away.

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

After everything I’ve been through and the way god has answered my prayers, I’ve realized that God really does love me. He really does care. Yes, my dad died and bad things happen, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us.

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

Matthew 18:12-14

What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

When I had wandered away from my faith, God sent Ben to come and find me. He brought me home to Holyoake and helped me realize how much God loves me. Along the way, I fell in love with Ben, too. Isn’t it amazing how God works sometimes?

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

I’d be red velvet cake. With my bright red hair and stunt flying career, I might look a little different from other girls, but at the heart I’m really just like any other cake.

Virtual Book Tour

Hi, Terri Reed here and I'm doing something I've never done before. A Virtual Book Tour. Below are the dates and the name of the blogs I'll be visiting. If you have a moment to stop by I would so appreciate it. I'll be giving away a $25 Visa gift card to one randomly drawn commenter.

Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!

7/5/2011: Book Junkie http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com

7/6/2011: Hope. Dreams. Life... Love http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com

7/7/2011: A Chick Who Reads http://achickwhoreads.blogspot.com

7/8/2011: Me, My Muse, and I http://jennifershirk.blogspot.com

7/11/2011: Lisa Haselton Reviews and Interviews http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com

7/12/2011: Marianne Arkins http://www.reading-writing.blogspot.com

7/13/2011: Black Velvet Seductions Reader's Blog http://www.blackvelvetseductions.com/readers_blog

7/14/2011: Ryshia Kennie's - Once Upon A Time...http://ryshia.blogspot.com

7/15/2011: Theresa Stillwagon http://tstillwagon.wordpress.com

7/18/2011: The Cottage Bookshelf http://thecottagebookshelf.blogspot.com

The Innocent Witness Interview

Today we're welcoming, Vivian Leigh Grant from THE INNOCENT WITNESS by Terri Reed a July 2011 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’m the wife of a senator who has

recently declared his intent to run for the presidency. I have one child whom I love dearly and would move heaven and earth to protect, which is what set my son, Mikey, and me on the run for our lives. I found my estranged husband murdered and my son was the only witness to the crime. Now the killer wants us both dead.

2. So, during the book you met Anthony Car

lucci. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Anthony is a ex-Secret Service agent turned bodyguard hired by my father to protect Mikey

and me. I have to be honest and

say I didn’t think too much of Anthony at first. I thought he’d led the bad guys to us and I doubted his skill to keep us alive. But he risked his life over and over again to protect us both and somewhere along the way I realized I’d fa

llen in love with my bodyguard. I really had n

o intention of ever going down that path again, but God had o

ther plans when he brought Anthony into my life.

2. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? My strength and my weakness is my love for my son

4. What scares you? The thought of anything h

appening to Mikey.

5. If you could change one thing

about yourself, what would it be?

I would be bolder. I allowed too many people to dictate my life.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I’ve had to rely on my strength to help me with my lovel

ess marriage and with my son’s autism. Without God’s mercy and grace I don’t think I could have coped.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? When all was said and done, my faith was stronger because I had to really trust in the Lord in a way I’ve never had to before. I had to give up any semblance of control and put all my faith in God.

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

Psalms 46:1 reminds me that no matter what this world throws at me, God is my refuge and my strength.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I would be Crème Brule. The outside is hard and pretty b

ut inside is a soft center that is very pleasing.

Look for more interesting facts about The Innocent Witness

Are we getting a little soft?

Did you ever get the feeling that we’re getting a little lazy as a society? Hi, all. Dana Mentink here. I recently thumbed through a catalogue and two products caught my eye. The first is a little device that stirs your pot for you with these magical little feet. Handy no? We all know how exhausting stirring that pot of marinara can be. The other item is a nifty underwear type garment which heats up so you can give your buns a sauna treatment without leaving your home. No joke. Apparently these Sauna Pants will induce sweating and hence, weight loss, around those pesky problem areas.

Perhaps these items struck me particularly, because I’ve been researching the California gold rush era. People risked illness, accident and all manner of catastrophe getting to the gold fields via perilous routes through Panama, around Cape Horn or via treacherous overland trails. Many arrived to find horrendous living conditions in mining camps, discrimination, back breaking labor and lawlessness before they found so much as a flake of gold. A hard life, with no guarantee of survival, let alone profit. These pioneers stirred their own pots and lost weight the old fashioned way. I’m going to remember these rugged ancestors next time I spill my latte or complain that my computer is too slow. Just put on your big girl sauna pants and deal with it, Dana!

Behind the Badge Interview

Today we're welcoming RUSS MORGAN, the hero of BEHIND THE BADGE, SUSAN SLEEMAN, JUNE- 2011. 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 was just minding my own business on my way home from a really long day as the police chief for Logan Lake, Oregon when a call comes over the radio of shots fired just down the road from me. I was tired and little bit cranky if you want to know the truth, but I figured I should stop and see what was going on. Then I find rookie Deputy Sydney Tucker pinned down by a killer and she’s left her weapon in the car. In the car for crying out loud. What a rookie mistake. I had to rescue her and don’t you know when I saw her I started remembering how much I was attracted to her in high school. So when this killer keeps coming after her, I have to keep her in my sight so she doesn’t pull another rookie mistake and get herself killed.

2. So, during the book you met SYDNEY TUCKER. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love? Like I said above, I knew Sydney back in high school. She as a real beauty and when she asked me out back then, I wanted to agree to a date, but she was four years younger than me and it just wouldn’t have been right. So when I spotted her again that night, banged up, but still looking at me with eyes a man can’t ever forget, I remembered all the reasons I was once attracted to her. It took me a long time to know I was in love with her. I had some issues in life to work out before I could really even think about loving her. Then the killer decides to abduct her and as you can probably guess, I figured out how I felt about her real fast.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? I’m a great police officer. I don’t panic and can think logically even in tough times. I’ll go to the ends of the earth to do my job and uphold the law. I don’t like to talk about weaknesses. That’s kind of a girlie thing to do, but if you must know, I had a time in my past when I drank too much and though it’s in my past, I still have to watch myself.

4. What scares you? Well, if you’d asked me that before I met Sydney, who convinced me I needed to find my way back into my son’s life, I’d have said it sacred me to think my son would never forgive me for letting alcohol get the best of me and become the kind of father I detest. Now though, we’re back together and I guess with my future bride being a sheriff’s deputy, I’m afraid someone might take her out. Of course, I keep teaching her everything I know about being in law enforcement so that should help her stay safe.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Man, I don’t know. Another girlie question if you ask me. But maybe what Sydney says is true. That I always have to be right and she claims I’m not. Maybe I could work on that.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? Good question. It was there, but you know, I kinda let it slip. Not praying or going to church as often as I should.

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

Well, you see, I had to come face-to-face with one of my worst fears. I had to decide between keeping the job that was my whole life and a relationship with Sydney. How do you make a decision like that? I mean, really, how? I couldn’t so I needed to ask God for a little help. Okay, I really had to surrender everything and let him take control of things. You know what? It wasn’t so bad. I mean, it was actually kind of liberating. I didn’t have to worry or keep questioning my life. I could just let go and know God works all things for good if you love Him. Hope other people figured that one out a lot easier than I did.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. I kinda mentioned that one above, but it’s such a good verse, I’ll give you the whole thing here. Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I can now look at bad things and know God’s gonna work it out. I may not like how He does it, but I know it’s for my good. Makes bad things easier to take. You know what I mean?

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I thought you wanted a man’s perspective on things here. Comparing myself to a dessert is like asking me what kind of purse I want to carry so I’m gonna just skip this one if you don’t mind.

Birthdays-How do you celebrate?

Terri Reed here and yesterday was my birthday. My husband and I went away for the weekend to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary, which was May 28th-we've been married 23 years. We didn't travel far, just up the mountain to Hood River where we stayed at the beautiful, historic Hood River Hotel. It was 1st Friday, which means the town was hopping as all the stores stayed open late and venders and musicians lined the street. We had a wonderful dinner at a Japanese Restaurant and then walked around town. Saturday we went for a hike along Eagle Creek trail. Saw spectacular views, waterfalls and flora. It was as rare sunny day here in Oregon.

Then we danced the night away at a friends party. It was a beautiful weekend. And yesterday my family took me to PF Chang's for dinner.

How do you celebrate your birthday?

Coming in July the first book in my new series, The Innocent Witness.

Protecting Her Own Interview

Today we're welcoming Cara Madison, the heroine of Protecting Her Own by Margaret Daley, June 2011.

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 am a bodyguard with Guardians, Inc. I have recently returned from an assignment in Africa and have come back to my hometown to help my father recover from having a stroke. But someone isn't happy with my father and has sent him a bomb for his birthday.

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

Connor was my high school boyfriend, but it didn't work out for us. We wanted different things in life so we parted. He was back visiting his grandfather when the bomb went off at my dad's house. Since Connor worked for the state police, he was brought into the case and into my life again.

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

I know how to protect people very well, but I hold myself apart from others. I'm afraid to get too close to others or give control over to the Lord.

4. What scares you?

Losing control.

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

I wish I hadn't spent so much of my time trying to prove myself to my father.

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

My faith has been strong but after the incident in Africa, leaving a woman dead, I have been questioning my beliefs.

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

Without the Lord, I don't know if I would have made it through the attempt on my life. It was His strength I drew on.

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

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

I had to learn to lean on God in a time of trouble. I can't do everything. Sometimes I have to depend on the Lord.

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

French silk pie--or anything else with chocolate in it.