Welcome to Friday Reads!
You can enter to win a print copy of Concrete Evidence by DiAnn Mills, courtesy of the publisher. (US ONLY!) You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends October 14, 2022.) Share on X If you’re the chosen winner, I’ll contact you for your information to pass along.
About the book…
On the family’s Brazos River Ranch in Texas, Avery Elliott helps run her grandfather’s commercial construction business. Raised by Senator Elliott, Avery has never doubted her grandfather is the man of integrity and faith she’s always believed him to be . . . until the day she finds him standing with a gun over the body of a dead man. To make matters worse, Avery’s just discovered a billing discrepancy for materials supposedly purchased for construction of the Lago de Cobre Dam.
Desperate for answers, Avery contacts FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins for help. As Marc works to identify the dead man Avery saw, threats toward Avery create a fresh sense of urgency to pinpoint why someone wants to silence her. With a hurricane approaching the Texas coast and the structural integrity of the Lago de Cobre Dam called into question, time is running out to get to the bottom of a sinister plot that could be endangering the lives of not only Avery and her loved ones but the entire community.
7 Things You Didn’t Know about Hurricane Season in Texas
By: DiAnn MIlls
I’ve been a Houston, Texas, resident for over forty years, and I’ve experienced tropical storms and hurricanes. A hurricane may begin as a simple tropical disturbance or depression over warm water. But if conditions are right, those can increase in strength and become a tropical storm and in worst case a hurricane. Hurricanes can rotate and build up tremendous winds with a 1-5 rating scale. A minimum of 74 miles per hour for a category 1 hurricane to anything over 156 miles per hour being classified a category 5. No one wants to get caught in those kinds of winds.
Texas hurricanes have a few distinctions.
1. Texas hurricane season begins in June and lasts through November. The worst months are August through October. This is when the Gulf water is most warm, increasing the likelihood of a tropical storm. Texas ranks second as the state most likely to be impacted by a hurricane.
2. Texas hurricanes hit the coast on an average of three storms every fourteen years.
3. Hurricane Harvey in 2015 holds the distinction of the most devastating storm in history, with an estimate of 125 billion dollars in damages and 68 deaths. I live in northwest Houston and did not have to evacuate during Harvey, but two streets over, people were rescued in boats.
4. Galveston and Houston are hit the most during tropical storms and hurricanes.
5. The deadliest hurricane to ever hit Texas occurred in 1900 when a category 4 hit Galveston. The storm killed an estimate of 6,000 to 12,000 people with winds of 135 miles per hour. The Great Galveston Hurricane is the worst in American history.
6. The high winds cause tremendous damage, but the worst problem is massive flooding.
7. Smart Texans in the path of hurricanes prepare in advance. They know evacuation routes/sites, have to-go bags ready, stock up on food and water, consider a generator, keep trees trimmed, ensure a family communication plan should members be separated from each other, and volunteer through church and community centers to help others.
Here’s a bonus for hurricane enthusiasts: the dirty side of a hurricane occurs on the right side of the storm’s “eye” due to its rotation. In the forty years of living in Houston, I haven’t experienced the dirty side where storm surge, high winds, and tornadoes are more likely occur, but we remain prepared as there’s always a tomorrow.
Q&A with DiAnn…
Q: Where did you come up with the idea for the plot of Concrete Evidence?
A: Two concepts:
1. Exploring two people who face the reality of abandonment issues, deal with betrayal, yet find love in their struggle to align faith and life.
2. A concern for our country’s infrastructure, especially dams, and the destruction of lives and property in the event of a breach. What characterized a person who had the most to lose if a dam broke and had
the most to gain by uncovering a plot to breach the structure.
Q: Can you tell us about some of the research that went into writing about situations in Concrete Evidence?
A: The intense research was in dam construction: Texas and federal regulations, the types of dams, building materials, periodic testing, and the warning signs that a dam hasn’t been constructed correctly or a problem exists.
Q: Tell us about some of the core themes you discuss in this novel. How can your readers relate to these areas in their own lives?
A: Unconditional love. Parental abuse. Betrayal. Lies. Grandparents raising grandchildren. Genetic diseases. All of us have been betrayed by someone we love or trust. The resulting stinging emotions can help us grow and become better people, but first we must deal with the pain in a healthy manner.
Grandparents raising grandchildren results when a parent isn’t willing or able to nurture and care for a child/children. The question of why ushers in a range of emotions for the parent or grandparent.
Q: Your novels often have connections to Texas and Houston, in particular, where you live. What do you enjoy most in writing about Texas and Texans?
A: I can visit the settings for credibility and use accurate sensory perception to root the reader into the adventure. The weather, language, food, and other Houston-area Gulf Coast culture makes it easier for the reader to enjoy the experience.
Q: How does faith play a role in the story?
A: The heroine is a believer, but the circumstances of her grandfather, also a believer, involved with horrendous crimes shakes her relationship with God. Faith means trusting in a God who is sovereign and loves us unconditionally.
Q: What inspired the personality traits of your main characters, Avery Elliott and Marc Wilkins?
A: Avery needed to be smart, independent, and understand dam construction as well as ranch life. This meant she could create a dam proposal and run a ranch without the advice of others. Her one weakness is her love for her grandfather. Marc grew up in a single parent home without the advantage of a caring father. When Marc reaches adulthood and serves others through a career as an FBI special agent, his estranged father dies. While Marc chose to follow Christ as a young teen, he couldn’t forgive his father. Investigating his father’s death at the request of his mother stretches his training and his emotions.
Q: What was your favorite scene to write in Concrete Evidence?
A: My favorite scene to write was the climax, but it was also the most challenging. I wanted to show the horrific devastation caused by fast flooding water and the helplessness in attempting to control it. Woven in this black moment was Avery’s sacrifice to risk her life to not only help Marc but a man who had committed atrocious crimes.8. What was the most challenging scene to write in the book?
Also the climax. I envisioned the rising water and the antagonist’s refusal to adhere to
the warnings. My goal focused on intense emotions that tested the hero and heroine.
Q: What are you most excited for your readers to experience through reading this novel?
A: The power of unconditional love when faced with betrayal. How do we survive?
Q: Can you tell us about some future projects you’re working on?
A: I’m currently writing a story about a woman whose brother sacrifices his life for her in a pedestrian hit-and-run, meant for her. She is an FBI special agent who works in the violent crime against children division. The grief and guilt shatter her emotions. Her family and loved ones are threatened if she doesn’t resign from the FBI. That includes her parents and the man she loves. The story shows the emotional depths of grief and love while moving forward to find out who killed her brother.
About DiAnn…
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her FBI: Houston series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014. Connect with DiAnn at diannmills.com
Rules for giveaway can be found here.
This book sounds so interesting. I find it fascinating that it weaves dam construction, faith, hurricane and family dynamics into a story about love and forgiveness.
I agree. Her books are always so good! Good luck, Vickie!
I have family in Houston and was going to move there but I just couldn’t deal with the hurricanes so I ended up in Tenn!
Sounds like a good decision. I think I’d stick with TN, as well. Good luck, Cheri!
I have never personally experienced a hurricane, but I’ve been watching footage of Ian hitting Fort Myers because I spend my winters there. The devastation is simply unimaginable and heartbreaking. This book sounds very engaging and I’m definitely going to read it (even if I don’t win!)
Yes, I’ve seen the footage of Ian, and others, and it’s so heartbreaking to watch. Good luck, Candice!
I was in Florida during hurricane Andrew in 1992. I remember the wind and rain being very loud.
That must have been quite scary. Glad you were okay. Good luck, Susanne.
I personally have never experienced a hurricane, but I have been through a tornado.
Those are quite scary, as well! Glad you are okay. Good luck, Danielle.
I enjoy her books! Have a great weekend!
Good luck, Cindy! Thanks.
I hope you have a great weekend, too.
Yes we went through Superstorm Sandy and lost electricity for 3 days.
I’m sorry you had to go through that, Maryann, but I’m glad you’re okay. Good luck!
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That’s good.
Good luck!
I have never experienced a hurricane.
I’m happy to hear that! Good luck, Roxanne.