“Facing the Enemy” by DiAnn Mills … and a GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to Friday Reads!

 

You can enter to win a print copy of Facing the Enemy 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 September 15, 2023.) Share on XIf you’re the chosen winner, I’ll contact you for your information to pass along.

 

About the Book…

 

For the past five years, FBI Special Agent Risa Jacobs has worked in the violent crimes against children division of the Houston FBI. She’s never had reason to believe there’s a target on her back . . . until now.

When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly.

Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger.

For fans of romantic suspense comes a heart-pounding thriller about loss, betrayal, and finding the strength to trust again.

 

 

Strategies for Writing Romantic Suspense

by DiAnn Mills

Romantic suspense is a blend of heart-pounding uncertainty that includes the hero and heroine striving to end a crime and kindle a romance. Both elements work against the characters yet play equal roles in the plot. Creating a balanced storyline calls for well-developed characters who are thoroughly researched in every aspect of who they are, what they do, their skills, strengths, and challenges.

Whew! Does that sound difficult? The process can be challenging unless the writer is determined to walk the same path as the hero and heroine—literally and figuratively. 

The following ten strategies provide the foundation for the story, and the secret is knowing the characters, their problems, and their own runaway emotions.

1. Create a beginning that snatches the reader’s breath with incredible excitement.
 Make every word punch the story (and reader).
 Go lean on description.
 Be clear and concise.
 Choose emotive conflict to draw in the reader.

2. Develop three-dimensional characters who have a unique inner and outer landscape.
 The hero and heroine are equally skilled and equipped to complement each
other.
 The hero and heroine are ready to do whatever it takes to solve a crime or
prevent it from happening.
 Keep the hero and heroine together. Romance develops from attraction,
admiration, and respect for the other.
 The villain is highly intelligent and powerful, with the skills to overcome the hero
and heroine.

3. The pacing likens to a dripping faucet or a ticking clock—imagine snapping your fingers to a fast rhythm.
 Ensure every sentence contains emotive conflict.
 Mix short and long sentences to vary the mood.

4. Don’t make the work of solving the crime easy.
 Use red herrings with a strong motive.
 Build the suspense of finding a clue then work for the next and the next.
 Have the hero and heroine disagree and have it affect their romance.

5. Weave in strong and believable emotions for the romance and the goal of ending the crime.

 The hero and heroine realize their feelings for each other could put the other in
danger.
 The hero and heroine discover their feelings are a risk to ending the crime.
 The hero and heroine take risks.

6. Tighten the plot in the middle by tossing in a wrench that changes everything.
 This technique keeps the reader turning pages and puts a halt to the reader who
skims to the climax and conclusion.
 This technique ensures unpredictable and unexpected action.

7. The climax threatens everything the hero and heroine believe and support: their lives, their love, and their commitment to stop the villain.
 The hero and heroine are backed into a corner with no way out.
 The hero and heroine must use what they’ve learned since the beginning of the
story.
 The goal or problem must be solved realistically.

8. Tie up all loose threads at the conclusion.
 Don’t leave any loose threads that pertain to the story.
 The hero and heroine pledge their love.
 Write a satisfactory ending.

9. Write, edit, rewrite, repeat.
 No shortcuts. Do the work.
 Enlist beta readers.
 Keep learning about the craft.

10. Read romantic suspense.
 Read.
 Read.
 Read.

Writing romantic suspense is like juggling balls. The suspense and the romance are both vital to the success of the story. If this is your genre to write, develop and implement your strategy!

 

Q&A with DiAnn…

 

Q:  Where did you come up with the idea for the plot of Facing the Enemy?
A:  We lost one of our sons in July 2021 in a pedestrian accident. At that time, I journaled my grief and sorrow. Soon after, I needed to start this book and chose to have the heroine experience the same type of loss. Writing the emotions was raw and healing. The rest of the story emerged from my imagination!

 

Q: So sorry for your loss. I’m glad you saw a way that God wanted to use it for His purpose. Can you tell us about some of the research that went into writing about FBI operations?
A:  In 2012, I took the FBI Citizens Academy classes. Those sessions and the continuing of workshops and experiences help me create authenticity. I also have a go-to agent in Washington, DC, who answers my questions.

 

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:  Grief—what the heroine experiences in the loss of her brother

Sacrifice—two areas here: the heroine watches her brother sacrifice his life for her, and she sacrifices her career to keep others safe

Unconditional love—the heroine experiences unconditional love from her brother, the man who loved her, and God

Determination—the heroine is determined to find who killed her brother no matter the cost

Passion—showing how the heroine would do anything to prevent child abuse

 

Q: This novel dives into the topic of loss; how does the main character, Risa, cope with grief?
A:  Risa copes with grief in ways that are healthy and some ways that are not healthy. While she knows time should heal, there are occasions when she shuts down and tries to ignore the raw emotions. My goal is for readers to see grief has to be faced—facing the enemy—and the path needs God’s love and guidance.

 

Q: How does faith play a role in the story?
A:  Risa struggles with her faith when her brother is killed. She desperately needs someone to blame, and that becomes God and herself. In her darkest moments, she realizes we all choose our behavior: the good guys and the bad guys. Risa is a perfectionist, but we don’t live in a perfect world. That’s why God is our rock and shield.

 

Q:  Amen! What inspired the personality traits of your main character, Risa?
A:  She’s independent, a perfectionist, intelligent, imaginative, realistic, creative, and capable of deep love for children and others. But she blames herself and God for her brother’s untimely death. I wanted a heroine who is stubbornly open to grow and change into a better person.

 

Q:  What was your favorite scene to write in Facing the Enemy?
A:  Favorite scene . . . I’d say when she loses her temper with a young man who is a suspect. Then realizes what she’s done.

 

Q:  What was the most challenging scene to write in the book?
A:  The beginning when Risa’s brother is killed.

 

Q: Which minor character is your favorite?
A: Carson. He tries so hard to be a good son and step forward to do the right thing.

 

Q:  How is this book similar and different from your many award-winning books?
A:  I hope this book is different with unique characters and plot. But my books always show the power of redemption, whether the characters choose to accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross or live life their own way. Another similarity is to show at least one character who lives life and solves his or her problems from a Christian worldview. Note the key word is show.

 

Thanks for being here, DiAnn. I’m sure readers will enjoy learning more about you and the “story behind the story.”

 

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. Connect with DiAnn at diannmills.com.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Rules for giveaway can be found here.