When cybercriminals hack into the US Marshals’ Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses’ personal details to the highest bidders, the RED Team led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness’s help, as she’s the person who has come closest to discovering Phantom’s identity.
Trouble is, she’s a witness under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and will kill her, so to stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must work through their personal pain and learn to trust each other. . . . The seconds are ticking down before someone dies.
It’s October, 1962. Life is simple. The world makes sense, and all families are happy. When they aren’t, everyone knows you’re supposed to pretend. With their family about to collapse, Colt Harrison and his little brother, Timmy, hatch a plan. They’ll run away from their Florida home, head for their aunt’s house in Savannah and refuse to come home until their parents get back together. But things go terribly, terribly wrong.
Colt’s parents must come to grips with years of mistrust and fight for their son’s return…and to mend their broken marriage. In this emotional story, Dan Walsh takes readers on a suspense-filled journey to rediscover the things that matter most in life.
My first dip into the publication pool occurred in 2004 as a non-fiction writer. Devotionals, short articles, and contributions to anthologies followed in rapid succession. This soon gave way to a series of rejections. What??? My research yielded an answer: I needed to use some fiction techniques like dialogue, questions, and storytelling to catch the editors’ and readers’ attention.
As my acceptance rate increased, the thought of writing a book rolled around my mind. I shared the idea with my husband, and we prayed the Lord would direct me.
Around Christmas, my husband had a job near Gettysburg. Our supplier suggested I go along to see the seasonal decorations. As we stood in the historic town square, the combination of old and new melded together. I heard in my spirit the voices of the forefathers as fading echoes.
I shared the experience with my husband. When we arrived home, all efforts to write a poem, non-fiction article, or devotional failed to capture the essence of that moment. I tucked it away, and we sought the Lord for an answer.
On a steamy August day in 2005, we were discussing “the Gettysburg experience,” when my husband made a surprising declaration. “That’s it! That’s your book, and you’ll call it Ghosts of the Past and write it in four months.”
I was sure he’d lost his mind. The more I mulled over his words, the stronger they captivated me. Soon after, I sat down at the computer and started typing. In exactly four months, I had a 55,000-word manuscript.
The fairytale version would be immediate publication, but it took eight years to bring the manuscript to publishable quality. In early 2006, my husband was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. My work on the book, now called The Moses Conspiracy, came to a grinding halt as I cared for him.
After he passed away, the last thing I wanted to do was write. As the grief abated, I remembered how much he encouraged me and jumped back into the project. The Moses Conspiracy is dedicated to his memory.
The journey to publication is often long, requiring patience and persistence. Two more books followed the first one, as well as a Christmas novella. My fifth book is currently in the works.
If you’re walking down this road, don’t get discouraged. Learn your craft and produce a quality story for your readers. Someday, I’ll be reading about your debut novel. Happy writing!
A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.
Kara writes layered suspense thrillers and is an ACFW Genesis 2013 Finalist in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category.
She’ll also continue to keep you updated on some of the best reads in Christian fiction suspense.
To contact Kara, email her at fictionwithfaith@gmail.com or by clicking the below link:
Good morning suspense fans and welcome to today’s Book Showcase!!! Our suspense feature for the month of October isThe Moses Conspiracy by suspense novelistSusan J. Reinhardt.
In 2025, two seemingly unconnected events set a diabolical plan in motion. Ellie and John Zimmerman find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening investigation, fighting a shadowy enemy.
Several years after a terrorist attack on Washington, D.C., Ellie and her son, Peter, go on a field trip to the nation’s capital. Her greatest fear is realized when they become separated. Back home, John witnesses a buggy accident with unusual circumstances.
Caught between strained family relationships and ominous warnings from a faceless enemy, the couple rely on God for wisdom and protection. When the true nature of a past tragedy is revealed, will they survive the heartache it brings?
The Moses Conspiracy, as well as other books by Susan J. Reinhardt, are also available in print.
Susan J. Reinhardt began her journey as a non-fiction writer. After numerous devotionals, short articles, and several contributions to anthologies were published, she switched gears and entered the world of fiction. The Moses Conspiracy is the first book in The Moses Trilogy.
A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.
You can find out more about Susan J. Reinhardt and The Moses Trilogies by connecting with her via:
Good morning suspense fans! If there has ever been a book on the new release list to look out for this month it is the Christian mystery novel,Creviceby suspense novelistJanice Boekhoff. It released just a few days on Aug. 23rd. If you love romance, suspense and intrigue, this is the book for you. Order your copy now for only$2.99!
Desperate to save her family’s gold mine, Elery Hearst gives an order that results in the tragic death of one of her men. But before she can come to terms with the guilt consuming her, her brother disappears. To find him, she must find the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine. And the one person who can help, Lucan Milner, has every reason to want her to fail; he’s the twin brother of the miner who died. He holds the secret to finding Elery’s brother, but sharing them with her not only rips open his grief-stricken heart, it puts both of them in the path of a killer.
Janice Boekhoff is a former Research Geologist who pours her love of science and the outdoors into her suspense novels. She is a three-time finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest. She writes from Iowa, where she lives with her amazing husband and three feisty kids.
To contact Janice or to find out more about upcoming books in the Earth Hunters Series, click on one of the below links:
July 8th’s suspense post showcased the Christian romantic thriller novel, Crevice, by suspense author, Janice Boekhoff.
And now, here’s the story behind the story.
Since childhood, I’ve been hooked on Indiana Jones movies. I would binge watch them with my family on the weekends. For many years, I wanted to be an archaeologist myself. But that dream fell away when I realized most archaeologists classify clay pot shards for a living. Even so, I’ve never lost my love of history and the desire for a great treasure hunt.
A few years ago, I was watching a TV show that had a segment on the Lost Dutchman gold mine located somewhere in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. The myriad of legends reached out with their tantalizing clues and drew me in. Which ones were real? Which were fantasy?
Only Jacob Waltz—the Dutchman—knew for sure, and he was long dead.
For over a century, treasure hunters have tried to find the mine by understanding the Dutchman himself. Not much is known about Jacob Waltz, who wasn’t even Dutch, but German. His early life is shadowed in mystery. But by the 1860s, he had settled into a humble existence as a farmer near the Salt River (modern day Phoenix, AZ), and yet he died with a box of rich gold ore under his bed.
Where did he get access to such wealth, and why didn’t he flaunt it?
In Crevice, I had such fun coming up with a creative explanation for the enigma of Waltz’s life, but the truth remains a mystery. Sadly, the details of the lonely Dutchman’s life, and whatever mine he might have discovered, died with him in 1891.
The lost mine remains lost.
Even so, Dutch Hunters continue to scour the desert mountains, looking for the treasure. It’s a dangerous obsession. Over two hundred people have died or disappeared while searching. Why do they do it? Because they believe the Dutchman’s gold is still out there, waiting to be discovered.
That kind of obsession (and my own obsession with rocks) inspired me to write a modern day treasure hunt, but Elery Hearst doesn’t care about the gold. She only wants to find her missing brother. And along the way, she finds so much more.
Perhaps, the Dutchman’s gold isn’t all legend. Maybe a rich mine really is out there … waiting. If you happen to stumble across it, feel free to send a few chunks of gold ore my way.
Janice Boekhoff is a former Research Geologist who pours her love of science and the outdoors into her suspense novels. She is a three-time finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest. She writes from Iowa, where she lives with her amazing husband and three feisty kids.
To contact Janice or to find out more about upcoming books in the Earth Hunters Series, click on one of the below links:
Good morning suspense fans and welcome to today’s Book Showcase!!! This month you’re in for a special treat. Our suspense feature for the month of July will be a sneak-peak of Christian mystery novel, Crevice by suspense novelist Janice Boekhoff. This book is close to my heart for many reasons and after you’ve read it, it’ll be close to yours too. Save and pre-order your copy now for only $2.99!
Desperate to save her family’s gold mine, Elery Hearst gives an order that results in the tragic death of one of her men. But before she can come to terms with the guilt consuming her, her brother disappears. To find him, she must find the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine. And the one person who can help, Lucan Milner, has every reason to want her to fail; he’s the twin brother of the miner who died. He holds the secret to finding Elery’s brother, but sharing them with her not only rips open his grief-stricken heart, it puts both of them in the path of a killer.
Janice Boekhoff is a former Research Geologist who pours her love of science and the outdoors into her suspense novels. She is a three-time finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest. She writes from Iowa, where she lives with her amazing husband and three feisty kids.
To contact Janice or to find out more about upcoming books in the Earth Hunters Series, click on one of the below links:
It came from the same place that many of my books originate: a news story. Several years ago, I read a short piece about a woman held a virtual slave in Los Angeles. She was not held by chains, but by threats to her family that remained in a foreign country. She could not quit, escape, or for that matter, even tell authorities about her predicament. If she did, her family would be harmed.
It seemed impossible that this could happen in the United States. And I dismissed it. But the story hung around in the back of my mind and eventually I did some research. I was horrified to find it was widespread. One government report claimed more slaves existed in the U.S. now than in 1860. No chains, but slaves nonetheless.
Again, I put that out of my mind. But it continued to resurface and eventually I knew I had to write about it. But the actual facts were too horrific for me to consider a non-fiction account. So, I decided to write a suspense novel where the protagonist from my first Crystal Moore suspense book discovers a virtual slave.
Crystal learns of a young, single mother, Lucita, who has left two young girls in Mexico with the man who arranged transportation and a job in Dallas for her. She would make “big Yankee dollars” and soon could send for the children. But once she got to the job in Dallas, the real facts were explained to her. She could not leave her position, could not tell anyone about it, could not displease her “owner” or her girls would be killed or sold to drug lords.
Crystal tries to forget she ever heard about Lucita. But her conscience will not let her. She had lost her parents when she was seven. They were dead; nothing could be done. But Lucita is not dead. Something could be done. After sleepless nights and numerous nightmares, Crystal knows she must try to help Lucita and her girls.
Crystal considers many paths and finally realizes that the mother will never escape, complain, or go to authorities until she knows her two girls are free and safe. To accomplish that, Crystal decides she must go to Mexico and rescue the children.
At this point, I must answer the question, why would unadventurous Crystal go into the jungles of Mexico and challenge a ruthless drug lord. For me, the answer was simple. It is not about logic, intelligence, or bravery. It is about emotions, feelings, basic tenets a person holds. For Crystal, it is about helping someone who cannot help herself.
The decision is made easier because Crystal is naive and does not really understand just how dangerous it will be. She thinks that the police will help her. Or the Federales. And if all else fails, at least Crystal will be protected by the U.S. Consulate. All those safety nets evaporate once she is in Mexico.
It is a dangerous, yet interesting adventure, aided by a mysterious Juan Grande. If they succeed, mother and children will be free, but Crystal will have two powerful and ruthless men — one in Mexico and one in Texas — who want her dead.
Read A Silver Medallion to follow Crystal’s trek through the jungles of Mexico and see what she is made of and what she is capable of doing.
After a successful career in mathematics and computer science, receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and being listed in Who’s Who in Computer Science and Two Thousand Notable Americans, James R. Callan turned to his first love—writing. He has had four non-fiction books published. He now concentrates on his favorite genre, mystery/suspense. His eleventh book is scheduled to release in June, 2016.
Good morning suspense fans and welcome to today’s Book Showcase!!! Our suspense feature for the month of June is Christian mystery novelA Silver Medallionby mystery/suspense novelistJames R. Callan.
Young, bright, unadventurous Crystal Moore comes face-to-face with slavery in today’s Dallas, Texas. A woman is held, not by chains, but by threats to her two small children left behind in Mexico. Should she escape, or even tell anybody of her situation, her children will be killed.
Crystal would like to walk away and forget she ever heard this. But her conscience won’t let her. Her parents were killed when she was just seven. She knows the heartache these children suffer. And she can’t sleep without hearing the cries of the two young girls and their mother.
Crystal knows the woman will never try to escape as long as her children are held hostage. Crystal realizes the only way to free her is to go to Mexico and rescue the girls first, for only if they are safe will the mother ever be free.
Crystal goes to Mexico and secures the help of the mysterious Juan Grande. But now, two powerful and ruthless men, one in Mexico and one in Texas, want Crystal dead.
In the midst of all this, the man who nearly destroyed Crystal emotionally is coming back. This time, he can ruin her career.
She will need all the help she can get from a former bull rider, Crystal’s streetwise housemate Brandi, and Crystal’s seventy-six year-old, feisty grandmother.
After a successful career in mathematics and computer science, receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and being listed in Who’s Who in Computer Science and Two Thousand Notable Americans, James R. Callan turned to his first love—writing. He has had four non-fiction books published. He now concentrates on his favorite genre, mystery/suspense. His eleventh book is scheduled to release in June, 2016.
After a successful career in mathematics and computer science, receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and being listed in Who’s Who in Computer Science and Two Thousand Notable Americans, James R. Callan turned to his first love—writing. He has had four non-fiction books published. He now concentrates on his favorite genre, mystery/suspense. His eleventh book is scheduled to release in June, 2016.
