#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills & Canyon of Deceit!

Good Morning,

Can you believe September is half over already?!

I can't. Been crazy, busy this month as usual LOL!

Today's guest has been here numerous times but it always my pleasure to welcome my friend, DiAnn Mills to share her latest book with us. Welcome back, DiAnn, tell us what makes Canyon of Deceit so special...

Thanks for having me back, Pam!

Story ideas have a way of wiggling into my heart and taking root. Canyon of Deceit hit the curiosity bullseye, especially the concept of living off-grid. Imagine totally roughing it—no food, water, electricity, cell phone connection, yet plenty of snakes! 

Here’s the scoop on my new release:

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.

My adventuresome spirit propelled me to hike those mountains and find out all I could about where my hero and heroine attempted to rescue precious Alina. Dear reader, I love to visit the setting of my stories. I want to experience the area in every way possible. So my husband and I drove from our home in Houston into southeast New Mexico—because a person can’t drive to there except from New Mexico.

My husband and I drove into Guadalupe Mountains National Park’s Dog Canyon. The rocky cliffs, barren countryside, and desolate mountain beauty captivated me. In route, horses and cattle ran free-range, so we had to stop a few times before reaching our destination. Park rangers offered tremendous help with their knowledge of the area. Some of the information I’d never have known without their insight.

Arriving at the trailhead of Dog Canyon stole my breath, from the wildlife to the desert growth, I snapped pics like a crazy woman. My sanity in pursuing research might be in question, but that’s the life of a writer. Some of those pics are on a Pinterest board devoted to Canyon of Deceit.

Writing romantic suspense challenges me to reflect on the daily changes in our world. I always learn about careers, settings, behavior, the power of motivation, and so much more. Are you tempted to learn more about this story? Check out the book info page and a special tab for book clubs. 

Let me hear from you! You, dear reader, are why I write suspense, romance, and adventure.

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful adventure you had, DiAnn. I love traveling too and Dog Canyon sounds like an interesting place to visit. Can you give us a little more info on the book?

Sure, here's the blurb...

 A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing―and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot―no matter the risk to their own lives.

You can Read an Excerpt on HERE.

THANKS, DiAnn! Now give us the scoop on you ...

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?

Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.

DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers, DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.

A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.

Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions: Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn, or her website: diannmills.com.

Canyon of Deceit is available through your favorite bookstore or online retailer as well as Amazon in Paperback, for Kindle and in Audio. In fact it's FREE on Audible with a membership trial!

Thank You, DiAnn. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new release.

Hope you enjoyed DiAnn's spotlight friends and that you'll check back weekly for more great authors and their books as well as Featured Authors/Artists and Featured Books in the sidebar.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills & 3 Christmas books!

Merry Christmas Eve!

The holidays are meant to be joyous and happy but I know it's not always so for some folks. If you're one of them, hang in there, it's almost over. 

Today's guest is not new and a favorite of mine. Please welcome DiAnn Mills back as part of our All Christmas thru Christmas feature with 3 of her Christmas books. Take it away, DiAnn....

Enjoy a collection of 10 delightful original Christmas short stories that you’ll want to share with loved ones during this beloved season.

 

Titles include 1) The Sugarplum Shoppe, 2) The Christmas Traveler, 3) The Year Santa Slept Thru Christmas, 4) DollyAnna’s Miracle, 5) Merry Mayhem, 6) The Reindeer Apprentice, 7) Christmas at the Writer’s Haven, 8) Love on Wheels, 9) The Rebel Snowman of Wintersville,  and 10) JPS Christmas Angels.

 

Quick and fun to read with your entire family.

Get your copy of Christmas Stories HERE.

This historical novella  tells of the tender romance between Emma Leigh Carter and Thad Benson, who work together at the Jones Inn outside Philadelphia in the 1850s.

Thad struggles with his dream of medical school and his growing attraction to Emma. Emma puts aside her feelings for Thad because she must help her family during her father’s illness. Then Emma coordinates a Christmas gift exchange for the Inn’s owner and Thad draws her name.

Get your copy of Dreams and Secrets HERE.

Zack Kahler heads back to Texas with two homeless eight-year-old twins in tow. But soon Zack finds his hands full as he tries to run a newspaper, recover from a lost love, and keep his unruly charges out of trouble. 

Boardinghouse worker and life-long outcast Chloe Weaver has had her fair share of hurt and rejection. When Zack and the twins show up on her doorstep, more than one wounded heart is stirred with love. Can the love of Christmas present a miracle to heal these Texan hearts?

Get your copy of A Texas Legacy Christmas HERE.

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; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn teaches writing all over the country. 

Connect with DiAnn here: www.DiAnnMills.com

Check out DiAnn's previous visits HERE.

Thank You, SO Much DiAnn for sharing your Christmas books with us! We wish you the best of luck, God's Blessings and a Merry Christmas!

Until next week friends, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills !!

Good Morning!

It's a C-O-L-D 37 degrees here in SW Louisiana this morning. Seems we went from summer to winter in one fell swoop but I think it's supposed to warm back up next week. Let's hope anyway! 

Meanwhile, please welcome DiAnn Mills back as she shares some thoughts with us on authenticity. Take it away, DiAnn....

Authenticity—A Crack or a Patch in Our Character?

Are you authentic? Are you without a doubt genuine, reliable, trustworthy, and dependable? No cracks in your plaster? Known for your honesty? Faithful? Real? We’d all like to check the “yes” box for all those noble traits, but sometimes living up to authenticity isn’t easy. 

Through experience, we acquire the characteristics that earn us respect and admiration. Some of life’s happenings threaten to beat us into the ground; others fill us with confidence. We need both to keep us humble and should always strive to be better people.

Cracks in our plaster find healing in a desire and determination to change and patch the rough spots.

We can consciously work toward authenticity by practicing the following noble actions.

1. Reach out to God daily for direction. His ways are far above our agenda.

2. Add value to other people’s lives by putting their needs above our own. Selfishness solves nothing but alienates us from those who could use our help or expertise. On our own, we digest a worldview that life is only about us. 

3. Practice kindness with no thought of what we might receive in return. 

4. Listen before speaking. How many times have we heard that we have two ears but one mouth? 

5. Open our hearts to friendship with those who aren’t like us.

6. Value truth. Avoid gossip and self-serving declarations.

7. Read in every category: news, nonfiction, fiction, poetry, articles, and blog posts. Be aware of what is going on around us.

8. Love unconditionally without conditions or stipulations. This doesn’t mean we open the door to foolish decisions or abuse, but we choose love over hate.

9. Respect the world God has created for us.

10. Seek wisdom above all things.

Authenticity underscores a person’s contribution to the world. How do you practice being authentic?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion for helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

Connect with DiAnn on her various social media platforms here: www.diannmills.com

Beautiful guidance, DiAnn and definitely something to think about and strive for!

Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends and that you'll visit each week for more Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Meanwhile, check out DiAnn's latest book, Concrete Evidence available everywhere great Christian fiction is sold and DiAnn's previous posts HERE.

Until next week, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills @diannmills & Concrete Evidence!

Good Morning,

Well, Kyleigh's Cowboy is uploaded to and available for pre-order at almost all of my Ebook retail sites. Ten days from now you'll be able to read it in its entirety. The paperback version will be available then too. I've been sharing excerpts on several friends's blogs and newsletters. If you want to get these peeks into the story check'em out! Jacqueline Seewald, Clare Revell, Kara O'Neal, Stacey Weeks and Alicia Dean. 

Enough about me.

Today's guest is not new to our blog so please welcome, DiAnn Mills back with her new release, Concrete Evidence!

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’ 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.

Read an Excerpt HERE.

Get your copy of Concrete Evidence HERE or where all great Christian fiction is sold!

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion for helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

Connect with DiAnn on her various social media platforms here: www.diannmills.com

Check out DiAnn's previous visits and books HERE.

Oh, Wow, DiAnn! CONGRATS on your new release! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

Hope you enjoyed our spotlight today, Friends and you'll check back next week for another edition of Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills @diannmills & Trace of Doubt!

Good Morning from Nacogdoches, TX!

I drove up yesterday to house/dog/duck sit for my son this weekend and then next week we'll finish up his tax return. The weather here is about the same as home....soggy with a 100% chance of humidity and more rain. Alas, it's starting to cool down which is a welcome relief from ninety-something-degrees. My prayer is that we have a drier Fall than Spring and Summer have been. SWLA is already more than 20" above average rainfall so we need dry and sunshine!

Today's guest is not new to our blog. Last month DiAnn compared writing to cooking. Very interesting information to say the least. Today we get a sneak peek into her latest novel, Trace of Doubt. But first, she has a question for all us writers. Take it away DiAnn....

What is a Professional Writing Attitude?

A writer longed to develop a professional attitude and build a brand. She contracted for a polished website and learned ways to discover her audience. She established a presence on social media where her audience hung out, asked open-ended questions to encourage interaction, and wrote a weekly blog post that showed her expertise and passion to help others. She followed the experts and generally prioritized readers by focusing on their needs. 

She believed as her platform grew, she’d reach more people and eventually her sales would increase. Relationships always came first.

This writer belonged to a writer’s group whose membership ranged from beginning writers to those with NYT bestseller status. At the close of a meeting, a new writer posed a question to all in attendance about how to begin the process of branding.

1. The NYT bestselling writer immediately left the meeting, walking past the new writer who had a question. The NYT writer clearly had things to do of more value than wasting time with a new writer. 

2. A published writer who often taught at writer conferences soon left the meeting and didn’t give the new writer a second glance. The published writer must have been on deadline.

3. Our hard-working writer, who was busy building her own platform, texted her husband and let him know she’d be later than expected. Her goal was to help the new writer as best she could. She understood the attitude of paying it forward. The writing and publishing business wasn’t all about her.

What about you? Do you look at other writers as rivals? Or are you filled with compassion for those who might struggle with what you already know? Is your writing attitude packed with paying it forward to the next generation of writers?

Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and was sent to prison. Now she’s out on parole and looking for a fresh start in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas. But starting over won’t be easy for an ex-con.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was a rookie fresh out of Quantico when he was first assigned the Pearce case. He’s always believed Shelby embezzled five hundred thousand dollars from her brother-in-law’s account. So he’s going undercover to befriend Shelby, track down the missing money, and finally crack this case.

But as Denton gets closer to Shelby, he begins to have a trace of doubt about her guilt. Someone has Shelby in their crosshairs. It’s up to Denton to stop them before they silence Shelby—and the truth—forever.

Read an excerpt from Trace of Doubt HERE and get your copy where all great Christian fiction is sold! Find out where HERE.

That's really a GREAT question, DiAnn! I would hope that I never have too much to do before helping an aspiring writer or writers. Even if I can't get to his/her at that moment, I'd do my level best to set up a time that's convenient for both of us (or them) to answer his/her/their questions. THANKS for reminding us to do so!

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Mountainside Retreats with social media specialist Edie Melson. DiAnn speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or diannmills.com

Read DiAnn's previous posts HERE.

Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends, and that you'll check back weekly for more Wednesday Words with Friends and another edition of Saturday Spotlight. 

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes DiAnn Mills @diannmills

Good Morning!

My little trip to Bandera last week greatly refreshed my soul. It's amazing how a place can call to us. Lot's of exciting things going on. I proofed the audio version of Lori's Redemption last night. We should be releasing to ACX for their final review and then publication. Next up will be Tempered Truth and at some point, my other books will follow. I'll definitely keep you posted.

Enough about me though!

Today's guest has been a regular visitor for years so please give DiAnn Mills a huge, SWLA .... 

W-E-L-C-O-M-E!

Take it away, DiAnn....

How Cooking Makes Me a Better Writer

I love to cook and bake. It’s relaxing, satisfying, and hopefully the results are tasty. I’ve discovered my passion for writing has a lot in common with food prep. In fact, cooking makes me a better writer.

Take a look at the following, and I think you’ll understand what I mean.

Decide on a recipe

Just like I first must decide what to cook, I must first choose a genre. For me, contemporary romantic suspense is my preference. My recipe also needs an intriguing story line. 

The right ingredients

For a taste treat to win the hearts and taste buds of others, I need to know what to include. Who are my characters? What is their problem? Where is my story set?  

Measure precisely

A story needs a balance of action and narrative woven with character emotions. In turn, those emotions transfer to the reader’s experience. Growth and change happen when the character’s method of handling stress leads to critical errors and new measures of problem-solving and attitude flow fresh. How many mistakes will my character face? Can the reader see measurable growth?

Cut and dice

Editing is the part of story writing where scenes are cut and diced. Making a story stronger means weak plot points have to be slashed. The use of strong verbs and nouns establishes a meatier story than sliding in adjectives and adverbs. Is the dialogue in character? Is the setting antagonistic so the character is forced to struggle? Where can a sentence be condensed to a phrase or a phrase to a single word? 

Don’t be afraid to vary a recipe

Story is king. Nothing reigns over story. While a writer follows the rules and guidelines taught by professionals in the industry, sometimes those very same principles need to be tweaked. Try something new. Does it work?

Stir thoroughly

Quality writing means to shake up my characters. Force them to step into the unknown and forbidden. Throw in an ingredient midway that forever changes the story. Get your characters dirty. Make them smile, cry, angry, sad, and lonely. Always create the unpredictable.

Bake

Every story needs time to bake. When I walk away from my computer and refuse to open the file (oven door) for as long as possible, the result is a fresh concept, and I can tell if it’s finished or needs a little more time. 

Serve 

A writer never knows how readers will respond to a story. I can only do my best and hope the book will be delicious, satisfying, and leave the reader wanting more. 

Does cooking relate to your life? How?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Mountainside Retreats with social media specialist Edie Melson. DiAnn speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or diannmills.com

DiAnn's newest release, Trace of Doubt can be purchased online and in brick & mortar stores where great Christian fiction is sold.

Read DiAnn's previous posts here.

Thank you SO Much, DiAnn for sharing this wonderful analogy! I never thought of writing and cooking like this but I'm sure I will from now on.

Hope you enjoyed DiAnn's post friends and that you'll drop by each week for more great information from writers and artists on Wednesday Words with Friends and sneak peeks into wonderful books on Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends welcomes DiAnn Mills @diannmills

 Good Morning,

Today's guest is no stranger to our blog so please welcome the lovely and talented Mrs. DiAnn Mills back as she shares some words with us on Brainstorming Your Novel. Take it away, DiAnn!

Brainstorming Your Novel 

Novelists often reach a plateau in which the perfect idea won’t coming materialize. The plot germ is there, but the theme, setting, characters, and storyline seem to spin out of control. Solution? Our writing needs a brainstorming session

By using the acronym, BRAINSTORMING, a writer can bring the whirling to a halt and anchor the story onto a firm foundation.

Believe in our gift to write. We understand the craft, and we’re continually educating ourselves to add more tools and techniques.

Realistic writing is what sells. No matter the genre, the storyline must be credible with realistic characters who react and respond according to the traits we’ve assigned them.

Analyze the basic idea. How can we grow our characters by making their goals difficult, perhaps impossible to reach?

Inspire readers through the story to attempt and achieve great things. Fiction is truth. Jesus spoke in parables, and through His stories people gleaned meaning and purpose to their lives. Don’t preach the message. Let the reader see the characters by the way they tackle life’s challenges.

Name the book and characters. Why is this important? Because the title of a book gives the writer passion for the project. Who wants to wake up each morning to the thrill of working on novel X? In the same way, our characters deserve names that mean something significant in the novel. 

Show don’t tell. Propel the story into action by incorporating body language, explosive emotion, purposeful dialogue, and unique settings. 

Technique is essential to every story. To make sure the plotting is tight, pose the following four questions before writing each scene.

1. What is the point of view character’s problem or goal?

2. What does the point of view character learn that he/she didn’t know     before? New Information.

3. What backstory is revealed? (Hold back in the first approximately fifty pages. Also hold back on faults/weaknesses for the first approximately fifty pages.)

4. How are the stakes raised for the point of view character?

Organize the notes and thoughts into a file: plotting, research, characterization, and the original source of information. If the writer is an outliner, now is the time to create a story outline. If the writer is a panster, the next step is personality driven.

Research is vital to every successful novel. If a novel takes place in a backyard, then research the weeds there. Whenever possible, visit the setting during the season of your story. Interview those who have the same careers or experiences as the story characters. Use the services of a library, chamber of commerce, Internet exploration, and any other means of research to root the reader into the story.  

Motivation is the key to every successful novel. We were motivated to begin a writing career. I was motivated to write this blog post. You were motivated to read this post. Our characters are motivated by their wants and needs. Discover the character’s wants and needs to see what he/she will do to achieve them. 

This list is only the beginning to brainstorm a story. Are you ready to position your fingers on the keyboard and speed off on another adventure?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a 

storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Retreats: Marketing, Speakers, Nonfiction and Novelist with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion for helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

Connect with DiAnn here: www.diannmills.com

Airborne can be purchased through Tyndale or wherever great Christian fiction is sold. I've read this book and it is a great adventure! Check out my review on Amazon!

I love the way you've broken down brainstorming for us DiAnn! We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new release.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills & Fatal Strike!

Good Morning and Welcome!

Well I made it through AEP, exhausted but still here LOL. Today I'll be attending Bayou Writers Group meeting/Christmas party. As we enter into the holiday season with parties and gifts, let us take time to reflect on what the season is all about and to treasure and cherish the deepest part of who we are in Christ.

Today's guest is no stranger to our blog, but please welcome DiAnn back as she gives us a peek into her novel, Fatal Strike....

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.

As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

Excerpt: SPECIAL AGENT LEAH RIESEL scanned the headlines on her phone. A prosecutor from Galveston had been found murdered behind a construction site, the second apparent victim of gang violence in two days. Both deaths were caused by rattlesnake venom injections to the heart. Before she could pull up additional reports on the woman’s untimely death, Leah’s phone rang.

“Riesel, hostage situation in Galveston,” the SWAT commander said. “Grab your gear. The chopper takes off in five.”

“On it.” She took a last lingering look at the half-eaten blueberry donut and coffee on her cubicle’s desk.

Could this have anything to do with the two murders in Galveston?

Before most of the city began the workday, Leah boarded a 1 Little Bird helicopter beneath whirling blades and the pressure of a critical operation. Dressed in full camo and shouldering her sniper gear, she inhaled the rising temps. Feverish Houston. With the familiar air transport sounds ushering in memories of past missions, her adrenaline kicked in.

A pilot from the tactical helicopter unit lifted the chopper into the air for the twenty-minute ride to Galveston. She recognized him from previous assignments involving aircraft used to deliver SWAT and the elite hostage rescue teams to crisis incidents. This morning her focus eliminated any chitchat.
Leah grabbed sound-canceling headphones and contacted the SWAT commander already on the ground. “Riesel here. Special Agent in Charge Thomas briefed me on a home invasion that’s turned violent.”

The SAC would be watching the operation at the Crisis Management Operations Center.

“Negotiations have gotten us nowhere.” The SWAT commander’s voice rose above the chopper’s blade-snap. “Two unidentified men are holding two women and three children at gunpoint. Galveston PD estimates they’ve been inside the home for at least an hour. Demanding we leave the area after giving them five hundred grand and a gassed-up speedboat. Clock is ticking with forty minutes max. We’ve backed off as far as they know.”

Leah swiped through pics taken with telephoto lenses and sent to her phone. Each ski-masked man held a child as a shield. Leah detested the savagery and the horrific emotions the hostages must be feeling.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com

Fatal Strike can be purchased at Amazon and other places you find great Christian fiction.

#WednesdayWordswithFriends guest DiAnn Mills

Good Morning and Welcome,

If you haven't noticed the Thankful for Our Readers giveaway in the sidebar, let me take a moment to direct your attention to it. I've joined up with a bunch of other authors to show our gratitude to our readers and to give away a $100 Amazon gift card and over 40 books!

Also, today is the last day for the Rafflecopter giveaway for 3 gift cards.

Enter both contests today by clicking on the graphic.

Now on with Wednesday Words with Friends.....

Today's guest is no stranger to our blog. She has shared Treasures and Thoughts and been in our Spotlight before so with out much further ado, I'll hand the blog over to DiAnn Mills.....

10 Life Lessons I Learned from Novel Writing

I’ve been writing novels for over two decades, and I’m constantly adding to my arsenal of craft, marketing and promotion, social media, branding, and living skills.

This post shares what I’ve learned over the years with a bonus message.

1.  Trusting God is essential to a joy-filled life
Without God, we have nothing to anchor our personal, mental, spiritual, and professional life. We tend to gravitate to other means of satisfying the God-hole instead of allowing Him to take His proper place.

2.  Strive to be the best and do it for God
We have instructions in Scripture - Colossians - to do everything as though working for the Lord. That says it all.

3.  Life is filled with edits and rewrites
We make mistakes and face the consequences. The goal is to learn from them. We can’t rewrite the past, but we can rewrite the choices we make in the future.

4.  Choose to love the unloveable
We’ve all met people who infuriated us by their actions or what they believe as contrary to our ethics and morals. Love unconditionally those who despise or disagree with us. Choosing to love does not mean we accept their behavior, but we will do all we can to help them have quality of life.

5.  Change is essential to character growth
A refusal to look at new technology, ideas, people skills, spiritual thoughts, relationships, etc is a stubborn approach to life. When we explore and change our attitudes for the betterment of a Christian worldview, we experience character growth.

6.  Education is a life-long pursuit 
Our education began the moment we entered the world. We used sensory perception to view and evaluate the world long before we entered school. The learning process is a 24 hour endeavor that occurs when we are asleep or awake. Our minds need stimulation to live and process the world around us. We choose to continue our education until we breathe our last. Read. Listen. Pray.

7.  Choose to be informed and know what is going on in the world
We are not ostriches. Keeping our head in the ground to avoid what is happening in our communities, state, city, and world doesn’t make tragedies or inappropriate events go away. We live in this world, and whether we have a writing career or something else, we have a responsibility to contribute to the affairs of our earth.

8.  Mentor those who desperately need our expertise
Pay it forward is a way for us to take what we’ve learned or a kindness and pass it on to someone else. It’s in the giving, we are blessed. The recipient is fortunate and can progress easier in his/her life. A cool swap!

9.  Understand our purpose in life is not to please everyone
Sometimes it takes us years to understand not everyone likes us or ever will. Whenever we take a stand for right, others will oppose, even despise us. God has purposed us to various tasks, and when we follow Him, we will create opposition.

10.  Be thankful for friendships that ask for nothing in return
We all have sister-friends and brother-friends who aren’t manipulative or demand something in return for their relationship with us. I treasure these people and enjoy giving my best to our times together. These special people are a buffer when others can be challenging.

11.  Bonus - We have a glorious future ahead of us in eternity.
For those who haven’t given their life to Christ. Don’t hesitate to embrace a future with Him.

What lessons have you learned in life that you can share?

Wow...wonderful life lessons, DiAnn! One I've learned is God's timing is perfect and He loves to surprise you from 'behind the scenes.'

THANK You for sharing.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com

Fatal Strike can be purchased at Amazon and other places you find great Christian fiction.

Hope you enjoyed DiAnn's visit as much as I did and I hope you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends AND Saturday Spotlight. I've got a ton of exciting things to talk about but I'll save that for my personal post on Nov. 27th so be sure to check back!

Until next time, take care, God Bless and remember.... It's your BEST day ever!
PamT

#TuesdayTreasures with DiAnn Mills!

Good Morning,

Yep, you read the title of this blog right. We're having a busy week with a Tuesday Treasures as well as our normal Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight posts.

DiAnn is no stranger to our blog. She's shared thoughts and treasures before and been in our spotlight numerous times. She scheduled this post last year when she got the release date for her latest book Fatal Strike, so please give her a huge welcome.....

Living With a Writer - From a Husband’s Point of View

Curious about what it’s like to live with a writer? This week I interviewed my husband for his perspective. I admit waiting for his answers caused my heart to head into overdrive. How honest would he be? Would I have to eliminate him in my next novel? But his answers were fun to read.

Okay, Dean, be candid and give the readers your point of view.

Question: How long have you been married?
Answer:  26 years

Question: What attracted you to her?
Answer:  Seeing her demonstrate a faith that anything’s possible with God.

Question: How would you describe your wife?
Answer: Living in a fiction world. Often!

Question: What is her most quirky trait?
Answer: Only one? How about three?
1. Doesn’t like red meat. Says it makes her angry.
2. A tad persnickety in the food arena. Can be a challenge when eating out.
3. Can write about suspense scenes, yet if shown on TV, you’ll find her covering her eyes and asking if it’s over yet.

Question: What is the one thing you’d change about her?
Answer: God’s mold can’t be improved upon. . . I’m a smart man.

Question: How do you two complement each other?
Answer: We balance each other’s emotions.

Question: Where do you two like to vacation?
Answer: Along Fall River between Estes Park & entrance to Rocky National Park.

Question: You help her with her writing — what do you do?
Answer: I’ve declared myself her Executive Director of Whatever She Needs :-)

Question: What is your favorite book that she’s written?
Answer:  All of them, of course :-)

Question: What would you like for her to write?
Answer:  The next story God places in her heart and that she has a passion to share.

Thanks, Dean. Appreciate you and all you do for me.

Do you have a question for DiAnn?

Wow, DiAnn, this is LOL funny! Your husband sounds like a real treasure and I loved it! Didn't you, folks? Please ask DiAnn your questions in the comments and she'll do her best to answer each of you.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com

Fatal Strike can be purchased at Amazon and other places you find great Christian fiction.

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll check back tomorrow and Saturday for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills & Fatal Strike!

Good Morning from Kemah, TX!

We left yesterday  morning and drove up for a short trip to visit Kemah and stayed on the Boardwalk. I'll share some pics and adventures with you in a later post. Meanwhile, it is ALWAYS a pleasure to feature today's guest.

DiAnn Mills is no stranger to our blog. She has shared thoughts and treasures and been in our spotlight before - numerous times. Just use the search feature and find all of her amazing posts and books. This week she shares her latest release, Fatal Strike with us.

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.

As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

Excerpt: SPECIAL AGENT LEAH RIESEL scanned the headlines on her phone. A prosecutor from Galveston had been found murdered behind a construction site, the second apparent victim of gang violence in two days. Both deaths were caused by rattlesnake venom injections to the heart. Before she could pull up additional reports on the woman’s untimely death, Leah’s phone rang.

“Riesel, hostage situation in Galveston,” the SWAT commander said. “Grab your gear. The chopper takes off in five.”

“On it.” She took a last lingering look at the half-eaten blueberry donut and coffee on her cubicle’s desk.

Could this have anything to do with the two murders in Galveston?

Before most of the city began the workday, Leah boarded a 1 Little Bird helicopter beneath whirling blades and the pressure of a critical operation. Dressed in full camo and shouldering her sniper gear, she inhaled the rising temps. Feverish Houston. With the familiar air transport sounds ushering in memories of past missions, her adrenaline kicked in.

A pilot from the tactical helicopter unit lifted the chopper into the air for the twenty-minute ride to Galveston. She recognized him from previous assignments involving aircraft used to deliver SWAT and the elite hostage rescue teams to crisis incidents. This morning her focus eliminated any chitchat.

Leah grabbed sound- canceling headphones and contacted the SWAT commander already on the ground. “Riesel here. Special Agent in Charge Thomas briefed me on a home invasion that’s turned violent.”

The SAC would be watching the operation at the Crisis Management Operations Center.

“Negotiations have gotten us nowhere.” The SWAT commander’s voice rose above the chopper’s blade- snap. “Two unidentified men are holding two women and three children at gunpoint. Galveston PD estimates they’ve been inside the home for at least an hour. Demanding we leave the area after giving them five hundred grand and a gassed- up speedboat. Clock is ticking with forty minutes max. We’ve backed off as far as they know.”

Leah swiped through pics taken with telephoto lenses and sent to her phone. Each ski-masked man held a child as a shield. Leah detested the savagery and the horrific emotions the hostages must be feeling.

“We’re located on San Luis Pass Road on the western section of the island. Nearest house is five hundred yards away. Owners are in Europe. We’re in contact with the agency managing it.”

She didn’t need a key to access the home.

The SWAT commander continued. “One of the hostages is the owner of the home, Amanda Barton.”

“Is there a Mr. Barton in the picture?”

“Divorced. Lives in California.”

Unlikely the ex-husband was behind this.

“Agent Jon Colbert will be on scene shortly,” the commander said. “He had a deposition early this morning in Texas City and drove on to Galveston. Over the weekend, his SWAT partner had emergency knee surgery. Out for six weeks.”

And Leah’s partner had left the city yesterday on vacation. The luck of the draw meant she and Jon would be working together. “I’ll contact you as soon as we land.”

Jon Colbert, a sniper who had excellent marksmanship and a stellar reputation, also worked organized crime. But she and Jon had never worked together. The idea of teaming up with an agent she barely knew made her uneasy. If a sniper mission required a partner, she preferred an established relationship where she would know how the person processed information.

Shoving aside her doubts, she narrowed her thoughts on what lay ahead. The precarious situation and local law enforcement’s inability to negotiate added up to why she and Jon had been assigned to the case.

She grasped her backpack, lighter than usual with only a spotting scope, ammo, water, communication equipment, extra batteries, granola bar, and a handheld radio. Her Glock, as comfortable in her right hand as a toothbrush, found its spot in her back waistband. She touched her H-S Precision heavy tactical rifle.

The sooner she got to Galveston, the sooner she could provide intelligence and help neutralize the circumstances. Her priority was seeing the women and children freed from these ruthless men.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com

Fatal Strike can be purchased at Amazon and other places you find great Christian fiction.

THANKS DiAnn for sharing your new release with us. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight friends and that you'll check back weekly for more wonderful info from great authors on Wednesday Words with Friends and of course Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills & Burden of Proof!

Good Morning Friends!

DiAnn is no stranger to our blog and she's recently shared thoughts and treasures with us but today we get a sneak peek into her latest release, Burden of Proof. Welcome DiAnn!

Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.

Read an entire chapter Excerpt HERE!
Watch the Trailer HERE  Purchase HERE

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

Connect with DiAnn here: www.diannmills.com

Thanks for joining us today DiAnn and Friends. Wishing you ALL the best of luck and God's blessings!

PamT