#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

#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