When I found out that S. F. Baumgartner writes suspense/thriller but not romantic suspense, I knew I'd have to check out her books. Well, I did. And while I'm not quite done with the prequel, Buried Secrets (previously published as The Secret) to her Mirror Estate series, I'm enjoying it and totally lost (in all the best ways). Listen in to learn more about this series.

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Lovers of romantic suspense will love to learn Sylvia's publishing story, why she writes suspense (and without a strong romantic element! YAY!) and why her books are set in Florida!

Tangled Secrets by S. F. Baumgartner

Two women. One targeted by an unknown enemy. One accused of murder. Will they overcome their obstacles?

Twenty-five-year-old schoolteacher Grace Benson lives a quiet life until she receives a threatening note. But when the FBI becomes involved, her world really turns upside down.

Middle-aged wedding planner Sheila Mitchell suspects her husband’s up to something, but she never expects to find him dead—and be knocked unconscious near his corpse. When she comes to, the murder weapon in her hand.

Will Grace survive? And will Sheila’s ex-husband, an FBI agent, clear her name? Who is targeting these women?

Learn more about Sylvia on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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I don't think I've ever heard fantasy authors say they wanted to emphasize light in their books, so when I began chatting with Kylie Beevers about her Rise of the LivingWood and she explained her heart for the story, I knew I'd found a book I needed to read. Listen in to learn more about how a thirteen-year-old decided to write her first fantasy novel.

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Some might take Kylie Beevers' goal for her series (to emphasize light) to mean that the story is fluffy with no conflict or danger. Not hardly. The opening journal entry (you can read it in the sample on Amazon) shows that the boo kicks off with a terrible battle and the fallout. But knowing the story's emphasis on light shows just Who will be at the center of that, and I really liked that.

I also liked her explanation of "the why" that authors need when they jump into writing. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

Rise of the LivingWood by Kylie Beevers

Bramble is just your ordinary fox scrounging the forest floor with his Da, Mum, and kit brother before he is thrust snout first into the warrior life.

For his whole life, Bramble has known the LivingWood to be a safe, secure place. A place where he and his family live in peace with no threats. But one day Bramble encounters his Uncle, who he had no idea even existed, and now he’s got no choice but to trust his gut and blaze a trail into a battle he has to fight.

Wolves have besieged the borders. War seeks to devour them all.

Will Bramble uphold his call? And what will it cost?

The Young Writers Workshop " https://theyoungwriter.com/workshop-students

Kylie has a list of young author helps on her website.

Learn more about Kylie on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.

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Don't know about you, but I love it when an author gets the whole "loathe to love" thing right, and it sure sounds like this new-to-me author nails it. Listen in to see why I am excited to read Jenny Erlingsson's Her Part to Play.

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Jenny and I had a great time chatting about her debut novel (but check out her Christian nonfiction!) Her Part to Play.

I loved learning about her personal family history, the cool place she lives (seriously... it's a COOL place. bring a coat), and about Christian fiction in general. I loved hearing (in particular) how she blends Nigerian and Southern Black culture. How cool is that?

Oh, and here's that link I promised on Christians reading fiction.

John Piper on Fiction: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/in-defense-of-fiction

PSST! There's a Goodreads Giveaway until June 17, 2024!

Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson

Desperate for extra income after her mother's passing, Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown. She's working to save her parents' legacy and help her brother, but the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood.

John Pope has made his share of mistakes over the years. But after turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, he's ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set--and definitely not a fan.

Sparks of tension--and could that be attraction?--fly between them, but Adanne hates the spotlight, and John's scheming manager has bigger plans for him than to end up with the humble makeup girl from the small-town South. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what's right in front of them?

Get Her Part to Play from bakerbookhouse.com for 40% off with FREE shipping. SQUEEE

Learn more about Jenny on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

• Apple
• Castbox
• Google Play
• Libsyn
• RSS
• Spotify
• Amazon
• and more!