Do you love escape rooms? I've only done one, and I thoroughly enjoyed that experience. But I haven't talked my husband into doing another one yet. Today, Gina Holder is chatting about real life escape rooms, books about escape rooms, and more. I think you're going to want to dive into this fun series!

Gina, I know you were drawn to writing stories from an early age. What made you choose to focus on mysteries and suspense? 

I never set out to write mysteries and romantic suspense. I always thought I would write historical romance or women's fiction. My debut novel is even a historical one. The shift happened when I wrote my second novel, No Greater Love. The hero is a police officer, so I decided he should try to solve some crimes in the book. And then, someone started threatening the mayor ... and the rest is history, as they say. I love the twists, the unexpected turns, the clues, red herrings ... creating a story that keeps readers guessing makes me happy.

In your new book, you've written about two characters who basically end up in an escape room that could kill them if they don't figure it out. What inspired this idea?

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. My husband had read an article about it, and I immediately thought, "I'm going to use that in a book." It’s this sprawling Victorian mansion built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the man behind the Winchester rifle fortune. After her husband’s death, she became convinced she was being haunted by the spirits of those killed by the rifle—and that the only way to keep them at bay was to keep building.

​So… she did. For nearly forty years.
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The result is a house that feels like a real-life puzzle—staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open into walls, windows in the floor, and hallways that twist and turn with no obvious logic. It’s chaotic, eerie, and strangely fascinating.

What is it about a fairy tale that lets us see the real world more clearly? Or why does a fairy tale structure work so well with other stories? Well, our guest author today, Chawna Schroeder, decided to figure that out. Read on because her stories sound so good!

Do you ever feel like you know someone after reading a book she wrote? That's the way I feel about Terri Wangard. I have met her in person, too, but I think I've seen into some of her personality through her work. I'm blessed to have been a content editor for three of Terri's books now, and her newest is about to release. This one wraps up the series and I highly recommend all of them, especially if you love novels set in WWII. Now's your chance to get to know Terri a bit too.

What is it about World War II that makes you want to set your books there?

I didn’t plan on writing so many WWII books. My debut book, Friends & Enemies, was inspired by letters found in my grandmother’s house. Distant relatives in postwar Germany had been receiving care packages from the American family. I was a history major in college and was familiar with different history magazines. I thought one of these would be interested in the letters, but maybe not enough detail was included. Then I had the idea to create the German family’s backstory. That was to be it for WWII, but an editor told me if I hoped for a contract, I’d probably need a series. I had lots of unused research on the B-17 airmen, so I wrote two more books based on the navigators.

Need a taste of the familiar mixed with some unfamiliar? If you're like me and from the South, our guest today may have just what you're looking for. Jennifer Hallmark joins us today to chat about why she loves the South, what inspires her, and ... chickens? Read on to find out more!

Welcome Jennifer! Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?
 
Jennifer: Everyday life and deep-seated memories. Life seems to form the basics in my stories: from growing up in the South in the 70s to being a published writer and grandmother of six. My memories, both good and bad, tend to emerge in my books and I hope make them richer. And I always feel like God and I write together when I put my hands to the keyboard. 😊
 
What is it about the speculative world that draws you to write stories with supernatural elements?
 
Jennifer: There is just something about a world unlike our own that draws me. I prefer stories with deep allegory, books that speak to my soul that I often find that in speculative reads. Think The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Star Wars.

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to an author who claims I'm the one who taught her to write romance. I've had the pleasure of being content editor on both of her novellas, and with a new one releasing soon, we're chatting about that and other aspects of her writing today. Make sure you read all the way to the end because she's offering a *giveaway*.

Ellen, congratulations on your new book. I know this is your second novella. Which do you prefer? Novels or novellas, and why?

I love writing both, but I’d have to pick a novel over a novella because you have more words available to weave your plot. Mysteries and suspense are my favorite things to write but I like stretching myself into romance and historical genres occasionally. I think getting out of your comfort zone is a good way to grow as a writer.  
One of the greatest gifts of writing a novella in a collection was the collaboration between myself and the other writers. It’s been a blessing to work with these talented writers. Their creativity sparks my creativity, and we encourage each other to do our best work.

Sometimes, as an editor, I get to edit a whole series. And sometimes, I don't. I was blessed to edit Donna Wichelman's first book in her Singing Silver Mine series last year, but she didn't fit my schedule this year. Even though I haven't read her newest book yet, I know it's going to be just as beautiful as her first. If you love historical romance set in Colorado, you definitely need to get to know my friend Donna. Read on!

What is it about historical romances that made you want to write them?
 
I’ve loved telling stories since my early days in elementary school, when I wrote poetry, short stories, and articles for the school newspaper. Also, because I lived in Ohio, my parents took road trips every summer to visit family in Washington State. We would take various routes across the United States and Canada, and I learned the value of understanding history and geography. That set the stage for the rest of my life.
In high school, a unique opportunity allowed me to attend the United World College of the Atlantic—an international high school in Wales. While most of the students lived in dormitories on the “hill,” I lived in a two-room, ten-girl dorm inside St. Donat’s Castle outside Llantwit Major on the Bristol Channel. Though the castle has none of Hogwarts’ magic, it does have a legendary ghost, Lady Anne, who roams the halls.
As you can imagine, the setting at Atlantic College provided plenty of fodder for the imagination, and focusing on English Literature allowed me to develop a taste for the classics. I particularly liked Jane Austen and Charles Dickens for the themes that touched the human spirit. Since living in Wales also enabled me to travel throughout Europe, I became fascinated by its history and culture.
So, with all the travel I’ve done and my love of books, I eventually realized historical romance best fit who I am as a writer. Even my contemporary romantic suspense novels unfolded because I became fascinated with the dramatic history of the Waldensians, a persecuted sect of Protestants throughout the Middle Ages, and their story of faith and valor touched me.

Dark and light are a part of life, but how is that reflected in fiction? Author Rachel D. Lyne is here today to tell us how it works into her stories, how she lets go of perfectionist tendencies, and what she's working on next. Check it out!

Rachel, you have an eclectic repertoire of artistic abilities! Do you tend to prefer one medium over another? Music, design, writing?

It is true that I love all forms of art and connect with them on varying levels. I wouldn’t, however, say I “prefer” one medium over another, but I would suggest that each medium has its own “season.” I used to believe I was a “Jill (instead of Jack – ha!) of all trades, master of none,” but what’s helped encourage me is that I don’t have to master one to feel like I’m using God’s gifts. I can enjoy all forms of creativity in undulating seasons for what God’s already prepared in advance. Thinking of it this way alleviates my perfectionistic tendencies. 

Today, we have the blessing of getting to know Sue A. Fairchild a bit more. She's an editor as well as an author (as am I, so excited to find out there are more out there!) and has a heart for God. And she's giving us a peek into her newest release--perfect for this time of year.

We're so glad to have you here today! Can you tell us how you got started writing?

A church friend told me that a story I told in Sunday school would make a good devotion, but I didn't know what a devotion even was! She invited me to her writing group and taught me how to write it and get it published. Since then my group has helped me publish numerous devotions, newspaper articles, and six books, the sixth of which is an Advent devotional coming out soon. 

I know you're an editor too. What are some ways that being an editor makes your writing stronger? Does being an author make it easier or harder to be an editor?
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Being an editor has definitely helped me with my writing because I am constantly learning about writing rules to help my clients. I take what I've learned and apply it to my writing. I know it's helped me be a better writer. But it can also make it harder to be a writer because I'm quite meticulous, some would say a perfectionist, which can cause me to stall my writing endeavors.

I had no idea that other people started college as art majors and ended up authors too. But apparently, Patience O'Brien also started college as an art major. Want to know more about that as well as her gorgeous new Historical Romance? Read on!

1) Pat, your cover is beautiful. What moved you to write historical romance?

Thank you for your cover compliment--it's so appreciated! 
I've been reading historicals since grade school and enjoyed books like Jane Eyre and Little Women--their sweet touches of romance inspired me.

 2) As an artist, do you find the creativity from one part of your life meshes with the other? Does one feed the other?

At one time it was all about art. I graduated with a Masters in art & education; but in college I also enjoyed writing stories and poetry for campus publications. I won a few prizes in writing and one professor told me outright I'd chosen the wrong field to pursue. (he told me this in my 4th yr. 🙄 )  ​

I've been blessed to know Mary Pat Johns for a couple of years now online. And last November, we finally got to meet in person. She's just as lovely in real life as she is behind the screen. And I'm thrilled to help you get to know her a little better today too. Not to mention learn more about her super cute romances.

​Mary Pat, congrats on the release of your fourth book. How does it feel to have your series complete now?

It’s a mixed bag! I’m thrilled to have completed a whole series. Each book brought tears of anguish and joy, and I miss the daily interaction with familiar characters. It’s daunting to think of writing another series. That said, I’m writing a short, fun Christmas novella. It’s helped me come up for air between mammoth projects.   
 
We've grown to love these characters through the first three stories. Was it harder or easier to write their story? Why?

The male point of view is usually easier to write for me. Maybe because the males in my life aren’t complicated. What you see is what you get, without drama. Women are different. Brenna, the main character in Book 1, Countin’ On Jesse, was a total head-banger to write. It took me a long time to figure out what she was all about and longer to know what motivated her.