WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK?

by Patricia Bradley

Have you ever set a goal only to fail to meet it? I know I have…losing weight, saving money, eating healthier… oh, yeah. I’m not real great at reaching those goals, and I bet you have trouble there, too. The thing is, none of us likes to fail…

Which made me think about the farmer. Yep, you read right. The farmer. Think about it. Every spring, regardless of past failures, he plants a new crop, hope and anticipation mixing with the fresh turned dirt. He plants his seed in faith, and then he waits. He’s done all he physically can do. He can’t make the seed grow or control the amount of rain that falls. Those things are in God’s hands.

Like the farmer, we set our goals, do the preparation and look forward to seeing the harvest. But sometimes our goals don’t get the needed rain or they stagnate, and we perceive that as failure. So we quit trying. 

What is fear keeping you from doing? What are you not doing because you fear you’re not good enough, smart enough, whatever? A few years ago, when my mother was in her eighties, she learned how to program a VCR. Then a few years later, she wanted to learn how to text and how to use a computer but was afraid she couldn’t do it. I told her anyone who could program a VCR could learn how to Google or text. She accepted the challenge and before long, she was googling, and texting the whole family, and keeping up with everyone on Face Book. She even had her own FB page. 

If my ninety-year-old mother could risk failing, so can you. So can I. 

Not long ago I sent out a proposal for a new series. Because I’d been late on the last two projects that required a LOT of rewriting, I hesitated to send it, not sure if my publisher would take it, but I did. Then I waited, knowing the harvest was in God’s hands. 

And that’s what I challenge you to do—if there’s something you want to try, do it! Don’t let fear hold you back. If I had, I wouldn’t be working on a new book now. 

What new thing have you always wanted to do but fear holds you back? Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for an audio code for Counter Attack (or Fatal Witness if you’ve read Counter Attack).

Alexis Stone has no sooner been sworn in as the chief deputy for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen’s Gambit Killer strikes again–this time in her hometown. 

Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex’s real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer’s calling card–a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it–cannot be ignored.

What's HOT in Inspirational Suspense by Mary Ellis

Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery? Michelle Griep has a brand new suspense, The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane #3, recently released from Barbour Fiction.

Here's a little bit about the story: Wife. Mother. Homemaker. Detective. Kit Forge wears many hats, and if that's not enough, she's partnered with her father to open a new detective agency. It's hard to be all things to all people, but Kit never shies away from the impossible. Despite her hard work and good intentions, some things fall through the cracks. Namely, her husband.

But Jackson barely notices. He's too busy putting out his own fires. As the new chief inspector of a busy London station, he must salvage the disaster left behind by the former police chief--an obstacle made all the harder when the superintendent breathes an ultimatum down his neck. Against her father's advice, Kit takes on a case involving a missing child, one in which she and Jackson become a little too emotionally involved. . .and end up endangering their own little girl in the process.

You can buy The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane #3 HERE from Christianbook.com

Have a great week of reading, lovers of inspirational suspense and mystery! ~ Mary Ellis

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

We have exciting things planned for you this week on the Suspense Sisters!

On Tuesday, Suspense Sister Mary Ellis will tell us what’s hot in inspirational suspense and mystery.

Wednesday, author Patricia Bradley will talk about reaching goals. She’ll also give away an audio book of COUNTER ATTACK.

A brand new heart-stopping series from a USA Today bestselling author

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.

Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late.

"Plenty of action and interesting details about the dark web and police procedure keeps this thriller with light Christian messaging moving."--Booklist

"Balancing a slow-burning romance with a twisty mystery, this will keep Bradley's fans hooked until the final page."--Publishers Weekly

ORDER IT HERE 

Friday, Suspense Sister Jodie Bailey will introduce her upcoming release, HIDDEN IN THE CANYON.

An attempted abduction. A shocking murder.

And a suspect list growing longer…

After Angie Garcia is attacked on her ranch near the Grand Canyon, uncovering the culprit becomes her biggest challenge. And she’ll have to work with the last man she wants to see—Special Agent Lincoln Tucker—to investigate potential suspects. But with attacks escalating and a ranch hand missing, can they dig up the truth that links Angie to a perilous secret—and a ruthless killer—before it’s too late?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

PREORDER IT HERE

Don’t forget to enter our monthly contest! You could win your choice of a $100 gift card from Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble or Christianbook.com.

THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

WE LOVE BOOKS

Review of Fatal Domain by Steven James

 

It was starting to feel like I've been waiting for Fatal Domain to release forever, so I was thrilled to pick up my copy at the bookstore and dig in. Let me tell you, it was totally worth the wait. 

As usual, the characters Steven James writes are multi-faceted and true-to-life. The story picks up where Broker of Lies ended, and offered non-stop action to the very end. 

The main character, Travis Brock, is easy to like and flawed in a way that made him feel human. The story brings him face-to-face with people from the past that he never thought he would see or never hoped to see again. It was fun to watch the story unfold and see how all the little pieces of peoples lives fit together into this unforgettable story. 

My favorite line from the book is: "When we play God, there are always unintended consequences that make it clear we're not up to the task. He creates life in his own image. We create monsters in ours."

I can't recommend this book highly enough. If you'd like to win an ebook copy, comment below with your favorite book you've read so far this year. 

You can purchase a copy of Fatal Domain by Steven James here.

The gifts of children .....Roxanne Rustand

I love seeing how children's interests and talents can show up at a young age. An artistic eye, perhaps. A talent for math, or music, or writing, or something else.

Sometimes, it seems to mirror that of someone else in the family. 

Have you seen this in your own family tree?  In yourself--with a special talent or something you have deeply enjoyed since childhood? Do you think it's nature (through DNA), or through nurture? I would love to hear your answers!

I grew up loving to draw, and wrote poetry and stories (childish at best) without any thought about where those interests came from.

But recently, after making some remarkable contacts with close relatives via 23andMe, I found a sibling who is a gifted artist, and who strongly considered becoming a writer before changing course. 

On the other side of my family tree, I found a first cousin who writes poetry and has published a book. Another first cousin seriously considered becoming a writer before choosing a different career.

My daughter is a writer. And now, I have two young granddaughters in different states—in late elementary school and middle school—who love to write. Each is working on a story and has over a hundred pages done.  So apparently, by sheer coincidence or DNA, an interest in writing has shown up again!  

I would love to hear about you. Did your interests take after someone in your family tree?

Leave a comment, and you will be in a drawing for a free e-book, a title of your choice. To see them all CLICK HERE.  Be sure to click "Sort by popularity, or you will see some outdated books at the top."

Blessings to you all, 

Roxanne Rustand

What's HOT in Inspirational Suspense by Mary Ellis

Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery? Sarah Loudin Thomas has a brand new suspense, These Tangled Threads, A Novel of Biltmore, recently released from Bethany House. 

Here's a little bit about the story: Seven years ago, a hidden betrayal scattered three young friends living in the shadow of Biltmore Estate. Now, when Biltmore Industries master weaver Lorna Blankenship is commissioned to create an original design for Cornelia Vanderbilt's 1924 wedding, she panics knowing she doesn't have the creativity needed. But there's an elusive artisan in the Blue Ridge Mountains who could save her--if only she can find her.To track the mysterious weaver down, Lorna sees no other way but to seek out the relationships she abandoned in shame. As she pulls at each tangled thread from her old life, Lorna is forced to confront the wounds and regrets of long ago. She'll have to risk the job that shapes her identity as well as the hope of friendship--and love--restored.

You can buy These Tangled Threads: A Novel of Biltmore HERE from Christianbook.com

Have a great week of reading, lovers of inspirational suspense and mystery! ~ Mary Ellis