Seizing the Moment With Romantic Suspense Author Melinda Di Lorenzo

Back in 2013, I entered a romance writing competition being run by Harlequin and Wattpad, in which six winners would have their stories published. The six winners turned out to be quite a global group – an Aussie (me), two Brits, an American, a South African and a Canadian. The Canadian, Melinda Di Lorenzo, is my guest today. Melinda has gone on to great success since being one of those six winners, publishing with Tule, Harlequin Intrigue, and most recently, Harlequin Romantic Suspense, as well as self-publishing a number of titles. Her latest romantic suspense, Worth the Risk, came out just a few days ago and I've already finished it!

About Melinda 

Amazon bestselling author Melinda Di Lorenzo writes in her spare time - at soccer practices, when she should be doing laundry, and in place of sleep. She lives on the beautiful west coast of British Columbia, Canada, with her handsome husband and her noisy kids. When she's not writing, she can be found curled up with (someone else's) good book. 

Connect with Melinda via Facebook and Twitter.

PI Sam Potter is dedicated to his job, and willing to do whatever it takes to meet his clients’ needs so long as he doesn’t break his number one rule and get involved on a personal level. His emotional detachment is working just fine until he meets Meredith Jamison.  She’s beautiful, brainy, and gutsy. She’s also his suspected kidnapping victim’s sister, and strictly off limits.

Meredith Jamison isn’t expecting to wake to a frightened call from her normally unflappable sister, Tamara.  She isn’t expecting to find a handsome, pushy stranger on her doorstep asking questions about the phone call, either.  But most of all, she isn’t expecting to be fighting a growing attraction to PI Sam Potter as they work together to chase down every possible lead in a dangerous kidnapping.

Racing against time, Sam and Meredith must risk their lives—and their hearts—to save Tamara.

Read a Little, Buy the Book 

He met her gaze. “Methodically. If I’m scared, I face the fear so I can move forward. When following leads, I make note of every single detail in hopes that one of them will go somewhere. Because all I need is one. And the emotional detachment…I fight every natural urge.”

“Does it work?”

The question hung between them, weighted and dangerous. Sam knew that if he answered with a reference to his past, he’d be giving something away. If he answered in the moment, well… He might give away even more.

“Not always,” he said, carefully neutral.

Meredith didn’t let him get away with it. “And what would happen if it didn’t work?”

“It would make the job harder. Riskier. Because hearts are at stake as well as lives.”

“Has it happened to you?”

Those green eyes of hers held him, and he knew he couldn’t lie, even if he wanted to.

Once before.” He reached up to smooth back a strand of her blond hair. “And now once again.”

A blush crept up her throat. “Is it worth it? Risking your heart?”

“You tell me.” 

Available via Amazon. 

Let's Talk

AVRIL: How often do you get lost in a story? 
MELINDA: I always set aside time for reading! It’s my little reward to myself after I finish writing. I always have at least one book on the go, and though I don’t get as much time as I’d like to get lost, I read about two books every month. More if I don’t have a manuscript due. 

AVRIL: How challenging is it to wrap romance and suspense together in the one story? 
MELINDA: It’s always about balance. Sometimes, that comes chapter to chapter. One will focus on the developing love story while the next drives the plot forward. But I really think that the suspense heightens the romance. It makes it that much more important that the hero and heroine fall in love – they’re not sure if they’re going to come out alive, so seizing the moment is key. 

AVRIL: What would you say is your writing trademark? 
MELINDA: A quick pace, in both dialogue and plot. I want both to be immediate and real, so that my readers can really live inside those moments. 

AVRIL: You’re working on a new romantic suspense series. What can you tell us about it? 
MELINDA: The series is tentatively called Undercover Justice, and it’s a 4-book series for the Harlequin Romantic Suspense line. The plot follows four detectives who’ve been friends since they were children. They’re chasing down the man responsible for their fathers’ deaths, and they’ve finally caught up to him in a small town called Whispering Woods. Each story has its own mystery to solve, and each has its own steamy romance. The four books build off one another, with the solved cases ultimately guiding them towards their goal. 

AVRIL: What’s a typical day for you?
MELINDA: Well. Don’t laugh, but I start out the morning by making my husband breakfast before he leaves for work. Once my own, personal, handsome hero is off to work, I dig into my few minutes of quiet writing-time before getting the two younger kids up and ready for school. Three days a week, I clear my head with a run. The other two, I dive into writing immediately. I usually get in two solid hours of writing a day, and the rest in interrupted by my teen, whom I home school, by housework, by forgotten lunches or replacement clothes or field trips…My evenings are dedicated to soccer, softball, dance – all of the activities the kids are involved in. Then I fall into bed, exhausted! Exciting and glamorous, right? 

AVRIL: You’re quite a versatile writer – some rom com, intrigue, intrigue noir, and your fabulous fantasy romance, Long Way from Home also springs to mind. What’s your favourite kind of story to write? 
MELINDA: I have to say…I just like to write. I almost always have a romantic suspense on the go, but I have to temper it with something lighter, so there’s usually a contemporary romance open on my computer, too. I’m dying to write a young adult dystopian. Do I have a favourite? Maybe not… 

AVRIL: As a romance reader, what’s your pet hate? 
MELINDA: Bad dialogue. Plain and simple. I don’t like it when characters sound phony. 

A question from Melinda... 
What’s your favourite kind of “bad guy” in a romantic suspense novel? I have a strong preference for the one you never see coming…

Please tell us in the comments! 

Welcome MK Schiller!

I sat next to MK Schiller at the RWA Literacy Booksigning in San Diego last July and I'm thrilled to welcome her to the blog for the very first time!

MK is a hopeless romantic in a hopelessly pragmatic world. She has a full-time life and two busy teenagers, but in the dark of night, she sits by the warm glow of her computer monitor, and attempts to conjure up passionate heartwarming stories with plenty of humor.

She started imagining stories in her head at a very young age. In fact, she got so good at it that friends asked her to create plots featuring them as the heroine and the object of their affection as the hero. We'd spend hours on the phone while she came up with a series of unrealistic, yet tender events, which led to a satisfying conclusion. You've heard of fan fiction... this was friend fiction.

Even with that, it took many years to realize she could produce an actual full-length book that readers would enjoy. She tries to make her stories humorous, realistic, with flawed but redeeming characters. She hopes you enjoy her stories and always find The Happily Ever After in every endeavor.


Her latest release:

Where the Lotus Flowers Grow

Even in darkness, love can bloom…

Heir to a multinational hotel empire, Liam Montgomery thinks business is everything—until he goes undercover to check out their locations throughout Asia. As cosmopolitan as Liam is, from the bright lights of Mumbai to the tranquil beaches of Goa to the bustling streets of New York, he's never met anyone like lovely Mary Costa. He can't understand why this delicate, educated woman works as a maid. Or how she is reigniting his long-buried desire to be an artist. They are apart in so many ways—especially in the things Mary won't tell him. But more and more, Liam can't imagine his life without her...

Mary knows this unexpected desire for Liam must end. It’s true that his gentleness and sense of fun inspires her and makes her hopeful for the first time in her life. But she has a grim promise she feels compelled to keep—and painful experiences she fears he could never understand.  And with secrets soon reaching out to separate them for good, can they dare risk a future together if it means confronting the scars of the past?

READ A LITTLE, BUY THE BOOK

Jan Schliesman: How often do you Get Lost In A Story?

MK Schiller: All the time. In fact, it’s not picking up a book that’s the problem, it’s putting it down. The same issue happens when I write too.

Jan: Do you believe in love at first sight?

MK: Personally, I do, but it’s hard to convey that in a story since it’s done too often. I usually try to paint a backdrop to make the phenomenon believable.

Jan: Did you always want to be a writer?

MK: Yes – ever since I was a little kid. I’ve always been crafting stories in my head. I’d even make up stories for my friends. They would be little adventures for us to get lost in.

Jan: Like most authors, you are writing while raising kids. What sort of balance have you found works best? Do they help with the non-writing side of the business?

MK: My kids are older and in college so it helps a lot. My daughter is a good sounding board for my younger characters. I often ask her if my character is in line with someone her age. She also edits for me occasionally when she has time.

Jan: I keep a case of Dasani in my office. What’s your go-to beverage of choice?

MK: Coffee…and more coffee

Jan: Best vacation you’ve ever taken?

MK: We’ve been to Orlando several times, but the first time we went was magical. I loved all the themes at the different parks and we all had a blast.

Jan: We met at the RWA San Diego book signing. What’s the best part about meeting fans?

MK: The fact folks even know my books is amazing by itself. I love discussing the ideas behind the stories and discussing what we’re reading now. The book community is one of the most generous out there and I feel I’ve found my tribe.

Jan’s GOTTA ASK:

MK’s GOTTA ANSWER: Oh boy, I’m jealous. I love Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey the best. Anything with chocolate in it is good though.

 FIND MK Schiller:

Contact, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

UP NEXT:  Eight Days in the Sun – a new adult romance that takes place in Florida. 

THANKS SO MUCH, MK, for sharing a bit of your writing world with us. MK is offering an e-book copy of Where the Lotus Flowers Grow to one lucky reader who leaves a comment answering this question:

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE ROMANCE AND WHY?

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October First Friday - Celebrating Fall!

Hello everyone!  I'm in major deadline mode, but I thought I'd poke my head up and check in with you all.  Hopefully everyone is doing well!

The crew is here today to celebrate fall. I don't know about you, but it's my favorite season--I love almost everything about this time of year. The cool air, the beautiful leaves, and let's not forget the food: soups with crusty bread, cookies, and spiced tea.  Does it get any better?

What's your favorite time of year?



Don't forget to check out my latest release, Enticed by the Operative, which is book 1 in my Doctors in Danger miniseries!  Dr. Do or Die, book 2, is coming in January and is available for pre-order now!









Regan Walker
You know it's fall in San Diego where I live when the pumpkin patches start popping up, people's conversations turn to the Chargers' games and some hearty souls drive to the mountains in east county to Julian to pick apples. 

For me, when the mornings turn crisp, it makes for brisk walks along the coast.



Do check out my new release, King's Knight. The book releases on October 11 but it's available now for preorder on Amazon US, UK and Canada, among other places.

My Book Addiction and More called it "A tantalizing and intriguing medieval romance." 


King's Knight on Amazon US, UK and Canada.

Avril Tremayne

Typical Sydney spring blue sky

Early birthday present!

Well, here Downunder, it’s not fall (or autumn, as we call it) – it’s spring. For me, this is not such a good time, as I live in a suburb of Sydney riddled with plane trees and whenever there’s the tiniest breeze, the fluff from them plays havoc with just about every mucus membrane I own. Still, at least the sky is a glorious blue, and the temperature is divine. 

Halloween has never really established a big foothold in Australia, I’m sorry to say. So the only thing of note I have to share for October is my birthday! It’s not until the end of the month, but luckily I got my present early and I’m sharing it because I think all of us here will enjoy this gorgeous handbag.


Nan Dixon

There's something to love in each season - and since I live in Minnesota - we  get all four seasons. But when the trees ignite the landscape with their brilliant colors and I can have a fire at night with a glass of wine--it doesn't get much better than that.

Don't forget THROUGH A MAGNOLIA FILTER Book 3 in the Fitzgerald Series is out now.  Amazon B&N  

Book 4 - THE OTHER TWIN is available for pre-order. I just got the cover. What do you think?  Amazon B&N

E.E. Burke

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cool, crisp air and blazing colors. We just recently added a fire pit to our backyard and we've already made s'mores (twice!). This year, I had a extra special treat, an opportunity to participate in a Western historical boxed set collection with stories set during the autumn months and blazing with passion and adventure.  

Eight bestselling authors. Eight sizzling stories of the Old West to set your heart ablaze! All for only 99 cents! 

We'll be releasing this set on Oct. 18, and having a fabulous party on Facebook on Oct. 20. All eight authors will be hosting and answering readers' burning questions, as well as post tempting excerpts, giving away books, and the grand prize, a $100 Amazon gift card! 

I hope you'll join me, along with Amanda McIntyre, Hildie McQueen, Ciara Knight, Rose Gordon, Kirsten Lynn, Elizabeth Rose, and Kathleen Ball. Just click http://bit.ly/HeartsAblazeParty to RSVP and join the fall fun! #Hearts Ablaze #8authors8books99cents

I'll leave you with one of my favorite things to do in the fall... dress up for Halloween and gather with friends around a roaring bonfire. (Yes, I have to remove the mask to eat those s'mores.)

ANGI MORGAN

Is it really fall? It's hard to tell in Texas most of the time. I think I saw some leaves falling. I've actually been traveling...a lot. Just two weeks ago I was enjoying the hot sunshine of the Gulf in Florida. But I'm all tanned up and ready for some brisk breezes around here. 

I'm celebrating my New England trip last year by sharing additional photos on my blog this month. Punkin' or the adventures of a New England Gourd can be viewed on A PIC A DAY. Here are some great pictures of our fall trip. I hope you can stop by and enter my monthly drawing: Rafflecopter Giveaway

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google

Join us next week for Heidi Hormel, Melinda de Lorenzo, Mary Strand, the authors of Rivers End and Regan's release party of King's Knight.  

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