Viviana from Enchantress of Books and I are super excited to have the very talented Kendra Elliot on our blogs today to talk about her wonderful Suspense Romance books on audio.
Kendra, what do you love/like about audio books?
My favorite thing is that it widens my reach. I reach more readers/listeners by being available in audio. I hear from people who physically cannot read a book and they’re very grateful that I’m available in audio. For my own preferences, I don’t like to listen to them…I can’t stand being read to out loud. Even when my husband tries to read me a snippet from a magazine, I say, “Just let me look at it!”
Tell us what involvement do you have in getting your novels turned into audiobooks?
My publisher does everything. I just cheer them on.
How is your narrator selected for your novels?
Book one in the Mason Callahan series
Good question! Over ten novels and novellas, I’ve had multiple narrators. I know on my Callahan & McLane series, they’ve made it a priority to use the same duo for narration, but I’m not sure of my publisher’s selection process on the others.
What information/guidance do you provide to the narrator?
The duo that does my Callahan series reaches out to me each time before they start and asks if I have any guidance. I usually don’t. They have confirmed how to pronounce a few of the Pacific Northwest locations like Willamette. It’s not willa-met.
I am so glad they asked you that. I just listened to another story and the pronounced Willamette wrong. If you are from Oregon you will understand.
Kendra’s debut novel. Book one in the Bone Secret series.
Do you listen to your audiobooks after they are finished? Why or why not.
NOOOO! When my debut novel came out, I thought it’d be cool to listen to the audio sample on Amazon. I lasted it through two sentences. Those are my words! I don’t know how to explain it…it was too odd. It’s probably similar to how my brother felt when he tried to read one of my books. He said he could hear my voice talking in his head, and he simply couldn’t continue.
If you have one book in your backlist that is not already on audio, which novel would you want to be turned into an audio book.
I started to list VEILED, one of my novellas. But I just double checked on Amazon and it is available in audio. I love my publisher. They’ve made it a priority to get everything I’ve written into audio.
If you could pick one person (male or female) to narrator your life who would it be and why?
Novella #1 in the Rouge River series.
How about Morgan Freeman? I could listen to him read the phone book.
For anyone who has not listened to an audiobook before. What would you tell them to try to convince them
to listen?
I firmly believe everyone should try it. Clearly it’s not for me, but I have friends who are huge readers and absolutely love audio too. They listen while working out or during their commutes. You might be missing out on something fabulous.
As a kid, I read and read and read. Laura Ingalls, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden were my close companions, and I was never without a book in hand. Today, mysteries are my primary reading genre. I enjoy Lee Child, Karen Rose, Robert Crais, and Tami Hoag. But I also love a sweeping historical novel by Diana Gabaldon or a contemporary romance by Rachel Gibson.
I decided to try my hand at writing a novel after I read a newspaper article about NaNoWriMo. Heck, I can do that. I sat down and wrote a contemporary romance but kept tripping over dead bodies in each chapter. I got the hint and my stories evolved into romantic suspense.
I joined my local Romance Writers of America chapter, the Rose City Romance Writers, and found a fabulous community dedicated to educating its members about writing and publishing. Book purchases are tax deductable?? I also belong to International Thriller Writers and the Kiss of Death Chapter of RWA.
In 2010, my manuscript, Stronger Than Bone (HIDDEN), was a finalist in RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart® contest. My third book, BURIED, won the Daphne Du Maurier award for romantic suspense and was nominated for the 2014 International Thriller Writers’s award for Best Paperback Original and Romantic Times Magazine’s best Romantic Suspense of 2013.
I grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still live there with my husband, three daughters, two cats, and a Pomeranian. I am fascinated with forensics, refuse to eat anything green, and love a good Mai Tai on the beach on Kauai.
TITLE: Spiraled
SERIES #: Mason Callahan #3
CHARACTERS: Mason Callahan & Ave McLane
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: June 2, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N | Audible
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FBI Special Agent Ava McLane solves crimes; she doesn’t witness them. When she’s trapped in a mall without her weapon as a shooter picks off victims, she hides with a wounded teen and prays for her survival.
But that’s only the beginning…
An epidemic of mass shootings has swept across Oregon. The young shooters terrify the public, committing random murders before taking their own lives. The task force assembled to solve the case—which includes Ava’s boyfriend, detective Mason Callahan—remains stumped. And on top of this chaos, Ava’s troubled twin sister reappears, throwing Ava’s already-tumultuous life into a tailspin.
An old-fashioned cop with a strong sense of duty, Mason struggles to find the cause of the shootings as workaholic Ava spins ever closer to breaking down. But can one detective save the lives of countless innocents—and prevent the woman he loves from going over the edge?
REVIEW:
Sometime you read a book and think “I loved this book”. Other time you think “This was okay”. Then you think well dang now I have to write a review and express myself on this book. After reading SPIRALED all I can think is “DANG Ms. Elliot can write a story!!!!! Spiraled was amazing!!”
Mason and Ava are amazing characters. They have been through so much over the last three books. There have been so many ups and downs. I honestly hope that they both retire and live a quiet life in Oregon.
Man, I want to tell you so much about this book. But I know, I would spoil it for you. So let me tell you about one of the things I love most about Kendra’s writing is that it is so real. Scary real!!! Reading Spiraled put me back to the place I was when the Clackamas shootings happened in Oregon. As I said scary real, I had actually thought about driving north to go shopping.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & Amazon Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: Bridged
SERIES #: Mason Callahan #2
CHARACTERS: Mason Callahan & Ava McLane
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: February 10, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After a congressman’s tortured body is found dangling from a Portland bridge, the FBI joins the Oregon State Police to investigate the case—and FBI Special Agent Ava McLane, still recovering from a bullet wound, hunts the twisted killer alongside the man who captured her heart, police detective Mason Callahan.
But once a third body appears and all evidence points to a serial killer, the public furiously clamors for answers—and the couple’s relationship grows fractured under the pressure. Ava and Mason search in the past for clues that predict the future. And when Ava’s mentally ill twin spins out of control, the FBI agent who battles monsters every day wonders if she shares her sister’s self-destructive streak…
In the latest thrilling romantic suspense novel from award-winning author Kendra Elliot, the past and the present violently collide…and the fallout can be deadly.
KELLY’S REVIEW:
Bridged is book 2 in Ms. Elliots Mason Callahan series. After the events of Vanished (bk1)(which you need to read) I was not sure how Ms. Elliot was going to top this story, but she did. Bridged is truly an amazing story.
In Bridged we find Mason & Ava loving life and looking forward to a little down time. But in the Rose City there is no rest for the wicked, which means no rest for the Oregon State Police and the FBI.
There is so much that I want to tell you. But I don’t want to give anything away. But I will tell you that this story just keeps building and building and building with each chapter. Building to the point that you can’t put the book down until you get to the end.
Amazing!!! It truly amazes me how twisted and complicated a suspense romance authors mind works. I can’t wait for the next journey in Mason & Ava’s life, although I do hope that they will get a nice quiet weekend soon. 🙂
NATASHA’S REVIEW:
I am so in love with this series! This story follows Mason and Ava as they try to adjust to life as a couple and chase a whole new brand of serial killer. They are great together and I love getting to see them work together. I do wish that we saw them together more outside of work. I wanted to see how they interacted, why they were so happy together. We got glimpses – but I’d be ok with much more! We mostly saw the supporting work characters of these two in this installment and that’s ok with me. I love Ray! I’m curious about Zander…I wonder what he’ll add to this series moving forward. Such a great read!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Eleven years ago, the Co-Ed Slayer murdered nine female college students on the Oregon State University campus. Lacey Campbell barely survived his attack, but he killed her best friend, Suzanne, whose body was never found. Now a forensic odontologist analyzing teeth and bones for the state medical examiner, Lacey is devastated when she identifies Suzanne’s remains at a crime scene. She finds comfort in the arms of ex-cop Jack Harper, and sparks fly between them even as a new reign of terror begins. Someone is killing the witnesses who sent the Co-ed Slayer to prison a decade ago. All the evidence points to the Co-ed Slayer as the culprit, only he’s long since dead. So who’s the new killer? And is Lacey next in line to die? Golden Heart finalist Kendra Elliot unites in-depth forensic knowledge with a passion for thrillers. Set amid the snowy backdrop of Oregon, Hidden creates spine-tingling chills.
As a forensic nurse on a search and rescue team, Brynn Nealey braves a dangerous blizzard to find the survivors of a plane crash in the Cascade Mountains. Joining her is Alex Kinton, a former US marshal with self-destructive tendencies. Alex lies his way onto Brynn’s team to find the man who killed his brother—and then return the favor. But once the team members reach the plane’s wreckage, they discover everyone aboard has perished…except for the man Alex is hunting. Alex will do whatever it takes to track his target through the vast, snowy wilderness.
As the temperatures drop, however, so do Alex’s defenses. His contact with the sharp, kindhearted Brynn makes his lust for vengeance difficult to reconcile with his growing feelings for a woman who risks her life to help others. What will happen to Alex’s savage instincts when he finally has the opportunity to confront his brother’s killer?
In Chilled, the next thrilling tale in the Bone Secrets saga, Golden Heart finalist Kendra Elliot weaves an icy tale of cold nights, cold hearts, and cold-blooded killers.
Reporter Michael Brody is used to getting answers. The one that’s eluded him, though, for twenty long years is learning what happened to his brother Daniel the day his school bus disappeared. When the remains of the other children are discovered—and Daniel’s aren’t among them—a desperate Michael calls upon the sole survivor of the tragedy, Chris Jacobs, hoping he will finally break his silence.
Constant fear of being found by his kidnapper has driven Chris into hiding. The only lead Michael has is Chris’s sister, Jamie. Strong and impenetrable, she’s capable of burrowing deep into Michael’s heart. As they race to find Chris, Michael and Jamie somehow find each other among the decades of wreckage. But locating Chris may not be so easy. Now grown, his scars go far deeper than skin.
In Buried, the next thrilling Bone Secrets novel from bestselling author Kendra Elliot, a damaged hero digs deep into his terrifying past…and unearths a chance at love for the future
Forensic investigator Lacey Campbell is trying to relax. She and her fiancé have escaped to a high-end resort on the Oregon Coast that they’re scoping out for their wedding venue. But when a murdered woman turns up in the hot tub, there’s no more relaxing for the couple. Neither can resist getting pulled into the case.
Tragically, the dead woman is dressed in a wedding gown, even more disturbing for Lacey given she’s about to be a bride. When the victim turns out to be a beloved bartender with a bad-news ex-husband, it looks like a domestic quarrel turned deadly. But could there be something more sinister going on in this tight-knit community?
One rainy night in the woods outside of Portland, Dr. Victoria Peres is called to the site of a haunting crime scene. Six beautiful young girls—all in white dresses and arranged in a perfect circle—have been left for dead. Only one girl, fighting for her life at a nearby hospital, has survived the carnage. Things get stranger still when Victoria and the police discover that the disturbing arrangement of the bodies—as meticulous as it is mysterious—is straight from the pages of a decades-old cold case. Victoria is called on to do what she does best, read the bones of the dead for clues…while dealing with the surprise return of her first love, medical examiner Seth Rutledge. Only this time she must figure out how the two cases, fifty years apart, are connected.
TITLE: Her Grave Secret
SERIES #: Rogue River #3
CHARACTERS: Zane Duncan & Stevie Taylor
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: November
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N coming soon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There are no secrets in a small town—until someone has one worth dying for.
Local cop Stevie Taylor and police chief Zane Duncan have startling new proof that a deadly street drug is expanding its poisonous grip on their small town: a skull found on the banks of the Rogue River has two bullet holes in the back. Still caught up in the excitement of their new relationship, Stevie and Zane are determined to track down the drug’s source before more lives in Solitude, Oregon, are lost.
Then one death strikes especially close to home, leading to heartache and confusion for Stevie. As the drug distributors strike hard and the body count in Solitude grows higher, she and Zane must hunt down the deadly killer—but are they the predators, or the prey?
Filled with unexpected twists, Her Grave Secrets is the third exciting Rogue River novella in the romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
KELLY’S REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Don’t you hate it when you are reading a book and you get to the end of a chapter and turn the page only to find you are at the end of the book? I kept hitting the turn page on my kindle and nothing. Nothing. There was just no more for me to read.
UGGGG why do authors leave me like that? Well if you have started this series then you know that this is not the end of the story. But that Ms. Elliot & Ms. Leigh love to leave you with more questions then answers. As the body’s start piling up, the list of suspects grows longer. I am so confused as to who did it. I have a guess but I am afraid I am wrong. Can’t wait to see if I am write.
Please make sure that you start this novella series from the beginning. It is an on going story. Loved seeing Zane & Stevie again. Love seeing their relationship grow. Can’t wait for the next & last installment in this series.
NATASHA’S REVIEW:
5 Hearts Another great installment in this fabulous novella series. I love the people of Solitude, and Stevie & Zane are my favorite! I feel like I’m trudging right along with them in finding out what’s happening in Solitude and cannot wait for the conclusion to this series! The great interaction between Stevie and Zane is strong and I have no complaints. I love them together! Great story.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & Montlake in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
I am so excited to have two of my favorite authors on the blog today. I mean super excited!!!!
I just love Kendra & Melinda. I have had the great pleasure of meeting Kendra and she such a sweet person.
I have yet to meet Melinda in person but in talking with her online I know she is the real deal.
To say I was beyond excited that these two are teaming up to write a 4 novella series is an understatement. So how about we talk to the ladies and find out how this all came about and the trials and tribulations of writing together.
*****
Hi Kendra & Melinda! Welcome back to the blog. This will be the first time you are on the blog at the same time. I am super excited to have you both here.
So normally I start off by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself. But since I have you both here how about you tell me a little about one another.
Kendra, please tell me about Melinda: Don’t underestimate her! She may be tiny but she will kick your ass with her martial arts skills. She’s got a dry sense of humor, passionately loves all animals, and likes her vodka tonics. She overflows with energy, loves to talk with strangers, and can turn into a protective mama bear in a split second. I won’t tell you how often she gets her hair colored.
Melinda, please tell me about Kendra: She dotes on her daughters, loves Project Runway, and gives her beer options careful consideration. Kendra has a dog that looks like an Ewok. Dog lovers should go to her Facebook page just to see a picture of Max. Adorable! Kendra On the hair color: I won’t tell if she won’t.
Kelly: You both write in the romance suspense genre. Have you ever been mistaken for one another?
KE: Recently a review on one of Melinda’s books suggested we were pen names for the same person. We got a good laugh out of that. Readers occasionally mix us up. We’ve both been mistaken for writing the other person’s books on Goodreads or in reviews and blogs.
ML: People have also commented that we look enough alike to be sisters.
Nope not the same person
Kelly: If so can you explain why you are not the same person? And how people might think you are?
KE: Only someone crazy could have managed to write all our titles within the last three years. I like to think our quality of writing couldn’t be met by someone writing that fast. I know Melinda’s nearly gone nuts meeting just her own schedule.
ML: We have photographic evidence there are two of us! But we do write in the same genre, and since we share a publisher, there is a small amount of similarity in our book covers and sometimes we share promotion. That could explain the confusion.
Kelly: Have you thought about writing in a different genre? If yes, which one?
KE: I considered writing a Young Adult historical. Something like Outlander for teens. But romantic suspense has been really good to me, so I want to focus on maintaining that momentum.
ML: I love all sorts of fiction. Writing a straight mystery thriller sounds like fun, but right now I’m enjoying being able to blend genres however I choose. Each book comes out a bit different.
Kelly: I have to say when I found out that the two of you were teaming up to write a set of novellas I was super excited. What made you finally decided to take the plunge and work together?
KE: We’d remarked casually on it a few times but never thought about it seriously. I think we’d believed the only way to do it was to collaborate on a single book which is VERY complicated with two opinionated authors. In 2013, I got an early copy of Allison Brennan’s and Laura Griffin’s CRASH AND BURN in which they each wrote their own story but made them related and a light bulb went off.
ML: Yes! Writing one book together seemed difficult given we live on opposite coasts. The idea of related stories quickly evolved into a television-like series. Each novella has it’s own plot, but there’s also an overall plot arc to carry the reader from one story to the next, like episodes in a TV series. Plotting together was a lot of fun.
Kelly: How did you come up with the idea of the Rogue River series?
KE: Hmmm. How I remember it was that we knew we wanted to each write from the point of view of two sisters. We wanted them to have a big family. And live in a small town. And water needed to be prominent in the title and books. We tossed around a few river names and I remember Melinda really liking the sound of the Rogue River. Maybe Melinda remembers more…
ML: Magic? I flew out to Seattle to visit our publisher, and Kendra drove up. We plotted all four novellas in one day. Yes, there was definitely magic involved in getting that done so quickly.
Kelly: Whose idea was it to have it set in Oregon?
KE: Melinda was polite and offered to go with my home state. I needed to be comfortable and write about an area I knew. Melinda is tougher than that.
ML: I knew I could rely on Kendra to fill me in on any necessary local details.
Kelly: Are any of your characters Oregon State Beaver fans?
KE: NO
Kelly: Boo!! “Go Beavs”
ML: Whispers, “What’s an Oregon State beaver?”
Kelly: *GASP* we will talk after Melinda
Kelly: Ladies, can you give us a look at the 1st novella in this series, which is written by Kendra ‘On Her Father’s Grave’ (released October 7th).
KE: In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.
Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.
In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.
Kelly: How about we take a look at the second novella in the series, which is written by Melinda ‘Gone To Her Grave’ (released October 21st)
ML: In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.
Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?
Kelly: I know that there will be 4 novella’s in the Rogue River series, book 3 Her Grave Secret by Kendra and book 4 Walking on Her Grave by Melinda will both be out in November. Is there potential for more? Or maybe a spin-off?
KE: Oy. We introduced a big cast. I think there is always potential for more. But I feel like I’ve been living and breathing the Rogue River for several months in addition to writing my novels. I’m ready for a break, but it might look different in the future. Writing books is like childbirth. Down the road you forget the pain. I’m excited each time I start a new project, but I get a tenth of the way in and start asking why I keep doing this.
ML: You never know! It was a fun project. I love tackling a new and different challenge to add variety to my work, but it was also tough to juggle two extra novellas with my full-length writing commitments. I didn’t see much of my family between January and May of 2014. But stories are like Jell-O. There’s always room for more.
Kelly : What was the hardest part about writing a story together?
KE: Seriously, writing together wasn’t hard. We knew the other person was disciplined and would get done what needed to be done. With each of us writing our own novellas, it allowed us to write as we pleased. It protected our voices and gave us the decision making power over our particular books. We never felt forced to compromise something or rewrite something because the other person didn’t like it. We read each other’s work for continuity and brainstormed together when one of us got stuck.
ML: The plotting process was more complicated that we expected, with four separate stories and an overall storyline to keep in line, but having a writing partner was helpful. If one of us got stuck while writing, there was another person equally invested in the story ready to jump in and offer suggestions. Typically, writing is a solo event, and when you’re stuck, you’re all alone.
Kelly: Do you think that you will work together on another project in the future?
KE: I’d love to but I know we both have tight schedules to meet. My first love is full-length novels. The novellas are fun and have been great to experiment with, but I think we both want to focus on getting our novels written.
ML: The novellas were a fun change of pace, but also I love digging into a long, complicated (and dark) plot.
Kelly: I have an idea for you!!! You should team up to write a story about a kick-ass accountant/part time blogger who is an Oregon State Beaver fan who solves a cold case by total accident. And yes, you can base her off me.
KE: Ummm…
ML: Sounds interesting…
Kelly: Why do you have blank stares? It is a good idea!!!
KE: *hands off to Melinda*
ML: Oh, look at the time.
Kelly: Fine moving on…..
Kelly to Melinda: You have two ongoing series right now, the ‘Midnight series’ and the ‘She Can series’. Midnight Betrayal which was release in September 2014 is your latest book. Can you tell us a little about Midnight Betrayal (which was awesome, check out my review here).
ML: In Midnight Betrayal, a museum curator falls for the prime suspect in the grisly murder of an intern. It’s an edgy, dark, and sexy read.
Kelly: It looks like you have the start of a new series to The Scarlet Falls series. Book one Hour of Need is scheduled to be released on December 9, 2014. Tell us a little about Hour of Need.
ML: After the murder of his brother and sister-in-law, Major Grant Barrett returns home from Afghanistan to take temporary custody of their young children only to learn that his six-year-old nephew saw the killer and has become the next target.
Kelly: What is next for you after Hour of Need?
ML: I’m currently working on book 2 in the Scarlet Falls series. My working title is Minutes to Kill, and the tentative release date is June 2015. On a business trip, Hannah Barrett witnesses a crime and soon learns that what happens in Vegas can follow you home. Next on my plate (probably) is another She Can book for December 2015. I have a few possible characters in mind. I’ve always thought Sarah Mitchell deserves her own story after everything she endured in SHE CAN TELL.
Kelly to Kendra: You have two ongoing series also, the ‘Bone Secret series’ and your new series the ‘Callahan & McLane Series’. Bridged, book two in the Callahan series is to be released on January 13, 2015 can you tell us a little about Mason’s next adventure.
KE: In BRIDGED, Mason and Ava are assigned to the same serial killer case. A killer is hanging dead bodies off the bridges in the Portland metropolitan area. Of course, Ava’s unbalanced twin Jayne manages to disrupt everything she can in Ava’s life while Ava and Mason take the next step in their relationship.
Kelly: Well we get any more Bone Secret novels?
KE: Yes. First SPIRALED, the third Callahan and McLane book will be out next summer and then my publisher has requested a fifth Bone Secrets book for January 2016. I have no idea who will be featured in that book.
Kelly: Seriously I am thinking the book idea of that kick-ass accountant needs to be on your to do list.
KE: Maybe a forensic accountant…I’ve heard of them…I have no idea what they do, but it sounds like a Bone Secrets book.
ML: There’s no reason an accountant can’t kick major ass, but as a former banker, the thought of writing a story involving the financial sector gives me hives.
Kelly: Fine!!! But, I still think it is a good idea.
Kelly: Is there anything else you would like to add or any deep dark secrets you want to share about each other with your readers?
KE: Melinda doesn’t like sweet mixed drinks. She says my drinks are froo-froo. But we share a weakness for all things chocolate and ice cream.
ML: And coffee! Which is like oxygen for writers.
Kelly: Again ladies, Thank you so very much for coming on the blog I love you both (Top #12 baby) and hope that you keep writing amazing books.
Kendra we need that cake date soon! Melinda I hope to meet you in person very soon!!
KE: You’re my number one blogger-girl, Kelly!
ML: Thanks so much for hosting us. Kelly rocks!
Kelly: And now you know why these two are two of my all time favorites!!!!
Here is a look at the ladies Rogue River Novella series
In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.
Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.
In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.
The first of four thrilling Rogue River novellas, On Her Father’s Grave launches a new romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.
Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?
A pulse-pounding Rogue River novella, Gone to Her Grave is the second exciting addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
There are no secrets in a small town—until someone has one worth dying for.
Local cop Stevie Taylor and police chief Zane Duncan have startling new proof that a deadly street drug is expanding its poisonous grip on their small town: a skull found on the banks of the Rogue River has two bullet holes in the back. Still caught up in the excitement of their new relationship, Stevie and Zane are determined to track down the drug’s source before more lives in Solitude, Oregon, are lost.
Then one death strikes especially close to home, leading to heartache and confusion for Stevie. As the drug distributers strike hard and the body count in Solitude grows higher, she and Zane must hunt down the deadly killer—but are they the predators, or the prey?
Filled with unexpected twists, Her Grave Secrets is the third exciting Rogue River novella in the romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
The electrifying conclusion of the romantic suspense novella series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
The sleepy town of Solitude, Oregon, has turned into ground zero for a turf war between the manufacturers and distributors of a lethal new drug. When a teenage witness disappears, social worker Carly Taylor must find him before he’s silenced permanently.
Rogue County investigator Seth Harding wants to keep Carly, his estranged wife, out of harm’s way, but she refuses to let his concern keep her from doing her job. When one of her young charges vanishes, Carly gets pulled even deeper into the deadly case, and Seth knows he must help her…even if it leads them right into the criminals’ crosshairs.
Explosive and exciting to the last page, Walking on Her Grave is the fourth and final thrilling addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot
In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.
Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.
In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.
The first of four thrilling Rogue River novellas, On Her Father’s Grave launches a new romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh
In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.
Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?
A pulse-pounding Rogue River novella, Gone to Her Grave is the second exciting addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
There are no secrets in a small town—until someone has one worth dying for.
Local cop Stevie Taylor and police chief Zane Duncan have startling new proof that a deadly street drug is expanding its poisonous grip on their small town: a skull found on the banks of the Rogue River has two bullet holes in the back. Still caught up in the excitement of their new relationship, Stevie and Zane are determined to track down the drug’s source before more lives in Solitude, Oregon, are lost.
Then one death strikes especially close to home, leading to heartache and confusion for Stevie. As the drug distributers strike hard and the body count in Solitude grows higher, she and Zane must hunt down the deadly killer—but are they the predators, or the prey?
Filled with unexpected twists, Her Grave Secrets is the third exciting Rogue River novella in the romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
The electrifying conclusion of the romantic suspense novella series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
The sleepy town of Solitude, Oregon, has turned into ground zero for a turf war between the manufacturers and distributors of a lethal new drug. When a teenage witness disappears, social worker Carly Taylor must find him before he’s silenced permanently.
Rogue County investigator Seth Harding wants to keep Carly, his estranged wife, out of harm’s way, but she refuses to let his concern keep her from doing her job. When one of her young charges vanishes, Carly gets pulled even deeper into the deadly case, and Seth knows he must help her…even if it leads them right into the criminals’ crosshairs.
Explosive and exciting to the last page, Walking on Her Grave is the fourth and final thrilling addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot
Guess what? You’re not finished, and I guarantee it’s not ready for publication. But you’ve done the part that 95% of people who sit down to write a book couldn’t do. You finished and deserve a pat on the back and a big glass of wine.
Now it’s time for the next step: self-editing
This is a tough step if it’s the first time you’ve finished a book because you have no idea what to look for. Here are a few good references:
Fire Up Your Fiction Jodie Renner
Writing the Breakout Novel Donald Maass
Techniques of the Selling Writer Dwight Swain
Self-editing for Fiction Writers Renni Brown & Dave King
Take a few days and step away from your book. If changes occur to you during this time, write down the change on a master list to do later. There are two main parts to editing. There’s the editing the story and then there’s editing the words/sentences.
Editing the story
Is your first chapter awesome? Does it hook the reader and make them want to keep reading? These first pages are crucial. Agents, editors, and readers will give you about a page (or less!) to hook them.
Do your characters have strong internal and external motivations? Don’t know what I’m talking about? Then your story might be put-down-able. Read Debra Dixon’s Goal, Motivation and Conflict.
Ask yourself the purpose of every scene. Is the story strong without it? Or is it crucial to your characters and plot? You might be surprised how many scenes you’ve written that add nothing and will slow your pacing.
Does the end of every chapter inspire the reader to keep going? Readers think to themselves, “I’ll take a break when I finish this chapter.” Write the ending of the chapter so they’re compelled to go to the next chapter. Read a few of the reference books I list above to get a longer checklist for story edits.
Editing the words/sentences
When you’re ready, read your manuscript out loud. Are you stumbling over wording? Then your reader will too. Print it out to see how it looks on paper. Replace weak verbs, get rid of most of those adverbs, stagger your sentence length, get rid of excess words (very, really, just) Ask yourself, “How can I make this sentence laser focused and direct?” Look for passive sentences. Do actions happen to your subjects? That creates a passive sentence. Make your subject create the action.
The ball was hit by the bat. (passive)
The bat hit the ball. (active)
Give yourself a deadline or else you will never finish revising. A writer can go through a book a million times and still see things that need polish and change. When you’ve polished up your words to be the best they can be, it’s time to look to the outside world for some input.
Seeking outside help
Tread carefully and take every word of advice with a grain of salt. Most likely, your mother or spouse is not the right person to advise you on your story. Some writers have a network of critique partners and beta readers. The big question is how to find these valuable people and nurture the relationship.
Join a local writing group. Romance Writers of America has many local chapters with people just like you who want to talk about creating the best book they can. And they offer resources in workshops and access to online classes. Even if you don’t write romance, the amount of knowledge available about the publishing industry and improving your craft is gold. I’ve seen many authors outside of romance comment that no one knows the business and craft better than romance writers. Take advantage of that. And they’ll welcome you to their meetings; they don’t care what genre you write.
Develop relationships through social media. Look for people in the same boat as you but be ready to reciprocate. If the relationship doesn’t work, be prepared to gently end it without hurting feelings. You aren’t looking for people to praise your work; you’re looking for feedback. Expect the gut wrenching comments about how unlikeable your heroine is and focus on the why someone made that comment.
Enter contests. For a small fee, many writing groups offer contests and give feedback on a portion of your manuscript. Does the feedback deliver changes you must make? Definitely not. Again…take every piece of advice with a grain of salt. Does the feedback feel completely wrong or are you being too sensitive? Both are possibilities. Does the same issue keep coming up in feedback? Take an honest look at what they suggest.
Pay someone to read your manuscript. For a brand-new writer, paying someone to edit your manuscript is a last-ditch decision; you must learn how to write better first. Paying someone to do it for you won’t help you learn. And did the editor do a copy edit or a story edit? New manuscripts need tons of both, and quality edits are very expensive. My advice is to read, read, read everything you can on self-editing and get your work in front of experienced writers before resorting to this step. When you’re ready, ask successful published writers who edits their work. Watch out for scams! Or inept editors. Just because someone has an English degree or reads a lot does not make them an editor. A true editor has a genuine gift and most are employed with publishers or run successful editing businesses. Do your homework and research before handing over a big check. Google them up the wazoo and ask on social media for opinions. Check the website Preditors and Editors before agreeing to anything.
Now is your book the best it can be? It’s time to decide which path to pursue: traditional publishing or self-publishing or both. And while you’re working on that decision, start writing your next book!
Kendra Elliot won a 2014 Daphne du Maurier award for BURIED, which was also a 2014 International Thriller Writers’ finalist and a Romantic Times finalist for best Romantic Suspense of 2013. She’s published five novels and has three more on the way. She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives there with her husband, three daughters, two cats, and a Pomeranian. She left the dental world after sixteen years to write full time in 2012. She’s always been fascinated with forensics, refuses to eat anything green, and loves a strong Mai Tai on the beach on Kauai.
TITLE: Vanished
SERIES #: Mason Callahan #1
CHARACTERS: Mason Callahan & Ava McLane
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: June 17, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When eleven-year-old Henley Fairbanks is abducted on her way to school, the FBI doesn’t waste a moment, sending agents to scour the area and embedding Special Agent Ava McLane with the distraught family. In the eye of the storm is local detective Mason Callahan, who also happens to be related to Henley. To make matters worse for Mason, the kidnapping comes on the heels of the murder of his longtime confidential informant, and he’s been sidelined from the investigation.
Now both he and Agent McLane are holed up in the Fairbanks’ home, along with Callahan’s ex-wife, Robin. Every second counts in a kidnapping case, and the stakes keep rising the longer Henley stays missing. As Ava and Mason struggle to hold the Fairbanks family together in their darkest hour, the two investigators find themselves more and more drawn to each other.
REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This is my first book by Kendra Elliot, and I think I’ve found a new favorite author. Her writing is incredibly vivid and engrossing. I was sucked into this story from the beginning and couldn’t put the book down. Mason Callahan is a great lead character, and he really found a perfect partner with Ava. I adore them both. I love that they are able to separate out their professions and personal lives in a believable manner. I also really enjoyed all of the side characters in the story and I’m happy that we’ll get to likely see them again throughout this series. I didn’t know who the perpetrator was until Kendra deliberately revealed it, and that makes me happy. I like to pretend to know who the bad guys are, but I always prefer to be surprised. She gave us just enough information to keep us guessing until the climax. I’m very excited for Kendra’s work and cannot wait for book 2 in this series. I’m even going to have to go back and read all of her previous books now.
Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Books-n-Kisses is super exicted to have our pal Kendra Elliot back on the blog to talk about her newest release Vanished. This was a great read. If you have not picked up your copy and you love Romance Suspense you really need to.
So, Kendra can you tell my wonderful followers a little about yourself
I’ve lived in Oregon for 96% of my life. (Yes, I’m nerdy and got out a calculator to get the right percentage) I have three teenage daughters that keep my house very busy and spent sixteen years as a dental hygienist before quitting to write full time. My first novel came out almost two years ago. VANISHED will be my fifth novel.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
I didn’t always want to write; I loved to read. From a very early age, I was a voracious reader, and I hated writing in high school and college. One day I set down a book after finishing it for the fourth or fifth time and wondered if I could make a reader feel as awesome this author always made me feel. I decided to give it a shot. My third try was published in 2012 as HIDDEN.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I often write with noise reducing headphones while listening to white noise from outer space. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcJ-o_fh1B4 (Again, nerd alert!) My husband works from home, and even though we work on different levels of the house, I can still hear his constant phone conferences. The headphones make all the difference.
Can you please tell us about your newest release Vanished?
This is the blurb from the book: When an eleven-year-old is abducted on her way to school, the FBI doesn’t waste a moment, sending agents to scour the area and embedding Special Agent Ava McLane with the distraught family. In the eye of the storm is local detective Mason Callahan, whose life is crumbling to pieces—he’s related to the victim, and his longtime confidential informant has just been murdered.
Both he and Agent McLane hole up in the victim’s family home. Every second counts in a kidnapping case, and the stakes keep rising the longer the girl is missing. As Ava and Mason struggle to hold the family together in their darkest hour, the two investigators find themselves drawn to each other.
Is Vanished is part of your ongoing Bone Secret series?
Officially VANISHED is not a Bone Secret book, even though regular readers will recognize my main character, Detective Mason Callahan, from the other Bone Secret Books. The Bone Secret books are more forensics oriented; VANISHED focuses on the FBI and police officers and their lives. Right now I plan to write 3 or 4 books with Mason Callahan and his love interest, Ava McLane. The second Callahan/McLane book is finished and should be released in January 2015. We’re still searching for a series title name for them. As I’m writing this, we haven’t finalized the name decision. But there will be more Bone Secrets books! After writing two FBI books, I’m ready to dive back into forensics.
How about we give the readers a little snippet from Vanished. Please open Vanished to a random page and give us a sentence or two.
In VANISHED, my detective’s personal and professional life is spinning out of control. This is part of a scene where his boss is telling him not to come in to work because they’ve discovered some evidence that doesn’t shine favorably on Mason.
Schefte cleared his throat. “We’d already pulled your hard drive.”
“What?” Mason’s vision tunneled.
“We’re checking your calendar, too.”
“You don’t take my whole computer to look at a calendar. What the hell is going on there?”
Schefte was quiet.
“Do I need a lawyer?” Mason asked. His brain spun like he was drunk. What was happening?
“It wouldn’t hurt to talk to your union rep,” Schefte answered. “I don’t know about a lawyer. I don’t think that will be necessary.”
A sharp pain shot through Mason’s temple.
“Denny, I don’t have time for this! I’m trying to help my family stay sane while their daughter is missing! My son is about to cave in on himself he’s so stressed.” And so am I.
“I know you’ve got a lot going on. This was a good time to take some time off. Come down and get your prints done again. Then we’ll talk.” Schefte sounded distant. All his usual good buddy-ness gone from his voice.
Do they think he killed Josie? Impossible.
Something was screwed up somewhere. Evidence lines were getting crossed.
“Fine,” answered Mason in the same even tone. “I’ll have my rep with me.” He ended the call and slipped the phone in his pocket, feeling as though his support system was being chiseled away. First his family struggled with the worst imaginable horror. Now his job was in jeopardy? He felt like he was being ripped in half. As slowly as possible.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’ve finished the follow-up to VANISHED which is currently titled BRIDGED and it will be out in January 2015. I also just finished a series of four small town romantic suspense novellas, The Rogue River Series, written with my author buddy Melinda Leigh that will be out next fall. I wrote two of the novellas books from the point-of-view of a woman who’s returned after five years as an LAPD officer to be a cop in her tiny home town of Solitude, Oregon. Melinda wrote two from my character’s sister’s point-of-view, a social worker who is reevaluating her marriage to her detective husband. Each novella is a complete suspense story, but there is also an over arcing mystery.
Next project? Thinking about this…it will most likely be a Bone Secret book. Any suggestions of who you’d like to read about from my previous books? I get a lot of requests for Chris’s story from BURIED.
Speaking of BURIED, it has been nominated for the International Thriller Award for Best Paperback Original. I was stunned and actually cried when I got the news. This competition is HUGE and I never dreamed I’d final. I’m still stunned at the names on this list: http://thrillerwriters.org/programs/thriller-awards/ My publisher is flying me to NYC in July for the conference and award ceremony. BURIED is also up for a Daphne award for Romantic Suspense at the Romance Writers of America national conference in July.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Write, write, write, and read. Keep reading. Study the works of the authors you love and try to see what makes them stand out. Read how-to books, take online classes, join professional organizations, and listen to advice from other authors but don’t follow all of it. What works for some writers is not right for you, and there is a LOT of misleading information out there. Get to know other writers, don’t be pushy, pay your dues, and attend conferences. This isn’t a get-rich-quick business. Some people have, but 99% have not. Don’t get into the business for the money; do it because you love the writing.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’ve had Allison Brennan’s NOTORIOUS on my TBR pile since it came out. When I’m writing, I don’t read much. I’m about to take a much needed break between writing books and that one is on top!
When eleven-year-old Henley Fairbanks is abducted on her way to school, the FBI doesn’t waste a moment, sending agents to scour the area and embedding Special Agent Ava McLane with the distraught family. In the eye of the storm is local detective Mason Callahan, who also happens to be related to Henley. To make matters worse for Mason, the kidnapping comes on the heels of the murder of his longtime confidential informant, and he’s been sidelined from the investigation. Now both he and Agent McLane are holed up in the Fairbanks’ home, along with Callahan’s ex-wife, Robin. Every second counts in a kidnapping case, and the stakes keep rising the longer Henley stays missing. As Ava and Mason struggle to hold the Fairbanks family together in their darkest hour, the two investigators find themselves more and more drawn to each other.
*****
GIVEAWAY TIME:
Kendra has given me permission to giveaway Kindle or print copy of reader’s choice of any of her books.
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to be entered.
TITLE: Vanished
SERIES #:the beginning of a new series
CHARACTERS: Mason Callahan & Ava McLane
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: June 17, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When eleven-year-old Henley Fairbanks is abducted on her way to school, the FBI doesn’t waste a moment, sending agents to scour the area and embedding Special Agent Ava McLane with the distraught family. In the eye of the storm is local detective Mason Callahan, who also happens to be related to Henley. To make matters worse for Mason, the kidnapping comes on the heels of the murder of his longtime confidential informant, and he’s been sidelined from the investigation. Now both he and Agent McLane are holed up in the Fairbanks’ home, along with Callahan’s ex-wife, Robin. Every second counts in a kidnapping case, and the stakes keep rising the longer Henley stays missing. As Ava and Mason struggle to hold the Fairbanks family together in their darkest hour, the two investigators find themselves more and more drawn to each other.
REVIEW:
Wow this story was pretty heartbreakingly good story. Ms. Elliott does an amazing job of bring her characters to life. If you are from Oregon there are a few references in this book that will make you cry just because you know the reality of Vanished storyline. But Vanished has so many different levels to this story and not all is as it seems.
I tried to think of a way to summarize this book, but I could not think of a good way to do it without giving something away so you get nothing :-). This just means that you need to read this book for yourself.
If you are a fan of Kendra’s you will enjoy Vanished. If you are new to The Bone Secret series never fear each book can be read as a stand alone with no problems. Make sure to add this one to your buy list.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Kendra Elliott in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: Veiled
SERIES #: Bone Secret #3.5 (a novella)
CHARACTERS: Jack Harper & Lacey Campbell
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: December 4, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Forensic investigator Lacey Campbell is trying to relax. She and her fiancé have escaped to a high-end resort on the Oregon Coast that they’re scoping out for their wedding venue. But when a murdered woman turns up in the hot tub, there’s no more relaxing for the couple. Neither can resist getting pulled into the case.
Tragically, the dead woman is dressed in a wedding gown, even more disturbing for Lacey given she’s about to be a bride. When the victim turns out to be a beloved bartender with a bad-news ex-husband, it looks like a domestic quarrel turned deadly. But could there be something more sinister going on in this tight-knit community?
REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another great story from Kendra. It was fun to see Jack & Lacey again even if it is not under the best of circumstances. Because really nothing can ruin a vacation like finding a dead body and be through head first in a murder investigation.
I am not going to give you more than that. This is a novella and I don’t want to give too much away. This novella can easily be read as a stand alone, although if you have not read book 1 you might want to read it. Jack & Lacey are from book 1 Hidden.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
A little about Kendra:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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