I’m delighted to have DiAnn Mills share her new romantic suspense book, Facing the Enemy, with you. It releases September 5th, but I received an advance copy. DiAnn weaves a great story while tackling thorny issues with the right dash of humor and romance. I highly recommend it.
Embracing Risk
Some people embrace risk like the rest of us breathe. Assuming uncertainty is natural for them, a part of their DNA. Others will take a risk only if the stakes are high—business deals, protecting innocent people, or a worthy cause. Both types understand the situation can invite danger and an unpredictable outcome.
These people accept the consequences of their actions to make life better for themselves or others. Who are these people, and what qualifies them to boldly step into a situation where the outcome is unpredictable . . . or life-threatening? Many are courageous men and women who are trained to keep us safe in a dangerous and unpredictable world.
In Facing the Enemy, I needed a heroine who embraced risk to find her brother’s killer. Special Agent Risa Jacobs resigns from Houston’s FBI where she worked and advocated protection of children. She believed ending her job would keep her colleagues and parents safe while she investigated the crime behind the scenes. She returns to teach English at a local college while danger stalks her from unexpected places. Risa even forsakes her longtime friend and FBI partner, but he’s a stubborn man who understands Risa can’t carry the burdens of the world on her shoulders. She needs God and His wisdom. The two face the unseen enemy and emerge victorious with the added blessing of love.
Two Decades of Writing Suspense
In writing suspense fiction for over two decades, I have my ideas and descriptions of men and women who embrace risk: self-confident heroes and heroines. Below are 15 traits that appeal to me. My characters will not have all these characteristics, but they will have more than one.
- Believe in God who created all things, even if their relationship with Him is flawed. Renewing their relationship with God is part of the story.
- Motivated by a cause bigger than themselves.
- Prepared to sharpen existing skills or learn new ones to succeed.
- Able to make decisions.
- Armed with compassion and empathy for others.
- Subscribe to an adventurous spirit.
- Courageous and bold when the occasion calls for it.
- Learns from their mistakes.
- Plan their actions but are not afraid of spontaneity.
- Accepts responsibility for their actions.
- Confident once he/she accepts a challenge.
- Practices mental and physical strategies.
- Committed to making sacrifices for a noble or worthy cause, even of themselves.
- Faces adversity with mental toughness.
- Willing to stand alone if necessary.
Joshua 1:9 ESV guides all who believe in taking risks when God leads the journey. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Your turn. What kind of traits do you most appreciate in a hero or heroine who embraces risk? Comment here.
Meet DiAnn Mills
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; Golden Scroll awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or diannmills.com
For links to order you copy of Facing the Enemy go to diannmills.com.
DiAnn Mills shares her new romantic suspense book, Facing the Enemy, and talks about the types of heroes and heroines she likes. #newbook #crazy4fiction @DiAnnMills Click To TweetThank you, DiAnn!
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InspireMeMonday, #InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
I have already pre ordered this book and can’t wait to read it. Thanks DiAnn and Debbie!
Barbara, I’m enjoying my prerelease copy now. DiAnn crafts a great story.
Thank you, Barbara! Appreciate you.
Completely unfamiliar author, Debbie, so I appreciate the introduction!
Michele, I enjoy DiAnn’s clean suspense. I like how I learn something in her books too.
Michele, thanks for commenting on Debbie’s blog site.
Debbie, thanks for hosting me today!
DiAnn, thank you for sharing with us!
I love a heroine who overcomes fear. I had a miraculous deliverance from fear. All my earlier decisions as a young single mother were fear based, I chose safe paths. My adventures began when freed from a spirit of fear and I have enjoyed taking risks, expecting God to be what He promised and to provide what I needed when I followed Him into my journey. I enjoy stories where I see victories over fears.
Lynda, what an inspiring testimony! “My adventures began when freed from a spirit of fear and I have enjoyed taking risks, expecting God to be what He promised and to provide what I needed when I followed Him into my journey.” Thank you for sharing.
Sounds like a great read, DiAnn. Thanks for sharing, Debbie. God bless!
Thanks for reading, Nancy. It is a good book.
Nancy, thank you for your kind words.
Sounds wonderful and like something I will very much enjoy reading.
Ann, the only problem is I want to stay up too late at night and keep reading. 🙂
Debbie, thank you for introducing me to DiAnn Mills. And DiAnn I love your traits for your characters.
Deborah, thank you for joining us today!
I always enjoy DiAnn’s books and am ready for my copy to hit my mailbox! It’s always fun to learn how authors work through the pieces of their novels, so her list of characteristics is especially interesting.
Leigh, I always enjoy her books too, and I enjoy learning how other authors think and work. Thanks for reading.
DiAnn – I enjoyed my advance copy of Facing the Enemy. Thank you for sharing how you create a story from the character traits of a heroine. Strong but flawed characters are my favorite.
Pamela, thanks so much for joining us.
What fun to find Ms. DiAnn visiting your blog this week Ms. Debbie. Isn’t she a blessing and a half? As I was reading her thoughts about risk taking, I thought about my extensive risk management background (having done a lot of government contracts for developmental systems through the years). I’ve even served as a Risk Manager in the past. All that to say that while I’ve always been adventurous (I was airborne qualified in the military, which demonstrates I wasn’t always that smart), these days I am careful to weight the impact of the risk and probability of occurrence before I take the risk. If I’m not near the lower-left of the cube, I pass. 🙂 Always enjoy you both and am looking forward to reading both new releases.
She certainly is! And you are a risk taker. Always enjoy learning more about your interesting life. Thank you, J.D.
An exciting upcoming release!
Amber, it’s a great book. Thanks for visiting today.
I only discovered DiAnn Mills recently. This was such a fun post to read and to discover the characteristics an author looks to develop in her characters when she writes. Thank you both for sharing your insights and books with us all!
I enjoy hearing how fiction writers create their stories and characters too. Thanks, Joanne.
This new book sounds very intriguing and I love the list of traits for DiAnn’s characters. I will check it out. Thanks for sharing about it Debbie.
I’m almost finished with it, and it has been a very good book. Thanks for visiting, Yvonne.
This sounds like a story I would enjoy reading. I like stories involving crimes and mysteries. Thanks for sharing this and congratulations to DiAnn.
I do too, Donna. I think you would enjoy DiAnn’s books. She weaves a spiritual lesson in there too.
Sounds interesting, DiAnn. Thanks for sharing here at Debbie’s place. Congratulations on this new book!
Annie, thanks so much for reading! DiAnn’s books entertain and enrich by layering in spiritual truths. I love how she dealt with forgiveness in Facing the Enemy.