NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

A group blog featuring an international array of killer mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense writers. With premises and story lines different from your run-of-the-mill whodunits, we tend to write outside the box. We blog several times a week on all topics relating to romantic suspense and mystery, our writing, and our readers. We welcome all comments and often have guest bloggers. All our authors can be contacted separately, too, using their own social media links.

We find our genre delightfully, dangerously, and deliciously exciting - join us here, if you do too!

NOTE: the blog is currently dormant but please enjoy the posts we're keeping online.


Julie Moffet . Cathy Perkins . Jean Harrington . Daryl Anderson . Nico Rosso . Maureen A Miller . Sandy Parks . Lisa Q Mathews . Sharon Calvin . Lynne Connolly . Janis Patterson . Vanessa Keir . Tonya Kappes . Julie Rowe . Joni M Fisher . Leslie Langtry

Friday, May 30, 2014

Increasing Paranoia, Shopping, Cold Pursuit and a $25 GC!

Do you ever freak out? I used to think I was a really grounded and possibly normal individual, and then I had kids. Slowly over the years I have discovered that I've become more and more of a fear-monster. My bravery and spirit-for-adventure have been eroded and corroded to dust. I can't even climb a ladder or watch a horror movie any more. Maybe it isn't having kids. Maybe it's being a writer with our insane imaginations. For example, last time I took the kids to the mall I was kicking myself for not having a zombie apocalypse meeting spot. We had our usual meeting spot at our pre-arranged time and location, but not one for an unexpected zombie invasion. I actually worried about this. Should we head for the car or take advantage of possible looting opportunities at Pier 1? Next time I'll be prepared.

Some days I hate to be me. If I'm this crazy at forty-six, ninety is going to be a blast :) What about you--are you getting braver or more of a wuss as time goes on?

It was my writerly imagination that spawned the premise for my next release (Monday!!!). Another nightmare scenario in the mall--crikey, maybe I just hate shopping. Here's the blurb. (Check out the end of this post for a giveaway) I hope you enjoy!


Single mom Vivi Vincent is thrust into her worst nightmare when she’s trapped inside a mall during a terror attack along with her eight-year-old son. With the help of Jed Brennan, an FBI special agent on enforced leave, Vivi and her son survive the assault. But the danger is far from over. 
Vivi’s son may have witnessed critical details of the terrorists’ future plans and is targeted for death, but he’s mute, and he’s traumatized. Still someone launches a strike against the FBI’s safe house, and Jed fears the bad guys have an inside man. No longer knowing who to trust, he hides mother and son in a log cabin deep in the heart of the Wisconsin Northwoods. There Jed and Vivi try to figure out how to unlock the information inside her son’s head. What they don’t bargain for is the red-hot attraction that flares between them, or the extent of the sinister plot that threatens to rip apart not only any chance of happiness they might have together, but also the very fabric of American society.


I also have a rafflecopter contest going on for a $25 GC and some ebooks if you want to check it out! Click the link! a Rafflecopter giveaway


10 comments:

Anne Marie Becker said...

Sounds like a fantastic book, Toni!

And yeah, I've turned into a bit of a fear-monster since having kids. Especially young kids. As they get older, I figure they can fend for themselves a bit more. Physically, at least. But emotionally? Well, that's another story. They still need protection and assistance on that front.

As for myself, I'm willing to take more risks as I get older, and the rewards have been great. ;)

Unknown said...

I'm turning into a total wuss. :)

I don't think it's age, or kids, but exercising our imaginations too much. I used to save my 'what ifs' for fiction, but now they're with me in real life. All the time. :)

Rita said...

I think the 40s I felt I could take any zombie who dared show up. In my 50s the zombie apocalypse seemed to be growing so I planned better. In a mall I know the exits. In a restaurant I sit with my back to the wall. My 9mm is loaded with Zombie Max ammunition. If I have to run I plan on tripping someone so they’ll be taken and not me. I no longer enjoy being in crowds of rude people. I’m sure they are zombies with makeup on. I like my music loud but not when I’m out and about. I want to hear someone coming up behind me. So bottom line is the older I get the more aware and stealthy I am.
Congrats on the new book.

Rita said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Toni Anderson said...

Anne-Marie, I need to work on it :)

Toni Anderson said...

Shirley--maybe it's a Brit thing ;)

Toni Anderson said...

Rita--I love that :) I'm going to work on my awareness and stealth. I don't think I'm unaware, actually. It's more the planning I need to work on ;) Just in case :)

J Wachowski said...

Toni, I get it! What is it about kids in danger that makes everything EVEN more scary?
Can't wait to read this one--and great cover, too!

jean harrington said...

Having kids is a game changer. No way around that, except perhaps to write a thriller with that theme. Great success with your new release, Toni. It sounds riveting.

CathyP said...

I'm with Rita on this one - age and stealth beat planning :)
The new release sounds great Toni!

Okay, I'm on my third refresh of the captcha code and I still can't read the bleeping thing - the downside to that mellowing with age business :)

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