“A lot of times, I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep, … I’ll start thinking about my story. … Sometimes, my wife will [notice] me staring off into space and ask me what’s on my mind,” Donnie said. “I tell her I’m having a conversation with my characters, [which she thinks is so weird].”

The post When Donnie Stevens Talks to His Characters (Episode 176) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from three authors about their romantic suspense books available this month. Here’s the list of authors and books for September 2026, with the book’s release date if not available now. Megan Short/Alaskan Survival Tactic Danielle Grandinetti/Sabotage Games (9/22) Lori DeJong/Sanctuary and Sabotage (9/15)

The post Quick Takes in Christian Romantic Suspense (Episode 175) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

On this special edition episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m talking with my fellow authors, Jayna Breigh and Kimberley Woodhouse, about our Christmas novella collection, The Last Noel. Learn more about our characters, villains, settings, and storylines about these Christmas-themed second chance romance with a dangerous twist! The Last Noel is a riveting Christmas […]

The post The Last Noel Author Chat Special (Episode 174) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from four authors about their romantic suspense books available this month. Here’s the list of authors and books for August 2026, with the book’s release date if not available now. Lynette Eason/Twilight Tactics Elizabeth Goddard/When the Silence Breaks Monique DeVere/Guarded by the Sheriff […]

The post Quick Takes in Christian Romantic Suspense (Episode 173) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

“Probably the hardest part of [writing romantic suspense] is … keeping the characters in danger, direct threats to their lives, throughout the book. It can be hard to keep them in that kind of danger without them taking stupid risks or the villains coming out as inept,” Carol said. “I enjoy the suspense part—that’s always my favorite part to write.”

The post How Carol J. Post Keeps Her Characters in Danger (Episode 172) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

“My husband and I went to Scotland on our honeymoon, and all we did was run around visiting all these estates [with all their stories],” Joanna said. “It made something come alive in me. … There’s something so unique about a house that has lasted so many generations and seen so many stories. … That makes these houses worth something that’s so unique.”

The post Why Joanna Davidson Politano Loves Old Houses (Episode 171) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from three authors about their romantic suspense books available this month.

The post Quick Takes in Christian Romantic Suspense (Episode 170) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

“I’ve always been a prolific writer—nothing ever gets in my way. I’ve never had writer’s block,” Ciara said. “When I first moved onto the trawler, I did. I was writing sweet, small town romance among other genres, and I just was having problems [writing]. So I took all of my fears—if I’m scared of something, I go for it. I don’t hold back. I think part of [writing] was my therapy when we got onboard. It was learning to live on a boat with storms and … those first two books in my Harbor Secrets series were a kind of therapy.”

The post Ciara Knight’s Therapeutic Writing (Episode 169) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

  During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from six authors about their romantic suspense books available this month. Here’s the list of authors and books for June 2026, with the book’s release date if not available now. Darlene L. Turner/Scent of Peril (5/26) Jennifer Chastain/Guardian (6/16) Megan Short/Alaskan Abduction […]

The post Quick Takes in Christian Romantic Suspense (Episode 168) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.

“I always wanted to be a teacher, and I did spend 22 years in the classroom before my spinal cord injury and other health issues sidelined me,” Marisa said. “But I also wanted to write. Oh, to be able to write a book—everyone will remember my name if I write a book. That was as a child. Of course, as an adult, I think ‘Lord, what do you have for me? And how can I use this gift of encouragement that I have and this gift of wanting to reach out to people?’ That’s what became more important than just having a name out there.”

The post The Why Behind Marisa Materson’s Writing (Episode 167) first appeared on Author Sarah Hamaker.