New Releases by DiAnn Mills

Award-winning author DiAnn Mills returns with a high-stakes thriller set in Texas about an arson investigator seeking answers about the past and a SWAT team member who stumbles across a murder, one that may be connected to a cold case. As a member of the Houston SWAT team, Suzanne Barton is no stranger to high-stakes cases. But then she finds Julia Kraft, her best friend, murdered and Julia's daughter, Mia, missing. While the authorities examine the crime scene for clues to the killer, Suzanne is forced to admit that she might not have known everything about Julia and Mia and that someone they trusted may not be who they seemed. Arson investigator Landon Kraft is stunned to learn of his ex-wife's murder. He's even more shocked when police suspect his daughter, Mia, might have been involved in the crime. Though he's been estranged from his family since before Mia was born and only recently began mending his relationship with Julia, Landon doubts Mia would truly harm her mother. Then he discovers Mia's been dating Porter Malcomson, the brother of a man Landon helped put in prison, and he can't believe in coincidences anymore. Even though Suzanne and Landon disagree about whether Porter is trustworthy and Suzanne holds a grudge against Landon for deserting her best friend over twenty years ago, they agree to work together out of their shared concern for Mia. Soon it becomes clear that Julia's murder was the calculated act of someone out for revenge, and Mia is a pawn in a dangerous game of lies and betrayal . . . one that may have been two decades in the making. A high-stakes Christian romantic suspense novel with family drama and themes of forgiveness, relational restoration, and letting go of bitterness Perfect for fans of police romance and thrilling stories by Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, Karen Rose, and Laura Griffin Includes discussion questions for book clubs

How to Craft Compelling Characters, Build Gripping Plots, and Write Stories That Matter Write the story only you can tell-boldly, beautifully, and with purpose. Whether you're writing your first novel or refining your craft, Mastering the Art of Writing Fiction offers a practical and inspiring roadmap for fiction writers at every stage. Bestselling author DiAnn Mills guides you through the essential elements of powerful storytelling-from unforgettable characters and gripping plots to authentic dialogue and emotional depth. Packed with hands-on exercises, insightful examples, and encouragement on every page, this comprehensive guide will help you: Craft compelling characters with goals, flaws, and emotional resonance Structure your plot to maximize conflict, pacing, and stakes Weave emotion and dialogue that breathe life into every scene Strengthen your story's spiritual or thematic core Develop a writer's mindset of excellence, consistency, and courage Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, a new writer or seasoned novelist, this book will equip you with the tools to write fiction that connects-and endures.

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy . When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese''s help finding her. She''s sure Rurik hasn''t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child''s life hanging in the balance, Therese can''t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can''t do this alone. Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane''s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik''s terms to keep Alina''s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won''t distract from their mission to save Alina. Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina''s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they''re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives. A thrilling Christian contemporary novel with themes of courage and resilience from award–winning author DiAnn Mills Perfect for fans of clean, action-packed romantic suspense Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Justice can be elusive. Family secrets can be deadly. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking in a volatile criminal case filled with unanswered questions. And Carrington Reed is running short on time to piece together clues that will solve the puzzle. Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene when reports come in that fifteen hostages are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. When she arrives on site, Carrington quickly learns that the brothers are armed and refuse to release their victims, a group of undocumented immigrants, until the local police identify their father''s murderer. Working closely with Levi Ehrlich, a handsome investigative reporter who has covered some of Carrington''s negotiations in the past, she finds herself being undeniably drawn to him. Carrington digs deeper into the death of the Kendrixes'' father and begins to notice that some details surrounding his death aren''t adding up. As Carrington investigates the brothers'' claims and tries to piece together their motive for taking innocent people captive, it soon becomes clear that they are trying to hide something and that revenge for their father''s death may not be what they''re really bargaining for after all. To protect the hostages and ensure the brothers don''t carry out the rest of their sinister plot, Carrington must get to the bottom of one family''s secret and the truth they''re trying so hard to hide before time runs out. Award winning author DiAnn Mills delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense about secrets, betrayal, and finding a path to forgiveness. Includes discussion guide for book groups. A clean contemporary thriller from Christy Award–winning author DiAnn Mills For fans of action-packed romantic suspense in the vein of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and Dani Pettrey From the popular author of Facing the Enemy

A race from danger?straight into the arms of love.In 1935, socialite Eva Fortier witnesses her grandfather's murder and must flee New York to ensure her safety. Leaving behind a life of wealth, she seeks refuge in the secluded high desert area of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.Navajo doctor Tahoma Benally has his hands full caring for his people's medical needs. He certainly doesn't have time to fall in love. But when Tahoma's father asks him to help fulfill a vow he'd made to Eva's father, Tahoma has no choice but to oblige his father's request. In the process he finds himself drawn to the woman he's promised to protect.With an elusive killer stalking Eva, and barriers of race and culture standing between her and Tahoma, does love stand a chance of blooming in the desert?

For the past five years, FBI Special Agent Risa Jacobs has worked in the violent crimes against children division of the Houston FBI. She''s never had reason to believe there''s a target on her back . . . until now. When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother''s murder, with details never revealed publicly. Alarmed by Carson''s inside knowledge of Trenton''s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson''s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson''s stepfather and children have gone missing. There''s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger. For fans of romantic suspense comes a heart-pounding thriller about loss, betrayal, and finding the strength to trust again. Full-length suspense novel Standalone novel Book length: approximately 96,000 words Includes discussion questions for book groups

Bestselling and award-winning author DiAnn Mills delivers a heart-stopping story of dark secrets, desperate enemies, and dangerous lies. Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and was sent to prison. Now she''s out on parole and looking for a fresh start in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas. But starting over won''t be easy for an ex-con. FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was a rookie fresh out of Quantico when he was first assigned the Pearce case. He''s always believed Shelby embezzled five hundred thousand dollars from her brother-in-law''s account. So he''s going undercover to befriend Shelby, track down the missing money, and finally crack this case. But as Denton gets closer to Shelby, he begins to have a trace of doubt about her guilt. Someone has Shelby in their crosshairs. It''s up to Denton to stop them before they silence Shelby—and the truth—forever.

EXPLORING THE ART OF PLOTTING helps writers plot a novel like a master storyteller. DiAnn Mills explores how a plot works and how it is developed. She shows the novelist how to increase the stakes in a story and help characters overcome obstacles. Your writing will be stretched to new horizons as you enhance your plotting skills.

SOCIAL MEDIA is an important part of every writer's tool kit. But unless a writer knows how to use it, social media can be frustrating. Without the proper knowledge, writers can waste both time and effort. WHILE THERE'S NOT a one-size-fits-all answer to using social media to build connections with readers, there are principles that apply to all circumstances to help writers connect with their audience. This book will help every writer, no matter where they are on the publishing path, use social media to build effective connections and expand their reach. DiANN MILLS & EDIE MELSON know the importance of effective social media. They also have the proven engagement and numbers to back up their expertise. And they know how to show other writers how to do what they do. As co-directors of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and the Mountainside Publishing Retreats, DiAnn and Edie bring much more to the table than their combined half-century of writing expertise. They exhibit a proven passion to equip writers today. Individually and together, they have encouraged thousands of writers as they stay true to the call of "changing the world one writer at a time."

Bestselling author DiAnn Mills''s romantic suspense Crime Scene: Houston novels are now available in one e-collection. The Chase To the FBI it’s a cold case. To Kariss Walker it’s a hot idea that could either reshape or ruin her writing career. And it’s a burning mission to revisit an event she can never forget. Five years ago, an unidentified little girl was found starved to death in the woods behind a Houston apartment complex. A TV news anchor at the time, Kariss reported on the terrifying case. Today, as a New York Times bestselling author, Kariss intends to turn the unsolved mystery into a suspense novel. Enlisting the help of FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, Kariss succeeds in getting the case reopened. But the search for the dead girl’s missing mother yields a discovery that plunges the partners into a witch’s brew of danger. The old crime lives on in more ways than either of them could ever imagine. Will Kariss’s pursuit of her dream as a writer carry a deadly price tag? Drawing from a real-life cold case, bestselling novelist DiAnn Mills presents a taut collage of suspense, faith, and romance in The Chase. The Survivor Is it her next bestseller . . . Or her last words? Kariss gets the chance to tell her most powerful story yet. But will it revitalize her writing career? Or bring it to a violent end? Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into danger. Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss’s new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find out who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold case?

Includes discussion questions and an excerpt from: Fatal strike.

As an Arab Christian pilot for a relief organization, Paul Farid feels called to bring supplies to his war-torn countrymen in southern Sudan. But with constant attacks from Khartoum''s Islamic government, the villagers have plenty of reasons to distrust Paul, and he wonders if the risks he''s taking are really worth his mission. American doctor Larson Kerr started working with the Sudanese people out of a sense of duty and has grown to love them all, especially Rachel, her young assistant. But despite the years she''s spent caring for them, her life feels unfulfilled. It''s a void that both Paul and Rachel''s older brother, Colonel Ben Alier of the Sudanese People''s Liberation Army, notice. When Rachel is abducted, Paul, Ben, and Larson agree to set aside their differences to form an unlikely alliance and execute a daring rescue. Their faith and beliefs tested, each must find the strength to walk the path God has laid before them, to find their way home.

It Takes an Extra Special Woman to Be a Preacher’s Bride Six men are dedicated to proclaiming God’s Word—and six women wonder if they’re cut out to support that calling. Being a helpmate to a pastor is no easy task. They must step out in a special kind of faith and love to become preachers’ brides. . . . Remember Me by Kimberley Comeaux North suffers an injury, loses his memory, and believes he is a Scottish pastor. Helen hopes he just might fall in love with her, if he isn’t bound by his social standings as a duke. Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy by Kristy Dykes Shirley feels like she’s never known anything of life beyond her little country church. She wants more out life. Then she meets Forrest Townsend, the new parson—who just might change her mind. In Miss Bliss and the Bear by Darlene Franklin Annie knits hats and mittens for soldiers. But chaplain Jeremiah Arnold isn’t sure he wants a woman hanging around the fort—even one as beautiful and well meaning as Miss Bliss. . . . A Bride for the Preacher by Sally Laity It’s Emma’s dream to doctor the needy, and she hopes there might be a place for her in new territory out west. She isn’t interested in marriage—until she nurses a certain preacher’s fever. Renegade Husband by DiAnn Mills Audra moves to frontier Colorado to marry the local pastor and is assured a life of adventure. She never realizes how much adventure until her stagecoach is robbed and her future husband seems to be the culprit. . . . Silence of the Sage by Colleen L. Reece Ever dutiful and just, Reverend Gideon Scott takes a bride in name only. But soon the reverend abandons both family and church in search of truth that will clear his tarnished name.

Love is in season as you journey into rural America’s history and witness the harvest of romance through six delightful stories. From Minnesota to Florida, New York to Kansas, and Ohio to Louisiana, heroic men and women make sacrifices in order to create a home, nurture the crops, and secure a future for the next generation, but sometime romance is almost an afterthought. Can love also grow down on the farm?

When Saudi Prince Omar bin Talal visits Houston to seek cancer treatment for his mother, an attempt on his life puts all agencies on high alert. FBI Special Agent Kord Davidson is the lead on the prince''s protective detail because of their long-standing friendship, but he''s surprised—and none too happy—when the CIA brings one of their operatives, Monica Alden, in on the task force after the assassination attempt. Kord and Monica must quickly put aside interagency squabbles, however, when they learn the prince has additional motives for his visit—plans to promote stronger ties with the US and encourage economic growth and westernization in his own country. Plans that could easily incite a number of suspects both in the US and in countries hostile to Saudi Arabia. Worse yet, the would-be assassin always seems to be one step ahead of them, implicating someone close to the prince—or the investigation. But who would be willing to commit high treason, and can Kord and Monica stop them in time?

Meet Delight Butler of Boston 1776, who is a passionate defender of the American patriots. When redcoats bring an injured Henry O’Neil to the Butler home for care and lodging, Delight despises the man. Despite having long discussions and coming to admire the man, Delight struggles to trust that he could desert the British army and join the patriot cause. What will it take to bolster her faith in God and man? Also includes a bonus historical romance, Faithful Traitor by Jill Stengl.

Escape into the history of the American West along with five of today’s leading inspirational fiction authors who deliver exciting historical romances begun from advertisements for mail-order marriages. Placing their dreams for new beginnings in the hands of a stranger, will Cinda, Emily, Maura, Gabe, and Daughtry each be disappointed, or will some find true love?

Journal your walk with God and be inspired by DiAnn Mills' favorite quotes and Scripture passages.

Immerse yourself in the discomfiture of five couples who are virtual strangers when they agree to wed for practical reasons. Emily marry Steven for the sake of his children. Regina’s family has arranged for Diedrich to come from Germany as her groom. Chiquita is bartered in marriage to Eduardo to cover her father’s debts. Pearl accepts Jason’s hasty proposal to help him run his family’s farm. Sarah Jane is forced to marry Painted Hands, a trail scout, for propriety’s sake. Can romance develop despite awkward beginnings?

Nine romantic adventures take readers along for a ride on the Oregon Trail where daily challenges force travelers to evaluate the things that are most precious to them—including love. Enjoy the trip through a fascinating part of history through the eyes of remarkably strong characters who stop at famous landmarks along the way. Watch as their faith is strengthened and as love is born despite unique circumstances. Discover where the journey ends for each of nine couples.

FBI Agent Laurel Evertson''s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she''s vowed to forget Wilmington—and what she sacrificed to put him away—he is now her best lead. Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer''s next targets, and he''ll do anything to protect his family—even force interagency cooperation. But he''s quickly drawn to Laurel''s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon. As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington''s claims of redemption, or if he''s leading them straight into a double cross.

Through nine historical romance adventures, readers will journey along with individuals who are ready to stake a claim and plant their dreams on a piece of the great American plains. While fighting land disputes, helping neighbors, and tackling the challenges of nature the homesteaders are placed in the path of other dreamers with whom romance sparks. And God has His hand in orchestrating each unique meeting.

Journey back to the great decade of the 1940s through nine romances that ignite despite the challenges and dangers of a world war. Couples meet under unique circumstances--during the bombing of London, at military outposts, through covert operations to save children, as well as on the home front--and the bond of love grows through shared ideals and faith.

Includes excerpt from Attracted to fire and discussion questions.

"The Dance of Character and Plot, by DiAnn Mills will show you how to write a novel from idea to self-editing. This step-by-step instructional guide is packed with clear and concise information, examples of techniques, and fresh exercises to apply to your writing project."--back cover.

Is it her next bestseller . . . Or her last words? In The Chase, award-winning author DiAnn Mills introduced you to the world of Kariss Walker, the bestselling suspense author with a nose for trouble. In The Survivor, Kariss gets the chance to tell her most powerful story yet. But will it revitalize her writing career? Or bring it to a violent end? Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into danger. Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss’s new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find out who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold case?

Delight yourself with the beautiful and daring history of six American lighthouses as lived out through characters in six unique romances.

To the FBI it’s a cold case. To Kariss Walker it’s a hot idea that could either reshape or ruin her writing career. And it’s a burning mission to revisit an event she can never forget. Five years ago, an unidentified little girl was found starved to death in the woods behind a Houston apartment complex. A TV news anchor at the time, Kariss reported on the terrifying case. Today, as a New York Times bestselling author, Kariss intends to turn the unsolved mystery into a suspense novel. Enlisting the help of FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, Kariss succeeds in getting the case reopened. But the search for the dead girl’s missing mother yields a discovery that plunges the the partners into a witch’s brew of danger. The old crime lives on in more ways than either of them could ever imagine. Will Kariss’s pursuit of her dream as a writer carry a deadly price tag? Drawing from a real-life cold case, bestselling novelist DiAnn Mills presents a taut collage of suspense, faith, and romance in this Zondervan ebook, The Chase.