By Deena Adams

Please welcome my online author friend, Gina Holder to the blog this week. Gina writes Romantic Suspense, one of my favorite genres. She shares in today’s interview about her novella, Don’t Look Down, which is included in the just released Dangerous Pursuits Collection: 15 Stories from Today’s Most Popular Suspense Authors.

---

Welcome, Gina! Tell us a little about yourself and your family. 

I am a redheaded stay-at-home mom. My husband, teenage daughter, and I live in southern Colorado.

I’d love to visit Colorado! Do you have hobbies you enjoy? What do you do for fun?

I enjoy reading Christian novels, watching movies—especially Hallmark mysteries, and I love playing board games. Ticket to Ride is my favorite game, though that may have something to do with the fact that I win almost every time we play. I have played the piano for many, many years. I also love cooking for my family and collecting recipes. 

We’re big board game players, too. Ticket to Ride is so much fun. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I wanted to run a horse farm that would also serve as an orphanage (for children). But I also wanted to be an author, and that seemed like a far more attainable dream. I’ve loved telling stories for as long as I can remember. 

Sounds like you’ve been writing for a while. How and when did you start?

I started writing my debut novel when I was 18, but college, marriage, and a baby put my dream on hold for a few years. In 2005, I rediscovered my love for writing and in 2017, I indie-published my debut novel, Whither Shall I Go?, a historical missionary romance. 

I’m glad you’re following your passion! Why did you decide to write romantic suspense novels? 

My second novel, No Greater Love, tells the story of a young woman looking for her birthmother—and a birthmother that doesn’t want to be found. The love interest for the girl is a police officer, so it just made sense that he would be chasing down criminals.

Then, the birthmother, a gubernatorial candidate, finds herself in danger from someone trying to stop her campaign… and the book became a romantic suspense. And I found I love the twists and turns of the genre. I love the slow reveal of evidence and helping the characters (and readers) connect the dots. 

I’m one of those readers who love romantic suspense. What unique challenges does including romance in a suspense plot present? 

The timeline is usually short, and the action fast paced, which doesn’t leave much time for falling in love, at least realistically. 

How do you incorporate Christ and hope into your writing? 

My goal is to show realistic characters dealing with relatable problems and situations through God’s grace, mercy, and love. I want the principles of the Word of God to shine through my writing as much as I want my stories to be entertaining and engaging. 

You’ve described why I love Christian Fiction. What did God teach you through the writing of Don’t Look Down? 

A lesson I’m still learning; not to fear but to trust in His wisdom, His strength, and His plan for my life. To trust that He always knows what’s best for me and that I can rest in His goodness. 

Great lesson! What do you hope your readers take away from the book? 

The theme of this novella comes from II Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. That’s the takeaway; the remembrance that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but that he has given us power, love, and a sound mind, to deal with the things we face in this life. 

Wonderful theme. Which character in Don’t Look Down was easiest for you to write and why? Which character presented the biggest challenge? 

Erynn was easiest because I’ve been in her shoes. Not that I’ve had a killer after me, but in that I’ve dealt with fears, including the fear of heights. Her emotions in the first scene of the novella are from my own firsthand experience. 

Stephen was the hardest to write due to the combination of his disbelief in Erynn’s suspicion and his position as the doting boyfriend. It was difficult to keep him balanced. 

I can relate to the fear of heights. What is your favorite novel? 

Some of my favorite novels have been Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer, A Slender Thread by Tracie Peterson, and A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano. 

More books to add to my reading list! What’s next from you? 

Book 3 of the Shadows Over Whitman series, Grace Immeasurable, the last in the trilogy. (Find the book cover, preorder link, and full description at the bottom of this interview, along with info about the first two books for FREE!)

Kylie Phillips just wants to run her café in peace and prove to everyone she’s not the hot mess they think she is. Until a stranger comes to town claiming to be her half-brother and a runaway teen crashes a car into the café upsetting Kylie’s life once again and forcing her to face a past she’s spent her whole life trying to forget. 

The Puzzle Within, a standalone novel about a puzzle-lover and a cyber risk analyst who follow clues to find the world’s leading enigmatologist who’s been missing for twenty years. The closer they get to finding him, the greatest the risks… and the danger.   

After that, I hope to begin the Addie Masters Mysteries, an overall wearing redhead Miss Fix It, who owns a junk removal company, solves mysteries, and plays matchmaker. 

Lots going on! Besides posting comments on your website, how can your readers and fans support you? 

Follow my website http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com or my author page on Facebook. http://facebook.com/storiesbygina

Thanks so much for sharing on my blog, Gina! It’s been fun getting to know you. May God continue to bless you as you write for Him.

Join the conversation. Do you like reading romantic suspense? What do you love most about it? How does the lesson that we don’t have to fear because of God in our lives encourage you today?

Don’t forget to comment by October 19 for a chance to win the Dangerous Pursuits novella collection!

---

---

---

---

Please share Gina’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her books!

If you missed last week’s interview with David Parks, find it here.