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The Best New Romantic Suspense Books to Read

"Thrills" can mean multiple things when describing a romantic suspense novel, which is perhaps why they're so great. Romantic suspense books take the beautifully heartwarming parts of a great contemporary romance novel and combine them with the action-packed suspense of a thriller novel. The end result is something engaging and incredibly popular: a novel that is equal parts mystery and love story.

If you're a fan of romantic suspense books, you're in luck. Several of the best romantic suspense authors released new titles in the past few months, which means your list of books to read just got a little happier.

The Best New Romantic Suspense Books to Read: Fall 2015

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Beautiful Storm

Barbara Freethy

Release Date: October 1, 2015

Why read it: bestselling author Barbara Freethy brings her contemporary romance clout to this new suspenseful trilogy about a photographer who stumbles upon a missing persons case. Mystery and a brooding hero - what more could you ask for?

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Perfect Touch

Elizabeth Lowell

Release Date: July 28, 2015

Why read it: Perfect Touch features a gorgeous scene on a ranch in the Grand Tetons - the perfect place to fall in love. Except for the double murder that just happened nearby.

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Time for Hope

Anna Jacobs

Release Date: February 1, 2015

Why read it: imagine throwing out your cheating husband, only to discover his entaglement with organized crime in Europe - that is now putting your own life in danger. Luckily, Gabrielle has the help of an attractive PI.

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The Silenced

Heather Graham

Release Date: June 30, 2015

Why read it: a fast-paced political thriller set in DC meets a beautiful romance in Heather Graham's new book. This is more psychological thriller than contemporary romance - so prepare to be on the edge of your seat (while swooning over Matt ang Meg's love story).

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All the Beautiful Brides

Rita Herron

Release Date: September 15, 2015

Why read it: Cal Coulter, FBI special agent is investigating a murder in small-town Graveyard Falls - a murder that looks eerily similar to one that put a man in jail thirty years ago. Cal must protect Mona Monroe, the woman he's always loved, as she's pegged as the next target.

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The Harbor

Carla Neggers

Release Date: June 30, 2015

Why read it: Carla Neggers is known for her skilled writing, which shines in this new release set in small-town Goose Harbor, Maine. Zoe West returns home to the small town only to meet special agent JB McGrath, who is looking for a killer who McGrath believes is hiding out in Goose Harbor.

Interview with Barbara Freethy, author of Beautiful Storm

Tell us a little bit about your new release, Beautiful Storm.

Beautiful Storm is the first book in my Lightning Strikes Trilogy. Lightning plays a significant role in each novel that features, love, romance, mystery and suspense. There's an over-arching mystery that plays out over the three books as well. In Beautiful Storm, Alicia Monroe is a news photographer by day and a storm chaser by night. She is obsessed with photographing lightning storms. In one of those storms, she captures a couple caught in a flash of lightning. They're fighting. The woman is screaming. When Alicia gets to the scene, she doesn't find a body, but she does find a military tag from a woman who has been missing for two months. That starts her adventure into Miami's Cuban-American community and takes her into arms of a sexy, moody stranger, who is also the prime suspect in the woman's disappearance.

Who are your literary heroes? Why do they inspire you?

I've been a voracious reader since I was a child, so my literary heroes have changes many times over the years. Currently, some of my favorite writers include Nora Roberts, Karen Robards, Carla Neggars, Dean Koontz and Kay Hooper. I love a good storyteller and all of these authors consistently deliver a great story.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

The best advice for me as a writer: Write the next book! The best advice for me in life: Stay in the moment as long as possible.

Who is your favorite fictional couple from literature?

Probably Scarlet and Rhett from Gone With The Wind as a classic couple.

Which books would we be surprised to find on your shelves?

A young adult fantasy novel called The Awakening by Anne Zoelle. Very cool story of magic and fantasy.

Say you're hosting a dinner party and can invite anyone in the world, alive or dead, fictional or real. Who's coming to dinner?

I'd have to invite some of the best writers of all time. I think Mark Twain, Stephen King and Nora Roberts would head my list. Fictional couples would have to include my Callaway family couples because I've spent the past three years creating their world, and I think we'd have a great time if they all came to life!

Where is your happy place? Why does it bring you joy?

I love the beach. There's something about the water, the constant push and pull of the tide, the endless horizon that always inspires me. It makes the world feel much bigger to me and takes me away from my personal problems.

What's your favorite quote from Beautiful Storm?

He stared into her bright, sparkling eyes and felt an incredible pull. This woman was turning his life upside down, taking him out of the darkness and moving him toward a very hopeful light. His nerves were on fire. His pulse was pounding. And he wasn't thinking about the notes anymore, but about the woman standing in front of him, the woman with the heart of a lion and the mouth of a goddess.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today.

Barbara Freethy is the author of the new book Beautiful Storm.

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Books to Read if You Liked The Martian

The Martian Movie comes out TODAY! If you haven't built up enough excitement for it, just watch The Martian trailer. The Martian was a great book for a number of reasons: the allure of astronauts, the dangerous situations, the struggle of man against overwhelming odds, Mark Watney's unbreakable humor, the NASA team doing their darndest, and maybe even a glimpse of the future.

Unfortunately for us, this isn't a book that's likely to have a sequel. What are some books to read after The Martian? We've compiled a book list based on the criteria above.

Note: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. Read at your own risk.

Books to Read If You Liked The Martian by Andy Weir

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The Right Stuff- Thomas Wolfe: NASA is incredibly prepared and advanced in The Martian, but they didn't begin that way. This highly acclaimed non-fiction account allows a unique insight into the lives of aviations most brilliant, reckless, and brave pilots set to a task very different from the flights before. Sitting on a stack of explosives and getting rocketed into the atmosphere? It takes a lot to do that, and this is the story of the people who had, well, the right stuff.

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Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage- Alfred Lansing: Survival. Humans have been surviving for a couple thousand years. Some have been better at it than others. Mark Watney was faced with an incredibly unique experience. Many explorers had similar situations. One of them was Polar Explorer Ernest Shackleton, a man who set a large number of records exploring the South Pole. This story recounts his attempted expedition to cross Antarctica overland, and the struggle to survive after their ship was first ice packed, then crushed. It may not take place in space, but there are still places on Earth nearly as inhospitable as Mars. Get ready to hold your breath for a few pages.

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Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer: Mark Watney didn't choose to live off the land, but he wouldn't have survived without his agricultural ingenuity. With no surface life, foraging was out of the question. Into the Wild is nearly the exact opposite: a young man escapes society to live off the land. But the goals of the protagonists are one in the same, and their ingenuity is similar, even if the outcome is much different. The story of Christopher McCandless received a lot of attention when it was adapted to film in 2007, so if you've only seen the movie, do yourself a favor and check the book out.

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy- Douglas Adams: Part of The Martian's enjoyment value comes from its main character, and Mark Watney is quite the character. From the boasts of his Martian feats to his hatred of disco, Andy Weir made a convincing character that could laugh in the worst of times. Space isn't generally a place for humor, but the author made room for it on the desert planet. If you appreciated the laughs and you're looking for books to read like The Martian, the answer is 42--I mean, the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. A completely ridiculous romp across space, time, and restaurants, you won't regret this read. Just remember to bring your towel.

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Marketing the Moon: The Selling of the Apollo Lunar Program- David Meerman Scott and Richard Jurek: The NASA depicted in The Martian has trouble with funding even through its the process of launching missions to Mars. An overwhelming show of international public support helps them overcome financial difficulties to rescue Astronaut Mark Watney. The history of America's support for space missions had its peak during the Apollo missions. This book reccounts how NASA effectively sold the government, the media, and the public on the Lunar Missions.

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Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier- Neil De Grasse Tyson: Mark Watney was able to do some incredible things to survive on a lethal planet. For a long time he made an inhospitable host planet into a habitable home. It wasn't easy, but with a lot of knowledge and skill, he lived. With the recent discovery of water on Mars, a colonization effort doesn't seem like such a distant possibility. Neil De Grasse Tyson, an astrophysicist and cosmologists, wrote this book about the sad state of America's current Space Agency. It might not be adventure packed or harrowing, but it offers the view of an incredible future.

New Releases in the Best Paranormal Romance Series

The best part about a paranormal romance series? The fun doesn't stop at the end of a book. There are plenty more vampires and warewolves and witches and faeries in the next installment. We're excited about the love stories in these paranormal romance novels. We scoured the web to find the best new books in the best paranormal romance series - all new in 2015. Check out our book list below!

If you're looking for even more new books, check out our post on books to read by authors like Gena Showalter, Anne Rice, Christine Feehan, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Nora Roberts!

New Releases in the Best Paranormal Romance Series: Fall 2015

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The Dark Ones

Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date: October 1, 2015

What you'll find in this paranormal romance series: vampires, werewolves, immortals, great story line.

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Dead Ice

Laurell K. Hamilton

Release Date: June 9, 2015

What you'll find in this paranormal romance series: vampire hunters, zombies, souls in danger.

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Dragonbane

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Release Date: August 4, 2015

What you'll find in this paranormal romance series: demons, devils, dragons, werewolves... anything you can imagine!

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Dark Ghost

Christine Feehan

Release Date: September 1, 2015

What you'll find in this paranormal romance series: vampires, vampire hunters, lifemates, sexy scenes.

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Sweet Ruin

Kresley Cole

Release Date: December 1, 2015

What you'll find in this paranormal romance series: foundlings, vampires, valkyries, steamy romance.

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The Shadows

JR Ward

Release Date: March 31, 2015

What you'll find in this paranormal romance series: urban fantasy, destiny, brooding brothers.

Interview with Kristan Higgins, Author of If You Only Knew

We got the chance to chat with Kristan Higgins about her new book IF YOU ONLY KNEW. Read our interview below, and enter to win a copy of the new Kristan Higgings book here!

Tell us a little bit about your new release, IF YOU ONLY KNEW.

This is the story of two sisters, both at a crossroads. Jenny is a wedding dress designer trying to get over her rather perfect ex-husband. She’s in love with love, a true believer, and she can’t quite figure out what went wrong. Her penchant to fall in love hard and fast isn’t helping her; she’s a little fixated on her downstairs neighbor, Leo, who tells her flat-out he’s not for her. Jenny’s older sister, Rachel, seems to have the secret to a happy life nailed; Rach is a stay-at-home mom to triplet daughters and absolutely loves her life…until she finds out her husband is sexting with a coworker.

IWho are your literary heroes? Why do they inspire you?

Like every other human, I love Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (haven’t read Go Set a Watchman, and I probably won’t because…well, I like Atticus perfect). Atticus unfailingly does what’s right, even at the cost of his own friendships and place in the community. His loneliness hits me right in the heart, and yet he’s never ruled by it. I also love Scarlett O’Hara because, despite (and because of) her flaws, she’s always able to do what no one else can. Her courage never fails her. Sure, she’s emotionally stunted, but she gets the job done, even when the job is impossible.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

Don’t use your teeth as tools. Oh, did you mean writing advice? Or moral advice? Writing advice would be from Cindy Gerard: Keep your head down and do your thing. In other words, don’t be influenced too much by the sound and fury around you. Listen to your own heart and mind instead. And moral advice…well, moral example would be more accurate. My grandfather was a brilliant, thoughtful, quiet man. In all my life, I never heard him say something unkind about another person.

Who is your favorite fictional couple from literature?

Oh, that’s a tough one! I have so many…today, I’ll go with Emma and Mr. Knightly from Jane Austen’s Emma. They know each other so well, they’re friends, and when Emma is unkind, Mr. Knightly calls her on it, and boy, she feels it! (Also, I have a crush on Jeremy Northam, who played him in the movie, so that doesn’t hurt.)

Say you're hosting a dinner party and can invite anyone in the world, alive or dead, fictional or real. Who's coming to dinner?

Abraham Lincoln, Tina Fey, Bridget Jones, Teddy Roosevelt, Mindy Kaling, David Sedaris and my husband, because he would be so mad if I had all these great people over and he didn’t get to come.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

My family. Sorry to be so predictable, but it’s true! My kids are everything to me, and my husband is my absolute best friend in the world.

What's your favorite quote from IF YOU ONLY KNEW?

“You okay, Charlie Sheen?” It’s when the hero meets the heroine when she’s having a rather bad day.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I never really thought of it until this question…we don’t have family crest or anything other than “Eat dessert.” But in thinking about it, I’d say this: Hope for the best. Work hard. Smile. Life is pretty great if you can do those things.

Kristan Higgins is the author of the new book If You Only Knew.

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Win the New Kristan Higgins Book

Kristan Higgins is a darling of the Romance writing world, she's a two time RITA award winner whose books have been translated into over 20 languages . Her newest novel, If You Only Knew, is filled with the family secrets, love, and adultery. Higgins weaves an emotionally compelling tale that will simultaneously keep you in laughter and in tears.

Fans of Robyn Carr & Susan Donovan will love Kristan Higgins' newest book, If You Only Knew. Enter to win a copy below and read our interview with Kristan Higgins here!

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About The Book

Publication Date: August 25, 2015

Letting go of her ex-husband is harder than wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate expected…especially since his new wife wants to be Jenny's new best friend. Sensing this isn't exactly helping her achieve closure, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she'll start her own business and bask in her sister Rachel's picture-perfect family life…and maybe even find a little romance of her own with Leo, her downstairs neighbor, a guy who's utterly irresistible and annoyingly distant at the same time.

The drama, hilarity and tears of sisterhood are at the heart of the thoroughly captivating new novel by New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins—a funny, frank and bittersweet look at marriage, forgiveness and moving on

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Other Books by Kristan Higgins

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Interview with Rachel Van Dyken, author of The Dark Ones

Tell us a little bit about your new release, The Dark Ones.

The Dark Ones takes place in present day Seattle, Washington. Genesis, a human trained to "serve" the immortals' time is up, she's been called to the elders, and suddenly the world she's been studying her whole life becomes her reality only it's not what she expects and her very life may be in danger. Lots of romance and suspense follows as one of the Vampires claims her to keep her safe from the King of the immortals...who wants her for himself.

What is your favorite part of writing paranormal romance?

Honestly, this was one of my first stabs at it! it was really fun because I felt like I was able to really stretch outside my comfort zone and create a world that in my mind could exist but doesn't.

How do you feel about Twilight?

I adored Twilight when it released and to this day still think it's a great series to re-read.

What are your favorite paranormal novels?

I LOVE anything by Kresley Cole or JR Ward!

Where did you get your inspiration for the paranormal beings in The Dark Ones?

I had previously written a book about angels and nephilim (when I first started writing) and wanted to expand on the subject matter.

How do you choose names for your Paranormal characters?

Pretty much the same way you choose any book character....you google haha, no but seriously, I do a lot of researching online. I chose Genesis name based on the meaning behind it, the beginning.

Would you rather date a vampire or a werewolf?

Vampire, all the way.

What's your favorite quote from The Dark Ones?

You'd know if I bit you." ( Ethan)

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you love Halloween? Do you have any costume plans for this year yet?

I love halloween b/c I adore seeing all the little kids dressed up! I plan on dressing my son as his namesake, Thor. And doing the same for my husband, I'm even going to grab hubby a wig! Haha!

Rachel Van Dyken is the author of the new book The Dark Ones.

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Best New Fantasy Books with Female Protagonists

There's something about a powerhouse female protagonist that makes me happy. Perhaps it's because the majority of beloved fantasy novels feature male protagonists. Perhaps it's because books about women are less likely to win prizes. Maybe it's because I like reading about women I can look up to.

Whatever the reason, fantasy novels that feature strong women are something we're wholeheartedly excited about at NewInBooks. If you love fantasy and want a few recommendations on great new books to read that feature powerhouse women, check out our book list below!

Best New Fantasy Books with Female Protagonists: Book List for 2015

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Rider's Revenge

Alessandra Clarke

Release Date: September 29, 2015

Why read it: it's a coming-of-age adventure fantasy featuring K'lrsa, who is on an a mission to avenge her father's murder. It's set in a world that you'll love exploring. Alessandra Clarke's debut novel reads like a seasoned author's work.

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Letters to Zell

Camille Griep

Release Date: July 1, 2015

Why read it: there are no damsels in distress in this fairy tale. Author Camille Griep discards the stories of CInderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty and gives these beloved characters the agency to follow their dreams.

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Darken the Stars

Amy A. Bartol

Release Date: September 8, 2015

Why read it: Amy A. Bartol's Kricket series explores fantasy tropes we're all familiar with: a patriarchial society, prophecies, and a mysterious Brotherhood. But Kricket refuses to be used by those around her - she's determined to shape her future for herself.

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The Master Magician

Charlie N. Holmberg

Release Date: June 2, 2015

Why read it: this is the third book in the wildly-popular Paper Magician Series. Follow magician Ceony Twill, who has a secret - she knows how to practice forms of magic other than her own. In this third installment, Ceony is preparing to take her final magician's exam - all while facing a criminal who wants revenge on Ceony.

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As Black as Ebony

Salla Simukka

Release Date: August 4, 2015

Why read it: Salla Simukka's Snow White Trilogy is a fantastic YA fantasy series starring seventeen-year-old Lumikki Andersson. It incorporates fantasy, fairy tale, thriller, and literary elements into one amazing trilogy. Note: we recommend reading this series in order (As Black as Ebony is book 3).

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The Banished of Muirwood

Jeff Wheeler

Release Date: August 18, 2015

Why read it: Jeff Wheeler explores concepts of gender inequality and unequal access in his new epic fantasy series. Follow Maia, an exiled princess living as a servant, as she flees and hones her magic that she learned in secret (in a world where magic is forbidden to women).

If You Like Margaret Atwood Books, Read These

It's no secret - we love Margaret Atwood books. She has a new book out this week, and we're excited about it. The NewInBooks team is made up of unabashed Atwood fans.

A few years ago, Chloe found out that I had never read The Handmaid's Tale, the most famous book by Margaret Atwood. She gave me a stern look and a very firm deadline to read the acclaimed novel within a week. I've never looked back, and Margaret Atwood books will now hold a permanent spot on my shelves.

Margaret Atwood has a new book out this week, and to celebrate we've pulled together a book list of what to read if you love Margaret Atwood books and want to discover other authors like Margaret Atwood.

If You Like Margaret Atwood Books, Read These New Novels

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Fates and Furies

Lauren Groff

Release Date: September 15, 2015

Why fans of Margaret Atwood books will like it: ambitious literary fiction, a literary exploration of marriage, will challenge the mind and the heart.

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Purity

Jonathan Franzen

Release Date: September 1, 2015

Why fans of Margaret Atwood books will like it: satirical humor, political commentary, multi-layered subplots, themes of secrets and manipulation.

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Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights

Salman Rushdie

Release Date: September 8, 2015

Why fans of Margaret Atwood books will like it: blends smart humor with intelligent literary themes, beautiful depictions of emotion.

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Did You Ever Have A Family

Bill Clegg

Release Date: September 1, 2015

Why fans of Margaret Atwood books will like it: exploring tragedy, beautiful narrative, symbolism, quiet power.

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Gold Fame Citrus

Claire Vaye Watkins

Release Date: September 29, 2015

Why fans of Margaret Atwood books will like it: surreal landscape, unsettling, complex language, dark themes, nuanced characters.

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The Beautiful Bureaucrat

Helen Phillips

Release Date: August 11, 2015

Why fans of Margaret Atwood books will like it: wicked humor, exploration of uneasy questions, tense scenes, beautiful prose.

Interview with Karen Robards, author of the Dr. Charlotte Stone Series

Karen Robards' Dr. Charlotte Stone series has a brand new addition. We couldn't wait to talk to Karen Robards about the books she loves and what rocks her world.

Tell us a little bit about your new release, THE LAST TIME I SAW HER.

THE LAST TIME I SAW HER is the fourth book in the Dr. Charlotte Stone series, and it concludes the original arc of the story. By that I mean we find out the ultimate fate of Charlie's ghostly lover, convicted serial killer Michael Garland. if you're not familiar with the books, “Charlie” Stone is a psychiatrist who skillfully probes the twisted minds of incarcerated serial killers to better understand what makes them tick, and to help nab those who remain at large. In this book, Michael is facing oblivion - the total destruction of his soul. He has vanished from Charlie's world, and she is terrified that she will never see him again.

As she mourns Michael, a mysterious stranger turns up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and Charlie is shocked to realize he could be Michael's identical twin. But she suspects the resemblance is only skin deep—and that behind the stranger's handsome face may lurk the perverse mind of a killer. Using all her keen profiling gifts, Charlie risks her life to discover the shocking secret that might clear Michael’s name.

Then a breakout at Wallens Ridge State Prison forces Charlie to contend with a sudden swarm of psychopaths bent on spilling blood. No one has a better chance of tracking down the deadly fugitives than Charlie—unless the rampaging killers manage to find her first and make this case her last. But Michael will move heaven and hell—and even make a devil’s bargain—for the chance to save Charlie’s life, and feel her touch once more . . . if only for the final time.

Who are your literary heroes? Why do they inspire you?

I love the Brontes. WUTHERING HEIGHTS and JANE EYRE? Those sisters could write. The characters in those books are so rich and deep and real that they've far outlived their creators. That, to me, is inspiring.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Relax and have fun. Oh, and that whole writing thing you were afraid would never go anywhere? It works out.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

I just finished re-reading the Outlander series (great books!) I'm about halfway through Kristin Hannah's THE NIGHTINGALE, which I'm really enjoying. Next up is Linwood Barclay's NO TIME FOR GOODBYE. I'm always reading something.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

My favorite thing to do on a rainy day is read. Actually,my favorite thing to do on any day is read.

What's on your writing desk?

On my writing desk, right now, is a stuffed monkey that plays IF YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADAS when you squeeze its paw. A couple of family photos. Notebooks, pens. The "Wally" award I won for bestselling debut hardcover of the year for NOBODY'S ANGEL. (It's big, and heavy, and I use it to prop up the notebooks, which contain character photos, maps, timelines, etc., so I can see them as I work.) Oh, yeah, and my laptop is on there, too. And my cat, the Muse, who naps next to my laptop as I work.

What's rocking your world this month?

Knowing that I'll have an empty nest come the end of August is rocking my world, and not in a good way. My youngest heads off to college. On a happier note, I'm really excited to share this fourth Charlie Stone book with my readers. I think (hope) they'll love it.

What's your favorite line from THE LAST TIME I SAW HER?

Charlie to Michael: "You're sporting horns and a tail here, baby."

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Just write the book already.