Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and was sent to prison. – Trace of Doubt by @DiAnnMills
What inspired the idea for your book?
What sacrifices would a young woman make to protect a beloved sister?
Tell us about a favorite character from the book.
A minor character: Sheriff Wendall. He’s a small town, Texas sheriff who took his job seriously. He didn’t play favorites but went after the truth. I also liked his southern mannerisms.
If you were friends with a character in this book, what kinds of things would you do together?
I’d want to spend time with Shelby: to cook and bake, sip coffee on her front porch, and take long walks in the woods.
What was the most surprising thing you learned in writing this book?
The depth of a selfish, greedy woman. As a seat-of-the-pants writer, I’m often surprised at a character’s behavior.
How do you define success as an author?
Being read. Many people write, but not all are read.
Do you have any quirky writing rituals?
Lots of dark-roast coffee (drinking some now). Although I’m a seat-of-the-pants plotter, I complete a 17-page characterization sketch for each point of view character before beginning chapter one, line one.
What comes first for you — the plot or the characters?
The idea for the story, then the character who would have the most to lose and the most to gain working toward a goal.
As an author what do you think makes a good story?
Unpredictable behavior that is realistic and in-character. Fast paced
What difference do you see between a writer and an author?
I hadn’t thought about a difference until now. I’d say a writer is anyone who puts pen to paper to communicate through the written word. An author is someone who has been published. Every author is a writer, but not every writer is an author.
Who is your audience?
My readers are mostly women but some men, ages 45 and older, who value an action packed, well-researched novel, fast paced, and with a thread of romance.
How do you interact with your readers?
Through social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also through my blog comments.
What is your all-time favorite book or author? Do you think this has influenced your writing?
Jerry Jenkins is my favorite author. His books are always a journey into someone’s life. Through Jerry’s teachings, I’ve learned what works, self-editing, and how to be humble and give back to readers and writers.
What was the defining moment that made you say to yourself, “Today, I am going to write a book that I will publish.”?
A challenge from my husband to stop saying I would one day write a book and do it.
How do you avoid or defeat writers block?
I don’t have a problem with writer’s block. There are times I’m not sure what the next scene will be, and so I start back at the beginning and read/edit.
What is an underrated author that you think everyone should read at least once?
David Baldacci. Nothing he’s written is underrated; however, I love the whole Memory Man series. The hero, Amos Decker, is unlike any character I’ve read. He’s a hero that the reader can’t help but feel compassion, admiration, and want more.
Aside from writing or reading, what are your hobbies or interests?
I love to read, garden, cook and bake, and spend time with my grandkids.
What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
The words of Winston Churchill: “Never, never, never give up.”
In DiAnn Mills’ words: “Face your fears and simply write.”
What are you working on in the near future?
I just finished a romantic suspense novel that will be a September 2022 release. A young woman believes she has witnessed a murder by her beloved grandfather who raised her with love, truth, integrity, and profound faith in God. What is the truth?
What are your top 5 favorite authors?
Jerry Jenkins,
Joel Rosenberg,
David Baldacci,
Steven James,
and Robert Dugoni.
Number 6 is Charles Martin.
What are you reading now?
Just finished The Beirut Protocol by Joel Rosenberg and ready to dive into The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin
Synopsis:
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.
Praise for Trace of Doubt:
“Well-researched… with some surprising twists along the way. In Trace of Doubt, Mills weaves together a tale of faith, intrigue, and suspense that her fans are sure to enjoy.” – STEVEN JAMES, award-winning author of SYNAPSE and EVERY WICKED MAN
“Trace of Doubt is a suspense reader’s best friend. From page one until the end, the action is intense and the storyline keeps you guessing.” – EVA MARIE EVERSON, bestselling author of FIVE BRIDES and DUST
“DiAnn Mills serves up a perfect blend of action, grit, and heart… Trace of Doubt takes romantic suspense to a whole new level.” – JAMES R. HANNIBAL, award-winning author of THE PARIS BETRAYAL
“Filled with high stakes, high emotion, and high intrigue.” – JLYNN H. BLACKBURN, award-winning author of UNKNOWN THREATand ONE FINAL BREATH
Book Details:
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published by: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: September 7th 2021
Number of Pages: 432
ISBN: 1496451856 (ISBN13: 9781496451859)
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook.com | Tyndale |
Books-A-Million | Murder By The Book | Goodreads
Read an excerpt:
PROLOGUE
SHELBY
Would I ever learn? I’d spent too many years looking out for someone else, and here I was doing the same thing again. Holly had disappeared after I sent her to the rear pantry for potatoes. She’d been gone long enough to plant and dig them up. I needed to get those potatoes boiling to feed hungry stomachs.
I left the kitchen to find her. The hallway to the pantry needed better lighting or maybe fewer corners. In any event, uneasiness swirled around me like a dust storm.
A plea to stop met my ears. I raced to the rear pantry fearing what I’d find.
Four women circled Holly. One held her arms behind her back, and the other three took turns punching her small body. My stomach tightened. I’d been in her shoes, and I’d do anything to stop the women from beating her.
“Please, stop,” Holly said through a raspy breath. For one who was eighteen years old, she looked fifteen.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I forced my voice to rise above my fear of them.
“Stay out of it, freak.”
I’d run into this woman before, and she had a mean streak. “What’s she done to you?” I eyed the woman.
“None of your business unless you want the same.”
“It’s okay, Shelby. I can handle this.” Holly’s courageous words would only earn her another fist to her battered face.
And it did.
“Enough!” I drew my fists and stepped nose to nose with the leader.
The four turned on me. I’d lived through their beatings before, and I would again. I fell and the kicks to my ribs told me a few would be broken.
A whistle blew, and prison guards stopped the gang from delivering any more blows to Holly or me. They clamped cuffs on the four and left Holly and me on the floor with reassurance help was on its way.
I’d been her age once and forced to grow up fast. No one had counseled me but hard knocks, securing an education, and letting Jesus pave the way. I’d vowed to keep my eyes and ears open for others less fortunate.
Holly’s lip dripped blood and a huge lump formed on the side of her head. I crawled to her. “Are you okay?”
“Not sure. Thank you for standing up for me. I thought they would kill me. Why do they do this? I’ve never done a thing to them.”
“Because they can. They want to exert power, control. Stick by me, and I’ll do my best to keep you safe.”
CHAPTER 1
I tightened my grip on the black trash bag slung over my shoulder containing my personal belongings—parole papers, a denim shoulder bag from high school, a ragged backpack, fifty dollars gate money, my driver’s license at age sixteen, and the clothes I’d worn to prison fifteen years ago.
The bus slowed to pick me up outside the prison gates, its windshield wipers keeping pace with the downpour. The rain splattered the flat ground in a steady cadence like a drum leading a prisoner to execution. I stepped back to avoid the splash of muddy water from the front tires dipping into a pothole. Air brakes breathed in and out, a massive beast taking respite from its life labors.
The door hissed open. At the top of the steps, a balding driver took my ticket, no doubt recognizing the prison’s release of a for- mer inmate. He must have been accustomed to weary souls who’d paid their debts to society. The coldness glaring from his graphite eyes told me he wagered I’d be locked up again within a year. Maybe less. I couldn’t blame him. The reoffend stats for female convicts like me soared high.
For too many years, I imagined the day I left prison would be bathed in sunlight. I’d be enveloped in welcoming arms and hear encouraging words from my family.
Reality hosted neither.
I moved to the rear of the bus, past a handful of people, and found a seat by myself. All around me were those engrossed in their devices. My life had been frozen in time, and now that I had permission to thaw, the world had changed. Was I ready for the fear digging its claws into my heart?
The cloudy view through the water-streaked window added to my doubts about the future. I’d memorized the prison rules, even prayed through them, and now I feared breaking one unknowingly.
The last time I’d breathed free air, riding the bus was a social gathering—in my case, a school bus. Kids chatted and laughter rose above the hum of tires. Now an eerie silence had descended.
I hadn’t been alone then.
My mind drifted back to high school days, when the future rested on maintaining a 4.0 average and planning the next party. Maintaining my grades took a fraction of time, while my mind schemed forbidden fun. I’d dreamed of attending college and exploring the world on my terms.
Rebellion held bold colors, like a kaleidoscope shrouded in black light. The more I shocked others, the more I plotted something darker. My choices often seemed a means of expressing my creativity. While in my youth I viewed life as a cynic. By the time I was able to see a reflection of my brokenness and vowed to change, no one trusted me.
All that happened . . .
Before I took the blame for murdering my brother-in-law. Before I traded my high school diploma and a career in interior design for a locked cell.
Before I spent years searching for answers.
Before I found new meaning and purpose.
How easy it would be to give in to a dismal, gray future when I longed for blue skies. I had to prove the odds against me were wrong.
***
Excerpt from Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills. Copyright 2021 by DiAnn Mills. Reproduced with permission from DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.
Check Out This Fab Trailer for Trace of Doubt:
Author Bio:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a former director of Blue Ridge Christian Writers, and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She shares her passion for helping other writers be successful by teaching writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed:
DiAnnMills.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @DiAnnMills
Instagram – @DiAnnMillsAuthor
Twitter – @DiAnnMills
Facebook – @DiAnnMills
Tour Participants:
Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!
09/01 Review @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
09/02 Guest post @ Novels Alive
09/03 Showcase @ Books, Ramblings, and Tea
09/05 Guest post @ The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
09/08 Review @ Wall-to-wall books
09/09 Guest post @ The Book Divas Reads
09/10 Interview @ Quiet Fury Books
09/13 Review @ Splashes of Joy
09/14 Review @ Novels Alive
09/14 Review @ sunny island breezes
09/15 Review @ Inkwell Inspirations
09/15 Showcase @ The Reading Frenzy
09/16 Review @ Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
09/16 Review @ Avonna Loves Genres
09/17 Review @ Savings in seconds
09/18 Showcase @ Brooke Blogs
09/20 Interview @ I Read What You Write
09/21 Review @ The Bookwyrm
09/23 Interview/showcase @ CMash Reads
09/24 Review @ Jersey Girl Book Reviews
09/26 Review @ Read Review Rejoice
09/27 Review @ Totally Addicted to Reading
09/27 Showcase @ Celticladys Reviews
09/28 Review @ A Room Without Books is Empty
09/28 Review @ Margaret Yelton
09/29 Review @ Nesies Place
09/29 Review @ The World As I See It
09/30 Review @ Pat Fayo Reviews
I Read What You Write! 
Great interview!!
“I complete a 17-page characterization sketch for each point of view character before beginning chapter one, line one.” – very interesting, I love it!
I also love Charles Martin, I have read a few of his books.
Trace of Doubt was a fantastic book! My favorite one so far. Can’t wait to read the next!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would love to read just one of the characterizations!!
LikeLike
Email me at diann@diannmills.com and I’ll send you the characterization sketch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank I will do that
LikeLike
Your blog site is gorgeous. You’ve made me and Trace of Doubt like rock stars! Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for your kind words ♥♥ I really enjoyed your interview.
LikeLiked by 1 person