Chatting with the lovely Elizabeth Goddard today about her first full length romantic suspense novel, newly released from Revell Books. Beth is well known for her Love Inspired Suspense novels and contemporary romance novels, with over 20 books to her name. Never Let Go is the first in the Uncommon Justice trilogy, with a forensic geologist and former FBI agent on the trail of a cold case.

If you are a fan of romantic suspense and want to add to your wishlists, check out Beth’s website and enter the giveaway below. For now, learn more about Never Let Go below and get bookchatting with Beth…

As a forensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather’s footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.

Ex-FBI agent–and Willow’s ex-flame–Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they’ll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he’s spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow’s tender heart at risk.

In this fast-paced and emotional page-turner, bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps the stakes high, the romantic tension sparking, and the outcome uncertain until the very end.

Beth’s Bookchat

Please share a little about your characters, Willow and Austin.

Willow is determined and persistent. She cares deeply and loves to talk to people and hear their stories of the past. Oh, and she loves to visit cemeteries. Ha! As a genealogist, she kind of needs to be into that. 🙂 Willow has a great sense humor, and a sense of adventure. Despite tragedy and attempts on her life, she remains strong and pushes beyond her fears to see things through.

Austin maintains the appearance of a consummate professional and the attitude of an overachiever, but he’s lost. He’s a master at redirection when it comes to hiding his past. He’s methodical and retains habits from his job as an FBI agent. He’s likeable and knows how to get people to talk. He’s a charmer with a fun sense of humor. Bad memories, family and a few mistakes try to bring him down, but he keeps moving forward. One mistake drives his decisions, and his is a redemption story. Underneath it all, he’s a cowboy at heart.

Why did you make Austin an former boyfriend of Willow’s?

In my last few novels I’ve started leaning toward writing reunion romances. That enables me to explore deeper emotions than I’d be able to if the hero and heroine were only now falling in love. A painful romantic past allows me to increase the emotional angst and conflict. Then the reader’s emotional experience should also be more powerful.

Describe your book in 5 adjectives.

Intriguing. Romantic. Adventurous. Gripping. Redemptive.

Why romantic suspense?

A suspenseful plot and romantic conflict collide for the ultimate reading experience. It’s as simple as that.

Which element do you prefer writing, and why? (romance or suspense)

In my romantic suspense novels, I can’t truly separate the two. The romantic conflict my characters experience is ramped-up by the suspenseful plot so it’s truly not one or the other. The two elements are tightly wrapped together. That said, in most all of my older straight romance novels, there is an element of suspense, and I can’t imagine writing suspense without two characters struggling with romantic tension.

Which character did you enjoy writing most?

Willow. I related to her the most because of her love for her grandfather. I had a close relationship with my grandparents, so I could understand how her grandfather impacted her life, even after he was gone.

Which character gave you the most grief?

Ha! I think Austin. His struggle was true to life, and I understand it and can even relate to it, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

What emotions do you think your story will generate in readers?

In reading some of the reviews, I’ve been surprised that one reader will say the story is more suspense than romance, and then another will say it’s more a romance than a suspense. It amazes me how people can read the same book and take away something completely different. The emotions I expect and hope the story generates stems from the romance between Austin and Willow and their struggles from the past. Emotions based on the search for the lost baby and moral dilemmas as they arise. So basically . . . I hope and expect the reader to have an intense emotional experience to go along with surprises at the plot twists and turns, all of it wrapped up to draw out a happy sigh at the end, while at the same time they wish for more. 🙂

What emotions did you experience while writing this story?

All of the above! The characters truly drew me into deeper place than I had imagined I would write. My editor wanted me to start earlier in the story to showcase Willow’s grandfather, and that set a different tone and pace for the story than I had. I believe it’s much richer because of her suggestion. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How are your Uncommon Justice novels linked?

By three brothers, Austin, Heath and Liam McKade who all come back to Jackson Hole in Wyoming and their ranch home where they grew up.

Thanks Beth!

Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling, award-winning author of forty novels and counting, including the romantic mystery, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES–a 2011 Carol Award winner. Four of her six Mountain Cove books have been contest finalists. Buried, Backfire and Deception are finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, and Submerged is a Carol Award finalist. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to fulfill her dreams of writing full-time.

Relz Reviewz Extras

All Things Goddard @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Beth’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: Never Let Go or Koorong

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