Valerie Massey Goree: Day of Reckoning
Thank you for hosting me today, Julie. I’m honored to share my latest romantic suspense with your audience. Day of Reckoning is a stand-alone sequel to Weep in the Night. Both stories feature agents who work for the International Retrieval Organization. Lela was introduced in Weep, and now she has her own story in Day of Reckoning. One aspect I love about writing fiction is creating my story world. The IRO—a top-notch detective agency of sorts—has unlimited resources, and therefore my agents have everything they need to accomplish their tasks.
As a seasoned operative, Lela is assigned the kidnapping case of businessman, Chuck Davenport. When her boss allows Jay Vashon, Chuck’s brother-in-law to assist, Lela accepts the help with reservations, especially when Jay prays at the most inopportune times.
Jay would do anything to help bring Chuck home, even work with feisty Agent Ortiz. As Jay and Lela decipher clues Chuck sends to his son with special needs, they are forced to work in close proximity.
Can Jay break through the barrier Lela has constructed around her heart? Will Lela be able to overcome her distrust of men and God?
And Chuck? Can the pair locate him before the ransom deadline?
Ooh. Such intrigue! But that’s another advantage about writing romantic suspense. Twists and unexpected turns are so much fun to create. If my characters sail along without a care in the world, then I haven’t done my job. We all know that life is full of bumps and sometimes craters. The ‘happily-ever-after’ will come, but not without facing hardships along the way.
Speaking of sailing… We recently moved to Washington state. Our condo is right on the water, and my office window overlooks the bay. Talk about inspiration! Little sailboats, fancy yachts, brave people paddling kayaks. And then to the north we often see cruise ships, or tankers and container ships heading to or from Seattle.
I haven’t incorporated any of these sights in a plot yet, but when my husband and I see a boat anchored in the middle of our bay—and yes, we do consider it ours—we speculate as to what the crew might be doing. Are they picking up a load of drugs? Tossing a body overboard? Spying on the houses tucked away in the trees on the bluff? The possibilities are endless. Of course, the crew could just be fishing or enjoying the weather. But that’s too tame.
In Day of Reckoning, Jay’s nephew, Sean, has fragile X syndrome. I worked with children with special needs for twenty-five years. I often include a special child in my stories. People use sign language to help communicate with Sean. The sign for ‘wait’ is cute. Hold your left open hand, palm up by your left side. Then hold your right hand in the same position, a little closer to your body, fingers pointing to your left wrist and wiggle your fingers. Wait. This sign plays a crucial part in solving the kidnapping case.
I’ve completed the third novel in the series. It will feature an IRO agent introduced in Day of Reckoning as the hero or heroine. Who will it be? Manny, Pamela, Smitty, Cooper? Hmm. I can keep a secret.
American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides with her husband on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
After serving as missionaries in her home country of Zimbabwe and raising two children, Glenn and Valerie moved to Texas. She worked in the public school system for many years, focusing on students with special needs. Now retired, Valerie spends her time writing, and spoiling her grandchildren.
Novels include: Deceive Me Once; Colors of Deceit; Weep in the Night; and stand-alone sequel Day of Reckoning.
Check Valerie’s website to learn more about her books: www.valeriegoreeauthor.com
Valerie loves to hear from her readers.
Purchase links:
