An undercover investigation means deadly danger.
Will an agent’s missing memories save her
Will an agent’s missing memories save her
Attacked and left for dead, undercover FBI agent Ashley Thompson has forgotten almost everything about her current assignment. Now she’s working with park ranger Logan Everett to expose a crime ring—even as she secretly investigates the rangers to root out a mole. But since Logan doesn’t know Ashley’s real identity, is blowing her cover the only way to catch a killer?
Paperback: 224 pages
Published: December 3rd 2019 by
Published: Love Inspired Suspense
ISBN13: 9781335232540
Published: December 3rd 2019 by
Published: Love Inspired Suspense
ISBN13: 9781335232540
Book interview with Kellie VanHorn
featuring Fatal Flashback
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Right after we were married, my husband and I spent two years in graduate school at Texas A&M University. During one of our spring breaks, we got the crazy idea to take our first camping trip together (ever) to Big Bend National Park in west Texas. We loaded up all our gear, hit the road, and arrived just outside the park about nine hours later. Spring break is one of the park’s busiest seasons, but we snagged a great campsite and enjoyed three days of glorious, rugged terrain, hiking, and life without a shower. It wasn’t until about a year later, when we were moving away from Texas, that I realized Big Bend would be the perfect setting for a romance novel.
Right after we were married, my husband and I spent two years in graduate school at Texas A&M University. During one of our spring breaks, we got the crazy idea to take our first camping trip together (ever) to Big Bend National Park in west Texas. We loaded up all our gear, hit the road, and arrived just outside the park about nine hours later. Spring break is one of the park’s busiest seasons, but we snagged a great campsite and enjoyed three days of glorious, rugged terrain, hiking, and life without a shower. It wasn’t until about a year later, when we were moving away from Texas, that I realized Big Bend would be the perfect setting for a romance novel.
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#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
This book has been a very long time in the making—that first glimpse of a novel set in Big Bend came to me over fifteen years ago. But I had a Master’s thesis to finish, a full-time job, a baby on the way, and another move to plan before I could start writing. Plus, there was the little problem of not having a clue how to write a novel. I managed to pull together a completed first draft after several years, but it was a far different story than the one you can read today. I still had a lot to learn about how to tell stories! But practice makes perfect, or at least better, and eventually my story took shape and caught the eye of the editors at Love Inspired Suspense…seventeen years after that camping trip. |
#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I have a soft spot for all my characters, but I think Logan is my favorite. He has an awesome job (park ranger!), strong faith, loyalty to his friends, and a great sense of humor. I wouldn’t mind if he rescued me. ?
I have a soft spot for all my characters, but I think Logan is my favorite. He has an awesome job (park ranger!), strong faith, loyalty to his friends, and a great sense of humor. I wouldn’t mind if he rescued me. ?
#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
The message I kept coming back to in all my iterations of this story is the importance of walking daily in the truth of God’s promises. Life is full of ups and downs and things we don’t understand, but through it all we’re called to trust God’s goodness and love. Only then can we experience the fullness of His presence and blessings in our lives.
The message I kept coming back to in all my iterations of this story is the importance of walking daily in the truth of God’s promises. Life is full of ups and downs and things we don’t understand, but through it all we’re called to trust God’s goodness and love. Only then can we experience the fullness of His presence and blessings in our lives.
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#5. What made you choose some of the specific locations in this book?
I knew almost as soon as I started brainstorming that Santa Elena Canyon would have to play a role in this book, because it is an amazing, gorgeous, awe-inspiring place. When my husband and I visited the park in 2002, the border crossing was closed, but I wanted to give my characters the chance I didn’t have to cross over into Mexico. The other setting locations were a natural outflow of the way the story unfolded. |
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If you want to see some of the inspiration for both the incredible setting and for the characters, here’s a link to my Pinterest storyboard: https://www.pinterest.com/kelliemichellep/flashback-storyboard/
#6. How did you name your characters?
Naming characters is always a tough thing for me. Sometimes the names pop into my head almost immediately, as in the case of Ashley and Logan, but other times I have to let the potential names simmer in the back of my mind until I see what sticks. I’ve even resorted to using top baby names lists from the approximate years my characters would’ve been born.
Naming characters is always a tough thing for me. Sometimes the names pop into my head almost immediately, as in the case of Ashley and Logan, but other times I have to let the potential names simmer in the back of my mind until I see what sticks. I’ve even resorted to using top baby names lists from the approximate years my characters would’ve been born.
#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
Hmm, great question! I’d say this falls somewhere between sad and a blessing in disguise. After I finished the first draft and edited it to my best ability (about eight years ago), I was able to get a pitch for it in front of some top Christian publishers through a service called the Writer’s Edge. Two editors requested to see more, and as you can imagine, I was insanely excited that my work had caught their eye. After a long time waiting to hear back, both editors decided to pass. One of them left me with some cryptic advice: work on your voice. At the time, I had no idea what she meant, and in my disappointment, I stopped writing for a couple of years. But now I’m so grateful they didn’t take my manuscript, because I would never have had to push myself to become a better writer. Hearing “no” or “not yet” (in any area of life!) can be so disappointing, but God’s timing is always for our best!
Hmm, great question! I’d say this falls somewhere between sad and a blessing in disguise. After I finished the first draft and edited it to my best ability (about eight years ago), I was able to get a pitch for it in front of some top Christian publishers through a service called the Writer’s Edge. Two editors requested to see more, and as you can imagine, I was insanely excited that my work had caught their eye. After a long time waiting to hear back, both editors decided to pass. One of them left me with some cryptic advice: work on your voice. At the time, I had no idea what she meant, and in my disappointment, I stopped writing for a couple of years. But now I’m so grateful they didn’t take my manuscript, because I would never have had to push myself to become a better writer. Hearing “no” or “not yet” (in any area of life!) can be so disappointing, but God’s timing is always for our best!
Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I’ll share the Bible verse from the book:
I’ll share the Bible verse from the book:
Isn’t that the way it feels when we’re not living daily in God’s presence? Like life is dry and empty and weary? I fail too often at seeking Him in the little moments of each day, but it’s my prayer that when we notice our own thirstiness, we’ll turn to the Living Water to be quenched. Thanks for all the great questions, Jasmine! It’s been an honor to be with you all today.
Kellie VanHorn
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Kellie VanHorn is an award-winning author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense. She has college degrees in biology and nautical archaeology, but she’s always found her sense of adventure most satisfied by a great story. When not writing, Kellie can be found homeschooling her four children, camping, baking, and gardening. She lives with her family in west Michigan.
Kellie is a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s a 2019 Golden Heart® finalist, winner of the 2018 Daphne du Maurier award for unplublished inspirational romantic suspense, and double 2018 Genesis semi-finalist. Kellie is represented by Ali Herring of Spencerhill. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
Kellie VanHorn is generously giving away
a Print copy of Fatal Flashback
a Print copy of Fatal Flashback
(USA ONLY)
