I’m so excited about today’s guest! She is a new author to the Love Inspired Suspense scene, but I’m lucky to have called her friend for a while now. Please welcome Sharee Stover!

Congratulations on your first novel, Secret Past! Can you tell us a bit about how the idea came to you? I wanted to write a story involving Witness Protection and, although I’d read several books with characters in that predicament, I needed more facts. That sent me on a research journey which can be dangerous, because for me, I start out Googling one topic and before you know it, I’m all over the place. Occasionally, I end up on Pinterest and DIY projects which have absolutely nothing to do with my research, but it’s fun to do. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case in this particular story, but I digress. I wanted facts and what better way to find those than to start with the program itself?

I found great information right on the US Marshals’ website including the fact that the program had been around since the early 1970s. I also searched pictures, movies and books and somewhere along the line, I came upon a black and white picture of a child with his mom in a story about the program. That’s when my I started to play “what if.” What if my character was placed in the program as a child and grew up always under protection? If that was normal, if her family didn’t want her to know the truth . . . as an adult how would that affect a person? When is a good time for a parent to tell their child the truth? And that posed my target question: What if you’d be raised in witness protection and never known it?

Have you visited the scenic sights that appear in Secret Past? If so, tell us about your adventures. If not, do you plan to visit them in the future? Well that’s a yes and no kind of answer. I’m a Colorado native and did climb the Manitou Incline, and I have been to the eastern coast in Florida. However, I’ve never been to a specific mansion or marinas as I described in the book. That was a combination of memories, pictures, and research.

In October 2015, I was on a trip with a very dear friend and she suggested we go hiking. I love hiking, so I was all for it . . . until we got to the Manitou Incline. At first it didn’t seem so bad, but once we started the climb, I was seriously doubting my ability to finish. I’m a Colorado native but being in Nebraska for almost ten years has changed how I adapt to high altitude. The idea for a shoot-out scene came while we were climbing. I’m strange that way, weird book ideas pop into my brain at the most unlikely times. All in all, it was quite the adventure and made for a fun action scene in Secret Past.

What can readers do to help spread the word about your new book? Reviews are so valuable for an author, so if readers like the book, please post a review, share with a friend, tell your local library about the book and request they order it. And of course, books make great gifts!

What is next for you writing-wise? I’m currently working on a story about a woman accused of a murder she didn’t commit and her adventure in proving her innocence.

Anything else you’d like to add? Sara, thank you for having me here today!! I’m so excited to share Secret Past with you all and especially for you to read it. This is my debut, but I hope to have many more books to share in the future.

Her life is a lie

She’s not who she thinks she is

With gunmen at her doorstep, Katie Tribani learns her true identity. She’s been in witness protection since childhood, and now her crime-lord father has found her. As bullets fly, US marshal Daniel Knight whisks her to safety—but not for long. Captured and held prisoner, only Katie can unearth her secret past…if she can survive long enough.

Find Secret Past on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book retailers!

I can personally attest to Secret Past‘s awesomeness! It is really a fantastic book, and I’m not just saying that because Sharee is my friend. I think readers will love the excitement, romance, and action.

Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and two ridiculously spoiled dogs. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to transform, ignite and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at https://www.shareestover.com/

I’ll see you next week with author Gail Palotta.