Valerie Massey Goree: Let’s Chat!

Welcome, everyone!

Valerie Massey Goree, a treasured author friend, is guest blogging this week. I know you’ll love hearing from her about her latest romantic suspense novel.

Valerie Massey Goree, Author

I’m honored to be hosted by my friend, Linda. August 30, 2019 marks the release date of my latest romantic suspense novel, Day of Reckoning, a stand-alone sequel to Weep in the Night.

Day of Reckoning by Valerie Massey Goree

Both stories feature agents who work for the International Retrieval Organization. Lela was introduced in Weep in the Night, and now she has her own story in Day of Reckoning.

As a seasoned operative, she is assigned the kidnapping case of the 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?

Thoughts from Valerie Massey Goree

Ooh. Such intrigue! But that’s what I love 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. Having 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.

Valerie Massey Goree: Looking to the Future

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.