1. What inspired you to write this story?

For several years, I worked for a government contractor onsite at the Cincinnati EPA. While there, I learned about EPA CID agents. Without including too much information, I’ll just say that after a conversation with coworkers, I came up with an idea for the story. I wrote part of the novel for NaNoWriMo. I carpooled with my husband, and so after work, while I waited for my husband to pick me up, I would often write in a journal. I put the story on hold after my kids were born. Years later, I picked up the story again and wrote two sequels.

2. What kind of research did you have to do for this story?

For this story, I researched law enforcement details, medical details, and setting. I contacted various experts, including retired and current law enforcement, including a Cincy PD officer and a retired EPA CID officer, and retired medical professionals. I studied actual EPA CID cases to help me develop my story. While working onsite at the EPA, I wasn’t working in law enforcement. Rather, I edited technical science reports. Having a basic knowledge of science helped when it came to reviewing old cases. However, I also consulted an environmental engineer to review parts of the manuscript.

3. How did you incorporate Christian themes into your story?

I write romantic suspense, so there are suspense and romance threads. But also, my main characters have their own faith arcs. I try to incorporate faith organically. Most of my stories include themes of redemption or trust. Some of my stories include conversion scenes. At the same time, I don’t want my story to be preachy. And I don’t want characters who hear the Gospel and immediately and unrealistically magically change. I want the characters to hear the Gospel in snippets here and there and to wrestle with the message. I want characters who ask hard questions.

My family likes to place my books here and there, including cruise ship libraries. So, if someone picks up my book and that reader happens to be seeking God, I don’t want to be too preachy and have them throw down the book. I want the reader to experience the faith journey of my characters. Yes, some people might hear the Gospel once and accept Christ. But realistically, many people might get angry or are skeptical. I’m hoping that maybe some readers can identify with the main characters and their doubts. And I pray for God to get the books into the hands of the people who need to read it most.

4. In writing this story, did you plan it out in detail or were there parts of the plot that came to you unexpectedly?

I outlined the story in detail. Very few parts of the story came out unexpectedly. I prefer to outline because I don’t like rewriting.

5. What is the significance of the setting you chose for the story?

The setting is significant because I lived and worked in the greater Cincinnati area for several years. I adjusted a few details to fit my story and have listed those in the Author’s Note at the end of the book.

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