Love Inspired Books discussion

One of the best things about writing for Love Inspired Suspense is the fun research that I get to do for the Emerald Coast 911 series. I love talking to the real people who do the jobs my characters do and getting to hear their stories. The first scene of Flashpoint (which you can read here) was inspired by one of those stories.

My friend Joe is a firefighter/EMT and one of my favorite sources to tap for great information. He shared a story about a trailer fire. The fire was so hot that he stood on the steps of the doorway with the water streaming in. It wasn’t until after the blaze was out and he looked down that he realized all that time, he’d been standing on a propane tank. If the fire had gotten out of control, he would’ve been a goner. It’s stories like Joe’s which really get a writer’s imagination going. When I heard it, I knew the propane tank would be making an appearance in a fire scene at some point. It was a great story (although Joe’s wife didn’t think it was a great story at all!).

The men and women of the Emerald Coast 911 series are based on real heroes. The more I learn about the jobs they live every day, the more impressed I am and honored to be writing their stories.

Stephanie Newton
SMOKE SCREEN, LIS, January 2010
FLASHPOINT, LIS, July 2010
"Christmas Target," in HOLIDAY HAVOC, Nov 2010
http://www.stephanienewtonbooks.com

I can't read fast enough to keep up with all these great books!

I really enjoy the stories of real life hero's. It does open my eyes to their jobs and dangers of them.