Sunday, May 26, 2013

KIM CRESSWELL-THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE

 Hi Kim, so nice to have you back on my blog for three days. I always like your interesting posts. What do you have for us today?



The Difference Between Mystery and Suspense


Hi everyone!  A huge thanks to Lorrie for having me back today!

Although mystery is an element found in almost every genre…what if there weren’t any secrets to uncover, bad guys to catch, why would you want to turn the pages and continue reading? Romance, romantic suspense, thrillers or other genres all have some sort of element of mystery.

Mystery novels involve a puzzle–a game of whodunit. A crime usually happens offstage and it’s up to the protagonist to uncover the truth.
 
 
 
In a suspense novel–a threat and imminent danger must be resolved not a puzzle being resolved.

Something is coming. Footsteps. Bad guys. Run! Run! Run!

It’s the ticking bomb concept. The stakes are much higher as the threat reaches an impossible level.

A suspense novel builds then ebbs creating an emotional rollercoaster. The author ensures the ride crashes at the right moment with a big bang.

I love writing and reading romantic suspense, not only does the suspense provide instant tension in a story, I love the push-pull-tug-of-war of romance.

Will the hero and heroine get together? Will they overcome the conflict and live happily ever after?

In my book REFLECTION, my heroine, reporter, Whitney Steel is investigating an alleged human cloning project when she meets up with the hero, FBI Agent, Blake Neely, who is searching for his own answers. Everything from this point on focuses on Blake and Whitney discovering whether or not the villain has produced the world's first cloned human with the villain one step ahead of them. Whitney and Blake don't set out to fall in love. The relationship between the hero and heroine evolves because of the suspense.

So what is the perfect blend of romance and suspense? In my opinion--a kick-ass heroine and a sexy FBI agent, sizzling romance, murder, and lots and lots of mayhem!
 
 

Blurb

Florida investigative reporter, Whitney Steel, has lived in the shadow of her legendary father long enough. To prove herself she needs to find the “Big” story.

She found it.

Now it may kill her.

After Whitney receives a lead pointing to the world's first cloned human, now a small child, she vows to unravel the truth. However, sifting through the facts proves to have dangerous results, including death threats and murder.

When Whitney is nearly killed, but is saved by undercover FBI Special Agent, Blake Neely, he refuses to let her get in the way of his own objective—at least not right away.

Caught in a lethal game between a billionaire obsessed with genetic perfection, his hit man’s thirst for retribution, and a Colombian drug lord fresh out of prison determined to make Blake pay for his twin brother’s death over a decade ago...

Can they save an innocent child before its too late?

Faced with tough choices, with deadly consequences for many—Whitney soon realizes that sometimes a story becomes more than just a story.


Excerpt


Whitney rummaged through her leather bag, placed her digital voice recorder on thetable and gave the record button a firm push. “For the record, Senator Bailey, did you kill Carmen Lacey?”

 “No.” He leaned back in the chair and loosened his pinstriped tie. “It’s true. I was the last person to see her alive. But there’s more to this than you think.”

 Brown eyes that once set her heart hammering now conveyed a chilling, hollow look. Was it guilt? Desperation?

 No. Fear.

 Uneasiness slid down her spine. She stopped the recorder. “Mason, you’re scaring me. What the hell is going on? It’s been over three years since we last spoke. Then, out of the blue, you beg me to meet with you today. I know the police don’t believe you killed that woman.”

“But do you, Whitney? Do you believe I killed her? I need to know. It’s important.”

 Stunned by the urgency in his voice, she answered carefully. “Of course not. You’re many things, but you’re not a killer.”

 “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” He reached for his empty glass and tapped his chunky gold ring against the side.

 Whitney turned the recorder on again.

“Carmen was a scientist working for a biotech company in Nevada. ShawBioGen. Heard of it?”

 “Who hasn’t? They were one of the first to clone animals in the eighties. Caused quite a stir. But I don't understand. What does that have to do with Carmen’s death?”

 He opened his mouth to answer.

 The large window behind them dividing the patio from the main restaurant

exploded...
 
~~~~
 
A real thriller, Kim. What a tease of a blurb and excerpt. This is my kind of novel and definitely on my TBB list. 

 

Where to Buy

 


Available in paperback at Amazon & Createaspace

We love comments. Please leave yours below


 

 

11 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for having me again on your blog, Lorrie.:)

    Kim

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  2. You're so very welcome, Kim. I love your post today on the difference between mystery and suspense. And you're book looks yummy. It's on my list.

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  3. You're so very welcome, Kim. It's a pleasure to have you back with such an informative post.

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  4. Nice explanation of the difference between mystery and suspense. Nice excerpt, too!

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    1. Hi Cheryl. Glad you enjoyed the post. I wrote this post because sometimes readers think Reflection is a mystery novel...which it isn't, but does have an element of mystery. Thrilled you enjoyed the excerpt. :)

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  5. Very nice interview, ladies. Kim, I'm half way through Reflections, but eye problems have pretty much stopped me from reading for a while. It's an allergy problem, so it will get better. I love what I've read so far.

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    1. Hi Leona. I'm hope your allergy problem clears up soon. Nothing worse than eye problems when you are trying to read. Happy to hear that love what you have read of Reflection. :)

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  6. I kind of think you can't have a mystery without some suspense mixed in. If the shamus isn't threatened then where's the fun in that? It looks like your book has a good mix of both. With a bonus romance!

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    1. Hi Marva. Thanks for stopping by. I agree. You can't have mystery without some suspense. :) I really love romantic suspense. The best of both worlds!

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  7. Kim,

    Nice post. I never understood the differences between the two genres, so thanks for explaining it.

    Stan
    (MIU author)

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    1. Hi Stan. Glad you found the post helpful. :) Thanks for stopping by.

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