Author, Center Stage: Kelly Irvin, Over the Line

I love discovering new suspense authors, and today, I welcome Kelly Irvin to our blog author spotlight. Don’t forget to comment on the blog for a chance to win a copy of the book!

Kelly, start by telling us something about the book, Over the Line.

When a college student dies at Gabriella’s feet after muttering her brother’s name, vicious gun smugglers believe she knows too much. And they’re determined to make sure she suffers the same fate. With no one else to turn to, Gabriella reunites with her former fiancé, homicide detective Eli Cavazos, to investigate the dead man’s murder and her brother’s disappearance.

In a desperate race against time, Gabriella and Eli are determined to clear her brother and find him before the gun smugglers can kill them both. Bit by bit, they tear away the masks worn by men masquerading as law-abiding citizens. No one can be trusted. Working as a team forces Gabriella and Eli to face the problems that ended their relationship. She realizes she’s the one who needs to learn to forgive, but Eli must also learn to trust her with his secrets.

This ragtag team must fight a powerful ring of criminals protected by the very institutions that should prosecute them in an all-out battle that may cost them their lives.

What was the inspiration for this story/what led you to write Over the Line?

I spent several years as a reporter covering local government, lifestyle, and court cases in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso, where I lived for a combined total of 6 years. The more recent spotlight on the border reminded me of all the issues these communities face and how hard it is for them to prosper. Much of that insight went into writing Over the Line. I began collecting articles about gun smuggling a few years ago and even started writing the book, but my writing career went another direction and it’s only been recently that I’ve had the opportunity to finish it. I loved writing scenes that harkened back to my time as a reporter there and the great friends I made who worked in the media. I drew on many of those memories to add color and richness to the story.

Why do you feel the pull to write stories of suspense as well as your ongoing Amish tales? Do you continue to write nonfiction as well?

I enjoy writing Amish romances and I have a new series set in Montana that will debut with Mountains of Grace in August. However, I started my career as a published author with two romantic suspense novels. I love reading romantic suspense and mysteries so it seemed natural that I would write them. Switching between genres helps me stretch as a writer and added new excitement to the writing life. I’ve been amazed at how many readers have been interested in both genres, as long as there’s romance involved. I’m blessed that my publishing house, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, has been willing to let me branch out into this new genre. They’re taking a chance on me and I appreciate that so much. As far as nonfiction, I write blogs for curetoday.com, on on-line magazine for cancer patients. I also blog occasionally about my faith walk and struggles with two chronic diseases—primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), a degenerative motor neuron disease, and ovarian cancer.

What is it about Laredo, Texas, that made you want to set the story there?  

I lived in Laredo for five years near the start of my career as a newspaper journalist. It’s a fascinating melting pot of culture and language. Many of the residents speak TexMex. If you don’t know the word in English, fill it in with Spanish and vice versa. The city is a major port with four international bridges. It is deeply affected by what happens in Mexico and in the United States. With drug traffickers, gun smugglers, and the stand-off regarding illegal immigrants and the wall, it seemed like a perfect setting for suspense. It’s a powder keg waiting to explode. Plus, I know it well.

In what way does your faith encourage your writing?

My faith journey has been a rocky one over the years and writing has helped me express those hills and valleys. Only by God’s grace has it been possible for my fiction writing to flourish. I often feel undeserving, which reminds me that none of us deserve God’s grace. It’s freely given. Writing gives me such joy (and often escape). I realized late in life that God gave me the spiritual gift of writing and He expects me to use it for his glory. That it gives me such pleasure is an added blessing.

If Gabby were your best friend in real life, what advice about relationships would you want to share with her? How would you advise her regarding her growing affection for Eli?

Gabby thinks her biggest challenge is forgiving Eli for something she thinks he has done. I would remind her that God’s Word says we can and should forgive. We don’t get to pick and choose which sins against us we forgive. Having said that, I would encourage her to take her time in letting Eli back into her life. Give him time to trust her with his secret. Date. Get to know each other again. Learn to trust again. And don’t take his desire to make amends for granted. Finding love isn’t so easy. Don’t take it for granted.

Why would Over the Line make the perfect pleasure read for summer?

Over the Line is page-turning suspense with not one but two romances. Readers will follow Gabriela as she tries to find her brother in time to save his life and her own. They’ll be transported to a rich multicultural setting where they’ll encounter the worst kind of monsters—the ones hiding behind everyday facades.

What’s your next book?

Mountains of Grace, the first book in a new series called Amish of Sky Country, debuts in August. This series focuses on West Kootenai, a community in far northwest Montana, that was affected by wildfires. Thirty buildings, including some homes owned by Amish families, were destroyed. Each story follows a young Amish woman who leaves Kootenai for the first time because of the fire and how she, her family, and her “special friend” change because of these devastating events. In Mountains of Grace we also see how some of the English families were affected, particularly a smoke jumper, a sheriff’s deputy, and an English woman who is a close friend of the Amish heroine. Writing these stories has been fascinating and I hope the readers enjoy reading them as much as I’m enjoying writing them.

Where can we find out more about you?

Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin

Instagram: @Kelly_Irvin

https://www.facebook.com/Kelly.Irvin.Author/ 

www.kellyirvin.com 

Please list ALL online retail links for your book.

https://www.amazon.com/Over-Line-Kelly-Irvin/dp/0785223142/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/over-the-line-kelly-irvin/1129853331?ean=9780785223146#/ 

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Over-Line/Kelly-Irvin/9780785223146?id=7612317829956

https://www.christianbook.com/over-the-line-kelly-irvin/9780785223146/pd/522314

Bestseller Kelly Irvin is the author of 16 books, including romantic suspense and Amish romance. Publishers Weekly called her first romantic suspense novel, A Deadly Wilderness, “a solid romantic suspense debut.” She followed up with No Child of Mind and Tell Her No Lies. About Tell Her No Lies, PW says, “No one is above suspicion in a tale sure to appeal to readers beyond its main Christian audience.” The two-time ACFW Carol finalist worked as a newspaper reporter for 6 years writing stories on the Texas-Mexico border. Those experiences fuel her romantic suspense novels set in Texas. A retired public relations professional, Kelly now writes fiction full-time. She lives with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin, in San Antonio. They are the parents of 2 children, 3 grandchildren, and 2 ornery cats.

Thanks, Kelly!
Readers...don't forget to comment to have a chance to win a copy of Kelly's new book. See you next Wednesday.