Author Guest Post with Eden Monroe: Sunrise Interrupted

The motion picture, Retribution, could be the big break Alexandra Martel has been waiting for.

Welcome to the May 13th stop on the blog tour for Sunrise Interrupted by Eden Monroe with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more guest posts, reviews, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

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Author Guest Post

What are the key elements to writing a good mystery/thriller?

Every good book or story must begin with what’s called an inciting incident, an event or a decision that starts the story off. The key is to hook the reader right out of the gate, pique their interest right away. That’s true no matter what the genre. In a mystery/thriller there’s got to be a strong hook, so establish that at the very beginning.

Setting is also key. Pick the right one for the story you’re going to tell. Wherever it is, know it well. If it’s not familiar to you, learn about it until you can write with ease. The setting establishes the mood, and in a mystery/thriller, can provide important clues.

Pacing is also a key element. Rolling out the story so that you maintain momentum, steadily building to the big reveal/thrilling conclusion. Also, the reader is actively involved in trying to solve the mystery, so why not throw in a red herring or two to challenge them? Personally I always seem to fall for the red herrings, but it helps feed the mystery and hopefully (like me) fool the reader into thinking they’ve solved the case when in fact they’ve been thrown off the scent entirely. It’s important to distract the investigator, build tension.

Suspenseful dialogue is important as well, keep the right mood throughout the book.

As with a novel in any genre, you need strong, compelling characters. Let your readers cheer for the good guy, although he/she must be human in that they also have forgivable flaws. The protagonist too must have redeemable qualities, however few in some cases, to be believable. Avoid one-dimensional characters. Your protagonist, he or she, is usually highly intelligent, or strong, driven by an insatiable goal … or perhaps greed … or need. Maybe their life experience has made them desperate. A protagonist can be good or bad, but that person will be your main character.

At the end of the day you need a satisfying conclusion to your book or the reader will always remember that you let them down.

About the Book

Sunrise Interrupted
The Martel Sisters Book Three
by Eden Monroe

Published 1 April 2024
BWL Publishing Inc

Genre: Mystery
Page Count: 250
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

The motion picture, Retribution, could be the big break Alexandra Martel has been waiting for. A Canadian movie star and strong female lead, even greater success may be within reach. But she also envies her married sisters, and has been hoping to meet her own soulmate.

Dr. Beau Remington, handsome male lead is the hometown veterinarian. He’s been contracted by motion picture execs to be on set when animals are called for, so when he and Alexandra eventually cross paths there is undeniable chemistry. However, Hollywood heartthrob James Langford has already laid claim to the striking young actress and tries to stop the budding romance.

Then everything changes at sunrise one morning when Alexandra goes for a run alone in the picturesque Belleisle, New Brunswick countryside. That’s when the man who’s been stalking her for weeks finally makes his move. She must endure the terrifying ordeal of being kidnapped and drugged in this Eastern Canada romantic suspense.

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Excerpt

Alexandra Martel studied her reflection in the mirror, leaning in for a closer look. She’d consistently received good reviews for her acting ability, but in show business it was also appearance. Everyone knew that. At thirty-one she was hardly over the hill, but the camera came at you with uncompromising scrutiny. That reminded her, she had an appointment at her favourite spa today for an anti-aging facial. She was fortunate to have been blessed with a flawless complexion, but it still had to be maintained as time continued its relentless march forward. Workouts at the gym and a healthy lifestyle were also part of her daily regimen.

She had carved out a decent career for herself in Canada but was recently cast in the coveted role of Sari Patton in Retribution, a US feature film set for production in her home province of New Brunswick. It would be a challenging role, not only because of its demanding physicality, but also considering the director’s reputation for being nearly impossible to please. Even so, Nigel Garretson had a long string of directorial successes. Her leading man was James Langford, an award-winning American actor who, after Retribution, was off to star in Twice Dead of the Sullivan At Large franchise based on the bestselling novels of the same name. A deadly handsome bad boy whose reputation preceded him, she’d been warned she’d have her hands full with him.

She sighed. She’d come a long way from high school musicals, but the big prize south of the border remained as elusive as ever, even after twelve long years in the business. Her agent, in whom she placed her utmost confidence, had been unable so far to make any significant inroads in Tinsel Town, save for a two-liner in an American soap opera and a brief appearance on a failing sitcom. Retribution could be her breakout role, the perfect opportunity to prove she was more than just another pretty face. She was also looking forward to being back in New Brunswick.

About the Author

Eden Monroe writes about real life, real issues and struggles, and triumphing against all odds. A proud east coast Canadian, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, and a good book.

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