About the Book

Book: Dangerous Dalliance (Sisters in Peril Book One)

Author: Valerie Massey Goree

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: July 25, 2023

Jan’s fiancé, Bryan Buchanan, disappeared a year ago. She has no idea why he left or where he is. Since then, she’s had no interest in romance, but saving a little girl from a playground accident propels her into the world of possibilities.

Hatch, the child’s grateful father, has met many women since his wife’s passing. Jan is the first one to catch his attention, but his instinct to offer counseling to any woman he meets who seems depressed is a big turn-off for her.

Although Jan is flattered by Hatch’s attention, the rest of her life is turned upside down when she receives threatening phone calls, is nearly run off the road, and is shot at.

Can Hatch protect Jan as the men’s threats escalate? If Bryan returns to her life, will she forget about Hatch?

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About the Author

Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides in the beautiful Hill Country, northwest of San Antonio. After serving as missionaries in her home country of Zimbabwe and raising two children, Valerie and her husband, Glenn, moved to Texas, his home state. She worked in the public school system for many years, focusing on students with special needs.

Valerie began her writing career late in life and has now published 10 romantic suspense novels. Glenn wrote 12 non-fiction books which Valerie edited. Valerie retired from teaching and spends her time writing, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren. She loves to hear from her readers.

More from Valerie

The Interesting “Task” of Choosing Character Names

I wrote the first rendition of Dangerous Dalliance many years ago. Obviously, it wasn’t published, so I put it aside and continued writing other novels. After publishing my ninth book, I decided to revise the story.

Choosing names for my characters, especially the hero and heroine, is a task I take seriously. I read through my lists and check online sites. I don’t go to that much trouble for my secondary characters, but I have a quirky way to choose their names.

I spent twenty-five years working in the public school system. Many students stand out in my memory for positive reasons. However, I remember a few kids or their parents less favorably. Any teacher will understand. Well, the names of those students or parents often play a role in my stories as secondary characters who don’t leave a positive impression.

The name of a major secondary character in my original Dangerous Dalliance was Brandon. From the first moment my student with that name entered my classroom as a four-year-old with severe allergies, a language delay, and behavioral issues until the day his family moved out of state, his behaviors and antics provided me with giggles and frustration.

Fast-forward several years. I live in a retirement community where we have 24/7 concierge services. When I moved here, the young man in charge was named Brandon. When I revised my original story, I frequently chatted with him. He was such a lovely person and treated us “older” folks with so much compassion.

Now, the name Brandon no longer conjured up images of my student but of the man I wanted to adopt as a grandson. (I found out many residents felt the same way.) I told him about my story and the reason I chose a different name for my guy.

Brandon left a few months later, and in a note he wrote me, he said, he would always remember that I changed the name of a character in my novel because of him, and he hoped he could live up to my high opinion of him.

Interview with Valerie

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote my first book when I was 41. A late beginning, I know. I had negative experiences about my writing in high school and it took me a long time to overcome the criticism and venture into creative writing. My first book was published 10 years later. I had a lot to learn about writing fiction and had limited time to write. Raising a family, supporting my preacher husband, and working full-time in the public school system, took precedence. 

How do you create your main characters?

Sometimes I have a character in mind and create a story around him or her. For instance, one day while doing laundry, I had an idea flash in my mind. What if I began a book with the line: “I’d been in the witness protection program for three years when my identity was compromised.” That idea developed into the first book in my Stolen Lives Trilogy, titled: Weep In the Night. I didn’t begin the novel with those words, but they provided the core of the plot. For many other stories, I have a basic plot in mind and then use author Susan May Warren’s Story Equation method to flesh out my hero and heroine.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family members have always been my biggest fans. I write romantic suspense, and my husband used to say, “How can someone who has such a sweet smile come up with such diabolical plots?”

Do you base your characters on real people?

Definitely not my main characters. Sometimes I give minor characters features, names, or idiosyncrasies of people I know or have met. However, not in detail so no one would recognize them.

Have you experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

Often! If the block is minor, I usually go for a walk and hash out the problem or plot hole in my mind. If I devise solutions, I send myself an email containing the details. Major writer’s block is a different problem. I have experienced it a few times in my writing career, usually when a family member is in crisis. For example, after my husband had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, I couldn’t concentrate on something as mundane as fictional characters. That spell lasted a year or more.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I just published my 10^th book. My favorite is Forever Under Blue Skies, set in the Australian outback. It is roughly based on my mother’s family who emigrated to Australia from England in 1863. My husband and I visited Australia and I met several relatives. Naturally, I did on-site research while there.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Details of all my books are listed on my website. My husband was also an author. He wrote non-fiction based on his many years as a counselor/therapist. His books are described on my website, too. www.valeriegroeeauthor.com

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

Last year, I visited the Cotswolds area of England and stayed in a little village called Bourton-on-the-Water. While there, I conducted research for my novel Meet Me Where the Windrush Flows. (The Windrush River flows through the village.) That novel is the first in a trilogy titled: From England with Love…and Treachery.

In September this year, I visited England again and stayed in two villages in Yorkshire where the next book in the trilogy is set. I’m busy writing Meet Me In the Yorkshire Dales. The third book in the trilogy is titled: Meet Me in Bath at the Jane Austen Festival. Naturally, while in England I also spent time in the city of Bath and had to participate in the Regency festival because my characters will. Oh, the trials of doing research!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 19

Stories By Gina, December 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 21

Simple Harvest Reads, December 22 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, December 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 24

For Him and My Family, December 25

Fiction Book Lover, December 26 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, December 27

Guild Master, December 28 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 29

Back Porch Reads, December 30 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, December 30

For the Love of Literature, December 31 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Valerie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54123