After writing Saving Hope, I had a loose framework for my second book in the series--Shattered Silence--about a serial killer targeting illegal aliens along the Texas border with Mexico. But something was missing for me in the story. I needed an added passion for the story. I needed an issue that I was passionate about. As a teacher I had always been concerned with bullying in the schools. I took it a step further in my book and showed it also in other situations--workplace and a marriage. Bullying became my theme as human trafficking had in the first book.
My third book--Scorned Justice--was about revenge and the lengths people went to for revenge. This isn't a social issue like my other books in the series, but it is a unifying theme to help me build my story upon. A lot of things are done for revenge and the subject intrigued me.
Severed Trust, my fourth book, came about when I heard of a friend who was addicted to prescription drugs. It started with a painful affliction that he couldn't control without heavy-duty pain medication. It helped with the pain, but it left him addicted to painkillers. As I've been digging deeper into the issue of prescription drug abuse, I'm shocked at how prevalent it is in the United States. One police officer that works at the state level said about half his cases are connected with prescription drug abuse. Teens are involved as well as adults. Certain prescription drugs can be as additive as illegal drugs like heroin or cocaine. My passion was sparked yet again.
When I can connect with that passionate side of me, I get excited about the story. That's why issue driven books can be so important to a writer. But a writer can be just as passionate about a character, a locale or a career. What's important for a writer is to tap into that passionate subject whether an issue or one of the other aspects of a story. That passion is conveyed to the reader, adding a spark to the story.
Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-three books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.
Shattered Silence - released October 2012
A serial killer is targeting illegal aliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a local police officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders.
While the case brings Cody and Liliana ever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. As Cody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bring peace to the area, what they uncover isn’t what they expected. Will Cody and Liliana’s faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?Christmas Stalking - released November 2012
Bodyguard Ellie St. James has one objective: protect her client…without letting her know. Pretending to be Rachel "Winnie" Winfield's assistant lets Ellie stay close, but there's an unexpected complication—Colt Winfield. Winnie's grandson wasn't in on the plans, and the suspicious marine biologist isn't easy to fool. When the truth comes out, so do more threats to Winnie's life. Trapped on a Colorado mountain, Ellie and Colt must trust each other to guard Winnie and find the stalker. Before this Christmas becomes their last.
