Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

CB: Hi Lori, thank you so much for taking time for this interview. For those who may be new to your books, how would you describe your writing style?

LD: Well, first, thank you so much for this opportunity. I always enjoy talking about all things books!

As for my writing style, I like to write stories with deep themes. Real-life situations, problems, tragedies, or circumstances that my fictional characters have to walk through. But I also love to use humor, usually through dialogue, to lighten things up and show that my characters have personality and can see light moments even during hard times.

CB: You’ve shared before that you write about the hard things, but with hope at the heart. Why is it so important to you to include that mix in your stories?

LD: I want to write in a way that readers can see aspects of their own lives in the words. We all go through trying circumstances, and we all experience times of joy. As Christians, we have hope that anything we go through can be used to the glory of God, if we give it to Him to use as He sees fit. I like to say my stories are fiction, but the faith is very real.

CB: What first sparked the idea for Mistletoe and Malice?

LD: What’s funny is that I honestly don’t remember. I started writing on my own in the late 1990’s because I didn’t even know there were such a thing as writer’s groups. I finally discovered and joined one in 2002, and I had written the first draft of this story in 2001. Needless to say, it was truly awful because I found out I had no idea about the craft of writing. But I loved this concept of the reluctant bodyguard and fiercely independent heiress, so I kept coming back to it over the years to tweak and update it. As for what sparked it, I was probably just thinking that I wanted to write about a hunky bodyguard. Haha!

CB: What type of research did you do to develop Riley and Colton’s personalities and backgrounds?

LD: I chose Houston as the setting because Riley comes from a wealthy family, and her father is CEO in a financial services company that has international affiliations. So I needed a large city to accommodate that. I also researched areas that had several mansions and estates to get an idea of what their home would look like and where it would be located. She’s a defense attorney, so I needed to know how she would interview a client in prison and how the appeals process works. For Colton, I needed to know how security services companies operate. I found one in an online search who has global clients and provides the services I wanted my fictional company to offer – 24/7 protection detail, law enforcement assistance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering. There were many other things I had to research, but I enjoy that process of learning new things and using them in my stories.

CB: Riley is a strong, independent woman who still has to learn to rely on others. What drew you to that kind of character arc?

LD: I wanted to write a woman who could absolutely lean on her family name and wealth if she wanted but refused to, except when it came to charitable endeavors where her name brought recognition and financial assistance to causes close to her heart. I wanted to show her as almost apologetic that she had so much when others had so little. But because of how strong she is, she isn’t always comfortable leaning on others for help, and she certainly doesn’t want a protection detail. So, although she’s a strong Christian, she had to be humbled a bit in that area, to learn that we all need to rely on others at times. Maybe not necessarily to keep us alive, but to come alongside when we need an extra hand.

CB: Colton’s journey includes wrestling with faith after loss. What message did you want to show through his struggle?

LD: That God is the God of all comfort, if we let Him be that to us. Colton pushed God away after a devastating loss. But he learns, with Riley’s help, that the hole loss leaves behind can be filled with something new, something precious, and that God can use our tragedies to grow us and allow us to minister to others.

CB: This story takes place around Christmas. How did the season help shape the tone or message of the book?

LD: Christmas is all about hope. And promise. The promise of a Savior and the hope for an eternity spent with Him. Colton needed hope. Hope that his life could be rich and full again, that he could walk in faith again. And Riley needed to accept that she needed someone to keep her safe. And for a romantic suspense, I loved the contrast between the joy and colors of Christmas and the darkness of evil lurking in the background.

CB: What did you learn about yourself or your faith while writing this book?

LD: That loss doesn’t necessarily mean losing. That it could allow something new to grow from that empty place. I lost my father almost two years ago, and even now sometimes the grief sneaks up on me and I have to take some time to work through it. But knowing he’s with the Lord brings such peace. And it’s given me more time with my mom because I don’t like her to be alone. So, we spend a lot more time together. Something good that came from a time of loss.

CB: Which character did you connect with more, Riley or Colton?

LD: I think Riley. She’s someone I would love to be friends with, go to lunch with, have Bible study with. Colton’s the kind of man I would find a bit intimidating, if truth be told. I know his soft side, but the side he wears for the world to see is pretty much a warrior – someone who’ll go into battle for the sake of another.

CB: It’s always enjoyable to hear what books inspire writers. What is a book you’ve read this year (besides your own!) that you think others should pick up?

LD: Melissa Tagg’s Wedding at Sea. It didn’t release this year, but I read it this year. I love that entire Muir Harbor series and highly recommend.

CB: Lori, again, I appreciate your time to share more about yourself and Misltetoe and Malice. I wish you the best of luck on your book launch!

LD: Thank you so much! It’s been a pleasure!