Ambush on the Ranch by Tina Wheeler
Series: Red Rock Country
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Seeking ranch refuge…

with lethal threats at every turn.

After running for her life through the forest, art gallery owner Janel Newman wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the past forty-eight hours. A car bomb and masked gunman make it clear she must’ve seen something she shouldn’t have. When she’s forced to hide at deputy sheriff Zach Walker’s family ranch along with her twin sister, secrets are uncovered, and a murderous conspiracy is revealed. With ruthless criminals dogging their every step, will Janel and Zach be able to thwart these villains’ plan to silence Janel for good?

PURCHASE LINKS:
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Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

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Also Available

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About the Author

Tina Wheeler is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author and retired teacher. Although she grew up on the edge of the desert in Arizona, her favorite place to plot a new story is on a balcony overlooking the ocean. She enjoys spending time with her large extended family, brainstorming with writing friends, discovering new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.

Connect with Tina by visiting authortinawheeler.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Author Q&A

CB: What first ignited the desire to become a writer?

TW: For as long as I can remember, I always thought I would write a book one day but had no clue what it would be about. When my daughter was in high school, we were skimming through career guides, and I found a page that only had the address for Romance Writers of America. It was a light bulb moment for me. I began researching how to write romance novels, then landed on romantic suspense novels.

CB: I’ve always heard it said that fiction reflects real life. So how do you keep getting inspiration for suspense novels? Hopefully, not that many frightening things have happened to you!

TW: With my Love Inspired Suspense novels, fiction reflecting real life is a tidbit here or there, not the entire story. For example, a family member in law enforcement favored carrying Glocks, so my law enforcement characters do, too. A setting might be a neighborhood I once lived in. What the heroine drinks is usually my morning coffee with creamer in it. In AMBUSH ON THE RANCH, Janel wears the skirt and cowboy boots I wore in my twenties. The frightening parts of a story are a mixture of ideas that come from the news, TV, and my wild imagination.

CB: What type of research do you do for your books? How long does the process take?

TW: From the moment I think up an idea, I research. I’ll often Google the specific aspects of the crime. For example, Ranch Showdown included a bomber, so I read online articles, and when I wanted to know how far the debris would fly, I watched old online news reports about car bombs. Sometimes I ask a relative in law enforcement. Other times, I search through the archives of an email group I’m on where law enforcement experts answer questions for authors. Some information comes from watching the news. Research is sprinkled throughout the writing process, and each time I look up information, it takes an hour or two of my time.

CB: One of the reasons I gravitate towards Love Inspired Suspense, besides the romance and suspense, is the incorporation of Bible scripture and biblical lessons throughout the book. How do you keep your love of scripture going and know when to incorporate it in a book? Do you have a religious advisor that you work with?

TW: Early last year, my adult daughter suggested we purchase matching Bibles and follow a Chronological Reading Plan rather than reading cover to cover. I’ve enjoyed sharing this journey with her. My Love Inspired Suspense books include a theme and I usually research scripture that I feel will best relay the message God wants us to remember. There are several people I turn to when I need religious advice.

CB: Is there anything you edited out of Ambush on The Ranch? Perhaps something you think would be best as its own story?

TW: I started out having one of the major characters gaslighting the heroine, Janel, by making her think she couldn’t trust the memories returning to her after suffering a blow to the head. Love Inspired said I couldn’t have gaslighting. This character was someone she trusted and would have been a major twist, so I think I’ll save that idea for another day.

CB: What do you consider literary success? 

TW: I treasure every message from readers telling me they enjoy my books. To me, that is literary success.

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I really enjoyed this interview with Tara and hope you did as well. If you’ve read Tara’s books, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Until then….

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Thank you to JustRead Publicity Tours for connecting me with Tina Wheeler.