What are Thrillers with Heart?
My editor, Kelley Ragland, was asked this during an interview and here’s her answer:
Kelley: It’s not all about the suspense in the story, it’s about the characters and their lives. Yes, these are thrillers, and there’s a suspenseful, twisting, surprising plot, but what pulls the reader through is as much the emotion behind the plot—the people, their lives, their relationships all provide as much drama and involvement for the reader as the “thriller” story. CJ is very good at the human side of her books, and that’s what makes them particularly involving—and rewarding.
From CJ: For a long time I struggled with how to describe my books to readers. Yes, they’re fast-paced with tons of action and plot twists, but they’re about a lot more than car chases and explosions.
I began writing crime fiction after a very close friend was murdered. Writing was my way of coping with my grief and finding my way out of the chaos. But, as writing friends pointed out, my books weren’t traditional mysteries; they weren’t about the crimes or the whodunnit but rather about the people and their relationships and the impact of the crime on them.
They were thrillers, yes, but they had more to them…heart.
They were about ordinary people finding the courage to change the world. Often with everything they hold dear hanging in the balance.
Because even if you’re out to save the world, it’s going to be a lot more dramatic when it’s personal.
Once I realized this, I saw that there are a lot of authors writing Thrillers with Heart. I hope to be interviewing many of them here.
If you have a favorite you’d like to see featured, just drop me a note via the Contact form HERE
