Fabulous Friday Feature-Dianna Benson

Today I welcome an author who shares God's peace in Suspense stories: 

author Dianna Benson

Just announced- Dianna is the 2014 Selah winner!! Congratulations, Dianna!!

Enter to win 
Dianna's book, 
Final Trimester

Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter.

I was very happy when Dianna asked to join our Fabulous Friday Feature segment for a weekend. She is the one of only a few suspense novelists who has taught me I can read this genre and survive. (I have a secret. If you ask in the comment section, I’ll tell you.) Each of these authors has a sweet natured personality and love to joke in conversations. Why is that? I have no clue. I'm going to have to ask Dianna to shed light on that subject. You'll enjoy our chat today! I asked her to share with us how God has led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said:

A Thrilling Ride!

I started writing my first book in 1993. After completing five mainstream suspense novels, I signed with my first agent in 2007. Six agents offered me representation that spring; it was a difficult choice between them since all six are top-notch. In the fall of 2007, a film agent requested a screenplay of The Hidden Son after reading the book. In early 2009, just before I completed the script, the film agent suddenly retired due to health issues; I never pursued anything further with the script. 

Later in 2009, I received a four-book mainstream contract offer, but turned it down to focus on my family since my husband was just diagnosed with head and neck cancer. During his surgeries and radiation treatments, I took care of our young family of five and read Christian fiction for comfort and support. While reading, I recognized various elements within my own writing that would be an ideal fit for the inspirational suspense genre. So, I continued to read a ton of Christian fiction. Then I wrote my first inspirational suspense and loved writing it. 

In 2011, I won the Genesis in the mystery/suspense/thriller category.  In 2012, I signed with a new agent; within days I had a contract offer from B&H, a large traditional Christian publisher. That contract was pending for thirteen weeks due to the publishing house facing difficulties (less than a year later they permanently discontinued their fiction department). During those thirteen weeks, my new agent let go of all the other interest in my writing. At that point, I considered ending my writing career before it even really began. 

Since EMS is a part time career for me (too intense for full time), I applied to Penn State to earn my Masters in psychology to become a social worker in the field (not clinical) – Think: EMS without the medical aspects. I was accepted into the psychology program and decided to put my writing career on hold. But…due to my Genesis win, Ellechor Publishing House, a small traditional Christian publishing house, contacted me, requesting me to submit to them. Within days, they offered me a nine-book contract. 

In February 2014, I had an opportunity to write for a large traditional mainstream publishing house. I considered switching to mainstream since our two older children are college students and two of our three children want to attend medical school. The thought of putting three kids through college and two all the way through medical school daunted me and my husband, plus we’re still paying off medical bills from my husband’s cancer, our son’s four concussions, and our oldest daughter’s scoliosis surgery. 

Still, it didn’t feel right to leave the Christian genre, so I flipped open my Bible just randomly to whatever page it took me to (I often do this to see what God wants me to hear). I landed on Hebrews 13 and my eyes simply fell on Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Sure I heard God speaking to me, but I was still struggling, so I turned to my daily Bible study lesson (Beth Moore study, Living Beyond Yourself, Exploring the Fruit of the Sprit). The first lesson of that day asked me to read Hebrews 13. Wow. Okay, yeah, I definitely heard God and trusted His words. No question, He wants me to write for Him. God uses all of us in various ways, and I feel He’s using my writing as one of His vessels for His word, His messages. I couldn’t be happier or more at peace.  

For details on what led me to start writing that first book in 1993, read my WRITING page on my website: www.diannatbenson.com

Final Trimester
Paramedic Jodi Duncan recognizes the work of a serial killer before the Myrtle Beach PD even suspects a connection between the deaths of two pregnant women. Despite the vast differences in the two cases, Jodi urges Detective Nate Quigley to think outside the box. After digging deep into the separate investigations, Nate finds no evidence to support a serial killer theory, and he warns Jodi to back off police business, which only fuels her passion for the cases.

When a third pregnant woman is murdered, Nate is named lead detective on the case and works to link the deaths in order to unmask and stop the serial murderer, a disturbed man who believes God and the devil battle inside his head to bend him according to their wills. As he fights both voices, his interest fixates on Jodi when he discovers her obsession with ending his rampage.

My releases are available wherever books are sold. Below are the links to Final Trimester at the three biggest booksellers:
Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble

Books-A-Million

Dianna and her husband

Dianna Torscher Benson is a 2014 Selah Award Winner, a 2011 Genesis Winner, a 2011 Genesis double Semi-Finalist, a 2010 Daphne de Maurier Finalist, and a 2007 Golden Palm Finalist. In 2012, she signed a nine-book contract with Ellechor Publishing House. She’s the author of The Hidden Son, her debut novel.  Final Trimester is her second release.

After majoring in communications and a ten-year career as a travel agent, Dianna left the travel industry to earn her EMS degree. An EMT and a Haz-Mat and FEMA Operative since 2005, she loves the adrenaline rush of responding to medical emergencies and helping people in need. 
 

Dianna lives in North Carolina with her husband and their three children.

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Want to connect with Dianna? Here's how:

Website: www.diannatbenson.com

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To enter the contest for an autographed copy of 

Dianna Benson's book: "Final Trimester":

leave a comment (and email address)

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Winner announced on my facebook page.

Thank you, Dianna, for Joining us This Weekend!

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It seems God made sure Dianna had oodles of training to help her with suspense writing.Think of all the first hand sensory images she was able to include!

Do you like Christian fiction suspense novels?  Perhaps you could send a congratulations comment for her new Selah award for her 

Let us know or just say howdie doo. :) We love to chat here.

Bonus: In the introduction I posed a question: How is it that Christian suspense novelists have such a sweet spirit and love to joke in conversation. Dianna answered: For me, after years of raising three children and working in EMS and seeing the horror in life, I’ve found a way to laugh through the yucky stuff (sometimes it’s better than crying). Also, through the years I’ve realized life is just kindergarten – a short time for me to learn the basics before I move on to the real thing. The basics being: Be loving and kind to everyone, even when they aren’t to me, and to focus on my relationships with: 1) God 2) Others 3) Myself. That way of thinking gives me such inner peace and allows me to enjoy life with a smile and laughter.

Thank you, Dianna. What an insightful answer