Author: Christy Barritt

Home Before Dark

Posted on by Christy Barritt

I promised a bonus book as a part of Reader Appreciation Month, and here it is! Home Before Dark is the novel that almost sold seven years ago. LIS considered buying it, but ultimately turned it down. The next book I submitted to them, Keeping Guard, was the one that launched my career with the publisher. I reworked the story and made it longer, and I really liked the final product. It’s got what I love in a story–a genteel Southern town, loads of mystery, and a sweet romance. I hope you’ll enjoy the story, as well.

Home Before Dark
Home Before Dark

 

 

 

Here’s the back cover copy!

Nothing good ever happens after dark.

Those were the words country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father always repeated.

Now her father is dead, and Daleigh fears she’s returned home too late to make things right. As she’s about to flee back to Nashville, she finds a hidden journal belonging to her father. His words hint that his death was no accident.

Small town mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe that Daleigh may be on to something. Her father trusted the man, but Daleigh’s instant attraction to Ryan scares her. She knows her life and career, however dwindling it might be, are back in Nashville and that her time in the sleepy North Carolina town is only temporary.

As Daleigh and Ryan work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them whole.

Home Before Dark offers a blend of Nicholas Sparks meets Mary Higgins Clark, a mix of charming small town life in North Carolina tangled in a gripping suspense.

Available at Amazon and soon to be available on the Nook.

Reader Appreciation Month!

Posted on by Christy Barritt

I appreciate my readers so much. You’ve encouraged me in more ways than you know. That’s why I’m hosting my 2nd Annual Reader Appreciation Month in April! I’ll be doing tons of giveaways on my Facebook page, as well as some end-of-the-month drawings for other great prizes.

To enter, all you have to do is write a review (only one or two sentences is fine!) on a place like Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or goodreads.com. Send me a copy of the review so I can know it’s out there. At the end of April, I’ll hold a drawing. For every review you write, your name is entered again. You can win some great prizes like:

$50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble giftcard
A character named after you in one of my future novels
Autographed copies of my books
Critique of a book proposal
A few of my favorite things, from coffee mugs to soap
Great books from some of my author friends

It’s going to be fun, so I hope you’ll join me!

Who Would I Cast as the Characters from Key Witness?

Posted on by Christy Barritt

Before I turn in my Love Inspired Suspense novels, my editor always has me put together an art fact sheet. This sheet will include images of not only the places I’ve included in my book, but also pictures of models or actors who look as I envision my characters. I’ve since started doing this for all of my books.

I thought it would be fun to give my readers a peek into some of the images I used for Key Witness.

Mark Denton:

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Elle Philips:

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Excerpt from The Good Girl

Posted on by Christy Barritt

Only 15 days until The Good Girl releases. Here’s a sneak preview of the first chapter of the book. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Forrest Gump was known for saying that life was like a box of chocolates. You never knew what you were going to get.

My Grandmother Griffin had a different saying. She said that life was like a Bible story. You didn’t always get a happy ending—at least not here on this earth.

For years, I didn’t believe Grandma Griffin. After all, she honestly thought that “cleanliness is next to godliness” was in the Bible. I mean, I was a Christian, so life was supposed to be blessed. And blessed meant that life was full of unconditional love and feel-good moments and abundance. Right?

Wrong.

Now, I have my own sayings. One is that life is like a beautiful apple. Sometimes you don’t know it’s rotten until you bite into it. Other days, I thought life was like the solid wood coffee table that my uncle fell on—revealing it was actually made of particleboard, thus my saying, “You never know what you’re made of until you’re broken.”

I’m Tara Lancaster, and I come from a family of missionaries, preachers, and bible college professors. One could never be too righteous in this clan. I was right on track in my family tree, following a path that would have made Mother Teresa and Billy Graham proud.

That was, until two years ago.

It’s taken me a long time to figure things out. First, I had to battle a ghost, question my faith, consult a psychic, and fall in love with someone who wasn’t my husband.

It’s a long story. It’s a story about a good girl gone…well, I can’t tell you. I will say this: Life is like a movie. Just when things seem perfect, the movie ends.

And that’s where my story starts. 

Squeaky Clean Christmas Novella Now Available!

Posted on by Christy Barritt

Readers have spoken, and I listened! They asked for more stories about Gabby St. Claire, and I was more than happy to provide some more tales about my favorite crime-scene cleaner.

It Came Upon a Midnight Crime is a Squeaky Clean Mysteries Christmas novella! It takes place between Suspicious Minds and Organized Grime, and it’s full of Christmas fun!

Here’s the back cover copy:

Someone is intent on destroying the true meaning of Christmas—at least, destroying anything that hints of it. All around crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire’s hometown, anything pointing to Jesus as the “reason for the season” is being sabotaged. The crimes become more twisted as dismembered body parts are found at the vandalisms. Who would go to such great lengths to dampen the joy and hope of Christ’s birthday? Someone’s determined to destroy Christmas . . . but Gabby St. Claire is just as determined to find the Grinch and let peace on earth and goodwill to men prevail.

Right now, the book is only .99 on Kindle, so get your copy now.

 

 

Cover for February Release

Posted on by Christy Barritt

In February, the first book in my new romantic-suspense series, The Security Experts, will release. Here’s a sneak peek of Key Witness.

UNDER THE BODYGUARD’S PROTECTION

When Elle Philips witnesses an armed robbery while standing in line at the bank, she sets into motion a deadly game of cat and mouse. Mark Denton, a security contractor and former navy SEAL, also witnesses the robbery, and is hired by Elle’s father to keep his daughter safe following the incident.  And while Denton’s desire to protect Elle goes beyond professional bounds, he cannot let personal desires cloud his judgment—judgment he’ll have to rely on when the robbers’ true motives are revealed…and Elle becomes a target in the ultimate plot of revenge.

The Security Experts: Defenders against danger