Nancy Mehl is the author of more than 40 books and a Christy Award finalist, as well as a Carol Award winner, the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, and the winner of the Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in the inspirational romance category. Her short story, “Chasing Shadows,” was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband. To learn more visit nancymehl.com.

Nancy: There was a movie years ago called “Kiss the Girls.” It starred Naomi Judd and Morgan Freeman. At the time I thought the plot would be difficult to pull off. I started wondering how I would do it. The movie was mentioned in the book.

Q It also reminded me a little of “Phantom of the Opera.” Did that influence you?

Nancy: I had not thought about that. But after you mention it, I can see how there is the same basic idea, taking someone against their will. I love this story and it is one of my favorites. But, there is a difference since my antagonist looked for people who wronged him.

Q You used the song “Daisy, Daisy.” What can you tell me about that?

Nancy: That song just popped into my head. The perpetrator gave a stuffed dog with a daisy who sang that song to someone he had a crush one. Many writers use songs, childhood rhymes, or poems in their stories as I did in this story. Now I have readers who said they will never think of that song the same.

Q How would you describe Alex?

Nancy: Alex had a father leave when she was young, and her mother committed suicide. She found her mother’s body. She ended up living with an aunt. Because of this she tended to hide her feelings. Even though she works in the FBI she still carries her childhood trauma. In this book she is on a path to healing. Alex is strong, a risk taker, and has PTSD from a dramatic situation in the previous book. She is also vulnerable, fearless, kind, and has germaphobia. I gave her germaphobia because it comes from a desire to control her environment and makes her feel safe.

Q How would you describe Logan?

Nancy: Loyal, trustworthy, confidant, a great profiler. He is the opposite of Alex.

Q How about the relationship?

Nancy: Logan is drawn to her and eventually they become close friends. He is drawn to her but because she is damaged, he takes it slowly. He would do anything for Alex. After his devastating medical diagnosis, he decides to tell Alex how he feels.

Q What’s next?

Nancy: Since this was the last book in the series, I am starting on a new series titled “Cold Pursuit.” It has two FBI profilers who left the FBI. She has PTSD and he was injured. They start a detective agency that does consulting. In the new series I have people with this ability to profile but not bound by all the FBI requirements. All three books in the new series will take place in the winter.

Also, someone bought the rights to the book, Blessings in Disguise. It was the first book in the Amish mystery cozy series.

In this story FBI special Agents Logan Hart and Alex Donovan are asked to profile a woman kidnapped, Tracy Mendenhall. Through the investigation they find there are more women with the same characteristics, including Alex. Besides profiling the women, they are asked to profile the UNSUB after it is discovered four other women have gone missing in the county. They are in a race to beat the clock before more women go missing.

Readers take a thrilling ride with the heroine free falling down a slippery slope. The pace will keep people on the edge of their seats.