Shadow of Doubt: An SBG Novel by P. A. DePaul
Synopsis (from Amazon):
Michelle Alger flees when her secretly recorded tryst winds up on the internet. She has no option but to hide. Her one-night stand—the son of a powerful US senator—was murdered. Learning she’s the prime suspect is traumatizing. Already a member of witness protection thanks to a Colombian drug lord kidnapping her in college, she now has to run from the senator and law enforcement. To make matters worse, the drug lord finally knows her location and is hot on her trail. There’s only one man she trusts. He saved her once, can he do it again six years later?
Captain Jeremy Malone no longer wears a Green Beret. He’s traded in his fatigues for a new life leading Delta Squad, a covert unit within SweetBriar Group. His latest orders from the senator: find the unknown woman and bring her to me. But Jeremy knows her identity. He once rescued her from a Colombian cartel, and has never forgotten her. He assigns his squad a new mission: find Michelle first and learn the real story.
Michelle and Jeremy can’t deny their explosive chemistry. But, with every new piece of evidence, Jeremy’s faith in Michelle’s innocence is questioned. Is her plea for help a ruse…or a trap set by a beautiful woman determined to expose Jeremy’s own secrets…
This is the second book in the SweetBriar Group (SBG) series and can be read as a standalone.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195639188-shadow-of-doubt
Author Interview
How did you do research for your book?
For this book and series, I used a combination of hands-on, internet, and interviews. A few years ago, I attended The Writer’s Police Academy. It’s a hands-on, comprehensive conference given by police officers, first responders, and federal law enforcement. It was amazing and taught me so much. Especially when they let me shoot lasers from a real (but modified) gun. I also interviewed anybody and everybody that would talk to me about so many topics.
Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
Wraith was the hardest character to write. She’s complex. She’s a badass sniper who made a horrible mistake during a mission. I had to show her losing the ability to compartmentalize emotions to feeling everything. And make it so the readers still rooted for her.
Talon seems to be the easiest character to write because he hogs every scene and wants to be the center of attention. I’m constantly reining him in.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
Inspirations for stories sometimes come from real-life situations in the world. I think in high concept when I see a news story or read an article (war, bioweapon, terrorist) and play the “what if” game. Example: What if a small terrorist cell gets their hands on a bioweapon, how would my black ops team stop them?
Other story ideas just hit me from nowhere. Characters start to introduce themselves and I try to “talk” to them to understand who they are.
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing your book?
Shadow of Doubt fought me the entire time I wrote it. I don’t know why. It was a battle to complete this book. So, the biggest reward was finishing it. The challenge was handling the heroine’s PTSD in a way that was true to her without triggering a potential reader.
In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like?
In the beginning I was a kid given a bag full of candy with no supervision, then I ate too much, knocked myself into a sugar coma, and learned to moderate my eating so I can enjoy the sweetness without being sick.
Any hobbies?
I am an avid reader. I know. Duh. I guess I’d say my next fun thing is puzzles. The larger the piece count, the better. Geez. Typing this, I realize I am so dull. Oh well. I’m me.
If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?
That I care about their experience when reading my books. I want them to walk away feeling something (hopefully positive). I hope I’ve helped their day get a little better if it was bad, or enhanced their day if it was already good.
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
My favorite compliments from readers are ones that show I made them feel. “I couldn’t put it down,” “Pulled my heartstrings,” “I was on the edge of my seat,” etc. Anything that says how much a reader felt what I wrote really touches my heart.
How are you similar to or different from your lead character?
*cola snorts out of nose* Sorry for the grossness! I’m choking on laughter. I am about as opposite from my characters as you can get and I’m okay with that. My characters are usually mega alpha, extremely intelligent, and dedicated to saving lives at all costs. I’m happy when I finish a 2000-piece puzzle, read a book in record time, or binge shows on TV.
Author Bio:
P. A. DePaul is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling and award-winning author.Her books are full of action, suspense, and romance.
As a hybrid author, she has books traditionally and independently published. Her traditional publishers include Berkley, a Penguin Random House imprint, and Harlequin Books.
Website: https://padepaul.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/padepaul/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/padepaul/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@padepaulauthor
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Twitter: @Bookgal
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Praise:
“If you love a fast-paced romantic suspense series, then man, does P.A. DePaul have one for you.DePaul has certainly built a story with a robust set of characters”
– Heroes and Heartbreakers
“The action was fast-paced and never let up. Between the danger hitting them from all angles and the sexual tension, I couldn’t put it down. A fun read that leaves you yearning for the next one.”
– Reading in Pajamas
Giveaway
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