In DiAnn Mills’s latest romantic suspense, Canyon of Deceit, wilderness survival expert Therese teams up with Texas Ranger Blane Gardner to find a young girl who has been kidnapped and taken to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. As they start to close in on the truth despite the mix of intel they’re receiving, Therese and Blane must rescue the missing girl before they all become casualties of a much bigger plot.
In this post, DiAnn gives us insight into her characters, Therese and Blane, and how they work together. To showcase what DiAnn mentions, we’ve also included short excerpts from the novel.
If you like what you read, get access to the entire first chapter of Canyon of Deceit, or find your own copy in softcover, e-book, or audiobook at a retailer near you.
What inspired this story?
I love adventure. The idea of a woman who specialized in wilderness survival techniques appealed to my curiosity and imagination. What kind of woman chose that type of career? What motivated her? Where did she learn the skills and knowledge?
I weighed the odds of finding Alina alive, and doubt shook my confidence. Maneuvering uncharted trails across rough terrain where others refused to venture or weren’t equipped with the wilderness skills didn’t frighten me. But something far worse hovered over my psyche.
Kate dictated my life after twenty years. Alina was the same age as Kate when she died. I couldn’t save her, and now Alina faced potential death.
If I accepted the job, I needed a member of law enforcement whom I trusted . . . Someone wilderness-worthy with negotiation skills and able to expertly use a firearm without hesitation.
My hero rose from an appreciation of those who risk their lives to keep us safe. In this case, a Texas Ranger who served also as a negotiator.
A man’s name held my attention. Seven months ago in Houston, I’d trained Texas Rangers on wilderness-survival skills through a four-day-long series of hands-on classes. One of the Rangers worked in the Crisis Negotiation Unit—CNT. A man I respected. He had a master’s degree in psychology and a reputation as a risk-taker. I needed a trained professional who put others first . . . providing he let me lead and give the orders.
Captain Blane Gardner.
How would a partnership between a survival expert and a negotiator complement each other, and how would they disagree.
“Okay. I’m available to talk. Understand, I must be given every detail, or you’ll be lookin’ for another negotiator. I don’t have a good feeling about this, but I’ll hear you out, only because I like you. If I can assist you within my job description, Major Sergio Montoya will also need to approve the plan and the time away from my responsibilities.”
“In your shoes, I’d demand the same.” At least Blane didn’t blow me off. This gave me an opportunity to talk to Professor Ivanov and convince him of bringing in firepower. “Thanks. I appreciate your meeting me.”
Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.
Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search and rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.
Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Selah Award, and the Golden Scroll; and been finalists for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award and the Carol Award.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on social media or her website, diannmills.com.
