Debbie Baldwin's Blog

False Front by Debbie Baldwin




I want to start off with a deeply heartfelt thank you to the GR community. Your reviews and ratings have been amazing. As you well know, indie authors work hard to try to get their books seen. I owe Goodreads a huge debt of gratitude for helping me in my effort.

I am a fierce lover of romantic suspense, and I wrote False Front because it was the story that I wanted to read. Emily is a daughter of privilege who was abducted as a child. When the kidnapper remained at large, her father sequestered her and changed her identity. Nathan was Emily's childhood neighbor, indelibly scarred by her disappearance. When their paths cross again, their connection penetrates their carefully constructed facades. I would joke to myself that as a child, Emily "imprinted" on Nathan; neither time nor distance could break that tether. Emily and Nathan are soulmates, but, more importantly, they are equals working together to bring down a vicious arms dealer and finally solve the mystery of Emily's abduction.

False Front is my first novel. They say "write what you know;" I think I modified that a bit to "write what you can research." While the settings of New York City and Nantucket are quite familiar to me, the world of arms dealing, special forces, and espionage were new areas. I owe thanks to my friends in the military and government intelligence for sharing their inside knowledge. All of the historical components associated with World War II and Detachment 731 are factual. As for the arms trade? Well, I'm sure I'm on a no-fly list after some of the online research!

The Bishop Security series continues with Illicit Intent and Dark Depths. The books are standalones but interconnected in the same world. Thank you again for reading, rating, and reviewing False Front. Thank you for "liking" reviews and commenting. Books are nothing without readers!



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Illicit Intent by Debbie Baldwin




Hello GR readers! Thank you for supporting independent authors and sharing your wonderful finds with the rest of the Goodreads community!

Illicit Intent is the second installment in the Bishop Security series and features 6'5" Navy SEAL, Miller "Tox" Buchanan, and reporter Calliope Garland. Calliope gets in over her head when she crashes the computer network at a sketchy financial firm and unwittingly leaves with information worth billions. She also happens upon a worthless plastic tube that contains a priceless work of art. When various factions in search of both items start threatening her life, she turns to the one man she knows can protect her. Tox is regimented, closed off, and fearless. Calliope is free-spirited, open, and flighty. Opposites attract, but can opposites form a lasting bond?

The history and facts surrounding the infamous robbery of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston are all accurate. Researching the heist that has intrigued me for years was fascinating. From the descriptions of the Boston architecture to the patrol shifts of the Boston police, everything is described very nearly as it was on the night of March 18, 1990—with my own fictional twist thrown in. I hope you enjoy reading Illicit Intent as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Here's what the GR community is saying about Illicit Intent:

Laur Laur: "What a ride! This takes me back to the Sandra Brown/Linda Howard romantic suspense era."

Anita: "Now, the romance. Holy God of Romance. It is hot, sweet, intense and just wonderful."

DemetraP: "The mystery part is wonderful and the romance made me smile and had some hot scenes. You really believed they fell in love."

Jonetta: "This is one of the most imaginative stories I’ve read in a long time and I really hated seeing it end."

Victoria Sturlini: "OMG!!!! WHAT A RIVETING STORY!!!!"



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Happy Holidays, readers! My name is Debbie Baldwin, and I am the author of the Bishop Security romantic suspense series. The first novel, False Front, is currently available in print and e-book at all major online booksellers. Book Two, Illicit Intent, will hit the virtual shelves in December. Let me start off with a sincere and heartfelt thank you. Without passionate readers like you supporting independent authors, I wouldn’t have a job, and countless wonderful books would go undiscovered.

I set out to write a novel with a clutch-your-Kindle, heart-bursting love story combined with a smart, relevant thriller. My struggle when I first began, and as I continue, is how to take that alpha-male/damsel-in-distress paradigm and make it modern. I don’t mean something so simple as having a female protagonist with a powerful or dangerous career, but rather, giving the man and woman equal emotional power while still allowing for the sizzling dynamic that fuels a passionate romance. 

Romance novels used to be called “Bodice Rippers,” and there’s a reason for that. No matter how enlightened we become as a society, the idea of a dominant, experienced partner paired with a complimentary counterpart, sparks a fire in fantasy. I’m an Ivy League-educated professional with a law degree, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love a good, steamy rescue fantasy. The absolutely essential requirement is consent. As long as both characters are fulfilling their romantic vision, let the buttons fly!

The key to a twenty-first-century fairytale, for me, lies in the couple dynamic. I have found one character can assert his or her capabilities all they want, but if their partner doesn’t acknowledge that ability, the pairing is somehow off. In False Front, Nathan Bishop is a corporate executive and former Naval Intelligence officer who hides his secret warrior behind the facade of a rich playboy. (He is inspired by the iconic title character in Baroness Orczy’s classic novel, The Scarlet Pimpernel.) Nathan’s love interest, Emily Webster, is a highly-skilled, capable woman. Yet, when a madman wants to abduct her, it requires both Nathan and Emily working together to save her. More importantly, it absolutely requires Nathan to respect and rely on Emily’s abilities and think of her as an asset, not a victim.

The second installment in the series, Illicit Intent, features Nathan’s best friend Miller “Tox” Buchanan and the free-spirited reporter, Calliope Garland. This novel’s romance explores the true meaning of “opposites attract.” Tox is rigid, orderly, and contained. Calliope gets lost chasing butterflies on her morning run. The key, again, is respect and admiration for the antithetical qualities of the other person, a romantic middle ground where both Calliope’s and Tox’s attributes fit together to make them stronger as a couple—and they will need both of their skill sets to track down missing billions stolen from a hedge fund, solve the mystery of some infamous stolen art, and save Calliope from an unknown threat.

So bring on the fairytale. The Yin and Yang symbols are curved for a reason; the dynamic between romantic partners is not a flat line. There is give and take, dominance and submission, weakness and strength on both sides. The passion of this connection ignites when each character acknowledges and respects the attributes of their partner, and when they realize those qualities are not only valuable but actually enhance their own. When the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, romance soars.

Greetings fellow fiction fiends! Welcome book babes! Hello page-turners!

I hope you are enjoying reading False Front as much as I loved writing it. I knew Nathan and Emma before I ever put words on the page, and nothing was more satisfying for me than bringing their story to life.

If you’re part of a book club and want to make False Front your pick of the month, I would be thrilled. Moreover, I’d love to join you! If you message me and let me know when your book club will be meeting, I will arrange to come to the party via zoom or in person when allowed.

In the meantime, these are some potential book club questions I’ve been pondering for you:

• They say no soldier (or sailor) comes back from war uninjured. What are some indications that Nathan was more impacted by his service than he lets on?

• How did you feel about Dario Sava? Was he relatable?

• In some ways Dario Sava’s transformation to villain was spurred by the loss of his soulmate. How is the concept of soulmates portrayed in the story? Are soulmates a good thing or a bad thing?

• How does Emma’s past define her? How does she stand out among romance heroines?

• There are many characters in the story in need of “rescue.” How do the characters like Emma, Nathan, Hercules, and Charlie Bishop assist in their own personal rescues?

• What characters stood out to you as still struggling?

• What characters would you like to see return in the next book in the series?

So yes, my first novel has released during a pandemic. While an unprecedented occurrence, it also brings plenty of interesting conversation and the opportunity to connect with more of you digitally. If you’re looking for a book club presentation or interview, I’m available! (Email debbiebaldwinbooks@gmail.com.)

As some of you may know, yours truly is also a regular guest with host Trish Muyco-Tobin on The Stir Podcast, which features conversations with people who inspire, fascinate and bring us joy. In these extraordinary times, special programming for The Stir called the SIP (Shelter in Place) Series offers lively discussion on ways to entertain you and your family at home.

From Netflix programs to classic movies and books of every thought, as well as treats to maximize your enjoyment, Trish and I show you how to appreciate the fine art of at-home entertainment. Follow the hashtag, #TheStirPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or subscribe to Gazelle Magazine’s YouTube channel to join the conversation!

Click below to hear more about False Front and my journey to publication!