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Abduction is only the beginning…
Will murder be next?

Doctor Chelsea Eidman thought she’d finally escaped the perils of her late husband’s secret life as a diamond thief—until his former accomplice attacks her. The danger escalates when a vengeful mobster kidnaps Chelsea’s daughter and friend, demanding the stolen diamonds in exchange for their lives. To recover the gems, Chelsea joins forces with officer Matt Reynolds, whose sister has also been abducted. As they race against time, they find themselves in deadly pursuits across harsh terrain. With everything on the line, Chelsea and Matt must outsmart their enemies and unravel a web of lies…before their families pay the ultimate price.

From the time I was a kid, I loved romantic suspense movies. My mum, my sister, and I would settle onto the couch most Saturday evenings with pizza, popcorn, and candy spread out in front of us. The lights would dim, the movie would start, and for the next two hours, we’d be completely swept away. I loved watching ordinary people face impossible odds and somehow come out on top through sheer grit, determination, and a little courage they didn’t know they had.

Afterward, we’d talk about everything we loved. All those funny moments, the jump scares that made us spill our popcorn, and the times we shouted, “Don’t go in there!” at the screen. We’d laugh about how we would’ve handled things differently and who would’ve survived the longest (for the record, my sister always thought it would be her). Looking back, I think those evenings are where my love of storytelling truly began. Those conversations taught me how to pull apart a story — to look for heart, humor, and hope even in the most intense moments.

This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of my mother’s passing, and as I look back, I realize how deeply those memories shaped both who I am and the kind of stories I love to write. Kidnapped for Ransom was written, in part, to honor her and those cozy Saturday nights that first sparked my imagination.

The inspiration for Kidnapped for Ransom came from two of her favorite movies, Romancing the Stone and The River Wild. She adored the adventure, the rugged landscapes, and those heroines who weren’t trained warriors but found bravery in the face of chaos. I wanted to capture that same spirit, the mix of danger, humor, and heart, and weave it into a faith-filled story of my own. I won’t spoil which moments or themes made their way into the book, but if you’ve seen either of those movies, you might just recognize a few subtle nods hidden in the pages.

Once I decided to draw from those stories, I started searching for a setting that could carry the same rugged beauty and danger. That search led me to the Rogue River Canyon in Oregon, which was an actual filming location for the River Wild. It’s an untamed, breathtaking place full of contrasts. It has a rich history, calm stretches of glittering water that seem peaceful and inviting, beautiful hiking trails, followed by roaring world-class rapids that could turn treacherous in seconds. When I found the location in my research, I could instantly picture my heroine there.

That’s how Chelsea was born. A widow who, after her husband’s murder, discovers that he wasn’t the man she thought he was. Behind their white-picket-fence life lies a heist gone wrong and half a million dollars’ worth of missing diamonds. Now, a dangerous mobster and an old accomplice believe Chelsea knows where the diamonds are hidden. (Spoiler: she doesn’t.) But that doesn’t stop them from hunting her and her four-year-old daughter, Lynelle, down. With danger closing in and her daughter’s life at risk, Chelsea turns to the only person she can, the childhood friend and man she once almost loved.

As I wrote Chelsea’s story, her terror, her grit, and her determination to save her daughter, I kept thinking about the kind of strength my mother had: quiet but fierce, the kind that shows up when love leaves you no choice but to be brave. It made me wonder about her journey as a single mother and the unseen trials she faced. Chelsea’s faith is a struggle at the start of this story; she wrestles with loss, betrayal, and trust, much like so many of us do when life unravels. Writing her journey reminded me that courage and faith often grow strongest when we navigate those dark, tough paths in our lives.

In many ways, this story felt like coming full circle. Those movie nights that once filled me with wonder became the foundation for a story that explores both adventure and grace. And that’s what I love most about storytelling, how it connects us across time and memory. Stories remind us who we are and who we’ve loved. They help us see that even the hardest chapters can lead us somewhere beautiful. 

If you have a favorite movie or book that shaped you, I’d love to hear about it. Maybe, like me, you have a memory wrapped up in popcorn, laughter, and family, one that still makes you smile when you think of it. I can be reached through my website at www.jacquelineadam.com

Kidnapped for Ransom releases October 28th, and as I send it out into the world, I’m thinking of my mum, the one who first taught me that courage and love make the best stories of all. I hope when you read it, you feel the thrill of adventure, the tug of the heart, and the reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope and God still win.

The best way to stay connected is through my weekly email, Fireside News. You’ll receive cozy updates, behind-the-scenes book notes, and a complimentary historical romance novelette when you subscribe.

Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.