Tag: romantic suspense thriller

Search Beyond Lies: Fact or Fiction – Gelden Ranch

A number of people posed questions regarding Gelden Ranch. Is Search Beyond Lies’ Gelden Ranch fact or fiction? Before I answer this question, a little background is necessary.

Some History

When I finished graduate school, earning a Master of Science Degree in Nutrition, I completed the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian and started my job search. Law school was not foremost in my mind at this time.

Women's Magazines

I had the most unusual, but incredibly insightful interview with the owner of a renowned women’s magazine. After briefly discussing my background, the owner handed me a quarter and paper cup, then asked me to place the paper cup in the middle of the floor. She wanted me to get the quarter into the cup.

Okay…. I looked at her and asked, “Do you want me to get the quarter in the cup in the manner I would dare, or the way I think you want?”

When she wanted to see what I dared, I moved to the farthest corner of the room and pitched it. This was followed by her question as to what I thought she wanted me to do. I thought she wanted me to make certain it got into the cup by going to the cup and placing it in.

What I dared was what she wanted to see since the magazine business is risky and she needed to make sure I was a risk-taker. I was hired and was the only member of her staff that worked directly with her in her “home” office.

The Magazine’s Owner

The magazine’s headquarters was about 20 minutes from the owner’s “home.” Only the person in charge of the staff at the office ever saw or met with her—I was the only exception. She was a reclusive heiress, and even though she was brilliant, beautiful, and kindhearted, public appearances were very rare.

The Ocean off South Florida

I was one of her key editors, so galleys had to be run from the “house” to the office. The runners were forbidden to talk to me aside from “hello” or “thank you” type language. I didn’t realize this until a new runner asked how I liked working there and my response was a simple, “I like it.” When this person reached the office, he was fired. There was no one around during our brief meet, but the walls apparently had ears…

The “Home”

The “home” was a mansion built in the early 1900s with more than 25 bedrooms. An entire wing was dedicated to staff who historically lived there. It was on the ocean, surrounded by walls, with a guarded gate, and an occupied gate house.

Saddle
Western Ranch Saddle

Gelden Ranch was inspired by this mansion, tweaked to fit a western ranch. Where there were horse stables for the ranch, the mansion had garages that housed very expensive vehicles driven by a chauffeur.

Antique Car

Technically, Gelden Ranch is fictional, but inspired by fact.

© 2023 Karen VDH Fischer

suspense thriller, romantic suspense, Colorado, Rocky Mountains, action

Kindle Countdown Deals for Search Beyond Lies — Day 3. At 2 p.m. PDT, the price moves from .99 to $1.99. Find it on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3ueVmTO

Search Beyond Lies: Fact or Fiction – The Romance

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day for Search Beyond Lies: Fact or Fiction – The Romance. Is the romance between Charlie and James fact or fiction? Since that question is multifaceted, we’ll take a look at its parts.

The Hero and Heroine

The actual hero and heroine are inspired by real people. Writers envision who their characters look like and often keep a photo handy of these characters to keep them on track. The photo can be a snapshot of people they know, or a photo of a popular actor or actress or … .

J.C. & P.J.'s photo at the Stanley - the inspiration for the hero and heroine in Search Beyond Lies
J.C. & Priscilla Jane

Search Beyond Lies: Fact or Fiction — Missing revealed that the character James, was inspired by my son, J.C., who actively participated in the search for Brian. But how about James’ love interest, Charlie?

Charlie

The heroine, Charlie, was inspired by a real person – Priscilla Jane (P.J.). Charlie’s physical description mirrors that of P. J., a true 6-foot beauty.

Many of Charlie’s character traits are actually those held by P.J. who is beautiful on the inside and out. However, her history and participation in the search is mixed with fact and fiction.

Charlie’s background as an expert skier is fact. At one time she considered training for the Olympics until a high school soccer accident made that impossible is fact. That same accident made P.J. unavailable to be on the front line in the search for Brian. She needed surgery from that same injury years prior.

However, P.J. worked in the background in the search for Brian by getting volunteers, and doing all the behind the scenes work on her computer.

Charlie’s military background is another story. It is pure fiction.

the romance

J.C. and P.J. at their engagement.

The romance between J.C. and P.J. is real. They are engaged to be married this year and although I already consider her a part of my family, it will be official.

How they met and the romance as portrayed within Search Beyond Lies is fiction. Speaking of romance, do you consider Search Beyond Lies a Romantic Suspense Thriller or a Suspense Thriller with a dash of romance? The next article will look at the “rules” for determining genre and survey what the readers feel, after all, it’s the readers that count, not the rules.

writing, inspiration, time, events, characters, Thyme for Writers, books, articles, short stories, graduation, Washington, D.C., Georgetown School of Medicine, army, residency, neurosurgery, radiation, Radiological Health Sciences
Priscilla Jane, Karen, J.C. & Joe

© 2023 Karen VDH Fischer

Search Beyond Lies: Fact or Fiction – Missing

On July 5, 2018, Brian Perri was reported missing on Mount Meeker, one of the most dangerous mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park. Search Beyond Lies, Book One in the Search & Recovery International Series is a work of fiction, whose inspiration lies in a rare type of friendship J.C. Fischer and Kimo McEwen had with Brian where they put their lives on hold and jeopardized their safety and well-being to search for him. Was the manner in which Brian was discovered missing fact or fiction?

J.C. and Kimo searching for Brian Perri.
J.C. and Kimo

discovered missing

The manner in which the character, Brett, was discovered missing in Chapter 1 is fact. From his failure to show up at the defense, to the condition of the apartment during the welfare check is fact, including the participation of the character James. The description of the police officer is fiction.

The Last Known Location

Mount Meeker, Rocky Mountain National Park, Brian Perri

A selfie revealed the last known location was the summit. That is where the search began, and that is fact. The when, where, and to whom the selfie was sent, are fact as well as the reasons a missing person’s report was not filed at that time.

the car

The description of the car, where it was parked, and the events surrounding it are fact.

the park rangers

  • Fact: The work of the Alpine Team. A number of these dedicated Park Rangers continued their search on their days off as volunteers – they would not give up.
  • Fact: The existence of the Community Liaison and the Park Rangers’ reasons for deterring volunteers.
  • What was written about the search and rescue dogs are true. You’ll have to read the book to see their role.
bull elk, Rocky Mountain National Park
Bull Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

Since I don’t appreciate spoilers, you’ll notice that I intentionally did not include any. I want you to enjoy the book while appreciating what is fact and what is fiction.

In the next Fact or Fiction article for Search Beyond Lies, we’ll take a look at the clues revealed during the search. I promise not to include spoilers.

suspense thriller, romantic suspense, Colorado, Rocky Mountains, action

Search Beyond Lies is available on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3ueVmTO

© 2022 Karen VDH Fischer