Serena helps you get your 'creepy' on with inspy recs

From the outside, these three novels have little in common other than being born to the same subgenre (inspirational/Christian fiction). But each story has environmental and/or character elements that might ping your creep-o-meter just in time for your annual October scare-fest. Whether it's a massive black cloud rolling in that decimates a community, a mysterious killer driven by greed or a team of humans and vampires fighting evil, these new books from Christian authors are sure to speed your pulse.

Kiss of Death, Debbie Viguié

What it's about (from the publisher):

In the wake of a failed attempt to defeat the vampire Richelieu, Susan and her friends are weakened and divided. Raphael must set aside his animosity and join with his enigmatic sire Gabriel to discover a powerful weapon before Richelieu claims it. Meanwhile, Susan and her cousin Wendy translate a 12th century diary belonging to their ancestor, Carissa, to learn the origin of their family's connection with the vampires. As Carissa's story of love and betrayal unfolds, they discover the secrets of the present will only be revealed by solving the mysteries of the past.

Why you should read it: If you haven't read Kiss of Night yet, make sure you do before sinking your teeth into Viguié's second book of The Kiss Trilogy. The author assumes readership, and rightly so. The first book was just that awesome. (For more info, check out my HEA review and interview with the author.)

Using the journal of Susan and Wendy's ancestor to segue into a different time, Viguié flawlessly transports the story between the 12th and 21st centuries and each thread enhances the other.

Although Susan and Raphael's ability to act upon their attraction is ideologically (and often geographically) stalled for this Kiss installment, the romantic tension between them is tangible, even when they are not in the same country. But never fear: There is plenty of dangerous attraction sizzling between Susan's ancestor Carissa and Gabriel, the vampire who still inspires incredible fear in Susan and her contemporaries. Both paranormal and inspy romance readers will be captured by the new twists in this exciting novel and will be looking forward to the final title to be released in 2013.

Tidbit: Make sure you read Debbie's "Dear Reader" letter that appears just ahead of Chapter 1. Written especially for those readers who might feel a little queasy about putting vampire elements in Christian fiction, Debbie's honesty and clear love of story will help assuage any doubts you might have about content.

Every Breath You Take, M.K. Gilroy

What it's about (from the publisher):

A high-profile murder tied to a dating service has the Chicago news media buzzing. Who better to go undercover in the world of personal profiles and promising matches than an ace detective who is single and as attractive as she is tough? Detective Kristen Conner can't figure out her own dating life, but she is about to get a crash course on finding true love -- or at least a Friday night date -- and become the object of a killer's affections.

Why you should read it: Kristen Conner is as driven and tough professionally as she is a marshmallow when it comes to her family. She's beautiful, but doesn't believe it. She can't shoot worth a hoot, but can knock an assailant twice her size on their butt with her hand-to-hand fighting skills. I can't help it. I like her.

In the first book Detective Conner had anger issues that she grudgingly admitted to with sarcastic, self-deprecating sidebar remarks that were all sorts of fun. In book two she isn't so angry, but admits to being too judgmental with the same trademark dry humor that hooked me in book one.

Although the villain of this particular crime doesn't get into your head quite as much as "The Cutter Shark" did in Gilroy's first Kristen Conner novel, there are pieces of the Cutter Shark still lingering in the background of this story, giving an overall darkness to the tale that promises to linger through the series.

Tidbit: In an HEA interview, the author said my HEA review of Cuts Like a Knife inspired him to amp up the romance in book two. And indeed he did thicken the thread … but with a light enough hand that it didn't alter the tough self-sufficiency of Kristen's character. I still would have liked to have seen more actual interaction between FBI Special Agent Reynolds and Kristen, but I'll be excited to watch the romance continue to grow with Kristen and the series.

Beyond the Storm, Carolyn Zane

What it's about (from the publisher):

After a tornado rips through her town, store owner Abigail comes across a piece of fabric from a wedding dress among the devastation. Abigail is moved to start collecting other swatches of fabric she finds – her neighbor's kitchen curtains, a man's necktie, a dog's bed – which she stashes in shopping bags. As she pursues her seemingly absurd quest, horrible realities spark the question, "What kind of a God would allow such tragedy?"

As she struggles to reconcile her right to happiness amidst the destruction, Abigail begins piecing together a patchwork quilt from the salvaged fabric in hopes it will bring some peace. But a new relationship with Justin, a contractor, may require too much of her fragile heart. Will her pain and questions of faith give way to the courage to love?

Why you should read it: This book was not at all what I expected from the cover or the series title, Quilts of Love, and its tagline, Every Quilt Has a Story. In all honesty, I didn't expect to like it. I expected to be bored. I wasn't. This is not some sweet homespun tale, as the cover suggests; it is, at times, a heartbreaking and frighteningly realistic picture of nature as a predator.

Although the many points of view might take a little to wrap your mind around in the beginning, the characters quickly become like your neighbors, each one with his or her quirks and each one with a story that explains unfinished business the storm has brought to life.

For those who have lived through the heartbreaking devastation of a natural disaster, there might be some emotionally difficult moments while reading. The author paints stark images of a tornado's destruction both on the town itself and within the lives of its inhabitants. Yet even in the darkness, hope shines and love is born, and reborn, beyond the storm.

Tidbit: If you visit the author's website, you might agree with me that Carolyn Zane's last name should maybe be pronounced with a long "e" on the end. This zany lady has pets named after characters from Gilligan's Island// and compares her family to the Brangelina brood, except to mention that her family is "better looking." Carolyn also writes under the name Suzy Pizzuti and has published more than 35 books while blogging about how to tackle marriage, motherhood and menopause "without ending up in prison" at the blog Too Hot Mamas.

A writer, performer and accomplished partaker of dark chocolate, Serena Chase lives in Iowa with her husband and two daughters. Her reviews can also be found at the blog Edgy Inspirational Romance.