Jacquelin Thomas's books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance in Color Reviewers Award, Readers’ Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine. 

Her latest novel is SAFE SECURITY HOUSE.

Jacquelin's Tip:

The foundation of a captivating story lies in the creation of dynamic and multi-dimensional characters that deeply resonate with readers. To accomplish this, it is crucial to delve into their inner world: their fears, desires, and motivations. What drives them? What keeps them awake at night? It is these internal struggles and complexities that shape a character's multiple layers, influenced by their past experiences and personal journeys. These nuances add depth and make the character more relatable and memorable. For example, a character who presents themselves as confident and ambitious may secretly fear failure, impacting their decisions and actions in subtle ways.

It is also important to pay attention to how the character interacts with their surroundings. Give them unique quirks or habits that bring them to life on the page. Explore their relationships - how do they perceive themselves compared to how others see them? Through dialogue and actions, reveal their personality development; ensure they remain true to their beliefs while also allowing room for change. Show rather than tell, allowing their actions to speak volumes about who they truly are. By combining internal depth with external details, you can create characters that feel as complex and genuine as real individuals.

CAMERON MOUNTAIN REFUGE by Beth Cornelison

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Can he protect her from a predator while keeping his desire for her secret?

When a couple of casual dates turn into terror, Jessica Harkney needs help. And firefighter Gage Coleman is determined to protect her. Secretly in love with Jessica since they were kids, Gage has always considered his sister’s best friend off-limits. Now she’s being hunted by a dangerous stalker, and stubbornly independent, Jessica rejects Gage’s offers of help. But when her pursuer’s obsession escalates into violence, the two old friends must rely on each other to survive. And feelings long suppressed will be hard to keep in check.

SAFE HOUSE SECURITY by Jacquelin Thomas

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When two law enforcers reunite to protect a key witness, the only thing more dangerous than the cartel is the chemistry between them…

Deputy US marshal Nova Bennett and DEA special agent River Randolph have one mission: safeguard a former money launderer from the Mancuso cartel. But when the witness is killed and his wife flees witness protection, Nova and River embark on a cross-country search to keep the terrified target alive. With the murderers hot on their trail and the rising danger only rivaled by their attraction, these two seasoned pros will risk everything to locate the innocent victim and bring her back alive.

THE MAUI EFFECT by Sara Ackerman

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They say opposites attract, but are they meant to last?

‘Iwa Young’s life is high in the Maui rainforest. As a field biologist, she’s happiest in the company of trees and birds and waterfalls. When a developer arrives with plans for a so-called eco resort in the middle of a forest full of endangered species, ‘Iwa puts all her energy into the fight to protect it. But a chance encounter threatens to distract her. His name is Dane Parsons, a big-wave surfer from California. ‘Iwa has a few unbreakable rules, and at the top of her list: never date a surfer.