Author Denise N. Wheatley is fearlessly pursuing her dreams, and she’s taking readers along on the ride. I recently spoke with her about her latest release, Fearless Pursuit.
Tell me about your latest book.
Fearless Pursuit is my latest release with Harlequin Intrigue, and it’s Book 6 in A West Coast Crime Story series. It follows Danielle (Dani) Miller, Maxwell PD’s chief of police, who just solved the biggest case of her career by capturing the town’s first serial killer. But now someone is targeting her, staging a deadly game of cat and mouse and committing murders across town while daring the chief to catch a killer a second time.
Why did you decide to write it?
I decided to write this book after introducing Dani in the fifth installment of the series, Preyed Upon. As her character evolved in Book 5, I found myself drawn to her strength, determination, and outspokenness. She has deep ties to her hometown of Maxwell, Arizona, and the life she’s built there, so giving her a story of her own felt like a natural progression. Dani definitely gives main character energy!
Who is your favorite character and why?
My favorite character is the hero, Von Reed. I love Dani, but I adore how hard Von works to earn her trust amid so much turmoil and danger. His family owns Reed Protective Services, a security firm that’s been at odds with Maxwell PD for years. The conflict ties back to Dani’s father, the former police chief. Despite all that, Von has been secretly crushing on Dani since they were kids. When they’re forced to work together to solve this new string of murders, he sets aside his pride, ego, and family loyalty to prove he isn’t the enemy. Not only that, he wants to show Dani he truly cares about her.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I fell in love with the written word when I was about two years old. My mother would always read to me, and I’d cry because I couldn’t stand not being able to read the books myself! Once I learned how, I always had a book in my hand.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
It changes from year to year, but right now, I’d love to be a forensic scientist. Through my writing, I’ve gained a surprising amount of knowledge about forensics, and I’m genuinely intrigued by the science behind it. The idea of analyzing evidence, uncovering hidden details, and helping piece together the truth really appeals to me. There’s something deeply satisfying about the thought of contributing to the resolution of real-life cases and helping bring answers and justice to people who need them.
What author would you fangirl over?
Terry McMillan, without question. She’s the reason I took a leap into becoming a novelist. I have always been a reader, but her books were the first where I truly saw myself and people I knew on the page. She made storytelling feel attainable, like something I could actually do. That realization pushed me to want to tell my own stories and write books my peers could genuinely connect with. So if I ever meet Ms. McMillan, I will absolutely be fangirling.
What books have you read lately and loved?
I recently read K.D. Richards’s Killer on the Potomac, which follows a police detective on the hunt for a serial killer. She teams up with an FBI profiler who also happens to be her ex, which definitely complicates things. K.D. also writes for Harlequin Intrigue, and her books are amazing!
Another novel I recently enjoyed is The Cowboy Who Came Home by Kathy Douglass. It’s a Harlequin Special Edition second-chance romance that follows an investment banker turned rancher who returns home and finds himself reconnecting with an old acquaintance after their friendship unraveled. It’s Book 4 in the Aspen Creek Bachelors series, and every book I’ve read by Kathy has been fantastic.
What books are you most excited to read next?
I recently received an ARC of Tati Richardson’s Struck Speechless and cannot wait to dive in once I’m off deadline. It’s the follow-up to her hit romcom Losing Sight and centers on a sports agent who mysteriously loses her voice and is forced to rely on her rival and potential love interest. I can never resist a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, and this one is right up my alley.
What’s next for you?
I’ve got a few more books being released in A West Coast Crime Story series. Once those are done, I’ll begin working on my new series, Knox Private Justice. It follows a close-knit family of investigators who travel the country taking on chilling unsolved crimes—from cold cases and missing persons to dark, deeply twisted mysteries rooted in lies, betrayal, and obsession. Through their referral-only agency, Knox Legacy Investigations, they pursue the cases law enforcement couldn’t crack and others wouldn’t touch.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I’d like to take a moment to thank you and my readers for the continued support over the years. It means more to me than I can express, and the thoughtful reviews and positive feedback motivate me to keep writing. It is a privilege to do what I love, and the fact that readers connect with the stories I create still amazes me. I am truly grateful!
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To learn more about author Denise N. Wheatley, visit her website, or connect with her on social media.
Blog: www.denisenwheatley.com
Instagram: instagram.com/denise_wheatley_writer
Facebook: facebook.com/DeniseNWheatley