Darlene L. Turner is a New York Times bestselling author of romantic suspense and thriller novels. Her love of mystery began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into page-turners fueled by danger, faith-filled hope, and twists that refuse to let readers sleep. Known affectionately as the Plaid Queen for her love of all things plaid, she brings that same bold confidence to the page—layering relentless villains, courageous heroines, and fiercely protective heroes into every novel.
She believes the best stories blend edge-of-your-seat tension with hope, faith, and the quiet reminder that God’s light still shines in the darkest places. Darlene’s work has earned the Daphne du Maurier Award, the Holt Medallion, and multiple placements in the Selah Awards, honors that reflect her passion for storytelling with purpose.
Darlene met her husband, Jeff, at the turtle races and lives in Ontario, Canada. When she isn’t plotting fictional danger or researching law enforcement details, Darlene can usually be found fueled by flavored coffee and wrapped in plaid. She invites readers to step into her stories—just don’t expect to put the book down once the suspense begins.
Represented by Tamela Hancock Murray
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Published:
- Safe House Exposed – 2023 HOLT Medallion Winner – Short Inspirational
- Fatal Forensic Investigation – 2023 Director’s Choice Winner – won third place – Romantic Suspense/Suspense category
- Explosive Christmas Showdown – 2023 FHLCW Reader’s Choice Award Finalist – Romantic Suspense
- Abducted in Alaska – 2022 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence Finalist – Short Novel
- Abducted in Alaska – 2022 Selah Finalist – Romantic Suspense
- Lethal Cover-Up – 2022 Selah Award – won third place – Romantic Suspense category
- Lethal Cover-Up – 2022 Director’s Choice Winner – won second place – fiction category
- Border Breach – Winner of Canada’s 2021 Word Award – Romance Category
- Border Breach – Placed third in the 2021 Selahs – First Novel and Romantic Suspense categories
Unpublished:
- Winner of the 2019 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, Inspirational Unpublished category
- Finalist of the 2019 ACFW Genesis contest (Romantic Suspense category)
- Finalist of the 2019 TARA writing contest (Romance Writers of America)
- Finalist of the 2018 ACFW Genesis contest (Romantic Suspense category)
- Winner of the 2017 ACFW Genesis contest (Romantic Suspense category)
- Placed third in the 2017 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, Inspirational Unpublished category
- Placed third in the 2017 Great Expectations contest – North Texas Romance Writers of America Chapter (Inspirational category)
- Winner of the 2016 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, Inspirational Unpublished category
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/EDUCATION:
- American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)
- Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Faculty
- Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers
- Advanced Writers & Speakers Association (AWSA)
- Romance Writers of America
- Kiss of Death (KOD) Chapter of RWA
- Apprentice/Journeyman alumni of the Christian Writers Guild
- Craftsman alumni of the Christian Writers Guild
- Sisters in Crime