PHOTO: Author Sheila Kell, creator of the HIS and Agents of HIS series, known for her blend of romance and suspense.
Romantic Suspense, Southern Roots, Air Force Inspiration
Sheila Kell blends heart-pounding suspense with tender romance, drawing from her Southern heritage and Air Force experience to craft authentic characters, emotional depth, and gripping stories that linger long after the final page.
Sheila Kell writes with a rare blend of intensity and heart, crafting stories where danger and desire walk hand in hand. Her novels are infused with adrenaline yet rooted in emotional truth, drawing readers into worlds where passion is heightened by peril and where every heartbeat might be the last—or the beginning of something extraordinary.
A proud daughter of Mississippi with deep ties to its warmth and grit, Sheila carries those roots into her fiction, layering her stories with a vivid sense of place and authenticity. Her Southern spirit breathes life into characters who are as steadfast and honourable as they are flawed, shaped by experiences of loyalty, loss, and love.
Through her HIS and Agents of HIS series, Sheila has built not only narratives of suspense but also an enduring family of characters, inspired in part by her own service in the Air Force. The camaraderie, sacrifice, and quiet resilience found in her books resonate because they come from a place of lived experience and genuine connection.
Whether exploring the depths of a hero’s guilt, the sharp edge of betrayal, or the tender promise of a hard-earned happily-ever-after, Sheila Kell writes stories that linger. Her work reminds us that the heart, when tested by fire, beats stronger—and that love, even when shadowed by danger, is always worth the risk.
What first drew you to romantic suspense rather than straight romance or thriller, and how did you balance the two elements in your debut?
I used to be a straight thriller reader until one day I read Murder List by Julie Garwood. I had no idea romantic suspense existed, but when I found it, I knew it was for me.
Balancing romance and suspense was a real challenge for me at the start. I’d dive into a romantic scene only to realize I’d neglected the suspenseful theme, or vice versa. It took a sharp critique partner to help me see the pattern. Once I recognized my oversight, I consciously asked myself whether what I was writing effectively blended both the romantic and suspenseful themes. Romance should inherently be suspenseful, but I meant the suspense of the plot. Some scenes leaned more toward romance, while others emphasized suspense, but as long as they kept the story moving forward, I knew I was on the right track.
I answer this more thoroughly in the final question.
Your HIS series features a close-knit security team; how much of that camaraderie is inspired by your own experience in the Air Force?
My Air Force experience truly ignited my passion for this project. I worked in a small career field where everyone seemed to know everyone, as we frequently transferred and deployed.In fact, some of the call signs and traits of the agents in the Agents of HIS spin-off are inspired by friends from our squadron. Many of the names are similar, with the first name the same but the last name changed, starting with the same letter as their real names. It was my little secret, but I guess I let the cat out of the bag. I thought it all added a personal touch that made it all the more meaningful.
Jake Cavanaugh carries heavy guilt in His Return—how do you ensure a hero’s remorse feels authentic without tipping into self-pity?
That was a real challenge trying to get into Jake’s character. I even caught myself slipping into self-pity a couple of times. It’s all about knowing your limits and understanding how far you can go with a character. I start to feel their emotions deep within me as I write, but if I dip too low into their emotional space, I step back. When I return, I’m refreshed and ready to dive back in, capturing their essence more vividly. It’s a delicate balance, but that’s what makes the process so rewarding.
And, yes, I cried a few times while writing the novel for his character.
Mississippi woods are a recurring backdrop in your author bio; do you deliberately weave that Southern atmosphere into every story, and if so, how?
I’m proud to hail from South Mississippi, a place that still holds a special spot in my heart, even though I no longer call it home. Crafting characters inspired by the warm, genuine spirit of good southern boys has been a true joy. I often imagine what it feels like to walk those familiar streets, and that vivid sense of place keeps my writing authentic and alive.
In Deadly Betrayal, Cassie walks away from the FBI to become a PI.What research did you do to portray the grittier side of private investigation?
To craft an authentic and engaging narrative, I drew inspiration from various sources,including Google, TV shows, requirements to become a PI, and advertisements for PIs. I also had a brief conversation with a PI; however, her responses were too vague, prompting me to rely more heavily on my research. This process helped me weave a more vivid and compelling story.
You re-edited His Desire extensively after its 2014 release; what craft lesson surprised you most between the two versions?
As my writing skills blossomed, I couldn’t help but cringe at my earlier drafts, even those that had snagged awards. When I revisited His Desire during the editing process, I uncovered two key craft lessons that transformed my approach and enriched my storytelling.
Conflict & Stakes—Makingsure every scene mattered by raising the “why it matters” for characters and readers. I cut a few small scenes, but most were just tightened.
Show vs. Tell—Revealing emotions and stakes through actions, not flat statements. This was probably my biggest learning curve and the greatest help I’d received in growing my craft.
Cats and strays keep finding your porch—have any of them ever inspired a fictional animal companion?
Yes! In fact, most of the animals in the HIS series were strays that I had once owned. I used their name, breed, and characteristics in the first HIS books. In my current Agents of HIS series, the men and women don’t have pets since they deploy so often, but I think it’s time to bring them back. It’s time to put my six cats into the mix.
For new writers struggling to blend heart-pounding action with emotional depth, what practical steps would you recommend to keep both thrills and romance equally compelling?
Tie Action to Emotion—Don’t let car chases, shootouts, or rescues stand alone. Ask: How does this event affect the relationship?
Layer Internal Stakes with External Stakes—For every external danger, give the characters an internal conflict.When both arcs collide, the romance and suspense feel inseparable.
Use “Quiet Moments” to Build Romance—After an intense scene (a rescue, a near miss), give your characters a breather. These pauses—patching up wounds, hiding out in safehouses, whispered arguments in the dark—are the perfect places to layer vulnerability, banter, or a first kiss.Without breathers, readers tend to burn out from the constant action. Without action, romance loses urgency. The balance lives in the ebb and flow.
Escalate Together—Keep raising the stakes on both fronts.Both should reach their climax at the same time—the moment where they might lose their lives and each other.
Let the Romance Drive Decisions—The love story should actively influence the plot, not sit on the sidelines.When love impacts survival, the romance feels just as thrilling as the danger.
Keep the Pacing Tight—Romantic suspense thrives on short, tense scenes. Use clipped sentences in action sequences, then stretch into longer, more emotional prose in intimate moments. The rhythm itself will carry readers through both beats without one overshadowing the other.
