The switch wasn't really as drastic as it might sound, since suspense has always played a strong role in my novels. As for the transition from historical to contemporary, it's been on the horizon for a long time now, just waiting for the right book to lend itself to. The minute Run for Your Life crystallized in my mind, I knew it was definitely that book.
Romantic suspense can be tricky in getting the right blend of character and story.
I'm relentless about that, since strong characters and a compelling, fast-paced plot are, in my opinion, both essential to a good romantic thriller. My characters are the very core of what I do. They evolve and become vivid, real entities as I tell their story. Since I am so character-based, my plots arise directly from the protagonists' lives. Victoria's feelings for Zach, as well as her motivations for repressing those feelings were an intrinsic part of her, based, as you pointed out, on her life experience.