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Novelist and physician Richard Mabry, M.D. is joining us today on The Literary Mama. Richard is known for writing medical suspense with heart. His latest release, Diagnosis Death, is available now.

*Welcome to The Literary Mama. Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a physician, retired after thirty-six years of practice, the last ten as a professor at a large medical school in Texas. My first wife passed away twelve years ago (which was the impetus for my book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse), but God has blessed me yet again with the love of a wonderful woman. Between the two of us we have five children and four grandchildren, not to mention two granddogs and two grandcats. Spoiling those grandchildren takes much of our time, but I also find time for golf, reading mysteries, and—when I can make myself sit down at the computer—writing them.

*As a doctor you have worked on several medical textbooks, when did you get the fiction bug?

I wrote or edited eight medical textbooks and had over 100 papers published in medical journals, but never really wanted to be a writer, although I’ve read mysteries for years. That all changed after the death of my first wife in 1999. A few years later, as I sought to learn the craft while writing The Tender Scar, authors James Scott Bell and Alton Gansky encouraged me to try my hand at fiction. I did, and four years, four unsuccessful novels, and forty rejections later I became an “overnight success.”

*You are also the Vice President of the American Christian Fiction Writers. What does your role involve for that organization?

The VP is charged with oversight of the main e-loop, which is devoted to the exchange of ideas and information about writing and the publishing industry, as well as being responsible for the website and our http://FictionFinder program. The VP oversees the ACFW’s Recognized Publisher List, both seeing that new applications are properly reviewed and that re-evaluations take place on an annual basis. And, of course, the VP is one of the eight members of the Operating Board that helps run the day-to-day business of the 2000+ member organization. And, in case you’re interested, the Vice-President is not next in line to serve as President of the organization (thank goodness).

*What is Diagnosis Death about? How did you come up with the concept for the novel?

I was casting about for subject matter for my next book when, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a colleague and friend was accused of the mercy killing of a number of patients. Since I was the one charged with making the decision to remove life support when my first wife died, I was familiar not only with the mechanics but the strong emotions that accompany such a decision. I turned the matter over in my mind, prayed a bit about it, and awoke one morning with the plot arc pretty well in my mind.

Here’s a tease for Diagnosis Death:

The threatening midnight calls followed Dr. Elena Gardner from one city to another, prolonging her grief. Even worse, they are echoed by the whispers of her colleagues—whispers that started after her comatose husband died in the ICU. When a second and yet a third mysterious death took place, the whispers turned into a shout: “Mercy killer.” What was the dark secret that kept Elena from defending herself.

*How much research did Diagnosis Death take?

As I’ve said, I had first-hand experience with the emotions involved in discontinuing life support for a loved one. But, as in all my novels, I did a good bit of checking of the medical facts. Even though I’m a physician, the field of medicine is constantly changing, and I want to be certain that I get the details right.

*What is it about writing medical suspense that attracts you?

I enjoy the exercise of leaving clues (some false, some important) scattered throughout the book, being fair with the readers but hopefully leaving them surprised at some aspect of the plot at the end of the book.

*What other new projects do you have in the future?

My next novel, due out September 1 from Abingdon Press, is Lethal Remedy.

An infection by a “super-bug” has sprung up worldwide, and no current antibiotic will touch it. Dr. Sara Miles has access to an investigational antibiotic developed by her ex-husband, and it proves to be 100% effective. The drug goes into wider use, but someone has falsified data to hide late side effects of the drug and patients develop potentially fatal complicatons. Sara and three trusted colleagues must solve the puzzle of how the new antibiotic really works and come up with a way to reverse the side effects before it kills more patients.

*What is one thing people may be surprised to know about you?

On the high school golf team, I played against (and was soundly beaten by) a future pro golfer. His game has improved even more. Mine hasn’t.

*How can readers get in touch with you?

They can learn more about me on my website, http://rmabry.com, and follow my musings on my blog, http://rmabry.blogspot.com. And, like so many others, I’m on Twitter and Facebook as “RichardMabry.” They can email me at Dr R L Mabry at yahoo dot com.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Novelist and homeschooling mom Michelle Griep is joining us today on The Literary Mama. Michelle’s latest time travel novel Undercurrent, releases this month. I’m please to have her as our guest today.

Welcome to The Literary Mama Michelle. Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in the frozen tundra of Minnesota. Only one of my birdies has flown the nest thus far so there’s never a dull moment with 3 kids, a dog, and last but not least, my husband. Likes: dark chocolate, rollerblading and Spaghettios. Dislikes: fruit, scowling faces, and early morning.

In addition to writing, you also homeschool your children! How do you balance it all?

Apparently you didn’t notice the frayed hem on my superhero cape. Family and schooling takes up the lion’s share of my time but I do have one dedicated night per week when I run away from home to write. You can find me at Panera with a cup of java and chocolate chunk cookie every Thursday evening.

What is Undercurrent about?

People go missing every day. Many meet with foul play, some leave the social grid by choice, but others are never accounted for. Where do they go?

Successful linguistics professor Cassie Larson leads a life her undergrad students hope to obtain, until she tumbles into the North Sea and is sucked into a swirling vortex…and a different century.

UNDERCURRENT is the story of a missing woman who learns that success has more than one definition, especially when viewed in light of the past.

How did you come up with the concept for Undercurrent?

There’s an old family story my mom told me about her mom, Clara Brekke. Sometime back in the early 1900’s, Clara’s father took her two-year-old sister and walked out the front door. Just like that. No bags packed. Not a word about where they were going or when they’d return. Nothing. No one ever heard from them again. As a result, I’ve always been curious about missing people. UNDERCURRENT is my ‘what if’ daydream.

What interests you about the Viking age?

Besides the roots of Christianity in the Nordic culture, there’s a ton of other fascinating facts. Case in point…Bubba the Viking. Did you know there’s actual graffiti carved into wood and stones left behind by these fellas? And who would’ve known that one of these big beefy warrior’s names was Bubba? Not kidding. Feel free to use that tidbit as an icebreaker at the next party you attend.

What research was involved in writing this novel?

Reading until my eyes turned bloodshot. But my favorite form of research is sending out random e-mails to experts. Guess what…more often than not, those people answer! I heard back from master ship builders, archeologists and language professors.

What other new projects do you have in the future?

I could easily be persuaded to write a Viking sequel if readers swamp my publisher with requests. I’ve also recently finished a historical fiction set in the Regency period (think Jane Austen) which involves an opium addict and a man who’s slowly going insane.

What is one thing people may be surprised to know about you?

I’m an introvert. If left to my own devices, I’d move to a cave on the British seaside and live as a hermit.

How can readers get in touch with you?

Visit my website at www.mmgriep.com or e-mail me directly at michellegriep(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks for stopping by today!

You can order Undercurrent at Risen Books or Amazon

 

 

 I’m psyched about today’s interview on The Literary Mama. Delia Latham is a multi-published (and multi-genre!) author whose latest novel, Kylie’s Kiss releases this month! I’m pleased to welcome Delia to The Literary Mama.

I can’t think of anything interesting enough about me to take up much space with this answer! All that needs to be said can be said very briefly. I was born and raised in a place called Weedpatch—a farming community in central California, near Bakersfield. Lived there all my life, until September of 2008, when hubby and I moved from California to Oklahoma, so I guess that makes me a California Okie!  J I love to read and write in our little country home, and I get a huge kick out of watching my husband play Farmer John. Of all my own multiple roles—wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and writer—I especially love being a princess daughter to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What is Kylie’s Kiss about? 

It’s about a woman seeking the man who makes her heart sing and the kiss that takes her breath away, through a Christian dating agency called Solomon’s Gate. Here’s a blurb:

On a dare, Kylie Matthews lands smack in the middle of Solomon’s Gate—Castle Creek’s new Christian dating agency—and she finds herself revealing exactly what she’s waiting for in a relationship: “The kiss that steals my breath away.”

What she doesn’t reveal is her lack of self-esteem or her irrational reaction to facial disfigurement. Neither is applicable to her quest to find the perfect match. But that seemingly superficial malady becomes all-important when her first agency-arranged date is Rick Dale—a man who is everything Kylie is searching for. He’s handsome, smart, fun. Rick has it all…including an angelic six-year-old daughter with severe scarring on one side of her face.

Hard at work founding a therapy camp for young female victims of deformity or disfigurement, Rick wants Kylie to be a part of those plans. She’d love to say yes…but how can she, when every contact with the facility’s guests—and Rick’s own daughter—will make her violently ill?

 Kylie is ready to admit their relationship doesn’t stand a chance, but she’s forgotten that God makes a way where there seems no way. 

How did you know you were called to write? 

An author might write in the inspirational genre because he/she chooses to do so as an offering to God; or they might do it because they feel called to write. The latter is true for me.

I often tease that I was born with a pen in my hand. It’s almost true. God has been honing and shaping me to pen His messages all my life. I knew I was called because He wouldn’t let me not write. Every time I veered from the course, He nudged me back onto it—with gentle but unarguable firmness. Plus, if every idea a person come up with (is blessed with?) has a spiritual edge, it’s rather obvious the genre in which that individual is supposed to park himself/herself. At least, that’s the way I see it. 

You’re also a multi-genre author! Your children’s book, Mine!, released this year. Tell us about that. 

Mine! released in January through Vinspire Imaginations. It’s a rhymed children’s story (picture book) about a little girl who falls face first into her own selfishness, and learns an important lesson about friendship, selfishness, and forgiveness.

I have several children’s stories I wrote when my own kids—now adults—were little. I just pulled them out one day and decided maybe I should share them with other little ones. So Mine! found its way to the the printed page. Another children’s picture book, Adam’s Wings, will release later this year. 

Do you have any other new releases coming out this year?

Kylie’s Kiss is Book 2 in a series. Barring any complications, Gypsy’s Game (Book 3), will release sometime this year, as well. I don’t have a release date just yet, but it will be announced on my website (www.delialatham.net), and of course, Adam’s Wings, which I already mentioned.

 How can readers get in touch with you? 

Website: www.delialatham.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oklahoma-City-OK/Delia-Latham/203040125487

Twitter: http://twitter.com/delialatham

Blog: http://my-book-bag.blogspot.com

Email: delia AT delialatham DOT net

Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Delia.

Thank you for having me!

 

 

Today we’re chatting with Young Adult novelist Deanna Klingel on The Literary Mama. Deanna is the author of Young Adult novel Avery’s Battlefield which releases on this month.  I’m pleased to welcome Deanna to The Literary Mama.

Deanna, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with The Literary Mama. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live in the mountains of western NC with my husband, a retired IBM director. Besides writing, I spend a lot of time visiting with my therapy dog at hospitals, nursing facilities, rehabs, schools, wherever we’re asked. My dogs are featured in my book, Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog.  

What is Avery’s Battlefield is about?

Avery Junior Bennett is a 14 year-old Quaker who lives in the far reach of Virginia, which becomes West Virginia. In 1861, as life is getting a bit unsettled, even on the Bennett’s farm, Avery embarks on a family errand that takes him across the state to Alexandria. Along the way, he encounters men and situations that try his resolve and pose some dilemma for Avery.  His hound dog Gunner, always at his side, listening to Avery’s quandries, and often creating the solution, is the comic relief.  

Avery’s Battlefield is set during the Civil War. What type of research did you do while writing the story?

Avery’s Battlefield takes in the first two years of the war, 1861 and 1862. The sequel carries us to the end. Much of the research for this book was done totally backwards. I wrote the story, then I checked the facts. Hmm, could this have happened then? For instance, Mason jars. I used the Mason jars to put things in. Then wondered, when were Mason jars manufactured. Turns out they were manufactured five years before Avery was using them, and during that time it became common practice to store things, other than jam and food, in the jars. So, yeah! I had a great time with the research for this book. Doing it backwards made it less tedious, and often times when checking the facts I found additional information to enhance that page. 

What led to your decision to write a story for teens?

I didn’t really decide to write a story for teens. I wrote a story on the level that I, my family, my grands, would enjoy. I enjoy stories like Walton’s Mountain, Little House books, The Yearling, Old Yeller, I think they are timeless. I know the marketing departments all want to label the books for particular sales market, and this one meets the criteria for middle grade teens. I consider it a book for young and young-at-heart readers. There ought to be a marketing niche for “Family Friendly Books.” That’s what Avery and Gunner really is.

What do you hope readers walk away with knowing after reading Avery’s Battlefield?

I hope the young readers will pick up some knowledge of the American Civil War that goes beyond text book pages and memorizing dates. I hope they see true American heroism as something that goes beyond media attention and political platform. True American heroism has to do with caring for others. Or, as Avery learns, choosing the right thing even when it’s the hard thing. 

Do you have any upcoming titles?

Avery’s Crossroad will be out in the fall. I have a couple of finished manuscripts, Bread Upon the Water, and Cracks in the Ice, which I hope will become books in the next year.

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy playing golf with my husband, therapy visits with my dog, reading,  writing.

Fun question: If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?

I’d love to build a facility where elderly couples could live together to the end, a place they could have their pet, their own bed, as much care as they required and as much independence as they could handle. Where they could eat homegrown, homemade foods. But, a million dollars wouldn’t build that. How about a few million?

How can readers get in touch with you?

I’d love to hear from readers. I have an email, deannaklingel@yahoo.com, and I have a website www.BooksByDeanna.com. The last page of the website has a comments place that’s super easy to use. Just put in your comment!

Thanks so much for chatting with us today Deanna.