THE CASE OF THE MYSTIFIED M. D. - A. K. Arenz - Free Book

Welcome back to the blog. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I have always enjoyed reading mystery/suspense/thriller type books, so it seemed to be a natural extension. But I’ve found that I can’t write anything if God doesn’t move me to do it. That might sound trite, but it’s true. If I try to go it alone, or go in a direction that I think is right, and He’s not there to guide me, nothing works, and it will have to be redone.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I’d have to say the day(s) my daughters and grandchildren were born.

How has being published changed your life?

I feel a responsibility now to those who will read my books—and to my publisher. I’ve also had to learn to be more proactive and outgoing. This is really hard for me. I’m an introverted introvert.

What are you reading right now?

I’m nearly finished with Double Cross by James Patterson. When I’m finished with that, I’m going to read more in Joel C. Rosenberg’s The Last Jihad series.

What is your current work in progress?

The next in the Bouncing Grandma Mystery series.

What would be your dream vacation?

Um . . . I have always wanted to visit the British Isles, especially Ireland & Scotland. I’m not a fan of flying, though, and going over the water like that . . . it scares me. Still, I’d love to go there.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I don’t choose. It actually chooses me.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Maybe this sounds strange, but I wouldn’t choose a celebrity of any kind. And politicians, well, are politicians. Aside from quality time with my family, I don’t really have an answer for this one.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I used to love to sew and do crossword puzzles, but problems with my hands and fingers pretty much keep me from those. Playing games with my family—a rousing game of UNO attack (I think it’s called) is always fun, as is Boggle (when my hands are doing ok). I enjoy music, both Christian and older rock and roll, good movies, and select TV programs (NCIS, BONES, HOUSE, THE MENTALIST).

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Coming up with the right words to describe things and getting stuck and not being able to move forward. I know a lot of this happens when I’m trying to force the writing instead of just letting it come. But when you have a deadline . . . I haven’t figured out yet how to overcome the problem.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Be really, really sure this is not just what you want to do, but that it’s also what God wants you to do with your life. Once you’re sure, read everything you can get your hands on, study the craft, take classes, go to conferences, and most of all, PRAY. Don’t expect it to be easy—because I guarantee it won’t be.

Tell us about the featured book?

First a foot, now a hand—what body part is next?

The Case of the Mystified M.D. is the second in the Bouncing Grandma Mystery series. When Glory’s puppy finds a severed hand on a walking trail, she’s positive she recognizes the signet ring as belonging to a missing college professor who’s been causing a lot of trouble around town. Her insatiable desire to solve the mystery of his murder finds her in over her head with a community filled with secrets, blackmail, and arson.

With her sister Jane overwhelmed by the arson fire in her home and trouble with her fiancé, Glory latches onto an unlikely partner, and soon feels as though she’s stepped into a whacked out version of the Twilight Zone—where nothing is as it appears, and danger lurks around every corner . . .

Including from her boyfriend, Detective Rick Spencer.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

I inhaled and almost choked from the heat as it seared my throat and lungs. The air was more than humid, it actually fit the meteorologist’s most recent terminology of juicy. The deep blue of the late afternoon sky was so hazy it seemed a bit out of focus. Or maybe that was just the sweat pouring down my forehead.

As I turned toward the sound of a tractor in the nearby field, an enormous horsefly dive-bombed, landing smack between my eyes. Batting at it only seemed to make it angrier. The more I tried to dodge its attempt to take out one of my eyes, the more determined it was to harass me. All the activity increased the excitement of the puppy at my side. Misty took my strange gyrations to discourage the ardent bug as a new form of play and began barking. But it was her jumping around and tugging on the leash that nearly landed me on the asphalt walkway.

“Janie!” I called out to my sister who was a good fifteen feet in front of me. “You want to come get Misty before she yanks both of my shoulders out of joint?”

Jane didn’t break her stride—which was more of a jog than a walk—just turned and headed back to me. When the puppy realized Jane was returning, she became even more anxious, wagging her tail and wiggling so her entire body shook. It was further evidence that this beautiful five-month-old Golden Retriever should belong to my sister instead of me.

“What’s wrong Misty-girl?” Jane knelt in front of the ecstatic puppy and allowed the thick pink tongue to lick her hands and face in greeting. “Is Glory still too slow for you?”

“If you didn’t insist on running in this heat—”

“I’m not running, Glory,” she said as Misty slathered her face with more doggy kisses. “If you walk any slower you won’t be moving at all.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can find me at http://www.akawriter.com/  and http://www.bouncinggrandmamysteries.blogspot.com/ .

Thank you so much for having me here today, Lena. It was a pleasure to visit with you.


And I've loved having you.

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