Dear Readers, I know
you have been enjoying the romantic medical suspense novels by my friend
Richard Mabry, MD. Today, we’re finding out about his latest release.
Welcome back,
Richard. How did this book come about?
I’ve read a couple of books about the physician caring for
the current President of the US ,
but couldn’t recall seeing much about the doctor assuming that responsibility
for an ex-President. Since we have an ex-President living in the area, my
curiosity was piqued. So I asked the author’s favorite question: What if? What
if an ex-President came back from overseas infected with a disease for which no
cure existed? What if a doctor suddenly had the responsibility for this
person’s care thrust upon him? And what if the infection also involved the
nurse the doctor was dating? The novel sprang from those thoughts.
I like those “what
ifs.” Tell us about the book’s cover and what makes it unique.
My publisher, Abingdon Press, has done a great job conveying
both the subject matter and mood of my books via their covers. In this case,
the look resembles the cover of my preceding novel, Fatal Trauma, yet clearly shows it’s about an infection that
requires protective garb of some type.
Please explain and
differentiate between what’s fact and fiction in the book.
People may not believe it, but I completed this book before
Ebola became nationally known. Because I was plowing new ground, I had to guess
about the measures medical professionals would take to avoid the spread of my
imaginary infection—much as those initially called on to treat Ebola in the US
would later do. As the Ebola epidemic got a foothold in the US and became of more than academic
interest, some measures of both prevention and treatment were used that I
couldn’t have foreseen when I wrote Miracle Drug. In summary, I think
it’s valid in some respects, total conjecture in others.
How much research did
you have to do for this book?
A lot! As I’ve said, I was making up things right and left,
yet wanted them to be believable. I had to walk a fine line between fact and
fiction throughout the novel, and this required quite a bit of research.
What are some of the
most interesting things you found about this subject that you weren’t able to
use in the story?
I discovered that, although Bacillus decimus infections (as
detailed in the novel) aren’t real, there are numerous infections in various parts
of the world that are just as dangerous—and there are brave men and women who
risk their lives every day to combat them.
What inspired and
surprised you while you were writing the book?
After the book was written and edited, I followed with great
interest the stories of the health care professionals who battled the disease
and won, as well as the saga of the patient who came to America and
succumbed to the infection.
What do you hope the
reader takes away from the story?
We’re all human, with frailties and a tendency to think
first of ourselves.
When the reader turns the last page of Miracle Drug, I hope they
remember the sometimes-silent witness of one of the characters who unselfishly
faces death if her sacrifice can help another live.
What is the next
project you’re working on?
My next novel, which is already written and edited, is Medical
Judgment. It’s scheduled to be released by Abingdon Press in the spring
of 2016.
We will want to find
out about that one on this blog when it releases. What do you do when you have to get away
from the story for a while?
I sometimes escape for minutes to hours into the plot and
pages of a novel. Many of my favorite authors are now deceased—people like
Robert B. Parker, Michael Parker, and Ross Thomas—but I keep coming back to
their work because I love their writing.
I have had a weekly golf game with my friend and attorney
for over ten years. That time away from professional responsibilities has been
good for us both. We don’t keep score, and purists would cringe at the way we
play, but it’s enjoyable…and that’s all that counts for us.
Tell us about Miracle
Drug.
Back cover copy:
The infection wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. The
treatment was supposed to take care of it, but it didn’t. Then Dr. Josh Pearson
discovered why—the patients had another infection, one that was universally
fatal. The only chance for their survival was treatment with an experimental
drug, but the manufacturer might already have discarded its supply.
The stakes were high because the patients were the former
President of the United
States and a nurse with whom Josh was
falling in love. The situation was bad and getting worse by the minute. Overcoming
all this would take more than a miracle drug—it would take a miracle.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Dr. Ben Lambert stood at the bathroom sink washing his
hands. He sensed more than saw the movement behind him.
“You’re not supposed to be in here,” he said without
turning. The intruder didn’t respond. Lambert repeated the words, this time in
Spanish. “Supone que no debe estar aquí.”
When there was still no answer, Lambert, his hands wet, the
water still running, turned toward the intruder. That’s when he felt it—a sharp
pain in his left upper arm. Within seconds a burning pain swept over his
extremities. His vision became fuzzy. He tried to reach out, but the commands
his brain sent went unheeded by his arms and legs.
With agonizing slowness, Lambert crumpled to the ground. He
felt his heart thud against his chest wall in an erratic rhythm, at first a
fast gallop, then slower and more irregular. He tried to breathe but couldn’t
satisfy his hunger for air. His calls for help came out as weak, strangled
cries, like the mewling of a kitten.
Then the next wave of pain hit him—the worst pain he’d ever
experienced, centered over his breastbone as though someone had impaled him
with a sword. Lambert struggled to move, to cry out for help, to breathe.
Through half-closed eyelids, he could barely see a patch of worn linoleum,
topped by an ever-enlarging puddle beneath the soapstone sink. Then that
vision, and the world around it, faded to black, and Ben Lambert died.
Wow. What a place to
leave us! I want to know what happens next, and I’m sure my readers do as well.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
My home page is http://rmabry.com.
I blog twice weekly at http://rmabry.blogspot.com.
I’m on Twitter (RichardMabry) and Facebook (rmabrybooks), as well as some other
social media sites.
Thank you, Richard, for sharing this new book with us. As always, it will go to the top of my to-be-read pile.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Miracle Drug - Christianbook.comMiracle Drug - Amazon
Miracle Drug - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
21 comments:
would love to win. Oreo and Angela in KY
Lena, as always, I appreciate your friendship and the opportunity to interact with your blog readers. Thanks for this opportunity.
If this is the first page....I can't imagine how exciting the rest of the book is!
Thanks for this giveaway.
Connie from KY
cps1950 (at)gmail (dot) com
Sounds very interesting. I love your books. I have read all the ones in the public library.
Brenda in VA happygrammaof3{at}Comcast.{net}
Every time I see this book it makes me want to read it more. I have decided to buy The Tender Scar.
Thank you for the interview and the chance to win Miracle Drug.
Sonnetta_jones(at) hotmail (dot) com
Oooh! This sounds intriguing! I'd love to win a copy!
J.C. -Indiana-
This does sound exciting. I'm in.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I am intrigued by this one!
Melanie Backus, TX
Hi Richard! I so enjoy each interview I've read about you & your books. As I've often said before, I love medical thrillers, think Harry Kraus (which I know is a fellow Doctor friend of yours). I have a copy of "Fatal Trauma" awaiting me on my bookshelf & this one would be a welcomed addition! It does sound quite intriguing from the very first page, and the fact that you wrote it before the Ebola breakout in America is uncanny :-) I know I would enjoy reading this one! Thank you for the chance
Trixi in OR
This sounds exciting & fascinating & a touch terrifying.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I enjoy these books so very much. I would love to read it.
I am a big fan of the author.
Marjorie in Ontario, Canada
Now that sounds like a good read. kamundsen44(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
I love Richard's books and look forward to reading every one that he writes! Thanks for the giveaway.
Jackie in GA
Thanks to everyone for your comments and kind words--as well as to Lena, for hosting me.
This sounds like an outstanding novel!! It sounds so good - thank you, Dr. Mabry and Lena for the opportunity to win! Jeanie in Phoenix
Enter me.
Blanch NC
I would love to win this book. It looks so good.
Thereadmaster@me.com
I would love to win this book. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
bettimace at gmail dot com
Sounds very exciting--thanks for the giveaway!
-Melissa M. in TN
Richard Mabry books combine medical knowledge with an exciting premise to give his readers a great story. I'm looking forward to reading Miracle Drug!
Pam in Ohio
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