Dear Readers, Cardiac Event is
available now for pre-order via Amazon (click the cover in the left sidebar of
this blog, and it will take you to the book). Or you can use the book icon below. It will be released on July 28
with a special pre-publication price
for the Kindle version until then.
Welcome back, Richard. How did you come up with the idea for this
story?
Like most writers, I began with
a “What if…?” question. In this case, while thinking about physician
interactions, I asked myself, “What if a couple of physicians continually
crossed swords, but then—when the older one has a heart attack—he asks the
young one to care for him…virtually holding his life in his hands?” I sort of massaged this a bit, and came up
with the idea for Cardiac Event.
That sounds interesting. I’m eager for the release date. If you were
planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six
people would you invite and why?
Wow, that’s tough. I suppose I’d
start with people I know, especially those who write in roughly the same genre
I do. Off the top of my head, the list would include Candace Calvert, DiAnn
Mills, Jordyn Redwood, Harry Kraus, James Scott Bell, Jim Rubart… That’s
already six, isn’t it? But there are so many more.
And I love reading all those authors’s books. It’s a very good group. Now
let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six
people would you invite and why?
Don’t tell anyone, but I rarely
read in this genre. Nevertheless, there are people whose names stand out, and
I’d definitely include them. I’d want Lauraine Snelling, Myra Johnson, Sarah
Sundin, Francine Rivers, Jody Hedlund, Robin Lee Hatcher…and several others.
Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so
many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this
time in your career?
It’s deciding whether to
indie-publish or seek a contract. Despite the perception of readers (if they
think of it at all), writers sometimes don’t stay with the same publishing
house for the totality of their careers. If book sales don’t justify continuing
the association, no new contract is offered. All authors are familiar with the
situation where the publisher has discontinued its Christian fiction line. And
sometimes, the book offered isn’t a good match for the publisher. Now, with the
relative ease of self-publication, some authors are moving toward that pathway.
Since I’d already done three novellas as a “hybrid” author, this wasn’t the
scary situation some writers envision, so I decided to self-publish my next
novel.
I indie-published my last full-length novel, and it’s one of three
finalists for the FHL Readers’ Choice award in the long historical category. Tell
us about the featured book.
Why don’t I give you the
back-cover blurb? “Cardiologist Dr. Kirk Martin continually crosses swords with
Dr. Cliff Hamilton, so he is surprised when Hamilton asks him to care for him after a
heart attack. When he is ready for discharge, Hamilton is found dead in his hospital bed,
and Martin is suspected of murdering him.
“After another doctor is found
shot to death, Martin’s girlfriend, nurse Janet Rush, reminds him to be careful
because he may be next. Can he save his own life while searching for the
identity of the real murderer?”
Please give us the first page of the book.
Dr. Cliff Hamilton watched the
bright green lines of the EKG dance across the monitor screen. It wasn’t until
the tracing had remained normal for several minutes that he allowed himself to
relax. I think that second shock did it. He took a deep breath and felt some of
the tension turn loose.
The patient, Matthew Gaines, was
an older male with known coronary artery disease and increasing symptoms. Heart
specialist Dr. Kirk Martin had admitted him to Sommers General
Hospital for further
testing and treatment. When Gaines reached the cardiac unit and was hooked up
to a monitor, Nurse Anna Scott noticed the man’s heart rhythm becoming more and
more erratic and his rate increasing beyond acceptable limits. The heart rate
sped up quickly until Gaines was in full-blown ventricular tachycardia, the
beats coming at a rate of more than two hundred per minute, and the nurse knew
she had to do something.
“I need some help here,” Anna
called. Her voice, only slightly above conversational level, was still loud
enough to get Dr. Hamilton’s attention as he passed by the room.
Now both doctor and nurse were
bathed in perspiration. Gaines was pale, but his heart ticked along in a normal
rate and rhythm. Despite the stress of the past few minutes, Hamilton felt the elation that went with
snatching another patient from death.
“Mr. Gaines,” Hamilton said. “Your heart acted up for a
while there, but I think it’s under control now.”
Gaines’s eyelids flickered but
did not fully open. His lips parted, but no sound emerged. He nodded slightly,
made one movement as though to sit up, held there for a few seconds, then fell
back onto the pillow. His breathing deepened, and he seemed to relax.
“Do you want me to page Dr.
Martin and tell him what’s going on?” Anna asked.
“That won’t be necessary.” The
voice from the doorway was quiet, but the tone was measured and biting. “Cliff,
what are you doing with my patient?”
Thank you, Richard, for sharing this new book with us. I know my
readers are as eager as I am to read it.
Where can my readers
find you on the Internet?
I post on my blog Tuesdays
(general “stuff”) and Fridays (“the writing life”). Readers can sign up at that
location for my newsletter, which
gives them information and previews about my books. I also post a couple of
times a day on my Facebook fan
page. My twitter handle
is @RichardMabry.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside
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:
27 comments:
Lena, thanks for the opportunity to get to know the readers of your blog better.
As a retired nurse, I love reading medically based books, especially thrillers. And, Dr. Mabry writes some good ones. I'd love to read this. The excerpt just wasn't enough.
Linda in CA
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Dr. Mabry's books ALWAYS grip my attention from page 1. Would love to win this one!
Pam in OH
I love this author! His books are always exciting.
Dianna in TN
Love all of Dr. Mabry's books thanks for the opportunity to win one.
Lourdes Long Island, NY
I love all of the books by Dr. Mabry and would love to win a copy of this one. Thank you for the chance.
Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
Oh, Dr. Mabry this book sounds exciting and at the same time allows for an emotional complexity when professionals clash and then have to interact in a personal life and death situation. I would love to read this one, but I don't read ebooks. Here is to hoping that it will soon be in print form and available
Your books are always a good read and bathed in professionalism both as a writer and as a medical expert.
Don't include me in the "draw" for a winner's copy, but I just wanted to say "Hi!" and comment on this book.
Thank you, Ms. Lena for hosting Dr. M.
Thanks to all of you for your kind words. And Vera, the print version of the book is also available. Official release is Friday, but you can pre-order it now.
As always a gripping start to what looks like a page turner. I am a big fan of Richard's books. Count me in. I'm from Missouri! Thanks and blessings!
Sounds like another winner! Would love to read it! Melanie Backus, TX
Never read a book by Dr. Mabry that wasn't a winner! Looking forward to this one in Middleburg, Florida.
Thanks for the post! I'd love to read this book. I really enjoy medical-based novels.
Winnie T from Utah
I don't think it's been mentioned anywhere that, sort of in celebration of the release of Cardiac Event on Friday, the price on my novella, Doctor's Dilemma, has been reduced until then.
Thanks, all, for your continued nice words about my writing.
Love that you mentioned Candace Calvert love all your books would love to win!
Ontario Canada
Back in the early year of 2000, around 2009, I fell down a flight of stairs and tore my left thigh down to the muscle. Eventually, I had to have surgery, and shortly after surgery, my surgeon had a heart attack. He is still alive, but it can happen at any time. Looking forward to reading this novel.
I live in Iowa.
I am sure this will be another great book by Dr.Mabry!
Martha T.
CRPrairie1(@)imonmail(dot)com
Love Dr. Mabry's books! This one sounds great, thanks for the chance to win.
Trixi in OR
Love yours books and articles, always of interest. Looking forward to reading Cardiac Event. California
I appreciate all your kind words. Good luck to everyone who enters the drawing.
I really enjoy Dr. Mabry's novels, his books are always a safe Christian read for me.
I live in London, Ontario, Canada
Hi, I am from Cochran, GA. I preorder your books as soon as I hear they are coming out. I love reading them. One reason is because it is not the same old thing in every book. Each book is its own entity. That keeps me coming back.
No need to enter me.
I am 3/4 way through this book and I'm loving it! You need to buy this especially if you like medical thrillers/mystery suspense type books. I'm "dying" to know who's involved in the murders but I'm not one to sneak peeks in the back. Dr Mabry is an excellent author and being an actual doctor adds so much authenticity to the story!
Hello Dr. Mabry and Lena! I enjoy medical thrillers. This one sounds great!
Caryl K in TEXAS
Sounds very intriguing!
Connie from KY
cps1950(ay)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for all the nice comments. To those who have read or are reading Cardiac Event, I appreciate it. For those who haven't read it yet, I hope you'll give it a try. And thanks to Lena for having me.
Sounds like a great book!Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com
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