Dear Readers, if you’ve
been visiting my blog for a while, you know that Doc Mabry my favorite author
of medical suspense. I’m actually reading Guarded
Prognosis right now. As always he’s layered dilemma upon dilemma in this
book. It’s progressing and getting worse and worse as I go, which I like. I
like knowing he is an expert in the medical field. And his characters step
straight from the pages into my heart. You won’t want to miss this book.
Welcome back,
Richard. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?
After false starts and ineffective efforts in other genres,
I’ve settled on medical suspense. I’m a physician who has practiced for several
decades, so I “know the language,” and I’ve read suspense stories and thrillers
for many years, so I know what makes an interesting story of that type. Thus
far, the combination has worked out for me.
And for your loyal
readers. If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where
would you live?
That’s a toughie. For several years, we had a timeshare in North Carolina that we
loved to visit, so I’d probably choose that one. But Texas is still my preferred spot.
Even during a string
of record breaking high temperatures in July? What foreign country would you
like to visit and why?
I’ve been fortunate enough to teach in several foreign
countries, and I suppose that, of them all, I enjoyed Germany most.
However, I’ll hasten to say that visit was almost a decade ago, and the
geopolitical climate has changed there, as well as many other places we
enjoyed.
Describe what you
think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.
I’d like to recreate a trip we made to Arkansas one fall, staying in a cabin with
no Internet or cell phones, enjoying the changing colors of the leaves and each
other’s company.
I grew up in the
Ozark Mountains in Arkansas .
They’re really beautiful in fall foliage. Where would you like to set a story
that you haven’t done yet?
That’s another toughie, since my stories are set either in Dallas (which I know well) or a fictitious city based on
some I know in North Texas . I have an
as-yet-unpublished novel on my laptop that features New Orleans as a locale, and I may yet try to
revive it.
What is the main
theme of this novel?
In good times and bad, God is there for us, if we’ll reach
out to Him.
There are some
seriously terrible times in this novel. Tell us about the story.
When Dr. Caden Taggart saw the two men sitting in his
waiting room, he didn’t think they were patients. He was right, and when they
introduced themselves as agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency, things started
to get bad.
Then Caden felt as though someone had gut-punched him when
his father, Dr. Henry Taggart, told him he probably had carcinoma of the
pancreas. When he talked about his son assisting with his suicide, Caden
wondered how he could talk him out of that.
When he shared his news with his wife, Beth, she tried to
assure Caden that God was in control. But as things progressed, he was unsure
that was true. At first, he feared for his freedom. Then for his ability to
cope. Eventually, he feared for his life.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
The men sitting in adjacent chairs looked out of place in
the corner of the surgeon’s waiting room. It wasn’t just that they didn’t have
visible bandages, or that neither of them winced or evidenced pain. While many
of the men and women waiting to see Dr. Caden Taggart bore expressions that
said they either needed the surgeon’s attention or had already experienced it,
these two men presented themselves the way drug salesmen do—sitting patiently,
idly thumbing through magazines, almost bored.
When he came to the front desk to hand off the chart of the
patient he’d just seen, Caden glanced at the men in the corner. He noted that
they wore dark suits and white shirts, their conservative ties were snugged
against their cleanly-shaved necks, and their lace-up shoes had probably been
shined this morning. He didn’t know who they were—perhaps police, maybe FBI—but
their presence in his office worried him.
Caden leaned closer to his secretary. “Donna, who are those
two men?”
“I didn’t get their names. They flashed some sort of ID and
badges but stowed them before I got a good look. They said they had to see you.
When I asked them why, they said they’d discuss it with you.”
“They didn’t give you any clue?”
She lowered her voice even further, although no one seemed
to be paying attention to the conversation. “They wouldn’t say anything beyond
what I’ve told you. They took a seat, and that’s where they’ve been since then.
I didn’t know what to do.”
“When’s my next patient?”
“In ten minutes. She’s post-op appendectomy and arrived a
bit early. Ruth just took her back to do vital signs.”
“I’ll have to admit I’m curious about the men,” Caden said.
“Why don’t I see them while I’m waiting? Give me a moment to get settled in my
office, then send the two of them back.”
As he entered his office, Caden glanced at the Cherrywood
desk his father had given him when he opened his surgical practice two years
ago. He wondered if Dr. Henry Taggart ever considered that there were more
important gifts he could share with his son than those bought with money.
Caden’s thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the two
strangers from his waiting room. He inclined his head toward the two chairs
that sat across the desk from him. “Gentlemen, have a seat.”
As Caden took the leather-covered swivel chair behind the
desk, another gift from his father, he took the measure of his visitors. The
man on his left was probably in his late 50s. His dark hair was cut short, and
it showed a hint of gray at the temples. The other man, about a decade younger
than the first, was blond. Other than that, they were very much alike—average
build, no facial hair, clothes neat but not flashy.
The older man pulled out a small leather wallet and held it
out to Caden. “I’m agent Darren Neilson, Drug Enforcement Agency.” He nodded
toward the man on his left. “This is agent Jerry Harwell.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Thanks for allowing me to connect once more with readers of
your blog. I hope they read and enjoy Guarded
Prognosis.
It’s always a
pleasure to host you on my blog, Richard.
Readers, 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 North America . (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,
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17 comments:
sounds like another winner! Shelia from MS
I love a good medical suspense story. They always keep me entertained.
Linda in CA
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
His books have always fascinated me since I’m a practicing physician and love suspense/mystery.
Mindy from NJ
What a good mystery and interesting circumstances! Sounds like a good story! Vivian Furbay of CO
Love a good mystery. Lincoln Nebraska
I've missed the last couple of Dr. Mabry's books and been missing them. I'd love to read this one.
Vera in Central North Carolia
I love medical suspense books, but I've never read one by Dr. Mabry. Thanks for the chance to win this.
Winnie T. in Utah
I love Dr. Mabry's books and appreciate this giveaway, as I have not had the chance to read this one.
Betti in Alexandria, MN
I always love reading a book by Richard Mabry! I’m from Missouri.
Dr. Mabry is one of my favorite authors!
Dianna (TN)
I always enjoy Dr. Mary's books. Would love to read this one! Melanie Backus, TX
This sounds very intense and very intriguing. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
I love Richard Mabry's medical suspense novels! Guarded Prognosis is high in my want-to-read list. Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Trixi in OR
Thanks for all the comments. And I appreciate the support Lena has given me through the years.
Another Richard Mabry book I am so so excited thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
Lourdes in Long Island, NY
Richard Mabry ALWAYS captures my attention and his suspense is top-notch. I would love to win his book!
Pam in OH
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