JUSTICE FOR ELIZABETH - Mary Vee - One Free Book

 Welcome, Mary. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Oh, dear, dear. My life is an open book with pages copied and infused inside every character. My favorite color (orange), my favorite dessert, and deeper yet are my fears and triumphs. Veiled in story, woven with a single thread of ink dripped here then there. First in the main character and later in a tertiary soul suffering from a dreaded sickness or some other horrible drama. I’d say, pertnear most of myself can be found in my characters.

 

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Only one? The candidates for quirkiest would keep you entertained. But. God has kept me alive despite my crazy whims to do more. The winner is: During our honeymoon, my husband and I chose to climb a cliff. We carried a rope up with us for the descent. Hours later, we reached the top, dangled our legs over the edge and feasted on the pine green treetop carpet beneath us. With the rope firmly anchored around a tree, we wedged our toes between rocks and grabbed onto tree roots, working our way down—but twenty feet above the earth, the rope unexpectedly ended. Yeah. Miscalculated that one. It was quite an adventure getting the rest of the way down.

 

Oh, my. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Although I’d written many short stories for my students, I’d never considered myself a writer until that golden day when an editor sent an acceptance letter for my first article and asked for a second to be published in their national church paper. So many doubts filled my heart before that moment. In truth, those rascal doubts occasionally surface still. But with God’s encouragement they vaporize.

 

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I enjoy reading suspense, mystery, historical, biblical fiction, the classics (Dickens, Hugo, Bronte, etc.) and on occasion fantasy and science fiction, oh and young adult. Well maybe military fiction and split time too but never ever, unless tied to a chair and promised chocolate will I read non-fiction, excluding the Bible, of course.

 

Most of the nonfiction reading I do is research for a book I'm writing. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I talk with God conversation style. Confession: I’ve complained to him. Cried to him. Laughed, sang, recited His word to him. I’ve often seen later that my emotions or misconceptions steered me crazy. Good that God is in charge and always brings about the proper results instead of granting my wishes. ;)

 

I so agree with that last line. How do you choose your characters’ names?

Research. Hours of research. Google is a good friend for this project. On occasion I borrow real people’s names like Dickens did. I want a name that fits the setting, is unique yet not weird, has the right sound when spoken, matches the age, culture, beliefs, circumstances, and basically is the perfect name. But. Sometimes. Characters don’t like the spectacular name bestowed on them. They tell me to change it midship. Seriously? Yeah. Characters can be like that.

 

I've experienced a few if those. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

During my first summer as camp counselor for inner city children, God let me help a few girls see how to put their trust in Christ. In the many subsequent years, more opportunities came in Sunday School, AWANA, VBS, in the US, Mexico, and Honduras. The joy has never grown old.

 

I know what you're talking about. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

If I were an animal, I would be a mountain goat, fluffy and white, scaling cliffs, balancing on inches of rock…overlooking a sea of rugged, snow-capped peaks wildly rising above the clouds and kissing the sky. Then, in the still, I would look down at narrow valley canyons striped with blue squiggly rivers and cottonwoods. Why? Because I love to see God’s creation.

 

It is beautiful. I thoroughly enjoy his creativity. What is your favorite food?

Plain Jane. I use few spices in my cooking and always work to enhance original flavors. So, when I can strawberry preserves, I use twice the berries and half the sugar. YUM

 

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

For the longest time, I struggled with cryptic writing. What I mean is I focused on my conception of tight writing so much so I failed to paint 3-D word pictures. Reading well written books cured me of this problem like a sweet medicine. Occasionally, I fall back into the bad habit, but catch the rough sentences when editing. Caveat, tight writing is still important.

 

Tell us about the featured book. 

Today’s featured book is Justice for Elizabeth. Did you know the life of a high society, wealthy woman isn’t easy, especially when something goes tragically wrong? Social obligations and appointments fill a day from early morning to late evening. Real life truly hasn’t changed much since Downton Abby. Elizabeth Alexander can’t possibly fulfill her social calendar appointments with her husband locked away in prison. Who could when the gossipers won’t believe he’s innocent? Her family’s name is at stake. They’ll be ruined! She must hire someone who can prove him innocent. She chooses Carhill. The man who solved her dearest friend’s case last Christmas.

 

Detective Branson Carhill, a master of French, formal dance, dining, conversation, and all manners expected of one in the elite class, hides his true middle-class identity when working for his favorite clients. The rich. The witty. The arrogant. A campion force in the art of verbal sparring. How does he gain their confidence? With his motto: Your case can be solved quickly without notifying the media.

 

Wit. Friendship. Embezzlement. True Love. Murder. Justice. Humor. This is the next book to read.

 

Please give us the first page of the book.

Branson Carhill rested his hand on the doorknob to his agency, preparing himself for the next five minutes. Dreading.

The matter on the other side of the door involved his loyal assistant, Mrs. Spinnaker. She seemed to think she should be paid on a regular basis and so dedicated every morning to regaling the current solvency, or lack thereof, of his business. He let her believe he didn’t keep track of these details mainly because no one could replace a good assistant, even a detective with a perfect track record.

Granted her assessment of the agency’s finances had merit. She was, after all the best. As with every other business morning, she’d greet him once he opened the door, then insist he improve the cash flow by approving a meeting with one of the clients from the case pile towering on his desk.

This morning.

If he wanted the electricity to stay on.

Bold, rich coffee aroma drifted through the door, tempting him to enter. Such a cruel deed, Mrs. Spinnaker.

 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You’ll find a common theme when looking for my name. Mary Vee Writer or simply Mary Vee

Website:   https://www.maryveewriter.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryveeauthor/

Twitter:     https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryveewriter

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/maryveewriter

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mary-vee

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15370130.Mary_Vee

Link for all my books: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Vee/e/B01N0XTYIQ

 

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