DEAD AIR: A Waco Mystery - Mary Hamilton - One Free Book

Welcome back, Mary. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon? I’ve enjoyed writing mystery/suspense novels, but I’m not sure it’s where I want to spend my writing time. The books I enjoy most often are general contemporary ovels that xplore life’s daily challenges. I plan to try writing a story closer to women’s fiction.

Tell us a little about your family. I’ve been married to my Prince Charming for 40 years. We’ve raised two sons and a daughter, and we now have two awesome grandsons. We’re all in Texas, except our youngest who is working on a doctorate in Washington, D.C. He hopes to get back to Texas as soon as he’s finished.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? Reading in the genre you write is so important for authors. Because of that, I read far less non-fiction than I used to. Novels are good at drawing you in and keeping you reading until before you know it, you’ve read multiple chapters. Unfortunately, because I’m so accustomed to that fiction quality, I believe I’ve become less able to stay focused when reading non-fiction.

What are you working on right now? With the release of Dead Air: A Waco Mystery, I’m noodling a story about a woman whose dying mother lists five cherished items and elicits a promise from the main character to find new owners who will also treasure them. Of course, none of the items have any value to the main character, making it difficult to figure out why anyone would want them, much less treasure them.

What outside interests do you have? Early weekday mornings, you’ll find me walking at a local park. I’ve developed some sweet friendships with other walkers there. I also take lots of walks with my dog, Cinder. In the wintertime, I enjoy knitting sweaters and afghans. And I enjoy a little photography, even though the only camera I have is on my phone.

How do you choose your settings for each book? My first books that were written for young teens are set at a Christian youth camp, much like the one where I lived while growing up. My adult mysteries are set in the Waco, Texas, area where I currently live. I’m not much of a traveler, so I write what I know.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why? I had to think about this one, but my choice would be Mary, the mother of Jesus. I want to know what it was like raising God’s son, watching him die a horrible death, and then learning he’s alive again. What was it like raising him with his siblings?

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels? I wish I’d known that writing is a business. I believe most of us approach it as a hobby to begin with. But once we’re published, it becomes a business and needs to be treated as a business.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now? Trust and patience. Trust that He hears my prayers and knows my needs, and patience to wait for His answer without getting anxious.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful? Be part of a critique group. It’s hard to evaluate our own writing, so we need others. Don’t be in a rush to get published. Take time to learn the craft. Be generous in helping other authors. Regard them as partners, not competitors.

Tell us about the featured book? Dead Air: A Waco Mystery is the story of Kit Squires, who never imagined her husband capable of murder. A year after losing his job as a local radio host, Jeff stubbornly clings to the hope of being re-hired and refuses any other job. But Kit can’t support the family on what she makes as a physical therapist. And their bank account is streaking toward the red, much like her respect for Jeff. Desperate, she demands he get a job or move out.

Then gunshots blast across the airwaves of Jeff’s former show. And in the dead air that follows, Kit recognizes Jeff’s voice in his troubling last words.

Torn between the overwhelming evidence against Jeff and the character of the man she thought she knew, Kit’s choice puts her at odds with her son, Bryce. One of them has to be wrong…which means a killer might still be out there.

Please give us the first page of the book.

The outdoor tables of Kit’s favorite Mediterranean restaurant sat empty in February’s cold. But as she stepped inside, Alpha Omega’s red brick walls of the original warehouse provided a warm atmosphere. The scent of meat on the grill prompted a stomach growl, and Kit pressed a hand to her waist while she scanned the room. The purple streak through her sister’s spiky blonde hair easily distinguished her from the rest of the gathering lunch crowd.

“You got my message.” Kit draped her jacket over the back of the chair.

Jill nodded. “I went ahead and ordered for you. Figured you’d be limited on time between patient visits.”

“Thanks.” Kit settled in and scooted up closer to the table.

“How’s work going?”

“Busy, but that’s good. We need all the money we can get right now.”

A waiter set a chicken gyro in front of Kit and a Greek salad in front of Jill. When he left, Jill asked, “Any news on the job front for Jeff?” She plunged her fork into her salad.

Kit bit into her gyro and kept chewing long after she could’ve easily swallowed. She fastened her gaze on her plate before answering.

“No news as far as jobs go but—” she dropped her gyro onto her plate and drew a deep breath “—I’m going to ask for a separation.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com

https://www.facebook.com/MaryHamiltonBooks

https://www.instagram.com/mlhamiltonauthor/ 

Thank you, Mary, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I'm eager to read it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dead+Air+Mary+Hamilton&i=stripbooks&crid=6D3XBPS8EIBD&sprefix=dead+air+mary+hamilton%2Cstripbooks%2C101&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 

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