THE CASE OF THE MYSTIFIED M. D. - A. K. Arenz - Free Book

Welcome back to the blog. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I have always enjoyed reading mystery/suspense/thriller type books, so it seemed to be a natural extension. But I’ve found that I can’t write anything if God doesn’t move me to do it. That might sound trite, but it’s true. If I try to go it alone, or go in a direction that I think is right, and He’s not there to guide me, nothing works, and it will have to be redone.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I’d have to say the day(s) my daughters and grandchildren were born.

How has being published changed your life?

I feel a responsibility now to those who will read my books—and to my publisher. I’ve also had to learn to be more proactive and outgoing. This is really hard for me. I’m an introverted introvert.

What are you reading right now?

I’m nearly finished with Double Cross by James Patterson. When I’m finished with that, I’m going to read more in Joel C. Rosenberg’s The Last Jihad series.

What is your current work in progress?

The next in the Bouncing Grandma Mystery series.

What would be your dream vacation?

Um . . . I have always wanted to visit the British Isles, especially Ireland & Scotland. I’m not a fan of flying, though, and going over the water like that . . . it scares me. Still, I’d love to go there.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I don’t choose. It actually chooses me.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Maybe this sounds strange, but I wouldn’t choose a celebrity of any kind. And politicians, well, are politicians. Aside from quality time with my family, I don’t really have an answer for this one.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I used to love to sew and do crossword puzzles, but problems with my hands and fingers pretty much keep me from those. Playing games with my family—a rousing game of UNO attack (I think it’s called) is always fun, as is Boggle (when my hands are doing ok). I enjoy music, both Christian and older rock and roll, good movies, and select TV programs (NCIS, BONES, HOUSE, THE MENTALIST).

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Coming up with the right words to describe things and getting stuck and not being able to move forward. I know a lot of this happens when I’m trying to force the writing instead of just letting it come. But when you have a deadline . . . I haven’t figured out yet how to overcome the problem.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Be really, really sure this is not just what you want to do, but that it’s also what God wants you to do with your life. Once you’re sure, read everything you can get your hands on, study the craft, take classes, go to conferences, and most of all, PRAY. Don’t expect it to be easy—because I guarantee it won’t be.

Tell us about the featured book?

First a foot, now a hand—what body part is next?

The Case of the Mystified M.D. is the second in the Bouncing Grandma Mystery series. When Glory’s puppy finds a severed hand on a walking trail, she’s positive she recognizes the signet ring as belonging to a missing college professor who’s been causing a lot of trouble around town. Her insatiable desire to solve the mystery of his murder finds her in over her head with a community filled with secrets, blackmail, and arson.

With her sister Jane overwhelmed by the arson fire in her home and trouble with her fiancé, Glory latches onto an unlikely partner, and soon feels as though she’s stepped into a whacked out version of the Twilight Zone—where nothing is as it appears, and danger lurks around every corner . . .

Including from her boyfriend, Detective Rick Spencer.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

I inhaled and almost choked from the heat as it seared my throat and lungs. The air was more than humid, it actually fit the meteorologist’s most recent terminology of juicy. The deep blue of the late afternoon sky was so hazy it seemed a bit out of focus. Or maybe that was just the sweat pouring down my forehead.

As I turned toward the sound of a tractor in the nearby field, an enormous horsefly dive-bombed, landing smack between my eyes. Batting at it only seemed to make it angrier. The more I tried to dodge its attempt to take out one of my eyes, the more determined it was to harass me. All the activity increased the excitement of the puppy at my side. Misty took my strange gyrations to discourage the ardent bug as a new form of play and began barking. But it was her jumping around and tugging on the leash that nearly landed me on the asphalt walkway.

“Janie!” I called out to my sister who was a good fifteen feet in front of me. “You want to come get Misty before she yanks both of my shoulders out of joint?”

Jane didn’t break her stride—which was more of a jog than a walk—just turned and headed back to me. When the puppy realized Jane was returning, she became even more anxious, wagging her tail and wiggling so her entire body shook. It was further evidence that this beautiful five-month-old Golden Retriever should belong to my sister instead of me.

“What’s wrong Misty-girl?” Jane knelt in front of the ecstatic puppy and allowed the thick pink tongue to lick her hands and face in greeting. “Is Glory still too slow for you?”

“If you didn’t insist on running in this heat—”

“I’m not running, Glory,” she said as Misty slathered her face with more doggy kisses. “If you walk any slower you won’t be moving at all.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can find me at http://www.akawriter.com/  and http://www.bouncinggrandmamysteries.blogspot.com/ .

Thank you so much for having me here today, Lena. It was a pleasure to visit with you.


And I've loved having you.

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Author A. K. Arenz - THE CASE OF THE BOUNCING GRANDMA - Free Book

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

While many of my lead characters and I share similar traits—faith and moral values, taste in music, etc., Glory Harper is actually the first character I’ve created that has more than just a passing resemblance. Glory’s sense of humor, her age, and the fact that she’s a grandmother are just a few of the things we have in common.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I don’t know if this is considered quirky, but I’ve come up with an alternative way of typing when the hypersensitivity in my fingers/hands makes it too painful to do it the normal way. I’ve found that if I wear a pair of white cotton gloves and tuck a pencil between the index and middle fingers on each hand, I can continue typing. It’s awkward, and looks pretty silly, but it works.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I was twelve and in seventh grade. I’d started a mystery called The Adventures of Christopher and Christina which got passed around during the study halls we shared with upper classmen. When people started asking for more of the story, I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.

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

My favorites are suspense and mysteries, though I’m really open to most genres—except pure romance. A few years back, I read everything I could get my hands on regarding end times interpretations. These included Hal Lindsey, John Hagee, Marvin Rosenthal, David Jeremiah, and many others. It was a fascinating study that I hope to use some day in a future novel.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

Confession time here…you know how I said I didn’t like romance? Well, back in the early 80s I tried my hand at writing for Harlequin America (I think that’s what it was called). The editor there was very encouraging, liked my writing, just wanted me to treat the subject matter more seriously—they weren’t into comedy at the time. Sooo, I have a couple of those buried deeply in a closet.

Mostly, though, I have several manuscripts ranging from mystery/suspense to the type of romantic suspense authors like Phyllis A. Whitney and Mary Stewart wrote. I’m also working on a Women’s Fiction/Contemporary about spousal abuse.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Um…that would mean that I was sane in the first place, right? So, I guess the answer to that is without a lot of prayer, I wouldn’t be able to do a thing.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

This is not a conscious thing for me. I mean, most of the time a name will just come to me and as time goes by, so will the story that surrounds the character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My daughters—they are both incredible young women.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A cat because their curiosity about things even surpasses mine!

What is your favorite food?

I’m looking for something that tastes good and doesn’t have any calories. I’ll let you know when I find it!

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

Back in the middle 90s, I thought I’d finally made it. I had a New York agent with a well-known literary agency. My hopes were high and things were going well. But, after five years of disappointments and some personal issues not related to writing, the agent and I parted ways, and I stopped writing. Sort of.

It took several years for me to realize that I couldn’t just let it all go. But, after all the time away, I didn’t know where to start, what to do. By this time, I was reading as many Christian fiction books as I was secular, and ideas were forming that added to my confusion. I’d love to write Christian fiction, but what were my qualifications? What were the Christian publishers looking for? These questions and the thought of starting over scared me to death.

I’d just read Eyes of Elisha by Brandilyn Collins and dropped her an email. She led me to ACFW and my re-education began. Now, a few years later, my first novel is being published.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Even if you think you know all the ins and outs of the publishing world, keep reading; keep learning. And, above all, when you’re down and frustrated and think the world is against you…stop, take a deep breath, and reach out to the One who gives hope when all seems lost. Remember, through Him, all things are possible.



What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

The Case of the Bouncing Grandma is a cozy mystery with a hen-lit feel. The heroine, Glory Harper, is not your typical grandmother. While others may be baking cookies and smiling at their grandchildren's antics, Glory’s out with her seven-year-old grandson, joining in the fun. Their most recent adventure, skateboarding, resulted in Glory's broken leg and Seth's awestruck admiration. Affectionately called his "Bouncing Grandma," Glory hasn't been doing much bouncing these last six weeks with her leg in a cast and stuck in a wheelchair. But, things are about to change.

The first of the Bouncing Grandma Mysteries begins when Glory spies a foot dangling out of a rolled Oriental rug as it's carried into her new neighbor's house. Determined to discover what's going on, and undeterred by police officers who try to convince her it was simply part of a mannequin, Glory sets off on a new adventure with far higher stakes--those of life and death. With the aid of her sister, Jane, the occasional help of a police detective who is a dead ringer for Harrison Ford, a lot of prayer, and more twists and turns than even Glory could have dreamed of, fifty-two year old widow, Glory Harper finds romance when she least expects it...and a mystery to die for.

I believe that Baby Boomers and others will relate to Glory's escapades and the desire to be a fun grandparent, as well as her determination to stay young and active--in spite of a few mishaps along the way.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m at www.akawriter.com

Thank you so much, Lena. I’ve loved visiting with you today!

And I enjoyed having you.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of The Case of the Bouncing Grandma.