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
“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
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pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on
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