MEDICAL MYSTERY - Richard L Mabry, MD - One Free Book

Welcome back, Richard. What kind of files takes up the most space on your computer? I haven’t ever looked to see, although I have plenty of room still on my hard disk. Unlike some authors, I keep all my prior files on the books already written and published. These undoubtedly take up space, and I probably could get rid of them, but I keep them “just in case.” I guess that, if I needed the room, it would be safe to delete them.

I’m like you. I keep all my book files. Are you a stay-at-home kind of person, or do you like to be on the road a lot? Definitely a homebody. Before my retirement from medicine, I went all over the world lecturing and teaching, but since then I’ve let the world go by. Now I don’t even want to think about getting on an airplane.

James doesn’t like to fly either. The only place he joined me was when one of my books was a finalist in a contest, and we flew to Atlanta for the banquet. That was several years ago. Please share a Bible verse or passage that has had the most impact on your life. When I was asked to be chairman of deacons at a previous church, my initial reaction was to say “no.” Then I read these lines, which caused me to re-evaluate that request and all that followed: “…who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 kjv). I have tried to apply this whatever the circumstances, and it has worked so far.

I love that scripture, too. Do you have a favorite Bible character? Who is it and why? Depends on the situation. Sometimes I identify with Esther, sometimes with Paul (who was often down but never out), sometimes with others. I recall what I’ve written in one of my prior books—if God didn’t use flawed people to accomplish His will, who would He use? This does away with my excuses in almost every case.

That is so true. What has been your favorite time in your life? And why? When I was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by my otolaryngology academy, my reaction was, “But I’m not through.” And I’m not. So, I guess my favorite time is now, because I don’t yet know what else is coming.

Do you have an ereader? If so, what kind do you use? I have a Kindle—one of the earliest models. My wife has a newer model, which she rarely uses. Mine is adequate for reading books that I’m due to give a comment about, but otherwise I prefer to feel the paper and turn the pages.

Do you read mostly print books or ebooks? As noted above, I prefer the print copies. (The exception, of course, is when I travel, but as I’ve said before, I’ve cut down on that to almost zero).

Do you like to read books in the genres you write, or do you read only other genres … and why? I read mainly in my own genre, and lately I’ve confined my reading to authors whom I trust. There are lots of new books published each year, and some of them are worth reading—but not all. I’ve reached the stage when I don’t always finish the book I’ve started reading.

Please tell us about the book we’re featuring today. I thought I was through writing. My wife, however, apparently did not. She made a few suggestions (as though we, as writers, need ideas), and I tried them without success. But the ER nurse who was so damaged by her prior near-marriage and the GP who had never moved on after the death of his first wife got under my skin, so I put them together in a book where everyone is suspected of causing a death that, at first, seems to be due to natural causes.

As usual, when your book arrives at our house, James takes it right away, and he takes a while to read a book, so I haven’t read it yet. Please give us a peek at the first page of the book.

The knuckle of the trigger finger was white with tension. The pistol was rock-steady and aimed at her chest. The person behind the gun smiled slightly. “Any final words?”

There was no way out. She wondered if she’d hear the gunshot that ended it all.

The cell phone in her pocket began vibrating, effectively breaking her concentration. Diane Macklin tried to ignore it, but it didn’t work. Nothing came.

She turned from the computer and pulled the instrument from her pocket. Maybe a way for her heroine to get out of the predicament would come to her while she talked.

There had been a call from her mother about twenty minutes ago, which Diane ignored. Maybe her mother was calling back now, and, like all her mother’s calls, it was probably of no importance. Well, perhaps this time it would be different, although she wasn’t confident that her mother would change.

When she looked at the caller ID, though, Diane and was surprised that this call was from her older sister. Unlike her mother, Patricia rarely called, and when she did it was because she needed something. Diane wondered what it was this time.

She pushed the button and tried to put a smile in her voice. “Patricia, what’s going on?”

“Mom has just been taken to the emergency room. You’d better hurry over to check on her.”

“What… Tell me...” But her sister had already ended the call.

*     *     *

The emergency room was a frightening place to most people, but a few found it as familiar as home…maybe more. Diane counted herself in the latter group. After all, she’d worked there as a nurse for several years. She knew that lives were lost here, but there were also many of them saved. To the patients and families, this was a matter of life and death. Usually, for the staff, it was business as usual. This time it was a bit different for her, though. This time, it was personal.

Where can readers find you on the internet? I blog at rmabry.blogspot.com twice a week. My Twitter handle is rmabry, and I’m on Facebook as rmabry, also.

Thank you, Richard, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. Tell your wife that I thank her for encouraging you to write another one. I hope James finishes the book soon, because I’m eager to read it, too.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Mystery-Richard-L-Mabry/dp/B09NCSD1QZ/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643131961&sr=1-1

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 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

CRITICAL DECISION - Richard L Mabry, MD - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve known Richard Mabry for a long time, and as soon as he sold his first novel, I fell in love with his writing. I eagerly await each new book. Critical Decision once again captured me in his story. The story line is unique and kept me guessing. He always writes relatable characters, and these quickly pulled me deep into the situation. You don’t want to miss this book!

Welcome back, Richard. Where do you write?

Unlike some of my colleagues who like to take their laptop to various places (from their living room to Starbucks), I do all my writing in my office. It seems like “going to work” when I do this.

I’m with you. Most, if not all, of my books are written in my office. And on a desktop computer. When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took?

I’ve covered the waterfront, so to speak. My first four novels were published by a house that was just getting started with Christian fiction, then I had an offer from a large house that published my next three novels, and finally I went back to my original publisher for three more. I’d probably still be working with a traditional publisher, but financing problems intervened so I managed to use agent-assisted publishing (sort of like indie, but with a bit of help from them) for six novellas and three more novels. So, to answer the question, I simply followed the route that opened in front of me, and so far it’s worked out.

What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

I started playing golf with a friend about 20 years ago, and we’ve tried to continue that, although lately the weather has kept us off the links. My wife puts in her time doing Grandma duty. Other than that, we’re mainly homebodies.

What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?

Never stop learning. And never give up. It’s disconcerting when you see how many new books are published each year, but I urge you to keep on trying.

Very good advice. What is your favorite book? Favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write?

My tastes are varied, but mainly I read mysteries, thrillers, and detective stories. The books and authors are too numerous to mention.

Where did you get the idea for Critical Decision?

My wife (who is my biggest fan and severest critic) was brainstorming with me, and she suggested a book that starts with a physician who finds a strange cell phone delivered to her house. Then it rings, and a voice tells her that she’ll never see her husband again unless she gives one of her patients a medication that will probably kill him. I took the idea and ran with it, and Critical Decision was the result.

From idea to final revision, how long did it take to write?

Most of my books are written in 6 to 8 months. This one took a bit longer—about 9 months.

Are you working on anything now?

I’m fiddling with a book, working title Medical Mystery, featuring a woman taken to the ER with an unusual EKG and slow pulse, her daughter who works as a nurse, and a family practice physician who has a crush on the younger woman.

Please tell us about the story of Critical Decision.

The book begins with a female physician who finds a package on her doorstep. It contains a cell phone, which rings. She finally answers it, and a voice tells her that unless she gives a patient a drug that will probably kill him, she won’t see her husband again.  

Please give us a peek at the first page of the book for my readers.

Dr. Kathy Hoover stood at the back door, but soon found that shouting “Go do your business” to her canine companion had little effect.  She was anxious to return to the office, but the dog didn’t seem to understand. She really hadn’t wanted to take the time to come home at lunch, but Darren was out of town, and Kathy forgot to let Archie out this morning before she left. If she didn’t want to clean up a mess on her return home, she figured it was best to go at lunch time and take care of that chore.

Finally, patience and the passage of time accomplished what she couldn’t manage by exhortations, and the deed was done. The dog at the center of all this seemed to sense that Kathy was leaving now. He whined to signal his disapproval. The master was at home and Archie was ready for playtime.

She looked down at the dog and shook her finger. “No time for play. I’ll be back this evening. Now be good.” She wasn’t certain the golden retriever understood, but when she turned toward the kitchen, the dog lay down quietly. Kathy headed for the garage but didn’t quite make it before the doorbell stopped her.

Kathy paused and listened to the door chime’s reverberation fade. The local TV news had run a feature just yesterday about packages disappearing from porches. What if… She sighed and reversed direction. It would only take another minute or two for her to open the front door, check to see if FedEx or UPS had left a package, and bring it in if one were there.

Kathy looked through the pane of glass beside her front door and saw a panel van just pulling away. It wasn’t the familiar dark brown of UPS, nor did it bear the blue and orange logo of FedEx. And it didn’t look like a Postal Service delivery truck. Didn’t she read that Amazon had their own delivery service in some areas? Were those vehicles marked in some way? Whoever brought it, she might as well look at what they’d left.

She unlocked the door, took one step onto her front porch, and saw a small box lying on the stoop. The package was about the dimensions of a shoebox, wrapped in plain brown paper, with her name on a label. Otherwise, it bore no address, no return data, nothing to indicate the carrier. Strange.

Kathy reached down to pick up the box. Now that the dog was taken care of, she needed to get back to the office. Then again, she couldn’t turn loose of the situation with the box. 

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

You can learn more about me at my website, and via my blog and Facebook page. I also have a presence on Goodreads.

Thank you, Richard, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. 

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://amzn.to/2ODkyyw

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, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

BITTER PILL - Richard L Mabry, MD - One Free Book

Dear Readers, Richard L Mabry, MD, my favorite author of medical suspense novels, has a new one. I’m sure you’ll want to let him know how happy you are to see him on the blog again.

Welcome, Richard. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

This is a story that has evolved over many years. It began when Rachelle Gardner ran a contest on her blog. I had given up writing, but I said, “Why not?” and submitted this line, which won. “Things were going along just fine until the miracle fouled them up.” Soon thereafter, Rachelle became my agent, and I eventually got my first fiction contract. Now that I’m publishing independently, I decided it was time for this novella to see the light of day. I hope readers will enjoy it.

James and I are both glad you didn’t completely give up writing. We love your books. If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

That’s a tough one. I’d invite Candace Calvert and Jordyn Redwood, so I’d have someone to talk with about medical fiction. Then, to add romantic suspense to the mix, I might choose DiAnn Mills and Susan Sleeman. Finally, to keep the conversation going (and add some interesting back-and-forth), I might include James Scott Bell and Randy Ingermanson. Of course, there are so many more, but these would do for starters.

Sounds like a wonderful group. I’d have to be a fly on the wall with that one. Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Since my reading in his area is very limited, let me confess that I haven’t read everything these people wrote, but I know they’re all excellent. I’d start with Robin Hatcher and Kim Sawyer. Then I’d add Kristy Cambron and Lauraine Snelling. And to give the gathering a southwest flavor, how about Mary Connealy and my current host, Lena Dooley? That should give us quite a conversational mix.

I would love to be a part of that group. Many times, people (even 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?

The populace, especially those not in the field, assume that once an author is published by a given house, they stick with that one for life. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Although I’m sure that some of my colleagues have what amounts to lifetime contracts (and good for them), many of us have to come up with ideas and synopses to sell publishers so they’ll publish our next book or two or three. That remains a problem for most of us. I’ve been fortunate enough to be under contract with two excellent publishers, and then—because of financing problems by a new house—I found myself out in the cold, so to speak. I had done some independent publishing of several novellas, so I tried it with my next two novels. And I haven’t looked back.

I so understand what you’re talking about. I’ve been with 4 different excellent houses, and now I’m also publishing some independent novels. Tell us about the featured book.

Let me give you the back-page information to provide an idea about this book.

“Brother” Bob Bannister is content with his life and his itinerant healing ministry, until one night he finds that the woman who walks off the stage under her own power isn’t one of his shills. At that point, doubts begin to intrude on his previously untroubled existence.

Dr. Abby Davis is tired of her family practice and at odds with God. Dealing with critically ill and dying patients has crushed her spirit to the point she’s ready to quit. But she soon realizes that there’s more to healing than ministering to the physical body.

Scott Anderson was the oldest graduate of his seminary class. Then again, most of them hadn’t turned away from a medical practice, hoping to atone for past mistakes (including his wife’s death) by ministering to men’s souls. Now he hopes he hasn’t made a colossal mistake in switching careers.

Each of these individuals becomes linked to the other, and each find that God has a purpose for them—but, as it often does, the lesson comes with discomfort.

I am so eager to read this book. Please give us the first page.

Bob Bannister, still wearing his suit pants and an unbuttoned, sweat-soaked dress shirt, sat in the small room he was using as an office. His jet-black hair was tousled. Through the closed door, he could hear the sounds of the last stragglers filing out of the old Albertson’s that was now the Gospel Tabernacle of Goldman, Texas. Bannister had a glass of amber liquid at his elbow, but he ignored it to focus his attention on the sheet of figures in front of him.

 A noise from the back of the room made him look up.

“Got a second, Brother Bob?” Randy Futterman was standing in the partially open doorway. Where the man had spent most of his adult life, there was neither privacy nor manners, so talking about knocking or the meaning of a closed door was an exercise in futility.

“Sure. Come in and close the door.” Good old Randy, sometimes a bit slow on the uptake, but devoted as an old hound dog. Of course, some of that loyalty came from Randy’s status as a wanted man. One phone call from Bannister could probably put him back in prison. However, so long as he did what he was told, the man performed adequately as an assistant.

Randy removed his baseball cap and held it in front of him like a shield. He took three hesitant steps into the room, halting several feet from where Bannister sat.

“Uh, about tonight’s service,” Randy said.

Bannister picked up his glass and took a sip. “Yeah, it went well. Give that woman something extra before you put her on the bus.”

“Uh, uh…that’s just it. We can’t do that.”

Bannister put down the glass—actually, he slammed it onto the table he used as a desk, some of its contents spilling onto the sheets before him. His voice rose. “What do you mean? After every service, it’s the same routine—old one out, new one in. You know how it works.”

“I know,” Randy said. “But there’s a problem.”

“Why? We’ve always put that person on a bus out of town as quickly as possible. We don’t want to risk people recognizing them and asking questions.”

Randy twisted his cap with both hands. “Yeah, I know. But…you see…the thing is, somehow this lady slipped by the ushers to get into that front row seat.”

“I don’t understand.”

“She wasn’t the person we planted.” Randy’s Adam’s apple did a dance as he swallowed twice. “I think you really healed her.”

Now I’m even more eager to read this story. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have a web page, as well as blogging on my personal page twice weekly—Tuesdays about “stuff” and Friday about “writing.” I post information that’s of interest to writers and readers daily on my Facebook professional page. I also have a presence on Twitter.

Thank you, Richard, for including my blog in your promotion. I know my readers love your books. That is an interesting cover, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Bitter Pill - Paperback
Bitter Pill - Kindle

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, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

EMERGENCY CASE - Richard L Mabry, MD - One Free Book

Dear Readers, if you love medical romantic suspense, you’ll like this new book from Richard L Mabry, MD. His stories are always so authentic to current medical practices.

Welcome back, Richard. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

I wanted to publish a “Christmas” type of story but couldn’t come up with a Christmas-themed book that fit into the genre in which I’m comfortable—medical thrillers. Then, while backing out of our driveway one morning, I idly wondered what a woman would do if, fresh from an argument with her husband, her car hit a bump which turned out to be the body of his most recent client. Add a bit of snow on the ground (partially covering the body), set the story in the Christmas season, and I had the beginnings of Emergency Case.

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

I suppose I’d invite Candace Calvert and Jordyn Redwood, so that there’d be someone to talk medicine with. I can’t forget DiAnn Mills and Susan Sleeman who bring romantic suspense to the table. And, since I want the conversation to be spirited, I’d round out the party with James Scott Bell and Randy Ingermanson. How’s that for a mix? (And I could add more, but we’ll stop at six).

I would love to be at a party with all six of those authors. Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Confession time—I don’t read much Christian historical fiction, so I haven’t read books by all these authors, but I know they’re good writers. Let’s start with Francine Rivers, the admitted queen of Christian historical fiction. Then I’d add Kristy Cambron, Kim Sawyer, and Robin Hatcher. And to round out the six, how about Mary Connealy and Lauraine Snelling? That should give us some lively conversation. (If I’ve left you out, please forgive me—there are too many who are at the top of their game when it comes to writing in this genre).

That would be a fun party, too. I love books by all of those authors. 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 not running out of ideas (which many people think would be a problem). It’s being content with my situation. I’ve moved from being contracted by a traditional publisher to indie-publishing. I won’t go into the causes of that move, but let me say that—as I try to juggle all the parts about writing, editing, cover, marketing, etc. — I look across the fence and think that the grass might be greener on the other side. But I’ve been on both sides of that fence, and they each have their good and bad points. As one very wise individual puts it, the reason we often struggle with insecurity is that we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.

So true. Tell us about the featured book.

I suppose the best thing I can do is give you the back cover copy for Emergency Case.

The relationship between Dr. Kelly Irving and her husband, attorney Jack Harbaugh, has cooled recently, but she figures they’ll muddle through and repair it. Then when she backs down her driveway, her car hits a bump that turns out to be the partially snow-covered body of a man her husband recently represented. Not only that, the gun that killed him belongs to Jack, who seems to be the primary suspect.

As events escalate, Kelly can’t decide if her husband is a murderer or the next victim. Eventually, they must put their marital differences aside to find the person masterminding the syndicate behind all this, while trying to keep Jack alive.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Jack Harbaugh sat at his mahogany desk scribbling notes on a yellow pad, several law books open beside him. This was a particularly ticklish tax case, and he’d promised his CPA friend to have an interpretation soon. He was at a critical point when his secretary’s voice over the intercom interrupted him.

“Mr. Alba is here.”

Mr. Alba? Then Jack remembered. This was the case he didn’t want to take. But he’d allowed himself to be pressured.

Jack redid the top button of his dress shirt and cinched his tie. “Send him in,” Jack said.

The man who entered his office was, at first glance, the type of individual that Jack and his partners cultivated as clients. His dark hair appeared freshly cut and styled, his clean-shaven jaw bore not a trace of five o’clock shadow, his suit draped perfectly to conceal a stocky frame, and his white shirt fairly gleamed. But then Jack reached Alba’s eyes, and that gave him all the judgment he needed. He had seen eyes like that only once before—in a criminal who was amoral to the point of having no concern for others, including their life.

Jack stood but didn’t extend his hand. Instead, he gestured toward one of the two client chairs across from his desk. Alba didn’t seem upset by Jack’s failure to shake hands. He nodded, seated himself, crossed his legs, and looked directly at the attorney. “What do you want to know about the case?”

 “First, let’s get some things settled.” Jack resumed his chair and opened the center drawer of his desk. He pulled out a contract of representation and shoved it toward Alba. “Read this. Then, if you want me to represent you, sign it.”

 

Alba scribbled his signature without reading the document. Then he pulled a fat envelope from his shirt pocket and put it atop the contract. “Here’s the fee…in cash, just as you were promised.” He held up his hand. “And I won’t need a receipt.”

“Whether you want one or not, I’m going to note that I’ve been paid, and report this as income.” Jack put the envelope, still unopened, into his drawer along with the signed contract. “Now tell me about the traffic stop and the ticket that came afterward.”

The story was pretty much what Jack had already heard.  Alba was pulled over because he fit the description of a man the police were looking for. There was no other reason for the stop, although that point was arguable. What was clear to Jack, however, was there was no legal justification for the search of Alba’s car, a search that turned up a small amount of marijuana in the glove compartment.

When Jack had enough details, he nodded. “We should be able to get you off. Maybe a fine, but I doubt even that.” His mind went back to what he’d been told previously. Supposedly, this was a “slam-dunk.” He wondered if that was because the fix was already in with the judge. Whether it was or not, he’d do his best. That was what he was being paid handsomely for.

“You really need to get this case dismissed,” Alba said.

“I’m pretty sure we can do that,” Jack responded. “Trust me.”

“I mean, I need to be free, so I can complete the gun buy scheduled for a few days after my court date.”

Interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I post on my blog twice a week. I also have a web page and can be found on Facebook and Twitter  as well as on Goodreads.

Thanks for having me, Lena. And I hope your readers enjoy Emergency Case.

Thank you, Richard, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me.

As always, 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, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

GUARDED PROGNOSIS - Richard L Mabry, MD - One Free Book

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?

They may wish to check out my blog and web page. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter.

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, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

SURGEON'S CHOICE - Richard L Mabry, MD - One Free Ebook

Dear Readers, with the coming of the new year, we have a new story from one of my favorite suspense authors. I know many of you have enjoyed his work as much as I do.

Welcome, Richard. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

Like most of my novels and novellas, the impetus for this story was my asking, “What if?” In this case, I wondered how a surgeon would handle things if he suspected the father of his fiancé might be involved with drugs. Throw in a contentious relationship with a senior surgeon (of questionable character) and the result was a novella I think the reader will enjoy.

I’ve really been looking forward to it. If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

This will be difficult, because I’m sure I’ll leave someone out. However, why don’t we start with Jim Rubart and Alton Gansky to make certain we explore non-traditional slants? Then Candace Calvert and Jordyn Redwood could introduce a medical aspect to our conversation. And, to help us if we decide to kill off a character or two, how about DiAnn Mills and Brandilyn Collins? See what kind of contemporary fiction I envision?

Yes, and I love their work, too. Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

This is a tough assignment, because I don’t usually read historical fiction, but I know I’ll want Liz Curtis Higgs in order to tap her knowledge of Biblical times, as well as Lauraine Snelling to contribute information about sod houses and pioneer days. Then there’s Sarah Sundin to help answer our questions about World War II and I can’t forget our co-host, Lena Dooley, who has won awards for her fiction of the old West. Finally, how about Kim Vogel Sawyer, whose historical fiction has lots of devotees, and Francine Rivers, whose book, Redeeming Love, is the yardstick by which others are measured? That should give us a lively discussion.

I would really enjoy being included in that party. I love the books of all the others, and I have recommended Redeeming Love to men and women who need to understand how deeply God loves them. 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?

Nothing in the writing process—ideas, writing, revising—comes easy. But the hardest thing doesn’t occur at the computer. Even though I’ve had eleven novels and four novellas published, because I’m a mid-list author (my work sells, but not at blockbuster pace), I still have to convince a publisher to partner with me. Since some authors, myself included, don’t have a “lifetime” relationship with a publisher, I’ve always found myself looking around to see who’d give me a contract next. I think that’s one benefit I’ve noted from “going indie” with my last few books.

I’m right there with you, Richard. Tell us about the featured book.

My novella, Surgeon’s Choice, features a young surgeon engaged in a contentious relationship with an older doctor in town. Then he finds that there are some things he doesn’t know about the divorce of his fiancé’s parents.

Dr. Ben Merrick and his fiancé, Rachel Gardner, can’t get her divorced parents to stay in the same room, much less attend their wedding together.  He is also looking over his shoulder expecting more trouble from a very senior surgeon who has shown he is still smarting from a previous dust-up. Ben doesn’t know if a series of mishaps and accidents are caused by a disgruntled patient’s relatives or represent more from the older surgeon.

Then his prospective father-in-law approaches him, needing money for reasons about which Ben isn’t sure. Rachel has an idea about the cause behind the request, but she doesn’t want to accept it. Then, when the deaths begin, Ben and Rachel begin to wonder if they can escape unscathed…and alive.

Please give us the first page of the book.

In the emergency room, Dr. Ben Merrick worked feverishly over the middle-aged Caucasian male. He glanced up briefly at the anesthesiologist. “Got him intubated yet?”

Dr. Rick Hinshaw answered from his position at the patient’s head. “Just got the tube in and hooked him up to positive pressure.” The rhythmic chuff of the machine pumping oxygenated air into the patient’s lungs underscored the statement. “Now I’m about to put in a second IV with a large bore needle.”

“Blood status?” Ben asked.

“A cross-match is going for six units,” the head emergency room nurse said.

Dr. Carl Rosser, the ER doctor, looked at Ben. “What would you like to do until that’s ready?”

Ben’s gaze never strayed from the man on the gurney. “More O negative blood.”

Dr. Rosser gave the order to a nurse. Then he took a penlight from the breast pocket of his white coat and shined it into the man’s eyes. He ran his gloved fingers over the patient’s bloody skull. “I’m pretty sure he has a depressed skull fracture, and it looks like his pupil’s blown on that side.”

Ben spared a moment to glance at the patient. “We need a neurosurgeon stat. See if you can get one here ASAP.”

With a nod, another nurse turned from the group gathered around the gurney and headed for the phone.

Ben turned back to his work and put his stethoscope on the patient’s abdomen, then percussed the area with his fingers. “He’s most likely got free air under the diaphragm. I’ll need a film to confirm it, but that can wait. A ruptured bowel is probably the least of his problems.”

For maybe an hour, possibly more, the doctors and the nurses assisting them worked to save the man’s life. But at last a sad look painted Ben’s countenance. He shook his head and looked at the two other doctors gathered around the gurney—first at Rosser, then at Hinshaw. They grudgingly nodded their agreement with the decision everyone had worked so hard to prevent. “That’s it,” Ben said. “He’s gone.”

Ben’s shirt was plastered to his body with sweat. He felt weak. He held out his hands and saw the fine tremor there,
the effect of adrenaline pouring into his body. He took a deep breath and tried to shut down for a moment, but his mind wouldn’t leave the problem. Had he done all he could? Was there something more?

And then, as he’d done countless nights in the months since Lawton Harrison died in the ER, Ben awoke suddenly from the nightmare. Sometimes he screamed, sometimes not. This time his dream ended in a silence that was somehow more terrible than any noise he could utter.

Good opening with a hook ending. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I blog twice a week—Tuesdays and Fridays. I’m also active on Facebook and Twitter. I have a Goodreads page, although I don’t visit it very often. And people can always email me at Dr R L Mabry at gmail dot com (I’ve used this format to avoid web crawlers).

Thank you, Richard, for sharing this new book with us. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

Surgeon’s Choice

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, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

CARDIAC EVENT - Richard L Mabry, MD - One Free Ebook

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 for further testing and treatment. When Gaines reached the cardiac unit and was hooked up to a monitor, Nurse Anna Scott noticed the man’s heart rhythm becoming more and more erratic and his rate increasing beyond acceptable limits. The heart rate sped up quickly until Gaines was in full-blown ventricular tachycardia, the beats coming at a rate of more than two hundred per minute, and the nurse knew she had to do something.

“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 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, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com