Interview with Mary Alford & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted Word

MARY ALFORD was inspired to become a writer after reading romantic suspense greats Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. Soon creating characters and throwing them into dangerous situations that test their faith came naturally for Mary. In 2012 Mary entered the Speed Dating contest hosted by Love Inspired Suspense and later received “the call”. Writing for Love Inspired Suspense has been a dream come true for Mary.

For more, visit http://www.maryalford.net/

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Welcome to the blog, Mary. I’m glad you could join us today. Congratulations on your recent release, Rocky Mountain Pursuit.

Thanks for letting me drop by, Savanna. I’m happy to be here today.

Interview with Mary Alford & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordWhen you set out to write this story, did you already have the ending in mind or did its secrets surprise you along the way too?

When I start out writing most of my books, I have a general idea of where I want the story to end. Rocky Mountain Pursuit was the same. But as is the case in most of my books, the characters like to write their own ending. In the original draft of Rocky Mountain Pursuit, Jase and Reyna ended up in Montana at a cabin in the mountains. In the final version, they were at an abandoned military base in Colorado.

What first drew you to writing inspirational romantic suspense?

I’ve always loved suspense and mysteries since I started reading Nancy Drew as a kid. From there, as I grew into a pre-teen, I fell in love with Phyllis Whitney and Victoria Holt’s books. I knew I wanted to write romantic suspense. I wrote several mainstream romantic suspense novels but still, I felt as if I hadn’t quite found my niche. Then I read my first inspirational romantic suspense and as a Christian, I knew this was the genre for me. In 2012 I entered a contest called “so you think you can write” and had the request for a synopsis from Emily Rodmell of Love Inspired Suspense. From there she requested a partial and then the full and then in December 2012, I sold Forgotten Past to Emily for Love Inspired Suspense. It was an amazing feeling. Still is every time I sell a book.

What has been the most memorable book you’ve read so far this year?

Interview with Mary Alford & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordI’d have to say, Susan Sleeman’s Web of Shadows (Agents Under Fire Series). I love everything Susan writes, but this one is my favorite of them all because it features and FBI agent AND a Navy Seal. Can’t ask for more than that in your main characters.

Of all the heroes you’ve written so far, is there a particular one that has a special place in your heart?

I think most authors love all of their characters equally like a parent. I can say Faith McKenzie from my first book, Forgotten Past, has a special place in my heart because she was probably my most troubled heroine. Faith had been attacked several years earlier and it was so horrific that she couldn’t remember anything about it or her past. She moved countless times around the country to try and escape her unknown assailant. And then she ended up at Hope Island, Maine and met a private investigator named JT Wyatt who didn’t let her push him away. JT ended up helping her put a face to her enemy and get her memory back.

But I also have a soft spot in my heart for spy stories and that is what Rocky Mountain Pursuit is all about. Jase Bradford, a former CIA spy, is forced to fake his death in order to stay alive. Then out of the blue Reyna Peterson, a woman claiming to be the widow of one of his former colleagues, shows up at his door and the two of them must run for their lives in order to stay alive long enough to figure out who the bad guys really are.

Name something you love about the state where you live. 🙂

Interview with Mary Alford & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordI live in Texas and we are known for our bluebonnets, barbeque, and our wide-open spaces. My husband and I live on 60 acres with total privacy. I love having campfires on a crisp fall day. Taking walks in the woods near our house, or just sitting outside at night and looking up at a millions stars above.

That sounds perfect! 🙂 Thank you so much for joining us today, Mary. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

Yes, I’m happy to announce there will be two more Love Inspired Books coming in 2017. Both are based off characters featured in Rocky Mountain Pursuit. The first book, will feature Jase’s CIA commander Kyle Jennings. Kyle goes back into the field as the hunt to bring down the notorious terrorist known as the Fox continues. What he discovers in the deserts of Afghanistan will destroy what he believes he knows about his past. So stay tuned.

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Have a blessed 2016!

GIVEAWAY!!

Mary has graciously offered to give away one digital copy of Rocky Mountain Pursuit to one lucky reader! Enter below and it could be YOU! ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest ends April 26, 2016.  The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!