Meet the Dangerous Pursuit Authors: Mary Alford

Introducing Mary Alford

I am thrilled to join 14 other suspense authors in creating Dangerous Pursuits, a collection of 15 suspenseful novellas, all aiming to keep you on the edge of your seat! In anticipation of this amazing collection releasing on October 12th, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to each of the authors and give you, the readers, a glimpse into each of their lives and writing process. Today, we have best-selling author, Mary Alford.

USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the un-expected. Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly bestselling list, and have been finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence in mystery, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.  

As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook, can’t face the day with-out coffee, and her three granddaughters are the apple of her eye. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog.  

Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Face-book and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryAlfordAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryalford13

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7235798

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-alford

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maryjalfordauth/

Let’s get to our interview, shall we?

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I think it was a natural transition for me. I loved to read and gravitated toward mystery and suspense. Then as a pre-teen, I tried my hand at writing my first book. It was terrible, but the spark to write was ignited and it never went out.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Most of my books are set in the mountains because that’s my happy place. No matter if it’s here in the US or abroad, you will find mountains in my stories.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Information comes in many places. Whether it’s something I read or hear on TV, or simply taking a walk. I can see something unusual and my brain starts creating a story for it immediately.   

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Hanging out with my husband is my most favorite thing to do. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing. I also try my hand at crafting from time to time, and I love to play the piano and bake.     

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The most surprising thing was how difficult it was to get published. I thought, oh, well, I’ve written a book, now it’s only a matter of time before it finds a home. That is not always the case. Sometimes you have to go through a lot of rejection to reach your goal. But it is so worth it.  

What’s your favorite part about being a writer? Research? First Draft? Editing?
I’d say my favorite is when the idea first comes to me and I start formulating the story in my head. It’s so exciting—almost like living the suspense and action for myself. 

What do you think makes a good story?
I love stories that have lots of twists and turns and keep you guessing until the very end. But I think the most important aspect of a story is a satisfying ending where everything works out and it leaves you with a smile. That’s a good story.  

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Believe it or not, I wanted to work in an office. I didn’t have any specific type of business, I just wanted to work in an office environment answering phones and filing paperwork. After doing those things in the past, I can admit it wasn’t always as glamorous as I thought it would be growing up. Office work can be hard.    

How do we find your books?
You can find them on my website, www.MaryAlford.net, as well as at most online retailers.

Tell us about your novella for the Dangerous Pursuits Collection.
Consecrated Sacrifice is the third book in my Cost of Redemption series involving the CIA. Consecrated Sacrifice features CIA Officer Branch Collins and Sky Harmon, along with the high-stakes game of espionage that is played out behind enemy lines in Iran. Where one wrong move—one falsely placed trust—can lead to certain death. And the winners can be identified by their battle scars.

Behind enemy lines in Iran, CIA Officer Branch Collins is saved by a dead woman. Sky Harmon was one of the best spies Langley every produced until she disappeared eight years earlier while on a mission in Iraq. Is she a hero or a traitor? Branch had better figure it out soon because the stakes have never been higher.

To preorder the Dangerous Pursuits collection for only 99 cents, click one of the links below.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hBqkA3

Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3hCJUvH

Apple: https://apple.co/3v1Pw6C

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3d2uDRO

Giveaway!!

WINNER of last week’s giveaway is Catrina Pomerleau. Congratulations, Catrina!

Comment to win one of two eBook copies of the Dangerous Pursuits Collection.

Don’t forget to include your email address for ease of contact. (Ends 8/2. I will announce winner with the next interview.)