Framed For Murder
Love Inspired Suspense
by Mary Alford
FALSELY ACCUSED
Framed for helping her partner smuggle guns—and then murdering him—CIA agent Liz Ramirez must find the evidence that will prove her innocence…before she’s caught or killed. So when her squad’s leader attempts to bring her in for questioning, she knows her future depends on convincing Aaron Foster to go rogue and help her. On the run from the rest of her team and the gun dealers who are convinced she knows the location of their missing weapons, Liz risks losing the proof that would clear her name. But will eluding her pursuers—and trying not to fall for the handsome commander—prove to be fatal?
ISBN-13: 978-0373457380
with author
Mary Alford
#1. How did you become a writer?
I’ve loved to read for as long as I can remember. I started out by reading Little House on The Prairie and then moved on to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, but it wasn’t until I was a preteen that I became interested in putting the stories I’d created in my head down on paper. My first try was pretty bad. Filled with sappy romance and cliques, it’s tucked away in a drawer somewhere.
I’ve loved to read for as long as I can remember. I started out by reading Little House on The Prairie and then moved on to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, but it wasn’t until I was a preteen that I became interested in putting the stories I’d created in my head down on paper. My first try was pretty bad. Filled with sappy romance and cliques, it’s tucked away in a drawer somewhere.
For a while, I tried writing other genres, before I came back to my first love, romantic suspense. A very wise author once told me, write what you enjoy reading and then perfect it. In other words, if you don’t read contemporary romance, then don’t try to write about it.
 | For me, years of struggling to keep the dream alive would come down to five minutes in the spotlight. In 2012, I entered the Speed Dating Contest that editor Emily Rodmell was hosting. I remember reading about the contest on the Harlequin website and going back and forth on whether or not to enter. You see, I’d entered contests before without much luck. In the end, I did enter and was one of the lucky ones who got an appointment to chat with Emily. |
On the day of the pitch, I was on vacation in Colorado. At our cabin, internet service is nonexistent. It would have been so easy to say, oh well, better luck next time, but I think God was nudging me not to give up.
And so, my husband and I drove to the small town of Pagosa Springs where I did the entire chat on my laptop in the parking lot outside of the Ace Hardware Store. My fingers were actually shaking so much I was convinced that I’d typed nothing but gibberish.
And so, my husband and I drove to the small town of Pagosa Springs where I did the entire chat on my laptop in the parking lot outside of the Ace Hardware Store. My fingers were actually shaking so much I was convinced that I’d typed nothing but gibberish.
Emily was kind enough to request a synopsis. I promptly sent the synopsis out to her. Then she requested the first three chapters, followed by the full manuscript. With each request, I tried not to get my hopes up. As I said, I’d been here before.
| Yet in December 2012, Emily called to tell me I’d sold my first book to Love Inspired Suspense. To this day, I can’t tell you what she said to me other than that she wanted to buy FORGOTTEN PAST for Love Inspired Suspense. It was a surreal moment. One that still hasn’t fully sunken in. I write for Love Inspired Suspense! It's a great feeling to have your dream become a reality and even greater to hold your own book in your hands. Since that first call, I’ve sold five more books to Love Inspired Suspense. |  |
#2. Are you a 'plotter' or a 'pantser'?
I am definitely a punster, but I’m trying to reform, so I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle now. I don’t want to go overboard on outlines and character workups, but it’s nice to have the story mapped out before you set down to write it. When submitting a new ideas to my publisher, I complete a detailed synopsis that outlines where I want the story to go. That helps keep me on track, but as I’ve learned through the years, sometimes my characters have a mind of their own and they take the story where they want it to go.
I am definitely a punster, but I’m trying to reform, so I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle now. I don’t want to go overboard on outlines and character workups, but it’s nice to have the story mapped out before you set down to write it. When submitting a new ideas to my publisher, I complete a detailed synopsis that outlines where I want the story to go. That helps keep me on track, but as I’ve learned through the years, sometimes my characters have a mind of their own and they take the story where they want it to go.
#3. How long does it usually take to finish writing a book?
I’ve gotten good at completing a book very quickly. I can finish a Love Inspired Suspense story in less than two months. That’s a very rough draft, but then it allows me to go back through and flesh out the manuscript, working out any holes in the plot.
I’ve gotten good at completing a book very quickly. I can finish a Love Inspired Suspense story in less than two months. That’s a very rough draft, but then it allows me to go back through and flesh out the manuscript, working out any holes in the plot.
 | #4. What does a typical writing day look like for you? I start my day out by catching up on emails and doing some promotion. Then I begin my writing day. If I’m starting a new story, I set goals for myself on the word count I’d like to complete for each day. If I’m editing a manuscript, then I try to complete a certain number of pages. It’s all about discipline, which is critical when working on a deadline. |
#5. What do you do to inspire creativity?
For me, reading inspires creativity as does observing life. It’s amazing how a story idea can come from simply watching a news story on TV, or reading about something on the internet. Once the idea takes root, I let the story build in my head for a bit before I put it down on paper.
For me, reading inspires creativity as does observing life. It’s amazing how a story idea can come from simply watching a news story on TV, or reading about something on the internet. Once the idea takes root, I let the story build in my head for a bit before I put it down on paper.
#6. What would be one thing you wish your readers knew about authors or the writing life?
That we work very hard to create the story in our hearts. We put pieces of ourselves into each and every story you read. Writing isn’t just a job for us, it’s part of who we are and our mission.
That we work very hard to create the story in our hearts. We put pieces of ourselves into each and every story you read. Writing isn’t just a job for us, it’s part of who we are and our mission.
#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that has happened in your life as writer.
| When I first started writing seriously, I’d submit each new story query to the editor and wait with a nervous knot in my stomach. I received lots of rejections in the beginning. Some form letters, but some editors would take the time to tell me what they liked about the story and what needed improvement. The one rejection letter that stands out in my mind is when I received a form letter addressed to another author. I still wonder if she received my form letter, or maybe my acceptance. I can laugh about it now. At the time, not so much. |  |
#8. What authors have influenced you the most?
There have been so many. I have many author friends who are there to encourage and give advice when needed. The authors that sealed my decisions to write romantic suspense are Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. I started reading them when I was quite young and devoured every single book they wrote. Still do.
There have been so many. I have many author friends who are there to encourage and give advice when needed. The authors that sealed my decisions to write romantic suspense are Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. I started reading them when I was quite young and devoured every single book they wrote. Still do.
Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I’d like to tell every reader how much their support means to me as an author. I love hearing from readers, and reviews are so important. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all!
I’d like to tell every reader how much their support means to me as an author. I love hearing from readers, and reviews are so important. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all!
- Mary Alford -
 Mary Alford | I was inspired to become a writer after reading such romantic suspense greats as Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. Soon creating characters and throwing them into dangerous situations that test their faith came naturally for me. In 2012, I entered the Speed Dating contest hosted by Love Inspired Suspense and later received “the call”. In addition to writing for Love Inspired Suspense, I also writes Christian romance and sweet romance. |
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