Seeking refuge in Amish country
puts everyone she loves in danger.
puts everyone she loves in danger.
On the run after discovering her brother-in-law was behind her husband’s murder, Faith Cooper can think of only one safe place—her Amish grandmother’s home. But when danger follows Faith to the quiet Amish community, her childhood friend Eli Shetler is her only protection. And their survival depends on outlasting a relentless killer…one who has nothing left to lose.
ISBN-13: 9781335722355
Author Interview with Mary Alford
#1. What started you on the “Alpine Path” (writing career)?
My writing career started because of a love of reading. I don’t remember when I fell in love with reading, I just remember reading—everything.
Like a lot of suspense authors, I fell in love with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I read all their books and then, later, graduated to Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart to name a few. I devoured their books and just somehow knew I wanted to do what they did. And so, I wrote my first book as a pre-teen. It was set in Hawaii and filled with awful cliches. But the fire was lit even though it wouldn’t be until much later that I chose to take that desire to write seriously. When I sold my first Love Inspired Suspense in 2012, it was a dream come true and I still remember the feeling I experienced at getting “the call”.
My writing career started because of a love of reading. I don’t remember when I fell in love with reading, I just remember reading—everything.
Like a lot of suspense authors, I fell in love with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I read all their books and then, later, graduated to Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart to name a few. I devoured their books and just somehow knew I wanted to do what they did. And so, I wrote my first book as a pre-teen. It was set in Hawaii and filled with awful cliches. But the fire was lit even though it wouldn’t be until much later that I chose to take that desire to write seriously. When I sold my first Love Inspired Suspense in 2012, it was a dream come true and I still remember the feeling I experienced at getting “the call”.
 | #2. Are you a full-time author or do you have another job? I am blessed to be able to write fulltime. When I worked at my last job and hated it, my dream was to one day become a fulltime author. Thanks to my amazing husband and his support, I was able to do that. #3. What is the hardest part of being an author? Sitting in front of a blank page on a new story. It’s scary and intimidating, but it is also exciting. And when those first words begin to flow, well, it’s hard to stop for anything, food included. |
#4. How has becoming a published author changed your life?
I get to create stories for a living. That’s so awesome. As a suspense author I get to work out the intricate details of my characters worst nightmares and give them a happy ending. I can’t imagine doing anything else and I wish that I could do that for those who are hurting in real life. Wish it were that simple.
I get to create stories for a living. That’s so awesome. As a suspense author I get to work out the intricate details of my characters worst nightmares and give them a happy ending. I can’t imagine doing anything else and I wish that I could do that for those who are hurting in real life. Wish it were that simple.
#5. What genre(s) do you write and what drew you to it/them?
I tried several different genres when I first started out, but those old books by Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney as well as Mary Stewart kept tugging me toward the suspense genre. I started reading all the Christian suspense books I could get my hands on and knew that was where God had been leading me all along.
I tried several different genres when I first started out, but those old books by Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney as well as Mary Stewart kept tugging me toward the suspense genre. I started reading all the Christian suspense books I could get my hands on and knew that was where God had been leading me all along.
| #6. What is the craziest thing you've done in the name of research? I would hate for anyone to look at my browser history. There are searches on terrorists, nuclear weapons, how to build bombs, different methods to kill. To someone looking in who didn’t know I was a writer, they’d probably think I had something terrible planned. I’m sure I would end up on several watch lists, if not in an interrogation room being grilled about my allegiances. |  |
#7. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?
Follow your dream sooner. I wish I had started writing seriously much earlier.
Follow your dream sooner. I wish I had started writing seriously much earlier.
#8. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that has happened in your life as
writer.
My big break came while I was sitting in the parking lot of Ace Hardware in Pagosa Springs, Colorado on my laptop because that was the only place, I could get internet to do my pitch to Love Inspired. If I hadn’t done that interview, I might still be striving for my first book sale. God always works things together for good.
When I look back at all the things that brought me to the place where I am here today, I see God’s hand through it all. When I went off on my own, in a direction that wasn’t what He wanted, I failed. But when I trusted Him. Let Him pave the way for me, He blessed me beyond what I could ever have dreamed.
In April, my 10th Love Inspired Suspense releases. Shielding The Amish Witness comes out April 1st in ebook, and print on April 13th.
writer.
My big break came while I was sitting in the parking lot of Ace Hardware in Pagosa Springs, Colorado on my laptop because that was the only place, I could get internet to do my pitch to Love Inspired. If I hadn’t done that interview, I might still be striving for my first book sale. God always works things together for good.
When I look back at all the things that brought me to the place where I am here today, I see God’s hand through it all. When I went off on my own, in a direction that wasn’t what He wanted, I failed. But when I trusted Him. Let Him pave the way for me, He blessed me beyond what I could ever have dreamed.
In April, my 10th Love Inspired Suspense releases. Shielding The Amish Witness comes out April 1st in ebook, and print on April 13th.
 Mary Alford | USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the unexpected, whether it be in a rugged mountain setting or a peaceful Amish community. Her books 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, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards. Mary lives in Texas with her husband, two very spoiled cats, and a sweet rescue dog named Cody. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net. |
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