Enter
INTERVIEWS & REVIEWS
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • Interviews
    • Interview Requests
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
  • Team Members Only
    • Biblical Fiction
    • Bible Study/Devotional
    • Children's Books
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Fantasy/Sci-Fi
    • Mystery/Suspense
    • June Nominations
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
    • April Nominations
    • May Nominations
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Anna Bottoms >
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Trinity Caver
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Elizabeth Eckmeyer
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Adriann Harris
      • Demetria Head
      • Raechel Helwig
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Heather L. Jones
    • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Diana Lea
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Rebecca Maney
    • Rick Norris
    • Trixi Oberembt
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
    • Kimberlee Sams >
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Katie Slocum
      • Amy Smelser
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Emily Stephens
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Ewurabena Wilson >
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • 2024 Book of the Year Winner
    • 2024 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2023 Book of the Year
    • 2023 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year >
      • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • For Writers
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • Interviews
    • Interview Requests
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
  • Team Members Only
    • Biblical Fiction
    • Bible Study/Devotional
    • Children's Books
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Fantasy/Sci-Fi
    • Mystery/Suspense
    • June Nominations
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
    • April Nominations
    • May Nominations
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Anna Bottoms >
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Trinity Caver
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Elizabeth Eckmeyer
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Adriann Harris
      • Demetria Head
      • Raechel Helwig
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Heather L. Jones
    • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Diana Lea
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Rebecca Maney
    • Rick Norris
    • Trixi Oberembt
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
    • Kimberlee Sams >
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Katie Slocum
      • Amy Smelser
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Emily Stephens
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Ewurabena Wilson >
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • 2024 Book of the Year Winner
    • 2024 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2023 Book of the Year
    • 2023 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year >
      • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • For Writers

Interviews
​

3/1/2022

9 Comments

Mary Alford Interview

 
Picture
Today I am pleased to welcome author, Mary Alford to Interviews & Reviews. Mary is a USA Today bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected, combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in stories the reader can't put down. Her titles have been finalists for several awards, including the Daphne Du Maurier, the Beverly, the Maggie, and the Selah. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog. You can discover more about her at www.maryalford.net.

Today, Mary is talking to us about her upcoming release Among the Innocent and she is giving away one print copy in the U.S. and one eBook for those outside the U.S.

Mary, welcome to I  & R!

Picture
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. I devoured every Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy book I could find, and then graduated to Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. 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 even though it was many years later before I was published.  

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Most of my books are set near the mountains because that’s my happy place. I love their majesty, and that they can contribute to the suspense of a story. And a lot of my books contain some of my personality in them. For instance, I’m a coffee drinker, so most of my stories have the hero and heroine drinking coffee, and I love animals. The heroine in AMONG THE INNOCENT has adopted a stray cat from behind the police station where she works. The cat’s name is Kitty.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

For me, information comes in many places. Whether it’s something I’ve read or heard about on TV, or simply taking a walk. I can see something unusual, and my brain starts creating a story almost 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 if we’re together. I do love to read, but find I have little time for it with my writing schedule. Those moments when I can read are precious. I also try my hand at crafting from time to time, and I love to play the piano and bake.

What's your favorite part about being a writer? Research? First Draft? Editing?

I’d say my favorite part is when the idea first comes to me, and I start formulating the story in my head. It’s so exciting getting to meet the characters for the first time and learning about their likes and dislikes. Their flaws. Then I throw them into a dangerous situation that seems impossible, but together we find a way out.     

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.

Tell us about AMONG THE INNOCENT.


AMONG THE INNOCENT is set in the Amish community of St. Ignatius, Montana, and features Leah Miller, a former girl whose entire family was murdered when she was sixteen years old. Leah left the faith and later became a police officer, but she never believed the man who was accused of killing her family was guilty. Now, the killer has returned and makes it clear he’s coming for her. Leah and the new chief of police, Dalton Cooper, must race against time to find the killer’s identity, and both soon learn they are connected to the case in ways neither suspected.

That sounds exciting! This book comes out on June 1st. If you would like one of the very first copies fill out the form below! One print copy will go to someone in the U.S. and an eBook will go to someone outside the U.S. This giveaway ends March 8, 2022. Winners will be notified here, on Facebook and through email. Failure to claim your giveaway within five days will result in another winner being chosen.

Congratulations to Marie Edwards and Linda Smith! You have both won a copy of Among the Innocent! Watch for our email.

Picture
When Leah Miller's entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah left the Amish and joined the police force. Now, after another Amish woman is found murdered with the same MO, it becomes clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her family's deaths.

As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, they can't help but grow closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin to surface, an unexpected connection between them is revealed. But this is only the beginning. Could it be that the former police chief framed an innocent man to keep the biggest secret of all buried? And what will it mean for Leah--and Dalton--when the full truth comes to light?

USA Today bestselling author Mary Alford keeps you guessing as two determined souls plumb the dark depths of the past in order to forge a brighter future--together.

Picture
9 Comments
Natalya Lakhno
3/2/2022 02:01:43 pm

Thank you for the interview!

Reply
Mary Alford link
3/3/2022 01:13:29 pm

Thank you, Natalya! It's good to see you here.

Reply
Winnie Thomas
3/2/2022 02:14:55 pm

Thanks for the interview, Laura and Mary! I haven't read any of Mary's books yet, but this one sounds so intriguing!

Reply
Mary Alford link
3/3/2022 01:14:23 pm

Thank you Winnie!

Reply
Lori Weller
3/2/2022 02:41:09 pm

Thank you for the interview! I love the books I have read so far that Mary wrote. I look forward to reading this one also!

Reply
Linda Klager
3/2/2022 05:00:07 pm

I would love to read your story about a young Amish woman who is now a police lady. I am sure that this would be an exciting read.

Reply
Mary Alford link
3/3/2022 01:15:37 pm

Thank you Lori.

Reply
Nora St Laurent link
3/3/2022 11:51:36 am

It's always fun to meet new authors and their books!

Reply
Mary Alford link
3/3/2022 01:16:45 pm

Thank you, Nora. I love to get to know new authors as well. It's so much fun to learn about the author and their writing.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Author Interview
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Contemporary Fiction
    Fantasy
    Giveaway
    Historical Fiction
    Historical Romance
    Inspirational Fiction
    Islam
    New Book Release
    Suspense

    Archives

    May 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

Services

Interviews
Reviews
Our Reviewers
For Writers
Book Submissions

Support

Contact


© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Disclaimer
FTC DISCLAIMER: All the books reviewed on this site are given to us for the express purpose of review. They are provided by publishers, publicists, authors and agents. None of our reviewers were required to write positive reviews and none of them were paid monetarily. All opinions are those of each individual reviewer. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”