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Looking Out the Window: Mary Ball Talks about Her Romantic Suspense, Escape to Big Fork Lake. She'll Give Away a Copy.



Mary will give away EITHER a print book or an e-book. To enter to win, leave a comment and an email address.

Hi Mary, what a pleasure to have you on Peering Through Life’s Window. Tell us a little about yourself.
 I enjoy creating fiction novels and Christian articles.

Inspirational Suspense and Mysteries are my favorite, but anything I write (unless it’s non-fiction) has to have romance. I’m just a romantic at heart. My main goal in scribing is to show how people face adversity and overcome through divine mercy and grace.
My days are filled with keeping my grandsons. My schedule also includes doing what I can to support my husband’s ministry. Hubby and I enjoy singing southern gospel, and we go to other churches and re-habitation facilities when time permits. I enjoy the outdoors, especially fishing. Between all that, I must scribe. There’s always a story or devotional floating around in my head.

Wow. You have lots of talents. Many writers enjoyed reading as a child. How about you? If so, what did you read?
Yes, I loved the book fairs and to get among a shelf of books (still do) my favorite books were the, “Nancy Drew Mysteries.”

I loved Nancy Drew also. Tell us about your latest book.
My coming soon novel is Stone of Destiny.

The sapphire is said to symbolize mental clarity, faithfulness and truth. For centuries, the legion of the Harrison family revolved around a ring. The family stone believed to have divine favors that transform lives-sometimes forever.

 Taylor has given up on everything but her work. After becoming the youngest CEO of Mugful’s Beverage Company, she believes life is complete. That is until her grandmother asks her to oversee renovations at the family home, in addition to searching for a missing heirloom.

 First contact with what she believes is an insignificant ring, lost for fifty years, sends her life spinning. Taylor experiences strange dreams. Feelings surface; she doesn't understand; mere thoughts that should remain unspoken, are voiced. 

 Taylor’s emotional journey begins, testing a heart as cold as the ring itself-forcing her to question everything she believes.

 Is this a fairy-tale or her soul, reaching out for a different world, a life she can only find through faith and a divine trust in God?  

What inspired you to write this particular book?
My Grandson loves to read those magical novels geared toward the young teens. One day as he was reading I thought “Wouldn’t it be nice to write a novel about another kind of wondrous happening that often surrounds a Christian’s life.”

So Stone of Destiny was born. I chose the Sapphire gem to be the focus heirloom because sapphire is my birthstone. Then later during the first preparation for publication the editor–in-chief of Prism Book Group told me to research the Christian meaning of the sapphire. I was so amazed that it meant mental clarity, heavenly joy and truth. To me that was affirmation of the story.

How interesting. In three words describe your style of writing.    
Simplicity, faith and overcoming.

 What themes do you write about?
I tackle faith and turning your life over to the Lord.

What is your writing schedule and where do you write?
I haven’t got a schedule, I write as often as I can, when I can. My life is hectic with an aging parent (lives next door) who has dementia, church and family duties, but I try to transcribe something at least, every other day. Right now while writing this I’m also making deviled eggs. :-) I either write in my office/singing room or on my laptop.  

What are you working on right now?
My WIP is dubbed Redemption in Big Fork Lake. This novel takes us back to Big Fork Lake to visit Sam, Noah and Belle. The main Character is Rob. The subject is Alcoholism. I’ve spent countless hours reaching for this novel- for me it’s emotionally draining.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Never give up. Write and re-write then submit your work until someone notices.

Tell us something just for fun. How about the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you?
 Hum… there’re several. My husband says I’m accident prone.  One would be me falling on the floor at church while stepping up on stage to sing. Thank God, I chose to wear a long dress that day.

Oh my, I'm glad you didn't get hurt, and you can laugh about it now. Thank you, Mary.


About Escape to Big Fork Lake
Will an inheritance bring new happiness or a trap for murder?

 Bad luck seems to follow Sam Blacker. She loses her job and faces daily struggles keeping her drunken neighbor away from her. When an unexpected inheritance gives her a chance for a new beginning, Sam, a city girl at heart, is hesitant. However, after a brutal attack she has no choice.
Making a decision that will forever change her life she flees to the small fishing town of Big Fork Lake, Alabama and soon finds herself in the arms of Noah Frye. A tumultuous relationship with Noah sparks buried desires of the heart, even if he is a Christian, surely, she can get around that little problem.

As Sam and Noah’s passion grows trouble lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching. Inescapable, Sam’s bad luck returns when she stumbles upon a murder and becomes the only suspect. Will she have to run again, this time to stay out of prison? Worse, will she lose the best man she’s ever found? And what about the newfound hunger in heart to know God—can she truly trust in Him?

Bio
 Besides creating a life for her fictional characters Mary L. Ball enjoys fishing, singing gospel music with her husband and supporting his ministry. 

Learn more about Mary and her books at http://marylouwrites.weebly.com

Comments

Connie Almony said…
Great interview. Please enter me to win!
Miss Mae said…
So many of us grew up reading Nancy Drew! Wow, are we kindred spirits or what? Because the love of Nancy called us to become authors in our own right. :)

Love the fact that Mary can give an interview and cook deviled eggs at the same time. :)

Love your cover, Mary, and I love romance mysteries too. Best to you! :)
CH said…
Wonderful interview. It's nice that there are Christian authors whose books we can trust to be clean as well as entertaining.
CH said…
Wonderful interview. It's nice that there are Christian authors whose books we can trust to be clean as well as entertaining.
June Foster said…
Mary, your romantic suspense sounds great. I really admire your for your singing talent - singing in a gospel group. Here's wishing you many sales. June
Mary L. Ball said…
Thanks everyone. We writers do know how to juggle tasks at times.
It's a must if you have a busy family.

Thanks for the thumbs-up on singing. I try to bring God's mercy forth for all to know.
Gay N Lewis said…
Good interview. Mary, I'm so happy to hear someone besides me is accident prone. When you fell, you certainly captured attention!
Lynn Lovegreen said…
Kudos from another Nancy Drew fan. I didn't know the significance of the sapphire--very cool!
lynnlovegreen@gmail.com
Mary L. Ball said…
Yes, I' ma bit accident prone at times I grew up I VA and hubby says I have mountain feet that don't work well at times.

Just thinking about the Nancy Drew stories makes me want to pull out an old book and re-read one of her mysteries.

You know when I finished writing Stone of destiny I retrieved my birthstone ring from way in the back of the jewelry box and slipped it on my finger once again. I look at now with a different view.

sue harrison said…
I'd love to win! Best wishes in your writing career, Mary!
sue harrison said…
Oh-oh, I forgot to leave my email address: sue@sueharrison.com
Cheri S. said…
I would love a chance to win. Thanks for this opportunity.

clSwalwell@gmail.com

in Him,

Cheri :)
Cheri S. said…
Thank you for this opportunity. I would love a chance to win.

clSwalwell@gmail.com

in Him,

Cheri :)
joye said…
Enjoyed reading the interview. Your book sounds wonderful. Would love to win it
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com
Anonymous said…
Would love to win a copy of your book.
Janice H.

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