Guest Post: Mary Alford – AMONG THE INNOCENT

Happy Monday, my bookish divas and divos. Happy Independence Day to those of you celebrating here in the US. Every writer seems to have a strange and somewhat circuitous path to becoming a published author. It’s rare that an author receives a contract with their first submission (it does happen, but it is very rare). Most published authors participate in writing and critique groups, and attend writing conferences, they write and rewrite with each submission and rejection until finally, acceptance and publication happens. Thankfully, these talented folks don’t give up and we readers ultimately reap the benefits of their diligence and persistence. I’m pleased to welcome Mary Alford, author of Among the Innocent. Ms. Alford will be sharing with us part of her journey to becoming a published author. Please sit back, grab a beverage or snack, and let’s hear what Ms. Alford has to say about her best day (psst, might I suggest you put Among the Innocent on your TBR list). Thank you, Ms. Alford, for taking the time to join us today; the blog is now all yours.

When My Strangest Day Became My Best Day!
by Mary Alford

 

Okay, I know what you’re thinking—how does that happen? Quite unexpectedly actually.

When I first started taking my dream of becoming a published author seriously, I tried lots of different genres and unfortunately failed.

But I didn’t give up. Through all the rejections, one piece of advice I’d received kept popping into my head. Write what you like to read.

So that’s what I did.

I’m a huge fan of the romantic suspense genre, specifically Christian romantic suspense. If you’ve ever perused the genre, there are some wonderful authors who write Christian romantic suspense and I read all of them. I submitted several story ideas and got some positive feedback, but still no contract. I kept trying, though it was frustrating at times.

Then in 2012, I entered an online contest and was selected to pitch a story to an editor. I was thrilled. . .until I remembered we were going to be in the middle of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado without internet service.

I admit for about half a minute, I thought about giving up, but I’d fought so hard to get there.

My husband and I decided to drive to the closest town, which was Pagosa Springs, Colorado where we found internet service in front of the Ace Hardware store. I remember I sat inside our car and typed my pitch. I still can’t tell you today what I wrote because my fingers were shaking so badly. Whatever it was, the editor liked it because she requested a synopsis, then 3 chapters, and then the full. Through each request, I kept telling myself not to get my hopes up. Several months went by and then in December of 2012, I got the call that I’d sold my first book! I was going to become a published author. That was many books ago, but I still remember the strange day that I sat in my car and did the pitch that would change my life.

And then, 2 years ago, I submitted a partial to Revell and once more tried not to get my hopes up. A few months later, I had a contract for Among the Innocent.

It’s been such an amazing journey. Sometimes, I wonder what might have happened if I hadn’t entered that contest. If I’d given up and not done the pitch. Would I still be struggling to become a published author? Who knows? But I do know everything happens for a reason and I was supposed to be at the Ace Hardware Store in Pagosa Springs, Colorado in 2012 to make that pitch. And boy am I glad I did.

All the best. . . ♦

Synopsis:

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.

“Among the Innocent is no buggy ride BUT A RACE TO STOP A KILLER”
– DiAnn Mills, bestselling and award-winning author

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: Fleming H. Revell Company
Publication Date: June 7th, 2022
Number of Pages: 297
ISBN10: 0800740262 (paperback)
ISBN13: 9780800740269 (paperback)
ISBN: 9781705064719 (digital audiobook)
ASIN: B09LWN9DXD (Kindle edition)
ASIN: B09Z7C3G57 (Audible audiobook)
Purchase Links #CommissionEarned: IndieBound.org | Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Audible Audiobook | Audiobooks.com | Barnes & Noble | B&N Nook Book | BookDepository.com | Bookshop.org | Christianbook.com | Downpour Audiobook | eBooks.com | !ndigo | Kobo Audiobook | Kobo eBook | Goodreads

Author Bio:

Mary Alford 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.

Catch Up With Mary Alford:
MaryAlford.net
Goodreads
BookBub – @MaryAlford
Twitter – @maryalford13
Facebook – @MaryAlfordAuthor

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