Sunday’s Author Spotlight: Mary Anne Edwards

Giveaway June 28th, 2015 34 comments

28th
Jun
Today I’m excited to have author Mary Anne Edwards on the
Sunday’s Author Spotlight. Mary Anne is the author of the Charlie McClung
Mystery series, consisting the books ‘Brilliant Disguise’ and ‘A Good
Girl’.  The third book in the Charlie
McClung Mystery series called ‘Criminal Kind’ will be published on June 30th.
Learn more about Mary Anne and her books today here on
Maureen’s Books.

About ‘Brilliant Disguise’ (Charlie McClung Mystery #1):

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20625936-brilliant-disguise?from_search=true&search_version=service_impr
Detective Charlie McClung no longer finds his job
fulfilling and has given up finding that “someone” his granny
promised he would find. So he leaves behind the big city and his close-knit
family and takes a job in a small town police department in Georgia, resigned
to live a quiet life in solitude.

Things change when he meets Marian Selby while investigating the mysterious
death of her best friend. But Marian swore never to love again after the death
of her husband 11 years ago. What seems to be a suicide turns into a tangled
web of deceit, corruption, and complicated shadows.

Can the two of them come to grips with their feelings for each other before the
killer closes in on them? 

This book is available at Amazon.

 About ‘A Good Girl’ (Charlie McClung Mystery #2):

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23252275-a-good-girlFor Charlie McClung, going home to Virginia with Marian
was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but upon arrival at his childhood home,
he’s met with a note instead of his family. “Don’t worry, Love, we’re all okay.
Come to the shop.
A dead girl was found in an armoire delivered just now.
Huggies, Ma” Charlie is quickly recruited to help solve the murder of a young
girl who was on the path to becoming a nun. The suspects begin to mount as
Charlie delves deep into the girl’s life revealing a sordid and ugly side of
the town’s good girl. “Is there anything more fun to read than a book that’s
equal parts captivating mystery and charming romance?
This book is available at Amazon.

About ‘Criminal Kind’ (Charlie McClung Mystery #3):

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25801854-criminal-kind
It’s the perfect setting for a romantic getaway at sea:
Caribbean breezes, clear blue skies, passionate nights, and murder? Not exactly
what Detective Charlie McClung and Marian had in mind for their honeymoon. When
one of their fellow passengers is murdered on her 35th wedding anniversary,
Charlie and Marian get pulled into the investigation. Who would want to kill
poor Tammy Ferguson in such a brutal way? As Charlie uncovers more sordid
details about Tammy and her husband, Peter, it becomes clear that someone else
has found the same skeletons in the Ferguson’s closet and Tammy has paid the
price. Is Peter next?

Trapped on the ship with an insidious killer, shadows seem more ominous and
even the most innocent faces seem sinister. Has Charlie inadvertently put
Marian in harm’s way? How long does Charlie have before the hunter becomes the
hunted?

This book will be published on June 30th. 

Interview:

Tell me about who Mary Anne Edwards is? 
Well, I’ve been married for 34+ years to the most
practically perfect man in the universe. I have a Tuxedo cat named Gertrude.
Let see what else … I’ve shown Appaloosa horses, taught aerobics, and slid down
the side of a snowy dam (I thought I was a goner). I’ve zipped-lined, once is
more than enough for me. I was born in Mercedes, Texas, but I’ve lived most of
my life in Georgia. I love to read and watch crime documentaries, movies, and
series.
Did you always wanted to become an author? 
To be honest, no, but I think I was born with a book,
pen, and paper in my hand. My mother loved to read and write all sorts of
things, like short stories, poems, songs, things like that. So I followed her
lead. I wrote poems and short stories for my own enjoyment. I didn’t think I
had the talent to become an author.
What made you start writing? And who are your
inspirations?
My husband encouraged me to submit my short stories for
publication. And much to my surprise, they were published. I actually received
money! So that was the start of my writing career. My inspirations Agatha
Christie, Elizabeth Peters, Caroline Graham, and Anne Perry. Believe or not, I
consider Tom Petty’s music my biggest inspiration.

What do you love most about being an author?
I love creating people and dialogue, being a puppeteer of
sorts. I love, love meeting my readers! They give such energy and
encouragement.
What is the best thing that happened since you’re book
‘Brilliant Disguise’ came out?
The best thing is all the friends I have made and all the
awesome authors and bloggers I’ve met. My biggest thrill, I have to say, was
meeting my all-time favorite author, Anne Perry, such a wonderful lady.
Tell us about your books? How did you come to the idea of
writing them?
My books are set Georgia during the early 1980s. The two
main protagonists are in their 40s. I feel my characters are likable and
believable, not stereotypes. The books are not only murder mysteries, but there
is romance and a foodie aspect to them. The books are well-researched. I
partner with a county medical examiner,  FBI agent, a chief of police, poison experts,
nurse practitioner, just to name a few of my resources. The first book,
“Brilliant Disguise,” is loosely based on a true story. The second book, “A
Good Girl,” come from a Tom Petty song and a news story. The third book,
“Criminal Kind,” also from a Tom Petty song and my imagination.
Where do you go to write your books? And where do you get
the inspiration?
I have a spare bedroom that was converted into my
library. I have a big comfy chair next to a window. That’s where I sit and write,
with my laptop and a glass of Dr Pepper Ten. Sometimes Gertrude will crawl onto
my lap, then I have to type at an angle. I love my cat. Inspiration is all
around me, music, family, friends, and life in general.
What are your future plans in writing?
I have another seven books planned in the Charlie McClung
series, could be more. I plan to dust of my first manuscript, “Useless Beauty,”
and have it published. I’m also thinking of re-releasing my collection of short
stories, “My Favorite Work of Art.”
What is your favorite book?
If I have to choose only one, it would be “River God” by
Wilbur Smith. But I love all of Anne Perry’s books, as well as, Elizabeth
Peters, and I can’t forget Agatha Christie and Caroline Graham.
What would you advice to new aspiring authors?
Just write it. Get a good editor, graphic designer, and
honest beta readers. Sounds simple but I’ll be honest with you, it’s not. The
writing part is the easiest, the most fun. Finding good, reliable, solid
support is tough. But marketing, marketing is the toughest job. But you can do
it! It’s so rewarding and exciting to hold that first printed copy in your
hand. And even more thrilling is when you receive your first 5-star review. The
biggest thrill is when someone stands before you with a huge smile and asks,
“Will you sign my copy?”

About the Author:

Mary Anne was born in Mercedes, Texas, but has lived in
Georgia most of her life.  She has had a
variety of experiences in her life. Some were great and some, well let’s just
say Mary Anne has learned many lessons the hard way. 
Mary Anne has been married for nearly 35 years to the
most practically perfect man. They have a newly adopted Tuxedo cat named
Gertrude. They enjoy traveling and watching mysteries on TV. Mary Anne is
active in Sisters in Crime Atlanta Chapter, Mystery Writers of America and sits
on the advisory board of Rockdale Cares, Inc., a non-profit advocacy group for
the developmentally challenged.
Although Mary Anne began writing in high school, she
didn’t get serious about it until 1999. She writes traditional mysteries that
are influenced by some of her favorite authors:  Agatha Christie, Anne Perry, Caroline Graham,
and Elizabeth Peters.  
Her first book in the Detective Charlie McClung mysteries,
“Brilliant Disguise” was released on January 21, 2014. The next book in the
series, “A Good Girl”, was released on September 23, 2014. Mary Anne is
currently working on the third book in the series, “Criminal Kind”; there are seven
more to follow .
For more information about Mary Anne Edwards and her
books please visit her website, Facebook, Google +, Twitter, Pinterest and
Linkedin. 

Giveaway:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Thank you for visiting Maureen’s Books!

 


Maureen 

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34 Responses to “Sunday’s Author Spotlight: Mary Anne Edwards”

    • Maureen Bakker
      Maureen Bakker on June 29, 2015 at 3:49 am

      You're very welcome! Thank you for participating 😉

      Reply
  2. Robin Coxon
    Robin Coxon on June 28, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    I enjoy the Charlie McClung series and getting to know Mary Anne Edwards has been great. Thanks for the chance to win her book.

    Reply
  3. Cassie Sparks
    Cassie Sparks on June 28, 2015 at 5:35 pm

    Such awesome sounding books. I hope to get the chance to read all of them!

    Reply
  4. teena3940
    teena3940 on June 28, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    Great looking books. Loved the interview too.. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Mary Holshouser
    Mary Holshouser on June 28, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    this would be a new series for me. the plots sound interesting and something I would like.
    Have to try them out. Maybe I'll get this one and I can get started.
    thanks.

    Reply
  6. Brenda Dickson
    Brenda Dickson on June 28, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    What a great interview! I learned so much about you. I can't wait to read the Criminal Kind Series.

    Reply
  7. Natalie Alder
    Natalie Alder on June 28, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    New fan of Mary Anne…and now, of Maureen as well!

    Reply
  8. Linda Romer
    Linda Romer on June 28, 2015 at 11:58 pm

    Hello Mary Anne, i'm looking forward to reading your books. Thank you

    Reply
  9. nancy
    nancy on June 29, 2015 at 2:16 am

    Thank you for introducing me to a new author. Congratulations on your new release.

    Reply
  11. L J Dogsmom
    L J Dogsmom on June 29, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    This is a wonderful series. And the author is so nice to her readers!

    Reply
  12. Michele Hayes
    Michele Hayes on July 13, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    The books sound great and I would love to win them. Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
    • Maureen Bakker
      Maureen Bakker on July 14, 2015 at 6:45 am

      You're very welcome! Thank you so much for stopping by 😉

      Reply

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