Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #4

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 58 Comments

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Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #4

Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all 33 stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 3 grand prizes!

  • The hunt BEGINS with Stop #1 at Lisa Bergren’s site.
  • The hunt is BEST VIEWED using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer)
  • It is open to INTERNATIONAL entrants.
  • PRIZES include 3 sets of all 32 books, $500 in Amazon gift cards and many authors are offering additional prizes!
  • There is NO RUSH to complete this hunt—you have ALL WEEKEND. So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books you might want to learn more about!
  • Submit your ENTRY for the GRAND PRIZE at Stop #33 (back on Lisa’s site) by Monday night (4/25) at midnight mountain.

Is there a Doctor in the House?

Yes, indeed, there is, because I’m happy to be hosting Richard Mabry, M.D. today. What fun! Dr. Mabry spent 36 years practicinMedical Judgmentg medicine, but he also served in the U.S. Air Force, was a music minister and even played semi-pro baseball at one time.  He’s taken all those great experiences and thrown them in his creative melting pot and now writes medical suspense with heart.

The great cover on his new book and the following summary for Medical Judgment promises plenty of suspense and story action.

Someone is after Dr. Sarah Gordon. They’ve stalked her and set a fire at her home. Trying to recover from the traumatic deaths of her husband and infant daughter is tough enough, but she has no idea what will come next. Her late husband’s best friend and a recovering alcoholic detective are trying to solve the mystery before it’s too late, but both appear to be vying for her affection as well. Sarah finds herself in constant fear as the process plays out. As the threats on her life continue to escalate, so do the questions: Who is doing this? Why are they after her? And with her only help being unreliable suitors in competition with each other, whom can she really trust?

Now let’s turn the podium over to Dr. Mabry.

Letting Go

Picture the writer, drowning in a sea of doubt, deadlines, and despair. Will they ever have their work published? If it does, will it sell? Will there be a second novel? If so, can they get it published? And on it goes. An author sometimes feels like a sailor clinging to wreckage, trying to stay afloat. And there are times when the poor soul just lets go and disappears into the depths of the sea.

Think a successful writer never has this problem? Medical Judgment will be my tenth published novel. I’ve also had a couple of novellas, numerous articles, and one non-fiction book published. Yet not only do I continue to have the same doubts as detailed above, there was a time when I completely let go of my writing ambition. I quit! Fortunately, through a series of events that were nothing less than divinely directed, I obtained representation by a great agent and got my first fiction contract. I quit. God didn’t.

There’s another way we can let go, and this isn’t a bad thing. I still recall singing the chorus, “Let go and let God have His wonderful way.” I have to think about that from time to time, especially when I lose sight of why I want to write in the first place. That’s when I have to turn my novel over to the One who got me into this in the first place. That’s letting go that’s a good thing.

When I re-read the non-fiction book that started me on the road to writing, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse, I honestly don’t remember putting some of the words on paper. That’s because I wanted God to come through the chapters of that book. I let go.

Writers can let go of their writing and sink, never to be heard from again. Or they can let go of their writing and remember why they’re doing it in the first place. Their reason, and the actions that follow, make all the difference in the world.

Richard Mabry, M.D.

Richard Mabry is a retired physician, now writing “medical suspense with heart.” Medical Judgment is his tenth published novel.

 

 

 

Here’s the Stop #4 Skinny:

You can order Dr. Mabry’s book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD or at your local bookstore!

Clue to Write Down: level of

Link to Stop #5, the Next Stop on the Loop: Richard Mabry, M.D.’s own site!

My GiveawayScavenger hunt prize

But wait! Before you go, I’m offering this Willow Tree “Thank You” figurine along with a copy of my first Hidden Springs mystery, Murder at the Courthouse. All you have to do is sign up for my e-newsletter (easy sign-up in the right margin) or note that you’re already a subscriber. Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the rest of the hunt!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments 58

  1. Hi Ann! I am new to this Scavenger Hunt thing (found it first over at Seekerville). But it’s fun. 🙂

    I like the idea of animals in books…especially mysteries. I remember seeing a movie on tv that had a cat and a dog solve a mystery (it was called Murder She purred by Disney). It was such a cool concept! I’m glad you are writing with animal characters in the Christian market.

    I liked reading about Mr. Mabry’s background too – to have experience in all those fields to put into writing is great! It’s tough ‘letting go’ and deciding to write. But putting your eyes on the goal of your writing helps…especially when you know you have Jesus in your corner cheering for you to shout it from the housetops. 🙂

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      Great comments, Meg. So glad you discovered the Scavenger Hunt and dropped by here. I like any story with dogs and cats. The Incredible Journey had me from the picture on the cover. Dogs and cats have played parts in several of my stories and once, I had a llama named Cleopatra in one of of my young adult novels years ago. Murder She Purred is a cute title. A companion movie could have been Murder He Barked. LOL.

      And you are right about it being tough to let go and let God sometimes. We have a way of wanting to be the one in control. But guidance from the Lord is always good.

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  2. I missed the first three clues. Company and two conventions Thurs. thru Sunday. Can I back track?
    I am already a subscriber. 😊
    Karen

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      Sure, Karen. Just click on the link for Stop 1 above. You don’t have to do them in order. It’s just easier to make sense of the clues that way.

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  3. Loved your thoughts and encouragement, Dr. Mabry. Thanks so much for sharing. I have a blog that God has called me to write and that is my hope-that He pours out through me. There are times when I want to quit because I get nervous about how people will respond to what I write, but I know in my “knower” that it’s something God wants me to do no matter how people respond. Through the Lord and with the help of my husband’s encouragement, I haven’t given up completely yet. Thanks again for sharing!

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      Keep on keeping on, Julie. With God behind you, good will come of what you write. Glad Dr. Mabry’s words encouraged you.

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      It’s getting close to a new book release and those mystery photo games have to happen then, Kathleen. 🙂 Thanks for hunting through all the Scavenger stops. Always fun to hear from you.

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      That would be great, Faith Hope & Cherrytea. A nice cup of tea while you’re reading is always good. Glad you’re having fun on the hunt!

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  7. Signed up for your newsletter and just finished reading an excerpt from The Scent of Lilacs. All my dogs “found” me, too. Laughed when I read that. Have a hedge of lilacs in my backyard. They’re in full bloom. The scent is heavenly. Thanks for participating in the hunt.

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      Hi, Cara. Thanks for signing up for my newsletter and giving Scent of Lilacs a try. Some of my dogs have found me and some I’ve hunted down. And those lilacs. Hard to beat them and their sweet odor.

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  10. I finally think I have found an author who can fill the void in between my other author’s new releases. I love YA and Christian Historical Romance, do not like anything with foul or intense language in it and love when I feel the author relates to God. I really liked your comment about letting God come through in the chapters of your books. That speaks volumes to me. I have been waiting for a mystery that I am not afraid to purchase for fear of the language in it, but you have given me hope that there is at least one author who can do this. I will be looking into your books, but if there is one in particular I need to begin with, I would love the recommendation. God bless! Hope you are having as much fun as we all are 🙂

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      I think you’re probably talking to Dr. Mabry, Sherylette, about his books. So I’ll have to let him answer that. So glad you are ready to give his books a look. The one featured here has gotten fabulous reviews. And it could be you might enjoy some of my books too. My mystery, Murder at the Courthouse is considered a cozy and would be a good one for you too. And I think if you like YA and Christian Historicals, you might like Scent of Lilacs (now 99 cents on e-book sites for a very few more days) or Angel Sister.

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      1. Yes, actually, I was. Sorry. I was just really intrigued by his statement and want someone who feels that God is leading them along in their writing, to encourage others by what they write, or to just relieve stress by reading something godly and moral, even though it may be a mystery, or thriller (not read any of those yet, as I’m afraid of the language many will have in them.) That’s why I think this hunt is a great idea. I have been asking many Christians for book ideas, because they all know what I do and don’t like and they have no clue either. So, now I’m getting some new authors to check out and this is great! Have a blessed day!

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          No need to be sorry, Sherylette. It’s great that you want to give Dr. Mabry’s books a try. I’m sure you’ll love them and not have to worry about the language at all. If he doesn’t hop back over here to answer you about which one first, go over to his stop and ask him there. The hunt is a busy time for the authors and he may have not had time to come back and read the comments here.

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  11. I’m a newcomer to your books, but I can wait to read them. I love animals so your books are perfect for my preferred reading genre. Thanks for the being part of this scavenger hunt.

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      Thanks for stopping by, Carolyn. I do hope you’ll give some of my stories a try. The Innocent features a dog and the Hidden Springs mysteries will all allow some cats to take center stage.

      I love doing the Scavenger Hunt and meeting new reading and writing friends.

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  13. I love stories with furry critters in them. Their personalities can be as fun to read as their human counterparts. I already subscribe to your newsletter.

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      Thanks so much, Renee. I appreciate you getting my newsletter and reading my books. It’s such fun to have reading friends like you.

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    Thanks for joining in with the Scavenger Hunt fun, Jasmine and Sunnie. Love both of your names. I named a character in one of my Shaker books, Jessamine, but I thought about using Jasmine too. I went with a bit different flower. 🙂

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    I’m so glad to hear that all of you are having fun on the hunt, Mary, Rachel, Melissa, Pauline, Rory and Britney. Extra fun to see some of my regular reading friends here joining in the Scavenger Hunt. I’ve always loved scavenger hunts and these with prizes are extra fun. Plus, I’m getting to meet some new readers.

    Lynn, I love to read too. I think readers make the best friends.

    Debora & Patty, animal characters can be fun and sometimes tell a lot about those human characters that interact with them.

    Sandy, thanks so much for reading my books. I so appreciate all of you who have given my books a try.

    Reply

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