Happy Monday, Reader Friends!
Thanks for stopping by today. I have a new interview for you this great Monday. Author M. L. Hamilton has blessed me with the opportunity to talk to her regarding her latest novel, Pendant. I simply adore this cover. It’s so simple yet intriguing and captivating at the same time. Let’s find out more!
About the Book
The Blurb: “A field trip gone awry. A student gone missing.
Haunted by a teacher’s worst nightmare for more than a decade, Elaine finally stumbles onto a vital clue—and discovers someone will do anything to keep the truth buried. When her life is threatened, she allows the one person she trusts to whisk her away to safety in Texas. But assuming a false identity and hiding among the quirky residents of a retirement home is not what she had in mind.
Now Elaine must solve the mystery from afar, as soon as she figures out if her friend is keeping her from danger…or keeping her from the truth.”
Links: Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, iBooks, Kobo
Interview
Toni: Welcome, Mary! Thank you for joining me today to talk about Pendant. Please tell us about this cozy mystery.
Mary: Pendant is the story of a former Chicago junior high school teacher, Elaine Sutterfeld, who is haunted by the disappearance of one of her students from a field trip more than a decade ago. She stumbles onto a vital clue, only to discover someone is desperate to keep the truth buried. When her life is threatened, she allows the one person she trusts to whisk her away to safety in Texas. But assuming a false identity and hiding among the quirky residents of a retirement home is not what she had in mind. Now Elaine must solve the mystery from afar, as soon as she figures out if her friend is keeping her from danger…or keeping her from the truth.
Mary: Sounds intriguing! Elaine is whisked away to Texas. As a Texan, I’m super excited about that part. Did you create a fictional town or place her in a real place?
Mary: I used the town of Waco, because I’m familiar with it and I thought the size was just right for the story. I enjoy reading stories set in places I know, so I wanted to give local readers that pleasure. And I think Texas readers will enjoy some of the other references to the state culture.
Toni: I’m sure we will! 🙂 Who was your favorite secondary character in Pendant and why?
Mary: I had fun writing Maxine, one of the residents of the home. She’s brash, opinionated, and a little earthy at times, but you see her heart in her devotion to her grandkids and her daughter. She’s totally opposite me as far as temperament and manners go, so maybe that’s why I enjoy her so much.
Toni: It can be fun writing a character not like yourself! What message do you hope readers will take away after reading your novel?
Mary: First, I hope they’ll be entertained by this story. After that, I hope they’ll take away the importance of the marriage relationship, as well as the necessity of trusting that God is still worthy of our faith and trust, even when we don’t see answers to our prayers.
Toni: Amen! What is your favorite…
Mystery author?
Mary: Colleen Coble
Toni: Mystery movie?
Mary: It’s an oldie—The Haunting, based on Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House.
Toni: The name alone gives me the shivers! Board game?
Mary: Sequence (another oldie!)
Toni: Vacation spot?
Mary: The upper Midwest to visit family
Toni: It’s always nice visiting family. Before you go, do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Mary: You are running a marathon, not a sprint. Understand that it will take longer than you think. Use that time to develop a business mindset, because once you become published, writing becomes a business, not a hobby. Be willing to do the hard work that becoming a great author requires. You can do it!!
Toni: Great advice! Readers, do you have any questions for Mary?
About the Author
Monsters under the bed never bothered Mary (M L) Hamilton. What kept her awake was the man hiding in her closet. She never figured out who he was or how he managed to hide in her messy closet, but since then she’s imagined lots of other scary situations that she plans to turn into more mystery/suspense stories. Mary’s other interests include spending time with her family, knitting, and photography. Though not a native Texan, she’s lived there most of her adult life.
Toni Shiloh 