Monday, March 6, 2017

How One Book Became a Series

Today I'm happy to host my dear friend and fellow mystery writer, Pat Gligor. Pat has written a mystery series whose characters deal with serious issues. Her latest, Marnie Malone, will be out March 14th, just in time for a St. Paddy's Day read.

When I wrote Mixed Messages, I intended it to be a standalone mystery/suspense novel. I had no idea the book would end up being the first in a five book series. But, somewhere along the line, I realized that, in order to tell “the rest of the story,” I would need to write a second book. Unfinished Business is that book. An appropriate title, I think, and like Mixed Messages, it has a double meaning.

By the time I finished writing Unfinished Business, I had become so fond of my characters and so wrapped up in their lives that they were almost real to me. I had to find out what would happen to them next.
So I went on to write the next three books: Desperate Deeds, Mistaken Identity and my new release, Marnie Malone, which will be available on March 14th. The first three books take place on the west side of Cincinnati (my hometown) and the last two are set in different locations in South Carolina, a state I’ve visited many times.

While each book may be read as a standalone, the series is the saga of the Malone family and the struggles they face. With each new book, the characters change and grow as they deal with a multitude of problems and are involved in several dangerous, sometimes life-threatening, situations. But through it all, the underlining message in each book is one of Hope.

With St. Patrick’s Day only three days after the release, the timing of Marnie Malone couldn’t be more perfect. Because the Malones are Irish and something very important takes place in the book on the holiday. But no spoilers here. ☺

Here’s a glimpse into Marnie Malone:

It’s Marnie’s last week at the law firm of Cliburn & Reeves and she feels like she’s riding an emotional roller coaster. Up when she wins the divorce and custody battle for Callie Jackson against her abusive husband, Jed. And plummeting down when one witness after another decides not to testify against Mark Hall, an attorney at another Charleston firm and an “alleged” serial rapist.
Marnie receives one threat after another and she constantly feels the need to look over her shoulder, convinced that someone is stalking her. With Sam out of town on business, she’s alone in the big, old farmhouse and strange things are happening. Noises in the attic, creaking floorboards and someone watching her from the woods.

As she tries to determine the identity of the stalker, the list of men who have grudges against her grows longer each day. In her line of work she’s made enemies. Is the stalker someone from the past or one of the men on her list? And, how far will he go?

To pre-order the Kindle version of Marnie Malone:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WP28GGF

The link to my Amazon page:
http://tinyurl.com/8sd2cz4

The link to my blog:
http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/

20 comments:

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Thanks for inviting me to be here today, Marilyn!

Palmaltas said...

Wow! The plot & excerpt sound intense. I'm looking forward to it.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Thanks, Pat! This book was a long time coming and I'm so excited!

Marja said...

I love this series and the latest book sounds like another winner. I can't wait to get my hands on it and read to my heart's content. Thank you so much for sharing just enough information to grab my attention.

Anonymous said...

Your latest sounds most intriguing! I wish you much success, Pat.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Marja and Maggie,
Thanks for your comments and your encouraging words. I can't believe the release date is a week from tomorrow!

Evelyn Cullet said...

You are so good at writing interesting and complex characters, Pat. I find myself thinking about them hours after I put your book down. And when I do put the book down, I can't wait to get back to it. I'm really looking forward to reading Marnie Malone.

Amy M. Reade said...

Congratulations on your upcoming release, Pat! I'm very happy for you. I need to get reading!

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Evelyn,
I think we need to make a point of telling people that I didn't pay you to say those wonderful things about my books. LOL
Thank you!!!

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Thank you, Amy! I look forward to my interview on your blog next week.

Marilyn Levinson said...

Hi Pat,
I'm so glad to have you here (and to see that I got your blog up properly.)

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Marilyn,
You did a great job! Thank you again!

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Pat,

The novel does sound like a perfect release for March/St. Patrick's Day. Congrats!

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Jacquie,
It's interesting the way things often work out. I had hoped to have the book released earlier this year but it wasn't to be. As it turned out, the timing is perfect!

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

I have to get this one too. Love the series.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to your visit with me AND your new book!

Elaine L. Orr said...

I generally don't make comments that relate to my own writing, but your article gave me a huge smile. Last year I did a blog post on writing a stand-alone mystery (instead of a series). Lo and behold, it became the first in a series. I think sometimes we fall in love with our characters. Enjoyed your post. Elaine

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Thanks for stopping by, Marilyn. I hope you enjoy the book.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Thanks, Madeline! I'm looking forward to visiting your blog.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Elaine,
I'm working on a standalone suspense novel now with no intention of turning it into a series. But, that's what I said about "Mixed Messages." LOL