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| Stephanie Parker McKean with her collie, Angel Joy |
I'm very happy to introduce Stephanie Parker McKean, author of the newly published Christian mystery-suspense romance Bridge to Nowhere to the blog again today for a special interview.
About 'Bridge to Nowhere'
Bestselling author Mike spends her days shut up in her office, churning out detective stories for her publisher. When a beautiful stranger appears, masquerading as Lynette Clarissa Greene, begging her to help investigate the murder of her sister, Mike is soon embroiled in a mystery which includes the entire town. From the simple-minded Clint, who sheds light on Lynette’s true identity, to the talented Nat, and the orphaned Jared, Mike soon finds herself immersed in the illicit subculture of Texas Hill. From dog fights to kidnappings, her life is thrown into chaos by her incessant need to track down culprits and bring them to justice.
In amongst the drama she finds herself wrapped up in is Mike’s relationship with retired film star and rodeo champion Marty. Used to saving her from the troubles she finds herself unwittingly caught up in, Marty is her hero. As the story progresses, Marty comes around to Mike’s qualities and they grow closer both professionally and personally. Will they finally settle on a date and keep it? Or will the drama continue to obliterate any progress they are making in their relationship?
About Stephanie Parker McKean
I’ve survived being mauled by an
African lion and bitten by a deadly water moccasin snake and have emerged victorious
after suffering a childhood of sexual abuse. I’ve learned that what doesn’t
make you bitter makes you better. You can’t make lemonade without lemons. And
thank God, I’ve made the transition from atheist to Christian. My two favourite
Bible verses are: in everything give thanks, and all things work together to
good to them that love the LORD. Now, Sunpenny Publishing, with its release of my
Christian mystery-romance-suspense Bridge
to Nowhere, has gifted my lifetime dream of writing books with reality. I’m
now married to wonderful Alan McKean—also a published author—and living in the
lovely Black Isle of Scotland, even though I was born in Texas and am still
proud of my birth state. Next to writing, a few of my favourite things are
animals and rocks. I love building with rocks and cement when I’m not writing
or taking our rough collie, Angel Joy, for a walk. And about the lion—he wasn’t
being mean when he mauled me—he was just being a lion. As for water moccasins,
I no longer pick them up to see if they are poisonous or harmless, because they
seem to resent being picked up…and after that stay in the hospital—I know
anyway!
Now for the questions – welcome to the blog!
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about
yourself?
A: I’ve always been proud of having been
born in Texas,
which is silly—since my parents selected the location and I had nothing to do
with it! Actually, I grew up in Georgia,
where I graduated from high school and attended college. I say “attended”
because I dropped out before I had to take math. I went back to college again
in Texas, but
by that time I had helped start a local newspaper and was a staff writer. Since
all I had ever wanted to do my entire life was write—I dropped out of college
again before I had to take math.
Q: What’s wrong with math?
A: Nothing! Math is wonderful. But it isn’t
the perfect science that some claim. Think about it. You put down five crayons
on a table and count them, 1-2-3-4-5. Now, go to your job at 8 a.m. and work
until noon. Then count the hours for your time sheet and turn them in just the
way you counted the crayons: 8-9-10-11-12. That’s five numbers. You’ve worked
five hours. But if you count that way, you’re liable to be fired for cheating!
Q: What was the inspiration behind Miz Mike
in Bridge to Nowhere and the other
books in that series?
A: One of my favourite authors is Phyllis A.
Whitney because her books are well researched and contain elements of mystery
and adventure—as well as romance. But her books are not Christ-centered and the
characters are young. I built Miz Mike to appeal to an older reading audience
that can relate to her love for chocolate, her battle to lose weight, and her
ability to live life to the fullest and find romance and adventure just being
who she is and not attempting to put on a show to impress others.
Q: Describe Bridge to Nowhere in a ten-word sentence.
A: A writer sticking to ten words! Bridge to Nowhere demonstrates faith in
action rewarded with love.
Q: What appeals to you about writing
Christian romance-mystery-adventure?
A: It’s what I enjoy reading. I got tired
of buying mystery and romance novels by popular writers, then chucking them in
the trash because of the profanity and cardboard characters who made wrong
lifestyle choices with impunity, deliberately mocking God and then—somehow—finding
happiness.
Q: How long did it take you to write Bridge to Nowhere?
A: Writing books is easy. I’ve written two
more Miz Mike books in the year since I moved to Scotland, started another, and have
written two children’s books. What takes time is editing, marketing, selling. I
was working fulltime at a newspaper and had late night meetings when I wrote Bridge to Nowhere, so I think it took
about four months.
Q: How did living in Texas affect Bridge to Nowhere?
A: Without the imaginary Three Prongs, Texas, where misfits
fit, there wouldn’t be a Miz Mike series. The characters are Texan to the bone
and use cowboy and rodeo phrases that one hears on Main Street Bandera—which
some argue is the real Three Prongs. The first time I drove into the beautiful
Texas Hill Country, I knew I had found my country. The first time I visited
Bandera, I knew I had come home. I wasn’t born there—but I got there as fast as
I could!
Q: Miz Mike, the main character in Bridge to Nowhere, experiences some
comical moments. Can you share your favourite Miz Mike saying from the book?
A: That has to be her statement that she
always minds her own business. Because, of course, she never minds her own business. Not minding her own business causes
Miz Mike to create one 'pickle' after another—as her heartthrob, western cowboy
hero Marty calls her escapades.
 |
Enjoying writing in her favourite place-
sitting on a rock! |
Q: Do you have any other favourite quotes
from the book?
A: It’s not so much a favourite quote, but I
love Clint Flavors. Local folks make disparaging comments about him: “he’s not
the brightest crayon in the box,” or, “his elevator stops between floors.” Yet
God uses Clint to help Miz Mike solve many mysteries. I’m always on the side of
the underdog!
Q: What do you hope readers take away with
them after finishing Bridge to Nowhere?
A: That God is in control. No matter how
hopeless a situation seems—like when Mike’s grandson is kidnapped and law
enforcement can’t find him—faith is its own reward and God honors faith.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not
writing?
A: You mean there are other things to do
besides write? Actually, I love being outside. I love walking. I don’t love
running—but I do it anyway. What I love most next to writing is rocks. I love
rocks. I love to make walls, paths, flowerbeds, bird feeders—anything that I
can make from rocks and cement. I can still lift and carry a 80-pound bag of
cement. One of my husband’s favourite pictures of me is me standing under the
carport holding a bag of cement with the 80-pound label showing.
Q: Where is your favourite place to write?
A: Anywhere! Everywhere! I once wrote an entire
book standing up at the kitchen counter because I was a caregiver for someone
who was terminally ill and couldn't be left alone. It’s another Miz Mike book
in the series. I love writing outside, too. Sitting on a nice, warm rock! It
reminds me of Jesus—the Rock that holds up the framework of my life—and my writing.
Thank you to Stephanie for giving us such fascinating insights into Bridge to Nowhere!
