Author Interview: 10 Questions with Mary Ball

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Our interview today is with Mary Ball. Thank you Mary for being here today and for agreeing to do this interview.

Mary Ball

 

Question: What do you think prepared you or qualifies you to write in your chosen genre?

Answer: I write Inspirational Christian fiction. I am a woman of faith, who has faced many trials. The old cliché “life is a bed of Roses,” is certainly true. Beauty and thorns, the mixture makes us who we are, but by walking close to God, we overcome.

I strive to take my characters through their problems while highlighting how a relationship with Jesus Christ makes us stronger.

Question: Tell us a little about your “real” (Non-writing) life — family, job, church life. Does it give you inspiration for your writing? Does it get in the way of your writing, or are there times when you get help, from people or circumstances?

Answer: I wear many hats when I’m not writing. I am a stay at home nana, and keep my grandchildren around the school schedule. I’m a part-time caregiver for my mom, her memory is fading. Adding to that, I’m an associate pastor’s wife with church responsibilities.

I’m not one of those authors who can go into an office and write for hours each day. I have to write when I can and as I have free time. Some days I can get several hours of writing in, but others only a few minutes.

I have a small circle of friends I may ask questions from time to time, but for the most part, I’m a loner when writing, except for my critique partner. All authors must have a critiques circle they can seek out.

Question: Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction?

Answer: When I’m not writing, tending family or church I enjoy the outdoors. Fishing and walking are two things I enjoy. I also sing Gospel with my husband we go to places as we have time and praise the Lord in song.

Question: Tell us about your newest book. Make us want to read it.

Answer: My newest novel, titled Stone of Destiny.

Can a mysterious ring change lives?

The sapphire symbolizes mental clarity, faithfulness and truth. For centuries, a legend in the Harrison family revolved around a ring.

Taylor Harrison has given up on everything but her work. The youngest CEO of Mugful’s Beverage Company, her life is complete. That is, until her grandmother asks her to oversee renovations at the family home and find the missing heirloom.
First contact with what she believes is an insignificant ring, lost for fifty years, sends her life spinning. Taylor experiences strange dreams. Feelings surface; she doesn’t understand; thoughts that should remain unspoken, voiced.
Taylor’s emotional journey begins, testing a heart as cold as the ring itself.

Is this a fairy-tale or her soul, reaching out for a life she can only find through faith and trust in God?

Question: What is the “message” of your writing? (For example, is your purpose to encourage old-fashioned values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes in different books?)

Answer: With each novel I write the message is different. I try to tackle emotions we all have dealt with and show a positive outcome to the situation. Faith is foremost in all my books.

Question: Share something that makes you laugh, with just plain humor, or happiness, or because it’s so stupid.

Answer: I get such a laugh from TV commercials, especially the ones about insurance. To me they’re better than a comedy show.

Question: What’s the worst trouble you ever had with getting a book written (plots, finding needed information, getting a cover done)?

Answer: My work in progress is about an alcoholic. I know nothing about that subject. I had to do so much research and studies on addiction.

Stone of Destina

 

Question: What’s your next project? Tell us so we can’t wait for it to come out!

Answer: I have submitted my latest manuscript to my publisher; I hope she deems it publishable. The working title is Redemption in Big Fork Lake

What happens when an addiction takes over?

Only after Robert Turner attempts to hurt someone does he realize how much of a hold alcohol has on his life.
For Robert, a chance meeting with an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor offers hope. A new devotion to the Lord and a relationship with Belle McBride gives him expectations for a better future.

His life appears to be on the right track, until he comes full circle with his past and faces the one mistake that haunts him daily. Can forgiveness-free Robert? Will he return to the life he once had?

 

Question: How many books do you have out?

Answer: I have two fiction novels, Escape to Big Fork Lake and Stone of Destiny. One non-fiction guidebook, The Writers Handbook of Online Promotion. I also contributed to a faith book title 21 Stories of Faith.

Escape to Big Fork Lake

 

Question: What is your writing style?

Answer: I have a simple writing style that perhaps a bit old school.

Reviews and contact information
Escape to Big Fork Lake
Link to purchase paperback or e-book

Amazon
http://goo.gl/cr3Ah

Barnes & Noble
http://goo.gl/Yj4T9

Prism Book Group
http://goo.gl/uvl9t

All romance Ebooks
http://goo.gl/FfqI9

By Tifferz
Sam is in for a life change when she is down on her luck she gets the break she needs. This inspiration romance that is filled with mystery and suspense had me hooked till the last word was read. I truly felt this story was well thought out and had a message of Gods love for each and everyone of his children. It was nice to watch Sam and Noah relationship grow. Noah learning to trust and Sam having someone love her no matter what. I also liked watching Sam come to know Jesus. Ms. Ball did an awesome with putting in some of the unexpected to this story. A great story that will leave you happy!

I have to agreed with everything Tifferz said about the book. She wrote just the words I would use to review this book. I enjoyed the book from start to finish and loved the way that the author got Sam to believe in God and trust her life with him. She became a Christian as Noah had wished for and prayed. Bo, is the man who had insight to how to get Sam to come and seek the Lord in her way by always telling her readings from the Bible that she could hold onto. And when he passed on Bo, gave Sam his Inn that was in Big Fork Lake to live and run and seek peace into her life.

I want to share the letter Bo, wrote to Sam;

Dearest Sam,
By now, you are aware that I am gone. There is no need to cry for me. I just wanted you to know you have been a good friend. I realize we only saw each other once a year, but I enjoyed your company very much.
It’s time now, Sam, for me to go be with the Lord and see my sweet Elaine again. We will be together forever more and I sure have missed her.

You, my dear Sam, need a stable home and a life with the Lord. I have given you the home. Just try it for a year.
If you don’t like Big Fork Lake, you have my blessings to move on.

As for the Lord, Sam, you know what I have always tried to tell you. He is with you no matter where you go. You just have to give him a chance and open your heart.

The inn has guests who come every year and town folk that stop by for sandwiches and desserts. It’s nothing fancy, but it has kept me going and a part of my life for as long as I care to remember.

My home is yours now, to do with as you please after the first year. It’s my hope that within this year you will find that you like Big Fork Lake and make it your home.

You will meet the girls who work there and my friend Noah.

Anne Doyle is older like me. She is a bit snappy at times, but I’ve never believed she means to be.

Belle McBride hasn’t been out of high school but a few years. She’s a hardworking girl who has found the inner peace we all need at times.

Then there’s Noah Frye. I have known him all his life and he is like a son to me. I like to think that maybe I have helped him to become the fine man he is. I hope you two can become friends.

Sam, trust the Lord, and things will work out.

Love to you my friend,
Bo Winston

I was crying while I read this letter to Sam from Bo. It touched my heart. I do believe that this was well written in the matter of getting Sam to give the Lord a chance and become a Christian. It is my hope that Mary L. Ball keeps writing more books because they are very inspirational. It is a good read for all!
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Escape to Big Fork Lake is a wonderfully written story.

Sam finds herself in a situation that has her struggling financially and spiritually. Sam has lost her job and is surviving barely, on unemployment and a small amount of saving that will soon run out. She is enthusiastic to finding work but no one will hire her. Her life is falling apart and Sam just can’t catch a break!

Rob, a neighbor in her apartment building, is becoming increasingly violent towards her. She wakes one night to find him in her apartment. She realizes she must flee, but where does she go? She has lived in the city all her life; she doesn’t have the means financially to run….what will happen to Sam?

Buy the book and read how God provides for Sam. You’ll be delighted and surprised!

Escape to Big Fork Lake is a story about emotional loss, abandonment, intrigue, and love! A mystery that involves murder and suspense, but most importantly, it’s a story of redemption!

Well written – a beautiful story! I recommend this book highly.

Thank you Mary L Ball for sending me a free copy so that I could review it!
Rev. Lorrie J Sims

Stone of Destiny

Purchase links
Amazon

http://goo.gl/yWs5pW

Barnes & Noble
http://goo.gl/XheXrP
All Romance Ebooks
http://goo.gl/Beir6s

Prism Book Group
http://www.prismbookgroup.com/stoneofdestiny.html

This is the second book by Mary Ball that I have read. The first one was a mystery/suspense that had me guessing all the way to the end. This one had me intrigued and wondering all the way to the end what path Taylor was going to choose. This story starts out with a bang, literally, and I was wondering how I was going to put this book down to sleep that night. I love decorating and watching HGTV so I was especially interested in Mary’s description of how this old house was being renovated by our very special hero. This book also takes place over a period of time so it is not an insta-love, but one that grows. Though sometimes I did get aggravated with Taylor for some of the choices she was making that would have resulted in a very lonely life. Brent, our hero, was very patient, knew what he wanted, and pursued Taylor by not be overbearing or controlling. The dreams Taylor would have added an air of mystery to the whole plot and kept me turning the pages just to find out with Taylor why she was having them and what they meant. This book was provided to me by the author and the opinions are my own.
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Stone of Destiny by Mary L. Ball is a wonderful story of romance and one finding their way back to God through faith and trust. Taylor Harrison is the youngest CEO at the Mugful Beverage Company and she feels that her life is complete. With great trepidation she agrees to oversee the renovation of her grandmother’s family home. Fifty years earlier, a sapphire ring was lost in the house and Granny Kay wants Taylor to search for the ring as the renovations are being made. After finding the ring, Taylor begins to have strange dreams and she is even making phone calls in her sleep at night. Brent Roberts is the nephew of Granny Kay’s best friend and he has been hired to do the renovations to the house. When he and Taylor meet, she is definitely not impressed even though she thinks he is the most handsome man she has ever seen. Brent is very much in tune with what God wants him to do with his life. His faith and the way he shares his knowledge of God cause Taylor to start questioning some of her beliefs. She soon realizes that she can only find happiness through a true faith in God.

The development of the plot, the characters, the dialogue, and the description of all the scenes were done in an excellent manner. The characters were so real that at times I wanted to shake Taylor and would not have minded if Brent gave me a hug. Granny Kay is the kind of grandma that everyone would love to have and her love for Taylor was a very important part of the story. All the action taking place in the book was so well done that in my mind I was struggling right along with Taylor as she worked to make her decisions and I was pulling for Brent to win Taylor’s heart. I really appreciate the way that the author handled the romance in the story and how Taylor regained her faith in God and finally trusted Him with her life. Searching for the missing ring added a little suspense to the story. Would she find the ring or would it be lost forever?

I highly recommend this book. If you like a wonderful story with lots of romance, a little bit of suspense, and a story in which faith in God plays a big part, then this is the book for you.

Below are a few social connections. Thanks so much for including me in your eBook. I will do my best at promotion when it’s out.

http://MaryLouwrites.weebly.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspirational-author-Mary-L-Ball/200478210087932?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/inspires4mary

Join Marty’s blog at http://marylouwrites.weebly.com/-behind-every-story-blog.html

About the Author:

Mary L. Ball is an inspirational fiction author and lives in North Carolina between the wondrous mountains and beautiful beaches. She writes about real-life problems, suspense or mystery blended with romance.

When Mary is not working on her latest story, she enjoys fishing, reading, and singing with her husband at church functions. Readers can connect with her on Face Book and Twitter.

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6 comments

  1. I enjoyed both of Mary’s books and recently purchased and read STONE of DESTINY. I enjoy how her current day events and the reality of how people live and make mistakes, are weaved within the lines of her faith. I can’t wait to read her next book!

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