Author Spotlight—Linda Rawlins
Mystery- is the perfect word to describe Linda’s work, she has a flare for it. Her books are charming and a great read giving readers the want for more. I was happy to interview Linda for the blog, and am offering you a chance to win a copy of Misty Manor, from Amazon.
Rocky Meadow Mysteries
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
As a child, I loved to read, whenever and whatever I could get my hands on. I started to write my own “Nancy Drew” type mystery in fifth grade. As a student, I studied Biology in Vermont, Sciences and Literature in college and eventually became a physician. I enjoy writing mysteries that contain medical and light spiritual content. Either way, a good murder mystery is always fun.
Misty Manor – Three years have passed since Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey Shore as Megan Stanford returns to her childhood home to find her elderly grandmother and the family Grand Victorian home in a state of shocking neglect. As the town threatens to sue to ensure demolition of the guest cottages behind Misty Manor, mystery unfolds in the once quiet town of Misty Point, NJ. A dead body found in the debris, threatening messages, and vandalism, combined with an eerie sixty year old photograph, bring the investigation closer to home. Megan continues to dig for the truth and unwittingly begins to unravel a decades old secret, which threatens her and the future of Misty Manor.
My first book, The Bench, is set in the fictional town of Rocky Meadow, VT. The Rocky Meadow Mystery series then continues with Fatal Breach. Dr. Amy Daniels is a former trauma surgeon from Boston who moves to Rocky Meadow, VT to escape family tragedy. There she meets, Father Michael Lauretta, the psychologist pastor of St. Francis church and Rocky Meadow Retreat Center. Together, they solve mysteries with the help of Katie, the church cook, Willow, a teenage millionaire and Father Victor, visiting priest from Chicago. In Fatal Breach, the characters become involved with a murder at a local soup kitchen.
While solving crimes, the main characters deal with life, loss, starting over and developing an appreciation for the friends and loved ones in their lives.
Linda Rawlins lives in New Jersey with her family. When she is not working in medicine, she is writing. You can find her on:
- LindaRawlins.com – please sign up for my newsletter!
- GoodReads
Bree
Thanks Linda for joining me today! Tell me about your writing career?
Linda Rawlins
Its so nice to be here – thank you for having me. I was always an avid reader from a small child and had finished reading all the Nancy Drew/Hardy boy mysteries by fifth grade. I actually started writing my own Nancy Drew mystery in fifth grade. I wrote three chapters and was encouraged by my teacher.
I studied literature as well as science in high school and college. I won several poetry contest in school and was lucky enough during college to meet Kurt Vonnegut and Isaac Asimov who were very inspirational, I then went to medical school and had less time to read except for scientific journals and textbooks but I always felt I wanted to write.
Bree
Wow, what a start to your career, I know Nancy Drew is quite a few of ours favorites.
What are the stories inspired you the most? Or I guess part of their stories.
Linda Rawlins
When my children were a little bit older and I had a little more free time I started to enjoy reading fiction again and finally inspired by all the stories of my patients I decided to try writing. I am a board-certified family practitioner who has always worked very hard in hospice and end-of-life.
The inspiration, courage and stories that came from my patients was indescribable. I had patients that were in concentration camps. I had patients who were in prisons, were elderly, lonely and I had patients who had beautiful lives who were willing to share with me. I also worked with the medical examiner’s office for two years which provided many interesting stories for mystery stories.
Bree
Those are always the most personal stories to hold.I bet working with an ME was fascinating.
How did you come to decide on writing mysteries?
Linda Rawlins
Yes it was – I attended many suicides and very sad cases. But some funny situations also came out of that. I never use actual details or names but my characters and stories come from a combination of all the people I’ve met over my lifetime.I’ve always loved mysteries in reading and TV. As I grew up I used to watch murder she wrote and medical mysteries like Quincy,I always loved a good mystery which combined medical and spiritual themes and I used to love watching flying nun as well.
Bree
Murder She Wrote is one I still watch. Who is your favorite modern day mystery writer?
Linda Rawlins
Oh Gosh, I have so many-Mary Higgins Clark the early James Patterson books and Fern Michaels were some my favorites Iris Johansen as a child I used to read Phyllis A. Whitney and Lillian Jackson Braun.
Bree
What was the last book you read in 2016? And what is the first you have read or are reading for 2017?
Linda Rawlins
The last book I read for 2016 was Eggnog murder by Leslie Meier – it was 3 short stories by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross. I just recently finished a Dean Koontz book, as well as Lee Child I also enjoy reading some sci-fi. I was reading the Odd Thomas Series.
I love Dean Koontz books I also enjoy fantasy I have read all of the Tolkien books, Thomas the Covenant books and combinations Stephen King, Peter Straub books and of course all Harry Potter books. I’ll be visiting Harry Potter world later this year.
Bree
Wow, I am so jealous! I would love to visit! So what can we expect from you in 2017?
Linda Rawlins
The next book in the Misty point mystery series is scheduled to be out this spring. I hope to have a novella completed by end of July and perhaps another book in the fall.
Bree
Wonderful! I’m very excited!
Linda Rawlins
I am too I work in MEDICINE but my passion is reading and writing.
Bree
You have a busy life! Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?
Linda Rawlins
But dealing with patients helps bring that extra layer and depth of emotion to your characters their excitement their fears their passion their victories their challenges. As usual to be healthier and try to devote a little more time to myself and my writing. I’d like to travel a bit more this year as well.
Bree
I hope you have great success with your goals!
Linda Rawlins
Thank you, I shall try.
Bree
Well that will wrap us up. Anything you would like to share with your readers?
Linda Rawlins
I am honored by every single person who takes the time to read one of my books. I hope they enjoy my writing I love hearing from readers.
Bree
We are honored to be your readers! Thank you for sharing your time today!
Linda Rawlins
You are most welcome thank you so much for having me today, this is very exciting for me and I’m so thrilled to be spending time with you!
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I enjoyed the interview. I want to read Eggnog Murder because I enjoy Leslie Meier’s books. I’ve also read the Lilian Jackson Braun Cat Who books. I’m a big Harry Potter fan too and am reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Only 606 more pages to go!
Well, I am sure you will enjoy Linda’s books as well!
I have never read any of her books but I enjoyed the interview and would love to read this one. I have read a lot of cozies but not come across one of Lindas. Thank you for the chance. [email protected] I would also review on a few sites when i am done amazon and goodreads!
Best of luck in the giveaway, and I am sure you will love her work!