Welcome to the “Summer of Mystery Reads” happening July 9th to August 17, 2018, at THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF!

DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF arranged by Breakthrough Promotions and with great thanks to the author for her efforts. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tanzanite, a rare blue gem born in fire and revealed by lightning, is found only in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. But now the death of a gem smuggler points to another possibility. A South American mine owned by Tabitha Metals may hold the find of a century. But why is it kept hidden from the world? Geologist Brian Graham can draw only one conclusion: the mine’s untraceable wealth is used to fund terrorism. And he must reveal the truth.

Brian heads to Colombia to check out mines there while his geologist daughter Alex and Tanzanian miner Mosi Ongeti start in Brazil. But their daring plan ends with a gunshot, and they are now pursued by the henchmen of a sinister, powerful arms dealer.

In a high-stakes race across two continents, Alex fights to expose the mine before the man behind Tabitha Metals can stop her.

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

What initially got you interested in writing?

I’ve always enjoyed writing, whether it was an essay or a scientific paper, but there were stories of my own that I wanted to tell.

What genres do you write in?

I write only thrillers, although my short stories tend to be in the suspense or traditional mystery genres.

What drew you to writing these specific genres?

I’m driven by curiosity, and the search for answers is at the heart of every thriller. That same need for answers is what pulled me to a career in science where following clues, testing theories and solving puzzles is part of every work day.

How did you break into the field?

I was fortunate to find the most amazing editor who really believed in my work. Under her patient guidance, THIRST moved from draft to published novel, and the Alex Graham thriller series was born.

What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

I draw inspiration from current issues and news headlines, so I’d like to leave them with this lingering thought: could this story really happen?

What do you find most rewarding about writing?

I write high-concept thrillers so there are several threads or subplots that weave through the story. When those threads all come together, for me, it’s magic.

What do you find most challenging about writing?

Probably the same thing that I find most rewarding! It’s easy for a subplot to veer off in the wrong direction or to fail to keep pace with the rest of the story, so I have to keep a careful eye on every subplot as I write.

What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

Don’t be afraid to fail. Many new authors feel their work isn’t ready to be read by a professional, that it needs “another round of edits” before they can share it beyond friends and family. I felt the same way with my first draft of THIRST, but I took a chance and signed up for a critique at a writer’s conference. The feedback wasn’t always easy to hear, but it helped me understand exactly what was needed to improve my work.

What type of books do you enjoy reading?

I mostly read mysteries and thrillers, but I also read science fiction, fantasy and literary fiction. I have my favourite authors, but I’ll pick up any book that’s getting a lot of attention or awards. It’s that curiosity thing again — I just have to know what’s causing the buzz!

Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?

I’ve had some amazing adventures in Antarctica and the Arctic, places that aren’t on most people’s vacation list!

What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

I’m always delighted to hear from readers, and they can connect with me via my website, www.katherineprairie.com where they’ll also learn more about me and my work. I’m also active on Facebook www.facebook.com/katherineprairie.com and Twitter www.twitter.com/authorprairie.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katherine Prairie brings her own experience as an international geologist to the Alex Graham thriller series. Her debut novel THIRST was shortlisted for the 2017 Whistler Independent Book Awards. She served as the founding president of Sisters in Crime – Canada West, and she is a 2018-19 Crime Writers of Canada director.

AUTHOR LINKS

https://www.katherineprairie.com

http://facebook.com/katherineprairie

http://twitter.com/authorprairie