Thriller author MHR Geer joins me today to talk about her new suspense novel, Assumed.
Bio:
MHR Geer was born in California but raised in the Mid-West. After studying Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, she started a bookkeeping business. MHR enjoys reading suspense and is always delighted with an unexpected twist. Assumed is her debut novel. She lives in Ventura, CA with her two sons and her unicorn husband (because he’s a magical creature.)
Welcome, MHR. Please tell us about your current release.
Assumed is the story of Anne, a lonely woman who reluctantly travels to a Caribbean island to help her best friend. But her friend is murdered, and Anne is a suspect. Despite the danger, she follows the trail of her dead friend and uncovers secrets about her own past.
What inspired you to write this book?
My goal was to write a romantic novel, but the story took a dark turn when one of the main characters was murdered. I do want to attempt writing romance again someday. I’m a sucker for a great love story.
Excerpt from Assumed:
My smile deepened, and I watched our feet, bare toes squelching with each release of the wet sand. The lapping waves, embarrassed by the intimacy of our footsteps, attempted to erase the trail, but faint depressions remained, his wider and deeper than the ones made by my slender feet. A few times, his hand lightly brushed against mine, and my arm erupted in electric pleasure.
I searched for something interesting to say, an anecdote that would delight him, but my mind was blank aside from the closeness of his hand, and the way his open shirt fluttered to reveal dark, curly hair and his tattoo—spiraling lines that disappeared into his sleeve. We walked quietly until the beach ended in a wall of rock, and we turned together and watched the sea.
What exciting story are you working on next?
The sequel! Anne’s story was too large for one book, so I broke it into two pieces.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
A few years ago when I wrote my first book. It wasn’t good enough to publish, but just finishing an entire novel made me feel like a writer.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I’ve always loved to create, but my full time job as a bookkeeper is structured and governed by rules; creativity is discouraged! In my free time, I enjoy knitting, macramé, designing jewelry and all things crafty. At night, when the kids are asleep, I escape to worlds of my own creation and write.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I talk to my characters. Not just in my head but aloud. And sometimes they talk back.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A figure skater. But I didn’t like having cold feet, so I became a bookkeeper instead. Since I’m changing career paths in middle-age to be a writer…maybe there’s still hope for another career change as a figure skater? Yeah, probably not. I still don’t like having cold feet.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
This chat just reminded me that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. I’m going to go dig those skates out of storage.