Book Blurb & Info
It's not wise to wander the cruise ship Forever alone at night. You might not live to see daylight. Detective Jack Harney agrees to do an old Army buddy a favor. Curt Noble had some personal business to attend to, he didn’t say what. What he did say was he needed someone to temporarily take over his duties as head of security on the struggling cruise ship Forever. Jack hesitates, but he owes Curt his life so agrees. He’s told the worst mischief he can expect to encounter will be the occasional shoplifter, or drunk. Instead, one week into the cruise, a beautiful red head and a member of the crew are ruthlessly murdered. Are the two murders connected? It’s up to Jack to find out. He must find the killer before the ship returns to Tampa’s port, or worse, before another dead body is found. This won't be easy. The ship is old, it's security systems outdated, and clues are few, or so it seems at first
It’s not just a sense of obligation that motivates Jack to agree to Curt's request; Jack moved thousands of miles, started over, and still can't get Amy O'Brian out of his heart or mind. When she shows up on the ship, as part of a large wedding party, Jack must fight to stay focused. To make matters worse, Amy isn't his only distraction; a sexy and mysterious woman has made it her mission to seduce Jack.
As the body count rises, and time slips away, Jack has to ask himself, “Did someone commit the perfect crime?”
GOODREADS
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO
Hi MaryAnn,
Thank you so much for sitting down with Toot's for an interview. If you don't mind, I have some questions for you about your new book Forever Doomed and your process for our budding authors as well as fans.
So first off, Forever Doomed Questions.......
In your own words, what is Forever Doomed about?
Forever Doomed is first and foremost a murder mystery, but I think most readers are surprised at how much humor is in the book too. Jack Harney is a detective doing a favor for an old Army buddy. He agrees to temporarily take over the position of head of security on the cruise ship Forever. He thinks he’s getting a glorified vacation. Instead, one week into his maiden voyage, two people are murdered. The ship is turned around, he has a week to find the killer before the case is turned over to the local authorities and likely never solved.
How did you come up with the title of the book and can you tell us its significance?
Well, the name of the cruise ship is Forever and if the murders aren’t solved—in the words of the ship’s owner, “Oh, this is the end. This is the end for sure. The other cruise lines, all they have to contend with is a nasty virus or a power outage. Not me, my ship has to have a murder. This is the end of my family’s business. Forever is doomed.”
Is Forever Doomed a standalone book or will it be part of a series?
Both really. The characters from my first book, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder are in this book too, but you don’t have to have read the first book to understand and enjoy this one.
What was your favorite scene to write for either your hero or heroine in Forever Doomed?
I have to be careful here, my favorite scene is a reveal. Meaning a part where the reader finds out something juicy that I hope really surprises them.
What was the hardest scene to write?
Not one scene, but one section. The middle. It’s relatively easy to write the beginning and even the end, but writing the middle, keeping the reader interested and entertained, can be a challenge.
Writing.......
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated and what made you decide to pursue it as a career?
I’ve always enjoyed writing. I didn’t write a lot of stories or anything, I just mean I never considered writing a chore in school or at work. It came fairly easy to me. I’d spent 20 years in the Air Force, after I retired I stayed home. My kids were still young and it was great. However, I needed something to do. I don’t like to clean. So funny, while I was working I’d say, “If I wasn’t working, this house would be clean.” But I don’t work outside the house anymore and it’s still a mess. J Anyways, the idea just came to me one day out of the blue. Really just like that, I think I’ll write a book.
What inspires you to put the pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard?
For my first book, it was my daughter. Writing can be really hard and it’s very tempting to quit sometimes. I mean, nobody was making me do it. But, I wanted to be a good example for her, to show her the importance of, and the satisfaction you can get from finishing what you start. After the first book, I had the writer’s bug. Now, I write because I really want to. J
Are you a Plotter or a Panster?
I’m a little of both. I write a lot of notes and I brainstorm all the time. Then I sit down and hope the words will come. Sometimes I can write a lot, other times not so much.
Have you released anything under a different pen name, and if so, is there any difference between them?
No, both my books are under my real name.
What's next for you?
I’m working on my third book now. Another murder mystery. I’m hoping for a 15 July release.
Is there anything you’d like to add or say to your fans?
Thank you. I’m always so flattered and thrilled when someone tells me they loved Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder and/or Forever Doomed.
Personal questions......
Now I know this is like asking you to choose between your own children, but out of all your amazing characters, who is your favorite and why?
Hmmm, that’s a hard one. From my first book—Katherine O’Brian—she’s beautiful, strong, smart, and a smart ass. From my second book—It’s a toss-up between Jack Harney, I think he’s sexy, or Nene Albright—a little old lady passenger. She is based upon my mother.
Are there any of your stories or characters that hold a special place in your heart?
Well Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder was my first book—so that’s very special to me. It’s one year anniversary is in April. But I’m proud of both books and love all my characters for different reasons.
Lastly, let's steal an idea from the magazines.....What 5 things do fans not know about you and 5 they don't know about the book?
About me:
I’m retired Air Force, while in Saudi Arabia, someone tried to buy me.
New York is my favorite place to visit, but one day I really want to visit London.
I’m a terrible procrastinator, it’s what slows my writing process down the most.
We recently lost one of our very much loved dogs. Her name was Daisy and she died in November. I still get teary-eyed if I think about her.
I’m a junk food junkie. I am hopelessly addicted to coffee and sweets.
About the Book:
My first book took me 3 years to write. Forever Doomed only took me 7 months.
The original title was Who Killed Pam Noble?
I like to name characters after people I know or have known.
Originally, the on-board wedding was supposed to be for the two main characters from my first book, but I didn’t want those two characters to be the stars in Forever Doomed.
Jack, the main character in Forever Doomed, was much more flirtatious in my first book. But he’s investigating two murders—so has to be more serious in this book.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for taking time to answer some questions. Congratulations on the new book and I can't wait for everyone to read it!
No, thank you!
MaryAnn Kempher loves to write mystery with a dash of romance. She spent her teen years spent living in Reno NV where her first book, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder is set. The setting for her second book, Forever Doomed, was inspired by her love of the ocean. Her writing influences include favorite authors Agatha Christie, Jane Austen and Janet Evanovich. Her guilty pleasures include any and all sweets, including a good cup of Mocha. She is married with two children.
For more about MaryAnn Kempher, visit her author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryAnnKempher
or her website: mkempher.com
Purchase MaryAnn’s books here:
http://amazon.com
http://BarnesandNoble.com
http://amazon.co.uk
http://amazon.ca
If you purchase Forever Doomed in paperback for under $11, you can get the Kindle version for just 99 cents.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO
Book Excerpt
She quickly opened the pantry door and stepped inside. Oh good, my cake. By the sound of the wind, rain, and even the occasional thunder, she could tell the back door had finally been opened. She cracked the pantry door an inch and peeked out. A tall, muscular man was there, he was making a sandwich. She’d wait him out. The lights in the kitchen flickered on and off, then on again. Suddenly, another man entered the kitchen. Jeez, I’m never gonna get out of here.
“What are you doing in here?” she heard him ask. His tone concerned her. He seemed annoyed, maybe even angry. At least I’m not the only person in the kitchen that’s not supposed to be here.
The other man didn’t answer. He picked up a rolling pin and hit the guy on the side of the head, hard. The man fell to the floor with a thud. His head lay outside where she was hiding. Through the crack in the door, she could see blood on the side of his head, his eyes wide open and vacant. She swallowed hard and willed herself not to freak out. She’d need all her composure so she didn’t give herself away. She watched, shocked, as the man rushed to the kitchen’s swinging doors, looked out, then quickly returned. He picked up the dead guy and walked outside.
She wasn’t thinking straight. Should she wait, see if he was coming back? Should she run like hell and hope he didn’t see? She did what any good stripper would do. She went to the other side of her cake, bent down, and with all her strength pushed that cake out of the pantry, through the kitchen, and out of the cafeteria. She pulled up the hood up on her overcoat and kept it there until she arrived at her destination.
“What are you doing in here?” she heard him ask. His tone concerned her. He seemed annoyed, maybe even angry. At least I’m not the only person in the kitchen that’s not supposed to be here.
The other man didn’t answer. He picked up a rolling pin and hit the guy on the side of the head, hard. The man fell to the floor with a thud. His head lay outside where she was hiding. Through the crack in the door, she could see blood on the side of his head, his eyes wide open and vacant. She swallowed hard and willed herself not to freak out. She’d need all her composure so she didn’t give herself away. She watched, shocked, as the man rushed to the kitchen’s swinging doors, looked out, then quickly returned. He picked up the dead guy and walked outside.
She wasn’t thinking straight. Should she wait, see if he was coming back? Should she run like hell and hope he didn’t see? She did what any good stripper would do. She went to the other side of her cake, bent down, and with all her strength pushed that cake out of the pantry, through the kitchen, and out of the cafeteria. She pulled up the hood up on her overcoat and kept it there until she arrived at her destination.
Dream Cast
Interview
Thank you so much for sitting down with Toot's for an interview. If you don't mind, I have some questions for you about your new book Forever Doomed and your process for our budding authors as well as fans.
So first off, Forever Doomed Questions.......
In your own words, what is Forever Doomed about?
Forever Doomed is first and foremost a murder mystery, but I think most readers are surprised at how much humor is in the book too. Jack Harney is a detective doing a favor for an old Army buddy. He agrees to temporarily take over the position of head of security on the cruise ship Forever. He thinks he’s getting a glorified vacation. Instead, one week into his maiden voyage, two people are murdered. The ship is turned around, he has a week to find the killer before the case is turned over to the local authorities and likely never solved.
How did you come up with the title of the book and can you tell us its significance?
Well, the name of the cruise ship is Forever and if the murders aren’t solved—in the words of the ship’s owner, “Oh, this is the end. This is the end for sure. The other cruise lines, all they have to contend with is a nasty virus or a power outage. Not me, my ship has to have a murder. This is the end of my family’s business. Forever is doomed.”
Is Forever Doomed a standalone book or will it be part of a series?
Both really. The characters from my first book, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder are in this book too, but you don’t have to have read the first book to understand and enjoy this one.
What was your favorite scene to write for either your hero or heroine in Forever Doomed?
I have to be careful here, my favorite scene is a reveal. Meaning a part where the reader finds out something juicy that I hope really surprises them.
What was the hardest scene to write?
Not one scene, but one section. The middle. It’s relatively easy to write the beginning and even the end, but writing the middle, keeping the reader interested and entertained, can be a challenge.
Writing.......
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated and what made you decide to pursue it as a career?
I’ve always enjoyed writing. I didn’t write a lot of stories or anything, I just mean I never considered writing a chore in school or at work. It came fairly easy to me. I’d spent 20 years in the Air Force, after I retired I stayed home. My kids were still young and it was great. However, I needed something to do. I don’t like to clean. So funny, while I was working I’d say, “If I wasn’t working, this house would be clean.” But I don’t work outside the house anymore and it’s still a mess. J Anyways, the idea just came to me one day out of the blue. Really just like that, I think I’ll write a book.
What inspires you to put the pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard?
For my first book, it was my daughter. Writing can be really hard and it’s very tempting to quit sometimes. I mean, nobody was making me do it. But, I wanted to be a good example for her, to show her the importance of, and the satisfaction you can get from finishing what you start. After the first book, I had the writer’s bug. Now, I write because I really want to. J
Are you a Plotter or a Panster?
I’m a little of both. I write a lot of notes and I brainstorm all the time. Then I sit down and hope the words will come. Sometimes I can write a lot, other times not so much.
Have you released anything under a different pen name, and if so, is there any difference between them?
No, both my books are under my real name.
What's next for you?
I’m working on my third book now. Another murder mystery. I’m hoping for a 15 July release.
Is there anything you’d like to add or say to your fans?
Thank you. I’m always so flattered and thrilled when someone tells me they loved Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder and/or Forever Doomed.
Personal questions......
Now I know this is like asking you to choose between your own children, but out of all your amazing characters, who is your favorite and why?
Hmmm, that’s a hard one. From my first book—Katherine O’Brian—she’s beautiful, strong, smart, and a smart ass. From my second book—It’s a toss-up between Jack Harney, I think he’s sexy, or Nene Albright—a little old lady passenger. She is based upon my mother.
Are there any of your stories or characters that hold a special place in your heart?
Well Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder was my first book—so that’s very special to me. It’s one year anniversary is in April. But I’m proud of both books and love all my characters for different reasons.
Lastly, let's steal an idea from the magazines.....What 5 things do fans not know about you and 5 they don't know about the book?
About me:
I’m retired Air Force, while in Saudi Arabia, someone tried to buy me.
New York is my favorite place to visit, but one day I really want to visit London.
I’m a terrible procrastinator, it’s what slows my writing process down the most.
We recently lost one of our very much loved dogs. Her name was Daisy and she died in November. I still get teary-eyed if I think about her.
I’m a junk food junkie. I am hopelessly addicted to coffee and sweets.
About the Book:
My first book took me 3 years to write. Forever Doomed only took me 7 months.
The original title was Who Killed Pam Noble?
I like to name characters after people I know or have known.
Originally, the on-board wedding was supposed to be for the two main characters from my first book, but I didn’t want those two characters to be the stars in Forever Doomed.
Jack, the main character in Forever Doomed, was much more flirtatious in my first book. But he’s investigating two murders—so has to be more serious in this book.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for taking time to answer some questions. Congratulations on the new book and I can't wait for everyone to read it!
No, thank you!
Author Info
For more about MaryAnn Kempher, visit her author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryAnnKempher
or her website: mkempher.com
Purchase MaryAnn’s books here:
http://amazon.com
http://BarnesandNoble.com
http://amazon.co.uk
http://amazon.ca
If you purchase Forever Doomed in paperback for under $11, you can get the Kindle version for just 99 cents.
Fun Facts
- I spent my honeymoon in Saudi Arabia. Someone approached our guide and offered to buy me.
- I spent a year in Korea, about 90 miles from Seoul.
- I’ve written two books. My first is a romance with a murder mystery, my second is a mystery with a dash of romance.
- I grew up in Milwaukee Wisconsin, but moved to Reno NV when I was 15 years old.
- My first job was at the Circus Circus casino in Reno. On their second floor, they have arcade games similar to a carnival, and a stage where acts are performed. I worked all the different games.
- I’ve been married for 21 years.
- My favorite food is spicy squid. My least favorite is cabbage.
- I love to travel, but don’t get to do it as much as I’d like. My last big trip was to New York City. My last mini-trip was to St. Augustine Florida.
- My first book is entered into a contest hosted by Romance Writers of America. Fingers crossed.
- My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice.
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thanks for sharing and great interview!!!!
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