M.K. Gilroy | I Fell in Love with a Mystery Woman

Our eyes met across a crowded room. Or was she standing on the platform as
my train
sped away? (Or was I on the platform and her train sped away?) Maybe it was
her I saw
on that late night stroll down the Champs d’ Elysee. She was on the other
side of the
boulevard. But when I rushed to her side she had disappeared. (Mysteriously,
of
course.)

Okay, maybe I have been reading too many Raymond Chandler novels from the
30s and my
imagination is what’s running away.

But it’s true. I fell in love with a mystery woman. I can’t remember exactly
where I
was when it happened, but it happened.

Actually, my wife doesn’t have to wonder if I’m running off. Amy already knows that a few years ago I fell in love with Detective Kristen Conner, the lead character in my novels CUTS LIKE A KNIFE, EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE and now COLD AS ICE, so I’m not going anywhere.

Falling in love with my own novel heroine may seem a little bit strange, but
I suspect
I’m not the first writer or reader to fall in love with an imaginary
character.

I get two frequent questions about Kristen Conner. First, how in the world
did you
write first person in a woman’s voice so convincingly? That’s an easy
answer. As the
father of three daughters, writing in a young woman’s voice wasn’t nearly as
hard as
it sounds. I’ve witnessed and experienced a lot of dramatic material just
from keeping
my eyes and ears open.

The second question—how did you get Kristen to come to life?—is tougher to
answer.

Was it before I started writing CUTS LIKE A KNIFE? Not quite. I could almost see her, but she was shrouded in mist. But at some point, an idea took shape and she stepped out of the gray and into my life.

I never had an imaginary friend as a kid, but apparently, I have enough
voices in my
head that a character can rattle around in there, come to life, and write
herself onto
the pages of a book for me.

The next time a person from a book you are reading—notice I didn’t say
character—walks
off the page and into your heart, there’s a good chance the author didn’t
just create
that person for you, but discovered him or her along with you.

GIVEAWAY

What person in your favorite novel walked off the page and into your heart? Leave a comment below and be entered for a chance to win all three titles in the Kristen Conner mystery series.

About M.K. Gilroy

Mark "M.K." Gilroy is a veteran publishing executive who has helped acquire and created books and series that have sold millions of copies. In addition to being the author of the bestselling Kristen Conner Mystery Series, Mark publishes custom book projects for businesses, retailers, and ministries. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Blog

About COLD AS ICE

What can go wrong on a run on in Central Park on your last day of vacation? Even if it is brutally cold? Everyone told Detective Kristen Conner to stay inside, which guaranteed she would go outside—and stumble onto a gang murder that puts her in the cross-hairs of a Russian “Red Mafyia” hit man.

Back in Chicago, murder strikes closer to home. Just down the street from
where her
mom lives, a popular schoolteacher, solid citizen, and great guy—he shovels
snow for
widows and volunteers to work with underprivileged kids—is found dead. It
was supposed
to look like an accident, but crime scene investigators discover more than
one killing
blow to the back of his head.

When Detective Kristen Conner lands the case, she knows from day one who the
key
suspect is. That’s simple. The person most likely to kill you is someone
close . . .
someone you know and love. But his wife? The nice lady down the street. How
could that
be possible? Kristen is about to discover there is more violence beneath the
surface
of the working-class neighborhood she grew up than she ever dreamed
possible.

She’s also about to discover that when the Red Mafyia wants you dead, there is no place to hide. You better be ready to fight. Mix in her on-again, off-again relationship with FBI Agent Austin Reynolds, and Kristen Conner is once again swept into a world of danger, intrigue, and a confusing love life.

Comments

24 comments posted.

Re: M.K. Gilroy | I Fell in Love with a Mystery Woman

Kinsey Malone
(Marissa Yip-Young 5:39am August 21, 2015)

Anne from Anne of Green Gables.
(Sharon Berger 10:31am August 21, 2015)

The character would be Mary Toliver from the book Roses by
Leila Meacham. Loved reading your posting today. Your wife
is a lucky Woman, because I really picked up on how much
sensitivity you emanate. Your latest book sounds like a
wonderful read, and I know I'll fall in love with Kristen,
too!! Congratulations on your latest book, which I'm sure
is going to do well!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:56am August 21, 2015)

Thanks Peggy!
(M.K. Gilroy 1:33pm August 21, 2015)

Your book sounds great and looking forward to reading it
(Jean Benedict 3:04pm August 21, 2015)

thanks Jean!
(M.K. Gilroy 4:09pm August 21, 2015)

Rhett Butler
(Jackie Wisherd 11:48pm August 21, 2015)

WOW! There are a ton of characters that have win my heart but
the one that jumps to mind above the rest is Roarke from JD
Robb's In Death series. That man can carry me away any day!
(Maria Smith 3:49pm August 22, 2015)

Menolly in the Pern Series
(Lesley Walsh 5:08pm August 22, 2015)

Alexandra Cooper in Linda Fairstein's series. I would very much like to read your series. Thanks for the opportunity to enter!
(Donna Gantt 9:04am August 23, 2015)

I have read lots and lots of books and there has been many to get in my heart in just about every book. You fall in love with the ' characters ' you're reading about. They come alive and you become one of them . A good book takes you away to other places and time . Thanks for this giveaway.
(Joan Thrasher 9:34am August 23, 2015)

Mary in the Tess Gerritson books
(MaryEllen Hanneman 12:11pm August 23, 2015)

I am always looking for new authors to read. Your book sounds really good.
When I first started reading mysteries, I read Mickey Spillane and Raymond
Chandler
(Joy Isley 1:46pm August 23, 2015)

that's like asking me to pick my favorite kid. can't be done. i have a connection to every detective in every mystery i read, (and for me, that's about 10 books a week.i even read on commercials when watching tv. i have been reading mysteries since i was a small child.(very early reader.)i'm glad i only have to wait two days to see if i won these books,(oh hope springs eternal.) thanks for the opportunity, sue
(Sue Hieber 3:13pm August 23, 2015)

Hmmm...what book am I reading today? A favorite is still
Scarlett O'Hara.
(Samantha Tennant 11:49pm August 23, 2015)

WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS BOOK!
(Marlene Rosenberg 12:23pm August 24, 2015)

I love mysteries, especially when a woman is the investigator
(Barbara Semeraro 9:05am August 24, 2015)

sounds like a great bool. Thanks for the chance to win.
(Mary Hay 11:06am August 24, 2015)

That's difficult to answer. It's not just one particular one. I become connected to a character in whichever book I'm reading.
(Anna Speed 12:34pm August 24, 2015)

I would love to win this book! It sounds great! Thanks for the contest!
(Susan Patterson 4:20pm August 24, 2015)

Colt from Shadow Dancer!
(Denise Austin 6:17pm August 24, 2015)

I don't know why because I'm nothing like her, but I've always loved Emma in Madame Bovary.
(Heidi Ingalls 9:07pm August 24, 2015)

Cat Dupree from Sharon Sala's books.
(Laura Gullickson 10:03pm August 24, 2015)

Your book sounds very intriguing, it's been added to my TBR
list. Thanks for the opportunity! The character that walked
off with my heart would have to be David in the new release
book called Love After Pain by Torrie Robles! A-MAZING read!
(Jennifer Lessard 12:54pm August 26, 2015)

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