Thursday, January 21, 2016

#MMBBR Showcase: Dream Killer by Mike Baldwin


To fulfill her friend’s dream, legendary sports agent Veronica Townsend has constructed a kids’ summer camp on the Kansas farm where baseball hero John Jensen was raised. Camp Dream Catcher, though, is in danger of shutting down after a lifeguard is murdered. With cancellations pouring in, Veronica must solve the mystery in a desperate attempt to keep the camp open.



Q.  What inspires your writing? It’s difficult to describe the feeling an author has when they’re sitting at the computer and a character literally “comes to life.” That’s the challenge, to write a fast-paced story packed with twists and turns and fun characters that a reader can identify with. That’s my inspiration, to write a story I feel is a lot of fun to read.

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being a writer?
A: Because I became a novelist last year at age 58 my story is unique. The way I view it, I’ve been a storyteller my entire life. For years, I didn’t write novels, but I wrote daily stories about the players and coaches on the team I was covering that particular season.

Q.  What is the toughest part of being a writer?
A: The ability to get the scene and dialogue onto the page so the reader sees what you see in your mind’s eye.

Q.  If you could not be writer, what would you do/be?
A: I wouldn’t do anything any differently but if I hadn’t been a writer, a couple of occupations that have intrigued me include: being a teacher in an inner-city school that faces huge challenges or being involved in some aspect of the psychology field. The human mind is incredible, something I try to bring out in my characters.

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?
A: A BLESSED LIFE

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?
A: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?
A: Veronica, the ultra-organized, tenacious lead character.

Q.  Which book would you love to take a weekend vacation inside of?
A: Any well written mystery or thriller. I love great storytelling. Given free time to get lost in a story, I’ll usually read a book within one day, two tops!

Q.  What is your favorite season?
A: Summer. My favorite hobby is golf.

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?
A: The goal is to represent the story/plot. Brandi Doane McCann did a fabulous job on both of my covers.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.
A:  My first Blog Tour is approaching later this month.

Q.  Are you working on something new?
A: Yes. My third novel, SLAM DUNK, is a thriller. What makes that story unique is SLAM DUNK is a twenty-year-old, 400-page manuscript I recently found in the back of my college. I hit the literary lottery! SLAM DUNK will require a ton of major rewriting, but it was the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received, an amazing story that I detail in my blog on my website (mikebaldwinbooks.com).
Q.  What is unique in Dream Killer that you feel can help your mystery stand out among a reader’s many choices?
A: The final 50 pages is an out-of-the-blue surprise that also forces the reader to re-examine their views on an important social issue which I contend is rare in a fast-paced whodunit.

Q. Why do you plan to always feature female lead characters in all your novels?
  A: I enjoy writing dynamic women. Plus, it’s a literary no-brainer to sprinkle in a little romance to encourage romance novel readers to try a mystery. Sports fans love my books, but I can’t emphasize enough non-sports fans thoroughly enjoy my stories because of the “non-sports” female characters. In Dream Killer, seven highly visible characters are women.

Q. I see Dream Killer actually is a sequel to your first novel, but you say Dream Killer has a “stand-alone” plot. Please explain.
A This isn’t a series. My two lead characters are developed more in the first novel but the cast of Dream Killer for the most part is completely new. The plot/story DOES NOT require someone to read the first book to completely enjoy Dream Killer.

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?
A: My “motto,” one of those motivational statements I ran across last year, is: IF YOUR DREAMS DON'T SCARE YOU THEY'RE NOT BIG ENOUGH!

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