Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I believe in living a passionate life – I’ve pursued dreams all my life and have enjoyed achieving many goals. Writing has been a part of my life since standing as a small child at the blackboard in school, clutching a piece of chalk in my fingers. That vast expanse, along with pen and paper and later a word processor and finally my trusty laptop opened up infinite worlds to me.
I’ve written two thrillers in a trilogy and am working on the third. After that, I’m considering a prequel.
When I’m not at my keyboard, you might find me at the shooting range with one of my three Glock pistols or in a shooting match somewhere around the country. Or I might be chatting with a sniper friend over a bottle of wine, or Secret Service Agent who loves his Starbucks coffee or my favorite counter-terrorism expert. My thrillers take a tremendous amount of research for accuracy.
Otherwise, I’m probably going to be burning up the pavement, leaving tire tracks with my 2007 Mustang convertible.
My husband and I raised two sons, one of whom has seen fit to become a happily married guy. He and his lovely wife have recently gifted us with our first granddaughter…a whole new experience in love. Our other son is happily single and successfully pursuing his career.
Our household has been managed over the years by a variety of dogs. The current queen in residence is a twelve pound Rat Terrier named Lucy. We live in eastern South Dakota, with definite plans for becoming Key West snowbirds within the next five years. We love the vast upper Midwest prairie, but well and truly despise winter.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Unholy Retribution and is the sequel to the first thriller I wrote, titled Consummate Betrayal.
These books were inspired by a variety of disparate things. During 9/11 I was working for United Airlines. While in college, I met and became friends with a number of Iranian students. In 2008 I was fortunate enough to be invited on an Alaskan cruise. For the first time in years I had uninterrupted time to think. That is when I realized that writing thrillers was a goal I was unwilling to ignore. Because of working in the airline industry, the security of our country was paramount in my mind and I kept thinking, what if this happened? And then, what if this happened? Also, I wanted to portray a Middle Eastern hero instead of a villain. Thus, the Rowan Milani Chronicles were born. My hero is an Iranian-American FBI special agent who is betrayed by the very terrorists he hunts on behalf of our country.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm…I think all writers have writing habits that are unique to their personalities. My favorite way to write is at my favorite Starbucks, back in a corner with my headphones on, listening to anything from the Rolling Stones to Loverboy, Chris Issak, Gold Frappe or maybe Third Day. Music plays a huge role in my writing. I have different songs that seem to define each book.
Other times, inspiration comes while I’m at the wheel of the Mustang, tearing up the countryside at 80+ mph.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well…many great thriller writers have inspired me – Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Tami Hoag, David Baldacci in particular…The Camel Club is one of my most favorite books. Dick Francis books have enthralled me for many years, I have collected most of them in hardback editions. From way back, Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart were among my most treasured early reads.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on the third book in the Rowan Milani Chronicles, tentatively titled Almighty Redemption.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are many venues that have been helpful to me in promoting my books. My website is especially helpful, but the online promotions via Kindle and sites like Awesomegang are great as well.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn from everything you encounter. Even when it’s devastating, unfair, unjust criticism, find something positive to take away. And trust that it might take awhile!
Never, ever give up or quit. Just keep moving forward and leave the past in your rearview mirror. I wrote a blog on my website about that recently. 🙂
Be true to your own voice in writing your stories. You are unique and special and it’s OK for your writing to reflect that.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One Saturday evening I watched the show Cedar Cove. One of the characters said to another – “If you don’t believe in yourself, neither will anyone else.” That’s my paraphrase, but I think it was pretty close to that. It hit me squarely between the eyes. Don’t waste time on self-doubts, just forge ahead and pursue your goals and dreams – believe in yourself.
What are you reading now?
There are so many books on my reading list…Murder Comes in Threes; The Brotherhood, America’s Next Great Enemy; Thirteen Hours in Benghazi; My Utmost For His Highest.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My current project is the third book in the Rowan Milani Chronicles, which will complete the trilogy. It’s working title is Almighty Redemption and I’m about 25,000 words into it, after approximately 40,000 words worth of character interviews.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My Utmost For His Highest, the Bible, the draft of Almighty Redemption, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series, and probably all of Brad Thor’s books.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mary Yungeberg Website
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