| C. Mack Lewis | C. Mack Lewis | <div class="ExternalClassDE6BEFEA22234F3A928D308BE9B1CF39"><h2><a href="https://phoenix.overdrive.com/phoenix-phoenixpl/content/media/6340314"><em>The Angel Wore Black</em></a> by C. Mack Lewis<br></h2><p><br></p><p>Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy is a podiatrist who has been in private practice in North Scottsdale since October 2000. C. Mack Lewis is the good doctor’s alter ego who delights in writing wickedly delicious fiction, such as <em>The Fallen Angels</em> series, which is a fast, fun detective series served up with wit, grit, and more than a few shocking twists. The trilogy features a private detective father and his teenage daughter who is riddled with anger management issues and has a penchant for finding trouble. This is one father-daughter relationship that careens from bad to worse and some unexpected places in between. Her screenplay <em>Oh Brother</em> won the Phoenix Film Festival screenwriting competition in 2005 and was optioned by Gold Circle Films in 2008. Her screenplays can be found online on <em>The Black List</em>, including the urban comedy <em>There Goes The Neighborhood</em> where residents of an upscale African American gated community must act to protect their property values when a "white trash” family moves in. C. Mack hosts <em>The Hidden Gems Podcast</em>, which is dedicated to featuring classic and original short fiction. She is also the co-host of<em> Midnight Balloon</em>, which is an award winning limited-series podcast. C. Mack currently resides in Phoenix with her husband, Dennis, and their pit-bull, Daisy. She is an avid audiophile and can usually be found wearing her pink Beats headphones and listening to audiobooks and podcasts, playing piano, and watching indie films with her husband. If she had more time, she would love to become a street artist, write musicals, and read more books.<br></p><p><br></p><h3>Q + A</h3><p><br></p><div><h4><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">What inspired you to writing <em>Gunning For Angels</em>?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h4></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> I was very close to my father who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2010. <em>Gunning for Angels</em> was the first book in the <em>Fallen Angels</em> series and I was emotionally drawn to writing a story about how important it is for a girl to have a father-figure in her life. Both of my main characters, Jack and Enid, are deeply flawed and struggle to connect on the most basic level. In writing their story, I was exploring my own grief over losing my father and how important it is for every girl to have a father-figure in her life, even if that father is far from perfect. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p></div><div><h4><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">What attracted you to write this genre?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h4></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> I’ve always loved detective stories and murder mysteries. I also love witty and comedic dialogue, and I particularly delight in throwing my characters “under the bus” as I send them careening into dangerous situations to battle it out with horrible people. One of the advantages of writing detective stories is that the detective must venture into unknown situations and interact with people of all social classes and backgrounds, which keeps the story fast paced and unpredictable. My goal is to have the reader not want to stop reading because they can’t wait to find out “what happens next.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><h4><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">What book are you currently reading? </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h4></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">I am always listening to one audiobook and reading another book on Kindle, so instead of telling you what I am currently reading, I am going to take the liberty of giving you a list of my top 10 books. </span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">1. <em>Jane Eyre</em> by Charlotte Bronte<br>I love this book because it is about a poor, plain-looking girl who remains true to herself and overcomes all obstacles, and finds true love. <br>2. <em>Pride and Prejudice</em> by Jane Austen<br>I love that this witty heroine, despite multiple blunders, still manages to find true love. <br>3. <em>The Alien Series</em> by Alan Dean Foster<br>I know that is quite a jump from classic literature to sci-fi horror, but this series is my ultimate chicken noodle soup cure for when the world gets overwhelming. I love a strong female heroine, as I am sure you will figure out if you have read any of my books! <br>4. <em>Cousin Bette</em> by Honore de Balzac.<br>This book has the ultimate femme fatale who, with the help of Cousin Bette, skillfully keeps four men catering to her every whim and emptying their bank accounts even if it means destroying their own families. <em>Cousin Bette</em> is revenge incarnate! <br>5. <em>The Talented Mr. Ripley</em> by Patricia Highsmith<br>You know a writer has got some serious skills when she can have you rooting for and sympathizing with a serial killer. This book is a full-on immersion into the mind of Tom Ripley and it is a fascinating journey that you will never forget. <br>6. <em>Vanity Fair</em> by William Makepeace Thackeray<br>Are you sensing a pattern here? It's yet another strong female lead who heads into the world armed only with her wit, beauty, and charm. The story is never what you expect and the ending is deeply satisfying. <br>7. <em>Little House of the Prairie</em> series by Laura Ingalls Wilder<br>What can I say? It's simple writing, a true story, and a complete pleasure to follow Laura's journey toward adulthood and love. <br>8. <em>Children of Ruin </em>by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br>Wow. I didn’t like it at first, but I kept listening and it has turned into one of those books that you cannot forget because it is so completely original and has such a satisfying end. Hope you like spiders… <br>9. <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> by Liu Cixin<br>This book is problematic, particularly how he portrays women (rather one-dimensional) and there is some stilted dialogue that is cringe-worthy, BUT this book changed the way I view the universe and my opinion on space exploration. The first book is a little confusing, the second book a game-changer, and the third book blew my mind. <br>10. <em>Persuasion</em> by Jane Austen<br>Anne Elliot is perfection. She is the woman that I wish I was—quiet, impeccable good taste, and kindhearted discretion. If that sounds boring, it's not. This is a classic story about remaining true to yourself and getting a second chance at love -- after all hope has gone. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><h4><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Are you writing anything now? When will it come out?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h4></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> I am currently working on a book of short stories that I hope to have published in early 2023. I created and host <em>The Hidden Gems Podcast</em>, which can be found online and features classic and original short stories. My upcoming book will showcase 10 of my latest short stories, some of which can be heard on the podcast. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p></div><div><h4><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">If I wasn’t a writer, what would I do? </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h4></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">I’ve always loved creating things, so if I was not a writer I would most likely be drawn to painting. I love living in Phoenix and I think that I would try my hand at being a street artist, painting large murals that passersby could enjoy. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> </p></div><div><h4><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Do you use your local library? If so, which one? </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h4></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Although there are closer libraries to where I live, I love going to the Burton Barr Central Library. I always enjoy the architecture, the interesting art work, the lovely people who work there and are always willing to answer questions, and the wide selection of fiction. Closer to my work, I sometimes go to Appaloosa Library during my lunch hour and enjoy its easy beauty and wonderful selection of books and movies.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><p><br></p></div> |
