Monday, December 10, 2012

Patricia Gligor's David Kern



This is the last day of the Murder We Write Blog Tour except for the wrap up post tomorrow with the winners of the books so make sure you leave a comment today! Today I, Mitch Malone, reporter extraordinaire, am going to do the interview a bit differently. I usually don’t write features for the Grand River Journal but this one could be a great one. Might even keep some kids from taking their first drink. A public service piece. It may get a bit confusing because my guest today is from the Malone Mystery Series, not to be confused with the Mitch Malone Mystery Series which I am a main character in. David Kern from UNFINISHED BUSINESS by Patricia Gligor joins us to talk about his priorities. David, may I call you Dave?

Dave: That’s fine, Wendy. Most people call me David but some of the guys in the office call me Dave so you can too.

You have had your battles with alcohol but have turned them around. Can you tell us how you have done that?

Dave: Sorry to disappoint you but my battle with alcohol is far from over. Yes, I’ve been sober now since the end of October when my drinking almost cost me my family. But I struggle with the desire to drink every single day. I don’t know what I’d do without AA.

Alcoholic Anonymous is a great organization that has helped millions of alcoholics. How often do you attend meetings?

Dave: I go to a meeting at least once a day. AA recommends ninety meetings in ninety days and I’m getting close to that. As my recovery progresses, I’ll adjust the number of meetings I attend accordingly. My sponsor will help me with that. I can’t ever stop going though. I never want to go back to being the person I was before I got sober.

You have a wife and kids right? Isn’t it hard to make time for those meetings with a job and family responsibilities?

Dave: Actually, Mitch, I have to make time. My sobriety has to be my number one priority. Next, comes Ann and our children and my job is third. The reason? If I don’t maintain my sobriety, I will lose my family and my job. I’ve come so close to that; it gives me the chills just thinking about it.

In MIXED MESSAGES (Book 1 of the series), you ran into some trouble. Can you tell us about it and how that shaped your recovery?

Dave: Yes. On Halloween night, when a man forced his way into our apartment and attacked Ann, I was sitting in a jail cell, powerless to help her. Why was I in jail? Because I was picked up for driving under the influence. By the grace of God, I’ve been given a second chance and I’m doing my best to make sure I’m there for Ann and the kids. Without them, I have nothing.

I hear there is a bit of mystery that surrounds your father. Maybe an investigative reporter like Mitch Malone could help you uncover some information. What do you know so far?

Dave: My father left my mother and me when I was seven years old. One day he was there and the next day he wasn’t. For years, I asked my mother why Dad left but all she would ever say was, “Your father chose to leave us.” She would never tell me why. In AA, we have something called The Twelve Steps to Recovery. Step four is “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” There’s a lot involved. One of things I need to do is to deal with any unfinished business. That’s all about revisiting the past long enough to discover any unresolved issues so I can deal with them and then let them go. That’s the only way I can move forward. I’m going to find the answers I need one way or the other. I thank you for the offer. I’d love to hire you Mitch but I’m afraid money is an issue and I seriously doubt that you work for free. J

Thanks Dave for being honest about your disease that affects many.  Maybe if your luck improves and you win the lottery, you will remember my offer. For more information on Dave and his recovery check out this website: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/


A note from Pat: Wendy, thank you for letting Dave talk! You know, alcoholism is a cunning and baffling disease. People need to learn about it and also about AA and Alanon, which is a wonderful organization for the friends and families of alcoholics, the people who have been affected by someone they love who suffers from the disease.

At the end of the blog tour, I will be giving away one copy of Unfinished Business, the second novel in my Malone mystery series. Leave a comment and you’re automatically entered to win. Please include your email address with your comment so that, if your name is selected, I may contact you to get your mailing address. The winner will be announced on my blog: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/ on December 11. Best of luck!

Links:
Patricia Gligor’s Amazon page:  http://tinyurl.com/8sd2cz4
 
Blurb:
The Westwood Strangler is dead. Or so everyone believes. Ann Kern is busy preparing for her favorite holiday. She’s especially looking forward to her sister’s annual Christmas visit. But, several things threaten to ruin her festive mood. The National Weather Service issues a severe winter storm warning for the Cincinnati area, predicting blizzard conditions, and Ann worries that her sister and her new boyfriend won’t be able to make the drive from South Carolina.Then, a woman is found strangled in Ann’s neighborhood and everyone, including the police, assumes it’s the work of a copycat killer. However, when two more women are murdered in their homes, the police announce their conviction that the Westwood Strangler is responsible.
When Ann hears the news, the sense of safety and security she’s worked so hard to recapture since her attack on Halloween night, shatters. If the intruder who died in her apartment wasn’t the Westwood Strangler, who is? And, who will be the next victim?

Patricia Gligor is a Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling, especially to the ocean. Mixed Messages, the first novel in her Malone Mystery Series, was published in April 2012 by Post Mortem Press. Unfinished Business is the second novel in the series.


29 comments:

  1. Wendy,
    Thanks so much for inviting me (and David) to be here today.

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    1. My pleasure. This was a bit more deeper subject matter but thought it worked really well. It was great getting to know you!
      Wendy

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  2. Another fun interview, Wendy. I loved this one about David. Hi, Patricia, I'm going to miss reading about you every day.

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    1. Marilyn,
      I'm sad to see the tour end! I'll miss reading about you too.

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    2. Thanks Marilyn for stopping by every day. This tour was great fun and I will miss everyone.
      Wendy

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  3. An excellent and informative interview, David and Mitch. I hope it helps someone struggling with the disease.

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    1. Jean,
      That's my fervent hope! I think that, in our fiction, we sometimes have an opportunity (not to be over-used) to shed light on an important topic and, hopefully, to help people.

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    2. Patricia: You are so right about giving people a peek into the lives of those who struggle helps with empathy.
      Wendy

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  4. Interesting interview today. In my profession, the overwhelming amount of people in custody have alcohol abuse issues. It is a tough deal for everyone involved, but there is light at the end of the tunnel! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Yes, there is a light, Chris, but sometimes someone has to turn it on. In other words, the more people who are informed about the disease, including our lawmakers and medical professionals, the better the chances of overcoming the problems that alcoholism causes in our society.

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    2. And there also needs to be money to help people if they want it. Many times those that want to get clean, can't afford the help.
      Wendy

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    3. That's true, Wendy. Fortunately, AA and Alanon are free - and anonymous.

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  5. Your interview through Dave was captivating, informative and entertaining. What more could you ask for in your writing. Good "interview."

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    1. Cora,
      I love the character interviews that Wendy has posted on this blog tour. She does an incredible job!

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    2. Patricia: You are so kind. Thank you.

      And thank you Cora for stopping by.
      Wendy

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  6. What a terrific interview! Alcoholism is such a widespread problem, and this was informative. Thanks so much!
    Marja McGraw

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    1. Marja,
      I've known some wonderful people in my life, some of whom are alcoholics. I saw first-hand how they struggle to overcome the disease and my heart goes out to them.

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  7. Oh no! The last of the interviews. Sigh. Well, Patricia and David, this was a wonderful interview and great one to end the tour with.

    Madeline

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  8. More I see your book cover better it seems. You have touched on a very important subject. Keeping positive thought for a win. Thanks

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    1. Thanks, Jake. Please tell your friends - tell ALL your friends. :)

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  9. Great interview! It's been a pleasure touring with you, Patricia.

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  10. Pat, we share a kindred spirit and I'm so glad you signed on for the 4th Mystery We Write Blog Tour. Hugs!

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    1. Anne,
      I can't thank you enough for inviting me. It's been a wonderful adventure!

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  11. Most interesting and sobering interview. I see Mitch can be tender when he wants to be. Great getting to know you, Pat. I look forward to the next time our paths cross.

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    1. Thank you, Earl. I'm sure we'll "meet" again - at least, I hope so.

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    2. Ssssshhhh Earl. That is a closely guarded secret about Mitch's softer side. LOL
      Wendy

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  12. It was a happenstance that I came across your interview. Very interesting, David, and you are definitely blessed by grace. Thank God for your healing and your continuous defense against this horrid disease. I've personally struggled in a relationship with an alcoholic. Not a pretty life. This past weekend I have been saddened by the Cowboy players - one dead and the other's life ruined just for a few stiff drinks that caused a terrible accident. You've probably heard about this tragedy in the weekend news. God certainly sheds tears.

    Thank you for this giveaway and the chance to win a helpful read.

    Blessed by Grace,
    Barb
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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