Is Mallory Harrington jinxed because her name means luckless?
Things have gone wrong for Mallory since she was a small child. All she ever wanted was to have a complete family and live happily ever after. It appears she has it all when she marries Toby Harrington and they have a son. Unfortunately, their marriage ends when Toby has an affair with his law partner. After their divorce, Mallory feels guilt that she couldn't forgive Toby for his affair. As a Christian, she should be able to forgive him for his sin.
Mallory decides to do something for herself, and get a surgical procedure that she's always wanted. She makes an appointment with plastic surgeon, Doctor Seth Whitman, for it. Although she's attracted to the handsome doctor, she doesn't want to date him. She doesn't feel that she should ever get married again.
Seth realizes that having Mallory as a patient might not work. She intrigues him too much. He wants to spend more time with her, but definitely not on the operating table. Should he refuse to do her surgery and lose Mallory as a patient? Or just do the unethical thing and date her before the scheduled surgery?
Mallory learns that sometimes faith is about accepting what can't be changed and grabbing what God offers her. Life must go on.
Reviews for Marrying Mallory
"Craver's book about divorce and remarriage was a poignant reminder of the sadness of the consequences which result. She created unique characters that faced several problems as well as the ethicalness of surgeon/patient involvement. Throughout the entire book, they had to deal with ex-husband and his girlfriend as well as the little boy who constantly prayed his parents would reunite."
"This book was realistic and emotional. All the characters played dynamic parts in the story. I recommend this book to everyone. I certainly enjoyed reading this author." — 4 1/2 Hearts, Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio
"Craver pens a heartfelt inspirational romance with Marrying Mallory. Mallory might have always felt that she's been "luckless," but her luck is about to change when she makes a decision that most of her friends find surprising, but refreshing - Mallory wants a rhinoplasty. The story is set in the Toledo region of Ohio, and opens with Mallory telling her friends, Heather and Elizabeth, that she's going to have a rhinoplasty. Her friends are supportive, but think she doesn't need it. Mallory feels this is important to her. She supported her ex-husband, Toby, through law school, only to divorce him when she discovered he cheated on her. It's time Mallory did something for herself and getting a rhinoplasty is a step in the right direction for her. Mallory goes to meet a prospective surgeon, Dr. Seth Whitman, and the sparks fly between them. Mallory wants Seth to do the surgery, but will their attraction get in the way of the doctor-patient relationship they're suppose to maintain?"
"Craver's writing flows well and is easy to read. Her characters are interesting. Seth is an upstanding guy. Mallory is richly complex, struggling with being a divorced Christian. It's this hurdle she has to reconcile before she can give her heart to Seth. Craver's supporting cast is deliciously human and fun to get to know. The friendship between Mallory, Heather, and Elizabeth is endearing. Craver's dialogue is realistic. The novel is "sweet to sensual" for CRR readers with several sensual kisses and caresses between Mallory and Seth. Overall, Marrying Mallory is a solid character driven romance." -— 4 Wings, Stephanie, Classic Romance Revival
I grew up on a farm outside of Findlay, Ohio. While growing up I played outside a lot - sometimes with the neighborhood children or by myself. When I was alone, I pretended to be a character in whatever interested me at the time. Usually my dad's favorite TV shows influenced me to the types of characters I became. I was everything from a singer to a pioneer woman. Occasionally a saloon girl. LOL Reading played an important part in my childhood. I read the Bobsey Twins and Nancy Drew. I'm delighted now when I go to online book sites and see my mystery, A Fiery Secret, on the same page with a Nancy Drew book. I'm still an avid reader and have many favorite authors.
I was a carhop for one of my first jobs at a root beer stand during my high school years. I loved carhopping and talking to the customers. I have to admit that I was terrible at it when I first started. The trays looked like they were going to fall off the vehicles but I caught on. I should carhop again. It's a great way to lose weight with all the walking. That's right. Walking. Not roller skating. Whenever I tell anyone I carhopped, they assume I did it on roller skates. I was a Candy Striper for three years, and I went off to college wishing I could become a nurse. Instead, I settled on a degree in English and Speech Education. My high school guidance counselor thought I was too weak in science and math to pursue a nursing degree.
I met the love of my life at an orphanage in Xenia, Ohio, while we were both schoolteachers. We married and raised six children. We've been married thirty-four years.
I started writing when our oldest daughter was born with Down syndrome. Although I enjoyed writing nonfiction, I started writing fiction several years ago. I have three books published by Samhain Publishing and recently two by Desert Breeze Publishing. I also work as a reader/scorer of students' tests a few months out of the year.
Backlist
Whitney in Charge Desert Breeze Publishing Never the Same Samhain Publishing A Fiery Secret Samhain Publishing No Greater Loss Samhain Publishing
An Interview with Diane Craver
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Diane, thank you for talking with us at TRS. Please tell us about your featured book, Marrying Mallory.
DC: Thank you for having me here!
In my January release, Mallory isn't happy because she's divorced. She feels strong guilt that she couldn't forgive her cheating ex-husband. As a Christian, she doesn't feel that she has the right to get married again. Also she's unhappy about her outward appearance. She loses fifteen pounds but it isn't enough. She decides to do something for herself and goes to see a plastic surgeon, Dr. Seth Whitman, to have rhinoplasty. Immediately, her life becomes complicated because she's attracted to the doctor. Seth feels the same way about her, and he has trouble maintaining a doctor-patient relationship.
HH: Your heroine is a woman dealing with a hard life and your hero is a doctor trying to find the best way to help her -- and hoping it involves him. Where did you get the idea for this touching tale?
DC: When I was little, I wanted to be Miss America when I grew up. I even practiced a ventriloquism act with my dummy, Chris. But I didn't grow up to Miss America. I didn't have a great talent or the pretty looks to enter the beauty pageant. My main character, Mallory, isn't Miss America material either. In fact, she has a large nose. I used a personal experience that I felt would make for a realistic character. I got into Mallory's mind completely because I know what it's like not to have a cute small nose.
I wanted the first meeting between Mallory and Dr. Whitman to be an instant attraction for both of them. I had fun writing the dialogue for this scene.
HH: What do you like about Mallory and how do you identify with her?
DC: I like Mallory's spunk, nurturing personality, and her faith. One way I can identify with Mallory is that I like to take care of people. I've raised six children and two were born with Down syndrome. I can't identify with her on a personal level about what it feels like to be divorced because I've been married to the same wonderful guy for thirty-four years. But I used my feelings about marriage when Mallory struggles with her divorce.
HH: What do you like most about Seth and why might he be perfect for her?
DC: Seth is the type of guy every woman should have in her life, and he's definitely perfect for Mallory because he's nothing like her ex-husband. He's funny, good-looking, dependable, charming, and his faith is important to him.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers?
DC: I'm hoping to have a contemporary short romance, Your Place or Mine, coming out sometime in the future. I do have a backlist at my website, http://www.dianecraver.com.
I also write chick-lit mystery and women's fiction.
HH: We're seeing more inspirational romances in the market these days. What do you see for this genre's future?
DC: I see inspirational romance continuing to do well in the market. These romances will always have a place in publishing because people are looking for the deeper meaning in life, and they want to read faith filled stories.
HH: What do you enjoy about writing inspirational romance?
DC: Writing about Christian characters facing challenges of love in today's world is rewarding. I enjoyed writing about my characters falling in love in my two inspirational romances, No Greater Loss and Marrying Mallory.
HH: What would you most like to accomplish this year?
DC: I'd love to lose weight. Oh yeah, that's right. I always have this as one of my goals! Maybe I'll actually accomplish it this year. In my career, I'd like to write a book that's been in the back of my mind for some time. I call it my Hollywood story. It's about an actress returning to her roots to resolve past conflicts with the father of her son. She left without telling him that she was pregnant with his child. She also wants to learn why her minister father has never loved her.
HH: What are you reading these days?
DC: I just finished reading a Mary Higgins Clark mystery, Jayne Ann Krentz book, and a HQ American Romance one. I have several romances by other authors on my Kindle that I want to read soon.
HH: Any exciting plans for the summer?
DC: We don't have any plans for summer yet because we want to downsize and build a ranch. We've been busy looking for a good place to build but haven't found one we like at the right price. If we should get away, I'd like to go back to Outer Banks. We went there last summer for the first time, and I loved their beach.
