Pariah

Unintended consequences, just trying to survive.

In this magical realism short story, Apollo longs for the beaches and forests of his South Pacific home. But he's grateful to the New York family who adopted him, and he adores his younger sister, Aphrodite. Everything is fine until Aphrodite's friends invade their home for her fifth birthday party.

Interview with the Author

Q: How does "Pariah" tie into the MayaVerse microbial mystery novels?
A: The alphabetical novels are medical thrillers with zoonotic disease organisms from animals as the invisible criminals. All the stories include larger themes related to health and happiness. Like the MayaVerse short stories and novels, the "Pariah" characters struggle for growth in a vivid environment impacted by disease threats.

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A: A career in public health can include scientific writing and communication. But even before my training as a veterinarian, I wrote a satirical newspaper and a romance novel. In recent years, I've focused on creative writing as a way to entertain, educate, and enlighten.

Q: Why do you write your MayaVerse series of microbial mysteries?
A: Disease from animals—zoonoses—make up most emerging disease threats. In recent years, we've experienced one scary disease after another—bird flu, Ebola, Zika, COVID, and mpox. By focusing on a young veterinary epidemiologist named Maya Maguire, readers can enjoy her worldwide travels, scientific discoveries, and relationships as she matures over several decades of her lifetime. Each new disease is a puzzle to solve caused by a microscopic criminal.

Q: What is One Health?
A: One Health is an important MayaVerse theme. The concept integrates the health of people, other life forms, and the environment, to maximize the benefit for all.

Q: What kinds of readers will enjoy MayaVerse stories?

A: Readers looking for upmarket stories with complex themes. Those who want passionate, engaging characters dealing with difficult life issues. Most MayaVerse mysteries are thrillers and many are romantic suspense. With a female veterinary medical detective (Maya Maguire), most are also women's fiction.

Q: What authors do you read or admire?
A: Having grown up in the Southwest, I worship Tony Hillerman and his daughter Anne Hillerman who's carrying on his legacy. For medical thrillers, Tess Gerritsen, Robin Cook, and Michael Crichton are my author heroes. Some authors' stories have more of a sci/fi leaning than the MayaVerse, which is strongly anchored in reality. I love the romantic suspense of Nora Roberts and the intense relationships of Nicholas Sparks. In the MayaVerse, setting is a strong character, and I'm inspired by the themes and writing of Edward Abbey and John Graves.

Q: What are your favorite stories?
A: The first book I devoured as a child was a volume of Shakespeare's plays. I'm also a major fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda for "Hamilton" and "In the Heights." Maya Maguire is addicted to storytelling through Broadway musicals, like me.

Q: Which of your interests make an appearance in your books?
A: Travel throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Animals of all kinds, including pets like cats and dogs, livestock like horses and cattle, and wildlife. Music, museums, art. Family and friendships. Hiking and old movies.