Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Marc Rainer is my pen name; my real name is Charles (Chuck) Ambrose, Jr. I am a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and am a former Air Force JAG Circuit Prosecutor and former federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., and in Kansas City, MO. In more than thirty years of experience, I have tried hundreds of both military and federal (civilian) major cases, including prosecutions of homicide cases, federal conspiracy trials, and mafia and other organized crime prosecutions. I weave scenes from my investigative and trial experiences into the plot lines of my novels, which have been hailed by those in the criminal justice fields for their realism. My first novel, Capital Kill, has been an Amazon #1 bestseller in the kindle store for mystery series books, and my fifth novel, Death Votes Last, won 1st place in TopShelf Magazine's 2019 book awards for general fiction. I have also co-authored a manual on how to try murder cases, which was published by the American Bar Association's Criminal Law Section. I am now writing my eighth crime drama. I live in a suburb of a major northwestern city with my wife, a retired Special Agent of the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations (OSI), and our three rescue mutts. My web page may be found at marcrainer.com.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Grinding Wheel is a fictional merger of two actual serial murderer cases in Kansas City, Missouri. The name of the book is inspired by a blade-sharpening device used by one of the killers.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t use any outlines. I mentally map the story, and then plug into the minds of my characters to see where they lead me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a fan of Michael Connelly and the W.E.B. Griffin books.
What are you working on now?
My eighth novel in the Jeff Trask series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method so far has just been an e-version of “word of mouth” through Amazon reviews. I’ve received thousands of them, and all the books are averaging 4.5 stars or better.
Which Websites you like most to promote your book
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep trying.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write whhat you know. If you don’t know, find out before you write it.
What are you reading now?
Between books at the moment.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my current project. I usually take one or two years to complete a book.
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?
The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms, Lorna Doone, and Catch-22.