Debut Author Mary Mathis Burke Announces Release of Amid Vapors: A Clandestine Adventure
About the Book
In Amid Vapors: A Clandestine Adventure, protagonist Coco St. Clair finds her dream retirement shattered after her husband dies in a freak Alaskan accident. Months later, she discovers she has been on the U.S. government's radar for a secret program. Recruited to serve as the prototype operative for a brand-new espionage initiative, Coco travels the world, applying newly acquired spycraft skills to high-stakes situations. Along the way, she discovers an unexpected reservoir of heroic, lifesaving courage, proving that life’s most profound transformations can happen at any age.
Told through three distinct perspectives, Coco, a CIA handler named Gabriel, and an adversary known as Mr. X, each chapter ends on a suspenseful cliffhanger. The structure let readers see how three complex individuals interpret the exact same reality through their own perspectives, balancing humor, tension, and emotional depth. The most personal and beloved moment in the entire book, for Burke, is the final chapter when Coco and Gabriel come together, showing the profound sweetness of reunions.
The Story Behind the Story
For author Mary Mathis Burke, writing this book was the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition delayed by decades of hard work and family dedication. Having spent over 30 years as an acute care registered nurse, working everywhere from labor and delivery to operating rooms, Burke witnessed human tragedy, illness, and grit firsthand.
“I always wanted to write, yet found my life so consumed with education, children, full-time employment, and a life of faith and family,” Burke shares. “It wasn't until I was older that I felt qualified to impart some wisdom. Working in healthcare makes a person come face-to-face with the gritty and tragic aspects of life. Once I felt mature enough and developed a philosophy that helped me cope, I wanted to share it. I wanted my book to be full of spycraft, funny stories, twists, turns, and a bit of faith and hope.”
Despite facing the steep learning curve of modern self-publishing technology in her 70s, Burke poured her personal insights, rigorous research into Cold War spy techniques, and real-world observations into the story. Beyond entertaining readers with action and espionage, Burke hopes to provide personal validation and empathy. Through her characters' intersecting lives, she stresses how we all share fundamental human struggles, encouraging readers to suspend judgment when dealing with one another.
“I hope you enjoy this novel and find something to laugh and think about,” says Burke. “We're all in this adventure together.”
Meet the Author
Mary Mathis Burke was born and raised in Southern California. A mother of four, she earned her LVN and RN credentials through intense determination and went on to spend more than three decades caring for patients across multiple acute hospital departments. Today, she and her husband of over 40 years, Bryan, enjoy traveling, having visited over 40 countries and spent eight years exploring the Western United States in a 35-foot motorhome. Burke is also an active online writer whose insightful commentary has earned over 1.5 million views on Quora. Amid Vapors: A Clandestine Adventure is her debut novel, and she hopes her journey inspires other seniors to share their own life experiences and stories.
Availability & Purchasing
Amid Vapors: A Clandestine Adventure (278 pages, self-published) is available now in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and major book retailers nationwide. Readers are encouraged to share their feedback and leave reviews on the official book site.
Mary Mathis Burke
Amid Vapors: A Clandestine Adventure
+1 541-337-3271
marymathisburke@yahoo.com
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