Whitfield Book Cover Award Winner

Congratulations to Shells Walter and artist Jerrod Brown for winning The Whitfield Book Cover Award. Anne Patrick's Fire and Ash came in close behind. Throughout the contest period, these two books sparred for first place. The two books are tremendously different in appearance, but both were attention-getters, to say the least.

Shells will receive The Whitfield Book Cover Award decal to use as she chooses, along with a copy of my latest mystery, Sin Creek, when it releases in a few weeks.

Thank you, bloggers and visitors, for voting.

Anne Patrick returns with Fire and Ash

My special guest today is Anne Patrick, author of Fire and Ash and many other novels. Welcome back, Anne. Even though I’ve previously interviewed you, please tell new bloggers a bit about yourself.

I guess you could say I’m the female version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde…well maybe not that bad, but I do have an alter ego named Kinzie Monroe. Together we’ve penned over a dozen novels that are either published or under contract. When Anne’s not telling ‘sweet’ suspenseful tales of murder and mayhem, Kinzie fills in with stories of love and inspiration. Having a split personality makes life so much more interesting :-).
I bet.


Tell us your latest news.

Glad to, Susan. Kinzie and I both have new releases. Fire and Ash (by Anne) is an inspirational romantic suspense. Fire Investigator Sadie McGregor is called to her hometown of Emerald Point, Missouri to investigate a suspicious fire which claimed the life of a local college student. By appearance the fire looks accidental. What Sadie and the handsome new sheriff discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and may cost one of them their life.
And No Greater Love is an inspirational romance. Attorney Kirby Shelton has met a lot of wackos in her life. But the computer software queen, Leah Dalton, takes the prize. Leah, facing a losing battle with cancer, comes to Kirby with a plan to end her life on her terms. Leah invites Kirby and five of her closest friends to her estate, and offers to make one of them a multi-millionaire. All they have to do is kill her. Will they do it?

They both sound wonderful.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in either book? If so, why?

I’d have to say no on both counts. I loved the way they turned out and wouldn’t change anything about them.

Can you share a short excerpt from one of the books?

This excerpt is from Fire and Ash:

It was late afternoon before they arrived at the address the Ingram's had given them. Quinn parked his truck across the street and glanced up at the three-story brick building. "Third floor, right?"

Instead of an answer, Quinn heard Sadie's door close and looked over just in time to see her crossing in front of the truck, as usual, taking the lead. He smiled, grabbed the keys from the ignition, and reached for the door handle.

The sound of squealing tires caught Quinn's attention. He looked out his windshield as a black sports car pulled away from the curb. Shifting his gaze to the street, he saw Sadie was directly in its path. He jumped from the truck and yelled, "Look out!" then saw Sadie dive onto the hood of a parked car.

Quinn's heart pounded in his chest as he raced across the street. When he came around the front of the car she'd dove onto, he found her sitting with a dazed look on her face. He knelt beside her, "Are you okay?"

She blinked her eyes. "I definitely need to visit the gym more often."

He chuckled, relieved she was all right and that her humor was still intact. "I don't know. I haven't seen a move like that since Starsky and Hutch."
"Will I need to call my insurance agent?"

He rose on his toes to peer across the hood of the late model Buick and saw a fairly good size dent in the hood. "I'm afraid so."
He offered his hand in assistance and she stood on wobbly legs. "Whoa!" She grabbed hold of his arm.

He steadied her by slipping his arm around her waist. "Are you sure you're okay?" Beginning with her forehead his eyes worked their way downward.

"I'm fine."

He spotted a dark stain near the left pocket of her jeans. "No you're not. You're bleeding."
"It must be my elbow, it's beginning to sting."
He gently raised it. Sure enough, blood seeped out of a one inch cut just below the bone. He took both her forearms and guided her backwards to lean against the Buick. "Stay put, don't move." He ran across the street to his truck, removed his first aid kit from behind the seat. When he returned, Sadie was nowhere in sight.

Compelling for sure.
How about sharing a review or two with readers?

Since these two are new releases, I haven’t had any come in yet. I do have a couple from my May releases, though, I’d love to share.

Go right ahead.

Amazon Nymph gave Ties That Bind the Golden Blush Recommended Read Award! "Anyone that loves intense mystery and suspense stories is going to love Ties That Bind. The author has a way of keeping you on your toes as you read this book. There are so many twists that you will have a difficult time guessing who the killer is. Ms. Patrick keeps you guessing until you get close to the end of the book. This story has a lot of romantic and subtle Christian undertones but they don't detract from the mystery. I could not put this one down...Ties That Bind is one book to be placed on every mystery lover's bookshelf to be read more than once."

Great review. Congratulations!
Ginger at Examiner.com said this: Out of the Darkness is a perfect example of a story done right. You'll keep turning pages because you can't wait to find out who the villain really is and how the story will play out. Once you finish this book, you'll be searching for more from Anne Patrick.
Out of the Darkness was also chosen as the 'Publishers Pick' for the month of June at Champagne Books!

Where can we purchase a copy? You can find buy links to all my books on my website http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/

Do you have plans for another book? I have another book coming out in November with Desert Breeze Publishing called Sabotage, and I’m working on the first book in a romantic suspense series.

Where can we find you online? My website: www.annepatrick.weebly.com, my blog: www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com, and you can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Anne, it has been a pleasure to chat with you on the virtual deck this morning. Continued success with all endeavors, my friend.

Anne Patrick returns

My guest today is Anne Patrick, back for a second visit. Welcome back, Anne and even though I have previously interviewed you, please give new blog visitors a brief bio.

Well, I’m a suspense junkie with a bad habit of mixing chocolate and diet colas when writing which can, and often does, lead to mayhem. The proof being almost a dozen romantic suspense novels that are either published or under contract at this time. I do have a lighter side in the form of an alter ego named Kinzie Monroe who writes inspirational romance. When I’m not killing off people or falling in love with dashing heroes, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and traveling to foreign countries to experience new cultures.

Wow! What a great life!
What books came along at just the right time to influence your reading/writing?

I’d have to say Dee Henderson has been the most influential. I love how she can tell a spine-tingling tale laced with Christian themes.

Why do you use a pen name?

If you knew my last name you wouldn’t ask that question :-). Actually my mother came up with my first pen name, Anne Patrick. The second, Kinzie Monroe, I concocted at the advice of my publisher. We didn’t want a reader to pick up my inspirational romance, expecting murder and mayhem, and then be disappointed.

You have two new books. Congratulations! Please give us a short synopsis of Ties That Bind and Out of the Darkness.

Thank you, Susan. Well if you like reading about serial killers and the FBI profilers that hunt them, you won’t be disappointed with these.

Ties That Bind pits physic profiler Jo McDaniels against a sadistic killer in her former home town, and helping her is the handsome sheriff, Austin Garrett, who doesn’t quite know how to handle Jo’s unusual gift which allows her to tell him things that even the coroner doesn’t know. Things really get tense when they figure out that Jo could be the killer’s next victim.

Out of the Darkness (May release) has ex-FBI Profiler, Alex Michaels, forced into hiding by the serial killer who murdered her twin sister and left her with a career ending injury. Meeting up with an ex-pro football player who is also facing an uncertain future, Alex makes Royce McIntire an offer he can’t refuse. Settling into her new life, Alex has no idea the killer is hot on her tracks along with the team of FBI agents who failed to protect her before. When they all catch up to her, not only is her peaceful life shattered, but once again her life is in jeopardy.
Review: 
Out of the Darkness is a perfect example of a story done right. You'll keep turning pages because you can't wait to find out who the villian really is and how the story will play out. Once you finish this book, you'll be searching for more from Anne Patrick, and you can find what you seek on her website. To purchase your copy of this amazing suspense thriller, visit Champagne Books.
Read the whole review at  http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-34490-eBooks-Examiner~y2010m4d28-Review--Out-of-the-Darkness--Romantic-Mystery

Great review, Anne.
How do you think your writing has progressed since your first book?

It has gotten tighter and less passive, thanks to some wonderful editors who took the time to point out my flaws and made suggestions of how to improve my style.

When do you accomplish your best writing?

I’m a night owl, so usually about the time most normal people are sound to sleep in their comfy beds I’m creeping along dark alleys either searching for a killer or looking for my next victim.

After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

Music. Not only do I write by it, I can’t get to sleep without it. Now if it’s during the day, a long walk at the lake or a game of Frisbee with my German Shepherd, Zoe, usually does it.

Both novels have profilers but the characters and settings are different. How did you keep confusion at bay while writing the books simultaneously?

Actually the books were written a few years apart with books in between them. Out of the Darkness is the prequel to my first published book, Every Skull Tells a Story. I was midway through it when the characters in ESTAS starting bugging me. They were so insistent I had to put aside Out of the Darkness and tell their story first. Now seven books later, I’m thrilled that Jo and Royce finally get to tell theirs.

Anne, it's been great to interview you again. Let me know when the next book's out.
Where can we purchase these books and get more information about you?

Ties That Bind can be purchased through Awestruck Publishing and Out of the Darkness through Champagne Books or you can buy them at most online bookstores. I have buy links to both on my website: www.annepatrick.weebly.com and my blog: http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/
Thanks for another great interview, Anne.

Thank you for having me back, Susan. I’ve enjoyed it! I'd like to offer a PDF copy of either Out of the Darkness or Ties That Bind to one of the commenters. Would you like to draw a name at the end of the day on Tuesday?

Sure! That's very generous of you, Anne. Okay, bloggers, here's your chance. Just leave a comment in the link below for your chance to win the PDF.

This blog recieved another award!

Thanks to Anne Patrick for this hysterical award! I love it! I'm looking forward to having Anne come back May 24th and talk about her latest book. You be sure to come back as well.

Anne Patrick's Lethal Dreams

Book Blurb about Lethal Dreams:

Dr. Erin Jacobs is making a name for herself in the sports world. Drawing on her own life experiences, she encourages and inspires athletes to recover one hundred percent from career ending injuries. So why would someone want to hurt the good doctor? Detective Logan Sinclair is determined to find that answer. He’s been mesmerized by Erin since the night she found him and his partner shot in an alleyway. Since that night their lives have never been the same. He longs to find someone to share his life with and wants to help her secure her dream of someday opening a youth center. Erin doesn’t want to be a cop’s wife though. She’s been there and done that and paid the ultimate price. She doesn’t want to risk that kind of heartache again. Or does she?

My guest today is multi-published and bestselling author, Anne Patrick, who grew up in a rather boring neighborhood she says. So it was up to her and her friends to generate their own excitement. When other kids were off playing with their dolls and army men, they were out solving make-believe crimes in the neighborhood. Each day was a new and exciting adventure with danger lurking around every corner. Then in high school she discovered the wonderful world of romantic suspense and decided to put her over-active imagination to better use. She’s been spinning stories every since.

Anne, tell us more.
Well, I was born and raised in Oklahoma then ventured north several years ago and now live in the land of OZ where I share a home with three furry roommates. Zoe is my two-year-old German shepherd, and Sailor and Prince are her feline friends. When I’m not writing or working on edits, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and every couple of years I love to travel out of the country on short-term mission trips.

When did the writing bug bite, and in what genre(s)?
I write ‘Sweet’ Romantic Suspense and Inspirational Romance. I’ve always had a wild imagination. After some encouraging from my mother, when I was a teenager, I began to write the stories down. Later, I took a creative writing course and lucked out when I was placed with a teacher who was a multi-published mystery writer. She, like my mother, was very encouraging, so after completing the course I started submitting my work. A folder full of rejections later, I was finally published. Unfortunately, my mother had passed away by then, but she must have known it would happen because she’s the one who came up with my pen name.

When you started writing, what goals did you want to accomplish? Is there a message you want readers to grasp?
To land on the NY Times bestseller list of course. Hey, when I dream, I dream big. Just to be published is a dream come true, and to have nine books contracted…well, let’s just say I feel very blessed. Honestly, the most important thing to me is for my readers to come away from one of my books feeling as though they not only went on an adventure, but that they were touched by it in some way. My books are suspenseful, but they also carry messages of hope.

Briefly tell us about your latest book.
Lethal Dreams is the story about a woman who has spent her life facing challenges. Trying to put the past behind her, Dr. Erin Jacobs now uses those life lessons to help others. Her peaceful existence is shattered the night she witnesses the shooting of two police officers in a dark alleyway.

What’s the hook for the book?
Will Logan, one of the police officers, Erin helps to save that night, be able to solve the puzzle of who wants Erin out of the way before it’s too late? And if so what impact will those answers have on their lives?

Who’s the most unusual/most likeable character?
Princess Tara, in Dark Alliance, was fun to work with. She is one of my more complex characters. In the eyes of the public she lives in a fairy tale world, is admired and adored by her people. But in the shadows lurks an evil far greater than she or even the king can imagine. When she meets up with former CIA agent Alex Girard, sparks fly and she finds herself torn between duty to her country and true love.

Do you have specific techniques to help you maintain the course of the plot?
I’m a panster so a brief outline is all I start with. Once I’ve developed the characters and placed them where I want them they pretty much take over from there. I tired the whole detailing every aspect of the story and carefully planning out what I wanted to happen but it never worked for me. I find the story always turns out better when I turn my characters loose.

Share the best review (or a portion) that you’ve ever had.
Teagan with Book Wenches gave me a wonderful review on Journey to Redemption. She said, “The entire book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what might happen. The story was fresh and memorable. Ms. Patrick is truly a talented storyteller. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good crime mystery.” I floated on cloud nine for weeks after than one!

That's great!
What are your current projects?
I have six other releases coming out this year with different publishers, and I’m working to finish up two novels that I hope to have contracted for release in 2011.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?
http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SWEET-EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT-ROMANTIC-SUSPENSE/182197348388

Thanks for dropping by for an interview, Anne, and I wish you the best of sales in 2010!

Susan Whitfield, author of The Logan Hunter Mystery Series

www.susanwhitfield.blogspot.com