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