Happily Ever After Giveaway Hop

For this hop I'm giving away a PDF of my sweet romance Renegade Hearts.  To enter all you have to do is become a follower of my blog and leave a comment with your contact information. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

The winner of Renegade Hearts is Krista Grandstaff.  Thanks to all who participated!

Jenny needs another skilled cowboy around, but Gil is more than she bargained for.

Single mother Jenny Holloway has her hands full running a 1200-acre ranch, and keeping her daredevil son out of the emergency room.  So when her foreman suggests she hire on his son Gil Montgomery, who just got home from the war, Jenny jumps at the opportunity of having another skilled cowboy around.

Gil was used to taking orders, even from women.  What he wasn’t prepared for was the feelings this little firecracker of a woman triggered in him.  Jenny is a lot like the bronco she’s rescued and is now trying to break.  The unexpected death of her husband has left her jaded and afraid to risk her heart getting broken again.  Somehow, he has to gain her trust and prove that he isn’t going anywhere. 

Excerpt:

Gil helped distribute and light all the candles. By the time they were done it was almost as bright as if the lights had never gone out. 

"Thanks, guys," Jenny said.

Gil looked over at her. She looked miserable. "How's the pain?"

"It's okay."

It was the answer he had expected. Gil picked up a stack of magazines from a nearby table and moved to one of the chairs. He sorted through the titles of mostly ranching magazines until he found one on sports. The minutes crept by and every now and then they could hear a loud crash. As much as he hated being stuck somewhere where he couldn't see what was going on, he dreaded the moment when they would walk out of the basement. He'd seen on TV the amount of destruction a tornado could produce in the matter of seconds.

"Can I ask you something, Gil?" Jenny asked.

He glanced up from his magazine. "Sure."

"Earlier when we were leaving the barn and the lightning struck, what happened to you?"

He hesitated a moment, not quite sure how to answer her without leaving the impression that he was mentally unstable.

"Did you have some sort of a flashback?"

"Yeah," he admitted. "Loud noises and flashes of light sometime trigger's a memory. But it doesn't happen very often... I mean there's nothing to worry about."

"I wasn't worried, Gil. I was just curious. I'm sorry I brought it up."

He smiled. "Don't be. I didn't mean to sound so defensive. It's just some people, after learning that I was in the war, get a little nervous around me."

"I'm sorry people treat you that way. They shouldn't."

"No. What people don't understand is that when a soldier is in battle they don't have time to think about it, to process it correctly in their minds. So when they get home those memories that have been suppressed sometimes occur when we least expect them."

"That makes sense."

"The trick is to pretend that you're not shaken by them."

"I barely noticed."

"You're not a very good liar."

"No, I don't suppose I am. What happened is perfectly understandable though."

He smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now will you stop hogging all the magazines and hand me one of them?"

Buy Links:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-206/Anne-Patrick-Renegade-Heart/Detail.bok

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=21201EB&item_code=WW&netp_id=953832&event=ESRCG&view=details

http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Hearts-ebook/dp/B005MZ8GJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316053113&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/renegade-hearts-anne-patrick/1105618725

Follow the blog hop -

http://www.murphyslibrary.com/

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/

Reading Clean Giveaway Hop

For this hop I'm giving away a PDF of my award-winning and best-selling Fire and Ash.  To enter all you have to do is become a follower of my blog and leave a comment with your contact information. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Congratulations to Jes...winner of the blog hop giveaway.  Thank you everyone who participated!!!


 

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 like the girl was just careless. What Sadie and the handsome new police chief discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and put Sadie's life on the line.


Excerpt:

"Excuse me, sir. Are you supposed to be in here?"

The fireman turned. Quinn's eyes widened. Even with soot covering a good portion of the face, he could tell it was a woman from the brilliant smile she tossed at him. "It's miss, and I reckon I am if you wanna know the cause of this fire."

"You're with the State Fire Marshal's Office?" he guessed. Emerald Point's Fire Chief had told Quinn earlier that he suspected arson.

She stuck her clipboard underneath her arm, reached for the badge pinned to her turnout coat and flipped it around for him to view. "Sadie McGregor, Fire Investigator."

Interesting. She shared the same last name as the Fire Chief. That couldn't be a coincidence. "I had an officer posted here. Do you know where he went?"

"I sent him on an errand. Hope you don't mind." She stepped forward. Underneath her helmet, short strands of caramel colored hair framed a pretty face with freckles marching across both her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Haunting emerald eyes held his gaze as she offered her hand.

"Guess not." He shook the small latex covered hand, surprised by the strength of her grip. "Sorry for mistaking you for a guy."

She chuckled, turned, and walked into a room off to the right.

He followed. "I thought you were awfully small for a firefighter. I'm Police Chief Quinn Harrington by the way."

"I gathered that from your badge," she said with a smile. "Joe said you were on the scene during suppression, did anyone videotape it by chance? Or take pictures?"

"There were reporters on the scene so footage is probably available. Are you kin to Joe?"

"I'm his niece." She knelt along the baseboard. It was several seconds before she moved anything other than her head, which tilted from side to side as if in deep concentration. A few minutes later she balanced the clipboard on one knee, reached down and picked up what looked to be a framed photograph. "Must be her parents," she said, holding the frame up for his viewing.

"Mike and Donna Ingram. Larissa was their only child."

"Too bad. What do we know about her?"

"She was a senior over at the college, good kid, has never been in any trouble that I know of. The parents are away on vacation, so we think she was house sitting for them."

"Did you know her?"

"Not well. I've only been on the job a few months."

She laid the photograph on the buffet table, scribbled something on her clipboard and continued her examination of the room.

"I believe the point of origin is her bedroom, upstairs, first door on your right," Quinn volunteered.

"I've already been there," she said before exiting the room.

He followed her down the hall, into the kitchen. "How long have you been here?"

"Since dawn."

Just about the time he'd gone home to get a couple hours of much needed sleep.

Sadie pried opened the door of the soot-covered refrigerator and surveyed the contents. "Looks like our girl had herself a party."

"What makes you think that?"

"The refrigerator is almost empty and there are two barrels on the back porch with enough beer cans to pay for both our lunches."

"Preliminary findings of the coroner suggest she died from smoke inhalation."

"She also had a skull fracture."

"You've seen the body?" he asked.

"Yup."

"Well she could have received the head injury when she woke up disoriented. She was found next to the bed. She could have tripped and struck her head on the corner post."

"That's one possibility."

Thursday Teaser & Giveaway

This week’s snippet is from Sabotage.  For a chance to win a $5 GC from Amazon, just leave your contact info.  Drawing will take place on Sept 5^th. Good luck!

Blurb: District Judge Katie McKinley takes her career very seriously. No one knows that better than her old childhood friend and first love, Graham Bishop. Her ruling cost him his family’s ranch. So it’s no surprise when an attempt is made on her life that the sheriff turns his suspicions to Graham. As the two rekindle their love for one another, Katie refuses to believe Graham is guilty. But what if she’s wrong?  Available in eBook at Desert Breeze Publishing, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com,Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores.

Set up: After a visit with the sheriff, Graham pays Katie a visit in her chambers to find out why she thinks he sent her some threatening notes.

Graham's smile faded. "I got a phone call this morning asking me to come to the sheriff's office to answer some questions about several nasty notes you received."

Katie was unnerved by the fact that the sheriff had moved on with the investigation in spite of her wish to drop it. But what bothered her more was that he'd shown the notes to Graham. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed unlikely that Graham Bishop had anything to do with them. Her suspicions lay more with Scott Tillman, or someone in his family. The sheriff was correct in his assumption of their hatred for her family.

"I'm sorry for any inconvenience the sheriff may have caused you. I was under the impression when I left his office this morning the matter was going to be forgotten."

"So you don't think I sent the notes?"

"Look, Mr. Bishop, I've already apologized to you, and I can assure you the sheriff won't bother you again. Now if that's all, I'm late for a luncheon appointment." She stood, grabbed her purse, and started around her desk.

"You didn't answer my question, Katie." He stepped forward so that they stood only inches apart.

She gasped in alarm, his glare prompting her to step back behind her desk. The beating of her heart echoed in her ears. "You called me an egotistical little snob in my courtroom," she reminded him. Over a year later, his words still stuck in her like a thorn.

He gave a low chuckle, and the lines beside his eyes multiplied. "You are a snob, or at least you were in high school. That doesn't mean I wish you any harm."

Leaning against her desk, he folded his arms across his chest, his brown eyes leveled on her. "Look, I was mad. Yes. And I admit that if I'd been able to reach your bench that day without getting a bullet in my back, I may have been tempted to ring that pretty little neck of yours. But I don't hold grudges, Katie. Life's too short for that. Besides, if I did hold a grudge, it'd be for you pretending not to like me in high school when I knew good and well that you did."

Her heart skipped a beat. "We're not in high school anymore."

"I'm well aware of that, Katie."

"This conversation is over, Mr. Bishop. Either leave my chambers, or I'll be forced to call security." The voice of authority she used in the courtroom sounded weak and shaky now. She knew deep down the man who stood before her would never intentionally hurt her, but since she'd received the third note yesterday, her nerves were a tattered mess.

"First you throw me out of your courtroom, and now you're throwing me out of your chambers."

His smirk prompted her anger to deepen. She wasn't sure which bothered her more, his pompous attitude or the fact that he could still draw a reaction from her after all these years.

"Listen, Katie..." He moved toward her again.

Not understanding why he wouldn't go, she backed up, almost tripping over the leg of her chair. "Please -- please leave."

"Fine, I'll go. But be careful, Katie. You may not want to admit it, but I think we both know who's responsible for those notes."

Awards and Recognitions: 5 Heart review from The Romance Studio; #2 Bestseller in Suspense ebooks and Romance ebooks at Christianbook.com.

Thursday Teaser & Giveaway

This week’s snippet is from Fire and Ash.  For a chance to win a $5 GC from Amazon, just leave your contact info.  Drawing will take place on the 29^th. Good luck!

Blurb: 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 police chief discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and may cost one of them their life.  Available in eBook at Desert Breeze Publishing, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or most online bookstores.

Set up: Quinn has just returned to the scene of a fatality fire and finds female fire investigator Sadie McGregor.

"I believe the point of origin is her bedroom, upstairs, first door on your right," Quinn volunteered.

"I've already been there," she said before exiting the room.

He followed her down the hall, into the kitchen. "How long have you been here?"

"Since dawn."

Just about the time he'd gone home to get a couple hours of much needed sleep.

Sadie pried opened the door of the soot-covered refrigerator and surveyed the contents. "Looks like our girl had herself a party."

"What makes you think that?"

"The refrigerator is almost empty and there are two barrels on the back porch with enough beer cans to pay for both our lunches."

"Preliminary findings of the coroner suggest she died from smoke inhalation."

"She also had a skull fracture."

"You've seen the body?" he asked.

"Yup."

"Well she could have received the head injury when she woke up disoriented. She was found next to the bed. She could have tripped and struck her head on the corner post."

"That's one possibility."

Awards and Recognitions: 4 star review from Romantic Times; ‘Best Book’ and 5 star review from LASR; ‘Top Pick’ and a 5 star review from Night Owl Reviews; #1 Bestselling suspense eBook and #1 Bestselling contemporary romance eBook for over ten months at Christianbook.com. LASR 'Best Book of 2010' Nominee; Winner TRR's 'Best Inspirational 2010'.

Thursday Teaser & Giveaway

This week’s snippet is from Journey to Redemption.  For a chance to win a $5 GC from Amazon, just leave your contact info.  Drawing will take place on the 22^nd. Good luck!

Blurb: Detective Morgan Reynolds thought her nightmare was over when serial killer Gerald ‘The Slasher’ Tate was sent to prison for her husband’s murder. But she was wrong. The Slasher has escaped and he’s making it even more personal this time. Tate has kidnapped her son and is giving her 72 hours to find the answers he wants or Jared dies.  Available in print or eBook at Whimsical Publications, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or at most online bookstores. 

Set up: Morgan’s son has just been kidnapped by the serial killer who murdered her husband.

Chase stopped the car. Morgan leaped from the passenger side and ran up the small slope to her front door.

“Jared,” she called out as she entered the foyer. After dropping her purse on the bottom step, she ran up the stairs to his room. 

He wasn’t there.

She crossed the room to the unmade bed and searched for any sign that he’d been there since that morning, but his backpack was nowhere in sight.  Glancing out the window, she spotted Cosmo lounging next to his doghouse. 

Please, God…please let him be at one of his friends’.  Please let him be safe!

Morgan fought off the threatening tears as she searched her bedroom, the guest bedroom, and the bathrooms before heading back downstairs.

“Afternoon, Sergeant.” Morgan froze at the familiar voice coming from her answering machine. She stepped into the living room and stared at the black box next to the phone.  “Not to worry, you’re little boy is safe and sound. He’ll stay that way as long as you don’t contact your buddies down at the police station. I’ll be in touch soon.” She looked at Chase. 

 “Sorry.  I thought maybe he’d left you a message,” he said.

“Oh no.” Her worst fear confirmed, Morgan sank onto the couch and wrapped her arms around her midsection. She struggled to fight off the nausea that threatened to consume her.

“Get me the captain.”

Morgan looked up and saw Chase on the phone.  She rushed to his side, grabbed the receiver from his hand, and slammed it down on its cradle then glared at him. “What are doing?”

“Following procedure. The faster we act, the better the chances…”

“You heard what he said, no cops.”

“Come on, Morgan, be realistic. We have to follow protocol.”

“Forget protocol. We’re talking about my son here. I’m not going to do anything that will endanger his life.”

Thursday Teaser & Giveaway

This week’s snippet is from my short story Christmas with Hope. It’s a companion piece to my Wounded Heroes Series – beginning with Kill Shot – and can be downloaded for free from my publisher or at Books on Board.  For a chance to win a $5 GC from Amazon, just leave your contact info.  Drawing will take place on the 15^th. Good luck!

Blurb: Penned down under heavy fire, the sound of the Blackhawk chopper is one of the sweetest sounds a ranger will ever hear. Then to discover an attractive female at the stick has the sparks flying. Hope Erickson, a Blackhawk pilot, and Nick Cunningham, an army ranger, renew their acquaintance on the battlefields of Iraq. Will they risk their hearts to one another or does fate have other plans in store for them?

Set up: Nick and his team have been ambushed. Blackhawk choppers have arrived and are attempting to take out the insurgents.

A bullet ricocheted off the concrete wall, narrowly missing Nick Cunningham's head. Kneeling next to the door, he returned several rounds from his M4. Mortars and small-arms fire exploded throughout the neighborhood. It sounded like the Fourth of July. He searched the rooftop of the building across the road, where the insurgents lay well hidden, but saw nothing.

The mission was simple. Locate and eliminate a cell of insurgents embedded in the small village in western Iraq. But nothing was ever that simple in this unconventional war. As it turned out, the reliable tip that put this mission in motion appeared to be just a ruse to ambush Nick's unit.

Thankfully, only one of his men was injured in the initial firefight.

He glanced over at Doc. The young medic was changing the bandage on their fallen comrade. Lucas' gunshot wound wasn't serious, but if they didn't get him to a hospital soon they could lose him.

Another mortar exploded just outside the door, showering Nick with plaster and dirt. The abandoned school had offered the perfect refuge, but after four hours of continuous hits the roof and part of the front wall were close to collapsing on top of them.

"Hey, Gunner," Nick yelled into his head mike. "You got that radio fixed yet?" He'd been at it over an hour and Nick was losing patience.

Several seconds passed before the soldier answered, "I'm working on it."

Nick glanced down the dirt road to their bombed Humvee, where Gunner and Mac were attempting to fix the radio. They were still receiving fire. Nick had to give them some reinforcement, if they had any chance of radioing for help. "Crocket, come in here and keep the doc company. I'm gonna go see if I can't speed things up a bit."

"Hey, Lieutenant. You may want to hang back," his radio crackled. "Sounds like we have company."

Nick listened. He could barely hear the sound of chopper blades over the gunfire. "Miller, shoot a flare on top of that roof so they'll know our location."

Within seconds of the flare's landing, four blasts demolished the building across the road. The percussion knocked Nick off his feet. Smoke billowed into the school. An eerie silence surrounded them.

Six Sentence Sunday

Today, I’m sharing a snippet from OUT OF THE DARKNESS. It's a published contemporary romantic suspense.


Set-up: The serial killer is watching a taped interview of Alex. He's determined to add her to his list of victims.

*****

He paused the video and fixed his eyes on the still picture. Such a beautiful face. Her posture and expression were full of confidence.

She wasn’t so arrogant the night he’d attacked her though, and neither was her sister.

Until she’d come along, he’d been in complete control. Not to worry though, no matter where she ran, he’d find her.

*****

Blub:

FBI profiler Alex Michaels’ life was shattered when a sadistic serial killer murdered her twin sister and left Alex with a career ending injury. Hoping to put the past behind her, she sets off across country with a truck driver she barely knows. Royce McIntire knows Alex is on the run from something or someone, but he doesn’t care. He’s fallen in love with her and is finally getting his life back on track. The killer is hot on Alex’s trail though, determined to find the one victim who got away. As more bodies turn up dead Alex has no choice but to tell Royce who she really is. Will the love that has blossomed between them be strong enough to sustain them, or will the killer get to Alex before they even have a chance to find out?

OUT OF THE DARKNESS is available at the following locations:

http://www.amazon.com/Out-Of-The-Darkness-ebook/dp/B004GKML3E/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_7

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-darkness-anne-patrick/1029826917?ean=2940043324672&itm=5&usri=anne%2bpatrick

Six Sentence Sunday

This is my first Six Sentence Sunday. The ones I've chosen are from my latest release, Fire Creek. In this scene Jimmy has just caught Kasey exiting the office of the attorney her late cousin had worked for.

What were you doing in Woodward's office?" he demanded.


She avoided his glare, as her mind raced to come up with a logical explanation. Lying was out of the question, not that it'd do any good anyway. He had no doubt seen her through the window, explaining the noise she heard.

"Do you realize how much trouble you could get into if anyone was to find out you broke into his office?"

"No one's going to find out... unless you rat on me.

Blurb:
Kasey Montgomery has returned to her hometown of Fire Creek Montana after the apparent suicide of her cousin. Within days of Beth's funeral, Kasey begins to find inconsistencies in her death. The local sheriff is quick to dismiss the allegations as figments of a writer's imagination. Kasey is determined to prove otherwise. Does the bronzed skinned stranger from Beth's funeral hold the answers?


Local park ranger, Jimmy Little Raven suspects foul play too. Beth was engaged to his best friend who died months earlier from a mysterious accident. Risking his heart and his job, he teams up with the famous mystery writer to find the answers to both deaths.

Available at:
http://www.amazon.com/K-T-Randall-Book-One-ebook/dp/B008GI62KA/ref=la_B002C793SE_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1341130949&sr=1-17 You can also purchase at Barnes & Noble and most online bookstores. Learn about Anne’s other books at: http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/

Interview with Princess Tara from Dark Alliance

Tara, the Crown Princess of Gautier, a small European island country west of France, has gone to the finest schools in the world, was raised in the luxury of a beautiful palace in a country that was fast becoming one of Europe’s hot spots. 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 even the king can imagine.


Babysitting a beautiful princess sounds like an easy job for former CIA agent Alex Girard, but when it becomes clear that the assassin trying to kill Tara is the same man responsible for killing his father he knows keeping her alive may be the toughest assignment of his life. Just as disturbing is the growing attraction he has for the future queen. Determined to find the answers that will save the monarchy and finally bring the murderer to justice, Alex and Tara team up with friends on an international quest that will change all their lives.

Interview with Princess Tara:
Princess Tara is the daughter of King Edward of Gautier, and is heir presumptive to the crown. The small country of Gautier is located on the Atlantic Ocean, between North America and France. The princess is here in the states trying to find answers from her past with the help of her good friend, Scott Humphreys and her new bodyguard Alex Girard. Welcome, Princess!


*Princess Tara removes her baseball cap and sunglasses she’s been wearing to conceal her identity and takes a seat on the sofa* Thank you, Anne. It’s my pleasure to be here.

[Anne] Forgive me for my informality. I’ve never interviewed royalty before.

[Tara] Don’t be silly. I detest formality. Just ask my father. *Tara tosses Anne a mischievous grin*

[Anne] Would you care for a brownie, Tara? Ummm it is okay if I call you by your first name…I mean since we’re being informal.

[Tara] Of course. And I would love a brownie. Thank you.” *Tara carefully removes one from the plate and takes a bite* Delicious!

[Anne] *Big grin* Thanks! I appreciate the compliment. I’m not really known for my cooking skills.

[Tara] Neither am I.

[Anne] I’m surprised you even cook. If I had servants, I sure wouldn’t.

[Tara] On this adventure, I do a lot of things I don’t normally do.

[Anne] Hmmm…Intriguing comment. Though I’m tempted, I won’t go there just yet. Instead, please tell us what a day in the life of a princess is like.

[Tara] Normally I would be kept to a tight schedule of meetings, fund raisers…whatever my father’s advisors request of me. They’re all part of my royal duties. They’re grooming me to be queen some day.

[Anne] You said normally. What have you been up to lately?

[Tara] For the past several months I’ve been away from court on a holiday.

[Anne] Holiday huh?

[Tara] *Tara grins* At least that is what my father thinks. In reality, I’ve been working with Scott, a former New York policeman, to find the answers behind my brother’s abduction fifteen years ago.

[Anne] I’m so sorry about your brother. Have you been able to come up with any answers to his disappearance?

[Tara] Going on the original reports from my own government’s investigation, we came up with the name Diablo Lazario, who at one time had been a suspect. With some research and a couple of inside tips through government channels, we were able to learn Lazario has a son living in the state of Virginia.

[Anne] I hear Scott has brought in some help in the form of a bodyguard. I happened to catch sight of him out in the hallway. He’s very good looking.

[Tara] *Tara makes a huffing sound as she sets her empty plate aside* His looks are all he has going for him. He’s a beast of a man! I would have demanded his dismissal if he hadn’t recently saved my life.

[Anne] Oh my! What happened?

[Tara] I’d rather not say. It was all very disturbing. I don’t like to talk about it. Besides, if my father were to find out my true whereabouts, he would demand I return to Gautier and I would have to give up my search.

[Anne] I understand.

*The door opened and the man Anne had seen in the hallway stepped in. Gorgeous locks of brown hair curled along the collar of his dress shirt. He stands well over six feet tall and has the muscled physic of a football player. A pair of stunning emerald eyes looks at Anne.* “Sorry for the interruption,” he said before turning to Tara. “Marcus just called. The plane is fueled and ready for takeoff.”

[Tara] Fine. I’ll be out in a minute. Please close the door on your way out.

[Alex] *Instead of leaving, he offers his hand to Anne* Alex Girard. Are those brownies I see there?

[Anne] *Anne reluctantly withdraws her hand from his and picks up the plate* Take as many as you like.

[Tara] *Tara gasped* I don’t believe this. You have the manners of a baboon. *She rises from the sofa and walks over to Anne.* I should probably be going. We have a lot of work to do.

[Anne] *Shakes Tara’s hand* It was a pleasure meeting you. You’re as lovely as your photographs in the tabloids.

[Tara] *smiles* Thank you. *She then turns to Alex* I’ll be waiting in the limo.

[Alex] She’s a royal pain in the you-know-what if you ask me. I’ve been in war zones that were more pleasant than this assignment.

[Tara] I heard that *Tara shouts over her shoulder.*

[Alex] *rolls his eyes* I better get going before she leaves without me. Thanks for the brownies.

[Anne] You’re welcome. I hope Tara is able to find the answers she’s searching for.

[Alex] She will, if I can keep her alive long enough.

If you'd like to find out what happens, you can purchase the book at the following locations for only $3.99.  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords. 

Autographed copy of Fire and Ash Giveaway!

This month on my website I'll be giving away an autographed copy of my award-winning/bestselling book, Fire and Ash.  To enter the drawing, just click on this link and leave me a comment telling me you'd like to enter.

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 police chief discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and may cost one of them their life.  

5 Hearts Review for Trespasses

“This book was an excellent read that progressed with such fluency that I could not put it down for a second. The plot was dynamic and drew me in as a reader because of its intensity and its attention to detail when it came to the investigation… Ms. Patrick has penned a superb tale in this one with two strong characters that have to face their pasts -- as both of them have lost loved ones -- if they're to have any hope at a future together. Well done to this author, of which I can't wait to read the first installment of this series and the ones to come in the future.” ~ Reviewed by Bec

 http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/trespassespatrick.htm

I’ve also uploaded my latest newsletter onto my website.  Check it out here!  Inside you’ll find an exclusive excerpt from my July release, Fire Creek.  If you're not on my mailing list and would like to be please drop me a line via the contact form on my website, or email annepatrick07[at]yahoo[dot]com.

Thank you for all your support!

Anne

Trespasses, Wounded Heroes Series: Book Two

Releases tomorrow!  Leave a comment with your contact info for a chance to win a PDF copy of the ebook.  And drop by http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/ for a chance to win another copy. Two chances are better than one, right?

BLURB:

When the skeletal remains of three young women are discovered on the vacation estate of a U.S. Senator, the local sheriff enlists the help of Special Agent Gabe Sullivan and a local forensic sketch artist, to help him solve the murders. A profiler for fourteen years, Gabe knows his skills are useless until they discover the identity of the victims. That’s where the beautiful and talented Mackayla Kensington comes in.

Mackayla knows all too well the heartache of not knowing the fate of a loved one. The brutal murder of her own daughter is the driving force behind her determination to bring closure to families missing loved ones.

Using her artistry skills, Mackayla works frantically to put faces to the skulls so that their identities can be revealed and the killer can be caught. When the killer realizes how good she is it appears she may be the next to die.
 
EXCERPT:
 
Gabe scanned the departing passengers, wishing he'd thought to bring a sign or something with her name scribbled on it. The only description he had was she's around five-eight, slender, very pretty, with long brown hair.

"Agent Landry," a woman's voice called out.

He turned to his left and saw a woman, or at least what he thought was a woman, approach him. She wore hiking boots, blue jeans, gray sweatshirt, and a backwards baseball cap. On her back, she toted a backpack almost as big as she was. She looked like she'd been trekking across the Himalayas. "They switched gates on us at the last minute." She offered her hand, along with a beautiful smile. "Mackayla Kensington. It's nice to meet you."

"How'd you know who I was?"

"I phoned Adam from the plane. He told me a federal agent would be meeting me, and you G-men all look alike."

"Do you have luggage?"

"I'm wearing it. I figured you wouldn't be leaving without me so I saved you a trip to baggage."

"Thanks. Appreciate it."

The trip from the airport to the parking lot was filled with polite conversation, mostly consisting of how much cooler it was compared to El Salvador. Arriving at his rental car, a gray Crown Victoria, he helped her off with her backpack. As heavy as it was, he wondered if she had taken along her whole wardrobe. "Do you want to pick up something to eat on the way to the lab, or do you need to get some sleep first?" he asked, slipping the pack into the trunk.

"I slept on the plane, and I'm not hungry."

Relieved of the pack, she was a lot smaller in appearance. A few inches shorter than him, he guessed she couldn't weigh much more than one-thirty. She was still wearing the backwards baseball cap, her brown hair neatly braided, draped loosely over her left shoulder. She looked to be in her mid to late thirties, somewhat older than he'd expected.

"You've only been a forensic sketch artist for six years?" he asked as he maneuvered his way onto the interstate.

"Yes. I was an art teacher previous. Seventh and eighth graders. I like this job better, the skulls don't talk back."

Gabe smiled at her. He liked her sense of humor. "So how long before you can get started?"

"I can get started tonight if you have the forensic data and Forrester left me his notes."

He liked her enthusiasm too. "Are you sure you're up to it?"

"The sooner we get started the sooner we can get these women home to their families."

"And the murderer behind bars," he added.

Trespasses will be available at most online bookstores or through my publisher. http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-293/Wounded-Heroes-Book-Two-cln-/Detail.bok

Book Trailer for Trespasses, Book Two: Wounded Heroes Series

Coming May 15th!



A huge THANK YOU! goes out to my wonderful cover artist, Jenifer Ranieri at Desert Breeze Publishing!

Reservations for Two Giveaway!

To enter the drawing for a PDF copy of Reservations for Two go to my website and use the contact form and leave me a message telling me you would like to enter this months drawing.  That's it!

Widower’s Maggie O’Brien and Carson Jennings are both on a journey to rediscover who they are. Maggie, an adventurous former pastor’s wife of thirty-nine years, hopes to find closure in the place she and her husband spent their honeymoon. Carson, a retired judge, is living his lifelong dream of traveling across the U.S. in his RV. When their paths cross in the tranquil setting of Mason Springs, New Mexico, love is the last thing that either of them expects to find.

When this mix matched pair comes together they find themselves in some hilarious and even precarious situations that will make you laugh and sometimes cry. As the romance begins to blossom they face many obstacles that threaten to tear them apart and what Maggie discovers about herself in New Mexico will redefine her future and alienate one of her children.

Will Carson and Maggie’s love for one another be strong enough to weather the storms or will their love for their children keep them apart?
 
Interview with Maggie:
Joining us today is Maggie O’Brien, the heroine from Reservations for Two. I had to travel all the way to Mason Springs, New Mexico, and then hike up a mountain just to find Maggie so I could interview her. And sadly I have to admit she’s in much better shape than I am. She could put the Energizer Bunny to shame.

Anne spots Maggie on the trail ahead, taking in the beauty of the valley below, and pauses to catch her breath. The sixty-two year old woman with salt and pepper hair and small build looks like she just took a stroll through a garden instead of up a mountain.

[Maggie] You look like you could use some oxygen there, kiddo.

*Anne makes a face at her. She’s still trying to catch her breath*.

*Maggie saunters over and takes a seat on a nearby log.* Are you sure you’re okay?

[Anne] I’m fine. We couldn’t have done this down at the inn? *her voice still a tad shaky*

*Maggie grinned* I suppose we could of, but then you would have missed this. *She makes a sweeping motion with her hands*

*Anne cautiously gazed over the side of the cliff and over the tops of huge aspens and conifers to the spectacular view of the valley below* So is this why you traveled all the way from Nebraska on a bus?

*Maggie shrugs a shoulder* These trails hold some very fond memories of when Joe and I spent our honeymoon here, so I guess you could say I came here to find closure.

[Anne] I know you and Joe were very close, but it’s hard to picture the two of you together.

*Maggie laughs* I wasn’t your typical pastor’s wife. Nor was I a very good missionary…at least not as good as Joe.

[Anne] You spent nineteen years in the mission field, right?

[Maggie] That’s right. We met in Brazil, corresponded a while, married here in the states, and then I moved there. We also lived in Africa. Can you tell I like to travel?

[Anne] What brought you back to the United States?

[Maggie] After Joe’s dad passed on the church where he served offered Joe the pastoral position.

[Anne] Do you ever miss serving in the mission field?

[Maggie] I miss the traveling the most. I’ve always wanted to visit other countries, learn the different cultures, and see how the rest of the world lives.

[Anne] You recently met someone who also likes to travel, would you care to enlighten us about him. According to Joann, down at the inn, the two of you have been spending a lot of time together.

*Maggie blushes* Joann needs to mind her own business.

[Anne] Oh come on. I traveled a long ways to get the scoop on you and Carson. Now give.

[Maggie] Carson’s okay I guess. I’m not really in the market for another husband though. We’re just friends, with similar interests, spending part of our vacations together. That’s all. Besides, even I did care for him…which I don’t…my kids would have a conniption fit. They’re under the impression I’m going senile or something. They’re always harping on me to move closer to them so they can keep an eye on me. I swear, you’d think I was standing at death’s door or something the way they carry on sometimes.

[Anne] Wouldn’t you want to live closer so you can spend time with your grandchildren?

[Maggie] I can spend time with my grandchildren without living next door…or in the same house with them. Now that I’m retired I plan to do that as often as I can. When I’m not traveling that is.

[Anne] So you’re really serious about recapturing your dream of seeing the world?

[Maggie] You bet I am. I’m in the prime of my life here.

[Anne] So will Carson be joining you on this journey of yours?

[Maggie] Good heavens, give me a break, I just met the man. Not only that, but he doesn’t really strike me as much of an adventurer…if you know what I mean. He’s more the type to live out his retirement on the golf course.

[Anne] But he has a motor home, so he must like to travel.

[Maggie] That’s true, I guess. He did agree to go hiking with me.

*Anne peers over the edge of the mountain again, wondering how’s she’s going to get down without breaking her neck* If he’s agreed to go hiking with you I’d say he’s an adventurer.

*Maggie grins* We’ll see about that.

[Anne] So how’d the two of you meet anyway?

[Maggie] I was rollerblading up town and had a bit of a mishap and he sort of came to my rescue.

[Anne] You’re being awful vague, Maggie. What sort of mishap? Was anything broken…did anyone get hurt?

[Maggie] Of course not, I’m a better skater than that. I’ve been rollerblading with my grandchildren for years. Is this interview about over? I promised Carson we’d go out tonight and I want to get in a few more miles before heading back to the inn. You could join me, if you want.

*Anne considers the invitation only briefly* No thanks. I don’t mind hiking, but I don’t care too much for heights. So you and Carson are going out tonight?

*Maggie stands up and slips on her daypack* Yeah. He wouldn’t tell me where we’re going though. He said it was a surprise.

[Anne] Well I better let you get back to your hike then. I wouldn’t want you to be late for your date on account of me. You two have fun.

*Maggie blushes* Oh I’m sure we will. He comes up with some of the best surprises.

What sort of surprise do you reckon Carson has in store for Maggie?
 
Reservations for Two can be purchased at Amazon.com or from the publisher.

Kill Shot is a Finalist in the 2011 Grace Awards!

I'm thrilled to announce my novel KILL SHOT has been nominated by readers as a finalist in the Grace Awards 2011 in the Suspense/Mystery/Thriller/Romantic Suspense: category.  Yaay!   Winners will be will be announced on May 10, 2012. *Crossing my fingers:)* Thank you, readers, for your nominations!!!

Blurb:
Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired to find her sister's killer, was found dead in a building Kory owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?


Excerpt:

The steel door creaked as she pushed it open, the sound echoing throughout the metal building. "Mr. Urlik?" She waited for her eyes to adjust to the change in lighting before stepping all the way inside. A wide stream of light from the door spread out in front of her. "Mr. Urlik. Are you in here?"

Kory heard a sound a few yards in front of her. She quickly scanned the area. Three rows of huge metal shelves lined the interior. She inched forward, peering around the corner of the second row. Mr. Urlik lay on his side, facing her, clutching his chest. His eyes were opened and his mouth moved, but no sound came out. A heart attack? She ran to him, knelt down on the cement floor, and took his hand. It was wet, slimy. She looked down and saw his hand covered in blood. Her eyes shifted to his chest. A large crimson stain spread across the width of his white shirt from a small hole near the center. He was breathing erratically. Experience told her a bullet had pierced at least one lung and he didn't have much time. She immediately pressed the heel of her right hand against the wound.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"Where's your cell phone?" Hers was in her backpack but she didn't want to waste valuable time digging it out.

"No time. Get out."

"Who did this, Mr. Urlik?"

He grabbed her right hand and squeezed it tightly. "You were right -- no accident."

His hand went limp.

Kory felt something in the palm of her hand, looked down and saw it was a key. She shoved it into her jeans pocket. A whizzing sound buzzed past her, followed by the unmistakable clink of a bullet ricocheting off metal. She instinctively threw herself over his body as another bullet struck metal. Kory felt for a pulse. There was none. She lowered her hand to his chest and felt under both arms and along his waist. I thought all PIs carried guns. Just my luck this one didn't.

She scrambled to her feet, as more shots ricocheted around her, and dove through an opening on the first row of shelves. A piercing pain sliced through her upper arm as she took cover behind some boxes. They wouldn't shield her from the gunfire but they would conceal her presence while she figured out how she was going to get out of there. She paused long enough to grab her cell phone from her backpack, wishing she hadn't when another bullet tore through a box beside her. She ducked lower to the floor.

Kory ignored the throbbing in her arm and slithered along the floor toward the back of the building. As a child, she and her sister, Callie, had often accompanied her grandfather to the warehouse where he worked on boats as a hobby. She remembered a back exit that led to the side parking lot and nearby woods. If she could reach the door, she had a chance of getting out of this alive. She looked down at the tear in her shirt, drenched with blood.

This isn't good!

Available at Desert Breeze Publishing, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and most online bookstores.

Giveaway - Print Copy of A Familiar Evil

You have until the 29th of February to enter my drawing for an autographed copy of A Familiar Evil.  Just use the contact form on my website http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/ to enter.  Good Luck!!!

"You're out there watching me. I can feel you. What do you want? Why did you come back here?"

Jordan Russell had the perfect life until the brutal monster from her childhood resurfaced, opening up scars she thought were healed. With the hope of finally finding closure Jordan leaves her cheating husband, and her career in the FBI, and returns to where her nightmare began. But what awaits her in Thorny Creek will push her to the very edge of sanity and bring her face to face with her abductor.

Excerpt:

“Excuse me. I’m looking for Chief Russell.”

Jordan’s stomach did a nosedive at the familiar voice of her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

“You found her,” Frank answered.

Jordan looked up just as Sam smiled. “Indeed I have.” He started toward her desk.

Colleen barged through the opened door. “Chief, there’s an Agent Russell here to see…oh, I guess you found her.”

“Agent Russell,” Frank repeated. He turned back to Jordan, “Isn’t Russell your married name?” He then shifted his gaze back to Sam, “That must mean you’re her husband.”

“Not for much longer.” Jordan hurried around her desk and ushered Frank out the door. “You’ll be hearing from me.” She closed the door and looked at Sam. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here at your request.”

“I specifically requested someone from the Charlotte field office.” Anyone but him.

He looked at her with the gorgeous smile that used to make her go weak in the knees. “And they forwarded that request to Agent Haines, who assigned me.”

“We’ll see about that.” Jordan marched back to her desk, and was four digits into Haines’ cell phone number when Sam pressed his finger down on the button and disconnected the call. Eighteen and a half months of built-up rage boiled to the surface. She doubled her right fist and spun around with lighting fury.

Sam, just as quick, stopped the fist within inches of his jaw. With his free hand, he took the phone from her left hand and placed it back in its cradle. Jordan felt his hot breath on her face as he peered down at her, and was keenly aware of the heat generating from his body through the hand which tightened around her wrist.

“Let me help you, Jordan…please.”

She swallowed hard, summoned all her courage, and met his smoldering gaze. “I need a profiler who can tell me exactly what I’m up against here.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve lost your touch.”

She ignored his smirk. “I need a fresh pair of eyes who can look at this guy objectively.”

“Who hasn’t allowed themselves to get too personal?”

“I just need someone other than you,” she spat.

“Too bad, you’re stuck with me. Now, what do you say I release your hand and you don’t take my head off? Or we can continue to provide the day’s entertainment for your co-workers.”

Jordan shifted her gaze to the glass separating her office from the command center. A half dozen familiar faces scattered like rats. She twisted free from his grip, grabbed her cap from her desk and shoved it down over her head. “Fine!” She was already halfway out the door before she realized he wasn’t with her. She turned back and found him smiling at her. “Are you coming or not?”

Out of the Darkness is on sale this weekend

Champagne Books is having a weekend special through Monday. All ebooks are 50% off and prints are 20% off. So if you haven't read Out of the Darkness, now is your chance to pick it up pretty cheap. Just use the coupon codes below during checkout.

http://champagnebooks.com/shop/index.php?route=product/manufacturer&manufacturer_id=79

Ebooks--50% off all ebooks, using coupon code: ecoupFD
print books--20% off all printed books, using coupon code pcoupFD


FBI profiler Alex Michaels’ life was shattered when a sadistic serial killer murdered her twin sister and left Alex with a career ending injury. Hoping to put the past behind her, she sets off across country with a truck driver she barely knows.

Royce McIntire knows Alex is on the run from something or someone, but he doesn’t care. He’s fallen in love with her and is finally getting his life back on track.

The killer is hot on Alex’s trail though, determined to find the one victim who got away. As more bodies turn up dead Alex has no choice but to tell Royce who she really is. Will the love that has blossomed between them be strong enough to sustain them, or will the killer get to Alex before they even have a chance to find out?


EXCERPT

The knife came out of nowhere.

A sharp pain, followed by a burning sensation, seared up her right forearm. Her fingers went numb and the gun clattered to the floor. She jabbed with her left arm, her clenched fist coming in contact with the jaw hidden behind a black ski mask.

The intruder retaliated with a punch to her right cheek that slammed her body back against the door. The room swirled, her knees grew weak. She struggled to stand on solid ground. With a fistful of hair, her head was jerked back as the attacker’s knee rammed her rib cage, forcing a gush of air from her lungs.

She cried out as her knees buckled and she dropped to the floor. Another blow to her rib cage knocked her back onto the floor. Her left arm pinned beneath her, she raised a bloody right arm toward the intruder and stared in horror at her hand dangling lifelessly.

With the full weight of his body pinning her, she writhed beneath him trying to free her left arm.

“Fight me, Alex. Show me you’re not as weak as the rest.”

“I swear I’m going to kill you.” Using her feet as leverage, she rolled against him but she was no match for his strength.

He laughed. “Come on, Alex. Your sister put up a better fight than this.”

A sob escaped her lips. She could still hear Cassie’s cries for help and her bloodcurdling screams of terror.

“Sorry you didn’t make it in time to say goodbye. But you’ll be with her soon enough.”

Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews!

What an awesome way to start the week!  Kill Shot, Book One in my Wounded Heroes Series received a Top Pick review.  Check it out!


"This book was awesome and I can't wait to read the next book in this new series. The story line was phenomonal. Anne Patrick has definitely out done herself with this book. She takes the Christian reading genre to a whole new height. Keep up the good work, and I can't wait to read the next one in this new series."

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Reviews/Angibabi4-reviews-Kill-Shot-by-Anne-Patrick.aspx

Book Blurb for Kill Shot:

Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired, was found dead in a building she owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?

Just Romantic Suspense Giveaway – Over Twenty Five Books!

Now I know you like romantic suspense or you probably wouldn’t have dropped by, so check this out. ONE insanely lucky person will win all these books on the night of December 19th. That’s right, over twenty-five romantic suspense books! To visit Just Romantic Suspense’s blog, just click on the graphic in my side bar. You can enter the drawing Dec 16th – 19th.

Here are some of the titles included in the drawing:
Dee J Adams – Dangerous Race
Becky Barker – Cade’s Challenge
Anne Marie Becker – Only Fear
Allison Brennan – Love Me to Death
Lorelei Confer – Deadly Revenge
Wynter Daniels – Sizzle At Sea
Lena Diaz – He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not
Marcelle Dube – On Her Trail
Misty Evans – Operation Sheba
Adrienne Giordano – Risking Trust
Angela Henry – Paris Secret
Rita Henuber – Under Fire
Betsy Horvath – Hold Me
Victoria Howard – Ring Of Lies
Autumn Jordan – In The Presence Of Evil
Sylvie Kurtz – A Little Christmas Magic
Gennita Low – Hunter
Kat Martin – Tin Angel
Dana Marton – Guardian Agent
Julie Miller – The Shadow Of The Hawk
Maureen A. Miller – Endless Night
Terry Odell – When Danger Calls
Anne Patrick – Fire and Ash
Patricia Rasey – Deadly Obsession
Christy Reece – Sweet Justice
Jaime Rush – Unforgivable
Carol Stephenson – Courting Death
Carla Swafford – Circle Of Desire
Debra Webb - Obsession
Norah Wilson – Guarding Suzannah

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!