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.”

Journey to Redemption book trailer - check it out!

Purchase eBook or print at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Whimsical Publications (where the ebook is half off during the month of August).

Sweet Saturday Sample

Journey to Redemption - Inspirational Romantic Suspense - Rated PG - Releases August 1st!

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.



Excerpt

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 you 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.”

“I know he’s your son, and I know what’s at stake. You’re a cop, Morgan. You know the first twelve hours are the most crucial. We have to call the captain and get the FBI in here.”

She shook her head. “No. No cops, and no FBI.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “I’ve already lost my husband. I can’t lose Jared too. Please, Chase…please just trust me on this.”



I'll have a drawing for a PDF copy of Journey to Redemption Sunday evening so be sure to leave your contact info if you'd like to be entered.

Journey to Redemption will be available for purchase Monday, August 1st, in ebook and print from Whimsical Publications, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores.

And the Winner Is..... & other news!

Janis Lane!  Congratulations, Janis.  Nancy will be contacting you shortly with your book.  I'm sure you will enjoy it.  It sounds awesome and is on my TBR list.

I want to thank Nancy for joining me this month.  It's been great getting to know more about her and her wonderful new series. 

In other news -

Coming up next month is fellow Jewel of the Quill Karen Weisner!  Karen is truly an amazing author.  She makes my head spin with all the books she has out and all the things she does on the side, plus she's a wife and mother. 

Have you seen my beautiful cover for Journey to Redemption (look in the side bar)?   Traci Markou at Whimsical Publications did an awesome job!  I just love it.  It really captures the mood and setting of the book.  It releases one week from today.

If you haven't read Out of the Darkness or A Familiar Evil yet.  Now is a great time to pick up your copies.  They're both on sale! 

Out of the Darkness

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.”


Out of the Darkness is 50% off until July 31--use coupon code xmasEjuly at checkout to get your discount. http://champagnebooks.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=76 

A Familiar Evil

"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?”


Ebook only $2.99 at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.  Print also available.

Check Out My New Book Trailers!

Journey to Redemption – Available now at most online bookstores!



Sabotage – Coming in November!



Christmas with Hope – Coming in December!

LASR Gives Journey to Redemption a 4.5 Rating!

Ivy at Long & Short Reviews gave Journey to Redemption a wonderful review. Here are a couple of snippets:


"Journey to Redemption is police drama that builds suspense while carrying a blossoming romance, all at a fast clip. The police work is believable and interesting. Morgan’s terror at her son’s disappearance and her efforts to rescue him are riveting. I found her steps to keep her relatives ignorant of the drama almost touching. She is definitely a lone desperado.

Journey to Redemption builds great suspense and has a creative twist to tie the loose-ends together. Ms. Patrick has developed a wonderful back story for this novel and it carries the plot along nicely. Her characters have the potential to carry another novel; her confident writing in this genre will make you want to pick up another one of her books. I plan to."

Read the whole review here!

Journey to Redemption has also been nominated as book of the week there. I'd really appreciate your support! Voting is Saturday 30th - Sunday 31st. http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/recentrev.htm

Thanks so much!

Winners of my Thanksgiving Giveaway

I had such an overwhelming response to my Thanksgiving Giveaway I decided to give away an extra gift certificate for Journey to Redemption. And the winners are *drum roll*

Jackie Wisherd (I apologize if the spelling isn’t correct Jackie)
Mary Preston
Sherry Reynolds

I want to thank everyone who entered. From the responses I see I’m not the only one who has lots to be thankful for this year. Congratulations ladies, I hope you enjoy my book.

It has been a thrilling and busy week for me. As mentioned in earlier posts, I’m in the middle of edits on a couple of upcoming releases. Well, I finished up one and I’m beginning on the other and hope to have it done this weekend. The best part of edits is getting reacquainted with those characters that have lain dormant in your head for so long. My editors Brianna and Cherri did an awesome job, so I want to thank them. It’s been wonderful working with you ladies! Also, I’m sure you’ve seen my new cover for Lethal Dreams. Isn’t it great? I’m so excited with it. And just as awesome, is my new cover for Ties That Bind. I particularly like the bloody knife :-)



Creepy, huh? I’m not sure who the artist was on this one, but they did a great job. Ties That Bind will be released from Awe-Struck Publishing in early 2010 in both eBook and print. And let me tell you, it’s one of my ‘Edge of Your Seat Thrillers’. Imagine a FBI Profiler with a physic gift that allows her to feel exactly what the victims went through at the hands of their killer. For a sneak peek, check out my Excerpts page.

Speaking of thrillers, Michelle Sutton will be here on Monday to talk about her new release, Danger at the Door. Be sure to drop by for her interview. I’m sure you’ll find all her books interesting.

Now I’m gonna go have another piece of pumpkin pie with gobs of whip cream piled on top. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend.

Thanksgiving Giveaway

This has been an amazing year for me. The Lord has blessed me in ways I’ve only dreamed of. So in celebration I will be giving away two downloads of my latest release, Journey to Redemption. Beginning November 1st until Thanksgiving Day if you’ll drop me a line at annepatrick07 at yahoo.com and tell me one thing you are thankful for this year your name will be entered into a drawing that will take place November 27th. Your email will be kept confidential and only your name will be posted if you are a winner. Please make sure you put Thanksgiving Giveaway in the subject line of your email so it won’t get deleted as spam. Good luck everyone!

Journey to Redemption receives a 4.5 rating from Book Wenches

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

I was riveted by this physiological thriller from the moment I opened the book. I am hard-pressed to come up with a specific genre to put it in since it combines so many: from the mystery of a whodunit to the growing feelings between Morgan and Chase; there are so many other elements in between.

Morgan's strength is evident throughout the book, and I found myself drawn to her inner workings, and also I found myself relating to her as a mother. Morgan's depth of pain that she has experienced molds her life, and though I have never experienced the trauma she did in the book, the author does a wonderful job of evoking deep-felt feelings in the reader right along with the character. Chase on the other hand is a man of all seasons. I felt as if he could easily be the well-rounded man most women dream of finding, yet at moments we get a few glimpses of previous parts of his life that have left him bitter.

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.

Read the entire review here!

How cool is that? If you haven’t purchased it yet, the links to do so are located in the side bar. And a great big THANK YOU! to everyone who has already bought it!

Let's Party!!!

You can’t curl up with a good book without some yummy snacks, so I’ve decided to supply those as well. With each download given away tonight, I’m including a one pound tin of The Ultimate Snack mix from Swiss Colony. And the Grand Prize Winner will receive a download of Journey to Redemption, an autographed copy of Every Skull Tells a Story, and a lovely Spirit of the Season Basket, from Swiss Colony, piled full with savory beef logs, cheddar cheese bars, mixed nuts, sweet hot mustard, honey roasted peanuts, gourmet coffee, white fudge popcorn with almonds and a handy cutting board (total value $50). All winners will be chosen by a random draw from comments posted from 5pm to 8pm and announced at 8:30pm with a follow-up post with the winner’s names where the winners will be instructed to email me so I can send them their prizes. So what are you waiting for, start posting. I wanna to hear from you

Come Join Me in celebrating my new release, Journey to Redemption!

Tomorrow, I’ll be doing at interview at author Diane Craver’s blog and guest blogging about my journey to publication on author Shawna Williams blog. On Tuesday I’ll be doing an interview at my publisher’s blog and at author Sandra Sookoo’s blog. And don’t forget to drop by my Release Party here from 5pm to 8pm (CST). Two lucky visitors (who post a comment) will receive a free download of Journey to Redemption and one lucky visitor will receive a gift bag with assorted goodies, including an autographed copy of Every Skull Tells a Story and a free download of Journey to Redemption. All winners will be chosen by a random draw from comments posted from 5pm to 8pm and announced at 8:30pm with a follow-up post with the winner’s names where the winners will be instructed to email me so I can send them their prizes. Hope to see you and good luck!!!