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

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.”

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.

Ties That Bind & Out of the Darkness - Now in Print

Ties That Bind available at Mundania Press & AweStruck Publishing


FBI profiler, Jo McDaniels has an unusual gift. As with most profilers, they are able to take the evidence, background of the victims and crime scene photos and reenact in their minds what took place between the killer and the victim. But what if there are no crime scenes and the victims have been decapitated in order to hide their identity? This is where Jo's unusual gift comes into play. Unlike most profilers in her field, she is able to go a step further. Using her psychic ability she is able to sense exactly what victims felt prior to their death. Her ability allows her to get to know the victims better than anyone else. She not only feels their emotions; she feels their pain.

Sheriff Austin Garrett doesn't quite know what to think of the sassy and beautiful profiler that is able to tell him more about the victim after a few minutes with her than the coroner knows. But he's willing to try anything to catch the serial killer plaguing his community. In all his years in law enforcement, nothing has prepared him for the monster he is up against now. A killer so cruel and calculating that it leaves him no choice but to turn to Jo and her unique gift.

Jo knows the risk she's taking by using her psychic abilities. The last time she relied on it, it almost cost her career as well as her sanity. As the case progresses and the body count rises they soon realize that Jo's sanity isn't all that is at risk. She has become the killer's next target.

http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=Ties+That+Bind

http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=Awe-Struck&product=Ties+That+Bind&exact_match=exact

Out of the Darkness available at Champagne Books

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.”


http://champagnebooks.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=204

Latest Interview & Other News

Today I had the honor of being interviewed by Regina Andrews at her blog. She asked some great questions and I had a blast answering them. If you're out surfing be sure to drop in and hear what I had to say.

If you haven't picked up a copy of Out of the Darkness yet, it's on sale now on Amazon Kindle for only $4.80. WooHoo! Here's the link.

Want some free reading? I added a Sample Chapters page to my website. Just click on the book widget and view in full screen. It's a little slow loading, but you can read anywhere from 10-25 pages of my books. You can also click here for my author page at fReado which has all but one of my books.

Can you beleive we're already halfway thru July? I don't know about you but it's been a busy month for me. I'm waist deep in editing and formating my November release, Sabotage, for Desert Breeze Publishing, and working on a few other projects under deadlines. If there were only more hours in the day.

Speaking of projects, do you have an eBook reader? If you do, I'd be really interested in hearing what your experience has been thus far. What kind do you have? Do you like eBooks better than prints? Whatever you'd like to share. I'm compiling information for an article I've been asked to write, and since I don't personally own one, hearing from those who do would be a huge help. And in case you didn't know, all but one of my books are available as eBooks now. Sorry, just had to toss that in :-).

Hey, do you like live chats? Coming up July 22nd, The Sweetest Romance Authors are having one at our chat room beginning at 7pm (CTS). It's my turn to line up a guest so I wrangled author/pro editor Barbara Warren into being my guest. Barbara is the owner of Blue Mountain Editorial Services. I used her on two of my first books, she is a fantastic editor. Barbara will also be doing an interview here on July 26th so be sure to drop by. She gives some great advice for new and already published authors.

Well that's all the news I have so I'm going to shut up and go fix me some smore pop tarts since I skipped dinner. Take care friends!

Out of the Darkness & Ties That Bind Releases Today!

Both Out of the Darkness and Ties That Bind release today. Listed below are some of the places I’ll be visiting this month to promote the books. Please feel free to visit some or all of these sites. I’d love to hear from you! Plus, I’ll be keeping track of the comments at the sites, where you can post, and periodically through the month I’ll be giving away review copies of the books at various stops. Then at the end of the month I’ll be giving away a tote bag with several goodies, including a T-shirt with the book cover, a mug and autographed items. So be sure to join in the fun and help me celebrate my new releases.

Month of May – Beverly Bateman: www.beverleybateman.com
May 4th - Vijay Schartz: http://www.vijayaschartz.com/blog.html
May 6th - Evie Alexis: http://longlivechicklit.wordpress.com
May 7th – Melanie Atkins: http://www.melanieatkins.wordpress.com/
May 12th – Gail Pallotta: http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com/
May 13th – Linda Rettstatt: http://www.lindarettstatt-author.blogspot.com/
May 14th – Ginger Simpson: http://www.mizging.blogspot.com/
May 14th – Stephanie Burkhart: http://www.sgcardin.blogspot.com/
May 19th – Sharon Donovan: http://www.sharondonovan.blogspot.com/
May 24th – Susan Whitfield: www.susanwhitfield.blogspot.com
May 28th – P.I. Barrington: http://www.thewordmistresses.com/
May 30th – K. Dawn Byrd: http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/

Now a little about my new releases

Out of the Darkness - 'Sweet' Romantic Suspense

In Out of the Darkness, ex-FBI Profiler Alex Michaels is 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.

Out of the Darkness releases today from Champagne Books!

Ties That Bind - Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Sheriff Austin Garrett enlists the help of FBI profiler, Jo McDaniels, to help him solve a string of murders plaguing his community. Unlike most profilers Jo has an unusual gift that allows her to get to know the victims better than anyone else. She not only feels their emotions; she feels their pain. But the last time she relied on her physic ability it almost cost her career as well as her sanity. As the case progresses and the body count rises they soon realize that Jo’s sanity isn’t all that is at risk. She has become the killer’s ultimate kill.

Ties That Bind releases today from Awe-Struck Publishing!  15% off

You can read excerpts from both of these books on my excerpt page. Just click on the links in the sidebar.

Pick a Video - Book Giveaway

Help me chose the right music for my Out of the Darkness book trailer and you’ll have a chance to win a free galley of the book. They’re both posted below. Once you’ve made your choice, just post a comment telling me which one you like best and leave me your email address so I can contact you. The drawing will take place Sunday. Good luck and thanks for your help!


Number One



Number Two

Another Awesome Review for Out of the Darkness

From Examiner.com.  Here's a tibdit from it:  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 available May 10th, visit Champagne Books. 

Please read the entire review here.

I want to thank Ginger Simpson for taking the time to review my novel and for her kind endorsement.

Pre-Release 5 Star Review for Out of the Darkness!!!

Sherry at Love 2 Read Novels just made my day by giving Out of the Darkness five stars.  Here's what she had to say about it.

Anne Patrick has done it again! She has delivered a story that keeps you glued from a running start to a nail-biting finish! Alex is an interesting character. She is so strong and self sufficient but doesn't have the one thing she wants most. Royce is a wonderful tortured hero. One who has a lot of past issues but still possessed a tenderness in his heart. They really fit together well and you felt the struggle each had in trying to accept their feelings for one another. I really enjoyed all the supporting characters as well. Anne allows you a glimpse into the mind of a serial killer which is kinda scary but interesting to see the twisted way they think. She keeps you guessing through the story who the killer really is and you don't find out until the end. I like how she works faith in God into the story without being preachy. The story is chock full of action, suspense and romance. I highly recommend Out of the Darkness!  To read the whole review, click here.

Out of the Darkness is due to release in May from Champagne Books.
Thank you, Sherry!

In other news, I want to congratulate Martha Lawson.  She was the winner of Betty's book Murder.Com.  I really enjoyed having both Barri & Betty drop in last week and I do hope they'll come back for another visit sometime.

Okay, This Is Scary!

Today I dropped by my library to pick up a book I’d ordered on the Library inter-loan system. While I was there the librarian told me about this handy new online service they have. All you have to do is sign in to the State Library System, search for the book you want, place an order, and a few days later you can pick it up at your library. Well, this evening I decided to check it out. I went on line, and put in my username and password my librarian set up for me, and up pops every book I've checked out since 2006. We're talking about books on fire investigation, poisons, murder investigations, bomb assembly, books on weapons and terrorists. What do you want wanna bet I'm not setting on a terrorist list somewhere within our federal government right now. Hummm...I see the makings of a great book here. What da ya think?

Speaking of books, check out my new book cover. Trisha FritzGerald did an awesome job! I mean she really nailed it.

Out of the Darkness is the prequel to my first book, Every Skull Tells a Story, and I’m really excited that Alex is finally going to get her story told. Here’s a short blurb:

Ex-FBI Profiler, Alex Michaels, is 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.

Sound intriguing? Well I’m afraid you’ll have to wait till May to find out what happens. Seeing your cover for the first time is almost as exciting as the first time you hold your book. You get all giddy and want to show it to everyone and their dog. Or maybe that’s just me : ) Anyway, I’m pretty thrilled with it and I want to thank Trisha for doing such a wonderful job. I’ve been very fortunate in landing some great editors and book cover artists. I also want to thank my readers for their support. Hearing from you is by far the biggest thrill and I really appreciate your emails and posts. Keep um coming!