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

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.

New Release from Larry Hammersley

Bess Simpson, a sharp college student in engineering, wasn’t into checking out the men on campus but one in particular, Art Fuller, did catch her eye. She perceives she’s overweight despite her best friend, Milla, telling her otherwise. Can Bess catch Art’s eye and capture his heart when he is dating Angie, the petite drum major for the marching band? Will being a top student in aeronautical engineering and a math whiz help her sway Art her way as she tutors him in math? What happens when she meets Angie on two different occasions?

Chat with Larry on Friday, February 17th from 5-9pm EST at Coffee Time Romance.

Check out all of Larry's books at Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/larry-hammersley-m-249.html

Excerpt:

Bess ran a comb through her silky hair one more time, and drew a deep breath when she spotted Art riding his bicycle up the sidewalk to the house. He parked his Raleigh three-speed, removed his books from the baskets hung on the back fender, and took long, powerful strides to her front door. Before he could push the doorbell, she opened the door. Does he suspect I was anxious for him to arrive? She hoped not.

“Hi Art. Come in and we’ll settle on the couch for the help session.” Bess couldn’t contain her swallowing, but she did manage to quench her sigh as she tried an inconspicuous scan of him.

His broad shoulders, bulging biceps, narrow waist, square jaw, sensitive brown eyes, and big but attractive nose never failed to do a number on her, especially at close range.

“I sound like a stuck record, but I really appreciate you helping me with Diffie Q. Next year I’ll have a couple of metallurgical courses dealing with aerodynamics, and they’re laced with a lot of high-powered math, too,” Art said. Bess loved his deep bass voice.

“Glad to help. Since I’m in aeronautical engineering I could help you with those courses, too. But let’s see what you have this evening.” Bess sat down; sorry the couch sank so low under her weight, even though she knew Art’s solid muscular body would even things out.

“Story problems. I just can’t set the equations up for them.” Art sat close beside her. She inhaled and almost forgot to exhale, and thanked the Lord she had an ability to be a math whiz, including in that prayer her gratefulness that this gift, at least temporarily, paired her up with Art.

First Reviews for Renegade Hearts

Sherry @ LoveToReadNovels gave it 5 Tickets!
I knew when I saw the totally awesome cover of Renegade Hearts that I absolutely had to find out the tale within. I was immediately drawn in by the gentle prose of this story. It truly matched the cover with an easy ebb and flow that I just loved! Though it was not an edge-of-your-seat type story I found myself glued to the pages because I became so involved with its true-to-life well-drawn characters. You will fall in love with each one them. Gil was an excellent leading man. I just loved the way he was with Jenny and Zach. (Big sigh!) Jenny is someone to admire. She was strong and independent but reasonable and tender. Zach will steal your heart hands down! He is such a great little man! And Buddy, Gil's Dad, was a total gem! Now don't get me wrong, this did have a mystery to it and as typical with Anne Patrick's stories, you don't find out the whole truth until the end. She always keeps you guessing. I just LOVED Renegade Hearts! It's an easy, feel-good, up-lifting tale you won't want to miss. A thank you goes to the author for providing this complimentary copy for my review.

Babs Book Bristo gave it 5 stars!
I loved the characters and the setting. A little bit of a western touch to the romance. The hurdles Jenny has to go through was enlightening. The twists in the book make for a great suspense. The book has a little bit of everything to entice the reader. Another great book I would recommend. Click on Babs link to read the whole review.

Samantha @ Amazon.com gave it 5 stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance! The inspirational thread wasn't overbearing, the characters truly endearing. I especially loved Zach. What a kid! Jenny lost her husband a couple of years ago and is still nursing a broken heart. Along comes Gil who is recovering from a war injury that ended a career he loved. In Jenny and Zach he sees a possible new lease on life, but will he be able to win over Jenny with his charm and devotion to her son? You'll have to by the book to find out. I highly recommend it!


Ebook available from the publisher:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing...art/Detail.bok

Christianbook.com
http://www.christianbook.com/Christi...&action=Search

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Hearts-ebook/dp/B005MZ8GJU/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

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

Renegade Hearts Excerpt

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?"

He smiled as he got up from his chair and handed her all but the one he was looking at.


Ebook available at Desert Breeze Publishing, at Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores.

Renegade Hearts Release Party

Come help me celebrate the release of my first ‘sweet’ western romance, Renegade Hearts, Wednesday, September 14^th from 6-8pm (CST) at The Sweetest Romance Author's Blog (http://thesweetestromanceauthors.blogspot.com/).  During the two-hour party I'll be having half hour drawings.  Prizes includes: a PDF copy of Renegade Hearts, a hat, and tee shirt.  The final grand prize drawing will include a copy of Renegade Hearts, a $10 gift cert from Amazon, & a PDF copy of my award-winning/best-selling Fire and Ash (or choice of one of my other ebooks).  Hope you can join me.

Winner of Karen's book is....

Mary Foster!  Congratulations, Mary.  I'm sure you'll enjoy Glass Angels.  Karen's an awesome author!

September's author is another fellow Jewel of the Quill, Janet Lane Walters.  Janet is a multi-published and award-winning author I'm sure you're gonna want to add to your reading list.

Be sure to mark your calendar, on Sept 14^th I'm having a release party for my first contemporary western romance Renegade Hearts at The Sweetest Romance Author's Blog.  During the two-hour party I'll be having half hour drawings.  Prizes includes: a PDF copy of Renegade Hearts, a hat, and tee shirt.  The final grand prize drawing will include a copy of Renegade Hearts, a $10 gift cert from Amazon, & a PDF copy of my award-winning/best-selling Fire and Ash (or choice of one of my other ebooks).  Hope you can join me.

Sweet Saturday Sample - Fire and Ash

Inspirational Romantic Suspense

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.

Awards & Special Recognition for Fire and Ash -

'Best Book' & Five Star review from LASR; 'Top Pick' & Five Star review from Night Owl Reviews; LASR 'Best Book 2010' Nominee; TRR 'Best Inspirational 2010'; LRC 'Best Suspense/Thriller 2010'; #1 Bestselling Suspense eBook at Christianbook.com.

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."


Buy links for Fire and Ash –

Desert Breeze Publishing
Christianbook.com
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
 
 
I'll have a drawing for a PDF copy of Fire and Ash Sunday evening so be sure to leave your contact info if you'd like to be entered.

New Reviews for Fire and Ash

Onedesertrose's Blog—Christian Book Reviews
Initially misidentified by Police Chief Quinn Harrington at the scene, the sparks of romance hit the Police Chief upon introduction to Sadie. Though strong-willed and opinionated, she is an accurate fire investigator–and that special someone whom Quinn hadn’t met since the loss of his wife. However, her first impression of Quinn was that he was a klutz. Sadie’s wit and ability to banter back and forth with Quinn makes for a fun read amidst the tragedy.

As a forensics show enthusiast, I found that Anne Patrick, in her book, Fire and Ash, goes into great, minute detail of the fire investigation, that puts you on the scent of a perpetrator. Her unique ability to incorporate multiple plots to throw you off course makes the pages fly by to connect the dots. The suspense builds as Sadie’s life is endangered. Someone wants her quieted, but who?


4.5 Stars from Manic Readers - "Fire and Ash turned out to be a heartwarming sweet romantic read. The sweet romance woven together with family, suspense, loss, grief, faith, God and masterpiece characters make this story real and believable. And with the characters, first of all, the author creates genuine unique characters that blend together, perfect for each other. And she uses these characters in real life situations, their problems, hurts, and struggles and teaches us how the Lord can work in any situation, using people that come into our lives to draw us closer to Him. I really like the way the author weaves the Lord and the Christian parts of the story into the characters everyday lives, fitting it right in with the rest of the story."

You can purchase Fire and Ash from Desert Breeze Publishing, or at Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble.

Fire and Ash Won Best Inspirational at TRR!

I'm thrilled to announce that Fire and Ash has won 'Best Book 2010' in the Inspirational Romance category at The Romance Reviews. I want to thank TRR for nominating it and everyone who dropped by to vote for it afterwards. Your support is greatly appreciated!!! I also want to thank TRR for the $50 advertising package, which I plan to put to good use.


Thanks again, everyone!

Hugs,

Anne

Fire and Ash Nominated Best Inspirational Romance

I received word last night that Fire and Ash has been nominated by TRR reviewers for Best in Inspirational Romance for 2010 at The Romance Reviews (“TRR”).  If you'd like to vote for it I sure would appreciate it!

http://www.theromancereviews.com/bookvote.php

It was a great ending to an awesome week.  Congratulations to all the winners at our Blog Party!  And a huge THANK YOU to Miss Mae for hosting the event. 

So what do you think of my new look?  It's quite different than usual, and I'm not sure I'm going to stick with it.  I do love the header though.  Be sure to check out My Books page, I revamped it too.  It's more suspenseful.

Interview with Larry Hammersley

Joining us today is fellow TSRA author, Larry Hammersley. Tell us about yourself, Larry.

[Larry] I am married to Sue coming up on 49 years this December 29, have two children and four grandchildren. I graduated from Purdue in January 1961 with a BS in chemistry and from IU in January 1975 with a MS in chemistry. I enjoy writing science fiction and romance, jogging, amateur radio, a bit of woodworking, and am active in our local church. I worked as a civil service chemist for forty years and retired in September 1999.

[Anne] Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! That’s awesome! When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

[Larry] I believe it was almost forty years ago when I dreamed up a science fiction novel. I had fun plotting and getting ideas while doing such mundane tasks as mowing the grass.

[Anne] Tell us about your latest book.

[Larry] May I talk about my last novel I’ve written early this year? It is strictly romance involving two of my favorite characters from a short story. Leroy and Jody have resolved to avoid the opposite sex as they enter college. They’ve had unhappy experiences in high school. The story covers six years of their life and involves Leroy trying to break down Jody’s icy barrier and her opinion that a career woman has no room for a man in her life.

[Anne] Sounds like a wonderful story, Larry. What inspired you to write it?

[Larry] The Leroy and Jody characters exist in my first accepted short story with Wild Rose called Lab Partners. That has been my most popular story if you can call 15 downloads popular. It is available in the Vintage Rose line. The novel casts Leroy and Jody into modern day but is not a time travel. I had to give these characters closure.

[Anne] How did you go about researching your book?

[Larry] Leroy and Jody moved to Pittsburgh after graduating from college so I did a bit of internet search on the three rivers there and a little of scenery involved. I already have knowledge of chemistry labs and chess tournaments which form a part of the story. I also did a bit of reading on the H1N1 virus which both Leroy and Jody contracted.

[Anne] Do you have anything new in the works?

[Larry] Two things. I’ve been thinking about a short historical story, romance, based on a true happening in my home town of Williams, Indiana. The event was the building of a hydroelectric dam in 1910. I have a number of photos of that project and would like to build a story around a young man and woman, fictional of course, around that project. The other project is one based on the Biblical character of the Shunammite Woman. It can be romance as her husband I perceive from the scriptures is probably 40-50 years older than the woman. She was a marvelous woman.

[Anne] What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

[Larry] I’d say mainly a plotter, a little dose of pantser included.

[Anne] If you could be anyone of your characters, which one would you chose to be and why?

[Larry] Well, now that is a revealing question. I’d say Leroy from my Lab Partners story or Leroy from the modern version novel which is entitled A Change of Heart. Why? Because he’s a lot like me but with more ability and more deep feelings. He’s a track star, an ace in chemistry, and lucky enough to have romance in college. I told you this would be revealing.

[Anne] Say your publisher has offered to fly you anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go?

[Larry] Alaska, although I’ve been there but I’d like to get to the real wilderness or I’d like to go to Antarctica perhaps for an adventure involving one of the science stations based there.

[Anne] You’ve just been informed that your latest release was a NY Times bestseller and Hollywood wants to turn it into a movie. What actors would you choose to play your main characters?

[Larry] Jason Ritter would play Leroy, but he’d have to shave the facial hair away. He’s on the TV show The Event. I had to do some searching on Jody. I like Gemma Arterton with red hair and she would need the straight hair and bangs hair do. I’ve not seen her acting but liked the photo.

[Anne] What type of books do you like to read when you’re not writing?

[Larry] I like science fiction and sweet romance, both of which I like writing. I always have romance in my science fiction stories.

[Anne] Having read some of your work, I have to say you do a great job writing both, Larry! Name three things you can’t live without (excluding spouses and family because that’s a given).

[Larry] Freedom of worship, blessings of good health and ideas for stories.

[Anne] Awesome choices! What advice would you give to any aspiring writers out there?

[Larry] Keep plugging away and don’t sweat the rejections. This is what I must continually remind myself.

[Anne] Where can we find you on the web?

[Larry] http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/ I hope to have a website one day. A friend is supposed to be constructing one for me but she is very busy.

[Anne] Where can we purchase your books?

[Larry] You can get Motorcycle Woman at Red Rose Press.

Here’s the blurb:

Tess McBride relied on her motorcycle to carry her away from an unhappy past, one that involved her father leaving her mother for another woman and her mother dying a year later.

Resolved to avoid men, judging them to be all alike, she meets Johnnie Parker, a stranded biker whose motorcycle she repairs. Her staunch resolve is undermined by Johnnie's kindness, respect and lack of a sordid agenda toward her, not to mention him being handsome.

Should she stick to her plans to take to the open road again after replenishing her traveling bankroll from her motorcycle mechanic's job in Johnnie's hometown? In the past, that question was easily answered, but what about now? Johnnie has fallen in love with her. The answer is obvious when she knows he's genuine, he treats her special, and she realizes that she has fallen in love with him too.

And you can find my other titles on my author page at The Wild Rose Press or at Smashwords. You can read a free story, very short on my blog.

[Anne] Is there anything else you’d like to add?

[Larry] Thank you, Anne, for having me.

Thanks for the interview, Larry! I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas and an awesome New Year!

Gail Pallotta Interview & Book Giveaway

Author Bio: After writing articles for years Gail recently published her first Christian romance, Love Turns the Tide. This fall an excerpt from that book won the internet Clash of the Titles contest. In 2004, the American Christian Writers Association named Gail a regional writer of the year. Her husband, Rick, says she’s the only person he knows who can go in the grocery for a loaf of bread and come out with the cashier’s life story. That’s probably because she inherited her mother’s love of people and enjoys talking to them. In her spare time she likes to bargain shop with her daughter. Sometimes they try on garments so wrong for them, they laugh for fifteen minutes. When they finally find a treasure, they’re so pleased. Gail wants to write books of faith that show God’s love. She and Rick live in Georgia.

[Anne] When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

[Gail] As a youngster I made up stories. In grammar school I worked with a friend to put out a newspaper about our classmates. I recently went to a high school re-union and read articles I’d written in old copies of the newspaper there. I first seriously considered writing when I took a creative writing course in college. Even though I’d never heard of “the spin” then, when we analyzed works, I realized writing could be used for good or bad. I wanted to use it for good.

[Anne] Tell us about your latest book.

[Gail] Shattered by a failed romance and challenged by a new job, feature writer Cammie O’Shea dreads meeting Bill Collins, editor of The Sun Dial, a new newspaper in Destin, Florida. Still in pain from her heartbreaking split-up, she wants no new relationships. That’s why real estate developer Vic Deleona turns out to be her real source of angst. When she interviews him to help get the paper off its feet, he thwarts her efforts to complete his article, arranges extra meetings and attempts to court her. She resists his advances. But mysterious break-ins occur at Cammie and her friend’s condos. When Cammie and Vic launch their own investigation into the vandalism, Cammie grows fond of him. Then, she gets an opportunity to return home to her old job. She has important decisions to make in the midst of danger.

[Anne] What inspired you to write this story?

[Gail] Over the years I’ve talked to many women and men about dating relationships. I realize some people meet, fall in love and walk down the aisle. But others are hurt again and again before they find the right person. Cammie is one of those people, but God had a plan for her just as He does for each of us. I wanted to write a story of hope and faith that entertained the reader in a romantic place.

[Anne] How did you go about researching your book?

[Gail] It’s contemporary, so one might think I didn’t need to do any research for it. But, I did. I’ve visited Destin many times, so I’m very familiar with the town. But I went through a number of magazines and brochures to learn about the history of the area and the fishing industry. The sand had fascinated me for a long time, so I dug through articles to find the origin of it. I interviewed my husband about the real estate business, because he’s been in residential construction and land development. As for the crimes, I was fortunate to meet a woman undercover cop. She and I had lunch quite a few times, and she answered a lot of my questions. I also had an interview with a police detective.

[Anne] Do you have anything new in the works?

[Gail] Yes, I’m working on a teen novel and another Christian romance set in Destin.

[Anne] What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantster?

[Gail] I start with a plot, but as I write it changes, so I suppose that makes me both. I also do character sketches, but the characters grow as I write about them.

[Anne] Say your publisher has offered to fly you anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go?

[Gail] I’d probably ask to start in Los Angeles, where a famous actress is robbed, and follow the criminal all the way to Hawaii. Of course, I’d recover the actress’s jewels and stay in Hawaii to vacation for a while.

[Anne] What type of books do you like to read when you’re not writing?

[Gail] For as long as I can remember I’ve loved to read. I rarely find a book I don’t like. Other than the Bible, my favorite books are those with rich characters and twists and turns that draw me in. Two memorable classics are An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser and Of Human Bondage by Someset Maugham. Both writers were so good they made me see the world through the eyes of their characters. After reading the books I realized we all start at different places in life, and for some the feelings of inferiority or inadequacy that this creates causes great pain. I thought it was so sad that Philip in Of Human Bondage couldn’t cling to his faith, because I knew when one believes he or she is a worthwhile person with a purpose that God is working out, it lifts up him or her. I wanted the characters in those books to find beliefs that would lead to fulfilled lives.

[Anne] Name three things you can’t live without (excluding spouses and family because that’s a given).

[Gail] Spiritual nourishment, swimming and something good to eat. Since I love to eat it’s difficult to narrow it down to one food, but some mainstays might be fried fish, pot roast, pecan pie and anything chocolate.

[Anne] Where can we find you on the web?

[Gail] My Web site is http://www.gailpallotta.com and my blog is http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com

[Anne] Where can we purchase your books?

[Gail] From the publisher’s Web site at www.awe-struck.net. Also E-certificates with codes that download to a laptop, computer or reading device are available at Eagles’ Wings in Destin, Florida, and Sweet Spirit Bookstores in East and West Cobb County in Georgia.

[Anne] Is there anything else you’d like to add? I always enjoy visiting your blog.

[Gail] Thank you so much for having me.

You’re welcome, Gail. Visit anytime. Folks, Gail is giving away a free download to one lucky visitor this week so be sure to leave a comment with some contact info. Good luck!!!

Sabotage Excerpt

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.

Katie feels horrible knowing what her ruling cost her old friend, and knows his outburst in her courtroom gave the sheriff every right to suspect him. But the Graham Bishop she grew up with would never harm her. Even when all the evidence points to him she refuses to believe it. Could she be wrong?

EXCERPT


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 wring 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."


Purchase from publisher, Amazon, Christianbook.com or other online bookstores!

Fire and Ash receives Best Book ratings from LASR!

Fennel at Long and Short Reviews gave Fire and Ash its highest rating. Here’s a snippet - "This is a beautiful, yet hard-hitting story, fluently written, presenting characters you fall in love with, and ensures you’ll keep it on your shelf permanently and re-read often, which is why I have given it a Best Book rating." Read the whole review here: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2010/10/fire-and-ash-by-anne-patrick.html

Thank you for the awesome review, Fennel!

For those of you who have been curious about my progress on A Familiar Evil, I finally finished the first draft. Whew! And it’s going to be a doosy. A funny note – I had to change my heroine’s name three times *grinning*. The reason being I’d already used the name Kate, well Katie, in Sabotage. So I changed it to Morgan...then I realized I’d used that name in Journey to Redemption. The heroine’s name is now Jordan. And yes, I’ve checked, I haven’t used it before. Tip to future writers out there, always keep track of your character’s names. I now have a chart with all the ones I’ve used.

All my edits on coming releases are finished too. Yaay! Now I can get started on the second book in my ‘Wounded Heroes Series’. I’m really excited about this series. Most of the books take place on a fictional island off the coast of Maine called Dauphine Island. No, I’m not joining the paranormal frenzy *grin*. You won’t find any vampires or wolves. All of my characters are human. Each book will be a stand-alone with previous characters making cameo appearances. For instance, Hope & Nick from my Christmas short story (coming in Dec) will be in the series. Each story is about a wounded hero. For instance Deadly Foe is the story about a former army medic struggling with PTSD who has someone trying to kill her. Not all are military heroes, though, some are in law enforcement or other emergency services.

Well, that’s all the news I have so I’m going to get off here and get back to work. I hope you enjoy the rest of your week.

Happy reading!

Anne

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!

Author Interview w/Miss Mae

Author Bio: All of Miss Mae’s romantic mysteries, “Said the Spider to the Fly”, “When the Bough Breaks”, “Dove Island”, and “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady” are award winning best sellers. Her latest, “Catch Me If You Can” has already received a top rated five-star review. Tantalizing trailers, and more information, is readily available at her website: www.missmaesite.com Miss Mae also enjoys writing humor and non-fiction articles. Besides her monthly contributions to the ezine American Chronicle, some of her publications can be found in The Front Porch Magazine, Good Old Days, and WritersWeekly. Her alter ego, M.M. also has her first children’s/humor book, “The Mishaps of Gum Drop Island” available in digital download at Smashwords, and now in print at Amazon.

[Anne] Tell us about your latest book.

[MM] My newest book is “It’s Extraordinary, My Dear Winifred”. This is the latest version of my previously titled, “It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred”. I removed it from the market for a short time while I re-edited. In the process I also changed the title.

Here is its blurb:

Do bizarre and unusual mysteries only occur in imaginary tales?

Amateur sleuth Winifred Merryweather, along with dashing newspaper reporter Remington Hawthorne, find themselves in the throes of a real life mystery when they’re plunged in the bowels of a dark and ancient castle. Booby-traps abound with disappearing floors, hidden sliding panels, and spider-webbed shadowy corridors.

Danger threatens to steal Winifred’s very breath -- or is that the annoying allure of Remington’s flirtatious charms?

[Anne] What inspired you to write this story?

[MM] I absolutely adore mysteries, always have since I was a young girl thrilled with the secrets of the Nancy Drew stories. Maturing more so in my teens, I discovered the Victorian tales of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I’m a great Sherlock Holmes fan. So, with the Winifred story, I contrived to create a puzzler set in the times and days that Doyle created.

[Anne] How did you go about researching your book?

[MM] I have a wonderful crit partner, author Hywela Lyn (her website). Since she lives in England, but was born Welsh, she provided all the gems and details I needed with regard to scenery, certain phrases, etc. Also, I’d like to mention that when I needed detail for the clothing of the period I questioned Brian L. Porter, author of “A Study in Red -- The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper”. He’s an expert on such matters.

[Anne] Do you have anything new in the works?

[MM] A novella titled, “Miss Penelope’s Letters”. It’s about halfway written.

[Anne] If you could be anyone of your characters, which one would you chose to be and why?

[MM] I love all my heroines, of course, but if I could only be ONE of them, I’d have to choose Darlene from “When the Bough Breaks”. And you ask why? Hmm, you’ve not read about her love interest, Parker Shane? Ooh, la la, I’d LOVE to be in Darlene’s shoes when Parker makes his moves! LOL

[Anne] You’ve just been informed that your latest release was a NY Times bestseller and Hollywood wants to turn it into a movie. What actors would you choose to play your main characters?

[MM] Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow, where do I sign the papers??? LOL Shew, this is hard as I’m not knowledgeable about today’s stars. Who would portray Winifred? Let’s see…she may be a bit old for the part, but someone as attractive as Julia Roberts. Robert Downey, Jr. (too old as well, I guess) for the part of Remington. But at least you can get some visual of how these characters should look. 

[Anne] What type of books do you like to read when you’re not writing?

[MM] I love James Herriott’s books. They’re wonderful, and so delightfully amusing.

[Anne] Name three things you can’t live without (excluding spouses and family because that’s a given).

[MM] Chocolate, decaf coffee, my pets!

[Anne] Where can we find you on the web?

[MM] I am at all sorts of places. My website (for both Miss Mae, and M.M.), Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Coffee Time Romance, LinkedIn, etc.

[Anne] Where can we purchase your books?

[MM] They are all in print I’m happy to say. You can purchase them off Amazon, though I’m also offering autographed copies straight from my website. For digital ebooks, some of them can be found at Smashwords.

[Anne] Is there anything else you’d like to add?

[MM] Yes! Please let your readers know that I am a huge animal lover. Because of this, I have a regular Monday feature called “Doggy Tales”. That’s the title, it doesn’t mean all the articles are about strictly dogs. I share little anecdotes about my canines because that’s the only animals I currently have. But I would love for others to contribute stories about their wonderful friends. If they want the world to know about that special companion in their life, please write me and I’ll get it on my blog ASAP.

Thanks for having me, Anne!