Happily Ever After Giveaway Hop

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

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

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

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

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

Excerpt:

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

"Thanks, guys," Jenny said.

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

"It's okay."

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

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

He glanced up from his magazine. "Sure."

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

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

"Did you have some sort of a flashback?"

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

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

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

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

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

"That makes sense."

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

"I barely noticed."

"You're not a very good liar."

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

He smiled. "Thanks."

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

Buy Links:

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

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

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

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

Follow the blog hop -

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http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/

New Release, New Reviews & an Interview

It's been a busy & exciting week for me.  Kill Shot, Wounded Heroes:Book One released Tuesday.  I'll add a blurb and excerpt below.  I was interviewed at Night Owl Reviews today.  Here's the link if you want to read it: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Interviews/Tamazon-interviews-Anne-Patrick-on-Nov-17-2011.aspx  Also, I received three great reviews this week. I'll temp you with some snippets :).  In case I succeeded there are buy links on my book page.

LASR review of Renegade Hearts: "In Renegade Hearts, author Anne Patrick takes a bunch of strong and delightful characters and presents a charming, gentle story of family love, family differences, of loss and the courage to go forward. And as is her way, Ms Patrick chucks in some suspense and weaves it through the book, not revealing the outcome until the end of the story...Whether writing on-the-edge-of-your-seat mystery and suspense, or gentle family life with suspense entwined, Anne Patrick is an author worthy of your Keeper shelf."

Martha's Bookshelf review of Renegade Hearts: "This is a truly lovely, sweet read that will leave you with a nice “ahhh” felling when it is done."  *Note - I'm giving away a copy at Martha's so be sure to get your name in the hat.

Diane Craver's review of No Greater Love: NO GREATER LOVE is a page-turner filled with inspiration and hope. I knew it would be a great read but it exceeded my high expectations. The characters are well-developed, and each could have a book written about them. They are that interesting. I highly recommend this absorbing and beautifully written book, NO GREATER LOVE.

Thank you ladies for the wonderful reviews!!!!  Okay, now here is the blurb and excerpt for my new release.  I hope you enjoy it.
Have a great weekend everyone!
 

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

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

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

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

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

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

"No time. Get out."

"Who did this, Mr. Urlik?"

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

His hand went limp.

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

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

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

This isn't good!

Romantic Times gave Renegade Hearts 4 Stars!

"Anne Patrick’s realistic depiction of cattle ranching is what makes this story sing. Readers will feel like they are on Jenny’s spread with her, looking out at her fields and animals. The amount of detail that the author uses for the setting is also carried through with the characters. The multidimensional Jenny and Gil really get to know each other before starting up their romance. And they never shy away from discussing important things like Jenny's deceased husband and Gil’s time in the war. The pair also discusses their faith in God, which leaves the reader with a subtle, yet inspiring message of hope." http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/renegade-hearts

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.

Purchase the eBook at my publisher, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores!

Also, I'm in the spotlight this month at Jewels of the Quill. Stop in and learn the inspiration behind Renegade Hearts. I'll be giving away a download of Renegade Hearts and an autographed print copy of Journey to Redemption. All you have to do is sign up for our (Jewels of the Quill) newsletter. Here's the link. Good luck! http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/jewelsofthequill2.html#spotlight

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.

New Cover and Book Trailer for Renegade Hearts

A huge THANK YOU goes out to Jenifer Ranieri at Desert Breeze Publishing for giving me such an awesome cover!  Renegade Hearts will be available for purchase September 15th through my publisher or at Christianbook.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or most online bookstores.

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.