I’m Patti Lacy, the novelist from Normal , Illinois ,
and did not feel called to write anything but embarrassing love letters and
maudlin poetry until I was 50 years young. If I can get my stories down on
paper, so can you!!
Tell us about your
family.
From the very beginning of my writing journey, my husband
Alan, a textbook writer and college professor, told me I could write the story
of my best friend, an Irishwoman who dealt with, not one, but two dysfunctional
mothers. Two years later, An Irishwoman’s
Tale hit the bookstores. I so appreciate 37 years of wonderful marriage!
Alan and I have two grown children: Sarah, who is getting a doctorate in
Central American history, and Thomas, who works in Waco , Texas ,
where, eons ago, I went to college. We also have a dog named Laura who loves to
take long walks through our neighborhood.
Have you written
other nonfiction books?
Yes! Tattooed by Jesus,
a memoir, traces the amazing journey of Bonnie Kae Lentz, a Christian minister
who once thought Jesus was a cuss word. Bonnie now runs The Jesus House in our
sister city, Bloomington , Illinois . I’ve also published four novels: An Irishwoman’s Tale, What the Bayou Saw, The
Rhythm of Secrets, and Reclaiming
Lily.
Do you have any other
books in the works right now?
My agent, Natasha Kern, has a proposal for a contemporary
fiction series and a historical fiction series. I also have a few ideas
percolating in my gray matter.
What kinds of hobbies
and leisure activities do you enjoy?
Is there a writer who doesn’t love books? Every night, they
tuck me in bed and carry me away…
I also love jogging and have completed marathons, though
these days, we’re talking 5Ks.
Why did you write the
featured book?
At the most unexpected place, my 40th high school reunion in
Monroe, Louisiana, a classmate, Gary McCormick, the son of Jessie, our book’s
heroine, approached me and said, “Has my mom ever got a story!” I bit back,
“Doesn’t everyone?” and listened halfheartedly, more interested in seeing old
friends and drinking in the scenes on the bayou out back. A few weeks later, Gary called me and
continued sharing his mom’s story. He finally hooked me with talk of Jessie’s
back-breaking labor in the 1930s as a cotton picker and her determination to escape
the eviction notices that hounded their family. Single-mindedly, Jessie faced
crisis after crisis in her life. Then she found herself financially
comfortable, even wealthy, but a knock at her door brought the biggest crisis
of all.
What do you want the
reader to take away from the book?
Jessie’s Pearls explores the life of a driven woman who
learns the meaning of family, loss, perseverance, and, through the grace of
Jesus Christ, finds a faith that will last forever. Despite our heroine’s
incredible work ethic and generosity, Jessie made mistakes in her life, and paid
a steep price. I loved seeing how Jessie learned from her trials and determined
to let God work for good in all things.
I also want the reader to understand the depths of pain
suffered by many during the Great Depression, World War II, post World War II,
and the Vietnam
era. History can be a marvelous teacher!
Is there anything
you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?
Jessie’s Pearls has a Southern flavor and a country girl’s
heart. I want you to smell the fragrant magnolia blossoms and see the live oak
trees droop their moss-covered branches over the bayou waters. I want you to
taste the twice-dipped fried chicken and fresh snap peas. I pray that this
memoir will prove to be an enjoyable read, a story with take-away value, and a
sensory experience!
I know you’ve piqued
the interest of all my readers. Where on the Internet can they find you?
This is a GREAT time to mention my long-time critique
partner and Jessie’s Pearls cowriter, Sara Richardson, whose debut novel, No Better Man, has been endorsed by
Debbie Macomber, Lori Wilde, and Katie
Lane . Find Sara at www.sararichardson.com.
My website is www.pattilacy.com.
I also talk books, art, and Jesus at Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/patti.lacy;
www.facebook.com/pages/Patti-Lacy/190783284280488.
And thank you, Patti,
for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Jessie's Pearls - PaperbackJessie's Pearls - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
16 comments:
I would love to learn more about Jessie. Thank you for a great interview, Lena!
Melanie Backus, TX
I do so love this cover. I'm looking forward to a great read.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I would love to read Jessie's Pearls to find out what the crisis is that came knocking at her door.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
I live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
Being a southern gal I would especially love to read Jessie's Pearls! Patti Lacy is an amazing author. Thank you for the interview and the opportunity to win a copy.
Diana in SC
dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com
Very interested in a book about overcoming challenges. My husband died 5 weeks ago today and I am faced with the biggest challenge of my life. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Melanie, thanks! Mary, it was designed by my writing partner, about-to-be multi-published Sara Richardson! I love it, too!
Cindy, Terre Haute was the setting for my first novel, "An Irishwoman's Tale." Have you read it?
Diana, THANKS for the kudos! It's good to be published again, albeit in a different genre!
SM, I am so sorry for your loss:( Thank you for sharing. I pray that God takes you in His arms during this time of grieving.
Patti Lacy
Wow, this book looks great, would love to read it! Please enter me.
Blanch, NC
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
This sounds interesting, and I like the cover, too.
-Melissa M. in TN
Jessie's story sounds fascinating! I would love to read it - thank you for the interview and the chance to win! from Phoenix, AZ
Hi Patti & Lena! Honestly, the word 'Pearls' had my attention, but after "meeting" Ms Patti in this interview, my interest and all of the above are piqued as well, too! Jessie's Pearls sounds like it'll be fascinating!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Abigail and Sharon, woo hoo! The two Carolinas are represented! Are y'all related? That'd be fun to read books together, then discuss!
Melissa, thanks for a cover kudo! I love the glitzy feel, especially when you learn that Jessie was "just" a sharecropper's daughter!!!
Mama Cat, thanks!
Kam, thanks for the warm welcome! Lena has such a great blog!
I wish all of y'all could win!!!!!
love to try new authors! Shelia from Mississippi
Sheila, very cool!!! I'm actually an "old" author of novels, but this is my first foray into memoirs!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!!
hi Lena. Glad to meet Patti. This book sounds very interesting. My dad and older siblings all picked cotton. I begged to help one time because I thought they got to sit and eat lunch in the shade of the wagon and Pork and Beans. Well, my mother let me go one day but decided it was anything but fun. Picked almost a hundred lbs but not really much. I learned a lesson that day, "that picking cotton is hard work. Please put my name in. Maxie
Texas gal. > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
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