Welcome, Candice. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I started to answer this question with “not a lot,” but the
more I thought about it the more I realized how much of myself I do put in
there! For example, almost all of my stories contain sections of witty banter
between the hero and heroine. That’s the relationship my husband and I have.
We’re always jokingly sparring with each other and we laugh a lot. I slip in
other pieces of my life in there too, but unless I reveal it online or you know
me personally, you probably won’t catch what those things are. In my
contemporary romance novel How to Charm a
Beekeeper’s Heart, Emma (who’s four) gets a kitten and names him Baby
Kitty. His name, description, and personality are from my furry friend of
sixteen years. At least one of my characters always drinks coffee, because like
most writers I’m addicted. I also like to slip in the names of people I know,
so when they read the book they’re pleasantly surprised.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Quirky or crazy? J
I’m a go-big-or-go-home kind of person, so when I set my
mind to something I go all-out. That’s probably more crazy than quirky. I once
hiked all the way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon .
I’ve always been a big fan of the 1980s versions of Anne of Green Gables, so when I was in my early twenties and I
heard that director Kevin Sullivan and some cast members from Road to Avonlea were meeting fans in Toronto , Canada ,
I made an overnight decision to go, and my husband drove us up there. And after
researching honeybees extensively for How
to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart, I decided to dive into the world of
beekeeping and purchased my own beehive last spring.
Definitely more crazy than quirky. LOL
Years ago, there were
hives on the property we rented. I love honey fresh out of the hive. When did
you first discover that you were a writer?
My love for books and the written word started before I
could even read, and I enjoyed writing my own stories on rainy days. The dream
bit me hardest when I was around fifteen and that entire summer I read every
Janette Oke book my local library had. That’s when I knew I wanted to write my
own books, tell stories that make a difference, see my labor of love on
bookstore and library shelves with other authors. At sixteen, I took a two-year
writing course through the Institute
of Children ’s Literature,
which I completed through correspondence while finishing my last two years of
high school.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I rarely branch away from romance. I’ll read all genres of
it, but I want the plot to hold at least some element of romance to it. I gave
up on reading secular romance years ago because of content, so I’m always on
the lookout for new authors who write clean romance while I still avidly devour
Christian romance.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I won’t claim to do it very well. J
My two oldest sons are in high school and both are very
involved in sports, so I’m on the road a lot. I’m also an elementary librarian,
a Sunday School teacher, and a board member for my local library on top of
writing books and the everyday duties of wife and mother. I admit, I do get
frazzled at times. I try to stay sane by planning dates with my husband, making
myself shut everything else out and having a family-only night, reading my
Bible, praying, and reading. I read every night before bed, which helps me wind
down. Bubble baths help and, of course, chocolate.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I try to choose names that aren’t overly used, though that
doesn’t always happen. If I get stuck and can’t come up with a good unique name
on my own I usually shout out for help to my Facebook followers. They’re always
good at helping out.
What is the accomplishment
that you are most proud of?
My children. That title means more to me than any other.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I would probably be a cat. I love naps!
I never took many
naps as an adult, but this year, I’m doing more naps. What is your favorite
food?
I honestly can’t narrow it down to just one. I love to eat.
Fresh fruits and veggies are my favorite in the summer and comfort food is my
favorite in the winter.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest roadblock was giving my characters flaws to make
them realistic yet making them likable at the same time. Huck Anderson in How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart is a great example of this. He’s
not a believer, he comes from a broken home with child abuse in his past, and
since he never had a fatherly example to teach him how to treat women with
gentleness and respect, he doesn’t know how to do this as an adult. Giving him
those flaws, yet still making him likable as the hero was tough. It took more
revisions than I can count to get this balance. In the end, I realized I had to
show his “good side” up front before I introduced all his flaws, and from there
I had to make the reason for his flaws apparent to the reader so they’d
sympathize with him, while he takes steps of growth throughout the story.
Tell us about the
featured book.
I normally write contemporary romance, so Beneath
a Michigan Moon (part of The Great Lakes
Lighthouse Brides Collection) is my first historical romance. Ava Ryan
unexpectedly finds herself as lightkeeper of the New Presque Isle lighthouse on
Lake Huron when her father passes away. She’s
granted the position on a trial basis, and she’s doing everything she can to
secure it permanently, as she has no family and nowhere else to go. She’s
surviving, until logging foreman Benjamin Colfax arrives, wanting to climb the
tower to determine his crew’s best cutting route. She denies him access. He
suspects she’s holding a secret, or many, and he’s determined to not only use
the tower but to discover what makes the attractive lightkeeper tick.
There’s a strong attraction between the characters from the
start and plenty of witty banter to keep the story light. Beneath a Michigan Moon
has been one of my favorite stories to write.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Ava Ryan walked the shoreline of Lake
Huron , enjoying the most beautiful day of the year—until she
crossed paths with the devil. He was even more dashing than she remembered from
their previous encounters.
Wicked dimples sunk the inner parts of his cheeks. She
looked away from blue eyes as enchanting as the crystalline water, peeved by
his presence, more peeved that she was wearing her plainest shirtwaist. But
nothing else would do, as she was in mourning. And barefoot to boot. Pretending
not to see him, Ava lowered onto a nearby boulder and tucked her feet beneath
her skirt.
“Miss Ava Ryan.” Hands buried in the pockets of his brown
trousers, he sidled up to her as casually as if they’d known each other their
whole lives.
She glared at him, though with the angle of the sun peering
over his shoulder and into her eyes, he’d think she was squinting. “Mr. Colfax.
What brings you this close to the lighthouse? Again.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I interact with readers on my Facebook page, Candice Sue
Patterson-Author. Readers can also keep up to date with my latest news on my
website at www.candicesuepatterson.com.
My website is also the best place to contact me through email. (I love hearing
from readers!)
I can also be found on Goodreads and Pinterest.
Thank you, Candice,
for sharing part of your life and this book with my blog readers and me.
Readers, here are links to the book.
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection - Christianbook.comThe Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances Are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts - Amazon.com
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Amazing authors and gorgeous cover! Can't wait to read this!
ReplyDeleteElly -Indiana-
Thanks for stopping by, Elly! Hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDelete"BENEATH A MICHIGAN MOON (The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection) by Candice Sue Patterson sounds wonderful.Have a good week. Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Emma!
ReplyDeleteGlad you decided to give the historical romance genre a try Candice! Your excerpt sure was intriguing Thanks for sharing with us
ReplyDeleteRobin in NC
Illinois
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I love to learn a bit about authors. I so agree with the title of MOM. I feel like that is my biggest achievement also. My husband and I put in a butterfly garden a few years ago, and this last summer we had so many butterflies and bees. It was cool. I love local honey. It has a definite wonderful taste not found in the stores
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Thank you for planting for our pollinators! This is so important. I appreciate you stopping by, Lori.
DeleteThank you for introducing me to Candice Sue Patterson, a new to me author. Enjoyed reading the interview and getting to know her and her works better. Can't wait for the opportunity to read her novella in "BENEATH A MICHIGAN MOON". Love this cover and so many great author's to enjoy in on fabulous book!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win a copy!
Kay Garrett from Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, Kay!
DeleteI love the collections books and lighthouses are amazing. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of this book.
ReplyDeleteWendy in South Sioux City, NE
wfnren at aol dot com
Thanks for visiting, Wendy!
DeleteThank you, Robin!
ReplyDeleteWould love to read this one for sure!!! Thank you for the opportunity! Melanie Backus, TX
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Melanie!
ReplyDeleteThree very interesting things in your interview ~ Baby Kitty being included in your novella from your own real-life adventure together, bee-keeping becoming your interest in practice! and how your character wanted to get to the top to view a cutting path ~ very unique!! Would love to read further and hope I am a recipient! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House, Missouri
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathleen! I try to make my books interesting by being different. I appreciate you stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy hearing about authors and their lives and how they write.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Linda!
DeleteLooks like a great collection of stories! Thanks for the chance to win the book.
ReplyDeleteBeth from Iowa
Hi, Beth! Thanks for coming!
DeleteI love Collections, and everything that has to do with lighthouses and the Great Lakes (because I am a Michigander). Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete-Laura in MI
I love these collection books from Barbour. Looking forward to reading this book! Thank for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteKaren G., Troy, NY
I love this cover!
ReplyDeleteConnie from Kentucky
cps1950(at) gmail (dot)com
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteConway SC
please enter me ! Shelia from Mississippi
ReplyDelete