I write different genres—romance, suspense, and women’s
fiction. Lately, I’ve been focusing on romantic suspense because I love to see
how people react when they’re in danger. I consider myself to be a fairly calm
person, but the few times I’ve been in dangerous situations (or situations I’ve
thought might be dangerous) I haven’t handled it well. For instance, once when
we first moved into our house, a glass shelf on our built-in wet bar fell onto
the tile countertop beneath it, shattering the shelf and all the glassware we’d
stored there. We were in bed, and I was still awake when I heard what sounded
like a window smashing. My husband was awakened by me repeatedly slapping him
on the arm saying, “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie…” in a loud and embarrassingly
high-pitched voice. I’m not exactly Cool Hand Luke in a crisis. It’s funny
because there’s never been any real danger. But it wouldn't be funny if I were
in a truly perilous situation. Perhaps I like writing suspense to see how a
person should react to danger. Maybe, if I keep writing strong heroes and
heroines, I’ll eventually learn to be like them.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
This is a hard question. The big days—my wedding, the births
of my children—were very emotional, but not completely happy, because there was
so much going on. They were stressful days, scary days in some ways. Probably,
my happiest days have been those spent on vacation with the people I love. For
instance, my family vacationed last summer in the Colorado Springs area. We were all there,
even my son who lives in Hawaii .
The day we went white water rafting stands out as one of the happiest of my
life.
Sounds exciting, but
I’d never do it. How has being published changed your life?
I spent the first forty years of my life trying to figure
out what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I turned forty, I started writing
my first novel and finally discovered what I was born to do. (At least that’s
how it felt.) The book was terrible, as first novels tend to be. (You gave me
my first critique ever, as a matter of fact. You were very gentle with this
novice.) But I’d fallen in love with writing, so I kept at it, kept learning,
kept trying until finally, a few years later, I was offered my first writing
contract. It changed my life because it showed me that, indeed, I could do this
writing thing. Now, I’m a full-time writer and freelance editor. A little more
than a decade ago, I never dreamed where God would take me.
I’m blessed that God
allowed me to have a small part in that. What are you reading right now?
I just finished Becky Wade’s True to You, Falling for You, and Then Came You. I’m eagerly (impatiently) awaiting Sweet on You.
I’ve often said I’d
like to write like Becky Wade when I grow up. What is your current work in
progress?
I’m working on a book that’s tentatively titled Legacy Rejected. It’s about a woman
whose mother sent her away right after her father was killed. When her house is
broken into, she discovers her parents are money launderers, and the criminals
they used to work with are after something they think the heroine has. I hope
I’ll be able to explain it better when I know the story better myself.
What would be your
dream vacation?
I’d love to go around the world. We’d start by visiting my
son in Hawaii
and seeing the islands. Then we’d head to the Far East, the Himalayas, Israel , Egypt ,
Africa, Europe … Oh, I forgot Australia and New Zealand . We’d have to fit those
in there. And of course South America , too. I
pretty much want to go everywhere in the world… twice.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Most of my books are set in New Hampshire , which is where I grew up.
Since I now live in Oklahoma , I like writing
about New Hampshire .
It reminds me of home.
On Saturday, my
younger granddaughter got engaged to a man from New Hampshire . If you could spend an evening
with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Hmm, hard question. Right now, I’d say Loren Cunningham, the
man who founded Youth With a Mission. I’d love to hear the stories of all the
places he’s been and all the ways he’s seen the Lord work around the world.
We have several
friends who have been YWAM missionaries, and some of their stories are amazing
and miraculous. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to travel, and I love to ski, but I don't get to do
either of those very often. I’m not sure you can call it a hobby, but I love to
hang out with friends—coffee, lunch, shopping. I'm always up for spending time
with friends.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I don’t think I’m a very good plotter. I dive into my books
and can’t figure out how to get back out. With every book, I write an outline,
and I think I’m getting better at it, but it’s definitely my biggest issue.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
If you’re really just starting out, write your first book
and don’t worry about all the stuff you’re doing wrong. Just write until you
get to the magical words, The End. If
you enjoy that process, then start learning how to write better. I find that
people who know too much about what they need to learn going in often never finish
their books. They can be paralyzed by all those rules. We learn by doing, though,
so it’s crucial that people who want to write do so often. I also think that
people who don’t enjoy the process when they don’t know all the stuff they’re
doing wrong are likely going to hate it when they start learning. It’s too hard
to do if you don't love it.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Harper’s second chance at life will become a second stint in
prison if anyone connects her to those two dead men.
Jack Rossi is mystified by his beautiful new tenant and her
confused grandfather. Something's not right, but the love he sees between them
and the care she takes of the old man convinces Jack they're trustworthy. As
drawn as he is to Harper, she’s his tenant, so she’s off limits.
Derrick, Harper's ex-boyfriend and Red’s grandson, needs to
find his grandfather and get his hands on the old man’s money before Derrick
ends up with a bullet in the skull. And when he gets his hands on Harper,
she’ll be sorry for what she’s put him through.
Harper and Jack grow closer, but so do her enemies. If the
truth comes out, she may lose her freedom—or her life.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Of course it was raining.
And not merely raining. Harper had been white-knuckling the
steering wheel of her used VW Jetta through an absolute deluge since Rhode Island . Visibility
had been practically nonexistent on the interstate. After she’d exited onto the
state highway that brought her to Nutfield, thanks to the lack of street
lights, visibility had been no farther than a few feet in front of her car.
The constant swish-swish of the wipers was the only sound as
she stopped at a T in the road. The area was deserted. Maybe that was normal in
a little town for a Monday night at eight-thirty. She had no idea. She’d never
lived anywhere this far off the beaten path.
She consulted her phone to check the map, but her navigation
software was trying—and failing—to figure out where she was. Shocking that a
fifty-dollar pay-as-you-go phone from the convenience store didn’t work
properly.
Fortunately, she’d studied the map enough at the last stop
that she sort of knew where she was going. Sort of.
She glanced at Red, the elderly man in her care. His eyes
were wide with worry, and she didn’t blame him. He’d had a very difficult few
days. Both of them had, but they’d survived this long. She’d keep Red safe if
it killed her.
Which it very well might.
Interesting! How can
readers find you on the Internet?
Links to Beauty in Hiding:
Amazon: https://www.amzn.com/B07M75ZDKJ
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/m2vpWd
My profiles:
Website: http://robinpatchen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobinPatchen/
Thank you, Robin, for
sharing this suspense novel with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance
to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in
the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory
or country if outside North America . (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, 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:
18 comments:
Wow! Looks like a fantastic story!
Tammy from Texas
This sounds exciting. Count me in, please. Linda in CA
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I am intrigued by this book and would love to read it.
Melanie Backus, TX
Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Lena! I love being here with you today.
Oh, and Lena, I'd love to know where your future grandson-in-law is from in NH. Maybe you'll get to go visit one of these days. It's a beautiful state.
Sounds like a good mystery! Would enjoy reading this to see if Derrick can get back at Harper and what happens. Vivian Furbay of CO
Vivian, I think you'll like it. :)
Sounds like a great book would enjoy reading this Thank you for the chance to win SARAH TAYLOR WATERLOO, OHIO
Hi Sarah. I hope you'll check it out!
What a fascinating premise. As if that weren't enough, your first page definitely hooked me. Great job, Robin. Amanda in very snowy Wyoming
Thank you, Amanda!
I love suspense and this sounds like it would be right up my alley! We’re working on Spring here in central Texas. I saw my first Bluebonnet today.
perrianne(DOT)askew(AT)me(DOT)com
Perrianne Askew
Perrianne, we're trying to usher spring in, too, here in central Oklahoma. I'm a little sad to see winter leave, though. I miss New Hampshire snowstorms. :) God bless!
Great first page!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you!
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Sounds like an exciting book!
misshoneybee(at)gmail(dot)com
Forgot to say:
Melissa from TN
misshoneybee(at)gmail(dot)com
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