Author: Jessica R. Patch

Heather Gilbert and the Cast of Miranda Warning!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
Guess who’s in the house today? Author Heather Gilbert! Her newest
book released—Miranda Warning, a twist-turning
mystery! Today, she’s agreed to play a few rounds of Would You Rather and then
share with us the inspiration behind the book. Here’s a peek!
Child
of the Appalachian mountains, Tess Spencer has experienced more than her share
of heartache. The Glock-wielding, knife-carrying housewife knows how to survive
whatever life throws at her.
But
when an anonymous warning note shows up in her best friend Miranda’s mailbox—a
note written in a dead woman’s handwriting—Tess quickly discovers that ghosts
are alive and well in Buckneck, West Virginia. Hot on a cold trail, she must
use limited clues and her keen insight into human nature to unmask the
killer…or the next victim might be Tess herself.
Tinged
with the supernatural and overshadowed by the mountains’ lush, protective
presence, this twisting psychological mystery is the first in A Murder in
the Mountains series.
Okay, Heather, let’s begin with the fun questions!
Would
you rather….

…be famous or the best friend of someone famous?
Miranda: Oh,
honey, I think I’m too old to be famous. But if I were, I think I’d want it to
be for playing chess. I’m always beating that sweet little Tess Spencer and she
says I’m really good at it.
Tess: Famous?
Me? I don’t have time to be famous. I’m in the middle of something right
now…and I’m actually pregnant. Yes, that is a latte I’m drinking. I’m not
always one to follow rules, you know. I would like to see my husband, Thomas,
make a little more money at his lawyer job. But fame? I’m pretty happy where I am.
In all actuality, right now I’m kind of trying to lie low…
Heather:
I’d love to be famous for writing great books, so I could be a financial
blessing to others as others have been to me over the years. But in the
meantime, I can say I know some famous authors in Christian circles and they
are some of the humblest, sweetest people I know. That’s the kind of author I
have so much respect for.
…find out that the life you are living now is an ongoing memory
and you are actually older and looking back on your life with life-like detail
OR your life was a very detailed imagination coming from a younger you
imagining your future?
Miranda: I’m
not sure I understand the question. I’ve been getting these heart flutters and
can’t seem to concentrate. But I am older
and looking back on my life, and so I spend a large part of my days walking
down memory lane. I like thinking about my husband, Russell. Why that man had
to leave this earth before me, I’ll never understand.
Tess: I
already have a better memory than I’d like (almost like photographic, only in
videos). But instead of looking back on life with intricate detail, I’d much
rather be young again and re-imagine myself a new childhood. Mine wasn’t the
best.
Heather: Call
me weird, but I’ve always looked forward to being old and the wisdom that comes
with it. So I’d rather be old, but still looking toward the future, if that
makes sense. I had a great childhood and I’d love to remember that in detail.
But I also love looking forward to living life to the fullest as I grow older.
Someday I look forward to being in heaven, maybe reviewing my life and
understanding why certain things happened and how everything fit together.
…be a thief or a beggar? 
Miranda: I’d
be a beggar. I’d never steal from anyone.
Tess: Well…my
husband is a lawyer, so let’s just keep this quiet, but if my family was
starving, I’d be a thief. Only I’d be a nice
thief. I wouldn’t kill anyone, I promise.
Heather: Wasn’t that Jean Valjean’s crime in Les Mis, stealing food for his family? To be honest, I’d rather not
beg. I would ask for something
nicely, but if people refused to help and my family was in need, I think I’d
find a way around it. I’d try a lot of resourceful options before stealing, and
even then, I might not do it. But I would find a way to help us survive. I just
watched Catching Fire so obviously
I’m in a dystopian, end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it mood. 🙂
Thanks so much for playing, Ladies! Loved your answers. Now,
share with us what inspired this story.
I was inspired to write this Appalachian mystery because
I’ve grown up reading mysteries: in particular, Agatha Christie. I love her
married detectives, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, and how they are different
yet they work their strengths to solve crimes. Even though my mysteries center
on Tess Spencer, housewife detective, her husband, Thomas, plays a large role
in supporting her and helping her see crimes in new ways (he’s a lawyer).
I also loved the psychological vibe of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and I knew I, too, wanted to get deep
into my characters’ heads in each mystery. Plus, I’ve recently moved back to my
home state, West Virginia, and it’s chock-full of paranormal stories, so it
lent itself very handily as a setting for this series.
I wanted to explore West Virginia the way it really is today, with all its beauty and
yet its heartbreak. This series will delve into some dark and sad places, but
ultimately the light of God shines through, just like it does in real life.
However, sometimes people choose to reject it and I feel it’s important to show
the ultimate end of those choices, as well. That’s why I say my writing is bittersweet.
I do hope Tess is a “sleuth” (love that word!)
people can root for. She has her foibles, yes. She’s newly married and has
issues that plague her from her past. But she’s going to grow and change even
through the hardships of hunting down murderers. Her marriage will also change.
I’m looking forward to taking readers along for the ride.
I rooted for her, Heather! Looking forward to the next one.
Okay, everyone! Pick one or all of the questions and answer
in the comments!
***The winner of Donna Pyle’s prize package is            . 
I will notify Donna of the winner.
Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing stories about authentic,
believable marriages. Sixteen years of marriage to her sweet Yankee husband
have given her some perspective, as well as ten years spent homeschooling.
Heather is a monthly contributor to Novel
Rocket, a site dedicated to bringing helpful information to authors.
You can find Heather at her website, Heather Day Gilbert–Author, and at
herFacebook
Author Page, as well as Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube. Her novel, God’s
Daughter, is an Amazon bestseller. You can find it here in
three formats–Kindle, softcover, and audiobook.

Show me the…

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 “I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.”
Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.” James 2:18 MSG
Were you thinking “money?” Show me the money. Nope. Faith and Works, my friend.
 It’s Sunday morning, the super moon is still bright and beautiful and clear as the sun rises. I’m sitting on my patio studying and admiring God’s handiwork. Thinking on the above verse.
I believe we are saved by grace through our faith. It’s a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8)
And I believe our faith will produce fruit i.e. good works. 
Jesus Himself said every good tree bears fruit. (Matthew 7:18)
James also tells us to be not just hearers of the word. But doers. To humbly receive the implanted word. I love the word implanted. It’s there, deep. Love for God, love for His precious word develops us to grow in maturity and in love. Out of that love, we will want to serve. To follow Christ. In other words: Good works, that God has prepared for each one of us beforehand will become reality. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to perform those good works. 
It’s a labor of love. One that is not done in vain. For God’s purposes and His word never return void, but accomplish all of His intended purposes.
Works motivated by our faith can best be described with the passion of Song of Songs/Solomon.
First, we see the lovely Shulamite woman knows to whom she belongs. She knows that He desires her. Longs for her.–her love, her company, her embrace.
“I am my beloved’s, And his desire is toward me.” Song of Solomon 7:10 
Out of her great love for Him, and even more so, His great love for her she also desires to be with Him. To go where He goes, to do what He does. She’s a doer. Of the Word. (For the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God John 1:1, 14)
“Come, my beloved,

Let us go forth to the field;
Let us lodge in the villages.

12 

Let us get up early to the vineyards;
Let us see if the vine has budded,
Whether the grape blossoms are open,
And the pomegranates are in bloom.
There I will give you my love.

13 

The mandrakes give off a fragrance,
And at our gates are pleasant fruits,
All manner, new and old,
Which I have laid up for you, my beloved.”

He calls. She answers.
They go to the field. “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are alreadywhite for harvest!” John 4:35
They lodge in the in the villages. They aren’t staying inside with walls of their church. They’re getting their hands dirty–outside. In the villages. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:19
They don’t waste time. They’re up early. It’s a priority. People matter. Unsaved souls matter. New Christians with no spiritual training matter.

They’re looking for that fruit! Together they are growing a beautiful orchard. They are caring for their newly planted vineyards, seeing that buds are blooming and growing. Good fruit. Are they blossoming? 
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. John 15:5
It’s in doing. It’s in the good works. It’s in fulfilling God’s purpose and obeying His commands we show Him our love. “The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him.”John 14:21
The glorious result gives off a beautiful fragrance, it grows with every person that comes to Christ and grows in His grace. “In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life…” 2 Corinthians 2:14 MSG
It is not exclusive to any ethnic group, socio-economic background, or age. It is for “all manner.” It is our response out of love for our Beloved. “But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:22-24 MSG (emphasis mine)
Beloved, don’t just be hearers of the Word. Be doers. Let your love for Christ and His love for you fan a flame that burdens you to action. Let faith motivate you to fulfill all that God has for you. His desire is toward you, lovely one. 

***You still have a chance to enter Donna Pyle’s prize package to celebrate the launch of her newest Bible study, Quenched. Click HERE to enter! 

*** I’d love for you to sign up for my newsletter, The Patched In. Click on the “sign up” at the top right corner of the page. It will only take a few seconds! I won’t spam you or give your email address to anyone. 

No Better Time To Be Quenched!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Nothing makes me happier than when Donna Pyle comes to visit on my blog. A wonderful and godly woman, good friend, and anointed Bible teacher, Donna’s an inspiration to us all. Thank you so much for being here, Donna! 

So settle in with some fresh iced tea! You can have mint, peach, sweet or unsweetened. It’s completely up to you! 

Because there’s no better time to be Quenched than when summer heat sweeps in with all its humidity and unbearability. (Is that a word?) And let me tell you, I’m reading it right now and my parched soul is being watered. Donna, your ministry is devoted to bringing Christ’s life-giving water. Tell us why this study especially is so important to you. 

Visit Donna’s website for her inspirational devotions
as well as other Bible studies and her upcoming calendar
of events! 

Quenched came out of experiencing a heartbreaking divorce four years ago. I never saw it coming. Even though God had nurtured a strong faith in me, that deep hurt flung me straight into a spiritual desert. Walking through that difficult time reminded me of how lost I felt as a new Christian at age 23. The parallels were staggering. I wanted to share those experiences illuminated by God’s Word to offer hope and encouragement to others.
As I wrote Quenched, I pictured anyone who feels spiritually dehydrated. At some point, that includes all of us. Seekers or new Christians may feel thirsty for God’s wellspring of life but do not understand how to access it. Veteran Christians may become exhausted by hectic demands or difficult trials and have temporarily lost the well’s coordinates. Since I have experienced both, it felt like writing to the person in the mirror.
Donna, I know in my own life, God has birthed something beautiful from pain and turned into a ministry to glorify Him. I am loving Quenched. Reading through it and chewing on the wisdom, letting the hope of our Lord anchor me further into His word. I love your life-application. It’s what makes it unique. Offering us not only words of hope but ways to walk it out. Not just hearers of the Word, but doers. 
Here’s a peek at Quenched:
What quenches your thirst? Wealth or health? Career or activities? Or do these things still leave you with a certain level of dehydration?

Perhaps right now you’re experiencing a detour through a spiritual desert. Perhaps you see the dry, cracked road ahead and feel like giving up. Perhaps you’re new to Christianity and uncertain about how to live your new life in Christ. Take heart.

Jesus offers the goodness and grace that quenches. He shows you the path to streams of living water that will quench your soul’s thirst. He doesn’t care where you’ve been. He doesn’t care what you’ve done. He cares about you.

Jesus is the living water that hydrates from the soul out. He said, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13–14).

Quenched: Christ’s Living Water for a Thirsty Soul is for both new Christians and Christians going through spiritual dehydration. Author Donna Pyle has been both—new Christian and tired veteran Christian—so she writes from first-hand experience. Her “been-there-done-that” approach to affirmation and encouragement is welcomed by readers feeling confused or ashamed about living out their witness to Christ.

Regardless of the state you’re in, you will be lead to the life-giving waters of Christ’s grace, mercy, and hope. Pyle writes with honesty and humor as she points readers to the Gospel message of forgiveness and salvation, and emphasizes that it is only Christ and His grace that quench the parched soul.

Book features include: 

  • Collection of devotions, prayers, Scripture readings, Psalms, and hymns
  • Clear connection to daily life as Christians
  • Encouragement and affirmation for new Christians and for Christians going through a time of spiritual dehydration

Take the soul-refreshing plunge! 
Get Donna’s Quenched Bible Study today! 

You can read more behind-the-scenes info on Quenched and Donna HERE! 


Donna is giving away a 
Quenched Gift Basket:
A signed copy of Quenched
$25 Amazon card
A signed copy of her DVD Bible study, Your Strong Suit (I did this study and loved it!)
Tea & chocolate! 


Enter below for a chance to win! 
photocredit: freedigitalphotos/siraphat

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can You Be Brave?

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Life gets stressful, doesn’t it? For all of us. Social Media has put us in an age where we can create perfect lives with perfect homes and families. No worries. No disappointments. Life is as great as they want you to think it is. 

But it’s not. 

Because we all have moments of crisis. We all have issues. Even the giants we put in glass houses. We all have moments of doubt and fear. 

Last week I had a meltdown. A lot of things piled up on me and it seemed to all hit at one time. I’m not out of the woods or issues yet, but I’m feeling better today. More courageous. I have friends who are praying for me continuously and I steeped in a few verses that spoke into my emotional world at that moment. I read them over and over. I read them aloud. 

And I LET them minister to me. 

I hope they minister to you. I know sometimes scriptures can feel like someone offering a platitude. I get that. Sometimes, just sitting with a friend and sharing a cup of tea or coffee and crying or not, or talking or not, is the ticket. 

Sometimes a friend speaking a scripture to me doesn’t feel as good as just reading one on my own. (Not that that was the case last week. It was a friend’s scripture that spoke and then led me to some others.) But sometimes…sometimes.

”But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from
ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but
not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not
destroyed;…” 2 Corinthians 4: 7-9
“…but those who hope in the LORD will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or
sword?” Romans 8:35
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and
courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14
“My enemies, do not gloat over me! Though I have
fallen, I will get up. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.”  Micah
7:8

 Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. When it’s all said and done, I’ll stand. Oh yes I will.  For you, O Lord, make me brave. 

What about you? 


But I Don’t Like the Bible!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

That’s right, all the living breathing power of the Word, THE Word is at our fingertips. Pretty sure this is our face when that realization hits us. 

Inside the Word is everything. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timoty 3:16-17

Yeah. Dude! It can change your life! If you apply it. Which leads us to excitement!

Yes! Yes we want this. We need change. We want to devour it piece by piece. And then we open it up.

And we read things like, “And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people…” Exodus 2:8 We feel like giving up, but preachers, pastors, teachers and other Christians tell us to read the Bible. It’s what Christians are supposed to do. So we do it. About like this:

What was once excitement now turns to bitter obligation. Ever been there? Me too. The thing is we don’t seem to know where to start or how to do it “right.” We live in a beautiful age where studying the Bible is fabulous because we have a lot of free tools to help us. And that’s where the difference comes in. Between loving the Word and just saluting and getting it over with. 

You say, “But I’m not a studious person.”

Psalm 119:30 says, “The entrance of Your words give light; It gives understanding to the simple. 

You have to remember a few key factors: Culture at the time the Bible was written as well as context. “Well I don’t know about that culture.” But you can! Free online biblical encyclopedias, commentaries, and maps. You download apps to your smart devices. It gives the passages richer meaning. 

Here are a few: 

Biblegateway

Blueletterbible

These two sites alone are chock-full of valuable resources to help you understand difficult passages. You can read the Bible in various translations. Suddenly, studying the Word becomes a treasure hunt. It becomes an experience you daily look forward to. 

Oh yeah, you’re feelin’ it! I got this! Me and You, Lord. Your Word really is powerful, it’s holy and wonderful. Like fire in my bones, I gotta move! Gotta let it out. Let it shine. I so get that old Sunday school song now. “Hide it under a bushel, NO! I’m gonna let it shine!” This is peace. This is joy. This is intimacy at its finest. I get why Moses sprinkled the blood on the people and I’m thankful for the foreshadowing of Christ’s blood that was shed and covers me to make me holy and in right standing with You! You truly are majestic! You really do have my back. And my front. You are with me, for me, beside me, all around me. I can go nowhere to escape you. Not even to the bottom of the sea. This world that seems so chaotic and out of control is governed by Your mighty hand. 

I get this scripture now:

“How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103

And if you’re still timid to go at it alone, then go and grab a Bible study! I recommend any single one by Beth Moore. I just finished up Children of the Day and am starting James, Mercy Triumphs. In fact jump into James and let’s chat online about it. Encourage one another. 

Because the only way to be changed is through the washing of the water of the Word. You can open up the bodywash and even pour it on your skin, but if you don’t rub it in and let it soak, it’s purpose won’t be fulfilled. Just like someone taught us how to lather that soap on and then how to scrub our bodies, we have to be taught.

Don’t shy away from falling in love with the Word because you don’t think you’re smart enough. Don’t let the some of the more difficult parts turn you off. 

Dig! Dig deep! Lyrics from one of my favorite songs goes like this: “Lovers always find what others give up searching for. So I’ll search for you as treasure.” Uh huh. Oh yeah. It’s treasure to my soul. Yep. Yep. 

You got this! Better yet, God’s got this! 



I wanna be a lover. How about you?

Also, super Happy Birthday to my sweet man! I love you!

***I have a newsletter–Patched In. I’d love for you to sign-up for important book information, release dates (when they come) and other fun things. I promise not to give your email address to anyone or spam you. Sign up at the top right corner of the blog!

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Dopplegangers, Twins, and Beth Vogt!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

@bethvogt
Website
Facebook
Today, I am super excited to host the wonderfully talented, super amazing, Beth Vogt! Beth is someone you feel like you’ve known for ages! And her books? Oh yeah. So good! Today, I’ve asked her a few questions and we’re playing a few rounds of Would You Rather? So jump in and join the fun! 
Q1.
Beth, tell us what inspired this particular story?
Somebody
Like You started with a long-time desire to write a book about twins
– I have a fraternal twin sister – as well as my own experience as a military
wife. But even more, Somebody Like You
was inspired by several friends who were widowed at young ages – one was a
military wife who was pregnant with her second child – as well as a close
friend whose son was killed in Afghanistan almost two years ago. I held all of
them close in my heart as I wrote this book.
Q2.
Since we’re talking twins, they say everyone has one…or a doppleganger. When it
comes to Hollywood, who would you say is your doppleganger or twin? Can you
share a photo with us?

Well, as I said, I do have a twin sister – but we are
fraternal. We looked so different from each other growing up that we had a
difficult time convincing people we were sisters, much less twins.
Beth and her sister Brenda! 
A Hollywood twin? Wow … have never thought of that. My
friend, Casey Herringshaw told me there’s an app that helps you discover your
Celebrity Twin. According to that device, I’m twins with  . . . um, Helen Hunt and Julia Stiles?!  Funny story: I had several readers and
reviewers tell me that they thought I looked like the photo of the heroine on
the cover of my debut novel, Wish You
Were Here.
Okay,
let’s play a fun round of Would You Rather? You,
Haley, and Stephen all get to answer!
Would
you rather….

…swim
through a river of crocodiles or an ocean of sharks?

Me – I’ll
take the sharks, because at least you can see that fins sticking up and have a
chance to do some weaving and bobbing

Haley: she’d
take the crocodiles (she ignores stuff, ya know?)

Stephen
He’d
be in there with the crocodiles, protecting Haley. 

…live
in a treehouse or a cave?
All three of us are going for the treehouse. If you read Somebody Like You, then you’ll
understand that answer.

…ride
in a hot air balloon during a downpour or drive a race car on ice?
 I have no desire to
ride in a hot air balloon, so I’m driving a race car on ice – and you didn’t
say I couldn’t drive slowly. Nope.
You didn’t.

Haley
and Stephen would opt for the hot air balloon and make the
best of it.
Ha! I loved it! And when I sent the questions, I hadn’t read
the book yet so yay me for the treehouse question! 😉
Thanks for hanging out today, Beth! It was tons of fun!

 Who would you say your Hollywood Doppleganger is? Post a pic in the comments if you wish! Leave a comment to be entered in a giveaway for Somebody Like You! 

I’ve been told numerous times I look like Megan Mullally (and sound like her) or Tina Fey.
What do you think? 
Here’s a peek at Beth’s book, Somebody Like You! 
Can a young widow find love again with her husband’s reflection?

Haley’s three-year marriage to Sam, an army medic, ends tragically when he’s

Buy the book!

killed in Afghanistan. Her attempts to create a new life for herself are ambushed when she arrives home one evening—and finds her husband waiting for her. Did the military make an unimaginable mistake when they told her Sam was killed? 

Too late to make things right with his estranged twin brother, Stephen discovers Sam never told Haley about him. As Haley and Stephen navigate their fragile relation­ship, they are inexorably drawn to each other. How can they honor the memory of a man whose death brought them together—and whose ghost could drive them apart? 

Somebody Like You is a beautifully rendered, affecting novel, reminding us that while we can’t change the past, we have the choice to change the future and start anew.

Would You Rather with Carol J. Post and her Characters!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
website 
I am so excited to have Carol J. Post with us
today! I just finished her latest Love Inspired Suspense, Out for Justice and I
really enjoyed it. Plenty of danger, mystery, and romantic tension. All of my favorite
things on one book! Carol and her characters from Out for Justice are playing a
few rounds of Would You Rather? and Carol is sharing her inspiration for
writing the novel. Thanks for being, Carol!
Would
you rather…
…be
able to talk with all animals OR be able to speak all foreign languages?

Carol: That’s a tough one, but
I’d probably go with being able to speak all foreign languages. Talking with
animals would be cool—when my dachshund doesn’t feel well, I’d love to look
into those big brown eyes and know what she’s trying to tell me. But living in
central Florida, we have quite a few people who don’t speak English. Many are
trying to learn, but as an adult, it’s hard (I know—I studied French in college.)
I would love to be able to speak with anyone, regardless of language. Once
while flying, I was seated next to a lady from Germany. After trying English,
then French, I had to give up. (No Sprechen Sie Deutsch!)
Lexi: I would rather be able
to talk with all animals. I’m a major animal lover. I can never turn away an
animal that needs a home. That’s how I wound up with three cats. I often wonder
where they were and what they went through before they came to me.
Alan: I would rather be able
to speak all foreign languages (although knowing what Lexi’s cats are thinking
when they’re sizing me up might be nice). As a police officer, I meet a lot of
people, and sometimes language can be a barrier. I have a heart for troubled
youth and always try to steer them onto the right path; fortunately they
usually know English, even if their parents don’t.
…watch a
long film of all the best moments of your life thus far OR watch a short clip
of a pivotal moment in your future?
Carol:  If the
pivotal moment was bad and there was something I could do to prevent it, I
would choose the short clip of a pivotal moment. Other than that, when it comes
to the future, I’m more like, “Surprise me.” Watching a long film of the best
moments of my life would be fun. It’s like pulling out all the photo albums. Or
in my case, the boxes of pictures—I have way too many that never made it into
photo albums. Some day…
Lexi: I don’t want to know the future, whether good
or bad. I’ve had some traumatic experiences in my life, so I want to live in
the present and take each day as it comes. I do have some good memories,
though, so watching a long film of the best moments of my life is very
appealing.
Alan: I think I would choose a short clip of a pivotal
moment. There have been a couple of times where I’ve made some decisions that I
really came to regret. Knowing what was coming might prepared me and given me a
chance to think things through more clearly. Although since I started asking
God for guidance, I have to say I’ve done a little better in the
decision-making department!
…zoom in
your vision OR zoom in your hearing?
Carol: I’d rather be able to zoom in my hearing, as
long as I could zoom it back out again. I’m a really light sleeper, and if I
had to have amplified hearing all the time, I’d never get any sleep! But I
think it would be fun to be able to pick out conversations in a crowd. Not that
I’m nosy or anything!
Lexi:  I’d like
to be able to zoom in my vision. When I arrive at a crime scene, I know the CSI
guys are going to process everything, but zooming in my vision might help me
spot things that others might miss.
Alan: I’d rather be able to zoom in my hearing. We’ve
got a few teens around town who are always looking for trouble. When they’re
standing with their heads together, voices low, I’d love to be able to
eavesdrop on those conversations. But I am pretty good at sizing them up
and knowing when they’re up to no good, even without hearing what they’re
saying.
…have no
privacy OR be completely closed off?
Carol: That’s a hard one. I really need my alone time.
I love people, but being constantly around them is emotionally draining. If it
was for a short period of time, I would choose being completely closed off. If
it was for longer, or indefinitely, I would have to choose having no privacy. I
couldn’t handle being completely closed off for long.
Lexi:  I do
cherish my time alone, especially after I’ve spent several hours with my mom! I
don’t know that I would want to be completely closed off, but NO privacy? Ugh!
So I’ll choose completely closed off. Just don’t close me off from my cats! (Or
the people closest to me.)
Alan: I would have to choose having no privacy. I’m
not a major extrovert, but I am a people person. I’m also pretty open. I don’t
have many secrets.
These were great answers. I had a feeling Lexi
would choose to talk to animals. J Thanks for playing! Now, tell us what
inspired this story.
Inspiration
for Out for Justice –
I can’t say there was a particular thing that
“inspired” me, as far as this story. But this book was the turning point as far
as how I plot. It was Christmastime, and I was visiting my sister in North
Carolina. She had some work to do and asked if I wanted to keep her company in
the hobby room. I told her I was starting a new book and asked if she wanted to
help me plot while she worked. All I knew at that point was that I wanted to
have a serial killer in the story. I typed like a madwoman while we bounced
ideas back and forth, and 2½ hours later, we had a great outline with lots of
narrative that eventually became Out for Justice. I haven’t plotted a
book by myself since.
I hear ya! I have friend I text-storm with all
the time and my books are so much better for it! Can’t wait for the next book
to come out, Carol!
Answer one or all of the Would You Rather questions in the comments! 
Here’s a peek at Out for Justice. 

Buy the book! 
THE NEXT TARGET 
Tracking a serial killer in Harmony Grove turns
personal for Detective Lexi Simmons when her cousin becomes a victim. It turns
nearly impossible when she’s teamed up with Officer Alan White—the
almost-fiancé whose heart she broke six years ago. Alan can’t understand how
two people so right for each other didn’t end up together. But they have more
pressing matters of the past to attend to: a vengeful killer and a decade-old
incident on a college campus. Now Lexi fits the profile of the next name on the
hit list. And Alan finds himself not only engaged in a fight for her love—but
for her life.

You Spin Me…

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

…round, like a record, right round…

That’s how I’ve felt the last week. Dizzy. Spun. Thank you, Vertigo.  Yep, on vacation I rode this crazy wild ride. It’s called…the log ride. Yeah, you read that right. The. Log. Ride.

Rode that joker like a pro. Up…up…up…at the end then about 30 seconds down the chute. My stomach dropped and my head spun, like a record right round, baby.

Then on Sunday, the dizziness came back and wouldn’t let up. Turns out I have Vertigo. 

I knew I shouldn’t have gotten on that ride. Warning bells rang all the way to the entrance and through the line of cattle people. But I ignored the bells. Ignored the warning in my gut.

And I’ve spent a week spinning. Can’t quite find my balance. Can’t do all the things I know I do need to do. 

Also, I’ve learned a good spiritual lesson. When the warning bells go off in my spirit, when red flags raise in my life, heed the Spirit’s warning and obey. 

Doesn’t matter how seeminly innocent it is, how fun the ride, how adventerous, or how much somone might beg me (even if it’s not a bad thing).

If there’s a hint of warning. Say no. Pull back. Disengage.

God knows what’s best for us. He sent His Spirit to live inside us. To guide us into all truth and to teach us (among other wonderful things like comfort and bring things into remembrance that we’ve been taught). 

Don’t let ignorning God’s warning turn your spin your life out of control like a record on the turntable. Forego the dizziness. 

Ask God to put you back in balance. He’s willing, ready, and able. 

Get the focus back. Uprightness. Whole. 

It’s time to do the things He has asked you to. 

Who’s ready? 

 

“Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom; listen very closely to the way I see it. Then you’ll acquire a taste for good sense; what I tell you will keep you out of trouble.”
Proverbs 5:1-1 MSG
 
Have you ever had vertigo? Can you climb on rides and not suffer? 

Would You Rather with Karen Witemeyer!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

KAREN WITEMEYER
FACEBOOK 
WEBSITE
One of my all-time favorite authors is with us today! Karen Witemeyer! If you enjoy historical romance, Karen should be one of your must-read authors! I had the pleasure of meeting Karen at ACFW last year and she’s as kind as you might imagine. She didn’t even run from me when I gushed on and on about her books. 🙂 I also had the pleasure of reading Karen’s newest book, Full Steam Ahead! You can read my review on GOODREADS! 
Here’s a peek at the book and then we’re going to play a game with Karen, her heroine Nicole, and her hero Darius!
When Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston from an eastern finishing school, she’s stunned to find her father in ill health. Though she loves him, he’s only ever focused on what she’s not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run their family business, Renard Shipping.

Vowing to secure a suitable marriage partner, Nicole sets out with the Renard family’s greatest treasure: a dagger personally gifted to Nicole’s father by the pirate Jean Lafitte. Many believe the legend that the dagger is the source of all Renard Shipping’s good fortune, though Nicole is sure her father’s work ethic and honorable business practices are the keys to their success. Before she can board the steamer to New Orleans, Nicole finds her father’s rivals–the Jenkins brothers–on either side of the gangplank, ready to grab her and steal the dagger. Quickly, she decides to instead travel north, to Liberty, Texas, where she can decide what to do next.

Darius Thornton needs a secretary–someone to help him get his notes in order. Ever since the boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana, Darius has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. The pretty young socialite who applies for the job baffles him with her knowledge of mathematics and steamships. He decides to take a risk and hire her, but he’s determined her attractive face and fancy clothes won’t distract him from his important research.

The job offer comes at exactly the right time for Nicole. With what Darius is paying her, she’ll be able to afford passage to New Orleans in mere weeks. But Mr. Thornton is so reclusive, so distant, so unusual. He can create complex scientific equations but can’t remember to comb his hair. And his experiments are growing more and more dangerous. Still, there are undeniable sparks of attraction between them. But Nicole is leaving soon, and if she marries, it must be to a man who can manage a shipping empire. Darius certainly doesn’t fit that description. And the Jenkins brothers have not given up on kidnapping Nicole and seizing the Lafitte dagger for themselves.

BUY THE BOOK! 

Would You Rather…
…go way back in time and meet your ancestors or
go way into the future and meet your great grandchildren?
Karen: As much as I
love imagining life in the past, I would actually pick meeting my great
grandchildren. I would love to see how the legacy of faith we’ve worked to
instill in our children has trickled down through the generations. And it would
be fun to see what kind of grandparents my kids turned out to be. Wonder if any
of my books would still be around?
Nicole: Back in
time. I’d love to be in the pirate colony Campeche
when my grandfather, Henri Renard, took the bullet meant for Jean Lafitte. That
pivotal moment shaped my family’s history for generations.
Darius: Future. I’d
love to see all the mechanical advancements that take place in the shipping
industry. Maybe we’ll finally find a way to power our ships without those
blasted boilers.
…have a rewind button in your life or a pause
button in your life?
Karen: Pause – I’m
in constant need of more time. More time to write, more time to spend with my
family, more time to just relax. A pause button sounds heavenly.
Nicole: Pause – With
my father’s illness, I want to savor each moment I have left with him.
Darius: Rewind – I’d
give anything to go back to November 15, 1849 and warn the captain of the Louisiana to get his passengers and crew
to safety. I’ll always regret that I couldn’t do more to save those who lost
their lives that day.
…be a thief or a beggar?
Karen: Hmm – that’s
a hard one. I guess I would have to choose beggar. Swallowing my pride would be
excruciating, but it would be better than forfeiting my moral code.
Nicole: With all the
years I played pirate on the beaches of Galveston with Tommy Ackerman, I’d have
to say thief, but only if the situation were dire enough to justify such
action. For instance . . . if one needed to protect her family from certain
harm. Hypothetically speaking, of course.
Darius: Thief – when
it comes to providing for my family, I’ll do whatever it takes, go to any
length to see that they are safe. Thankfully, with my family owning King Star
Shipping, the likelihood of facing this dilemma is slim.
…reduce hours of sleep needed to 5 or need 10
hours of sleep, but you get to control your dreams every night?
Karen: If I could be
as fully rested after 5 hours as I am after 10, I would definitely choose the
5. Just think what I could accomplish with those extra hours!
Nicole: Between keeping
the accounts for Renard Shipping, watching over Jacob, and helping my mother
tend my father, I could use all the extra hours I could get. I’ll take the 5.

Darius: After being
tormented by nightmares for months, the thought of controlling my dreams is an
enticement that is hard to resist. Yet after meeting Nicole, my dreams are much
less troubling, and I really can’t afford to waste 10 hours of every 24 in
sleep. People are dying due to malfunctioning boilers. Sacrificing my comfort
to continue my research is a small price to pay.
Choose one or all and answer in the comments below! 

Thank you, Karen, for hanging out today!