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HUGE FALL SALE and a FREE BOOK!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Hey everyone! It’s fall. I love fall. It puts me in such a good mood that I’m sharing the love with you! 

Today, November 4th through the 8th, the first three books in the Seasons of Hope series are dramatically discounted and the 4th book is releasing!

Hope Under Mistletoe (#1) is FREE and a great time to grab it since it centers around Christmas!

Just the Way You Are (#2) is only $.99! 

More Than Words (#3) is also only $.99

It’s Always Been You (#4) is the last book in this series, and just released in time to read them all over the holidays, is only $2.99. Less than coffee. 

In fact, you can grab them all and still afford a coffee. 

Happy Reading and Happy Fall, Ya’ll! 

Feel free to share it with friends, too. 

Get the Seasons of Hope Series on AMAZON! Click HERE!!!!

Wanna Join the Patch Pack? Yes, You Do!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
Together we can do anything!

Hey everyone! January will soon be here and I’m looking for some friends who are interested in joining my Patch Pack! 

What is the Patch Pack and what do I get out of it, you ask?

The Patch Pack is a group of friends from all over who would  like to help me spread the word about my upcoming novel, Fatal Reunion, and other books (check out my Seasons of Hope Series HERE).  Word of mouth is by far the best way to get the news out. I simply can’t do this alone and I need a pack of people who want to jump onboard the crazy train with me! Okay, it’s not crazy but it will be fun.

What does it entail? Simply spreading the word across social media such as facebook posts, tweets, pins on Pinterest, posting pics of you with my books on instagram. And writing a review (can be super simple) on review sites like Amazon, GoodReads, and B&N. But I stink at creating tweets and FB posts, you say! That’s okay, I’ll help you. Also, you can request my novels at your local libraries and if you’re in a book club, suggest my book and a Skype session with me! Think out of the box! 

How does it benefit me? First of all, you get to be privy to information before anyone else. You get to meet new people who have one thing in common as you–the love of books! You’ll also get a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (e Book) so you can leave that review on reader sites if you enjoy it. And you’ll be entered into giveaways that no one else is! I’ve got some cool prizes lined up for my Patch Packers. Also, I’ll need help brainstorming and naming characters etc…if I choose your ideas you get your name in print in acknowledgments and maybe even a character named after you, which is always fun to see in print! Also, I will love you forever but not in a stalkerish kind of way. 🙂 

Do I have to do something every day? Because, I’m like…busy with my own life. Nope! My books with Harlequin are only on book shelves for a month, so the most I’d ask of you to help me out is once a week. But if you want to do more like create cool memes or post quotes on social media that you really liked or spoke to you, feel free to do as much as you want; I won’t complain.

How long am I stuck in this group? I hope you’ll want to be in the Patch Pack for a super long time! But you don’t have to promote every book. You can leave whenever you’d like. You’re not obligated to anything. 

This sounds super cool. How do I join? It does, doesn’t it? All you have to do is email me at jessica (at) jessicarpatch(dot)com with the following information:

  1. What state do you live in?
  2. Have you read any of my books before?
  3. What social media sites do you regularly post on? (you do need to be on facebook!)
  4. Why do you want to be a part of the Patch Pack? 

Space is limited, so sign up soon before it’s full! Thanks so much everyone! I’m excited about Fatal Reunion coming out in January. Here’s the back cover:

WRONGLY ACCUSED 
When her beloved grandmother is almost killed during a home invasion, Piper Kennedy isn’t surprised that she’s a suspect—especially since Luke Ransom is on the case. The handsome detective she once loved thinks she knows more than she’s telling about the attack. And given her crooked past and the heartbreaking way she’d been forced to betray Luke years ago, Piper understands why he doesn’t trust her. But when attempts are made on her life, Luke insists on keeping her safe and finding out who wants her dead. And Piper and Luke soon realize a remorseless criminal will do anything to keep them from the truth…or an unexpected second shot at a future.

Preorder Now!

photocredit: freedigitalphotos/hin255

Be Successful This NaNoWriMo with Idea Sparks!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
Hey everyone! I’m excited to have my friend and author Michelle Lim here today talking about writing and her new book. If you’re a writer, then you’ve heard of NaNoWrimo. Writing a book in a month! Michelle has some great tips and her new book is loaded with them. Welcome, Michelle! Take it away.

How
to NaNoWrimo with Success – Idea Sparking Style
Are you crazy enough to try to write a novel in a
month? I am. Two years of success and one of failure have taught me a few
strategies to keep my novel-in-a-month plan on track.
NaNoWriMo success and failure comes down to a few
key elements. Not caffeine, chocolate, or bon bons. These indulgences might
help you be successful, but they won’t be the determining factors.
Success on the thirty-day novel path involves
determination, a support group, writing reflection, and inspiration. The
determination is something you will have to glean from inside yourself, but the
rest can be purposefully sought out and planned.

How
to NaNoWriMo with Success – Idea Sparking Style:

*Determination.
Writing
a novel in a month takes Olympic style determination. Find articles, short
stories, and pictures that inspire you to keep pushing past the pain of this
journey. Pin them up around your writing space or keep them next to you to look
at when you need them.

*Gather
Your Support Group. Mentors, writing pals, encouragers, and
accountability buddies are key to your writing success. Connect with these
friends as you begin your thirty-day novel journey and plan how they can help.
Bringing in dinner, calling to talk about your story, reminding you that you
are brilliant are all things that will keep you going in the difficult moments.

*Reflection
and Inspiration. After my experiences on the thirty-day
novel journey, I realized that writers needed a resource to help them on the
writing journey. That inspired my new book: Idea
Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month.

My
newest release: Idea Sparking: 30 Idea
Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month is a great way to help you spark your
novel.  Why?
Idea Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to
Write a Novel in a Month accompanies
an author on a thirty-day novel journey. Daily
idea prompts assist authors in finding the inspiration to
write. With personal experience insights and goal
setting reflections, this book is the perfect resource for the writer
who wants to write a novel in a month, or the author looking for
a resource for their everyday writing journey. What you will
find in this incredible resource:
*A weekly
inspirational focus to get you ready to write
*Daily Idea Sparks to spark
your creativity and get you writing
*Mini writing craft
tips that enhance your writing
*Daily Mid-day Milestones with
thought-provoking questions to improve writing habits
*Weekly Check-Ups
to retune your process to set you up for success

Have
you ever written a novel in a month? What helped you on the journey?
Author Michelle Lim is the Brainstorming/Huddle Coach with My Book Therapy Press and the
Midwest Zone Director for American
Christian Fiction Writers. Michelle’s Genesis winning romantic suspense is
represented with Books & Such Literary Agency. Michelle’s New Release – Idea
Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month releases October 27th.
Since her nonfiction book release, Idea Sparking: How To Brainstorm Conflict In
Your Novel, through public
speaking and online chats Michelle helps writers discover the revolutionary
power of brainstorming to bring new life to their stories. Connect with
Michelle as www.thoughtsonplot.wordpress.com
, @MichelleLim24 on Twitter,
and Facebook.

Join the Idea Sparking Adventure: 

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It’s Always Been You…FREE to subscribers

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that the last novella in the Seasons of Hope series is almost here! 

If you’re a subscriber to my newsletter, you’ll be receiving it for FREE! It’s scheduled for November but you just might get it before October is up! 

I’m so excited about this story and this series. It’s been a fantastic ride and I appreciate the support of all you friends who are Patched In. You’ve really been a huge encouragement to me. Your positive feedback has been a boost of confidence, and I thank you. Sincerely.

If you haven’t subscribed (above right corner on the sidebar), you can now and receive this novella for FREE! The other books are available on Amazon at an affordable price! SEASONS OF HOPE SERIES. The first book is a Christmas book, so grab it up as the holidays are a-comin’! 

So here is the back cover blurb for the final novella: 

Successful bistro owner and worship leader, Sierra
Bradley appears to have it all together, but inside she’s a hot mess. Often
dictated by fear, Sierra regrets not eloping with high school sweetheart, Ezra
Alcott. Now he’s returned to Mistletoe to sketch behind-the-scenes portraits
for his sister’s wedding and Sierra has agreed to cater the event. With no
escape from crossing paths, she has to deal with the heartache of what might
have been.
Ezra Alcott left for France to make his mark on the
art world and nurse the pain of rejection. But somewhere along the way he lost
sight of the kind of man he wanted to become. Back in his sleepy hometown, he
realizes God might be giving him a blank canvas to start over.

If Ezra can find the strength to ask for a second
chance, and Sierra can trust God with the things she can’t see, they might be
able to paint a lifetime together. 
If you’ve read the prior novellas, I’d love for you to leave a short (doesn’t have to be a professional) review on Amazon and Goodreads. You can simply copy/paste the same review on both sites! This would really help this ole girl out! Thank you!
So tell me, what is your favorite season?

A Prayer for ACFW Attendees

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I’ve got my worship music blaring as I’m sweeping my kitchen floor and I’m praying for those attending ACFW, but I wanted to put it in words. You might be reading this and have no clue what ACFW is. It’s the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference and the largest Christian writers conference out there. I won’t be going this year and will miss it terribly. But I want to pray for those of you who are. 

For First-Time Attenders:
I pray for each one you. God, I ask that you will give them peace as they travel. As they go over their proposals, pitches and samples chapters for the 9 millionth time and wrestle with if it’s good enough, if their writing is good enough. If they are good enough. Help them to trust you and the calling you’ve placed on their lives. Help them go in and feel not self-confidence, but the confidence that comes in knowing to whom they belong. To you, Jesus. I pray that they’ll make new friends–not for connection sakes–but for their soul’s sakes. Friendships that will last throughout a lifetime. Iron sharpening iron. I do pray for divine appointments and industry connections. And I pray when those connections open doors, that they will never forget it is by your hand alone that has brought it to pass. I pray that you would relax them and put them at ease in the company of others. No fear. Only faith. That the only overwhelming feeling they have is the overwhelming emotion of feeling your Presence in a tangible way. I pray they’ll walk away knowing that you have ordained this weekend. Maybe not at all to secure an agent or a contract, but to establish a friendship or two, a mentor, a critique partner or group. To be refreshed. To feel confirmation that the road ahead may be long but not in vain. I pray they remember if their appointments don’t garner a yes, that HOPE doesn’t disappointment. They were successful because they were obedient. They were brave. They were courageous. And a few no’s doesn’t mean they’ll never hear a YES. Let a holy YES reverberate in their souls. And bring your sweet comfort.

For Regular Attenders:
I pray for each one you. Thank you, Lord, for their excitement and passion to see friends they’ve made throughout the years past. Thank you for relationships and godly friendships and mentorships. I pray that they continue to strengthen those bonds at conference, but let each one remember that not everyone there has those connections. Some are lonely. Alone. Afraid. Anxious. I pray that all the hoopla and laughing with good friends doesn’t blind them to see the possibility of new relationships. New mentorships. I ask for peace in pitches. It’s never easy. Never a piece of cake and God help us if it is. Humble us. Lord, I pray for refreshing for parched souls. Weary souls. Regular attendance means regular rejections. Remind each one of their destiny and calling. Strengthen them. Use them to pour into others. I pray the restless will find rest. The confused will find clarity. The broken will be mended. The dry will be watered. The depressed will be filled with joy. The unsure will find certainty. And the hopeless will redisover hope. 

For Agents and Editors:
Lord, let each one remember how nervous these writers are. Show them grace so they can extend grace. Lavish them with love so they can show kindness. Even in rejections, especially in rejections. Lord, maybe the work isn’t good enough. Maybe that writer isn’t ready for publication, but there is life and there is death in the tongue. May each agent and editor remember that and use words that will breathe life and renewed determination into each writer’s spirit. May new friendships develop, even if contracts do not. Give them strength and stamina to endure every pitch whether scheduled or in the elevator or hallway (Lord Jesus, not the bathroom!). Refresh their souls. Give them rest even when things are chaotic. Lead them to the right writers. Help them to discern. Aid them in their decisions by pouring your wisdom liberally upon them. May your Spirit guide them. 

For Staff:
Lord, thank you for raising up staff and volunteers–those what seek to present fiction filled with the message of the gospel, messages of hope. Of Christ. May they work in unity–even when they’re tired, frustrated or a glitch happens. Praying glitches don’t happen, but if they do…God you are in control. Aid presenters, remove jitters. Give them an ear attuned to you and if the presentation takes a turn, it just does. Keep them strong and energetic. Fill them with your passion and remind them that all they do, they do for your glory. Strike down pride and cultivate hearts of humility. Use them to pour knowledge and wisdom into writers who are seeking to learn. If their room isn’t packed, don’t let them stew or feel like they’re unpopular or a failure. The right people will be there. Period. Praying Lord, for a smooth schedule. Everyone to be well and healthy and able. Bless the worship team, to come in humility with anointing more than anything else, with bowed hearts and prepared minds, full of the Spirit. For the speakers and keynote speaker. Anointing. Power. Passion. Strength. Wisdom. Discernment. Guidance. Let their words be your words. 


For everyone:
God, there are going to be so many opportunities available to be your hands and feet…and heart. Let them not be so busy or self-absorbed that they miss the chance to show your love to hotel staff, cafe staff, and even other guests at the hotel. Divine appointments wait. Discouraged souls abound. Lost souls wander. Let your people plant and water seeds sown through love and may you give the increase! Give everyone safe travels, and calm anxious travelers–those who fear flying or traveling alone. Let them feel your Presence until they nearly lose their breath! You go with them. You are for them. You have good plans and a hope for a future. Give them all open hearts and minds, as you may change their course on a dime. Man plans his way in his heart, but you O Lord, direct their steps.  

In Jesus’s mighty name and for his glory alone,


So be it, amen.


If you have a specific prayer request, leave it in the comments and I promise to pray for you! Enjoy your time. God go with you. See you next year, Lord willing! Love ya’ll,

Jess

photocredit: freedigitalphotos(dot)net/DavidCastilloDominica

Friend With Benefits? Uh…Yes, Please!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

A friend WITH benefits. Kind of a no-brainer, right?  No strings attached. Just a solid good time and you can walk away. 

Negative. 

I’m watching a show right now and the female character has decided she wants a friends with benefits relationship and the male has agreed. Guess what? It’s caused all sorts of issues. 

Because emotions get tangled up when intimacy is involved.  I turned the show off and thought about this whole “friends with benefits” thing. A movie was made about it for crying out loud. Many movies actually, and it never stays that way “no strings attached.” Oh, in a perfect movie world, they end up falling in love and then commit (which is backwards) but not before wave after wave of disasters happen. And sometimes it ends terribly. 

But there is one no-brainer friend-with-benefits I’m all over, and no it doesn’t involve anyone on the silver screen or TV. 

It begins with wooing…then a commitment on my part (because He’s already been committed) then intimacy comes. 

I’m talking about Jesus. Yeah. We can be friends with benefits. 

“A person who has friends may be harmed by them,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 NET

I’m all for a friend who won’t harm me, betray me, leave me or treat me without dignity. Now, I know we’re human and we’re going to make mistakes even in friendship, but there is Someone we can be vulnerable around, Someone we can be fully “naked” or transparent, if you will, with. Someone who won’t mishandle our hearts. A Friend who will stick closer than a brother. I’m all for that friend. 

And we reap all the benefits which He is totally okay with!

“My soul, praise the Lord,and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:2-3 HCSB

Two are right there in the verse. Here’s just a few more:

Compassion that never fails
Faithfulness even when we aren’t faithful
Hope 
Grace
Provision
Strength
Unending and unconditional love
True intimacy
Commitment 
Loyalty
Kindess
Discipline (yes, it’s a benefit)
Purpose/Destiny
An advocate
Intercession on our behalf
Guidance
Wisdom
Joy
Peace
Comfort
Freedom

You can fool yourself all you want for temporary pleasure, but you can’t be friends with benefits and truly be free to come and go. You can’t have true intimacy without commitment and commitment comes first. It should anyway. 

We can never create a list, a truthful list, of benefits, by the world’s standard, for the whole Friends with Benefits idea. Maybe a few good times. Temporary pleasure. Sooner or later it will and does fall apart.

I’m all for something that’s eternal. Truth is, I think we’re all looking for an unconditional, eternal love. We’d be stupid not to want that! 🙂 

So, Friend with Benefits? Yes, please! Give me Jesus. 

If Jesus said, “I’m going to come down from heaven just for the day, and we can go wherever you want”…where would you go, and how would you spend your day with Him?” 


I’ll be back to regularly posting in the fall. Have you signed up for my newsletter? More Than Words will be hitting inboxes in just another week, FREE to subscribers only. So what are you waiting for?

photocredit: freedigitalphotos/stuartmiles 

Gone without a Trace Giveaway!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
Welcome back Patricia
Bradley to the blog today. She and her characters are playing Would You Rather
and she’s giving away a copy of her newest Logan Point series book: Gone without
a Trace! Yay! You can enter to win below.
Would You Rather…  
…be shot or stabbed? (Hey it’s suspense so…)
Alex: Uh, neither? But
if I have to choose…I guess be stabbed.
Livy: I’m with Alex for
once—neither. But I’d rather be shot.
Patricia: I can’t stand
the thought of a knife slicing me, so to be shot.
…be happy because you’ve been lied to or feel emotional pain
knowing the truth?
Alex: Since I don’t like
to be lied to, I’d rather feel emotional pain knowing the truth.
Livy: Hmmm. I can’t
believe I’m going to agree with him again.
Patricia: Lie to me.
…fall in love but lose it or never fall in love?
Alex: Where do you get
these questions? I want to fall in love and keep it.
Livy: Why does he always
get to go first? He stole my answer.
Patricia: For once, I
agree with both of them.
Thanks for playing! Tell
us what you’re working on right now.
I’m working on a
Christmas anthology with several Harlequin Heartwarming authors and at the same
time I’m laying out the plot of my next series, Cold Cases set in Memphis. The
first book is due October 1.
Here is Gone
without a Trace back cover blurb:

The past is
repeating itself—and time is running out
It’s been more than two years since
homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike
most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left
voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her
concerning a senator’s missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point,
Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt
plaguing her after killing a teenager in the line of duty and an almost instant
dislike of the self-assured PI, she’s finding this investigation an uphill
battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she’ll have
to find a way to work with Alex—before it’s too late.
Patricia Bradley lives in North
Mississippi and is a former abstinence educator and co-author of RISE To
Your Dreams, an abstinence curriculum. But her heart is tuned to suspense.
Patricia’s romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series—Shadows of
the Past, A Promise to Protect, and Gone Without a Trace. Her
workshops on writing include an online course with American Christian Fiction
Writers and workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference in
Collierville, TN. When she’s not writing, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and
see what happens.
Connect
with Patricia:
Website:
www.patriciabradleyauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PTBradley1
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/
More books by Patricia Bradley:
Shadows of the Past: CBD; Amazon; B&N; Books A
Million
A Promise to Protect: B&N; CBD; Amazon; Books A Million
Gone Without a Trace: Amazon;
CBD; B&N; Books A Million
Matthew’s Choice:  to buy a paperback—Harlequin: http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=53665
For an e-book: B&N, Kobo Amazon
Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect
and Matthew’s Choice can be found at my Author Page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FFR8T1U

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Would You Rather with Keli Gwyn! Plus, a Giveaway!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I’m excited to host one
of the sweetest women on the planet today! The kind and lovely Keli Gwyn is in
the house and we’re playing a few rounds of WYR with her and her characters in
her newest novel through Love Inspired Historical. Let’s get right to it. Also,
you can enter to win a copy of Family of Her Dreams (US residents only). See how below!

Would you rather…
…fly or read minds?
Spencer: Fly. I’d like
to get a bird’s eye view of my ranch.
Tess: I’d love to read
minds, especially Spencer’s. I’m eager to find out what goes on in his head
because very little of it comes out of his mouth.
Keli: I’m with Tess. I’d
love to read minds. Learning how different people think would make it easier to
get into my characters’ heads.
…fall in love and have your heart broken or never fall in
love?
Spencer: I did fall in
love. My heart was broken when my wife was taken from me, but I kept going. I
had to. I have two small children to care for, but now I have the help of my
headstrong housekeeper, Tess. She’s brought light and laughter back into my
life.
Tess: Having been raised
in an orphanage, I long to love and be loved. I dream of the day I have a
husband and children of my own. Even though I could get hurt in the process,
the rewards far outweigh the risks.
Keli: I’m all about love
and romance. Loss and broken relationships are an inevitable part of life, but
the pain eases over time, enabling a person to experience love anew.
…be wealthy and successful but never find love or find love
and live meagerly?
Spencer: I’d choose love
and a modest life. The pursuit of wealth robbed my father of happiness, and I
want no part of that.
Tess: Love is essential.
With it, one is rich even if she has little.
Keli: What a timely
question. Gwynly retired just last week. As a teacher’s family, we’ve lived
modestly, but we’ll be cutting down even more now. I’m up for that. My guy and
I have a wonderful marriage, and I’m dearly loved. Talk about being blessed.
That’s me.
Keli, tell us what inspired this story?
I love California’s Gold
Country where I live. There’s a wealth of history here, which fascinates me.
When I learned that the sleepy Gold Rush-era town of Shingle Springs nearby was
once home to the busiest rail station in the state, my curiosity was piqued. I
imagined what life would have been like for the stationmaster, and Spencer introduced
himself. A grieving widower, he needed help. Who better than Tess, a confident,
outspoken woman who has a heart overflowing with love she’s eager to shower on
two motherless children—and their handsome father?
What are you working on currently?
I’m writing a story set
in my historic hometown of Placerville. Once again I’m working in local
history, which I love to do. I’ve fallen hard for my hero and heroine. Flynt
and Jessie are bright, determined people eager to overcome their shameful
pasts. When they’re forced to spend time together both on and off the job,
secrets come to light. Secrets that could destroy everything.
Thanks for hosting me,
Jess. It’s great to be here. I have a question for your blog’s readers.
 Since
I’m learning to live on less, what is one money-saving tip you’d recommend?
(Jess here) I’ll chime
in with my answer. I’ve discovered that if I create the weekly menu, then go
through the pantry to see what I’ve got and only add to the grocery list what I
need, I save money. I also include a snack or two for the kids but they know
when it runs out, it’s out until I hit the grocery store the following week!
Award-winning author Keli Gwyn, a native Californian,
transports readers to the early days of the Golden State. She and her husband
live in the heart of California’s Gold Country. Her favorite places to visit
are her fictional worlds, historical museums and other Gold Rush-era towns.
Keli loves hearing from readers and invites you to visit her Victorian-style
cyber home at www.keligwyn.com, where you’ll find her contact information.
Here’s a look at Keli’s
novel Family of Her Dreams: 

Buy Now! 
A Family to
Cherish 
Headstrong Tess Grimsby loves her new job caring for the
children of a recently widowed man. But she never imagined that she’d fall for
her handsome employer. Yet Spencer Abbott is as caring as he is attractive, and
Tess can’t help but feel for him and his family. Though, for the sake of her
job, she’ll keep any emotions about her boss to herself.
Between his stationmaster responsibilities in a gold-rush
town and trying to put his family back together, Spencer has his hands full. He
soon finds his new hire’s kind personality warming his frosty exterior. But
could he ever admit to seeing her as more than just an employee?
Copyright © 2015 by Harlequin
Enterprises Limited
Cover and cover copy text used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises
Limited.
® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
or its affiliated companies, used under license.

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Gilmore Girls or From the Start with Melissa Tagg!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
I am beyond stoked for today’s post. The fantabulous
Melissa Tagg is here and if you know anything about her, she’s a huge fan of
Gilmore Girls. So we’re going to play a few rounds of Would You Rather with her
and she has to choose from Gilmore Girls or her newest novel, From the Start! Oh yeah, it’s a blast! PS, I’m over on her blog today sharing comparisons in relation to my newest novella, Just the Way You Are, so hop over ther next! CLICK HERE.
Let’s do this!
Would You Rather…
…live in Stars Hollow (GG) or Maple Valley (FTS)?
ACK that’s so hard. But I’m going to go with Maple
Valley and here’s why: It’s in Iowa. As quirky and wonderful as Stars Hollow
is, it’s in Connecticut and I know no one there.
Then again, if Jess was there…
…go canoeing with Luke Danes (GG) or your very own star, Colton Greene?
Luke! I love Colton, I do. But he’s got this bad
shoulder from a football injury so what if we get stuck in the middle of a
river and he can’t row and the current is crazy and I’m too wimpy to get us
back to shore? Luke, to my knowledge, has no such injury so I feel confident in
his rowing abilities.
Plus, he could entertain me with one of his
anti-Taylor Doose rants. Plus, I appreciate his style—flannel shirts and that green
army-ish jacket. So that gives him an edge.
…sit in a town meeting under Mayor Taylor Doose (GG) or the Mayor of
Maple Valley who, if I remember correctly, used a megaphone in one of the town
meetings?
I like my mayor, I do. But other than his megaphone
scene, he’s a pretty brief shadow in From the Start. So I’m going to go with
Taylor because I would get immense enjoyment out of listening to him talk about
the dangers of ticks or the need for better leash laws or his intense
competition with the farmers market people in the Town Square.
…have a first kiss with Jess (GG) or Colton (FTS)? Oooooh! That’s gonna
be tough for you, isn’t it since you’re such a big Jess fan?!
Honestly, this is not even hard for me. I would
absolutely pick Jess. Thing is, I LOVE Colton. I really do. But he is so firmly
connected to Kate in my mind that I’d feel like a cheater if I kissed him.
Whereas Jess, last we heard from him, is happily unconnected. (Because stupid
Rory doesn’t know a good thing when she has it.) So I would feel zero guilt
about kissing him.
 
…hang out for a day with Lorelei Gilmore or Kate Walker (FTS)?
Kate Walker. I think Lorelai is awesome…we have some
striking similarities. But Kate…Kate would get me. Kate would understand my
deepest emotions and shallowest quirks. And she would talk about writing and
watch old movies with me. We’d totally bond.
…be best buds with Rory Gilmore or Hailey (FTS)?
Hailey, no question. Here’s the thing with Rory: By
the end of Gilmore Girls, she’s kind of an idiot. I’m sorry, but she makes the
most ridiculous decisions from season 5 on. Now, if we were talking strictly
early seasons Rory, I might have a different answer.
But the great thing about Hailey in FTS is that she
isn’t afraid to challenge Kate. We see it early on in the book and we see it
later on at the end of the book. She’s hugely influential in Kate’s life and
she’s wise. So I’d definitely go with her.
…have Richard Gilmore as a father figure or Kate’s dad, Case Walker.
Kate’s dad! Not hard at all to decide on that one.
Richard Gilmore is a wonderful character and we definitely get to see his
loving, caring side in Gilmore Girls. But…we also know he wasn’t all that
emotionally available or understanding as Lorelai’s father. And a lot of
Lorelai’s mistakes in the show are side effects of feeling unaccepted or
misunderstood by her family.
Case Walker on the other hand is, of course, not
perfect. But he is a wonderful listener. He’ll challenge his daughter, but
always from a place of love. He somehow manages to be stern and gentle at once.
And he sees past the fronts his adult kids put up.
…go to a Gilmore Friday night dinner or a Friday night football game in
Maple Valley?
Gilmore Friday night dinner! I’m sure a football game
would be fun, but a Gilmore dinner would include crazy amounts of wit and
banter and snark. And I would highly enjoy the awkward moments…highly.
…erase Logan Huntzberger from Rory’s life and make sure Jess stays in
the picture or go on romantic date with Logan Walker which includes a glorious
kiss at the end? (I’m torn here so I’m personally not answering ha!)
Oh my gosh! When I first read this, I thought the
second option was a romantic date with Logan Huntzberger and I was like, “Why
would you even ask me this? Logan Huntzberger is so far from my type it’s
hilarious. There’s not even a decision to be made here!”
Then I realized you said Logan Walker…my Logan. And
things got DIFFICULT. Because I adore Logan Walker and have an amazingly
unreasonable crush on the guy who portrays him on my cover (that I wish so
badly I could share!).
And yet, I love Jess…I will love him forever.
But you know, in my imagination, Jess DOES stay in the
picture for Rory. And Logan Huntzberger may not be my thing—not even a little
bit—but he does have his good moments and there are ways Rory does grow (I
suppose) from her relationship with him. (Even if mostly he just encourages her
stupid decisions and spends the bulk of his time on screen whining.) I don’t
think he needs to be entirely erased from her life.
So my choice is a romantic date with Logan Walker
which includes a glorious kiss at the end.
And now I realize half of this post has been talk of
kissing fictional people. I’m not sure how I feel about this…lol!
(Jess here) Well, I feel good about it so that’s what
counts, right? Great answers, Melissa! This was so much fun!
Okay,
friends, are you a Gilmore Girls fan? If so, we’d love for you to answer a few
of the questions in the comments. If not, who would you share a fictional first
kiss with?

Visit Melissa on Facebook, Twitter @melissatagg and her blog! 
Take a peek at From
the Start then go buy the book! I loved it!

Buy the book!

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily
ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn’t
kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays…until a
major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running
back to her hometown of Maple Valley.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is
temporarily hiding out in a friend’s hometown to avoid the media and the
reminders of all he’s lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn
how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he’s never really done normal
before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand
gestures, they both get what it’s like to desperately need direction in life.
An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives,
but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn’t part of
the plan, but could it be the best thing that’s ever happened to them?