Readers, from time to time I post interviews with other Christian authors on my blog. This month, I am happy to interview Robin Patchen, an award-winning author of Christian suspense, with 13 published books under her belt. Here is her latest book. Isn’t this an intriguing book cover?
Robin, what motivates you to write?
It took me forty years to figure out what God created me to do. I always loved to write, but my early career focused on nonfiction and copywriting. I earned a degree in journalism and worked in marketing and public relations. It wasn’t until my husband gave me a laptop for my fortieth birthday that I started penning that first novel, and even then, it wasn’t a great desire to write fiction that motivated me. I’d had a story in my head for years, and I’d hoped that maybe, if I put it on paper, I could get it out of my head. Within a few weeks of beginning that story, I realized I’d stumbled across the thing I was born to do. Not that I was good at it, but even writing bad books made my soul sing.
Writing still makes my soul sing, but if I were to be honest, many days, I write because it’s my job. If I weren’t a full-time author and freelance editor, I’d have to get a real job, probably one that required me to wear slacks with zippers and shoes with heels. I write because I love it, because it’s what I was born to do, and because I can wear yoga pants and slippers all day, and my fictional characters never complain.
What does your writing day look like?
In a perfect world, my work day begins with writing for three to four hours. I’ve discovered that the longer chunks I can devote to writing, the more words per minute I can get on the page. Two hours is good, but four hours is excellent. Any more than that and I start penning gibberish. After writing, I check my emails and manage the administrative tasks associated with being a writer and editor, and then I edit in the afternoons. Unfortunately, I don’t live in a perfect world, and rarely do my days go the way I want them to.
What do you want your readers to know about you?
I am not who I seem to be. Maybe that’s true for all of us. Maybe we all have these pretty faces we put on for the world to see, but we know the truth about the people who stare back at us in the mirror. I’ve spent twenty years working to peel back the mask in my own life, learning to be authentic and honest with myself and others. Trials upon trials have plagued my family for the last six years, trials I wouldn’t have chosen and wouldn’t wish on anyone, but the Lord in His grace has used those trials to mature me, to smooth some of my rough edges, and, in many cases, to reveal ugly sins I needed to deal with. He’s used them to prepare me for difficult days we’ve already gone through and no doubt some that are yet to come. God has used those trials to teach me compassion and patience. All of that has made me a better writer and, I hope, a better ambassador for Christ.
Tell us about your currently featured book.
Legacy Restored is the second book in a new romantic suspense series that takes place in my fictional town of Nutfield, New Hampshire. Readers of the Hidden Truth series and the Beauty in Flight series will recognize many of the places and some of the secondary characters, but Angel and Donovan are new to the group. Here’s the blurb:
She’s a new Christian working to take down a murderer. He’s a grieving man who refuses to let another woman die needlessly. When their desires clash, will it lead to hostility… or fireworks?
Angelica Rossi deserves to be behind bars, but if secretly working with the police to take down an art thief will keep her out of prison, she’s willing to take the deal—even when she discovers the thief is also a brute and a murderer. As a former con artist, she’s learned to take care of herself.
Grieving his sister’s fatal overdose, Donovan Gilcreast retreated to an eighteenth century lakeside Victorian owned by an old friend, where he works on his paintings in the mornings and restores the house the rest of the day. He blames himself for not protecting Katie, and he blames Angelica Rossi, Katie’s old friend, for introducing her to drugs years before. When Angel, the owner’s sister, moves into the house, Donovan tries to keep his distance, but her bruises pull at his protective nature. Who would hurt someone so vulnerable?
Angel has no idea why the brooding recluse hates her, but, despite his glares and grunts, she finds his quiet presence comforting, especially amid the fear and confusion of working as a confidential informant.
Their friendship might have a chance to become something more. But if Donovan discovers what Angel’s up to, he’ll not only end their budding romance, but he’ll destroy her shot at freedom forever.
Preorder Legacy Restored today, and while you’re at it, pick up Legacy Rejected, book one in the Legacy series. It’s only 99¢ for a limited time.
Thank you, Robin, for stopping by my blog today!
Readers, you can preorder Robin’s Legacy Restored and Legacy Rejected at these retailers.
For more information about Robin Patchen, please visit her website: http://robinpatchen.com
