Looking Out the Window: Welcome Christian Suspense Author Anne Patrick. She'll Give Away a Copy of Her Latest Book, Out of the Darkness.

It’s my pleasure to have Anne Patrick on my blog this week. She'll give away EITHER a PDF, Kindle or Nook copy of Out of the Darkness. To enter to win leave a comment and an e-mail address.

 

Welcome, Anne. First, tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a Christian Suspense author with over a dozen books published.  When I'm not writing, I enjoy spending time with family and friends.  I also love to travel and have been richly blessed by being able to travel out of the country on several short-term mission trips. I've had the pleasure of seeing God do amazing things in the mission field.

That's a wonderful way to spend time when you aren't writing. Tell us, why you write.
Because I have to.  I would probably go insane if I didn't have an outlet for all the stories floating around in my head.  And yes, my characters do talk to me.  I try not to talk back to them in public though. LOL.

LOL. Tell us about your latest book. Out of the Darkness is about a former FBI profiler whose life is shattered when a serial killer murders her twin sister and leaves Alex with a career-ending injury. Leaving the FBI behind her she sets off across country with a truck driver she barely knows who is battling his own demons.  What Alex doesn't know is the killer is hot on her trail and he won't give up until he finds the victim who got away.

It sounds suspenseful. In three words describe your style of writing. Romance, Mayhem and Faith. 

What themes do you write about?
Usually the darker side of life (Mayhem & Murder) and how in the midst of it our faith sustains us.  I'm a firm believer that if God leads us to it, He'll get us through it.  Another strong theme in most of my books is forgiveness.  We are human, we are going to make mistakes and sometimes stray from God, but He is always with us.  He never turns His back on us.

Thanks for sharing words about your faith with us. Are you a plotter or a pantzer?
 I'm a pantzer.  I can't imagine writing any other way.  It's like riding a rollercoaster. You never know what's right around the corner…or over the next hill.

What are you working on right now?
I'm currently working on book four, SECRETS, in my Wounded Heroes Series.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?  Never give up on your dream.  Finish that first story, edit it until it's the best you can do, then submit it.  You will get rejections, everyone does, but don't let it deter you.  Believe in yourself and your work.  Sooner or later, that door will open and you'll be on your way.

What is the coolest, wackiest, most risk-taking thing you’ve ever done?
Flying in helicopters.  It's a passion I love and do it every chance I get.

Neat. Thank you, Anne.

A Little More about Out of the Darkness
FBI profiler Alex Michaels’ life was shattered when a sadistic serial killer murdered her twin sister and left Alex with a career ending injury. Hoping to put the past behind her, she sets off across country with a truck driver she barely knows.

Royce McIntire knows Alex is on the run from something or someone, but he doesn’t care. He’s fallen in love with her and is finally getting his life back on track and wants to win back custody of his son.

The killer is hot on Alex’s trail though, determined to find the one victim who got away. As more bodies turn up dead Alex has no choice but to tell Royce who she really is. Will the love that has blossomed between them be strong enough to sustain them, or will the killer get to Alex before they even have a chance to find out?

Enjoy an excerpt
The house was dark as Alex Michaels drove onto the snow-covered lawn. She slammed the gearshift into park, pulled her gun from its holster, and jumped from the car. She swiped frantically at the tears as she stepped to the front door and grasped the knob. Please God… Please don't let me be too late. Her grip tightened on the 9mm as beads of perspiration formed on her forehead. Inside the entryway, she reached out with her left hand to flick the light switch.

The knife came out of nowhere.

A sharp pain, followed by a burning sensation, seared up her right forearm. Her fingers went numb and the gun clattered to the floor. She jabbed with her left arm, her clenched fist coming in contact with the jaw hidden behind a black ski mask.

The intruder retaliated with a punch to her right cheek that slammed her body back against the door. The room swirled. Her knees grew weak. She struggled to stand on solid ground. With a fist full of her hair, the attacker jerked back her head as his knee rammed her rib cage, forcing a gush of air from her lungs.

She cried out as her knees buckled and she fell. Another blow to her rib cage knocked her back onto the floor. Her left arm pinned beneath her, she raised a bloody right arm toward the intruder and stared in horror at her hand dangling lifelessly.

With the full weight of his body pinning her, she writhed beneath him, trying to free her left arm.
"Fight me, Alex. Show me you're not as weak as the rest."

"I swear I'm going to kill you." Using her feet as leverage, she rolled against him, but she was no match for his strength.

He laughed. "Come on, Alex. Your sister put up a better fight than this."

A sob escaped her lips. She could still hear Cassie's cries for help and her blood curdling screams of terror.

"Sorry you didn't make it in time to say goodbye. But you'll be with her soon enough."

Learn more about Anne at http://www.annepatrickbooks.com/

Order a download for Out of the Darkness from these locations:
Amazon
Christianbook.com
Barnes & Noble
Desert Breeze Publishing