Nicole S. Patrick, whose story "Poseidon’s Strength" appears in the TIMELESS ESCAPES anthology stopped by The Library to chat with us as part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
The authors will be awarding the following prizes during the tour:
First prize - $50 gift certificate plus ebook Timeless Keepsakes (Christmas Anthology) by Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, Emma Kaye, Nicole S. Patrick, Julie Rowe
Second prize - $25 gift certificate plus 3 ebooks 1) Molly Gets Her Man by Julie Rowe 2) Knight of Runes by Ruth A. Casie 3) Timeless Keepsakes by Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, Emma Kaye, Nicole S. Patrick, Julie Rowe
Third prize - 3 ebooks 1) Love at Christmas by Lita Harris 2) Time for Love by Emma Kaye 3) Timeless Keepsakes by Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, Emma Kaye, Nicole S. Patrick, Julie Rowe
So, first, tell us about your book.
This time, all our stories are all set on a fictional island—Star Island, located off the coast of St. Thomas. My story, entitled "Poseidon’s Strength", is about a former Marine, Ryan Masterson, who feels something is missing from his busy life. He’s a successful business owner, he’s got money and a sweet ride, but there’s no real love in his life—at least none worth committing to. He travels to Star Island to help his very pregnant sister, who owns a resort there and is a recent widow (her husband Sam was his best friend and was killed in combat). Ryan encounters the heroine, Faith Reagan who is Sam’s sister and…well...they’ve never quite seen eye to eye in the past. It’s a story about finding love and strength in unexpected places for them both.
What began the process for this book? Why did you have to write it?
We all decided after the Timeless Christmas anthology came out that we’d love to do a summer book! So we brainstormed during one of our many weekly critique calls, came up with a tropical setting—someplace to kick back, have an exotic drink, and bask in the sun and Star Island was born. I’m partial to military heroes and I love how they are honor bound and strong men. So when Ryan Masterson came to be, I wanted him to be someone who knew how to be strong and driven, but needed a bit of a push to be open to love.
Did you always think you were going to be an author?
I think somewhere in my subconscious I did. I’ve always loved to write from the time I was a child. I’d write stories, and poems and I read a whole lot too. Then, real life, college, grad school, corporate job, marriage, and children happened and I put that on the back burner. Once I left the work force to raise my kids, I regained that interest in writing again. In that past five years I’ve taken a serious path to pursue this dream of being a published author, and in romance of course…my first love.
What books/authors have influenced you the most?
So many. I read many different types of fiction books in general. But in romance, the genres that interest me most are suspense and contemporary romance. Suzanne Brockmann’s Navy SEALs books got me into wanting to write military themed romances. I love her edgy and quick pacing and those alpha heroes are wonderful.
What is your typical day like?
I have two school-aged boys, so getting them ready for school is first on weekdays. I wake up early, get in the first of many cups of coffee (I’m a self-proclaimed addict and I own it!). I watch the morning news then get the kids up and out. My older son has Type 1 diabetes, so there’s a lot of routine and timing that goes along with his care on a daily basis. Once they are off to school, if I have no other pressing errands, I sit at my computer, catch up on e-mails, maybe throw in a load of laundry, drink more coffee and open up a writing project. Right now I’m editing a manuscript and plotting out the next Timeless story, which is scheduled for our Holiday edition to come out sometime in November 2014. My story begins at 11:59PM New Years Eve.
What do you enjoy doing when you aren't writing or promoting a current book?
I love spending time with my sons and husband. With two active boys, you can bet the weekends are busy indeed. Plus, I value the time spent with my friends/partners, the Timeless Scribes: Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, and Emma Kaye. We try to get together at least every few weeks to grab lunch and catch up. I’m also a voracious reader and I take the occasional Yoga and Pilates class (which I should do much more).
Now's where you can share your social media links (blog, website, facebook, twitter, etc).
My website is www.nicolespatrick.com and I’m on Facebook: Nicole S. Patrick. I have a Twitter account @NicoleSPatrick
Now just a bit of fun stuff:
People might be surprised to know....I have a serious crush…okay so it’s an obsession of sorts, on actor Gerard Butler. It’s been going on for years, back when he wasn’t quite so famous. My husband knows it and just accepts it! LOL. Also, my pseudonym is made up from my sons’ names, Sean and Patrick.
What is the last book you read?
The King, by JR Ward.
What is the last movie you've watched? Was it at the movies or at home?
Amazing Spiderman 2 at the movies with my oldest son.
If you could be any fictional character from any book, who would you be and why?
I’d love to be one of Suzanne Brockmann’s Navy SEALs. They kick butt and get the job done.
What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Not a thing. I truly believe my life and path are how they should be.
Anything else you'd like to include/mention?
I’m an avid supporter of our troops. They are the inspiration for my stories. I’m involved in the Soldier’s Angels and Enlightened Angels organizations and I send packages every month to different units overseas, going on six years now. That’s a whole lot of cookies!
Shielding her eyes from the sun, she looked up and forgot to breathe. Ryan’s sweaty, white T-shirt clung to his cut muscles. With his bandana and ripped jean shorts with holes in places she had no business thinking about, he looked like a pirate.
A long and lean, six-foot pirate, with a crooked smile that did stuff to her equilibrium. A split second later he was next to her. Had he jumped down?
He tore off his sunglasses and searched her face. “Are you okay?”
No words formed inside her brain. “Fine,” she choked out the word.
“Oh good. What’s in the basket?” He gestured to her arm. “Another breakfast enema?”
Busted.
“The smoothie didn’t agree with your digestive system?” Might as well play it off.
The corner of Ryan’s mouth lifted. “I’ll get even.”
His eyes skimmed down her body and her stomach fluttered, but she lifted her chin. She was hot and grungy from teaching yoga on the beach, but it had nothing to do with the bead of sweat trailing down her collarbone into her bikini top. Either he was planning her slow death, or something else entirely, which couldn’t be possible. Remember, you’re his little sister now.
For more information about Nicole on Facebook, Twitter, or please visit her website.
Buy the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteLoved the interview, Nicole! (And your friends/partners value their time spent with you just as much!)
ReplyDelete