Interview with Heroine of Shadows of the Past by Patricia Bradley & Giveaway
I am delighted to introduce you to author Patricia Bradley and her debut romantic suspense, Shadows of the Past.
I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this wonderful book for endorsement. Here’s what I thought:
“In Shadows of the Past, Patricia Bradley has created the perfect kind of mystery-novel-hero—emotionally wounded with a heart of gold. Add in a determined criminal-profiler heroine, an unknown stalker, and an eclectic collection of wonderfully developed secondary characters (aka suspects), and Bradley had me totally hooked. An outstanding first book in the Logan Point romantic suspense series. Looking forward to the next installment.”
Since I enjoyed Patricia’s characters so much, I invited her to drop by and interview one of them for us. But first some background on story:
Psychology professor and criminal profiler Taylor Martin prides herself on being able to solve any crime, except the one she wants most desperately to solve—the disappearance of her father twenty years ago. When she finally has a lead on his whereabouts, Taylor returns home to Logan Point, Mississippi, to investigate. But as she is stalking the truth about the past, someone is stalking her.
Nick Sinclair pens mystery novels for a living, but the biggest mystery to him is how he can ever get over the death of his wife—a tragedy he believes he could have prevented. With his estranged brother the only family he has left, Nick sets out to find him. But when he crosses paths with Taylor, all he seems to find is trouble.
Okay, take it away, Pat.
Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog, Sandra. I thought your readers might enjoy an interview with Taylor. This character literally popped into visit one morning during my quiet time and she told me someone one was stalking her.
Patricia: So, Taylor do you always startle people?
Taylor: Not on purpose, but I do seem to have that knack.
Patricia: What do you think of Nick Sinclair?
Taylor: Nick? At first he made me uncomfortable, the way he defended his brother. After all, I did accuse his brother of stalking me. But then I got to know him, and his loyalty to his brother touched my heart. I would have reacted the same way if someone accused my brother Chase of stalking.
Patricia: You seem so sure of yourself and your opinions. Are you always right?
Taylor: Usually. (she grins). Really? Not always, but enough that I’ll stick to my guns until I’m proven wrong.
Patricia: enough talk about guns. Valentine’s Day is coming up. What is your idea of a perfect date for that special day? And with whom?
Taylor: Hmmm. The last question is a no-brainer. Nick. He is one exciting man! Just thinking about him makes my heart beat faster. Not that I wanted to like him at first. Seems like when we first met, all we did was argue.
And for where? If it’s one of those rare warm days we sometimes get in Logan Point, Mississippi in February, a picnic would be sweet. But since that probably won’t happen, I think I’d like for Nick to take me out to eat at the Blues Espresso. We could listen to some really good jammin’, and he could play his harmonica.
Patricia: That sounds like a great Valentine’s date! Do you want to tell the readers if you and Nick have a future?
Taylor, smiling mysteriously. Nope. But the answer is in the book…
That was great! Thanks so much, Patricia and Taylor for joining us.
Blog Readers: I’m giving away a copy of Shadows of the Past. If you’d like your name thrown into the hat, please scroll to the bottom of this post and ask Patricia or Taylor a question about the story, or about herself, or her next book in the series…whatever you’re curious about.
Winner will be drawn on Valentine’s Day!
Here’s a little more about Patricia to whet your curiosity. 😉
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 mini-mysteries have been published in Woman’s World, and her debut novel, Shadows of the Past, is the first of three set in Mississippi and will release February 4, 2014.
Patricia’s Website: ptbradley.com
Blog: MBTponderers
Patricia, these are the storylines I like best. This look great. Looking forward to reading it. Great interview, Sandra.
Blessings
Thank you for stopping by, Katrina. Glad you enjoyed the interview.
This sounds like a great book. Patricia, I’m wondering what got you started in writing suspense?
Hi Debora. So glad you dropped by. As for why I write suspense, I guess my mind has always been tuned to murder and crime solving. 🙂 I read Nancy Drew as a girl, then Sherlock Holmes…then Mary Higgins Clark…that’s when I knew I wanted to write suspense–when I read her books.
I loved this interview and this book is being added to my wish list.
Thank you for stopping by! I’m so glad you’re adding my book to your wish list.
I already love this book and can’t wait to read it.
That’s great, Lourdes! Thanks for stopping by.
Congrats Pat! Looking forward to reading your book! Fun post!
Good to “see” your Loree! Hope you enjoy the book.
Great interview. Patricia Looking forward to reading your book!
Thanks, Emma. Glad you stopped by!
Fun interview. Sandra, what are you working on now?
Glad you enjoyed the interview, Sandra.
Patricia – I’m curious about your investigative background, if any. Do you have experience with investigations or do you know someone who helps you with the details? This book has an intriguing premise. Looking forward to reading it!
Davalynn, way back, I had a brother-in-law on the Memphis Police Department and when I started this book I called the Homicide Department there and explained I was writing a suspense story set partially in Memphis and needed to make sure my memory of how the department worked was correct. I was connected to a Captain and we talked for hours (at different times) on what went into solving their homicides. I also subscribe to Lee Lofland’s crimescene writer’s blog and loop. Anytime I have a question I shoot it to the loop and the great cops on there give me answers. 🙂
That is so cool!
Patrica, where do you find your inspiration?
God first…then for my story ideas, the news is a wealth of inspiration. So glad you stopped by Sara.
Sounds like a book I would love to read, Pat! Looking forward to reading Perilous Waters as well! 🙂
Thanks Betti, and I’m eagerly awaiting Perilous Waters as well!
I’m reading this right now. Great story! Lovely to meet you, Pat!
Oh, Katy Lee, that’s so exciting. I’m glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by and telling me.
Looking forward to reading this series. I lived in Mississippi when I was a little girl and enjoy visiting now that I’m an adult. My hubby and I took a trip in 2007 and it was the first time he had ever been 🙂
What part of Mississippi, Lori? I live in the northeast corner–the beautiful hill country. Lots of trees.
This looks like a great book that I’d enjoy reading. I’m wondering how old Taylor is in Shadows of the Past.
Taylor is 29. Thanks for stopping by Pam.
Congratulations on the new books! Looking forward to reading it.
So glad you stopped by, Lisa. That’s my daughter’s name. 🙂
Would love to read your new book, Pat. I believe I have seen you on MBT?
Yes, I owe a lot of my success to Susan May Warren and MBT! I’ve been to 4 of Susie’s Deep Thinker’s Retreats and 1 Kiss and Tell. She’s taught me so much.
Patricia, I’d love to feature you with an interview on my blog A Christian Writers World, TBCN Readers Choice award 2013 Blog of the Year:
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Email me at: achristianwritersworld[at]gmail[dot]com
Thank you Lena! I’ll contact you. I saw where you wont the TBCN Readers Choice award last year. Congratulations.
What a lovely interview, Patricia and Sandra, and my kind of heroes, actually! Patricia, I would like to ask why Taylor is a psychology professor, specifically-do you have interest in psychology yourself? I do!;)
If I’d gone to college, I would have been a psychology major. 🙂 I read a lot of psychology articles and blogs. For my 3rd book in the Logan Point series, I used the Myers-Briggs type indicator to come up with my hero and heroine’s personality. And had a blast in doing it.
Interesting. 😀
Patricia, thanks for a reply 🙂 Wow, very interesting ! Psychology, when used smartly and for a good purpose, can help people to improve their lives tremendously !
Can you share about your journey to become a debut author?
It’s been a 34 year journey, Jodie. 🙂 The first story I wrote appeared in Woman’s World so naturally I thought I would have NO trouble getting a book published. That story and two others they bought helped me to keep going through the rejections. About 4 years ago I met Susan May Warren and attended her Deep Thinker’s Retreat. Went back 3 more times, each year building on the last. I applied her teaching and that turned my writing around. And that’s how I became a debut author. Thanks for asking.
This story sounds great! I love these types of strong characters. Looking forward to reading your book.
Thank you, Brittany. I hoped readers would see Nick and Taylor as strong characters!
Hey, Patricia and Sandra — great interview! It’s always fun getting inside the heroine’s head. 🙂
Nick and Taylor sound like the kind of couple I’d like to get to know, so can’t wait!!
Hugs,
Julie
Oh, Julie, thank you for stopping by. I enjoy your books as well. Nobody can write a kiss scene like you!
I love character interviews. They are so much fun.
So glad you enjoyed it, Susan.
Nice Character interview, this book sounds wonderful. Liked Shared and will be pinning also.
Blessings
Linda Finn
Thank you for sharing and pinning it, Linda! It is so much fun to be here on Sandra’s blog!
Hi, Patricia and Sandra!!
Enjoyed the character interview, and would also enjoy an interview of you, personally, Patricia – to learn more about you, and your writing journey. “Shadows of the Past” sounds like a very suspenseful novel, with a lot of romance sparks! How many novels will be included in the Logan Point series??
Sandra, you have written some wonderful books – would love to read “Perilous Waters”, as well as “Shadows of the Past, Patricia!! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of them!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
thank you, Bonnie! I’m sure Pat can share a link or two to some upcoming blogs that are interviewing her. There was a great one last week I visited, but the website is having a bit of trouble so I couldn’t grab the link for you.
Bonnie, you can catch Elaine Stock’s interview with me at: http://elainestock.blogspot.com/2014/01/patricia-bradley-interview-with-amazing.html
It’s about my writing journey. And as of right now, there will be 4 Logan Point books. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I’m also on the MBT Ponderers blog today, talking about the long road to overnight success. 🙂 Here’s the link: http://ow.ly/tvH8C
Sounds like a really good book. Being from the Mississippi/Alabama area I love to read books set in our states.
It’s been a lot of fun writing about the area I live in, Doretha. I did take a few liberties with the terrain. 🙂
Hi Patricia and Sandra!
Patricia, I’m really looking forward to reading your book because I love mystery and suspense and I live in Mississippi, too! The southern part. Are you a native of Mississippi or did you move here? What do you like best about living in MS?
Sandra, your book sounds really great, too! Alaska is one of my favorite settings so a mystery set on a Alaskan cruise is perfect! And there’s just something about FBI agents (in fiction, anyway) that I just love.
God bless!
thank you, Monica. It was certainly my favorite book to research!