Welcome Pat Simmons to the blog today!
She's going to talk about her book, Here for You.
Pat is also giving away one copy of her book! Remember to enter the book giveaway contest toward the end of this interview via the Rafflecopter widget.
Enjoy!
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Interview with Pat Simmons about her book,
Here for You (Family Is Forever Book 2):
Congratulations on the September 2020 release of your new novel! Let’s talk about it …
Alexis: What inspires you to write women’s fiction?
Pat: Everyday life issues that affect us. God’s gives me the parables, so He can minister to them.
Alexis: Why are the hero and heroine in your story, Here for You, better at taking care of other people than themselves?
Pat: They are committed to those they love and love hard. Both had strong family ties and when a trial hit, Rachel and Nicholas needed to fall back on those who loved them.
Alexis: What made you want to write a book about caregivers?
Pat: The thought came to me after I had been a caregiver for my late grandmother more than 10 years ago. It was hard work, and on the days where she hid my purse, left food on the furnace, let a four-pound Yorkie roam the neighborhood, or other acts that frustrated me, I had to remind myself that she was the best grandmother that I ever had and she wasn’t doing things purposely to hurt me.
Alexis: Tell me about your story’s heroine Rachel Knicely. What makes her happy? What makes her sad? Describe her looks, personality and heart.
Pat: She enjoys life—socially, career wise, and family. Those things gave her a balanced. Because she loves hard, Rachel took Aunt Tweet’s sickness hard. Her death represented a circle broken. Rachel is pretty. Ridiculously long hair, she’s smart, fashion conscious, known for her big-hoop earrings, and confident in a man’s world.
Alexis: Tell me about your story’s heroine Nicholas Adams. What makes him mad? What or who softens his heart? Describe his appearance, personality and heart.
Pat: Nicholas is even-mannered. He takes his God responsibility seriously. When people get in the way of that, he has a problem, such as some instances in the book. He’s attracted to Rachel’s beauty first, then her heart. He looks like actor Daniel Sunjata. Basically, fine!
Alexis: How did you do the research for this book?
Pat: Latonya Wilson, who I give a shoutout in the book, brought Rachel’s character to life. Of course, I do my standard research via online, and I like to interview subjects who are authorities on topics in my story.
Alexis: Who is Aunt Tweet and what role does she play in this story?
Pat: Aunt Tweet was the foundation in the three sisters’ lives since they were young. She supported them in every way, whether it was her presence at their events, or helping financially, but mostly their role model. Each of the sisters had inherited something from Aunt Tweet. Rachel had the sassiness of a diva.
Alexis: How do Rachel and Nicholas meet?
Pat: At her front door when she slams it in his face over a misunderstanding.
Alexis: What role does faith in God play in the minds and lives of your story’s main characters?
Pat: Faith in God is part of Nicholas’s makeup. It’s the trying of his faith that is tested.
Alexis: As a woman of faith, how does your relationship with God impact your writing?
Pat: The Lord directs my thoughts, points me to the Scriptures and many other emotional scenarios. I think that’s why a lot of readers connect with the stories.
Alexis: How would you describe your storytelling style?
Pat: I’m a scene-by-scene writer, not chapters or page count. I like to be the fly on the wall and see and feel the characters’ plight and emotions.
Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this book, Here for You?
Pat: None of us are exempt from trials, but remember how you treat people because you never know when you will walk in their shoes.
Alexis: If you could step into the story as a professional counselor, how would you advise Rachel and Nicholas concerning their relationship?
Pat: Trust God no matter what they see or hear.
Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Pat! Would you like to share closing comments?
Pat: I want to thank the readers and book clubs for their continued support throughout my writing career, and my developmental editor, Chandra Sparks Splond, and cousin, Darlene Simmons, both always push me to give my best.
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Author Bio:
Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author with more than thirty-five titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels.
She is a three-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat’s first inspirational women’s fiction, Lean On Me, with Sourcebooks, was the February/March Together We Read Digital Book Club pick for the national library system.
Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.
She has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.
Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.
Visit her online at www.patsimmons.net.
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Here for You book blurb:
Emotional, poignant, and clean women's fiction from acclaimed inspirational romance author Pat Simmons featuring a hero and heroine who are better at taking care of other people than themselves, a dark moment that shakes their faith, and a well-earned happily ever after with a forever family.
Rachel Knicely's life has been on hold for six months while she takes care of her great aunt, who has Alzheimer's. Putting her aunt first was an easy decision—accepting that Aunt Tweet is nearing the end of her battle is far more difficult.
Nicholas Adams's ministry is bringing comfort to those who are sick and homebound. He responds to a request for help for an ailing woman but when he meets the Knicelys, he realizes Rachel is the one who needs support the most. Nicholas is charmed by and attracted to Rachel, but then devastating news brings both a crisis of faith and roadblocks to their budding relationship that neither could have anticipated.
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Buy Pat's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
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Connect with Pat:
Website: http://www.patsimmons.net
Pinterest: pinterest.com/patsimmonsbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patsimmons
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/patsimmonsauthor
Facebook Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/patsimmonsreaders/
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/patsimmons
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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:
Only if you count when I took care of my grandmother for a week when she broke her right arm.
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