Author Spotlight Week - Anne Patrick shares her passion for Romantic Suspense

Short answer: I like to read and write stories that grab at your heart; keeps you on the edge of your seat, and uplifts and inspires you at the same time.

Truth is, I was born and raised a suspense junkie. I have my mother to thank for that. She loved her mysteries and thrillers. I think we watched my first Alfred Hitchcock movie together when I was ten, maybe younger. Of course I ended up sleeping with her that night, and I still get nervous when I see more than a dozen birds gather in one place.

It was the old Hitchcock movies and Nancy Drew Mysteries that fueled my already over-active imagination. My childhood days were filled dreaming up adventures for me and my friends. Later, probably as a way to keep me out of trouble, my mom suggested I write my exploits down instead of living them out. And the dream to be published was born.

My mother, of course, was always my biggest fan. She read everything I ever wrote and encouraged me to submit my stories. Unfortunately, she passed away before my dream was realized. I’m thankful she shared her passion for a good mystery with me. But more importantly, I’m grateful she shared her faith. She didn’t do that by words alone, but by her actions.

I incorporate that same faith in my stories. I know it’s hard to imagine a story about murder and mayhem as being inspirational, but since I love suspense and I want all my writing to reflect my faith that’s how my muse works. There is both evil and good in this world and I like combining the two and watching how my characters deal with it.