Meet New Love Inspired Author Patricia Johns
This year the Love Inspired has welcomed two new Canadian authors to our family.
Both had releases this past summer, which I missed, because I was eyeball deep in meeting deadlines, and enjoying my new grandbaby. (Have you noticed that I mention him every chance I get? 😉 )
So with apologies for my tardiness, I’m delighted to introduce you to the first, Patricia Johns, who hails from Northern Alberta, where some of those rumors that we live in igloos might just originate!
While Patty is new to Love Inspired, she is not new to publishing. In fact she already has 13 books out, in various genres, with small presses under her maiden name Patty Froese.
And no, Johns is not her married name. Her married name is Patty Nithemuka, but since that’s unpronounceable, she chose the pen name of Patricia Johns, because her hubby’s first name is John.
Her debut Love Inspired contemporary, HIS UNEXPECTED FAMILY, released in July 2013.
I invited her to answer a few questions so we could get to know her better…
First, tell us a little about yourself.
As you said, I’m a Canadian living in Alberta, Canada. And yes, the winters are long and cold, but that suits me just fine since I write full time and can stay on the right side of the window. Not all of Canada is as cold as our neck of woods, for the record. I’ve been writing seriously since I graduated from my BA in English Literature. I horrified my parents by quitting my sensible full-time job and taking a part time gig that paid just enough to rent a small room and eat on the cheap. It paid off, because I wrote my first published novel in that little, leaky room, and never looked back.
I’ve written in other genres from Ancient Christian historical to kids books, but Harlequin has always been my goal. I’m thrilled to have my first romance out!
Tell us how you got The Call.
I got The Call on my birthday. I was getting over a nasty flu, so I sounded miserable, but I was over the moon to be offered a contract! My little boy was tugging on me for attention, my fever was soaring, and I was perfectly thrilled.
What’s the single biggest thing in your writing life you can point to as contributing to getting The Call?
I learned early on to keep trying and trying, and if I hadn’t stuck to it, editing and re-editing, even completely rewriting the story, I wouldn’t have finally gotten that contract. It all comes down to being willing to do whatever it takes.
So true. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started on your writing journey?
It’s actually a matter of what I’m glad I didn’t know back then. I’m glad I didn’t know exactly how much work it would be to get here, because I might have just crumpled in despair. It was worth it, though. I love the novel writing process, so it’s been a lot of fun along the way.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’d love to connect on Facebook. Come by and find me at https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaJohnsAuthor. You can also find me on my blog at http://patriciajohnsromance.com.
What are you working on now? Is there another LI book on the horizon?
There IS another book on the horizon. I’ve been offered a contract for a cowboy romance with Love Inspired. (I don’t know a release date yet.) Come by my blog to stay posted! As for what I’m working on now… more Love Inspired novel ideas, of course!
That’s awesome! Congratulations, Patricia. And thank you for being today’s guest.
Blog readers, as Love Inspired fans know, the books go out of print very quickly and then are only available used or as Ebooks. Thankfully, despite my tardiness in inviting Patricia to my blog, His Unexpected Family is still available in paperback from online retailers.
Here’s the back cover blurb to whet your appetite: 😉
When a baby is dropped into her life without warning, Emily Shaw is overjoyed. It’s a bit odd that her distant cousin named single Emily as guardian, but she’s thrilled all the same. She never thought she’d get to be a mom. Another unexpected blessing is that baby Cora arrives in the arms of police chief Greg Taylor. Despite all three of them instantly bonding, Greg has promised himself he’ll never be a father. And now Emily’s smooth-talking relative is challenging her right to raise Cora. Will Emily have to make an impossible decision between the child she already loves and the man who loves her?
I hope all of you have a fabulous week. I’m looking forward to my daughter returning this weekend after 3 months in Australia!
Oh, oh, oh and… 
There’s still a couple of days left to enter my international giveaway for a bunch of different books, including advanced copies and the option to gift your prize to a friend. Click here: ENTER GIVEAWAY
Your Turn: Any questions for Patty?
P.S. Just in case you missed my FB announcements or notices around the blogosphere this past week… next Sunday, I will be emailing all my newsletter subscribers an exclusive Christmas romance mini-novella. If you’d like to receive it, please subscribe by clicking here: http://bit.ly/OrchardNews
Happy Thanksgiving Canada!
It’s a holiday here in Canada. And I’m making the most of the beautiful autumn weather to enjoy with my family.
I’m thankful that… “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
For all my Canadian readers, Happy Thanksgiving! Have a great week, everyone!
Do Your Eyes Hurt?
Eye pain is a common complaint among writers.
However, no matter how you spend your days, the discomfort in your eyes may not be due to eye strain or dry eyes like you think, or like the doctor keeps telling you.
And…there is relief!
A couple of years ago, the pain in my eyes became so unbearable that I couldn’t work on my computer for more than an hour here or there. After years of being told to use drops for dry eyes, whenever I mentioned eye discomfort to my doctor, I was finally referred to an ophthalmologist.
The suggestion to use drops was reasonable. People who work on computers all day don’t tend to blink often enough, and combined with working in a low humidity environment, can certainly suffer dry eyes.
But for me the drops didn’t provide relief for more than three minutes.
The ophthalmologist diagnosed me with blepharitis. I’d never heard of blepharitis and, even if I had, probably wouldn’t have thought it was my problem, because while itchy or burning eyes or the feeling that you have a foreign object in the eye are common symptoms (ones I had as well), eye pain isn’t a common symptom.
Moreover, aside from crusty eyes in the morning, I didn’t perceive any of the common signs such as inflammation, flaky patches on the eyelids, loss of eyelashes, red rims of the eyelids etc. At least not that I could observe, although the ophthalmologist clearly saw telltale signs that I didn’t.
But do these symptoms–sensitivity to light, burning or gritty or itchy eyes, mild tearing, crusty eyes–describe what you’re feeling?
If they do, you may have blepharitis and a simple morning and evening routine may bring you tremendous relief.
Blepharitis can be an acute condition that once it clears up, won’t recur, or it may be a chronic condition, which would require you to continue this routine for continued relief. There are different causes of blepharitis, ranging from blocked oil glands to allergies to a staphylococcal infection, and your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for your eye as well.
I used prescribed antibiotic drops for one week for two consecutive months and didn’t need them again for more than a year when I had another flare up.
Here’s the routine for treating blepharitis:
1) Put a warm compress on your eyes for two minutes. This is to soften the oils on your eyes that may be blocking glands. A wet compress usually doesn’t stand warm long enough. The kind you heat in the microwave work well.
2) Wash your eyelids, top and bottom, paying special attention to the rims and lashes with a clean washcloth and non-burning baby shampoo.
Repeat morning and evening.
My doctor warned me that for the first few days the pain could actually worsen, although I didn’t experience that. His assistant told me that her father had been suffering eye pain for years and that this routine, combined with the one week per month antibiotic drops, had been like a miracle cure for him. It certainly gave me significant relief within days.
I’ve shared my experience with a couple of friends when they’ve complained of eye pain, and they too, experienced significant improvements by simply practicing the eye washing routine. So…
I thought I’d share my experience with you. The routine certainly can’t hurt (well, other than drying out your skin a bit around your eyes, which might not help the fight against wrinkles 😐 ), and is definitely worth trying.
Your Turn: Any questions? Comments? Experiences with eye pain?
BTW, on Thursday I am interviewing Jennifer Delamere over at the International Christian Fiction Writers’ Blog and she is giving away a copy of A Lady Most Lovely, which received a starred PW review. And the giveaway is open internationally!
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of graur codrin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Writer on Deadline
But please join me Monday, September 23rd for a super-cool, special guest appearance. If you love romantic suspense, are interested in sign language or just plain curious, you won’t be disappointed. 😉
Your Turn: What are you doing with the chicken? 😎
What Do Women Want?
My newest hero, Joshua Rayne, (Fatal Inheritance, Aug 2013) said, when I interviewed him, that men should learn that you can never figure out what a woman wants.
He said, “I thought I was being respectful by not chasing after a woman who cuts out on me, but my sister told me that sometimes that’s exactly what they want, to prove we love them. Love them enough to risk rejection again!”
This idea resonated with my beta readers, but then…
there are those creepy guys–like the heroine’s ex-boyfriend–that won’t take no for an answer, guys who you really, really, really wish wouldn’t chase after you.
Your Turn: What do you think? Have you ever walked out on a guy and wished he stopped you? Guys, ever wondered what you’re supposed to do? 😉
Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Happy Canada Day!
It’s a holiday here in Canada and I’m taking full advantage of it to enjoy my new grandson.
And to help my granddaughter adjust to being a big sister. 😉
For those wondering from last week’s blog if the raspberry tea worked…as I added in the comments on that blog, the delivery was so fast that Dad delivered his son before the midwife arrived. Mom and baby are doing great! Dad’s still a little shaky…just kidding. He was awesome!
Happy Canada day to those in Canada, and an early Happy Independence Day to those in America. May I suggest you kick back and read a good book. 😆
Whatever your plans, I hope you have a great day!
Brenda Novak’s Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research
Brenda Novak’s Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research is gearing up for its biggest year yet. Thanks to all who have participated in the past — both donors and shoppers — the auction has raised a cumulative total of $1.6 million. This year they are hoping to surpass $2 million to help all those with diabetes.
The auction opens on May 1, 2013 and this year they’re doing something new. Each person who registers as a shopper for the 2013 auction will be entered to win a brand new iPad (Value $499).
Each year they also offer an amazing prize package to the person who places the most bids over all. This year it will consist of: A brand new MacBook Air ($1100 Value), a $200 Macy’s gift certificate and much more.
Browse the site to find lots of awesome packages for readers and writers and anyone–like a week at a timeshare in Hawaii!!!
My own contribution isn’t nearly as exotic, but I hope you’ll find it fun!
THE UNDERCOVER SPY KIT CONTAINS:
ONE of each of the following:
A Spy Pen – a working ink pen, with mini video camera and audio recording (not exactly as depicted)
A little black notebook –for recording those all important furtive moves
A blonde wig – so no one recognizes you
A pair of spy shades – unique sunglasses that will conceal where you’re looking, including the side mirrors that allow you to see behind you
One trade paperback copy of Sandra Orchard’s June 2013 romantic suspense/mystery Deadly Devotion
A black satchel to conceal the items when not in use
Approximate value over $65.00.
Click the picture or the kit name above to bid or tour the site. (Shipping within US is included for all items. For the spy kit shipping within both US and Canada is)
Your Turn: What are some causes you like to support and why? What’s the most unique or successful fundraiser you’ve ever seen?
Joy is a Decision
Joy is a decision. At least, that’s what our pastor said yesterday. I’ve heard it said of love–along the lines of act loving and the feelings will follow–but never of joy.
It’s a compelling thought. One I’ve been contemplating ever since.
The Apostle Paul prayed in his letter to the Romans (15:13) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
The decision part is in the trusting–something the characters in my current work-in-progress are also learning.
Speaking of which…I need to get started. But I’m praying that verse for each of you today.
Have a joy-filled day!
5 Things I Love about Traveling South
I’m enjoying a working/writing holiday in sunny Florida for the next few weeks so while you’ll see new photos appear on my FB page (which feeds to the sidebar of this blog), I probably won’t write here again until April, unless…something really cool happens that I can’t wait to share. 😉
So here’s what I love about traveling from what was snowy Canada when I left:
1) Sunshine!
2) Hotels, nice hotels with refrigerators and microwaves and coffee makers and continental breakfasts, for under fifty dollars with the nifty coupons you pick up at the visitor’s centers.
3) While on the topic of money, the cost to eat on the road is super reasonable, too. I had a delicious rainbow trout dinner with a baked sweet potato and vegetable for ten dollars, including tax and tip! And via the fast food route, I ate for under five. Can’t do that back home.
4) Another thing we don’t see in restaurants back home are tea biscuits. I looove tea biscuits. 🙂
5) Did I mention sunshine?!! Yesterday, I was out in shorts and sandals and short-sleeved tops. Even went swimming.
Wherever you are, I hope all is well. Have a great day.
Your Turn: What have you liked about vacation spots you’ve visited?
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