One of my favorite authors on the planet right now is Patricia Bradley. She is such an inspiration to me. Not only do I love her books, which are top-notch suspense, but I also love HER!!
In just a few weeks she will be releasing the first in her “Natchez Trace Park Rangers,” and I can not wait. She’s giving away a signed print copy to a US commenter, or an ebook copy for an international commenter!
Interview with Patricia Bradley
What inspired you to write, initially, and what encouraged you to continue?
I was a reader, not a writer until I turned thirty-five. I’d had a few “I could do this” thoughts when I read a book, but it wasn’t until I had a visit from an imaginary man one night when I couldn’t sleep. He stood at a window with smokestacks belching gray plumes as a background. He turned to me and said, “This isn’t the way my life was supposed to turn out.” And that’s how this writing thing got started for me.
Wow! What a visual!
What is one story from real life that you’ve included in one of your books?
When I was in the sixth grade one weekend I was supposed to have a sleepover with a friend, but she didn’t show up at school that Friday. On Monday I found out why—her father had murdered her and her mother. For months I feared my dad would do the same thing. We didn’t have school counselors back then so the emotional impact never quite left me until I included it in Silence in the Dark. It became the heroine’s dark story moment.
I remember you telling that story. It still gives me chills to think about it, but what a deep place to pull from. I can’t imagine how you felt.
What is your favorite Bible verse, and why?
I have so many! The one I put in books when I sign them is from Psalm 37—”Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I also add verse 7 – “Wait patiently for the Lord to act.” The one I’m clinging to right now is Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Ah, Patricia! We share that Psalm 37 verse! It’s my signature verse, too! I can’t help but use it in my books when my characters tend to depend too much on their own abilities – and it’s a reminder for ME, as well!
What is one thing you have to do to yourself before you go out in public?
I have to put on eyebrows. Lol. Somehow when God was handing out eyebrows, I must have thought He asked if I wanted to be “highbrow” and said, “No thank you.”
Ha!!! I’m a mascara girl! For some reason, my lashes keep getting thinner and LIGHTER!!
Is there someone, alive or dead, who had a major influence on your writing life, or on your life in general?
Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck were instrumental in setting me on the right path in my writing. They patiently taught me the craft of writing at each of the four Deep Thinker retreats I attended and each year I would go home and put to practice what they taught. One year I even received the “Most Improved” award. lol.
That’s so important. Honestly, I think Sandra Robbins had a great influence on me. She was brutally honest but so sweet about it!!
If you were on a deserted island with a laptop and no wifi, what are two programs or apps you would have to have on your computer?
My Kindle app with at least 3,000 books on it, including a New American Standard Bible and Scrivener. Not that I’m sure it would do me much good. Right now I’m self-quarantined, but my mind keeps jumping from one thing to another. I would have thought I’d have at least 20,000 words written on the next book, but nope, I have nada! Maybe tomorrow…
Oh, Pat, we’re together there, too. I think I’ve added MAYBE 5,000 words on the book I SHOULD HAVE FINISHED BY NOW. We’ll pray for one another!! And the Kindle app would be my go-to, as well. I don’t even KNOW how many books I have on it, but it’s a multitude! LOL!
Regina, thank you so much for having me on your blog!
You are SO WELCOME!! Readers, if you’d like to read the blog post that Patricia wrote as a “story behind the story” for the last of her “Cold Case Files” series, you can find it HERE!
About Standoff:
The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for park ranger Luke Fereday, lately it’s being used to move drugs. Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers.
John’s daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father’s murder, but things are more complicated than they first appear, and Brooke soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her. Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who’s going to keep him safe when he realizes he’s falling—hard—for the daughter of the man he failed to save?
About Patricia Bradley
USA Today Best-selling author, Patricia Bradley is a Carol finalist and winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense. She and her two cats call North Mississippi home–the South is also where she sets most of her books. Her romantic suspense novels include the Logan Point series and the Memphis Cold Case Novels. Standoff releases May 5, 2020, and she’s finished the second book, Obsession, and is hard at work on Crosshairs, the third book in the Natchez Trace Park Ranger’s series.
Connect with Patricia
Win a copy of Standoff!
Suspense usually involves solving a crime. If you’re like me, you enjoy a good procedural TV show every once in a while (or in my case, ALWAYS). To be in the drawing for a copy of Standoff, tell us about a crime you’d like to see a novel written about. Maybe there’s already been one (or many), but maybe it’s a local story that has always made you wonder, “what if?”
I look forward to reading your suggestions! Who knows? Maybe there will be a book come out of one!!
Stay safe, and stay well!!
LOL if I could tell you about a crime I’d like to see a novel written about, I would’ve been a writer! But I’m not, that’s why I’m fascinated about all the plots they come up with 😉
I’d love to win this book <3
I totally get it!! My current WIP has a suspense element in it, and it’s getting me into all kinds of trouble! LOL! Thanks for commenting!!
Love it, Natalya!
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Regina! It’s a beautiful place to be!
So many kids go missing and I think it would be interesting to see a book about a missing kid or about kids being kidnapped and held for random.
There was a Wells Fargo armored car successfully robbed near where I live years ago. It could be neat to see that made into a novel of some sort. Or these people who are killing their spouses with eye drops. How do they even come up with something like that? And how long did it take the investigators to figure out that’s what killed them?
Just wanted to say how much I look forward to reading the new book. My library is a bit slow in adding Patricia Bradley – all good things come to those who wait. FAITH not fear!
How about a person who has a hidden life or identity? I love watching Forensic Files and I’ve often seen crimes committed by someone who is a stand-up citizen, someone who you would never suspect could ever be capable of killing another person. Maybe a father and husband who is an ideal example and who everyone looks up to: mild mannered, polite, and would do anything for anybody. In other words, he’s one thing to the world & his family, but has a complete opposite hidden life (possibly for years). Then suddenly he’s committed a heinous crime, like murder and been involved in selling drugs or something. That would make me wonder why or what would make that person do such a thing and hide behind a completely opposite personality.
Thank you for a fun interview with Patricia and the giveaway chance to win her latest suspense novel!
We had a serial package bomber in Austin in 2018. These packages were not delivered thru the mail or UPS, etc. but were left on doorsteps and in one case by the side of the road with a trip wire. I often wonder why authorities initially called the first case a homicide instead of terrorism. I remember those days of being terrified to pick up a package by the door (my family loves Amazon). I still wonder if getting the FBI and other higher level national agencies involved sooner would have made a difference. Two people were killed and several severely injured.