Out of the Woods, from short story to novel.

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Pat Lewin

Originally, I planned Out of the Woods as a short story. So much for my “plans”.

What happened was that at the end of Out of Time, my heroine Erin (who, BTW, is my favorite of all my characters) is left emotionally battered from the events of the story. So, I meant the short story as a transition between Out of Time and the next full novel in the series—which I already have planned and outlined.

As I started to work on the short, however, I hit a major roadblock. I moaned and groaned and complained to fellow writers. And, as often happens when writers work together, one of my friends said, “what about . . .” and in the next few minutes, she suggested a solution that was both brilliant and unique.

We talked it over and as I got more excited about her idea, it suddenly hit me. “This is not a short story.”

“No,” she said, smiling, and maybe just a wee bit amused at how long it took me to realize what she’d known from the beginning. “It’s not.”

And that was that. On that day, Out of the Woods became the third book in the Erin Baker series. Welcome to the wacky, crooked road of being a working writer.

So, when will it be released? I’m working on finishing it by the end of February. Then it needs to go through the editing process, etc.. So look for it in late spring or early summer.  I’ll keep you updated.

 

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What’s on you eReader?

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Pat Lewin

Tell me what’s on your eReader for a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card.

I’m always looking for the next great read.  So, here is your chance to share what you’re reading, get me to read it too, and win a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate.

Just post what you’re reading below during the month of December, and if I pick your recommendation, I’ll send you the gift certificate. IOW, convince me that what you’re reading is great.  That easy. So give yourself something for the holidays.

P.S.  If I get 25 comments, I’ll up the gift certificate to $25.

So, what’s on my eReader?  Well, I just finished Rachel Caine’s Stillhouse Lake.  (See my review below.   Now, I’ve just started Manhunt by Ann Voss Peterson.   I’ll let you know what I think.

 

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Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

Posted on December 2, 2017 by Pat Lewin

I discovered an excellent new (to me) writer a couple of weeks ago — though I have to admit her name is so familiar, I keep thinking we must have met somewhere in the labyrinth of the writer’s world: a conference, workshop, or publisher event.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter.

Somehow, and I don’t remember that either, a copy of Stillhouse Lake showed up on my eReader. No, I don’t think it was magic; it was probably a promotion of some kind where I downloaded the book and then promptly forgot about it. Well . . . for some reason, I started reading it despite the fact I was already in the middle of two books and an audio book. Let me tell you, I was hooked from the very beginning and the two other books, that were good, got put on hold until I finished Stillhouse Lake.

This is such a well written, tightly plotted book with compelling characters. It really is one of the best suspense novels I’ve read this year. I highly recommend it. Oh, and I’ve already preordered the second book in the series (Killman Creek) which comes out on December 14th.  I can’t wait!

So, after you read it, let me know what you think in the comments section below.

P.S.  I’m pretty sure both books are only available through Amazon.  Here is the link, or click on the cover or text links above.

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Swan Song by Robert McCammon

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Pat Lewin

One of my all-time favorite books by one of my favorite authors — Robert McCammon.

I’ve read Swan Song three times, plus listened to the audio book. There is no other book that I’ve read that many times.  The eBook is currently on sale for 1.99 — I don’t know  how long that will last, but if you like post-apocalypse stories, then I promise you’ll love this one . . . no matter what the price.

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The Queen of Bedlam Book Review

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Pat Lewin

The Queen of Bedlam ImageI love audio books. IMO, a good reader can make a good book better, while a not-so-good reader can hurt a book. I always have an audio book in my car — and a half-dozen waiting on my iPod.

The good and bad thing about listening to books, however, is when I find one that’s so compelling that I can’t “read” it fast enough. It doesn’t happen often, but I’m currently listening to The Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon, and it’s driving me crazy. I’m ready to take a road trip just to finish it.

As you all may know, I’m a huge Robert McCammon fan. He’s one of my all-time favorite authors, and only one of two authors whose books I’ve read more than once. (The other is Tolkien.)

So, obviously The Queen of Bedlam falls into the outstanding “read” category. It’s the second book in McCammon’s Matthew Corbett series. The first in the series is Speaks the Nightbird — which I read twice, but The Queen of Bedlam is even better. McCammon is a master story teller, with intriguing and unique characters and intricate plots. Plus he’s a craftsman of the first degree. His use of language, the way he manipulates words, takes my breath away—and makes me a bit envious.

Anyway, obviously, I’m loving this book, and I’m going to have to read the third one in print because I can read faster than I listen.

So let me know if anyone else is a fan.

Pat

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Out of Reach – Now Available

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Pat Lewin

I’m exited to announce my second eBook release.  Out of Reach, like Blind Run, was originally published by Ballantine Books in hardcover, then a year later, it came out in paperback.  Unlike Blind Run, however, Out of Reach is the start of my Erin Baker Thriller series.  I absolutely love the main character, Erin.  Heck, I’d like to be Erin.  Enjoy!

Out of Reach CoverBack Cover Copy

In her acclaimed novel, Blind Run, Patricia Lewin proved her brilliant command of heart-stopping tales of suspense—and the staggering human emotions that go with them. Now in Out of Reach, Patricia Lewin returns with a gripping new thriller—a gritty and terrifying story of a man and a woman entering a battle against an unseen evil . . . the kind that targets the most innocent among us.

CIA Officer, Erin Baker, is driven by a tragedy from her past. When she was a child, her eight-year-old sister, Claire, was kidnapped. Erin blames herself, and although Claire was eventually found, she was changed forever—as was Erin, who’s since spent her life defending those unable to protect themselves. Continue reading →

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Pat’s Street Team

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Pat Lewin

Hi, All.  I just started a street team on Facebook. We call ourselves Pat’s Panthers.  Come check it out.

Pat's Panthers Logo

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Blind Run Released in eBook

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Pat Lewin

I’m so excited to announce the release of by first eBook, Blind Run. This book originally came out in hardcover, then later in paperback. However, I’m not excited to make it available for the digital reader.  This is my first eBook Release and it has been so much fun . . . and a bit scary.

Back Cover Copy

Ethan Decker was a specialized hunter for a CIA Shadow Organization, working deep undercover to track down and capture ruthless international mercenaries and fugitives. Then a daring mission takes a lethal turn, leaving innocents dead in its wake, and Ethan’s wife a prime target of a ruthless assassin. To save her, and because he can no longer justify his actions, Ethan exiles himself to a remote desert in New Mexico, a prisoner of his own guilt and grief.

Then one searing day, a former member of Decker’s covert team arrives at his door, shepherding two children. She entrusts them to his protection and leaves without explanation.

Suddenly, the race is on: to reach his ex-wife before the deadly assassin finds her, and to unlock the mystery behind the two children—who have become pawns in a dark conspiracy so evil that even this former spy cannot imagine the peril that lies directly in his path.

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One Second After by William R. Forstchen

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Pat Lewin

One Second After by William R. ForstchenApocalypse / post-apocalypse books are my favorite sub-genre of books. (If there was such a list, I’m sure I would have read most of the biggies. And no, Dystopian is not the same thing and does not count.) So, ONE SECOND AFTER . . . is probably one of the scariest apocalyptic books I’ve ever read.

Whereas most other  apocalypse books are hard to imagine, even if they are feasible, One Second After is frightening because of it’s very feasible and possible scenario.  It had me wanting to go take a  survivor training class.

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How To Drive An Editor Crazy.

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Pat Lewin

The Belle Ringer Logo 900 x 188

 

Exclamation Points. Lose them! 

Carton ImageNew writers seem to love exclamation points.   Whenever I open a manuscript and spot a bevy of these little demons, I moan.  It’s a sure sign that the author is inexperienced.

Now, will a plethora of exclamation points keep me from buying a book?  Probably not by themselves.  However, the overuse of exclamation points is often a substitute for strong writing.  Plus, exclamation points are distracting, smack of insecure writing, and yes, will almost all come out in the edits.

So what should you use instead?

Show emphasis with your character’s words and the action he takes while saying them.  Take a look at this snippet of dialogue.

John grabbed my hand.  “Stop that.”

“Let go.” I met and held his angry gaze.  “Now.”

Obviously, there’s emphasis in both characters’ dialogue.  However, no exclamation points are needed. In fact, exclamation points would distract from the tension between the characters.

So, does that mean there is never a place for exclamation points?  Of course not.

John jumped to his feet and pointed to the balcony.  “Fire!”

Continue reading →

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