Monday, January 24, 2011

Special Guest Blogger: Patti Lacy!

Hey, all! Happy Monday!
I'm SO excited to be hosting such a special author on my blog today!

In case you didn't know, the one and only Patti Lacy is the author of An Irishwoman's Tale and What the Bayou Saw, both Foreword Magazine Book of the Year finalists. (In addition to being such a talented writer, Patti just so happens to be THE nicest woman on the Internet)


Her third novel The Rhythm of Secrets was just released and to some wonderful reviews. So I asked Patti to stop by and talk about her new book, which she will be giving away to some lucky commenter here! :)

So please welcome Patti!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, Jennifer!

Thanks for letting me plop down on your comfortable couch and share the story of what inspired The Rhythm of Secrets, my third literary baby.

On the morning of July 8, 2007, I opened the Chicago Tribune. Coffee (yeah, I’m an addict) sloshed on the table…and I didn’t care. Gail Rosenblum’s article about Sandy Sperrazza, a mother giving up…and then reclaiming…her baby grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let go. The idea for my third novel rustled right there in the pulpy pages, begging to be SET FREE!

Stories of two Vietnam veterans, a Moody Bible Institute student, and a brave pastor’s wife collided with the fictional character of Sandy. We time-traveled to my beloved N’Awlins during the 1940s, headed north when things exploded down South, and jetted to Thailand for a tumultuous climax. It was SO MUCH FUN!

How long did it take you to write this book?
I received my box of author’s books on Christmas Eve of 2010. We are talking OVER THREE years for the birthing of perhaps my most unruly child. During that time, I was working on two other books, but still…

TALK ABOUT A PAIN!!

And now I’m “pregnant” with a fifth baby. Book four is in foster care right now with Bethany House editor Sarah Long. Translation? Substantive edits are in Sarah’s hands.

In the meantime, Below Normal and Beyond Normal are itching to get on paper. Here’s my hook: Evelyn Sechrist, a bereaved widow, and Jamie Sue Symmes, a mentally handicapped grocery bagger, fight their families and city hall to open a soup kitchen on the poor side of Normal, Illinois (by the way, my hometown!)

I hope y’all drop by my website, http://www.pattilacy.com/, from time to time. There are book reviews and a blog. If you’re an art lover, don’t miss my ART BITES, posted five days a week at on my main Facebook page.

Thanks, Jennifer, for letting me hang here on Monday, Monday!
Blessings, all!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See? I told you she's the nicest woman on the Internet!


Here's a little about her book: The Rhythm of Secrets
Since 1955, Sheila Franklin, a talented musician, has perfectly performed the role of devout pastor’s wife, locking away her past as Sheba Alexander and Sylvia Allen. Her carefully constructed façade crumbles with a single phone call from a young Marine named Samuel, the illegitimate son she secretly put up for adoption. Samuel begs Sheila to use her government contacts to get his fiancé, Mali, a Thai prostitute, into America. A dangerous mixture of love and guilt spurs her to help her only child even though it devastates her husband Edward and exposes her questionable past. After a quarrel with Edward, Sheila and Samuel board a C-130 for Thailand and then search Bangkok’s steamy streets for a Madonna-faced prostitute. The two whisk Mali from a brothel but are seized by a warlord who considers Mali his “number one girl.”
In a teak “ghost house,” Sheila discovers God’s grace and gains the freedom she needs to find her own identity—Sheila, Sylvia, and Sheba. A framed story, this novel has roots in the bohemian 1940s New Orleans French Quarter and spans three decades, including the turbulent Vietnam era.

And here's the trailer:










Awesome, Patti!



CONTEST: Patti is generously giving away a copy of her book, The Rhythm of Secrets to some lucky ducky commenter!

The contest will run NOW until Thursday 11:59PM (EST). I will announce the winner this Friday, January 28th.



Good luck and happy reading!

132 comments:

Tabitha Bird said...

I LOOOOVE Patti's writing. Folks, even if you don't win this book, go buy it. you won't be sorry you did. congrats Patti.

Tamika: said...

Another eloquent story, Patti! That vivid imagination of yours is turning out to be one serious page turner.

I can't wait to read this!

Katie Ganshert said...

GREAT post! Three years!? Wow. I am sure seeing her in all her beauty makes you SO proud, Patti!

I can attest to Patti's writing. The first thing I thought when I opened Rhythm of SEcrets was....dang, this woman can write!

Laura Pauling said...

I love the cover! Sometimes, we see books about to be published and forget about the years of work and waiting that came before it!

Terri Tiffany said...

Oh my goodness! Patti has even another one coming after this! You are so right--she IS one of the nicest writers around:)) I WANT this book! LOL Ok ok, if I don't win it, I am buying it.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Cannot wait to get my hands on this book. Patti has such a way of drawing people in, with her books and her personality!
~ Wendy

Patti Lacy said...

WOW! My bloggite friends are up EARLY on a dreary Monday!!!

Of course Jennifer has one of THE places to be electronically on ANY day of the week!

Tabitha, we are in the mutual admiration society, then. You know how I feel about YOUR stuff!

Tamika, thank you! Actually my crit partner Sara has a MUCH better imaginatino. God just keeps introducing me to amazing women with fascinating stories!

Katie, thank you, dear one! There's SO MUCH to learn, sometimes I feel overwhelmed. But every few months, God shows me a new little trick. I'm trying not to be an "old dog."

Terri,
Yay!!! A sale! Great news for...yep. That cloudy, cold Monday! I do love my bloggite writer friends and have been disappointed that I can blog hop with all these deadlines.

Laura, I love the cover AND title, neither of which were "my" design. Good thing "the pros" can figure out what works, what doesn't!

Terri, actually, next fall. I JUST finished the substantive edits for "Reclaiming Lily" and was actually pleased that I didn't have to kill off a character or a love interest:) It wasn't too bad!

Robyn Campbell said...

Great interview ladies. Love the contest. I read this part: And now I’m “pregnant” and went, GASP. I quickly realized what you meant, Patti. Uh, I slept in today. And had what you call, foggy, mushed-up brain. :)

Anyway, congrats and I know book five will be a super fantastic read. I hope I win, but even if I don't, I will buy two copies. One for my sister. Her birthday is coming up. :)

Anne Gallagher said...

I won Patti's book An Irishwoman's Tale a few months ago and I read it in two days.

I've been meaning to write to you Patti and tell you how wonderful it was and I'm such a bad person, I haven't. So let me tell you now how much I loved it. It was GORGEOUS from beginning to end. I loved going back to Ireland. And I'm so glad everything worked out for the little eejit.

Best of luck with all your future endeavors Patti, you so deserve it.

Karen Lange said...

Thanks to both of you for sharing this! Great interview! Can't wait to read this one. :o)
Blessings,
Karen
klange61(at)hotmail(dot)com

Rula Sinara said...

Your story sounds emotionally intense and beautiful. An irresistable combo! Best wishes.

Margie Mijares said...

I am anxiously awaiting a copy of The Rhythm of Secrets. I am a huge fan of Patti and her writing...try to never miss her Art Bites...she finds the most interesting art pieces and is quite an inspiration!
margie@mijares.net

Glynis Peters said...

Love the interview. I enjoyed reading about the 'babies'. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah Forgrave said...

Hi Patti and Jennifer! I'm still waiting for my copy of this baby to come in my mailbox. Can't wait to kiss its chubby cheeks. Er, open its thin pages. And I agree, Patti is the sweetest person known to cyberspace! :)

Cynthia Selwyn said...

Sounds like an intriguing read!

I like the way you refer to your book "in foster care" when it's with your editor. Sort of like farming the kids out to their aunt for the summer. :)

Carolyn V. said...

Yay! Congrats to Patti! I love the cover! Great interview!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview! And bringing this book to my attention.

Bossy Betty said...

Patti Lacy! I love that woman.

Tana said...

I love Patti Lacy! This book looks wonderful, can't wait to dig into it!

Heather Sunseri said...

Hey, Jennifer and Patti! Can't wait to read this book! And I love that you shared that it took three years. I tend to have long "pregnancies," so this is refreshing to hear. Love you both!

Heather Sunseri said...

Hey, Jennifer and Patti! Can't wait to read this book! And I love that you shared that it took three years. I tend to have long "pregnancies," so this is refreshing to hear. Love you both!

Erin Kern said...

Great guest spot, Jennifer!

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Great to see you here, Patti--and thanks for hosting her, Jennifer! I've heard only great things about your books, Patti--I hope I get the chance to read one soon :)

Jeanette Levellie said...

Patti is an expert at weaving beautiful themes throughout her stories, pulling you in with her plot and characters, and then surprising you with her endings. Rhythm of Secrets is her best writing yet!

And she's not just the nicest lady on the internet; she truly CARES about everyone she meets. She's a genuine Christian lady.

Susan R. Mills said...

Great interview! It sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for the give away.

Jennifer Shirk said...

I will definitely second that, Jeanette. Patti is a genuine Christian lady. :)

Patti Lacy said...

Wendy, I miss our ACFW dance time. Next year, maybe?

Robyn, if I were pregnant, we would BOTH have mushy brains!

Anne, thank you SO MUCH! I hope you give my next two babies a hug:)

Karen, I always love to wave at ya! Thanks for stopping by!

Rula, nice to meet you! I do hope the story has a few of those emotions tucked between the pages!

Margie, we have had fun at the Art Bites, haven't we???

Patti Lacy said...

Glynis, nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by! Sarah, your writing rocks!!! Always love to hear from you!

Cynthia, it's true, isn't it?!! We have to trust!!! I'm so glad to meet you...and Carolyn and Lynn!!! Waving hello!

Bossy Betty and T. Anne, if y'all are trying to bribe me for chocolate, it just may work:)

Heather, it's been fun blogging here and there! Are you up for ACFW in St. Louis???

Erin, being partial to the Irish, just LOVE that name! Every Erin I know is so sweet! Isn't it funny how we "stereotype" names?

Cindy, I'm so honored that you're gonna dig in! Let me know what you think!

Jeanette, you too are going for that chocolate bribe!!! And you will get it!

Um, I sure need the Lord's help each and every day. LIKE RIGHT NOW. Sigh. The writing roller coaster never stops, huh:)

Susan, thanks for stopping by! I love this blog.

Jennifer, we've gotta talk about getting you at MY place. Okay?

Debora Dennis said...

three years to give birth? Thank goddess that's not a real birth... what a great blurb though, sounds like a great story and I love the way it "came" to you! :)

Heather said...

Patti sounds like a great lady and this sounds like a powerful book. Thank you for introducing me to both!

Kara said...

Thank you for this post. Patti's book sounds intriguing!

Patti Lacy said...

Debora, Heather, and Kara, THANKS for stopping by! I do love your misspelling...or maybe not, huh, Debora:)???

Patti

Deanna said...

I agree with you that Patti is the most wonderful and nicest person on the internet. I met her after reading her first book and I consider her a dear friend although we have never met in person.

Stephanie Faris said...

I love hearing success stories of really sweet people. Thank you for sharing! I'll look up her books.

Cheryl Klarich said...

Every time I read an interview featuring Patti I get so inspired! Love her writing. I agree, she is the nicest person in all cyberspace!

Liz Mays said...

Her third novel already? That's just wonderful!

Unknown said...

Nice work here Patti. The Rhythm of Secrets looks like a great book. Could you imagine being put in that situation? Of course you can, you wrote it. Still, nice work. This looks like a really good book. Something my wife and I could both like.

Draven Ames
http://dravenames.blogspot.com/

WritingNut said...

Ooh, what a wonderful interview, and this sounds like an amazing book!

Theresa Milstein said...

Three years. I'm glad you made it. I hope the book sells well!

Carol Kilgore said...

Hi, Patti!
Imagine seeing you here at Jennifer's. A happy surprise. Your book sounds great. I wish you much success with it.

Jennifer - thanks for hosting her :)

Patti Lacy said...

Deanna, I am just partial to home schools extraordinaire!!!

Stephanie, only through Christ and the Spirit do I EVER act sweet. I DO love my readers and writers.

Cheryl, I think you are just giddy today:)

blueviolet, love that name! You know what they say. We've all been writing since the time we read that first book. So three at age 55 is not so many:)

Draven, why, yes, I can imagine. This subject is knocking at my own family's front door.
Sigh. This is a secret for another time.

Writing nut, thanks! And nice to meet you!

Theresa, for some reason your answer made me giggle. I didn't realize it was so lonooonggg. There were other edits and another first draft in progress:)

Hey, Carol. I sure miss my bloggite friends and with an upcoming teaching commitment don't see any relief. And then the release:)

Crystal Collier said...

Sounds like a good read!

quilly said...

I absolutely loved Rhythm of Secrets. I was talking about it in Aerobics tonight and I know two of my classmates will be buying it soon. I think I convinced my SiL she needed to get a copy, too. Fabulous story, excellent writing.

quilly said...

I absolutely loved Rhythm of Secrets. I was talking about it in Aerobics tonight and I know two of my classmates will be buying it soon. I think I convinced my SiL she needed to get a copy, too. Fabulous story, excellent writing.

Patti Lacy said...

Happily Cheesy--what a name! I'm thinking...ecstatic Green Bay Packers fan? Goofily gregarious all the time?
So glad you visited:)

Quilly, did I meet YOU at the right time! Thanks SO MUCH for spreading the word. Aerobics, huh?
Keeping your body fit as well as your gray reading cells.

I am impressed!!!!

Linda Kage said...

Seems like those books that take so long to write become more meaningful because you invested so much more time into it.

Congrats on your new book!! I adore the cover.

Patti Lacy said...

Linda, I'm so glad you like the cover! Aren't covers JUST SO KEY???

The cover, the BCC, and a few referrals, and that babe's in my book bag.

Glad you stopped by!
Patti

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jennifer & Patti -

Great interview! I've already read this book and highly recommend it.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Mary Aalgaard said...

Great book trailer. Best wishes, Patti!

CMOM Productions said...

Sounds Amazing!

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online reviews tramadol for dogs cancer - tramadol withdrawal emotional

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol for dogs and side effects - buy tramadol online overnight mastercard

Anonymous said...

ativan online ativan vs xanax which is better - ativan withdrawal timeline

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol 50 mg opiate - tramadol 50 mg bijsluiter

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without prescriptions buy tramadol no prescription mastercard - tramadol hcl no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol ultram buy tramadol online in usa - tramadol 200mg dose

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod buy tramadol online no prescription cheap - tramadol and alcohol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol high 100mg - just pills order tramadol online

Anonymous said...

klonopin online klonopin 2mg wiki - klonopin side effects back pain

Anonymous said...

where to buy tramadol tramadol high bluelight - buy generic tramadol no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin 4mg klonopin high - klonopin side effects urination

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien and high blood pressure - generic ambien online no prescription

Anonymous said...

ativan anxiety ativan side effects tingling - ativan dosage much

Anonymous said...

soma online buy soma chocolate - buy soma online florida

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online klonopin r33 - klonopin .5 mg side effects

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cod tramadol tablets dogs dosage - tramadol

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online tramadol an 627 online - buy tramadol uk online

Anonymous said...

generic ambien generic ambien no prescription overnight - average cost ambien prescription

Anonymous said...

ativan online ativan rx 774 - side effects of ativan

Anonymous said...

buy soma 350mg soma quill riser - buy soma online ship texas

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol rx tramadol for dogs uses - where should i buy tramadol from online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50 mg equivalent - tramadol 50mg my dog

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam online klonopin side effects acne - klonopin ocd

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol addiction australia - tramadol withdrawal blog

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol online buy - tramadol prescription

Anonymous said...

soma online soma drug strengths - soma san diego layout

Anonymous said...

ativan pills ativan used drug withdrawal - lorazepam 1 mg drug test

Anonymous said...

tramadol 100 tramadol 50mg capsules for dogs - order tramadol online no prescription overnight

Anonymous said...

order ambien ambien restorative sleep - buy vicodin and ambien online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol for dogs tramadol hcl 25 mg - tramadol 100

Anonymous said...

clonazepam online ok take 2mg klonopin - will 4mg of klonopin get you high

Anonymous said...

ambien 5 retail cost generic ambien - ambien side effects dry eyes

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online no prescription buy ambien sleeping pills usa - side effects overdose ambien cr

Anonymous said...

legal buy tramadol online tramadol extended-release tablets dosage - tramadol 200mg er

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol for dogs tramadol dosage veterinary - tramadol online sweden

Anonymous said...

discount soma generic name for soma compound - soma drug street price

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tablets order tramadol overnight - legal purchase tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online buy ambien mastercard - ambien zolpidem overdose

Anonymous said...

cheap ambien ambien cr online - buy ambien cr 12.5

Anonymous said...

viagra online buy viagra on online - buy viagra online toronto

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online generic ambien pill identifier - buy ambien online cheap

Anonymous said...

buy viagra for women viagra kanye west - generic viagra mexico

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol 325 dosage - tramadol vicodin

Anonymous said...

buy cheap viagra online buy viagra online amazon - viagra where to buy in canada

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no prescription overnight tramadol hcl can it get you high - tramadol online cheap

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol mexico need purchase tramadol - tramadol 50mg dogs side effects

Anonymous said...

buy cheap viagra does viagra work if your drunk - purchase viagra and cialis

Anonymous said...

generic ambien ambien sleep eating amnesia - what is the street price for ambien

Anonymous said...

soma online soma overdose symptoms - order soma online no rx

Anonymous said...

buy cheap viagra viagra online price comparison - viagra 30

Anonymous said...

viagra online no prescriptions can i buy viagra online legally - buy viagra canada paypal

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online without rx best place buy viagra online yahoo answers - viagra higher dosage

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol online pharmacy no prescription - buy tramadol online from mexico

Anonymous said...

clonazepam drug quickly does klonopin start working - klonopin dosage schedule

Anonymous said...

buy soma soma x agni - cheap soma overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

order ambien online overnight ambien zolpidem - ambien medication wiki

Anonymous said...

order herbal viagra how to order viagra from canada - buy generic viagra in canada

Anonymous said...

order viagra pills generic viagra date - buy viagra jet

Anonymous said...

buy generic cialis online no prescription cialis daily and insurance - cialis cheapest price uk

Anonymous said...

soma pain soma medication facts - soma bras discount code

Anonymous said...

can you buy cialis online cialis price germany - buy cialis online mastercard

Anonymous said...

soma online generic soma for sale - buy soma online cod

Anonymous said...

viagra online buy viagra on online - viagra logo

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra next day delivery viagra online london - cialis vs viagra buy online

Anonymous said...

sildenafil online viagra for cheap online - viagra online generic cheap

Anonymous said...

soma online dosage of soma 350 mg - protege bras soma

Anonymous said...

buy generic viagra online overnight buy pink viagra uk - buy viagra online $0.54 per dose

Anonymous said...

order generic viagra viagra online - good quality generic viagra

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol high lasts - buy tramadol 150 mg

Anonymous said...

viagra online viagra online for women - viagra professional

Anonymous said...

generic viagra online purchase viagra los angeles - buy viagra online cheap with no prescription

Anonymous said...

generic propecia online where to buy propecia in australia - propecia generic vs brand

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol online tramadol hcl compared to percocet - tramadol pills

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online without prescription tramadol high side effects - tramadol veterinary use dosage

Anonymous said...

order viagra for women cheap viagra online australia - buy viagra online cheap canada

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no rx tramadol hcl taken with tylenol - tramadol hcl 25

Anonymous said...

order propecia online generic propecia - order propecia generic

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50mg dosage for humans - buy tramadol usa next day delivery

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol euphoria dose - order tramadol online cod

Anonymous said...

strattera pills strattera free trial - strattera voucher

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription cheap buy tramadol 50 mg - tramadol hcl for toothache

Anonymous said...

buy viagra order viagra mexico - cheap viagra online pharmacy