Interview with Pat Hernandez
by romance author Jean Joachim
I am pleased to welcome the talented writer, Pat Hernandez today. Pat writes under several different pen names, one for each personality! A Caribbean Summer, her book written as Tricia Lee is one of my favorite contemporary romances because there is a mystery along with a sexy hero and great writing.
Have a cup of coffee or tea, Pat, and a cranberry scone and tell me about yourself.
1)How old were you when you knew you wanted to become a writer? I’m not sure of the actual age but I was very young. My mother read to my little brother and me and I began to create imaginary worlds of my own, which later translated into stories.
2)What did you do for a living in your “previous” life? After I graduated from college I taught Spanish in Las Vegas, Nevada. After teaching private English classes in Mexico City for a while, I moved to Laredo, Texas where I worked for Sears, working my way up to personnel and payroll clerk. After three years, I transferred to Sears in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico as a training coordinator for four years. I transferred to Midwest City, Oklahoma where I was assistant manager of the paint department for my last two years with Sears. Then I returned to teaching Spanish plus art and ESL in Texas for about 21 years.
3)Do you have a family? I have a son and five grandchildren.
4)What do your closest relatives thinking of your writing career? They are very supportive.
5)What genre do you write? Contemporary romance and wacky, off-the-wall mysteries.
6)Are you a plotter or a pantser? Both. Sometimes I write an outline and follow it. Other times, especially for the romance novels, I let the characters lead me although I know the ending, it’s the journey that thrills me.
7)Do your characters ever take over when you’re writing? Oh, definitely.
8)Do you get inspiration from real people or places? Yes, especially from my time in the Caribbean. My Palmaltas website is a fictional island in the Caribbean.
9)Have you ever gotten a story idea from a news story? No, I haven’t.
10)Would you like to be any of your heroines? I think, to a certain degree, I am most of my heroines.
11)Would you marry any of your heroes?Definitely!
12)Do you do a lot of editing before you submit a manuscript? Yes, yes, yes! And then have others go over it again for me.
Now some personal questions (please feel free to elaborate):
1)Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
2)Do you listen to music when you write? No
3)Favorite color? For clothes--black
4)Black, white or gray? Black ;)
5)Favorite ice cream flavor? Turtle
6)Favorite line of description from one of your books. From Amorous Ambush by my alter ego, Tricia Lee: Her last word conveyed such a cry for help, a desperate cry of hopelessness that he knew he couldn’t refuse this vision of terrified loveliness.
7)Favorite dialogue from one of your books. From A Colorado Destiny (I have lots of favorites so I just plucked one at random):
“Oh, Blake, I don’t know what I would have done without your good sportsmanship,” she said, handing him a beer. There was nothing like looking at his flexing muscles while he followed her instructions on where to put various pieces of furniture.
“What do you mean by that?” he said, gasping for breath.
“You’re such a good sport to try out positions for the sofa and the chair.”
“Hmm, is that so? I can think of a position for you on this sofa.”
She felt herself turning red at what he was implying. “Is that so?” she said, imitating him.
“Yeah, I could grab you and turn you upside down and give you a few swats for driving me like a common laborer.”
“Well!” she exclaimed with pretended indignation. “What kind of gratitude is that?” But her body heat was rising just at the thought of him grabbing her and playfully manhandling her.
“Gratitude? Are you insane? You’re the one who should be grateful.”
She laughed. “Oh, I am, believe me, I am. In more ways than one.”
8)Favorite minor character from your book.“Johnny” from A Caribbean Summer
9)Dog or cat? We have both so I can’t choose
10)Country or city? I have lived in both and prefer the city.
11)Beach or mountains? Beach, beach, beach!!!!
12)Skirts or pants? Pants
13)Early morning or late night? Early morning
14)Cruise in the Caribbean or camping in Yellowstone National Park? Silly question—a cruise in the Caribbean.
To read more about Pat's books and find buy links click HERE to go to her website.
Have a cup of coffee or tea, Pat, and a cranberry scone and tell me about yourself.
1)How old were you when you knew you wanted to become a writer? I’m not sure of the actual age but I was very young. My mother read to my little brother and me and I began to create imaginary worlds of my own, which later translated into stories.
2)What did you do for a living in your “previous” life? After I graduated from college I taught Spanish in Las Vegas, Nevada. After teaching private English classes in Mexico City for a while, I moved to Laredo, Texas where I worked for Sears, working my way up to personnel and payroll clerk. After three years, I transferred to Sears in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico as a training coordinator for four years. I transferred to Midwest City, Oklahoma where I was assistant manager of the paint department for my last two years with Sears. Then I returned to teaching Spanish plus art and ESL in Texas for about 21 years.
3)Do you have a family? I have a son and five grandchildren.
4)What do your closest relatives thinking of your writing career? They are very supportive.
5)What genre do you write? Contemporary romance and wacky, off-the-wall mysteries.
6)Are you a plotter or a pantser? Both. Sometimes I write an outline and follow it. Other times, especially for the romance novels, I let the characters lead me although I know the ending, it’s the journey that thrills me.
7)Do your characters ever take over when you’re writing? Oh, definitely.
8)Do you get inspiration from real people or places? Yes, especially from my time in the Caribbean. My Palmaltas website is a fictional island in the Caribbean.
9)Have you ever gotten a story idea from a news story? No, I haven’t.
10)Would you like to be any of your heroines? I think, to a certain degree, I am most of my heroines.
11)Would you marry any of your heroes?Definitely!
12)Do you do a lot of editing before you submit a manuscript? Yes, yes, yes! And then have others go over it again for me.
Now some personal questions (please feel free to elaborate):
1)Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
2)Do you listen to music when you write? No
3)Favorite color? For clothes--black
4)Black, white or gray? Black ;)
5)Favorite ice cream flavor? Turtle
6)Favorite line of description from one of your books. From Amorous Ambush by my alter ego, Tricia Lee: Her last word conveyed such a cry for help, a desperate cry of hopelessness that he knew he couldn’t refuse this vision of terrified loveliness.
7)Favorite dialogue from one of your books. From A Colorado Destiny (I have lots of favorites so I just plucked one at random):
“Oh, Blake, I don’t know what I would have done without your good sportsmanship,” she said, handing him a beer. There was nothing like looking at his flexing muscles while he followed her instructions on where to put various pieces of furniture.
“What do you mean by that?” he said, gasping for breath.
“You’re such a good sport to try out positions for the sofa and the chair.”
“Hmm, is that so? I can think of a position for you on this sofa.”
She felt herself turning red at what he was implying. “Is that so?” she said, imitating him.
“Yeah, I could grab you and turn you upside down and give you a few swats for driving me like a common laborer.”
“Well!” she exclaimed with pretended indignation. “What kind of gratitude is that?” But her body heat was rising just at the thought of him grabbing her and playfully manhandling her.
“Gratitude? Are you insane? You’re the one who should be grateful.”
She laughed. “Oh, I am, believe me, I am. In more ways than one.”
8)Favorite minor character from your book.“Johnny” from A Caribbean Summer
9)Dog or cat? We have both so I can’t choose
10)Country or city? I have lived in both and prefer the city.
11)Beach or mountains? Beach, beach, beach!!!!
12)Skirts or pants? Pants
13)Early morning or late night? Early morning
14)Cruise in the Caribbean or camping in Yellowstone National Park? Silly question—a cruise in the Caribbean.
To read more about Pat's books and find buy links click HERE to go to her website.
Guest Author Pat Hernandez
Interview by mystery author Marja McGraw
This week my guest is Patricia C. Hernández, although you might know her by a few other names such as Tricia Lee, Lea Chan, Patrice de Chauncy or Chancey Hernandez. No, she’s not a criminal on the run and trying to hide her true identity – she’s a writer, and one whom I enjoy. She writes romance and mystery, along with children’s books. In fact, keeping it in the family, her granddaughter has created the covers for her children’s stories. I’m glad you could be with us this week, Pat.
Marja: Patricia, please fill us in on a bit of your background. What made you decide you needed to write?
Patricia: Hi Marja, and thanks so much for inviting me. The first five years of my life were spent on a farm in east central Oklahoma during WWII. We had no water or electricity but had a cistern a few feet away from the kitchen door. Heat was provided by a coal burning stove and a wood burning stove. (No need to dwell on the outhouse.) My mother was a city girl who had married a country guy. The change from all the luxuries of city living to country living must have been quite an ordeal for her but she handled it quite well. Okay, this is leading up to my great love of stories and eventually reading and writing. My mother read stories to my little brother and me all the time a nd one of my older cousins would walk down the road to listen to them also. All three of us became lifelong bookworms. I’m sure that early introduction to childhood stories led to my desire to write. I’ve never thought of “needing” to write unless feeling compelled to write is the same thing. I can’t imagine not writing.
Marja: What an interesting story. It touches my heart. You’ve created a very interesting island called Palmaltas for some of your stories. You even show a bit of political turmoil in this location. How did you come up with the idea for this fictional location?
Patricia: In 1969 I worked for Sears in Laredo, Texas and asked for a transfer to Sears in Puerto Rico. I was by t hen a single mom with a son who was almost three years old. I saved money, left Laredo and went to Puerto Rico. The first hotel we stayed in is the one described in my first published (not the first one I wrote) novel, The Pig Farm. The antics of the residents in that hotel stayed with me forever.
In 1993 I went to England and stayed with a friend (a British naval officer) whom I had met some 20 years previously in Puerto Rico. I told him about my dream to be a novelist and the stories in my head. He told me in so many words to put up or shut up about writing. So, one evening I sat down in his living room and wrote the first draft of The Pig Farm. (Please note that I had already written the draft for a romance novel and a novella but hadn’t done anything with them.) I wanted the island to be a fictional one so I could create my own landmarks and fictional society, although much of it does resemble Puerto Rico on a much smaller scale. We got out a map of the Caribbean and picked out a location for this island. Then we started discussing names for the island. I settled on Palmaltas because it’s shortened from palmas altas, Spanish for tall palm trees.
Marja: I have to admit it is kind of fun to dream up a fictional location and give it whatever type of “personality” you want to. I appreciate the fact that many of your stories include humor. What made you decide to write with humor? Is it difficult?
Patricia: I don’t think that was something I decided. It just happens. The residents of the Pig Farm hotel were totally nutty from my perspective as were the apartment residents inThe Pool Lizards, the sequel to The Pig Farm. I observe people and seem to see craziness that no one else sees. When I was writing Who’ll Kill Agnes?, the characters, especially the police chief and his assistant, weren’t too terribly bright. I knew I couldn’t create policemen who were smarter than I was. The scene where Marcel, the fake French chef, offers them canapés just popped into my head and had even me laughing out loud. There are other scenes I have written, which turned out to be funny but I had no idea they were. That happened in my romance novel A Colorado Destiny when my hero undertakes a stakeout with various disguises. I worried about those scenes and asked a romance novelist friend who read the manuscript if I should omit them. She told me to leave them in. When my editor at Wings was editing the manuscript, she e-mailed me and said she literally laughed out loud. Curious, I immediately went back and read that section and I laughed also.
Marja: I have to admit, it made me laugh, too. By the way, I thought Who'll Kill Agnes?had a bit of a Hitchcock edge to it. And what are you working on now? (As i f I didn’t know. I love the title.)
Patricia: I guess you mean Death by Salsa. It’s almost ready for submission. I need to work on the dialogue for two of the main characters—two husbands who are clueless about what they are doing and take everyone at face value, never suspecting they might be involved in murder. Last year I wrote the draft for The Groundhog Lounge, which ends my human zoo trilogy started by The Pig Farm and The Pool Lizards. As you know, no animals were harme d in these books. In fact there aren’t any animals—except for the humans. As soon as I polish Death by Salsa, I will do the same with The Groundhog Lounge.
Marja: Great titles! Who are some of your favorite authors, and have any of them influenced the way you write?
Patricia: Mary Stewart probably influenced my desire to write about romance and adventure in other countries. My Tricia Lee and Patrice de Chauncy personas will cover those stories. My current favorite authors are Janet Evanovich, Carl Hiaasen and Elmore Leonard. And in my opinion, there is no one funnier than the late, great P.G. Wodehouse. I don’t think any of them influenced the way I write unless it was subliminal. I have no ide a why I write the way I do.
Marja: Just for the heck of it, what are you reading right now?
Patricia: Double for Death by Rex Stout, his first of three novels featuring Tecumseh Fox. I went online trying to find a Nero Wolfe that I hadn’t read and stumbled upon Tecumseh. I had no idea that Stout had created another detective besides Wolfe.
Marja: I didn’t know that either. You have some very interesting titles for your books. How do you come up with these? The Pig Farm and The Pool Lizards definitely got my attention.
Patricia: The Pig Farm is part of the plot although no pigs or farms appear in the novel. I wanted all three books in the trilogy to have an animal in the title. The Pool Lizards was inspired by the term lounge lizards. As for The Groundhog Lounge, I hope you will be intrigued enough to want to read it to find out why I chose that title.
Marja: Absolutely. Do you ever use real life experiences in your books?
Patricia: Yes, The Pig Farm for the most part is based on a real adventure I had in Puerto Rico. I changed the names of the characters, except for one, and the narrator is a composite of many mal e chauvinists I’ve met.
Marja: Sounds like you’ve met a few. When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Patricia: Right now, it’s mostly reading and cooking. Travel was always a passion but at this time of my life, I need to write all those stories bouncing around in my head.
Marja: Is there anything in particular you’d like people to know about your and/or your books?
Patricia: I have probably told more than you ever wanted to know. My mystery novel < b>The Chameleon Chase will be available on Kindle this month and soon in paperback. Of all the things I’ve written, it’s my favorite and I have no idea why. Although it has an animal in the title, it’s not part of the zoo trilogy.
Marja: Patricia, it’s been a pleasure having you visit today. I’ll be watching for The Chameleon Chase, and I hope you’ll come back again. And here's a preview of the book cover.
Patricia: Thank you so much, Marja, I have enjoyed this immensely and apprecia te the opportunity.
If you enjoyed this interview, take a run over to Patricia’s blog atpalmaltas.blogspot.com/ where I’m doing an interview. This has been fun for both of us.
Permalink: blog.marjamcgraw.com/2012/01/23/patricia-c-hernandez-guest-author.aspx
Marja: Patricia, please fill us in on a bit of your background. What made you decide you needed to write?
Patricia: Hi Marja, and thanks so much for inviting me. The first five years of my life were spent on a farm in east central Oklahoma during WWII. We had no water or electricity but had a cistern a few feet away from the kitchen door. Heat was provided by a coal burning stove and a wood burning stove. (No need to dwell on the outhouse.) My mother was a city girl who had married a country guy. The change from all the luxuries of city living to country living must have been quite an ordeal for her but she handled it quite well. Okay, this is leading up to my great love of stories and eventually reading and writing. My mother read stories to my little brother and me all the time a nd one of my older cousins would walk down the road to listen to them also. All three of us became lifelong bookworms. I’m sure that early introduction to childhood stories led to my desire to write. I’ve never thought of “needing” to write unless feeling compelled to write is the same thing. I can’t imagine not writing.
Marja: What an interesting story. It touches my heart. You’ve created a very interesting island called Palmaltas for some of your stories. You even show a bit of political turmoil in this location. How did you come up with the idea for this fictional location?
Patricia: In 1969 I worked for Sears in Laredo, Texas and asked for a transfer to Sears in Puerto Rico. I was by t hen a single mom with a son who was almost three years old. I saved money, left Laredo and went to Puerto Rico. The first hotel we stayed in is the one described in my first published (not the first one I wrote) novel, The Pig Farm. The antics of the residents in that hotel stayed with me forever.
In 1993 I went to England and stayed with a friend (a British naval officer) whom I had met some 20 years previously in Puerto Rico. I told him about my dream to be a novelist and the stories in my head. He told me in so many words to put up or shut up about writing. So, one evening I sat down in his living room and wrote the first draft of The Pig Farm. (Please note that I had already written the draft for a romance novel and a novella but hadn’t done anything with them.) I wanted the island to be a fictional one so I could create my own landmarks and fictional society, although much of it does resemble Puerto Rico on a much smaller scale. We got out a map of the Caribbean and picked out a location for this island. Then we started discussing names for the island. I settled on Palmaltas because it’s shortened from palmas altas, Spanish for tall palm trees.
Marja: I have to admit it is kind of fun to dream up a fictional location and give it whatever type of “personality” you want to. I appreciate the fact that many of your stories include humor. What made you decide to write with humor? Is it difficult?
Patricia: I don’t think that was something I decided. It just happens. The residents of the Pig Farm hotel were totally nutty from my perspective as were the apartment residents inThe Pool Lizards, the sequel to The Pig Farm. I observe people and seem to see craziness that no one else sees. When I was writing Who’ll Kill Agnes?, the characters, especially the police chief and his assistant, weren’t too terribly bright. I knew I couldn’t create policemen who were smarter than I was. The scene where Marcel, the fake French chef, offers them canapés just popped into my head and had even me laughing out loud. There are other scenes I have written, which turned out to be funny but I had no idea they were. That happened in my romance novel A Colorado Destiny when my hero undertakes a stakeout with various disguises. I worried about those scenes and asked a romance novelist friend who read the manuscript if I should omit them. She told me to leave them in. When my editor at Wings was editing the manuscript, she e-mailed me and said she literally laughed out loud. Curious, I immediately went back and read that section and I laughed also.
Marja: I have to admit, it made me laugh, too. By the way, I thought Who'll Kill Agnes?had a bit of a Hitchcock edge to it. And what are you working on now? (As i f I didn’t know. I love the title.)
Patricia: I guess you mean Death by Salsa. It’s almost ready for submission. I need to work on the dialogue for two of the main characters—two husbands who are clueless about what they are doing and take everyone at face value, never suspecting they might be involved in murder. Last year I wrote the draft for The Groundhog Lounge, which ends my human zoo trilogy started by The Pig Farm and The Pool Lizards. As you know, no animals were harme d in these books. In fact there aren’t any animals—except for the humans. As soon as I polish Death by Salsa, I will do the same with The Groundhog Lounge.
Marja: Great titles! Who are some of your favorite authors, and have any of them influenced the way you write?
Patricia: Mary Stewart probably influenced my desire to write about romance and adventure in other countries. My Tricia Lee and Patrice de Chauncy personas will cover those stories. My current favorite authors are Janet Evanovich, Carl Hiaasen and Elmore Leonard. And in my opinion, there is no one funnier than the late, great P.G. Wodehouse. I don’t think any of them influenced the way I write unless it was subliminal. I have no ide a why I write the way I do.
Marja: Just for the heck of it, what are you reading right now?
Patricia: Double for Death by Rex Stout, his first of three novels featuring Tecumseh Fox. I went online trying to find a Nero Wolfe that I hadn’t read and stumbled upon Tecumseh. I had no idea that Stout had created another detective besides Wolfe.
Marja: I didn’t know that either. You have some very interesting titles for your books. How do you come up with these? The Pig Farm and The Pool Lizards definitely got my attention.
Patricia: The Pig Farm is part of the plot although no pigs or farms appear in the novel. I wanted all three books in the trilogy to have an animal in the title. The Pool Lizards was inspired by the term lounge lizards. As for The Groundhog Lounge, I hope you will be intrigued enough to want to read it to find out why I chose that title.
Marja: Absolutely. Do you ever use real life experiences in your books?
Patricia: Yes, The Pig Farm for the most part is based on a real adventure I had in Puerto Rico. I changed the names of the characters, except for one, and the narrator is a composite of many mal e chauvinists I’ve met.
Marja: Sounds like you’ve met a few. When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Patricia: Right now, it’s mostly reading and cooking. Travel was always a passion but at this time of my life, I need to write all those stories bouncing around in my head.
Marja: Is there anything in particular you’d like people to know about your and/or your books?
Patricia: I have probably told more than you ever wanted to know. My mystery novel < b>The Chameleon Chase will be available on Kindle this month and soon in paperback. Of all the things I’ve written, it’s my favorite and I have no idea why. Although it has an animal in the title, it’s not part of the zoo trilogy.
Marja: Patricia, it’s been a pleasure having you visit today. I’ll be watching for The Chameleon Chase, and I hope you’ll come back again. And here's a preview of the book cover.
Patricia: Thank you so much, Marja, I have enjoyed this immensely and apprecia te the opportunity.
If you enjoyed this interview, take a run over to Patricia’s blog atpalmaltas.blogspot.com/ where I’m doing an interview. This has been fun for both of us.
Permalink: blog.marjamcgraw.com/2012/01/23/patricia-c-hernandez-guest-author.aspx
Amorous Ambush
Interviewed by Beth Anderson , Editor in Chief of ChicGalleria.com
Patricia Chancey Hernández writes under several pen names; the most recent is Tricia Lee with Wings ePress. No matter what name she's using, she offers her readers some sexy romances and comical satire.
I was born and raised in Oklahoma but I have lived in many states and several countries. I am a retired Spanish and art teacher with one son and five grandchildren.
When I was very young, my family lived on a farm in east central Oklahoma, and my mother would read stories to my little brother and me every day. I became a daydreamer and would walk around composing stories in my head. Of course, I didn't write anything until I started school and learned to write. Many years later when my son left for college, I started to write my first novel, which, incidentally remains unpublished. I quit teaching in my early 50s and devoted my time to traveling and writing. During that time I wrote 6 more novels. Now I live in southern Oklahoma caring for my aging mother and have published 5 novels with one currently under submission to Wings.
I accidentally discovered the great Mary Stewart while in college and couldn't believe that books like hers existed. She influenced my desire for adventure and romance and foreign travel. As a result, I have developed a wild and crazy imagination where story ideas continue to evolve.
Amorous Ambush is a sweet romantic comedy. The heroine, a Texas farm girl turned sophisticated businesswoman, is challenged to act out a part in a movie in order to capture the heart of a stranger. She adamantly refuses to do so.
The hero, a rather sophisticated Northeastern executive, arrives in Dallas and is accosted by a beautiful damsel in distress. He refuses to help her and then later wonders and worries if he should have.
The heroine's job is based on one that I had many years ago with an international retail company. She and the hero work for the same company and become "friends". However, he continues to worry about the woman in the airport.
What is in the future for Patricia?
I am always writing, currently working on a mystery farce: Death by Salsa.
Visit www.palmaltas.com. Lake Texoma, Oklahoma
Beth Anderson is the Editor in Chief of ChicGalleria.com and Co-Owner of Chic Galleria Publications.
Comments:
By Alisha Paige on October 13, 2008 1:25 PM
Tricia Lee never disappoints! This lady knows how to spin a tale full of humor and sexy romance! And this story is another jewel!
By Stephani Hernández on October 13, 2008 2:14 PM
Great books, keep the fun coming!
By Diane Compagno on October 13, 2008 2:23 PM
I agree with all of the above comments. Tricia Lee has a way with words. I have read and enjoyed several of her books in the past and can't wait to buy her latest and future books. I hope Tricia never runs out of the great and unique ideas she comes up with for her writing. The stories always keep me wondering what will happen next. Thanks Tricia for all the fun books you have written. Keep them coming.
By Jan Richards Author of It Could Happen to You. on October 13, 2008 3:47 PM
Tricia Lee books are exciting and you just want to keep reading and reading. Good luck on you new addition of Amorous Ambush. It looks like another exciting book.
By Sheila Grotzky on October 13, 2008 6:49 PM
Most certainly adding this to my collection of "Tricia Lee" books.
By Marie Maio on October 13, 2008 10:01 PM
I know Patricia personally and she is a fun person with a great imagination! her books keep you completely interested, and I know she will continue to keep all of us waiting for her next novel.
By regina carlysle on October 14, 2008 11:16 AM
I have the honor of saying this talented lady is a FRIEND. She's talented and fun! Sending HUGS!!!! Congrats on the new release and, as you know, Pat, I loooove this cover. So cool.
By Marie-Nicole Ryan on October 14, 2008 11:24 AM
I'm in the middle of reading AMOROUS AMBUSH, and it's certainly a fun read.
Marie-Nicole Ryan
Believe in the dream... Beware the danger.
HOLDING HER OWN, Available now.
By Laurel Lamperd on October 14, 2008 9:15 PM
A similar story for many writers, Tricia. I'm glad you realised your dream of publishing. May you publish many more books. Laurel
Laurel Lamperd
Wind from Danyari – a family saga
Available fromwww.wings-press.com
http://laurel6346.tripod.com
By Billie A Williams on October 17, 2008 7:57 PM
Great job ladies. That cover is enough to get readers hooked.
Nice interview.
Billie
By Marja McGraw on October 17, 2008 9:08 PM
I've read three of Pat's stories and can't wait to read another. She is an awesome writer, and yes, she comes up with some unique story ideas. Her humor keeps me smiling. Keep them coming, Pat!
Patricia Chancey Hernández writes under several pen names; the most recent is Tricia Lee with Wings ePress. No matter what name she's using, she offers her readers some sexy romances and comical satire.
I was born and raised in Oklahoma but I have lived in many states and several countries. I am a retired Spanish and art teacher with one son and five grandchildren.
When I was very young, my family lived on a farm in east central Oklahoma, and my mother would read stories to my little brother and me every day. I became a daydreamer and would walk around composing stories in my head. Of course, I didn't write anything until I started school and learned to write. Many years later when my son left for college, I started to write my first novel, which, incidentally remains unpublished. I quit teaching in my early 50s and devoted my time to traveling and writing. During that time I wrote 6 more novels. Now I live in southern Oklahoma caring for my aging mother and have published 5 novels with one currently under submission to Wings.
I accidentally discovered the great Mary Stewart while in college and couldn't believe that books like hers existed. She influenced my desire for adventure and romance and foreign travel. As a result, I have developed a wild and crazy imagination where story ideas continue to evolve.
Amorous Ambush is a sweet romantic comedy. The heroine, a Texas farm girl turned sophisticated businesswoman, is challenged to act out a part in a movie in order to capture the heart of a stranger. She adamantly refuses to do so.
The hero, a rather sophisticated Northeastern executive, arrives in Dallas and is accosted by a beautiful damsel in distress. He refuses to help her and then later wonders and worries if he should have.
The heroine's job is based on one that I had many years ago with an international retail company. She and the hero work for the same company and become "friends". However, he continues to worry about the woman in the airport.
What is in the future for Patricia?
I am always writing, currently working on a mystery farce: Death by Salsa.
Visit www.palmaltas.com. Lake Texoma, Oklahoma
Beth Anderson is the Editor in Chief of ChicGalleria.com and Co-Owner of Chic Galleria Publications.
Comments:
By Alisha Paige on October 13, 2008 1:25 PM
Tricia Lee never disappoints! This lady knows how to spin a tale full of humor and sexy romance! And this story is another jewel!
By Stephani Hernández on October 13, 2008 2:14 PM
Great books, keep the fun coming!
By Diane Compagno on October 13, 2008 2:23 PM
I agree with all of the above comments. Tricia Lee has a way with words. I have read and enjoyed several of her books in the past and can't wait to buy her latest and future books. I hope Tricia never runs out of the great and unique ideas she comes up with for her writing. The stories always keep me wondering what will happen next. Thanks Tricia for all the fun books you have written. Keep them coming.
By Jan Richards Author of It Could Happen to You. on October 13, 2008 3:47 PM
Tricia Lee books are exciting and you just want to keep reading and reading. Good luck on you new addition of Amorous Ambush. It looks like another exciting book.
By Sheila Grotzky on October 13, 2008 6:49 PM
Most certainly adding this to my collection of "Tricia Lee" books.
By Marie Maio on October 13, 2008 10:01 PM
I know Patricia personally and she is a fun person with a great imagination! her books keep you completely interested, and I know she will continue to keep all of us waiting for her next novel.
By regina carlysle on October 14, 2008 11:16 AM
I have the honor of saying this talented lady is a FRIEND. She's talented and fun! Sending HUGS!!!! Congrats on the new release and, as you know, Pat, I loooove this cover. So cool.
By Marie-Nicole Ryan on October 14, 2008 11:24 AM
I'm in the middle of reading AMOROUS AMBUSH, and it's certainly a fun read.
Marie-Nicole Ryan
Believe in the dream... Beware the danger.
HOLDING HER OWN, Available now.
By Laurel Lamperd on October 14, 2008 9:15 PM
A similar story for many writers, Tricia. I'm glad you realised your dream of publishing. May you publish many more books. Laurel
Laurel Lamperd
Wind from Danyari – a family saga
Available fromwww.wings-press.com
http://laurel6346.tripod.com
By Billie A Williams on October 17, 2008 7:57 PM
Great job ladies. That cover is enough to get readers hooked.
Nice interview.
Billie
By Marja McGraw on October 17, 2008 9:08 PM
I've read three of Pat's stories and can't wait to read another. She is an awesome writer, and yes, she comes up with some unique story ideas. Her humor keeps me smiling. Keep them coming, Pat!
Reviews of A Caribbean Summer
Amethyst Andrews is ready for romance and a long overdue vacation. She has never been out of Nebraska and when her best friend is getting married she knows its time to use her passport. In the beautiful Caribbean island of Palmalta there is a mystery of the local billionaire gone missing. She never expected to meet many different people and fall in love with a beach bum. Peppy, the local islander, has enchanted her with his view of life in Palmaltas, which is making her wish she knew his real feelings towards her. It’s wrong to have feelings for him when her friend wants her to meet Peter Harris, the missing billionaire, and hopefully fall in love with him instead of Peppy. The question is will Peter Harris ever return and if he does what will Amy do? Can she give up Peppy without losing her heart in the process?
Peppy is not all that he seems in the island of Palmaltas. Here is a man who by all means seems at peace yet something is troubling this islander, Amy. Burned before by a woman he’s not sure whether Amy really wants him for himself or for something else. Some things are going around that they don’t want the citizens of Palmaltas knowing about, a revolution that is about to come and one that will change everybody’s life. Can Peppy trust Amy or will he lose his heart getting burned again?
A mystery surrounds the island of Palmaltas, one that nobody knows if it will ever be solved or not. Amy knows that the disappearance of Peter Harris seems unusual for there is no ransom note or threatening letters on his disappearance making it weirder by the minute. She knows something is unusual about Peppy but can’t stop her heart from falling in love with him. A Caribbean Summer is exactly what Amy needs, and Tricia Lee does a great job in bring the Caribbean to life and the allure of a billionaire’s disappearance come to light. Romanceand mystery all in one book makes you want more from this author and also to find out more about Peppy. Great job and I will look out for more books from this author.
Reviewed by: Lena C of Fallen Angel Reviews
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Imagine an all expense paid vacation to a beautiful Caribbean island...add in a mysterious disappearance, government corruption and a plethora of gorgeous men and you have the intriguing page turner A Caribbean Summer by Tricia Lee. A wonderful choice as beach book or for any time of the year; A Caribbean Summer will warm your heart and promises romantic satisfaction.
Camille Cavanagh,
www.camillecavanagh.com
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Nebraska school teacher, Amy, finds herself in quite a predicament. Her best friend, Donna, invites her to the Caribbean to babysit while she’s away on a two-week honeymoon. While there, Donna is convinced that Amy would be Peter has disappeared. While on the beach with Donna’s son, Amy meets Pepe, a scruffyperfect for her gorgeous, rich friend, Peter Harris, but there are two major problems – Peter is engaged to the gorgeous Marla and beach bum who seems to be perfectly content fishing on the pier everyday. Though Amy dreams of meeting the elusive Peter and being swept away in a paradise of riches, she can’t deny the jolt of electricity she feels around Pepe. When Peter returns and expresses an interest, will Amy choose passion over money?
A Caribbean Summer is a perfect mix of mystery, intrigue, and romance. The reader will try to figure out what’s going to happen next, but Tricia Lee throws in plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing!
Edee Wilcox
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Amethyst Elizabeth (Amy Ann) Andrews, schoolteacher and Nebraska native was given an offer she couldn’t refuse: two weeks in the Caribbean’s absolutely free. All she had to do was watch her best friend’s (Donna) son, Jeremy. Donna is about to be married to David Diaz, after their wedding they are to depart on a two week long honeymoon. Amy is hesitant at first but does not turn down the opportunity of a free trip to a tropical island and to see Jeremy, whom she help raise--Amy hadn’t seen him in years.
Donna tells Amy that she has found her perfect match, Hotel Magnate Peter Harris. He’s rich and handsome—he’s also missing and engaged to be married to a woman whose personality can only be described as snobbish. Amy of course brushes off this prospect and is more inclined to enjoy her time with Jeremy and the island beaches. When she arrives to Palmaltas she soon meets a carefree beach bum, Pepe; a man who really takes pleasure in his fishing—but is he more than what he appears to be?
Author Tricia Lee gives a breathtaking portrayal of the island of Palmaltas that readers can almost visualize. Her characters are believable and enjoyable. A Caribbean Summer is an entertaining mystery that whips in a healthy serving of romance and suspense. Tricia Lee will keep you wondering to the very end. It is a book I definitely recommend.
D.K. Gaston
http://www.dkgaston.com
Peppy is not all that he seems in the island of Palmaltas. Here is a man who by all means seems at peace yet something is troubling this islander, Amy. Burned before by a woman he’s not sure whether Amy really wants him for himself or for something else. Some things are going around that they don’t want the citizens of Palmaltas knowing about, a revolution that is about to come and one that will change everybody’s life. Can Peppy trust Amy or will he lose his heart getting burned again?
A mystery surrounds the island of Palmaltas, one that nobody knows if it will ever be solved or not. Amy knows that the disappearance of Peter Harris seems unusual for there is no ransom note or threatening letters on his disappearance making it weirder by the minute. She knows something is unusual about Peppy but can’t stop her heart from falling in love with him. A Caribbean Summer is exactly what Amy needs, and Tricia Lee does a great job in bring the Caribbean to life and the allure of a billionaire’s disappearance come to light. Romanceand mystery all in one book makes you want more from this author and also to find out more about Peppy. Great job and I will look out for more books from this author.
Reviewed by: Lena C of Fallen Angel Reviews
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Imagine an all expense paid vacation to a beautiful Caribbean island...add in a mysterious disappearance, government corruption and a plethora of gorgeous men and you have the intriguing page turner A Caribbean Summer by Tricia Lee. A wonderful choice as beach book or for any time of the year; A Caribbean Summer will warm your heart and promises romantic satisfaction.
Camille Cavanagh,
www.camillecavanagh.com
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Nebraska school teacher, Amy, finds herself in quite a predicament. Her best friend, Donna, invites her to the Caribbean to babysit while she’s away on a two-week honeymoon. While there, Donna is convinced that Amy would be Peter has disappeared. While on the beach with Donna’s son, Amy meets Pepe, a scruffyperfect for her gorgeous, rich friend, Peter Harris, but there are two major problems – Peter is engaged to the gorgeous Marla and beach bum who seems to be perfectly content fishing on the pier everyday. Though Amy dreams of meeting the elusive Peter and being swept away in a paradise of riches, she can’t deny the jolt of electricity she feels around Pepe. When Peter returns and expresses an interest, will Amy choose passion over money?
A Caribbean Summer is a perfect mix of mystery, intrigue, and romance. The reader will try to figure out what’s going to happen next, but Tricia Lee throws in plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing!
Edee Wilcox
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Amethyst Elizabeth (Amy Ann) Andrews, schoolteacher and Nebraska native was given an offer she couldn’t refuse: two weeks in the Caribbean’s absolutely free. All she had to do was watch her best friend’s (Donna) son, Jeremy. Donna is about to be married to David Diaz, after their wedding they are to depart on a two week long honeymoon. Amy is hesitant at first but does not turn down the opportunity of a free trip to a tropical island and to see Jeremy, whom she help raise--Amy hadn’t seen him in years.
Donna tells Amy that she has found her perfect match, Hotel Magnate Peter Harris. He’s rich and handsome—he’s also missing and engaged to be married to a woman whose personality can only be described as snobbish. Amy of course brushes off this prospect and is more inclined to enjoy her time with Jeremy and the island beaches. When she arrives to Palmaltas she soon meets a carefree beach bum, Pepe; a man who really takes pleasure in his fishing—but is he more than what he appears to be?
Author Tricia Lee gives a breathtaking portrayal of the island of Palmaltas that readers can almost visualize. Her characters are believable and enjoyable. A Caribbean Summer is an entertaining mystery that whips in a healthy serving of romance and suspense. Tricia Lee will keep you wondering to the very end. It is a book I definitely recommend.
D.K. Gaston
http://www.dkgaston.com