Honoring God through her writing is top priority for Patricia Bradley. A Romantic Suspense writer, who lives in the Deep South, her first published works were short stories in Woman’s World. She is now the author of nine novels and two novellas.

She is also an abstinence-healthy relationship speaker, who has spoken to students and adults alike. When not writing or speaking, she throws mud on a wheel to make something beautiful.

Patricia lives in Mississippi.

It has to be fun to look back on your career and think about the beginning. What prompted you—and gave you the confidence—to write that first book?

I didn’t have any better sense. And that first book will never see the light of day, although I did use some of the characters from the book. Seriously, though, I always believed I would be published. I believed I had a good story and I kept working on it until it was publishable.

What drew you to the suspense genre? 

It’s what I’ve always read ever since I read Mary Higgins Clark’s first book, Where Are the Children.

Let’s talk about Standoff (Revell, May 2020). Please tell us about it. 

Revell did such a great job with the back cover copy, I think I’ll let them tell you about it.

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?

That sounds great! When you begin writing a story, do you usually write toward an expected end—with all of the main character’s twists and turns already in mind? Or, are you often surprised when one of your plots takes a turn that you didn’t see coming?

When I first start writing I have to know who my characters are, what the crime is and why does it happen now? Why not three years ago? What is the trigger? While I have a general idea of the ending, the plot twists come to me as I write, and yes, I’m always delightfully surprised. 

Those who create usually tap into a personal toolbox of elements to define their style. What two or three elements most define who you are as a storyteller? 

That’s hard for me to answer. I’m not sure I know. I’m a lean writer, leaving character descriptions mostly up to the reader, and my books are fast-paced, usually happening over a few days time.

Your books encourage and inspire readers. What encourages and inspires you?

God. This is the fourteenth year I’ve read through the Bible chronologically and every day there is something I read that gives me encouragement and strength.

You’re an accomplished southern style cook. What’s next on your menu? 

Probably chicken and dumplings and a few vegetables. (Don’t tell anyone, but I use flour tortillas to make my dumplings.) Oh, and apple pie.

Thanks, Patricia! It’s great to have you back at Divine Detour.

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For more information about Patricia, visit her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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