Anne Patrick's "Fire and Ash"

Anne Patrick is the author of more than a dozen novels of Romance, Mayhem and Faith, including the award-winning and best-selling Fire and Ash and Sabotage.

As a kid growing up in a rather boring neighborhood it was up to Anne and her friends to generate their own excitement, so when other kids wereoff playing with dolls and army men, they were out solving make believe crimes in the neighborhood. Each day was a new and exciting adventure with danger lurking around every corner. Then in high school she discovered the wonderful world of romantic suspense and she’s been spinning stories ever since.

Her Clash of the Titles winning excerpt competed in our Author’s Choice category. When asked what made this particular scene her favorite, Ann replied, “The tension between Jordan and Sam, and the hint that she’s still in love with him.”

A Familiar Evil’s Jordan Russel had the perfect life until the brutal monster from her childhood resurfaced, opening up scars she thought were healed. With the hope of finally finding closure, Jordan leaves her cheating husband and her career in the FBI, and returns to where her nightmare began. But what awaits her in Thorny Creek will push her to the very edge of sanity and bring her face to face with her abductor.

Where does Ann come up with such intense stories? She says she’s a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of girl. “I never plan anything,” Ann says. “As a matter of fact I didn’t know who the killer was in A Familiar Evil until toward the end of the book when he sprang out at me and said, ‘I’m your man.’ Of course I had suspected he was the one but I wasn’t for sure. There are several possibilities.”

Want to see the kind of writing her unplanning leads to? Check out a blip of her Clash-winning excerpt:

“Excuse me. I’m looking for Chief Russell.”

Jordan’s stomach did a nosedive at the familiar voice of her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

“You found her,” Frank answered.

Jordan looked up just as Sam smiled. “Indeed I have.” He started toward her desk.

Colleen barged through the opened door. “Chief, there’s an Agent Russell here to see…oh, I guess you found her.”

“Agent Russell,” Frank repeated. He turned back to Jordan, “Isn’t Russell your married name?” He then shifted his gaze back to Sam, “That must mean you’re her husband.”

“Not for much longer.” Jordan hurried around her desk and ushered Frank out the door. “You’ll be hearing from me.” She closed the door and looked at Sam. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here at your request.”

Visit Clash of the Titles (http://www.clashofthetitles.com/2011/08/new-kind-of-clash-authors-choice.html) to read more, then stop by Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Evil-Anne-Patrick/dp/1461118514) to order your copy.

Jennifer Slattery writes for Christ to the World Ministries, Samie Sisters and The Christian Pulse and is the Marketing Manager for the literary website, Clash of the Titles (http://www.clahofthetitles.com/)

Find out more about her and her writing by visiting her devotional blog, JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud. (http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/)