Long and Short Reviews

Valerie J. Patterson was born and raised in a small suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she lived in an ancient 3-story Victorian with scary cellars that provided her fertile imagination with tons of frightening stories, creatures, and once a safe haven when she ran 'away' from home at the tender age of 8. Thus began her interest in creating stories for family and friends.

Currently residing in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Valerie shares her life with her best friend and husband, Steven, who is also her cover artist. "Steve is a true blessing from God. He's one half of me. His support of my dreams and my writing is invaluable. Each time I pray, I thank the Lord for allowing me to share my life with Steve."

Valerie has disciplined herself to work on her writing every day. Whether that means writing a chapter or editing one, she spends time each day honing her craft. That discipline has paid off not just in the way of being published, but also in winning writing competitions. Valerie won the Donard Publishing Writing Competition, and most recently became the first Grand Prize winner of the LASR Short Story Competition.

Valerie's short fiction has been published by Mad For A Mystery Publications and Writers Wall Publications. Her editorials on writing have appeared in The Gabriel Writer and WordWright. Valerie is also a story editor for a publishing company.

She is the hostess of an award-winning website for writers: www.writerswall.com. Preditors & Editors recently named it A Truly Useful Site.

Currently, Valerie has two novels on the market. Asylett Press released her contemporary western romance, Montana Reins as well her suspense/thriller romance, The Lincoln Room. Valerie and Asylett Press are preparing for her third release, Gee Whiz Meets SHAFT the week of Thanksgiving 2008.

You can learn more about Valerie at her website: www.valeriejpatterson.com and by visiting her publisher: Asylett Press.

Valerie's Available Books

Montana Reins from Asylett Press

Montana Reins has always been a loner. Her mother died when she was born, and she's spent her life moving from ranch to ranch with her father, learning his trade--horse trainer. She's never had the opportunity to make any permanent friends...which makes it hard to let people into her life. Especially someone like Ethan Sterling.

Ethan Sterling hired Montana Reins because of the reputation that went with the name--the best horse trainer alive. When Montana shows up, he's more than a little disgruntled to learn he actually hired the daughter and not the father. Their first introduction is even less than auspicious--Montana saves him from a trampling under the hooves of his prized stallion.

But Montana's never quit a job once she's accepted it and she's not about to start now. She'll make the best of things, curb her own fiery temper and deal with Sterling's, and do her best by the job. That would be much easier if she didn't find herself fighting unfamiliar feelings for the man...feelings she's never felt for any man. And Ethan's obvious interest in furthering those feelings isn't making things any easier.

Read an excerpt ~ Click here to buy the eBook ~ Click here to buy in Print

Reviews:

This character-driven story holds the reader captive from start to finish. The classic romance plot doesn't take the reader to cliffhanger incidents but propels her along in a maelstrom of emotions as love slips into Ethan's and Tana's lives despite hostility, misunderstandings, and the interference of self-serving individuals....Montana Reins is a 'feel-good' romance that this reader spent a cold Saturday afternoon with and enjoyed every minute of it. A JOY TO READ! -- 4 Books, Camellia, The Long and Short of It

From the first few paragraphs of Montana Reins, I found myself enamored with the electrically charged relationship taking place between Tana and Ethan Sterling, one that continues throughout this fantastic romance. To be sure, this story is loaded with sexual tension, and it's this emotional roller coaster that had me anxiously turning the pages....This isn't a sugary-sweet romance. Instead, it's spicy hot sprinkled with lots of intensity. The storyline corresponds with the strength of its characters, yet it doesn't belie their soft sides either. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Tana and Ethan and very much recommend Montana Reins. -- 5-stars, Victoria Harrison, author of Good Neighbors

If you're looking for a heart-warming contemporary western romance to curl up with, Montana Reins is it. The story is threaded with plenty of conflict and believability between the main characters, Tana and Ethan. This makes the reader root for these two strong-willed people who have both suffered loss and loneliness. Their complicated relationship is put to the test in more ways than one--and you know they just have to end up together--but the fun and satisfaction comes in watching them get there, as the many layers of their attraction and love unfold. -- 5-stars, Stacey Coverstone, author of Lucky In Love

The Lincoln Room from Asylett Press

Alexaundra Jerdan has returned to Highlands. Born and raised here in the local orphanage, she left after high school to pursue a college degree that led to a career as a stockbroker. But the hectic pace of New York and dog-eat-dog way of business were not for her, so she's returned to her hometown to find peace and quiet, and begin a new career... in writing.

The need for research leads her to the town library where she finds solitude in The Lincoln Room. Most of the townspeople avoid this room... it's reputed to be haunted by a host of women who have died here by means of a secret rite. But Alexaundra isn't afraid of ghosts so the empty room suits her perfectly. She's able to dive into her research without interruption. Then a librarian's assistant brings her a book found in the stacks. A diary that belonged to one of the women who died in that room.

Seth Kizer is Highland's handsome sheriff. He's dedicated to his job. He's proud to be a Kizer, and he's relentless in one thing--warning Alex to stay away from the Lincoln Room. Will his warnings--as well as his family's secret--prevent him from getting close to Alex once she learns the truth about her hometown's history?

At first intrigued, Alexaundra is soon horrified at what she finds written in the diary, and tosses it aside, determined not to read further...that is, until the ghosts of the women who have died there begin to appear to her. All of them have the same plea--they want her to read the diary. They want her to understand what happened to them. They want her to know that the ritual has not stopped, and she is the only person who can help the next woman to be sacrificed...the one who got away.

Read an excerpt ~ Click here to buy the eBook ~ Click here to buy in Print

Reviews:

An addictive read! The Lincoln Room is one of the best mystery/suspense thrillers I've read in a long while. Valerie J. Patterson is clearly a new author worth keeping an eye on for new books to come. In this tautly woven tale Patterson expertly weaves together history, murder, and the paranormal with a touch of romance....The Lincoln Room tells a story worth reading, so if you enjoy a good ghost story while you're unraveling an excellent mystery, this book is for you. I'll be watching this author for future fantastic books! --5-stars, J. Stevenson, on BN.com

The Lincoln Room is loaded with intrigue that stays one step ahead of the reader. Ms. Patterson manages to drop subtle clues along the way, but it isn't until the final few chapters that she perfectly weaves several different stories into one exciting climax. All of this makes for an intense read, one worthy of your attention. I completed it in one sitting as I simply could not leave it for a moment. The Lincoln Room is a mystery to cherish, one that will both thrill you and have you investing yourself emotionally in its many interesting characters. -- 5-Stars, Victoria Harrison, author of Good Neighbors

This isn't a book to read on a dark day, especially not in a spooky old room in the library--save it for a sunny day by the pool when you have friends nearby. Another rousing read. Available in a variety of e-formats, and as a paperback. -- 4-stars, Karen Treanor, reviewer, New Mystery Reader Magazine

With echoes of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, The Lincoln Room is an amazing read. Valerie Patterson has a talent for keeping the reader guessing. Mystery, suspense and a few ghosts make this a deliciously eerie way to spend a dark evening. -- 5-stars, Jan Douglas, reviewer, Writers Unlimited

The Lincoln Room has everything a ghost-loving reader should love. A town history of disease and death. A curse that hangs over the town and, especially, one family. And a woman the ghosts choose to set right what has been wrong all these years. -- 3-books, Rose, The Long and Short of It

Gee Whiz Meets SHAFT from Asylett Press

COVER

COMING

SOON

Milton Gee, aka Milo, aka private detective, lives a rather meager existence in sunny California after his best friend and partner, Chaz Wiz is found dead, facedown in a dead-end alley in New York City. What he was doing there, no one--especially Milo--seems to know. Just when Milo has decided he's finally come to grips with the loss of his partner, two dames--er, delicate females--enter his life and convince him to join them in solving Chaz's last case--a case Milo never knew he was working on.

Reluctant at first, Milo listens to the bazaar story these dames--er, ladies--dish up and decides his desire to solve Chaz's murder is too strong to ignore. What's difficult to ignore is an organization of sexy, beautiful, fully armed and dangerous dames--er ladies--calling themselves the United Universe. This secret organization has one goal on their agenda--World peace. They live for it. They're willing to die for it. They consistently defeat SHAFT to preserve it. The Society of Heroes After Future Tranquility is a self-serving bunch only looking to protect their assets and comfortable lifestyles.

Both organizations are currently pursuing the same thing: The Ghost--a distinguished UU operative who went underground after Chaz Wiz--codename Cheese--was found dead. After a briefing and a physical, Milo gets his new codename. Spade.

Spade gets into more trouble than he ever expected, faces more danger than he ever imagined, and comes into contact with more sex appeal than his poor heart can handle, but he gets the job done--and has some fun along the way.

The one thing eluding our hero is true love. Will he find it at long last among the bevy of beauties he works beside?

GEE-WHIZ MEETS SHAFT is oftentimes comical, always endearing, and sometimes way too tense for its hero, but readers will enjoy the journey!

COMING THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING 2008


	♥ ♥ ♥ Valerie J. Patterson ♥ ♥ ♥