Today I am excited to welcome Pat Nichols as she shares some behind-the-scenes to her recent book.
During my twenty-seven-year corporate career, I relaxed by reading novels. I sometimes wondered if snippets in the books revealed anything about the authors. After retiring and launching my career as a writer, I discovered bits of information from my life found their way into my stories. For example, Emily, Rachel, and Sadie—the main characters in the Willow Falls series—are only children. My mother, an adopted only child, always longed for a sister. Perhaps more than anyone, she inspired the original premise for the series.
What about tastes? Emily flavors her coffee with vanilla creamer and honey. I use the creamer and our daughter honey. Emily’s and Rachel’s favorite cake? Lemon with butter cream frosting. You guessed it, mine too.
In The Secret of Willow Inn—Willow Falls book one—Rachel orders rack of lamb during her first date with Charlie. One of my favorites, although I have never fixed it at home. In Starstruck in Willow Falls—book three which releases February 2nd—Charlie grills salmon on a cedar plank. At least once a week, my husband does the same. Oh, Charlie also grills steak using a Wine Lover’s Cookbook recipe. So, do we.
What about décor? A gold silk bedspread and dark red pillows grace Emily’s parents’ bed. Same as ours. Her mother also goes all out with Christmas decorations. Yep, so do I. In every room. In fact, we have twelve trees, ranging from eighteen inches to seven feet. Nine are stored fully decorated so it’s easy to move them into place.
Oh, in Sadie’s apartment you’ll find Francine Rivers’ books her bookshelf. One of my favorite Christian authors. Perhaps the next time you read a story, you’ll get an up close and personal view of the author.
About The Secret of Willow Inn
Three Strangers…
Emily Hayes, an aspiring novelist, desperate to transform her dying hometown into a tourist destination. Rachel Streetman, raised in Atlanta, relegates her acting dream to secret performances for imaginary audiences to live the life her father chose. Sadie Liles grapples to find a new normal after serving a thirty-year prison sentence for killing the town hero.
Drawn together…
By tragedy, a long-held secret, and one man’s mission to plant a vineyard.
To experience…
The power of forgiveness, sacrifice, and redemption as Emily, Rachel, Sadie, and Willow Falls’ quirky, opinionated residents are forced to face the past and accept the truth.
A shocking, heart-warming conclusion…
That leaves readers yearning to stay connected with characters who have become friends in a town that captures their imagination.
About the Author
Retired from a twenty-seven-year corporate career, Pat Nichols is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. She draws on her experience in seven different management positions working with hundreds of amazing women from all walks of life to create stories about women facing tension-laced challenges and heart-warming triumphs in the pursuit of their dreams. The Secret of Willow Inn, Willow Falls series book one, is a 2020 Selah Award winner, first book category. Starstruck in Willow Falls received a 2019 NGCWC Georgia Peach Award. Short story, The Vet and Valentine’s Day received a 2018 NGCWC Georgia Peach Award. Pat is a member of ACFW and Word Weavers International. She and her high-school-sweetheart husband are the parents of two and grandparents of four. One precious grandchild lives with the angels. Pat is grateful for God’s grace, unconditional love, and gift of eternity.
Links:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1946016772/
https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Willow-Falls/dp/1645262715
https://www.facebook.com/pat.nichols.52459
https://twitter.com/PatNichols16
https://www.instagram.com/patnicholsauthor/
https://www.pinterest.com/patnicholsauthor/
allbettsareoff 
Thank you so much for sharing your time and your talent. God bless you. I hope you have a blessed Christmas and a Merry New Year.
Thank you, Debra. Wishing you a blessed Christmas and New Year as well.
Readers sometimes imagine more about the author from their novels than is actually true. Thanks for sharing these tidbits of truth about yourself. It is always fun to know more about an author’s life. Great article.