Today's Special - - Patience Griffin

You all know how much we love discovering new authors here at The Romance Dish.  When I received a copy of To Scotland with Love to review, I wasn't familiar with the author but was intrigued by both the cover and premise of the book.  It was only after reading the book that I discovered that To Scotland with Love is Patience Griffin's romance debut.  I would not have guessed it.  She writes with the expertise of a seasoned veteran and created a story - and characters - that captured my heart. As soon as I finished the book, I knew I wanted to introduce her to our TRD readers so I sent an e-mail to her publicist and asked if she'd be willing to do a Q&A.  I'm delighted that she agreed!  If you're looking for a story that will touch every emotion, hold you captive from beginning to end and leave you deeply satisfied when you turn the final page then I highly recommend you add To Scotland with Love to your summer reading list.  

For more information about Patience, visit her website, like her Facebook page and follow her at Twitter and Pinterest.

·        Welcome, Patience!  We are delighted to have you visit with us today.   Congratulations on your debut book, TO SCOTLAND WITH LOVE.  Please share with our readers what they can expect from this book and from the Kilts and Quilts series.

I love books that are smart, funny, and full of heart. And because this is what I want from a good read, I strive to achieve it in my own books.

You definitely achieved it!

The Kilts and Quilts series is set in small town Scotland and readers can expect to see more of the same community, along with their antics and trials. Of course, the quilters are the heart of the town, so expect to see more of what they can cook up.

I'm already looking forward to my next visit! 
What inspired you to write romance?

I used to commute 3 ½ hours a day for work and became addicted to audiobooks. After work I couldn’t wait to get in the car and get back in the story. I found myself gravitating toward love stories because they made the trip much more pleasant. Soon I started reading every romance I could find, particularly anything that had to do with Scotland. One day I turned to my husband and said, “I think I can do this.” He said, “Of course you can.” I’ve been a writer my whole life, letters mostly, and knew that one day I would write a book. But I always assumed it would be non-fiction. Now, I can’t imagine writing anything other than what I’m doing.

I agree with your husband.  You can do this!  

    The hero of TO SCOTLAND WITH LOVE is a movie star and I admit to having Gerard Butler in my mind as I read the story.  Did you have a real-life inspiration for the character? 

Oh, you are brilliant! Yes, Gerard Butler’s picture is taped to the side of my bookshelf that is facing my writing chair (I write in a recliner with my laptop). All I had to do for inspiration while writing To Scotland with Love was to look up and see him. Which picture of Gerard Butler? One from Timeline—the first movie I saw him in and fell in love with…his acting.

    Your description of village life along the Scottish coast was so vivid that I felt as if I lived there right along with the characters.  Have you ever visited the area in which your story is set?  Did you have a particular reason for choosing that location for the Kilts and Quilts books? 

I have never visited that area, but I grew up in a small town along the Mississippi River. I know what it’s like to have water nearby and for it to be a significant part of the community.  While researching, I found several beautiful little towns along the coast of Scotland that really spoke to me and that is how Gandiegow was born.

Quilting plays a significant role in this book and I understand that you are well known for a quilt you made.  Will you tell our readers about your September 11th Story Quilt?     

I was home from work with my youngest child when the Twin Towers came down and was devastated along with the rest of the country. To try to make sense of the tragedy, I made a story quilt of the events of the day. When it was completed, I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I spoke with the owner of Iowa Star Quilts, Cynthia Stary Drajna, and she suggested that I donate it to the Pentagon. You can’t imagine my shock when I called the Pentagon, told them I had a quilt to donate, and they said, “Yes, let me connect you with the person who oversees the quilts.” I wasn’t the only one who had used quilting as therapy to get through those early days. The quilt went on tour across the country as the property of the Pentagon. The woman in charge would send me pictures of servicemen and servicewoman hanging the quilts in their location—presidential libraries, big quilt shows, etc. My family was invited to come to Washington D.C. and tour the Pentagon when few others could get in. We got to see my quilt hanging in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center while we were there. For many years, I lost track of the quilt. This last fall, while posting my quilts to Facebook, I came across a picture of the September 11^th Story Quilt. I took a chance and made another call to the Pentagon. They immediately connected me to the right person. She said she thought it was hanging in the building and I was shocked. An hour later, I received a confirmation email along with pictures that it was indeed along the tour route and had been there for several years. I’m sure at some point, it will be packed away, but it makes me smile that so many people have been able to enjoy a quilt that gave me comfort to make.

     Thank you so much for sharing your quilt story.  I have the feeling it brought many people smiles and comfort on its journey.  

What would readers be surprised to learn about you?

I have a masters degree in nuclear engineering. Yep, I’m a nerdy girl to the core.

     I thoroughly enjoyed TO SCOTLAND WITH LOVE and encourage readers (again) to put it on their summer reading list.  What books would be on your reading list this summer?

I’m so glad you enjoyed To Scotland with Love. I’m smiling here!

My to-read pile is piling up. The next book on my list is Paw Enforcement by Diane Kelly. That book has the cutest cover—a German shepherd wearing a police hat—and I’m excited about this new series. I have preordered Janet Chapman’s The Highlander Next Door; August can’t get here soon enough. I also have purchased Jodi Thomas’s Harmony novels. I’m new to Jodi Thomas (I know…where have I been?) I read the most recent Harmony novel first, Betting the Rainbow, and had to order the others immediately. For my road trips, I have Grace Burrowes’s MacGregor Trilogy in audiobook.  Yes, I’ve listened to them before and read the books, but I love them enough to listen to them again.

     You have some terrific reading on the horizon!  I need to check out Paw Enforcement. Sounds like it's right up my alley.  When can we expect another book in the Kilts and Quilts series?

Meet Me in Scotland is the second book in the Kilts and Quilts series and will be available January 6, 2015. Can I say that it’s up for pre-order now? The cover is gorgeous, drawn by Deborah Chabrian. I think she’s brilliant! Am I the luckiest writer ever or what?

     That's a beautiful cover!  Readers, click on the book title above for more information and to pre-order Meet Me in Scotland.  

Thank you for visiting with us today, Patience.  It's been a pleasure getting to know you.  Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Being creative helps me to relax; it’s one of my escapes besides reading. I like to keep a quilting project by my sewing machine at all times to unwind by stitching together a block or two.

To escape your daily life, do you submerge yourself in books, television, people, a hobby, or shopping? How do you achieve that cathartic experience?

Readers, because I enjoyed this book so much I'm giving away a copy today to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on the blog.  (your choice of print or e-book)

Caitriona Macleod gave up her career as an investigative reporter for the role of perfect wife. But after her husband is found dead in his mistress’s bed, a devastated Cait leaves Chicago for the birthplace she hasn’t seen since she was a child. She’s hoping to heal and to reconnect with her gran. The last thing she expects to find in Gandiegow is the Sexiest Man Alive! She just may have stumbled on the ticket to reigniting her career—if her heart doesn’t get in the way.

Graham Buchanan is a movie star with many secrets. A Gandiegow native, he frequently hides out in his hometown between films. He also has a son he’ll do anything to protect. But Cait Macleod is too damn appealing—even if she is a journalist.

Quilting with her gran and the other women of the village brings Cait a peace she hasn’t known in years. But if she turns in the story about Graham, Gandiegow will never forgive her for betraying one of its own. Should she suffer the consequences to resurrect her career? Or listen to her battered and bruised heart and give love another chance?