Monday, May 24, 2021

Patrice Wilton - An Author Interview at the HBS Author's Spotlight

Today our blog puts the Spotlight on Author Patrice Wilton. Patrice is a contemporary romance author. She is a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author.

Author: Patrice Wilton

Author Genre: Romance

Website: Patrice Wilton
Author's Blog: Patrice Wilton
Twitter: @PatriceWilton
E-Mail: patricewilt@yahoo.com
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Amazon Author Profile



Author Description:
Patrice Wilton was born in Vancouver, Canada, and knew from the age of twelve that she wanted to be a writer. She became a flight attendant for 17 years, then moved to Australia and England, before settling in Ormond Beach, Florida. She is a NY Times & USA Today best selling author and has written around forty books, mostly romance series. Here are her personal favorites:

The Candy Bar, Paradise Cove, Heavenly Christmas, and The Wounded Warrior series. Now a new exciting adventure has begun. She has joined forces with her good friend, Traci Hall to write a Salem B&B Cozy Mystery series for Kensington under the name of Traci Wilton. They have written 5 books in the Mrs. Morris Bed and Breakfast series, and will be starting book six soon. We are loving it and hope our readers do too!


SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author

Congratulations on your book: Death in Sandpiper Bay. What do you have on the drawing board next? Give us a quick highlight.

Well James, Traci Hall and myself are starting our second book in the A Riley Harper Mystery series within the next week or two and hope to have it available everywhere by late July. It's entitled DANGER IN SANDPIPER BAY. On another note, we will have print books available for Death in Sandpiper Bay starting the first of June. We're excited about this, and hope you will be too!

You have a good following on twitter. How important have your social media relationships been? How did you build your following in your niche? Do you see a carry over to your writing success?

My twitter account has grown steadily over the years, and it really does help get the word out on what you have for sale, when your next book is coming out and a Cover reveal. I retweet all my author friends and the circle keeps getting wider. A newsletter is also a great source of information and FaceBook of course. And yes, it does help!

You have great covers. They carry a theme and your brand with them. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development?

I have a lady who does all my covers and I've used her for years. Mae at CoverFreshDesigns. Love that woman. So easy to work with, and when I start a new series I may find several images that I like and she will give me a couple of wonderful choices to decide on. Once the first is done, the rest she handles with ease.

Several of your novels have been converted into audio books. What has been the impact on your regular sales? Has the audio books gained a new audience for you?

It did at the beginning. I had a bookbub promo for Paradise Cove and the audio sold well. I also was on a blog tour and created a newsletter list for Audio lovers, which seemed to work for awhile. Lately, the sales have slowed but pick up around Christmas time.

I like the idea of Author bundles. You are a part of many novel collection. What was the impact on your other sales? What was the main objective of bundling your works with other romance authors? How did you put something like that together?

Our fabulous Mimi Barbour had the idea and started the multi author box-sets. She invited a group of authors known to her, which grew as well. We have around 35, and she releases at least six box sets a year, possibly more. I've been in ABB, Author BillBoard from the beginning and every book is in Kindle Unlimited for the price of $.99 and we make money on pages read. It has been very successful and helps with the decline of sales since KU first started. 6. You have used the Amazon opinion to group a series of novels under one heading on their sales site. You have done that for Heavenly Christmas Series and the Wounded Warriors. What do you think of the idea? Did you see any impact on your sales of the individual novels? Answer: Amazon did that, I had nothing to do with it, but I don't see that it impacts sales. However it is nice to see them listed together.

You have used the Amazon opinion to group a series of novels under one heading on their sales site. You have done that for Heavenly Christmas Series and the Wounded Warriors. What do you think of the idea? Did you see any impact on your sales of the individual novels?

Amazon did that, I had nothing to do with it, but I don't see that it impacts sales. However, it is nice to see them listed together.

What is your primary genre? What has been your best marketing approach to this group?

It was Romance, my mine were varied. Women's Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense and Contemporary Romance. I covered it all. Now I'm doing Mysteries and love it!

You have written several of your novels with Traci Hall. How does the process work? How do you manage your plots, characters and timelines to keep your story going? How do you resolve conflicts?

We have been great friends for twenty years, before either of us were published. With our Kensington books, the editor always gives us an idea of what he wants to see from one book to another. We send him a short synopsis with the list of characters, events and suspects, and when that is approved, we start plotting. We do one chapter each, sending it by email back and forth, while lightly editing each other’s, then switch and do another round. It takes about four rounds to get the story pretty much done, then we send it out to beta readers for their comments and go at it once again. Of course, we have disagreements but we call each other, and resolve our "conflict" with respect and knowing we both do what is best for the book.

















What has been your experience in using Kindle Unlimited? What was your main goal in doing this? Did you run into any obstacles?

Unlimited was great for the readers, for $9.99 they could read any book they wanted, unlimited of course. It was very hard on the authors. The multi boxsets did help with this.

Do you maintain a reader list? What are the methods you use to find your readers and create the list and the relationship? Do you use social media, forums, newsletters and/or support groups to build your list?

I have a newsletter list for Romance, for Audio and for the Traci Wilton mystery series. We hired an assistant to look after our joint website and emails. We are both very involved with any promotions that come our way and social media. It takes up a great part of the day unfortunately which cuts into our writing time. Still, it's been a long journey but a rewarding one. Both Traci and I have fulfilled our life time dream. We are authors, our books are read all over the world and the reviews have been gratifying. We have touched are readers, made them laugh and cry and given them hope. What a blessing that is.



Author's Book List




Death in Sandpiper Bay - A Riley Harper Mystery Book 1
Sixteen months ago, Police Officer Riley Harper and her partner were on surveillance in downtown Phoenix. The suspect rushed from his apartment building, hands raised, when her partner fired and shot the man in the chest. It was a bad kill and she'd had to testify against her former brother-in-arms. Labeled a snitch, Riley has been bombarded by the police, the media, and her former friends. Her reputation is in tatters and her career in Phoenix over. On leave since then, she's only had one job offer…from a place called Sandpiper Bay, a remote island off the coast of Maine. Riley expects an uncomplicated life for her mother, and her daughter, who moved with her. Nothing more dangerous than settling feuds among the fishermen. She is dead wrong.


Order the Book From:
Amazon






Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past - A Salem B&B Mystery Book 3
Salem, Massachusetts B&B owner Charlene Morris is looking into a holiday hit-and-run, with a little help from her ghostly housemate . . .

Charlene’s parents are in town for Christmas, and her mother is driving her up a tree. Her bed-and-breakfast’s resident ghost, Jack, isn’t fond of her either—and he’s showing it with some haunting high jinks. But when Charlene takes her mom and dad out for dinner, the less-than-seasonal spirits take a deadly turn.

David Baldwin has just won a fortune in the lottery—and it adds a lot of drama to the charity auction he’s hosting at his restaurant. When he caps off the evening by playing Santa and handing out checks to some of the attendees, the mood shifts . . . and Charlene observes mysterious tensions between David and his flashy, bleached-blonde wife, his neglected teenage son from a previous marriage, and his hostile business partner, among others. And they’re only a few on the long list of potential suspects when David runs into the road and is mowed down by a fleeing motorist. Now it looks like it’s going to be homicide for the holidays . . .


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited
Audible






Mrs. Morris and the Witch - A Salem B&B Mystery Book 2
Halloween is the biggest holiday of the year in Salem, Massachusetts—but when B&B owner Charlene Morris finds the dead body of a witch, it spells trouble . . .

Charlene, recently widowed, has renovated her historic mansion just in time to greet guests arriving for the town’s annual Halloween festivities. She’s lucky to have a helpful staff to provide support—as well as a handsome ghost named Jack standing invisibly by her side.

Unfortunately, while the revelers head out on haunted tours, have their fortunes told, or grab a drink at Brews and Broomsticks, a killer walks among them. When Charlene discovers Morganna, a local Wiccan, dead in her shop, she starts getting cozy with the local coven, looking for clues to locate the crafty culprit. Salem may be famous for the false accusations of witchery in centuries past, but this time someone is genuinely guilty—of murder


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited
Audible






Wedding Knot - Book 6 Paradise Cove series
When Gabrielle attends her best friend's wedding in Paradise Cove with her fiancĂ©, love is in the air—they decide to skip an elaborate wedding later and tie the knot at the quaint Florida Keys resort. Enter stage right, Alberto Marino, International opera star, secretly in love with Gabrielle, who throws his hat in the ring.


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






Mrs. Morris and the Ghost - A Salem B&B Mystery Book 1
Charlene Morris knew Salem, Massachusetts had a spooky reputation. But when she decided to open her B&B there, she expected guests—not ghosts…

A grieving young widow, Charlene needed a new start—so she bought a historic mansion, sight unseen, and drove from Chicago to New England to start turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. On her first night in the house, she awakens to find a handsome man with startling blue eyes in her bedroom. Terror turns to utter disbelief when he politely introduces himself as Jack Strathmore—and explains that he used to live here—when he was alive. He firmly believes that someone pushed him down the stairs three years ago, and he won’t be able to leave until someone figures out who. If Charlene wants to get her business up and running in time for the Halloween tourist rush, and get this haunting houseguest out of the way, she’ll have to investigate. Though truth be told, this ghost is starting to grow on her . . .


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Amazon
Audible






A Hero Lies Within - Wounded Warriors Book 1
A returning war hero and the woman who once loved him are brought together again – but will they be able to heal the wounds of their past?

Kari Winslow is a Palm Beach news reporter, fighting not only to keep her job, but take over the nightly anchor spot. Her boss has axed her special runaway series, and wants “feel good stories” instead. She has only two weeks to come up with something big, or the special series will be taken over by the new anchorman who seems determined to ruin her career. Jake Harrington has returned from two tours in Iraq, and this wounded warrior is searching for peace – and a family friend who’s gone missing. He turns to his former love Kari for help. Though Jake hurt Kari badly once before, she agrees to help him under one condition: he must provide her with “feel good stories” about the everyday heroes he served with. But his memory is sketchy at best, and the only stories he remembers are the ones she doesn’t want to hear.

Fate, it seems, has brought them back together – but can Kari ever forget Jakes’ bitter betrayal, and will he forgive hers when to save her career she must betray his trust…?


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






Handle With Care - Wounded Warriors Book 2
Shane Dawson, a medic captured and tortured in Iraq, is back on US soil, but now he must face his painful memories and personal demons.

Lauren Reynolds is a widowed ER doctor with a son, Josh, who has ADHD. When the two meet, Lauren thinks Shane is the most wonderful, thrilling man she has met in a long time. But her child’s welfare is priority number one, and there are very compelling reasons to stay apart. Will they be able to overcome their issues to find that once-in-a-lifetime love?

This is a deeply emotional story about two damaged people and the power of love, healing, and unconditional trust.


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






At First Sight - Wounded Warriors Book 3
AT FIRST SIGHT--
War veteran Brent Harrington, a helicopter pilot who lost his sight when he was shot down in Afghanistan, is now back home in the US and struggling to come to terms with the fact that his sight may never return. Natalie Connors, a beautiful young woman fleeing an abusive relationship and looking for a fresh start, is hired by Brent’s best buddy, another war veteran, as a home health care aide to help Brent adapt to his newly darkened world. Thrown together by fate, they take the first tentative steps toward love…

But when Natalie’s vicious ex tracks her down, can the passion and tenderness she and Brent share protect her?

At First Sight is a highly emotional story about two damaged people and the healing they must go through before they can commit and find their happily-ever-after.


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






Heavenly Christmas Series - (4 book series)
A HEAVENLY CHRISTMAS
Jennie Braxton and her two small children are traveling to Philadelphia for Christmas with her family. Car trouble lands them in a magical town called Heaven, PA. Everything about this sweet place seems too good to be true, especially Nick Ryan, a local chef with a heart as big as her own. His sensual smile tempts her from mourning the loss of her dear husband, to look into the future. Can her dreams of finding happiness again come true, or will her heart hide safely in the past?

SOMEONE TO LOVE
Allison Cornwall was forced to leave her hometown in Connecticut and live life on the run from an ex-boyfriend turned stalker. She changed her name and hunkered down in Heaven, PA. The small, idyllic town was— a safe haven where no one could find her. And yet, after a year and a half of peace, he did. Police Chief Ian Brown is determined to keep crime out of Heaven. When Ally fears for her life, he's there to protect. Recently divorced, he's not looking for love, but this innocent young woman touches his heart. Can they put their pasts behind them and open themselves to the miracle of Christmas—learning once again to trust and to love?

CHRISTMAS WISH
Single mom Meghan Shaunessy and her four-year-old autistic son Liam move to Heaven, PA for a temporary post as a special education teacher. Her parents were killed in a tragic car accident, and she wanted to be close to her sister—her only remaining family.

Christmas Miracle
A nurse with a broken heart comes to stay with her sister in Heaven, PA for the holidays. An ex-marine has his own demons to deal with. Can this unlikely pair find a way to work through their griefs and discover the miracle of Christmas?


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






Soccer Studs - Book One - Brody
Serena West, 28, works in the mayor's office, and is given an assignment to escort her teenaged soccer-hero fantasy Brody Harrison, around Detroit with the sole purpose of getting him to endorse a professional soccer team. He’d retired after a car accident wrecked his knee, but the general manager and the mayor have teamed up to make sure the soccer star comes back to the field. The billionaire bad boy doesn’t care about Detroit, or the GM, but is very interested in a new business deal. He's in Detroit for a joint venture to manufacture an inexpensive, synthetic cleat and doesn’t care about ever stepping on the soccer field again.

If Serena can’t change his mind, she won’t get her promotion. She loves her city and knows that she can make a difference for the next generation of at-risk children. Brody’s teasing charm is more seductive than his old victory posters and her fantasies come to life with his powerful kiss. His reputation as a player is infamous and Serena knows she should guard her heart but each moment they spend together creates undeniable chemistry that puts everything she’s worked toward at risk. Is the right man worth it?


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






WEDDING BLUES - Paradise Cove -- Destination Wedding series
Harley and Michael are both in the medical field, a perfect match and very much in love. They are in Paradise Cove for a Destination Wedding. What could possible go wrong? Unfortunately, almost everything! His wealthy family believes she in not fit to marry their son, and Harley from the Florida Keys thought they might be right. Raised by a single mom who owned a bar, Harley couldn't compete with the world Michael came from. A mansion in the Hamptons, yachts and European vacations, while she was an island rat. Yet she knew, Michael loved her just the same. The father, John discovered many ways to sabotage the wedding. Can their love and trust be strong enough to fight this strong, dominate man?


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






Right Man/ Wrong Groom - Paradise Cove Series - Destination Wedding Book 1
Nadine Thomas is in Paradise Cove to marry her golf pro fiancé, Michael Williams. Her first love, Jeremy is Michael's brother, who went off to war and returned a bitter, broken man. When she sees him again at the wedding he's now a firefighter and has got his life back in balance. Their attraction is still red hot. Putting a damper on the flames, Nadine is determined to go through with the wedding, to commit her love to Michael--until she learns his terrible secret. Can Jeremy win the love of the woman he once turned his back on, and will Nadine trust that their love is real?


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited
Audible






PARADISE COVE - PARADISE COVE SERIES Book 1
This new heart warming contemporary romance takes place in the Florida Keys and promises romance/passion, and plenty of adventure.

Cardiac surgeon, Sean Flannigan, lost his daughter to a rare form of leukemia; he can mend broken hearts, but his is beyond repair. Kayla Holmes, along with her sisters, inherited guest cottages in the Keys after their stepfather died. Their high spirits and positive energy are a beacon of light that directs Sean's sailboat into Paradise Cove. Can Kayla's compassion find a crack in Sean's armor? Sometimes love isn’t enough to heal a wounded heart.


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited
Audible






KISS ME SANTA
Widowed teacher, Cindy Harris, takes her son to meet Santa at the mall, but instead of jolly Saint Nick, they get grumpy Brad Williams. He’d stepped into the red suit to help out his brother, not promise the impossible, like deliver a daddy by Christmas. Brad is the new real estate agent Cindy hired to sell her family home, and sparks fly between them. Will the magic of Christmas open their hearts, and offer the best gift of all: love?


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






For The Love of Candy - Candy Bar series
The Candy Bar is in trouble. Crime and corruption has changed the landscape of the street. Candy can stay and fight it, or sell and run. She has called an emergency meeting with her dear friends, the sisters of her heart, to tell them her decision.

Enter Harrison Wolfe—Boston lawyer, probably a Mayflower descendent by his arrogance and arresting good looks. He has come to the Candy Bar to tell her that his daughter is engaged to her son Billy. He’s only 21 and graduating from college, and is certainly not ready to take on the responsibilities of marriage. Harrison is also strongly opposed to this engagement and wants to put an end to it before it even begins.

Thunder cracks open the sky, lightning strikes, and Harrison and Candy are caught up in the magic and madness. Now they have to fight their attraction—and keep their pants on--to stay focused on keeping their children apart.

This hilarious, touching, upbeat story will engage your emotions and hopefully have you laughing one minute, and wiping tears the next.


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






NIGHT MUSIC - Candy Bar Book 3
New York Times best selling author, Patrice Wilton welcomes you to the Candy Bar in South Beach, where a little magic can make anything happen. Pour yourself a drink and enjoy the adventure that awaits! This romantic comedy will keep you glued to your Kindle. Enjoy!


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited






Wounded Warriors - (3 book series)
A Hero Lies Within
A returning war hero and the woman who once loved him are brought together again – but will they be able to heal the wounds of their past? Kari Winslow is a Palm Beach news reporter, fighting not only to keep her job, but take over the nightly anchor spot. Her boss has axed her special runaway series, and wants “feel good stories” instead. She has only two weeks to come up with something big, or the special series will be taken over by the new anchorman who seems determined to ruin her career.

Handle With Care
Shane Dawson, a medic captured and tortured in Iraq, is back on US soil, but now he must face his painful memories and personal demons.

At First Sight
War veteran Brent Harrington, a helicopter pilot who lost his sight when he was shot down in Afghanistan, is now back home in the US and struggling to come to terms with the fact that his sight may never return. Natalie Connors, a beautiful young woman fleeing an abusive relationship and looking for a fresh start, is hired by Brent’s best buddy, another war veteran, as a home health care aide to help Brent adapt to his newly darkened world. Thrown together by fate, they take the first tentative steps toward love…


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Kindle Unlimited

For a Complete List of Patrice’s Books, visit Amazon Author Profile.

Post Created by: James Moushon

Mystery Author, Industry blogger and Author Advocate
James is the author of the following blogs:
HBS Author’s Spotlight
Indie Author's Corner
HBS Virtual Bookshelf
Vella Words

1 comment:

  1. Amazing James! Thank you so very much! You did a wonderful job!

    ReplyDelete