On Deadly Ground Interview

Today we're welcoming Rachel Patterson, the heroine of ON DEADLY GROUND, an August 2011 Love Inspired Suspense novel by Lauren Nichols.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

How did I get involved in this mess? Believe me, for a long time, I wondered the same thing. One moment, I was a young widow who owned a campground several miles outside the small town of Charity,Pennsylvania, and the next I was running for my life from my burning home. It took me a while to realize that the hooded figure I saw skulking around on my property one night wanted me dead!

2. So, during the book you met Jake Campbell. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Jake's the tall, ruggedly good looking Wildlife Conservation Officer who'd recently transferred to the area, and I was instantly attracted to him. I hadn't dated since my husband David passed away, and to be honest, I didn't want to feel anything but friendship for Jake. David and I had loved each other deeply, and I was plagued by feelings of disloyalty. I'm not sure when I realized it was love; it kind of crept up on me. But looking back, how could I not fall for him? He's as wonderful on the inside as he is on the outside--strong and confident, caring and protective, totally committed to family and his job. Now he even attends church.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

That's a tough question. I guess I run my business pretty well, and according to Jake, I make a great cup of coffee. As for strengths, I think the only true strength I have is my faith in God who gives me courage when I need it, and helps me be the best daughter, friend--and now wife--that I'm able to be. As for weaknesses...I sometimes trust too easily, and that got me into trouble.

What scares you?

I didn't think anything could scare me other than losing someone I love--although friends seemed to think that I should be afraid to live alone in a wooded valley populated by coyotes, elk, bear and the occasional wildcat. Little did they know that I had less to fear from my four-legged neighbors than I did from a two-legged predator intent upon covering up a crime.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I were more courageous.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

My faith was strong. God and I had a great relationship.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

The same place--trusting and believing in God, and ready to accept His plan for me. Happily, He decided that I should be with Jake for the rest of my life.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

The scripture verse I chose is "The Lord is close to the broken hearted. He rescues those who are crushed in spirit." These lovely words applied to both Jake and me. When we first met, he'd just broken off his relationship with his unfaithful fiancée, and he was hurting. I was still missing David terribly. But thankfully, God brought the two of us together, and helped us heal.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

What I do and where I live pretty much makes me the all-American, girl-next-door type. There's nothing complicated about me. I'd probably be an apple pie.

FEATURED BOOK: ON DEADLY GROUND BY LAUREN NICHOLS

The prowler on the construction site of her new camp didn't frighten Rachel Patterson…at first. Fear comes when her home is torched—and worsens when a body is unearthed on the campgrounds. Someone's trying to cover up a murder, and if Rachel can identify the intruder, she might be the only witness. Her neighbor, Wildlife Conservation Officer Jake Campbell, is determined to keep the lovely widow safe. But when a misunderstanding separates the pair, their distance risks more than the growing feelings between them. It leaves Rachel alone and unguarded, which could be just the chance the killer needs…

Marked for Murder Interview

Today we're welcoming Margo McBride, the heroine of MARKED FOR MURDER by Lauren Nichols, a July 2010 release from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

Believe me, it wasn’t by choice. But when my boss died, I was asked to step in as acting chief of police of our small community. Two years ago, two teenage girls were strangled to death in our pretty little park, so when a third victim was found in the same park days after I assumed command, I knew the Gold Star Killer was back. It became my job to find the person who’d caused so much heartache.

2. So, during the book you met Cole Blackburn. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Actually, Cole and I met over two years ago when he was still a cop working in a Manhattan precinct. But when he visited my small Pennsylvania hometown, and we met at a carnival of all places, the attraction between us was amazing. Before I knew it, he was working with me in the Charity Police Department, and we were falling in love. But you also asked me to tell you a bit about him, so here goes. He’s a rugged, beautiful man, inside and out, with loads of integrity and a real protective streak. He has a humorous side, but when he thinks he’s right, he can be the most stubborn man on the planet.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

Though my weaknesses are many, with God’s help, I think I’m a fairly good cop, a good daughter, and in the end, will be a good wife and partner to Cole. I guess my biggest fault is impatience—an unattractive trait that I’m learning to curb.

4. What scares you?

Finally, an easy answer! I fear losing another person I love. I’ve lost my dad to a stroke, and for a time, lost Cole because of circumstances over which we had no control. At least I believed we had no control at the time.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d love to be a better person—a better cop. Two years ago when Cole and I investigated the Gold Star murders, we were unable to bring in the killer. True, we were hampered by our chief of police. But if we’d closed the case then, a warm, giving young woman would still be alive.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I’m ashamed to say that God and I weren’t on the best of terms then. I’d always lived my life according to Jesus’ teachings, did the best I could for my family, friends and church. But when I asked God to spare my dad’s life after his stroke, and then to save my relationship with Cole, my prayers went unanswered. I lost faith in a loving God and shut Him out of my life.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

I’m delighted to report that God and I are—in the current vernacular—BFF’s again. Best Friends Forever. I had a lot to learn and accept during this journey.
8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
I loved this passage from Colossians because I believe they’re words to live by. “Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Several of the characters in this story needed to be reminded of the importance of forgiveness. Especially me and Cole.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?
Uh-oh. Back to the tough questions. Okay, I think I’d be a cream puff because in life and in my job, I need to firm—but not unyielding—while inside, I’m a real softie. 


Thank you Lauren for sharing Margo with us today. This sounds like a fun and exciting read.