Valerie J. Patterson (Author of The Lincoln Room)

Valerie Patterson liked Julie Lence's review of That Taste Of Orange:

" Valerie J. Patterson's short story, That Taste of Orange, is a delighful and fast read. Within the first paragraph, Ms. Patterson puts the reader in the midst of the heroine's plight. Sabrina and her husband own and operate a pastry shop. The rush... "
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Valerie Patterson gave

to:

Red Helmet
by Homer H. Hickam

read in August, 2010

My rating:

This is an excellent book! I had it sitting on my "to-be-read" shelf for more than a year before I finally began reading it. Once I started, I couldn't put it down, and in fact read it in one sitting!

Hickman does a superb job pulling the reader right...more

Valerie Patterson gave

to:

Bolt Action
by Victoria Roder (Goodreads Author)

read in September, 2010

My rating:

Bolt Action, book one in a new series by mystery writer, Victoria Roder, is far from being the stereotypical cozy. Roder introduces the reader to a fresh new character who’s got a chip on her shoulder that’s really more of a boulder. As the character...more Bolt Action, book one in a new series by mystery writer, Victoria Roder, is far from being the stereotypical cozy. Roder introduces the reader to a fresh new character who’s got a chip on her shoulder that’s really more of a boulder. As the character unfolds with the plot, the reader realizes Leslie Bolt uses anger and sarcasm to cover up insecurities, pain, and the scars of abuse from a childhood riddled with atrocities no child should ever have to endure. Bolt holds all people in her life—along with the reader—at more than an arm’s length. She’s untrusting of everyone’s motives, prefers the life of a hermit, and relies heavily on her investigative instincts and the weight of a weapon.

From page one, Bolt Action pulls the reader into the investigation of what is assumed to be a random and senseless murder, but turns out to be the second gruesome offering by the State Quarter Murderer—a serial killer who crosses the state lines between Illinois and Wisconsin. The perpetrator kills victims in different ways, but always leaves a state quarter under the body.

Leslie is forced to work the investigation with her ex-lover, Detective Lance Kestler, who—at first glance—is merely a victim of her ire and sarcasm after an affair gone sour when he’s exposed as a cheating husband. The reader isn’t sure until near the very end if his own anger is due to the fact she caught him in multiple lies that ended their relationship, if he’s really one of the biggest jerks to walk the planet, or if there’s more to him than meets the eye.

In this character-driven novel, Roder introduces a healthy lineup of strong characters. Characters the reader will either immediately like or loathe. Each has a distinct voice and strong personality. Each has a place in Leslie’s life and is labeled either friend or foe—usually foe. When Leslie is trapped during a robbery at her neighborhood market at closing time, the only casualty is the cashier, Sara. By her own admission, Leslie’s only friend in life other than her cat, Baby, is Sara. Under normal circumstance, the shooting death of a friend would lend itself to grief, a strong sense of loss, and anger over the senselessness of the loss. Bolt comes across as almost too hardened to go through those emotions. Had it not been for a few remembrances of Sara, this reader would have questioned just how strong the ties of friendship really were between the two characters.

As defensively as Leslie Bolt goes through life, she yearns for some normalcy and security, which she seeks in the arms of new medical examiner, Jack Donington. Leslie—along with the reader—wonders if her one shot at happiness could be obtained through Dr. Donington. However, the now divorced Kestler also remains in her life—prominently.

Bolt’s past is served up to the reader in selective chunks, which is a credit to Roder’s talent. From the run-away twin sister, Tasha, to the loving and supportive adoptive parents deeply rooted in Christ, to the abusive father still behind bars for the death of her mother, Bolt’s past haunts her at every corner, and is the force behind her harder-than-concrete veneer.

Bolt Action delivers from the very first sentence to the last.(less)

Valerie Patterson made a comment on Julie Lence's review of Gee-Whiz Meets S.H.A.F.T.

"Juls! Thank you very much for your enthusiastic comments regarding Gee-Whiz. I sincerely hope you continue to enjoy the book! I look forward to your f...more "

Valerie Patterson liked Julie Lence's review of Gee-Whiz Meets S.H.A.F.T.:

Gee-Whiz Meets S.H.A.F.T. by Valerie J. Patterson

" Ms. Patterson has outdone herself with Gee-Whiz meets S.H.A.F.T. Through the entire book, I was entertained, amused and intrigued. Milo and his "dames" have a stash of gizmos better than James Bond and the way they interact kept me in stitches. Fo... "
Read more of this review »

Valerie Patterson gave

to:

He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Mary Higgins Clark

He Sees You When You're Sleeping : A Novel
by Mary Higgins Clark

read in August, 2003

My rating:

This is perhaps the only book I've read by either writer, but it held my attention and was a pleasant read. The plot is a little tired, but still done well and with enough originality to make it enjoyable. Sterling Brooks is a very endearing characte...more

Valerie Patterson gave

to:

Goodbye, Earl: A Bad Girl Creek Novel
by Jo-Ann Mapson

read in September, 2008

My rating:

It took me months to get through this book. Ugh! I could not get into it and stay into it. The characters themselves are engaging but the plot fell a little flat by bouncing around from one problem of one friend to another problem of another friend a...more

Valerie Patterson gave

to:

The Myth of You and Me
by Leah Stewart (Goodreads Author)

read in June, 2007

My rating:

It's a powerful, evocative story about the journey of two friends. Rather it's the journey of two friends building a friendship, watching it smash to smithereens in mere seconds, seeing years separate them, then the long road back to friendship. It's...more

Valerie Patterson gave

to:

Tales from the Bed: A Memoir
by Jenifer Estess

read in June, 2007

My rating:

Excellent piece on humanity, life, and facing death. Jenifer Estes' memoir from date of diagnosis of ALS to her final day is captivating, emotional, and full of hope despite there being none in her diagnosis. When I first came across the book, my fir...more

Valerie Patterson gave

to:

Mad about Mia
by Millie Criswell

read in December, 2008

My rating:

An excellent bit of fluff and humor and sexual tension wrapped around a cozy little mystery. Criswell was a 'new to me' writer when I found her book, but I'm glad I took a chance on this author. Mia is a fantastic character, and Criswell has a knack...more

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	The Lincoln Room 4.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2007	My rating:
	Her Last 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2009 — 2 editions	My rating:
	That Taste Of Orange 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — 2 editions	My rating:
	Honor Thy Neighbor (Myerson Mystery #1) 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2009 — 3 editions	My rating:
	Gee-Whiz Meets S.H.A.F.T. 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2009 — 2 editions	My rating:
	Montana Reins 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2008	My rating:

Valerie Patterson liked Julie Lence's review of That Taste Of Orange: " Valerie J. Patterson's short story, That Taste of Orange, is a delighful and fast read. Within the first paragraph, Ms. Patterson puts the reader in the midst of the heroine's plight. Sabrina and her husband own and operate a pastry shop. The rush... " Read more of this review »
Mar 07, 2011 06:12pm · see review
Valerie Patterson gave to: Red Helmet by Homer H. Hickam read in August, 2010	My rating:
This is an excellent book! I had it sitting on my "to-be-read" shelf for more than a year before I finally began reading it. Once I started, I couldn't put it down, and in fact read it in one sitting! Hickman does a superb job pulling the reader right...more
Sep 19, 2010 10:32am · see review
Valerie Patterson gave to: Bolt Action by Victoria Roder (Goodreads Author) read in September, 2010	My rating:
Bolt Action, book one in a new series by mystery writer, Victoria Roder, is far from being the stereotypical cozy. Roder introduces the reader to a fresh new character who’s got a chip on her shoulder that’s really more of a boulder. As the character...more
Sep 19, 2010 09:54am · see review
Valerie Patterson made a comment on Julie Lence's review of Gee-Whiz Meets S.H.A.F.T. "Juls! Thank you very much for your enthusiastic comments regarding Gee-Whiz. I sincerely hope you continue to enjoy the book! I look forward to your f...more "
Nov 04, 2009 04:01pm · see review
Valerie Patterson liked Julie Lence's review of Gee-Whiz Meets S.H.A.F.T.: " Ms. Patterson has outdone herself with Gee-Whiz meets S.H.A.F.T. Through the entire book, I was entertained, amused and intrigued. Milo and his "dames" have a stash of gizmos better than James Bond and the way they interact kept me in stitches. Fo... " Read more of this review »
Nov 04, 2009 03:58pm · see review
Valerie Patterson gave to: He Sees You When You're Sleeping : A Novel by Mary Higgins Clark read in August, 2003	My rating:
This is perhaps the only book I've read by either writer, but it held my attention and was a pleasant read. The plot is a little tired, but still done well and with enough originality to make it enjoyable. Sterling Brooks is a very endearing characte...more
Oct 10, 2009 03:59pm · see review
Valerie Patterson gave to: Goodbye, Earl: A Bad Girl Creek Novel by Jo-Ann Mapson read in September, 2008	My rating:
It took me months to get through this book. Ugh! I could not get into it and stay into it. The characters themselves are engaging but the plot fell a little flat by bouncing around from one problem of one friend to another problem of another friend a...more
Oct 10, 2009 03:42pm · see review
Valerie Patterson gave to: The Myth of You and Me by Leah Stewart (Goodreads Author) read in June, 2007	My rating:
It's a powerful, evocative story about the journey of two friends. Rather it's the journey of two friends building a friendship, watching it smash to smithereens in mere seconds, seeing years separate them, then the long road back to friendship. It's...more
Oct 10, 2009 06:38am · see review
Valerie Patterson gave to: Tales from the Bed: A Memoir by Jenifer Estess read in June, 2007	My rating:
Excellent piece on humanity, life, and facing death. Jenifer Estes' memoir from date of diagnosis of ALS to her final day is captivating, emotional, and full of hope despite there being none in her diagnosis. When I first came across the book, my fir...more
Oct 10, 2009 06:30am · see review
Valerie Patterson gave to: Mad about Mia by Millie Criswell read in December, 2008	My rating:
An excellent bit of fluff and humor and sexual tension wrapped around a cozy little mystery. Criswell was a 'new to me' writer when I found her book, but I'm glad I took a chance on this author. Mia is a fantastic character, and Criswell has a knack...more
Oct 10, 2009 06:25am · see review

Valerie's Bookshelves

Valerie's Friends (17)

Valerie's Fans (3)

Valerie J. Patterson

Goodreads author profile

combine editionsBooks by Valerie J. Patterson

Upcoming Events

rssValerie's Recent Updates

Valerie's Friend Comments

Flag Abuse

combine editions
Books by Valerie J. Patterson

rss
Valerie's Recent Updates