Author Interview: Patience O'Brien

I had no idea that other people started college as art majors and ended up authors too. But apparently, Patience O'Brien also started college as an art major. Want to know more about that as well as her gorgeous new Historical Romance? Read on! 1) Pat, your cover is beautiful. What moved you to write historical romance?

Thank you for your cover compliment--it's so appreciated! 
I've been reading historicals since grade school and enjoyed books like Jane Eyre and Little Women--their sweet touches of romance inspired me.

 2) As an artist, do you find the creativity from one part of your life meshes with the other? Does one feed the other?

At one time it was all about art. I graduated with a Masters in art & education; but in college I also enjoyed writing stories and poetry for campus publications. I won a few prizes in writing and one professor told me outright I'd chosen the wrong field to pursue. (he told me this in my 4th yr. 🙄 )  ​ 3) Was your own teaching experience inspiration for the teacher in your story? In what ways?

Yes; Getting adjusted to new classes and new students yearly is always exciting, but both teachers and students are 'testing' the other. For some reason three seems to be a magic number--as after three days have passed in the beginning of a new year and class, students relax, become themselves and reveal their true nature and behaviors. They are either interested (and can do well in your class) or some struggle and that's where teachers really need to be on their toes. 


4) Your book is part of a series written by lots of other authors? What was the best part of being part of a multi author series like that?

It was my second attempt at having my work published; and I'm so grateful to the authors who put out the call--Madisyn Carlin and Penny Zeller--to join them in the Hearts of the West collection. And of course, thoroughly enjoying the other authors' stories!

5) What's next for you? Can you give us a sneak peek?

I'll pretty much stick with historical romance from 18th & 19th century America; though I did have a contemporary romantic suspense in a collection which I may reissue.

6) What was one of the hardest parts of writing historical fiction? 

I spend months gathering information to authenticate parts of the story, then as I'm going along if I decide to change or add something, it's back to the 'drawing board'. Sometimes that new background information might change other parts of the story as well. I do enjoy learning history though. Heart of Honor

A teacher is in danger of losing her heart and future to a man who holds a painful secret.

When Beth Pruitt becomes a teacher, she achieves her dream for her future--until she discovers she is bound by old-fashioned contract rules that require her to remain single during her teaching career. While Thomas Gabriel, a ruthless business tycoon lives in silent misery over a family secret...Beth follows the most important lesson plan of her life.

She hopes to save an orphanage but is forced to choose between her work and revealing Thomas Gabriel's heart-breaking secret and losing his love. A thankful member of a four-generation family of police and military, Pat is a public school art teacher and Christian fiction author. She enjoys writing, reading, and painting. She and her family also own a small rescue ranch for animals and currently enjoy the company of a palomino horse, a Belgian Malinois, a Dutch Shepherd, and three cats.

Keep up with her at https://hopeinspiredstories.blogspot.com/, or on facebook, instagram, or bookbub.