Shannon here: Patricia Lee shares insight into her real life romance, her latestest Time Slip novel, The Sister’s Plight, and a chance to win an audio book from her backlist. Deadline: July 10th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Patricia:
A Funny Story on the way to Romance:
When I first met my husband he was an old car fanatic—in fact he was an “old everything” enthusiast. He drew pictures of Roman soldiers, read everything he could about Civil War battles, and drove a 1930 Ford Model A pickup for fun.
Nellybelle, his pet name for the pickup, had a green exterior with yellow wheels. She was a work in progress, evidenced by the front bench seat cushions that sat on springs, and the missing cab head liner. Her horn worked when convenient and she came without turn signals. She had a rude habit of backfiring whenever the mood struck her like an old lady fighting wind, if you know what I mean.
I had noticed the truck at church on occasion but hadn’t connected it with its owner. Whoever he or she was had a penchant for politics because a banner supporting a local candidate for office filled the length of the short truck bed, complete with side rails. I thought the idea cute, whoever this fellow was.
When said pickup showed up in my driveway and my date walked to the door, I was surprised. We were going out in the little green pickup? I wondered what the ride would be like. Smooth? Rugged? My instincts served me well. Bumpy, with no shocks, the truck jitterbugged its way down the street. Worn out springs under the seats threatened to topple me in the cab.
As I write about it now, I realize the truck probably rode a lot like the covered wagon in my newest book release, The Sister’s Plight. Swaying. Bouncing. Jarring. But unlike the steady plodding of the oxen pulling the wagon in my story, Nellybelle purred along like an obedient servant. I had no idea what adventures lay ahead.
On one particular Sunday evening, I had driven to church for choir practice. My guy came later in Nellybelle. The service ran long and he asked if I would follow him home. The lights on the Model A weren’t real bright and as darkness settled around us, driving the truck might not be safe.
Little did I know.
We had to cross a bridge and make a right. Here the road forked. We planned to go straight toward
home, but other vehicles behind us could make another right and loop under the bridge to connect with different thoroughfares. Nellybelle took the bridge and the turn without a care, but as I followed behind my eyes popped at what came next.
The pickup proceeded down the straight road but the right front tire followed the road leading under the bridge. What??? Gravel splattered as the hub connected with the concrete. Sparks flew from the friction. The truck came to a grinding halt, with me right behind. The tire continued to roll away.
What I couldn’t know was inside the truck my guy was fighting to keep Nellybelle from tipping over. I got out and told him where the tire had gone and we chased it down in my car.
After what seemed like an eternity the spare was connected to the rim, my guy doing the work in the beam of my headlights. Nellybelle rolled forward toward home as if losing a wheel was an everyday occurrence. I gave thanks that we’d not been injured in the incident, nor had anyone else been involved. Concerned for everyone’s safety I followed her, not sure I wanted to ride again.
But I did.
My guy and I fell in love, married, and Nellybelle came home to live with us several more years until our family outgrew her. She still remains a central figure in all of our most hilarious stories. I still remember the backfires.
About Patricia: Patricia Lee has had a fascination with words and what they can do since she wrote her first short paragraph at the age of six. She worked as a stringer for a local newspaper during her middle and high school years representing the school’s news to the community. She received her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oregon, then went on to work as a tabloid newspaper editor at her local church.
After she married, she began her freelancing career and sold to various publications, including Expecting, Moody Monthly, and Power for Living. More recently she has published in two anthologies, Cup of Comfort Bible Promises and Heavenly Company, as well as featured articles in Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse magazine. An Anchor On Her Heart, her debut novel, released in July, 2017 with Mountain Brook Ink and she has since released three more novels, Love’s Autumn Harvest, Love Calls Her Home, and A Kite on the Wind. The Descendant’s Daughter released in December 2020 with Winged Publications.
She lives with her husband and a handful of furry friends in the Pacific Northwest. The couple has two grown children.
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About the book – The Sister’s Plight:
Will a pair of long lost treasures recovered a continent apart pave the way for two eager hearts to find each other?
Realtor Blake Bergstrom stumbles upon an ancient barn while checking fences along a deserted property. A cursory inspection reveals a prairie schooner stored at the building’s back. He climbs into the wagon and discovers a rusted lockbox. Secreted within is a watercolor portrait of a young man. Whose picture could this be and why is it here?
When her mother needs her to check an abandoned cabin before the plantation where it sits is sold, Emberly Chastain uncovers her great-great-great Uncle Fred’s Bible and takes it with her. Tucked inside is a watercolor portrait of a young woman Emberly can’t place. Her uncle never married. Who can she be?
Curiosity sets Emberly on a quest to solve the mystery, a journey that will take her across the continent following a long ago wagon train. Will what she finds help her own heart mend and open the door to a new love?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win?
Get your copy now! The Sister’s Plight – Amazon
Question for readers: Almira Briggs, the main protagonist in my new story, decides to make the journey across the prairies with her parents even though she’s leaving friends and a beau behind. How willing would a 21st century teen be to accept her fate and do as her parents asked?
Come back July 6th for Kelly Irvin!
Wow, it’s my story 🙂
I moved across the ocean with my parents leaving my friends and my boyfriend…. But it was God’s plan all along <3
You have a legacy to tell your children. That’s special.
Very few 21st century kids would go with their parents but I’m not sure this 20th century one would have either!
I understand. But in 1851 the daughter had little choice but to follow. Thanks for writing.
I would do pretty much anything my parents asked. Granted, I was born in the 20th century, but I’m young enough that I was raised in the 21st century. I actually think most teens today would give up everything to relocate with their parents. Today kids live with their parents well into their twenties, and are very reliant on them for many things, so I don’t think most teens could make it on their own.
Some good points. One has to wonder who would do what in this century. Thanks for writing.
I have a winner! Kay Garrett won the drawing. I appreciate Patricia for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.