Meet Pat

I've always been a dreamer, making up stories in my head ever since I was a little girl.  As I’d stare out the window during history class, stories of romance, adventure and intrigue would distract me from lectures on the Civil War.

Years later with a degree in journalism, I started my career by writing for newspapers and magazines then working as public relations manager for various non-profit organizations.

But the stories continued to haunt me so in the late 90’s I decided to try my hand at fiction. I sold my first book, Practice Makes Mr. Perfect, to Silhouette Romance in 2002, followed by the sale of Got a Hold on You to Dorchester.  Got a Hold on You is the first book in my romantic comedy series set in professional wresting. The second book, Ring Around My Heart (2004), received the Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Contemporary Romance from Romantic Times Magazine, and book three, Love on the Ropes, was released in the fall of 2006.

While writing the comedies, I also penned romantic suspense stories, and in 2006 my debut Harlequin Intrigue, Silent Memories hit the shelves with a rave Top Pick review from Romantic Times Magazine. I've written eight books total for Intrigue.  I just completed my first Young Adult, paranormal romance about a girl with a traumatic brain injury who can see into your thoughts.  My first Love Inspired Suspense, "Hidden in Shadows" written under the pen name Hope White, was released in November 2010.  And look for my next Love Inspired Suspense, "Christmas Haven" in November 2011.

I'm also pursuing my passion for screenwriting and finished my first script, Sugar & Spies, about a British spy guilted into running his grandmother's American teashop.  This script won the Sunbreak Award in the Northwest Screenplay Competition.  I've also adapted Got a Hold on You for the screen.   My current screenplay, ESCAPE, won the grand prize for the 2011 Page International Screenplay competition.

I'm currently President Emeritus of the Northwest Screenwriters Guild, a fantastic organization that brings Hollywood execs to Seattle to give Guild members a chance to learn about the biz and pitch their movies. (nwsg.org)

When not at my computer, you’ll find me hiding out in a movie theater, hiking the Cascade Mountains, walking my cats and dogs, or investigating new forms of exercise (Kenpo, anyone -- and no, it's not a sushi dish.)

Chatting with the talented Tom Douglas, owner of some of Seattle's finest restaurants, including Palace Kitchen.	Fun at lunch with script consultant Jen Grisanti (left) and Northwest Screenwriters Guild friends.
At the movies with my Chicago friends.	Celebrating with critique partners Phillip and Tom, and Tom's wife, Deb.
A shot taken from a relaxing ferry ride.	Don’t mess with a girl holding a machine gun!
Celebrating at the Spring Fling in Chicago with fellow author Blythe Gifford	I had the privilege of meeting Blake Snyder, author of “Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need” at a Guild meeting.
Hey, I thought you said we were going camping!