Patricia Johns: Women of Faith

Women of faith don't always preach.

 In fact, women of faith seldom get the chance to preach, unless they are talking to their children. In our day-to-day life, it isn't appropriate. But that doesn't mean that a woman's life doesn't speak for her.

I'm a Christian. I'm a church-goer. My worldview is colored by a belief in a God who loves me and guides my future. As a church-going Christian, I might be a minority, but as a woman of faith, I'm not! Many people don't identify with a religion, or they haven't been to church since childhood. Others are come from other faith backgrounds. When you set aside our differences, we're united in our belief in something more.

We believe in Someone More. We believe more is expected of us. We have hope. It isn't something nailed down by dogma or theology, it's an anchor of certainty deep inside of us that can't be argued away. We're women of faith. 

I write for both the Love Inspired line and American Romance. My Love Inspired writing is faith based, and my American Romance writing is written by a woman of faith. My faith, my conviction that there is something more to life, is a part of that writing. Even if I can't talk about it directly, it's there. My hope in Someone More is what fuels my love of writing happy endings. 

This month,  my American Romance came out. I hope you'll check it out! It's about family, starting over, motherhood in less than ideal circumstances, and finding out what kind of woman we want to be.

You can find it in bookstores this month. You can also find it on Amazon and the Harlequin site. And as a special surprise to me, it's also found in bookstores in the UK, published in the Cherish line of Mills and Boon!

 As women of faith, we're part of society, part of our communities, and part of the world. We're out there, and we can't always preach. Sometimes, we just have to live it.

If you'd like to see my other books or keep up with the life of a Harlequin author, come by my blog! You can also find me on Facebook, and I love to connect with readers. :)

PATRICIA JOHNS: Giveaways, and Those Imperfect Holidays

My Christmases are never perfect. I try for perfect, I really do! I plan, I bake, I decorate... but it never goes perfectly.

This year, my 7-year-old son knew exactly what he was getting. As in no surprise at all. His Christmas list was that short. I chose, bought and wrapped my own gift, because it drives me that nuts when Mr. Johns leaves shopping for me until the last minute. My son literally vibrated from sugar--lovingly provided by yours truly--and then crashed phenomenally. My husband decided that he likes Christmas baking that isn't sweet... and I had no idea how to provide that, especially since we're gluten and dairy free. (Hence, the sugar vibrating child.) Like, seriously, you can't tax my kitchen skill set to that extent!

But we were together, and it was our Christmas, and that was perfect in itself. And I have to say, when Christmas is over, I'm a little relieved. I feel happy, I feel blessed, but relief is a pretty strong under current. ;)

New Years is quickly approaching, and January 1 feels like such a breath of fresh air--a new start. 2016--a fresh chance to mess up writing checks, and maybe give some new recipes a whirl.

I'm not a resolution maker. Not after Christmas. Christmas prep is filled with high minded resolutions that fail 80% of the time, and after that, I'm ready to just roll with whatever comes. I make no guarantees at this point! Okay, well, I make a few... I do have books coming out, after all. ;)

In February, you'll see my first American Romance on the shelves.

If you'd like to win a copy of this book, you can enter my Goodreads giveaway that ends December 31.

And in March, you'll see another Love Inspired.

If you'd like a chance at winning a free copy of THE LAWMAN'S SURPRISE FAMILY, I have a Goodreads giveaway starting January 1. Another great way to start the year, no?

If you'd like to connect with me on Facebook, you can find me HERE. I also have a blog that I regularly update HERE. I'd love to hear from you.

I wish you all the happiest of New Years! May your wishes come true, and your prayers be answered.