April 2010 Newsletter

Lamentations 3:22-23: It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Translation: God's giving us new chances in 2010, and His blessings are ready and waiting.
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Is it okay to say April Fools' Day is for the insane? A friend, who I personally know, on Facebook said 2008 Mr. Romance winner Chris Winters was dead and gave Chris's website. Not only was the news shocking, the website had an eerie feel: www.chriswinters.com. What were they thinking? THEY WEREN'T!!.

Speaking of fools, how about being a fool for Christ? As a matter of fact, it's a good way to earn points ( in a way of speaking) to redeem later (I suggest Judgment Day). We are [looked upon as] fools on account of Christ and for His sake, but you are [supposedly] so amazingly wise and prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are [so very] strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute and contempt! 1 Corinthians 4:10.

Okay, on to how fast does the Lord Jesus work? For those who enjoy my tidbits of testimonies, click on my my inspirational blog below.

**If you don't have your copy of Still Guilty, they' re in the bookstores now. If you're on Facebook, make sure you join my Guilty series Fan Club Page where I'll run contests and you'll like the give-a-ways. Plus, you can share your thoughts about the Jamiesons, Grandma BB, Kami, and others. There is only one slight/little/small/tiny problem--I'm learning how to set it up.

**Speaking of Still Guilty. This morning on Amazon, Still Guilty was ranked at #85 for bestselling books for an hour--Brenda Jackson was #1 followed by John Grisham at #2. That's a whole lot of Thank you Jesus for me.

**In other news, the 3rd Annual Afr'Am Fest Literary Awards committee in Virginia Beach, VA has nominated Not Guilty of Love for the best Christian fiction book of 2009. The winner will be announced in May.

**I also learned today that all my titles are now available on Black Expressions Book club. So if you are a member, order your copies in hardcover. It's another Thank you Jesus moment.

Happy a Blessed Easter everyone, and I look forward to chatting with you on my Facebook Guilty series Fan Page.
Enjoy the remainder of the newsletter.

Next week, fellow author Lisa Watson and I will sign copies of our books at seven stops in four days in the Baltimore/DC area. Pray my strength in the Lord, and yes Angella, I will OD on vitamins.
Visit my websites www.patsimmons.net for dates, times, and places, and bring your friends and family!

Be one of the first 10 readers to post a review on Amazon in April and receive a free gift.

Book I: Guilty of Love--Parke and Cheney's story.
Book II: Not Guilty of Love--Malcolm and Hallison's story.
Book III: Still Guilty--Parke & Cheney, introducing Cheney's twin Rainey.
Book IV: Guilty By Association--Kevin "Kidd" Jamieson's story.
Book V: The Guilty Parties--Cheney's siblings: Rainey and Janae
Book VI: The Guilt Trip--Aaron "Ace" and Cameron Jamieson's stories.
Book VII: Free from Guilt--Grandma BB gets her act together--well, maybe.
Then it's time for Guilty: The Next Generation: Kami Jamieson and cohorts.

27 th ANNUAL RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION
Columbus, Ohio, April 28-May 2, 2010.
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Countdown to a book lover's delight: 400 authors and 1,000 readers mingle in the Midwest. Never too late to register.
Free prizes, give-a-ways (I hope I win a Sony e-reader this year), and lots of free books--bring an empty suitcase.
Nightly costume parties and on Saturday, May 1st, 2010, I'm signing copies of all my books.
Visit www.rtconvention.com.
I'll have pictures next month.


Anything Inspirational
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For my April selection,
How fast can the Lord Jesus work?
anythinginspirational.blogspot.com

March 2010 Newsletter

Lamentations 3:22-23: It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Translation: God's giving us new chances in 2010, and His blessings are ready and waiting.
Hello all,
I wanted to start off this newsletter with talking about my husband.
For the last three or four years, I have attended Oklahoma City's Urban League of Young Professionals' Black History Month event, featuring African-American authors.
I didn't think I was going to participate, but at the VERY last minute, my husband thought we could make it happen.
Because of my day time commitment, Kerry put me on a flight Friday evening, so I could make the Saturday event. He drove through inclement weather Friday morning from St. Louis to Oklahoma City (an eight hour drive) because it was cheaper for one of us to fly. When I arrived in OKC late Friday, after two delays, my dear husband was there to pick me up---now that's LOVE.

Fast forward a few weeks later...
I like surprises. Unfortunately, I'm too nosy not to find out about them. I always wanted a surprise party--birthday, Christmas, graduation, barbecue, doesn't matter, but after 51 years, I figured that wasn't going to happen. Remember, I'm nosy by nature.
But my husband did it again. Kerry and our daughter took me out to dinner (our son was working). No surprises there---that's a tradition. Once we arrived at the restaurant, the waiter led us to a booth table marked reserved. The first thing that came to mind, "Why are we eating at a booth when the three of us can eat at a table." He kept saying, "Special guests are coming." I'm thinking, "Yeah right. They aren't here and I'm ready to eat." Kerry was busy texting. I figured it was some of his bowling buddies. Our dishes had just arrived when I saw my close friend walk through the door. My mind wondered, "Hey, what is she doing here?" Then I realized she was my special guest. I looked up again, and here comes another good friend. Well, now the party started. I had such a great time and these friends came on a few hours notice. That was a surprise!

With age comes weight. My daughter hipped (is that word out of commission?) me to a website that keeps track of calories intake. Okay, so I set up an account at http://caloriecount.about.com. Let me just say, once I punched in all my stats, my weight loss projection should be at pre-pregnancy status. Hmmm, I'll have to think about this one.
Check out my pictures for February at photos.patsimmons.net

Are you counting down the days until spring, yet?
Mud slides, record snow fall, add in the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and the avalanche in Afghanistan, you might wonder WHAT IS GOING ON? I'm not a meteorologist or an expert on the effects of green house gas, but I can point you in the right direction:
Luke 21:10 (New International Version)
Jesus said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."
In the midst of the storms, God wants us to find comfort in Him. If you haven't picked up your Bible lately, dust it off a try reading a scripture a day. Believe it , or not, God will give you peace.

*************************************************************************
Still Guilty Excerpt/Release March 25, 2010.

Here is the last excerpt for Still Guilty.
patsimmonsexcerpts.blogspot.com
Be one of the first 10 readers to post a review on Amazon and receive a free gift.

Book I: Guilty of Love--Parke and Cheney's story.
Book II: Not Guilty of Love--Malcolm and Hallison's story.
Book III: Still Guilty--Parke and Cheney and introducing Cheney's twin Rainey's story.
Book IV: Guilty By Association--Kevin "Kidd" Jamieson's story.
Book V: The Guilty Parties--Cheney's siblings: Rainey and Janae
Book VI: The Guilt Trip--Aaron "Ace" and Cameron Jamieson's stories.
Book VII: Free from Guilt--Grandma BB gets her act together--well, maybe.
Then it's time for Guilty: The Next Generation: Kami Jamieson and cohorts.
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ANNUAL RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION
Columbus, Ohio, April 28-May 2, 2010.
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Countdown to a book lover's delight: 400 authors and 1,000 readers meeting in the Midwest, and it's not too late to register.
Free prizes, give-a-ways (Sony e-readers for example), and lots of free books--bring an empty suitcase.
Plus, there will be nightly costume parties, plus I'm signing copies of all my books on Saturday, May 1st.
Visit www.rtconvention.com.
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Anything Inspirational
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For March, I've chosen a poem and a video, both about children.
Check out Cowboy Boots at anythinginspirational.blogspot.com
Next is a video on Youtube. Type in 10 year old Jared Sawyer preaches.
Enjoy both.

First African American Genealogy Conference in St. Louis.
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The highlights were seasoned speakers who not only tracked down their relatives, but learned more about their ancestors through letters, newspaper clips, and other search engines. I'm talking about the period between the mid-1850s to mid-1950s! Compared to these genealogy sleuths, I'm still a toddler, but I'm picking up the ball and running with it.
Here I am with the president of St. Louis Chapter of the African-American History and Genealogy Society, Charles Brown.
See more pictures at photos.patsimmons.net
Read my reflections on the conference at my blog: Talkgenealogy.blogspot.com
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February 2010

2010 motto: Just because you're not at the place where you want, doesn't mean you won't get there... by Pat Simmons.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Lamentations 3:22-23: It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.Translation: God's giving us new chances in 2010, and His blessings are ready and waiting.

February is an exciting month for me,
First, it's another year God has given me to become wiser (code word for older).
Second, it's Valentine's Day, and love cards are my inspiration for creating romance novels. Sometimes, while I'm at Walgreen's, I'll make a detour to the greeting cards section and pick out a few to read. It's like watching a Lifetime movie on paper. Well, maybe not.

Third, it's when our nation celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans during Black History Month, and if you're familiar with the Jamieson men in the Guilty series, they live for this stuff--family game night anyone?

I'm addicted to digging up the dirt on my ancestors---and yours too probably.
That's why I'm excited about attending an all day African-American Genealogy Workshop and Conference at Harris-Stowe University in St. Louis, on Saturday, February 20, 2010. The organizers expect up to 300 people from across the country to be there. If you're interested, visit www.stl-aahgs.com. Since I'm starting my research on Guilty by Association, there's no telling what I'll put in the book. One more note, Guilty of Love will be re-released in paperback for $6.99 at the end of the month. Great size for your purse.

This Saturday, February 6, 2010, from 11am-3-pm, joined me at the Penn Square Mall in OKC, OK, near Macy's. This is my first book event for 2010 and I'm excited. I'll have plenty of pictures for next month's newsletter.
Visit www.patsimmons.net


Monthly Book Excerpt

Book III: Still Guilty is due out in 60 days. Pre-order your copy now.
Here is the February excerpt: patsimmonsexcerpts.blogspot.com

Book I: Guilty of Love--Parke and Cheney's story.
Book II: Not Guilty of Love--Malcolm and Hallison's story.
Book III: Still Guilty--Parke and Cheney and introducing Cheney's twin Rainey's story.
Book IV: Guilty By Association--Kevin "Kidd" Jamieson's story.
Book V: The Guilty Parties--Cheney's siblings: Rainey and Janae
Book VI: The Guilt Trip--Aaron "Ace" and Cameron Jamieson's stories.
Book VII: Free from Guilt--Grandma BB gets her act together--well, maybe.
Then it's time for Guilty: The Next Generation: Kami Jamieson and cohorts.

ANNUAL RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION
Columbus, Ohio, April 28-May 2, 2010.
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It's a book lover's delight: 350 authors and 1,000 readers. It's not too late to register.
Free prizes, give-a-ways (Sony e-readers for example), and lots of free books--bring an empty suitcase.
Plus, there will be nightly costume parties.
I'm signing copies of all my books on Saturday, May 1st.
For more information about the RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION, visit www.rtconvention.com.

Anything Inspirational

Two great poems this month
Notes from Satan's town hall meeting and God's memo: anythinginspirational.blogspot.com

January 2010 Newsletter

Just because you're not at the place where you wanted to be in 2009, doesn't mean you won't get there by the end of 2010. By Pat Simmons

Welcome and Happy New Year!

Lamentations 3:22-23: It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.Translation:God's giving us new chances in 2010, and His blessings are ready and waiting.

A special thanks to every person who read copies of my books in 2009. Last year, I estimated that I attended more than 50 book events across country.
I am NOT trying to break that record in 2010. So far, my schedule is Columbus, OH; Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL; Baltimore, MD, and a few others, so please check my website regularly. Visit www.patsimmons.net

During down time in December, I sewed (had to adjust some seams), researched more ancestors and genealogy for the Guilty series, visit with family, and oh yeah, wrote about 90 pages of Crowning Glory--October 2011. Check out my pictures at photos.patsimmons.net.
I ended 2009, surviving a Zumba Fitness Workout class. I walked in on my own, but one hour later, I limped out.
As customary, I attended the New Year's Eve Watch Meeting service at my church to bring in the new year (Sermon: Matthew 25, the parable of the ten virgins and their oil).

Book II of the Guilty series: Still Guilty will be released by the end of March.


Because of many requests, the Guilty series has been expanded to seven books, but I can't seem to keep Grandma BB out of trouble.
Here is the list, according to the Lord's will and grace:
Book I: Guilty of Love/Parke and Cheney's story
Book II: Not Guilty of Love/Malcolm and Hallison's story
Book III: Still Guilty/Parke & Cheney, plus Rainey & Josephine's story.
Book IV: Guilty by Association/Kevin "Kidd" Jamieson's story
Book V: The Guilty Parties/Cheney's siblings: Rainey and Janae
Book VI: The Guilt Trip: Aaron and Cameron Jamieson's stories.
Book VII: Free from Guilt/Can everybody get saved, so I can end the series?
Kami Jamieson and her partners in crime will keep hope alive in Guilty: The Next Generation. I hope you will stay on board.

Monthly Book Excerpt

Book III: Still Guilty is due out in 90 days. Pre-order your copy now.
Here is the January excerpt: patsimmonsexcerpts.blogspot.com

ANNUAL RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION
Columbus, Ohio, April 28-May 2, 2010.

It's a book lover's delight: 350 authors and 1,000 readers.
Free prizes, give-a-ways (Sony e-readers for example), and lots of free books--bring an empty suitcase.
Plus, there will be nightly costume parties.
I'm signing copies of all my books on Saturday, May 1st.
For more information about the RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION, visit www.rtconvention.com.

Anything Inspirational

January's poem: Folded Napkins on anythinginspirational.blogspot.com
Two great videos on YOUTUBE:
Stroke Heros http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHzz2cXBlGk.
Back From the Dead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k77NAQ2qy0

December 2009 newsletter

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Mark 6:41
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven and blessed them. When God sends His blessings, it's always more than enough.



Greetings this holiday season!

November was an exciting month. First, I have a praise report. While attending a sister church in Chicago during one of my book events, I was blessed to have my nephew and his friend accompany me to service. The result was DeShawn Ellis repented, was baptized in Jesus name, and received the Holy Ghost with God's evidence. Please continue to keep him and all our young men in your prayers. The devil is out to destroy their lives, BUT God has other plans.

Also, this month, I was a guest on two blog radio shows:
www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-author-network on Black Books Motivational Monday and www.blogtalkradio.com/i-just-finished.

As I was preparing this newsletter, I thought about some hilarious situations, courtesy of my hairdresser. I've seen her create hair from a bird's nest (well, not exactly), but the girl is better than the inventor of Rogaine. Since I'm an advocate of the old adage, truth is stranger than fiction, I'm convinced Alicia and her husband, Henry, should have their own reality TV show. I can't wait to weave some of Alicia's unbelievable scenarios into tall tales with Grandma BB in the starring role. Hint: One involves Alicia mingling with the wrong family for more than an hour; the other was Henry telling her to sleep with her glasses on.

Second, I'm excited about my cousin's upcoming St. Louis visit. She's not here yet, but already my husband and I are playing a game of tug and war about who she's kin to. Darlene is a descendant of the Wades (my folks, which makes her blood), but she's married to a Simmons (Do you know how many Simmons there are in the world? Exactly). I'm taking her to a major tourist attraction--not the gateway Arch--the actual neighborhood in Old Ferguson where my fictional characters: Parke, Cheney, and Grandma BB live. Darlene can't wait.

I've updated my website with the Christmas music. Visit http://www.patsimmons.net/and enjoy while you work.

I've been invited to write an article for fellow author Rhonda McKnight's blog entitled "What I'm Grateful for This Christmas." She will post my article between December 6-22 (after I finish writing--okay I have to start it first, but my characters are talking to me again--Karyn Wallace and Levi Tolliver in Crowning Glory are going out on their first date and EVERYTHING has to be right).
http://www.rhondamcknight.com/and click on her blog.

As always, check out pictures from my November events at photos.patsimmons.net

Until 2010, be kind to a stranger, hug someone's mother, and bless those who bless you.

If you've enjoyed Not Guilty of Love, why not give a copy to a friend?
Get an autograph copy of my book(s), Guilty of Love, Not Guilty of Love, Talk to Me, for $20, which includes shipping.
Guaranteed Christmas delivery if I receive your order by December 18, 2009.
Money orders, PayPal, and credit/debit cards are accepted. Email me for more details.


Here's your first sneak at Book III: Still Guilty, coming the end of March 2010.
No cheating. If you haven't read Not Guilty of Love--STOP! Do not click on the following link: patsimmonsexcerpts.blogspot.com

December's inspirational poem is about Counting Our Blessings: anythinginspirational.blogspot.com


The annual RT BOOKLOVERS Convention is taking place in Columbus, OH, April 28-May 1, 2009. Don't miss it. With me are authors Kimberly Kaye Terry and Brenda Jackson.
For more info, visit www.rtconvention.com.

If you've enjoyed this newsletter, then please forward it to a friend.
Subscribe to the Author Pat Simmons mailing list.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Mark 6:41
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven and blessed them. When God sends His blessings, it's always more than enough.


Hello all and happy November,

#1. I have exciting news...
My eldest child, Jared also called "the boy" by my husband despite him turning 25 years old last week, has an apartment! Hallelujah.
The day we received "the call", I cleared my schedule, so that we could help him move that day. That was last week. Ah, he's still at home, but not for long. We should have all his stuff moved out by Friday. Until then, I guess we can hang in there a few more days.
I may tap dance throughout the house. We'll have a guest room again; we don't have to feed him...Free at last!
Wait a minute. Jared will be only fifteen minutes away.

#2 Exciting news...
Not Guilty of Love, released in September (two months ago), has gone into its second printing. What a blessing!
This means you are really supporting me at the bookstores and online. Don't stop, please. It's not too early to pick up extra copies for gifts.
If you've enjoyed Not Guilty of Love, please post your review on Amazon.
Check out pictures from my October events.


Many of you have read Not Guilty of Love in two days and are waiting impatiently for Book III: Still Guilty at the end of March 2010.
As soon as I receive my final rewrites from Urban Christian, I’ll begin to post excerpts. You can read them at my blog or wait until my monthly newsletters:patsimmonsexcerpts.blogspot.com


#3 Exciting news...
Rhonda McKnight has been in the wings for almost two years, waiting for the release of her debut Christian novel Secret and Lies. In the interim, she has been a blessing to EVERY Christian fiction author with her blog and website promotions and interviews. She has shared the latest industry news with us, and she has been our biggest cheerleader. Many of you have emailed me, asking for a recommendation.
Here it is, Secret and Lies will be released just in time for Thanksgiving. Pick up a copy and bless her because she has blessed me. Visit Rhonda at www.rhondamcknight.net.


St. Louis area friends,
If your company hosts vendor days for their employees to purchase items for the holidays, I would love to participate and sign copies of my books. Please email me with a contact name and number at patLsimmons@yahoo.com.

This video was in the news last month...praying bandit. If the link doesn't work, go to youtube.com and type in praying robber.
I'm really interested in reading your thoughts. Post your comments on my blog: anythinginspirational.blogspot.com.
While you're there, you've got to read the poem of the month, "Your Day in Court."

This note is from fellow author Denise Jeffries in Virginia:
"I heard on the radio this morning that a 10 year old in WV is asking for a little gift. She is dying of cancer and when asked what would she wish for, she said, she would like to receive 1000 get well cards. Her is her info. Please forward to all you know and please send a card or two. Lets show her just how special she is."
Danielle Bartley
260 Country Club Rd.
Richwood, West Va 26261

I love and appreciate all of you.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

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November Newsletter

Happy October everybody,

Some of you have been reading my newsletters for almost two years. Others have been on board for a few months. I've shared blessings in my life, funny moments, or heart-wrenching events (such as my grandma's dying months or my son's horrific car accident last year). Despite the remnants of the crash scene, he has recovered and is wearing God's tattoo on his arm to prove he survived.
A while back, I remember saying, "Lord, I want to see a miracle." When I reflected on my request, I thought uh oh. Basically, I asked God for a testimony that is the result of a test or a miracle: a healing, a blessing, or saving our lives. Since we are big mouthed people by nature, we've got to tell somebody about something that happened. Hint.
Here's what I've got to tell:

Three important reminders:
Not Guilty of Love is now available through Black Expressions Bookclub.
Their books come in hard copy editions.

Have you posted your review of Not Guilty of Love on Amazon yet? It only takes a few minutes. A big thank you! On Saturday (today), Not Guilty of Love was #100 on Amazon's popular Christian fiction list.


Selected (key word "select")Barnes & Noble stores across the country are featuring Not Guilty of Love on encaps. This is for a limited time until November 5th. This is an honor, so I am most thankful and blessed.

Remember, the first three months are crucial for authors' sales. One month down, two more to go.
September was a busy month. I wrapped up 17 events last month, some with author Lisa Watson with her debut novel Watch Your Back. To see pictures visit photos.patsimmons.net.
**My website is constantly updated with new book events, so check back often. www.patsimmons.net

I'm giving away customized notebooks for a October contest. Choose your choice of any cover in the Guilty series or Talk to Me. Valued at $10.00, free to the first 10 readers who answer this question: What surprised Hali?
The answer is found on page 212.
E-mail me at patLsimmons@yahoo.com








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