Book Review: Concealed Identity by Jessica R. Patch + Interview + Giveaway!

Happy Release Day!

Title:  Concealed Identity
Author: Jessica R. Patch

Publisher:  Love Inspired Suspense

Release Date:  January 3, 2016
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction / Suspense

DEEP-COVER ASSIGNMENT 

After Holt McKnight's criminal informant disappears, the DEA agent must go undercover to get close to the missing man's sister, who may know more than she's letting on. But when Blair Sullivan's attacked, it's up to him to protect her—without blowing his cover. Blair isn't sure she can trust her new neighbor, Holt. After all, the last charming and handsome man she fell for was her late husband, and he turned out to be the brother of a ruthless drug lord. Yet when it's clear the target on her back is somehow linked to her past, she has no choice but to accept Holt's protection. Even if getting close is the last thing her scarred heart can handle.

"Choosing was better than doing nothing." (208) 

So choose Concealed Identity by Jessica R. Patch. Yep! With a car chase, topped with gunshots and people not who they seem, this is one suspenseful ride packed into a story that you won't forget easily. Our hero, Holt is one yummy character, always to the rescue, but our main protagonist, Blair is not someone to take lightly either. Having been lied to in the past, and blinded by sweet words and outer appearances, Blair now makes a point to be cautious and stay under the radar. She needs to protect herself and her family, but will trouble find her? I'd tell you, Blair is one tough cookie and her interactions with Holt makes for some interesting dynamics. As they begin to fall for each other, will each of their secrets halt all their sizzle before it flair?

Not only with romance and suspense, Concealed Identity  cannot conceal how well it shines with themes of trust and hope. You will not be disappointed. I sure wasn't!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.

TO PURCHASE A COPY

   

Jessica R. Patch lives in the mid-south where she pens inspirational contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. Readers will identify with characters that are flawed but redeemable. 

Jessica grew up in southern Illinois. She attended Central Bible College where she met her husband, an ordained minister with Destiny Ministries. She's served as a Biblical Studies teacher, Women’s Ministry leader, Regional Women’s Representative,  co-pastor with her husband of the Young Adult Ministry as well as taught workshop and spoken to Women’s groups. Currently, she teaches the new & growing believers class with curriculum she wrote. She is a member of the ACFW, and Byhalia Christian Writers Group, a chapter of American Christian Writers. 

When she’s not hunched over her laptop or going on adventurous trips in the name of research with willing friends, you can find her sneaking off to movies with her husband, watching way too much Netflix with her daughter, dominating her son at board games, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she'll probably never cook. She's the author of the Seasons of Hope series, Fatal Reunion, and Protective Duty. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.

CONNECT WITH JESSICA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Now, you've read something about the book, my review, and about Jesse. 

So let's hear a little more from her in the following interview. 

Annie:  Hi! Thanks for dropping in on Just Commonly! Is it Jessica, Jess, Jessie? 

Jesse:  Thank you, Annie! It's great to be here. I actually go by all three but I spell it Jesse like a man. lol 

Annie:  LOL. Jesse it is! Happy Book Birthday! I'm a fan of Concealed Identity after reading it. I couldn't put it down until I finished it.

Jesse: Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :) 

Annie: So for my readers that yet to have the pleasure of reading your book, can you give us your 30 seconds spiel on it? 

Jesse: Concealed Identity is about an undercover DEA agent who is trying to find out what happened to his missing colleague and criminal informant--who happens to be the brother of my heroine. His job is to get close to her, but she has trust issues since her late husband turned out to be the brother of a drug lord. It's also about the beauty of God resurrecting dead dreams and hopes. 

Annie: How was Concealed Identity developed? Personal experience or purely fiction? 

Jesse: I'm sure there's some real life influence in every book I write, but this was developed from the TV show STORAGE WARS. I had to ask what would happen to someone who bid on one of those units and discovered something inside. Something that was worth being killed over. 

Annie:  From Storage Wars?! I've always thought that would be interesting to find something unexpected in those storage units, but something worth killing for?! Great job! 

So, what does a horse have to do with concealed identity? I know why based on the story, but was it difficult to choose this cover versus a person on a cover, which is more typical of Love Inspired books? (I think it's awesome, since there's no identity to be at play on the cover.) 

Jesse: I wondered that same thing! Hahahaha. I know some LIS books have people on them, but my editor always tells me to pick 3 outdoor scenes. I fill out an online form that's several pages and I get to send her some images to help the cover designers. I did send in a barn but no horses. But hey, it's a stable so horses are there, right? I think the design team does a great job and I've always been pleased with what they send me. But yeah...there's no real interaction with horses in this book. :)

Annie:  O, cool. I didn't know that's what authors do for cover ideas! Thanks for sharing!

Ever had those dreams of being a part of those James Bond or fighting crime action stories we read and see on TV/Movies? Were you a villain or the hero or the damsel in distress? 

Jesse: YES! James Bond movies, mostly the old ones with Sean Connery or Roger Moore, are my faves. Usually I'm a female spy in my day dreams. I don't mind being in distress, but I like to be able to hold my own and help out my male counterpart. I'm never the villain but I LOVE to write them. I especially loved writing about Hector in this book. He was complex and warped. Ha!

Annie:  O yes!! Sean Connery was great as James Bond. Roger Moore, classic too! Female spy. Nice! I'd bet you can handle your own with Hector. Readers, he's quite the character in Concealed Identity!

Since you write suspense, ever thought of ways to conceal your identity if you were our main character in the book? Want to share some? 

Jesse: You know, I haven't! Maybe I should. ;)

Annie: Really? I think you should! Use it as research in your next suspense! ;)  

Is suspense your favorite genre to write? What other genres do you write or hope to dive into? 

Jesse: Anything with romance is my favorite. I also write contemporary romance/romantic comedy. I have four small-town series novellas out and one more coming out in a collection in March. I adore writing both. I guess my favorite is what I'm writing at the time. 

Annie: O, I'll need to look those up now! 

I really enjoyed your personal note at the back of Concealed Identity about faith and time to trust Jesus. What other themes can we expect in your other books? 

Jesse: My "tagline" if you will is Experience Hope. You'll find hope in every book I write because with God there truly is hope for everyone. No matter who you are, what you've done, or how much you've made a mess of your life. There is always hope for a fresh start. Hope to forgive, to be forgiven, hope in God's promises. So. Much. Hope! Did I mention hope? 

Annie:  Hope it is, then! ;) What's next in the works? 

Jesse: 2017 is a busy year for me in a good way. Unleashing Love, a romantic comedy, comes out in a 9-novella collection in March, Final Verdict (Beckett Marsh's story from Concealed Identity) comes out in April, a devotional from Guideposts (Everyday with Jesus) also comes out in April, and the first book (Deep Waters) in a new series with Love Inspired Suspense called The Security Specialists comes out in July. I'm currently working on the plot to the 2nd book, Dark Web. Phew! 

Annie:  WOW!! That is some year! And did you say there's a story for Beckett?!  I might need to hound you for an early glimpse! ;) 

To end, how about a little something about you that not many people know? Something quirky? 

Jesse: Well, there's the time I crashed into a cop car. I'll never forget it. I shattered his window all over his lap so he couldn't even get out of his cruiser. Another cop pulled up and asked me if I was okay. I was. I asked if the cop in the car I hit was hurt. He said, "Oh, just his ego." My pastor drove by and did a double-take. And once I climbed on the fridge to clean and couldn't get down because I'm scared of open heights. Thankfully, I had my phone on me and called my husband. He left work and came home and got me down. I know right? He's a keeper. Thanks so much for having me, Annie! It's been fun!

Annie:  A double wow! I feel like I know you and remind me to watch the road when you're driving. *double wink. (Just kidding!) Thanks for sharing and dropping by! 

And now, the GIVEAWAY!! Many thanks to the author of Concealed Identity, Jessica R. Patch for this giveaway's prize, one print copy of Concealed Identity.  

Enter away! 

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Due to shipping costs, only US mailing addresses are considered. 

                                                                                                                                                                      

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