Season’s Readings From Harper Collins Means $1.99 SALE!

Season’s Readings, friends. 

I’m so excited to let you know that Yuletide Cold Case Cover-Up is part of Harper Collins’ new Seasons Readings promo. What does that mean? 

It means the book is on SALE for $1.99 from October 1-November 1. So grab it at this amazing sale price and please share the love with friends and family. If you already own a copy, it makes a great gift. Just send it to someone who hasn’t read it! If you don’t like to read books set around the holidays, just pop it on that TBR pile and get to reading in the holiday season months.

Back Cover Copy:

When her sister’s remains are found just before Christmas, cold case agent Poppy Holliday is determined to solve the years-old murder—even if it turns the killer’s sights on her. But her investigation with her straitlaced partner, Rhett Wallace, is stirring up the town’s old memories—and bitter grudges. And this killer will do anything to keep secrets buried…

Link to choose your favorite retailer.

Do you like reading books set around holidays?

 

Do the Ways of Jeroboam Matter? Spoiler Alert: Yes!

Welcome, friend, to Forward Friday, A Patch of Hope. Feel free to forward this email to a friend that might enjoy occasional Friday devotionals. 

If you’re reading your Bible chronologically, like I am, then you’ve recently entered the Divided Kingdom era. It gets wild, let me tell ya! 

Jeroboam has become king of the Northern kingdom, Israel, consisting of 10 tribes. And Rehoboam, Solomon’s son holds the Southern Kingdom, Judah, with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

The split in kingdoms doesn’t exempt the Northern kingdom from the convent and Jeroboam begins to think (1 Kings 12:26-27): “Jeroboam thought to himself, “Unless I am careful, the kingdom will return to the dynasty of David. When these people go to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple of the Lord, they will again give their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah. They will kill me and make him their king instead.”

But is this true? The thought is pretty standard human thinking. How will this affect ME? But are his thoughts TRUE? 

No.

Why?

Back up the bus to when God sent the prophet to Jeroboam to tell him he would be king.

1 Kings 11:28-38 (I’m only including verse 37-38 but you can read it all for yourself)

37 And I will place you on the throne of Israel, and you will rule over all that your heart desires. 38 If you listen to what I tell you and follow my ways and do whatever I consider to be right, and if you obey my decrees and commands, as my servant David did, then I will always be with you. I will establish an enduring dynasty for you as I did for David, and I will give Israel to you.

God told him he would be with him and establish him. IF (conditional promise) he would follow him. So had he consulted God and obeyed, God would have worked out the assumed problem from Jeroboam. We are often like this. Thinking God can’t handle the situation and so we have to figure it out ourselves. And that never goes well, does it?

The ways of Jeroboam matter because every single king of the north followed in them. And we too follow in them if we aren’t careful. What are the ways?

 

SELF.

Jeroboam appealed to his SELF. What is in it for me? What do I want? His issue wasn’t that he built shrines for pagan gods; not it wasn’t idol worship. 

It was a heart condition. A kingdom devised by what was in his own selfish heart.

Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Can we trust our hearts? Should we follow our hearts? What else does the Bible say about our hearts?

  • Jeremiah 17: 9-10 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

No. We can’t trust our own hearts. What about our own understanding?

  • Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Jeroboam relied on his SELF and not God. So one of the ways we follow in the way of Jeroboam is when we divide plans according to our own heart’s selfish desires and rely on our own limited understanding without consulting God.

The Second Way of Jeroboam is the Way of Convenience.

Jeroboam appealed to convenience. And let’s be honest, any time we can take the easy way, that’s the way we’re going to choose.

He said to the people, “It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. Look, Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!” 29 He placed these calf idols in Bethel and in Dan—at either end of his kingdom. 30 But this became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols, traveling as far north as Dan to worship the one there.”

Yeah, it has been a hard week and do we really want to travel all that way for just a few hours? It’s not very convenient so let’s go with the easier way. 

But was the easy way God’s way?

No.

God set the times of festivals, the prescribed way to worship, the priest who could minister (levites) and the place of worship. But Jeroboam instituted new festivals, new places of worship, golden calves and new priests from any ole average Joe.

Charles Spurgeon said, ““Men are willing to worship God if they are allowed to have a ritual and symbols which they have themselves devised.”

In other words, I will worship God if he meets my lifestyle (sinful habits)  but not if I have to change my lifestyle to meet his holy standards. That’s not convenient for ME.

The levitical priests and godly people then left the Northern kingdom when Jeroboam rejected God’s ways and commands. And the northern kingdom became a free-for-all. The word was no longer taught. And they did evil in the sight of the Lord.

When it comes to self and convenience over living out God’s truth in every aspect of the Word, we are following the ways of Jeroboam. Many false teachers who claim to be Christians say you can have God YOUR way. You can come without any change. Basically, just be a good humanitarian. 

But they’re wrong. Don’t fall into these traps, lies. 

Separate yourself from false teaching like the godly people and priests did.

2 Peter 2:1-3  “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.”

Acts 20:28-30 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood[a]—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.[b] 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.”

 1 Timothy 4:1-3 “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.”

 Jude 2-4 “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. 4 I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Read your Bible for yourself. Learn to rightly divide the word and know what is lies. Follow Jesus. Look to Him. 

2023 Chronological Bible Study!

Hey friend!

Have you ever read your Bible chronologically? I’ve been reading this way for some time and I love it. I’ll be starting a 2023 bible study through a Facebook group. We’ll be reading the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible.

If it’s not in your budget, there’s a reading plan you can download from the Facebook group. I’ll be teaching through a live video in the group at 9am Wednesdays CST, but you can always watch the replay if you’re working.

A discussion chat will be available with daily questions so you can talk with other women. 

A prayer chat is always open.

And I’ll be opening up a FB live room (like Zoom) in the group during lunch hour for live face-to-face prayer. 

We’ll be tracing the thread of suffering through the Bible and looking at what God says about suffering? What does the world say about suffering? And looking at suffering through the stories in the Bible as well as learning the 14 eras and the stories that connect and make God’s story! If you’ve never really understood the Bible or how it all fits, reading it this way is awesome! 

Feel free to invite your friends. There is no cap on the count! I’d love to have you.

Here is the Facebook link below to join the group. Check out the pinned featured posts, watch my welcome video and introduce yourself on the Welcome thread!

LINK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/683148899818858

Hope to see you there. Let’s be women who know the word of God and can rightly divide. Bible literacy MATTERS!

Warmly,

Jess

 

Question: Have you ever read the Bible Chronologically? Let me know in the comments!

A Dark Secret and a Big Giveaway!

Her Darkest Secret by author Jessica R. Patch

Hey friends! Today is a huge, wild day for me. My FIRST TRADE NOVEL releases into the world. Yes, I’ve written many novels for Love Inspired suspense, but those are category length. This book is a longer more complex book and a psychological thriller. It’s been a dream come true and a percolating story idea for over a decade, so I’m beyond excited to see it published.

I guess I should thank my late grandma for inspiring me. She used to tell me nursery rhymes before bed. The last one she’d tell was Wee Willie Winkie. And you better believes that bad boy makes into the book! 

I do hope you’ll celebrate today with me. If you’ve read the book, please leave a review! If you haven’t read it yet, you can purchase it at any online retailer in eBook, paperback or audio. And you can nab it at any brick-and-mortar bookstore like Barnes &Noble, Books-A-Million, and even at your local Walmart! 

A cool thing was I got to choose which narrator I wanted for the audio version. They were all great so it was hard to choose, but in the end I went with Lisa Flanagan. 

If you have a bookclub, this would make a great bookclub read and I have Bookclub Extras including discussion questions under by BookClub tab on my website. Contact me and I’d love to Zoom in with y’all or if you’re local, drop in and chat. 

Facebook Live Launch Party:

I’ll be hosting a Facebook LIVE party on my Author page June 28th from 11 a.m.-6 pm CST. If you have any questions, please email me and I’ll answer them live. Also I have several author friends coming by to share what they thought about the book and to give away a copy of one of their own books! Join: Christy Barritt, Lynn Blackburn, Patricia Bradley, Elizabeth Goddard, Nancy Mehl, Lisa Phillips, Terri Reed, Natalie Walters & Jaime Jo Wright!

I’ll also be on the Harlequin FB LIVE party! June 28 @11 am CST.

 

Book Signing and Local In-Person Celebration Event:

I’ll be in-person signing books at Coffee Central Squared on Saturday, July 2, 2002 from 1-3 pm CST. Come with friends, grab a coffee and tasty treat from Coffee Central, buy a book and I’ll sign it for you and take photos with friends at the photo booth. I’ll be providing the same props you read (or will read) about at Ty’s birthday party. Thank fun mustaches and Her Darkest Secret! 

Coffee Central Squared is located at: 39 W Commerce St, Hernando, MS 38632

Can’t wait to see you. Come and go and enter for a chance to win a sweet grand prize which includes: $25 Coffee Central gift card, whodunit brain games book, Ground for Murder jigsaw puzzle, a Scentsy vanilla gift, and dark chocolates! 

Another Giveaway! 

I’m also giving away a Dark Secret Prize Package:

That’s right, I’m giving away the Murder Mystery coloring book with colored pencils, a murder shows and comfy clothes mug, and a I’m just here to establish and alibi tote to won lucky winner. Enter below for a chance to win. U.S. only. 18+ Winner will be randomly selected through rafflecopter July 15 and notified by email. Winner has 24 hours to respond to the email or they are forfeited and a new winner will be randomly selected. 

Purchase Her Darkest Secret

 

Okay, now to the giveaway! Enter below for a chance to win. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Early Release Day to Her Darkest Secret & a Giveaway!

Today is a super special day for me. It’s the exclusive Walmart launch of what I call my debut trade length psychological thriller, Her Darkest Secret. Yes, I’ve written nearly 20 category length romantic suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, but this an extended length book where I can write more complex characters and a grittier story. It’s a dream come true. One I’ve been waiting on since 2008! 

 

Her Darkest Secret will officially launch on June 28th in eBook, paperback, and audio on June 28th in all bookstores, Walmart, and online retailers. But to celebrate the exclusive launch, I’m giving away some goodies. First, let me tell you a little about the book:

When a cold-case serial killer returns, FBI special agent Fiona Kelly has one last chance to stop him before he claims the prize he’s always wanted—her.

The sight of a goose feather at a murder scene modeled after a children’s poem is enough to make FBI special agent Fiona Kelly’s blood turn to ice. Almost two decades ago, a feather was left with her sister’s body—and with every subsequent victim of the Nursery Rhyme Killer. Now he’s back. Only this time, his latest gruesome murder is a message to the only one who ever got away: Fiona.

Finding “Rhyme” is an obsession that’s fueled Fiona’s career—and destroyed her marriage to fellow FBI agent Asa Kodiak. Now Fiona and Asa have to put their past tensions aside and work together one last time. But Rhyme is watching, and catching this killer may force Fiona to reveal her biggest, darkest secret…the one only he knows.

Fun Facts and Book Club Page:

I’m super excited to share some fun facts, the Pinterest Board with my characters and items and places in the story, and discussion questions if you are in a book club…which by the way I’m happy to Zoom with your book club group or if you’re local, and I can swing it, come in person! Here is the link to Her Darkest Secret Book Page.

This story is a psychological thriller with some romance of course! But mostly it’s a story of how darkness touches our lives and attempts to eat it away to destruction, but if we will bend to the light of Jesus, we can shine. We can overcome and what happened doesn’t have to be in vain. We can use that tragedy, pain, heartbreak, terror for good. 

Her Darkest Secret by author Jessica R. Patch

 

 

Now on to the giveaway. U.S. only residents 18+ The winner will be randomly drawn and notified via email on April 2nd. Winner has 24 hours to respond upon email to qualify. 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I hope you can find the book at your local Walmart and if not, you can order it from Walmart. 

Warmly,

Jess

 

New Quiz: Which Flower Best Fits Your Personality?

Hey y’all!

Welcome back to a new monthly quiz and this one correlates with the devotion in the August installment of Patched In. If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter, you can go to the HOME page, scroll to the bottom and there’s a place to enter your email and sign up. No worries, I never give our your email address. When you sign up, you’ll receive a monthly newsletter “Patched In” which features a new quiz, book news, deal alerts, upcoming exclusive info, a Patch of Hope which includes a devotion, worship song video, a prayer, and Scripture verse to reflect on. I also share book recommendations and other fun stuff. I think you’d like it. 🙂 

My next newsletter goes out August 10th, so if you’re here before then, be sure to sign up!

I’m also doing a month long giveaway to celebrate my upcoming release, Cold Case Double Cross. 

You can enter for a chance to win here: GIVEAWAY !

And now for the Quiz! Yay! Comment below and tell me which flower best represents your personality: The Marigold, the Night-blooming jasmine, or the African violet. Also, be sure to share your results so your friends on social media can participate too!

Warmly, 

Jess

 

 

Win TWO Books! Let’s Celebrate!

Hey everyone! I’m super excited that Cold Case Double Cross will release on August 24th in digital, mass market print, large print, and TRUE LARGE print (which is huge font)! To celebrate the upcoming release I’m giving away a fun Cold Case Prize Package which includes the following:

 

Also, you can preorder Cold Case Double Cross to make sure you don’t forget at the end of the month. This is a fast-paced whodunit but it also deals with a woman who struggles to trust men in her life and God. If you’ve ever been looked over, forgotten, betrayed–then this book will be some salve to your sore heart. My hero Cash is dealing with a learning disability and is hiding it because of the shame he feels over how he’s been treated in the past in regards to it. God is our Healer and while the characters are fictional, the hope, IS REAL. 

PREORDER COLD CASE DOUBLE CROSS

 

 

Enter for a chance to win the prize package below. U.S. 18+ Only. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Which Hero-Type is Your Perfect Match?

Hey gang!

I’ve got a new quiz for you and it’s a lot of fun! Leave me a comment and tell me which hero type is your perfect match: The Alpha Male, The Classic Hero, The Bad Boy, or the Silent but Strong Hero? 

Leave me a comment and tell me who your perfect match is!

 

 

 

Well, Guess What?

If you’re getting this blog post in your inbox it’s because a million years ago you signed up for my blogs to come straight to your inbox. Cool. I know. BUT the site that brings this lovely blog into your inbox is switching over, so I thought I’d pop in and let you know the best way to get book news or devotions (which is likely why you followed me on my blog way back when, is to sign up for my Newsletter Patched In!

Each month I send an email that is packed with book news, sales, exclusive material as well as book recommendations, thrills and chills for true crime lovers and all things forensic, a fun quiz–new each month, and of course a devotion with Scripture and a prayer to encourage you. So if you have a wee second just scroll to the bottom of my website where it says Get Patched In Newsletter sign up, enter your email and voila! Done deal. You won’t miss out on a single thing. I know you were sweating it. 😉 

Thanks so much! I appreciate you being with me all these years and supporting my writing. It means so much to me. And hey, if you’re just browsing my website and have read this blog post, feel free to sign up too! The more of us together, the merrier. 🙂 

Warmly,

Jess

Which Novel Detective Are YOU? Take the Quiz!

 Hey friend!

I’ve designed a fun quiz you can take and share your results on social media! Which novel detective are you? 

I’ll be bringing you a brand new quiz each month! If you haven’t signed up for my monthly newsletter, Patched In, you can do that now! It hits inboxes the FIRST MONDAY of the MONTH! I make sure and post the monthly quiz link there, that way you won’t miss it.

So until next month, enjoy and let me know in the comments which detective you are!