The Fireman's Perfect Match

by Patty H Scott

  I ran for the joy of it in high school. In college I was recruited onto the cross-country team. Mindy’s love of running reflects the joy and release I found in running for many years.

  I do love blueberry tea. A local coffee shop here in our hometown has an organic blueberry tea that I love to drink while I sit writing, reading, or chatting with a friend at a table on their patio.

  One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 23. I studied it deeply for one whole year. I know it’s a familiar part of scripture, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be significant and transformative. The message of that Psalm, and the depth of comfort it can bring feel personal to me. I loved weaving it into something that gave Mindy comfort too.

  My dear friend, Coby Wright, gave me a ton of insight into the life of a firefighter. He and I talked, and I gleaned a lot of knowledge from him about the difference between wildland firefighting and urban work. He’s actually a lot like Caleb in some ways. He’s all in and has a heart of gold. Caleb wasn’t fashioned after Coby, as my characters come to me of their own accord. I’m quite sure if Caleb were real, he and Coby would enjoy hanging out though.

  Keeping in Touch

  I love hearing from readers. If you want to connect, email me at admin@pattyhscott.com. And if you would like my weekly email to readers, which includes my weekly recommendations for sweet, clean books and advance notices on sales and releases, you can sign up here: https://pattyhscott.com/romance-reader-email/ You can also follow me on Amazon.

  All the Thanks

  To Kiki (Kirsten Oliphant), Chautona Havig, and Samuel Schey. You three have the eyes of eagles, and hearts of gold. I almost feel teary when I think of how blessed I am to have such discerning people look over my work while it’s still a far cry from finished. You make me a better writer. Each of you brings something different to my process and I am forever indebted to each of you for your generous gifts of time and honest feedback. Kiki, the hours you pour into my writing, my heart, and our friendship would flood a tally sheet. I only hope I’m blessing you back with some measure that matters to you. I thank God for you regularly.

  To my launch team. Y’all are amazing! Thank you for reading—for cheering me on—for sharing my books with others. I pray for each of you and thank God that He has brought a team of supportive advanced readers whom I trust and enjoy as much as I do you. (Love my books? Want to read them for free? I’d love to have you join my launch team Sign up at https://pattyhscott.com/launchteam/)

  To my family: Jon, Jordan, and Paul. You let me write and write. You celebrate my successes. You believe in me. I know you give up parts of life to make this dream possible and I hope I make it worth your while. You each are precious to me.

  To Jessica, my sister-friend. Thank you for praying over me and supporting me and jumping up and down like only you can do when something exciting happens in my writing life. Jesus loves you most. Thanks for teaching me what it’s like to be His favorite. I’ll never be able to thank Him enough for you.

  Also, I want to thank XGraphix for the cover work—taking my ideas and photos I dig up and turning them into something professional every time. Thanks to Judy’s Proofreading for getting the bugs out before we go to print.

  Most of all, thanks to my readers. Without you, I wouldn’t have anyone to tell these stories to. I hope I continue to live up to what you hope for in an author.