Author Spotlight - Patricia Sargeant

PATRICIA'S FAVORITES THINGS

Favorite Food: I love seafood: grilled, baked, fried, sushi. Ha! Just hand me the fork. Or the spoon. I love lobster bisque and fish broth.

Favorite Movie: For today, I’ll say Black Panther with Chadwick Bosman. That movie had everything: romantic love, familial love, platonic love, patriotic love. Redemption, suspense, tension, action, twists. Enemies become allies. Allies become enemies. Even comedic moments. It had everything. It’s a great script to diagram as a plotting exercise.

Favorite TV Show: For today, I’ll say Cross. It’s a crime-fiction series starring Aldis Hodge and Isiah Mustafa. It’s inspired by James Patterson’s Alex Cross series but the scripts are original plots. Aldis Hodge is the executive producer. He also stars in it. With Isiah Mustafa. Have I mentioned that? Enough said.

Favorite Author: So many. So many. Beverly Jenkins inspires me. She writes in a variety of romance subgenres—historical, contemporary, suspense—and consistently delivers high-quality books: strong writing voice, three-dimensional characters, gripping plots, fun dialogue, tangible sensual tension.

Favorite Song: For today, I’ll say “In the Middle” by Isaac Carree. When you’re going through some stuff, those lyrics are like tying a knot at the end of the rope and holding on.

Favorite Book: I have several “all-time favorite books.” If I have to pick just one, for today, I’ll say Night Song by Beverly Jenkins. I love her books but Night Song stands out to me in part because, like many of her books, the story becomes an epic. The plot unfolds and grows in multiple directions. It’s inspiring.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Describe a typical day for Patrica Sargeant.

Oh, my word. A “typical day” for Patricia Sargeant is often mind-numbingly boring. I hope you’re able to stay awake as you read the answer to your first question. Ha!

On a typical day, I retreat to my home office around 8 am and work until about 5 pm. After dinner, my husband and I exercise, then spend the evening together. Often in the evenings, we both still have work to do. For me, it’s writing, marketing, business planning. That sort of stuff. Even if we’re working, I love spending evenings with my husband, though. He’s fun, funny and interesting. His company makes those business tasks less painful.

What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

I most enjoy the world building. That’s one of the reasons I really love writing crime fiction, whether it’s romantic suspense or cozy mysteries. I love creating characters I can connect with and put them in worlds in which ordinary people can get the W, the win. They don’t need special skills or weapons. They just need a desire for justice and survival. The good guys can win and make their own happily ever after. I find so much pleasure in that.

What, to you, is the most difficult part of the writing process?

It’s challenging translating my vision onto the blank page. Did I put enough emotion in that scene? Have I rushed through that dialogue? Have I explained that plot twist well enough to make it believable? Those kinds of questions nag at me.

You write in several genres - romantic suspense, cozy mysteries, and contemporary romance. Which is your absolute preference and why?

Ha! I’m going to cheat on my answer. I absolutely love writing crime fiction, which would be both romantic suspense and cozy mysteries. Even my cozy mysteries include romance although a much slower pace. I love the puzzles in crime fiction and the quest for justice.

You write using the name Patricia Sargeant, but you have also written as Olivia Matthews and Regina Hart. What does each pseudonym represent?

Thank you for asking that.

Patricia Sargeant is romantic suspense. Yes, I’ve written several contemporary romances as Patricia Sargeant, my Brooklyn Monarchs basketball romance series, Sweet Deception, Heated Rivalry, Campaign for Her Heart. But after my final Monarchs book is released, Patricia Sargeant will be rebranded as only romantic suspense.

Regina Hart is contemporary romance and I’ll have a few more coming out.

I introduced Olivia Matthews when I started writing mysteries. My editor at the time said mystery readers will not read mysteries written by anyone connected to the romance genre. Yes, I thought that was hurtful. I still do. But I wanted to succeed in the mystery genre so I took her advice to use a pseudonym.

Are you ready to have your mind blown even more? I’m going to take a fourth pseudonym when I release my paranormal series.

Are you still there or have you completely given up on me? Just checking.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?

I have several hobbies although I don’t have as much time for them as I used to. I love to crochet. I’ve recently started crocheting bookmarks and book sleeves, which is super fun. I also love jogging and hiking with my husband. I used to participate in distance runs, 5Ks, 10Ks. I completed a marathon once. Don’t look at me so skeptically. I have the photos to prove it. I don’t jog nearly as much as I used to but I’m getting back into it.

What is the best book you have read in 2025?

I don’t read as many fun books as I used to. Lately, I’ve been reading mostly for research. But I loved Jennifer J. Chow’s Star-Crossed Egg Tarts, book two in her Magical Fortune Cookie Mysteries. And I had the honor of reading an advance copy of Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier’s The Bush Tea Murder. So good! Mark your calendars for April 2026 and get your copy. You can thank me later. Mardi Gras Murder, book 4 in the Cajun Country Mystery cozy mystery series by Ellen Byron was released in 2021 but I didn’t read it until 2025. (Don’t tell Ellen.) It changed my life.

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Tell us a bit about BEHIND THE BADGE and the series in general.

Ha! You thought I was long-winded before, get a load of this. Sit back and make yourself comfortable.

BEHIND THE BADGE is the first book in my latest romantic suspense trilogy. I first conceived of this trilogy in 2007. That’s right; 19 years ago. I share that as a reminder that we should never, ever give up on our dreams. They take as long as they take. If you believe in something, never give up on it.

The series follows the Rashaad sisters: Crystal “Crys,” the eldest, is a homicide detective. BEHIND THE BADGE is her story with Special Agent Lucas Gilchrist. It’s available now. Amber, the middle sister, is a prosecutor. Her story, ABOVE THE LAW with her ex-fiancé, Trent Mitchell, releases in July. Jade, the youngest sister, is a true crime podcaster. Her story, OFF THE RECORD with her nemesis, Caleb Brunson, releases January 2027. I conceived of the stories as the Crime Sisters trilogy but Harlequin renamed it Justice Hunters. Oh, well. That was actually a compromise. I really didn’t like the substitute series name they originally came up with.

BEHIND THE BADGE follows Crys and Luke as they search for a serial killer. But the core of the trilogy is the sisters’ investigation into their aunt’s unsolved homicide. When Jade finds a link between their aunt’s cold case, and Crys and Luke’s current investigation, the discovery puts Crys’s life in danger. Then Luke realizes his investigation into allegations that Crys is a corrupt detective—lies! All lies!—is another way of hurting Crys. Who wants to harm Crys and why?

ABOVE THE LAW advances the sisters’ investigation into their aunt’s murder. But this time, someone is after Amber. For her safety, she’s forced to move in with her ex-fiancé, Trent.

In OFF THE RECORD, the sisters’ cold case investigation takes center stage. They’ve arrested the killers but Jade is determined to catch the person who paid for their aunt’s murder. To that end, she and her nemesis, Caleb, go undercover. Could the person who paid for her aunt’s murder also be responsible for Caleb’s father’s death?

If you had to recommend a book that best embodies you as the author, which of your books would it be?

Oh, my gosh. You do not play with your questions, do you? LOL!

At this point in time, I believe BEHIND THE BADGE best embodies me as an author. I also think my first published novel, YOU BELONG TO ME, which also is a romantic suspense, best embodies me as an author.

Is it weird that my debut novel as well as my latest release both “best embody” me as an author? I’m certain a psychologist would have a lot to say about that. Ha! But here’s why I think they both capture Author Patricia well. YOU BELONG TO ME and BEHIND THE BADGE both lean into family as one of the themes and family is very important to me. In YOU BELONG TO ME, the plot is initiated when the author does something to help save her cousin. In BEHIND THE BADGE, the sisters launch an investigation to catch their aunt’s killer.

So, I hope (really, really hard) that I’ve grown as a storyteller, my plots, characters, story world. But the core of my stories, the importance of family, has stayed the same.

What qualities or characteristics do you believe make your books special?

Whether I’m writing romantic suspense or sport romances as Patricia Sargeant; contemporary romances or small-town romances as Regina Hart; or cozy mysteries as Olivia Matthews, all my books feature a theme of family. Some stories, like my Olivia Matthews Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries, feature a family related by blood. Some stories, like my Brooklyn Monarchs sport romance series, the theme is found family.

I think everyone can relate to that born family/found family theme. My characters are supported and encouraged by their families. As we all do, my characters draw their courage and their best selves from them.

What is next for Patricia? Any interesting projects?

Thank you for asking. I’m so excited! First, I’m on the verge of announcing another Patricia Sargeant romantic suspense series. This is a four-part series. I’m breathless with excitement. By the time this interview launches, I hope I’ll be able to go into more detail. I don’t want to say anything more about it yet, just in case this all blows up in my face. Ha! Not ha!

And for Olivia Matthews, I’m on schedule to relaunch the Peach Coast Library Mystery cozy mystery series. The third book, MURDER UNDER A PEN NAME, will release this summer. I’m also shopping a brand new cozy mystery series, which has paranormal and romantic elements. So excited! Fingers crossed!

ABOUT THE READERS

If there was one thing you could tell your readers about Patricia, what would it be?

This is a really great question. Thank you for asking it. If I could sit down with one reader to have a candid conversation, I’d tell her (or him) that I understand what’s it’s like to be anxious, stressed and uncertain. That I often need an escape hatch as well. That’s what books are for me. They’re escape hatches; a place for me to run to when I need a few hours to relax and catch my breath so I can face the challenge from a new, and hopefully better, perspective. That’s what I’m trying to create for them when I write my books. I’m trying to provide them with an escape hatch. I hope it works and that they enjoy the story so when they’re done, they can face whatever challenge is following them from a new, and hopefully better, perspective.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Oh, my word. So many things. Grab a pen.

First, never stop learning the writing craft. Even if you write every day, sometimes you still need to polish your craft. Sometimes we move so quickly, we forget about pacing, about world building. We need to periodically polish our craft and remind ourselves to layer in that emotion and to show, don’t tell.

Second, know what your deal breakers are. Don’t jump into a writing contract just because you “want to be published.” Make sure that contract is right for you. If it’s not, walk away. That maxim, “act in haste, repent at leisure” is not a joke. Put yourself first.

Third, plan your career. Don’t stumble into it. As a new author, step back and take stock of how you want to build your career, at least the first year or two. For example, I recommend picking one subgenre and sticking with that subgenre for three or four or even five books. If you want to switch genres, you can do that after the third or fourth or fifth book. But be consistent for several books. This will build your backlist, which will allow you to have sell-through books in the same genre that you can market and promote before making a change.

How can readers reach you?

· Email: BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com

· Website: PatriciaSargeant.com

· Facebook: Facebook.com/AuthorPatriciaSargeant

· Instagram: I’m not on Instagram but I invite Romance in Color community members to subscribe to my enewsletter, http://eepurl.com/cOOIPf