Pat Bertram is a native of Colorado and a lifelong resident. When the traditional publishers stopped publishing her favorite type of book — character and story driven novels that can’t easily be slotted into a genre — she decided to write her own. Daughter Am I is Bertram’s third novel to be published by Second Wind Publishing, LLC. Also available are More Deaths Than One and A Spark of Heavenly Fire.
Daughter Am I: When twenty-five-year-old Mary Stuart learns she inherited a farm from her recently murdered grandparents-grandparents her father claimed had died before she was born-she becomes obsessed with finding out who they were and why someone wanted them dead. Along the way she accumulates a crew of feisty octogenarians-former gangsters and friends of her grandfather. She meets and falls in love Tim Olson, whose grandfather shared a deadly secret with her great-grandfather. Now Mary and Tim need to stay one step ahead of the killer who is desperate to dig up that secret.
More Deaths Than One: Bob Stark returns to Denver after 18 years in Southeast Asia to discover that the mother he buried before he left is dead again. He attends her new funeral and sees . . . himself. Is his other self a hoaxer, or is something more sinister going on? And why are two men who appear to be government agents hunting for him? With the help of Kerry Casillas, a baffling young woman Bob meets in a coffee shop, he uncovers the unimaginable truth.
A Spark of Heavenly Fire: In quarantined Colorado, where hundreds of thousands of people are dying from an unstoppable disease called the red death, insomniac Kate Cummings struggles to find the courage to live and to love. Investigative reporter Greg Pullman, is determined to discover who unleashed the deadly organism and why they did it, until the cost — Kate’s life — becomes more than he can pay.
Bertram’s publisher says: “I was told by some other small publishers with whom I had done research that I was going to get mountains of unacceptable crap for every worthy thing I received. So when I got Pat’s manuscript for A Spark of Heavenly Fire, which was like the first submission to Second Wind, I thought, ‘OMG, is this possible?!’ I knew in the first 20 pages that she was the real thing.”
Reviews
“I love the story of More Deaths Than One. Pat Bertram blends mystery/suspense with history very well. Her characters are strong, and I love the slow reveal of who Bob really was/is. The hints and clues Bertram drops come together for me with the jungle nightmares.The descriptions of the places Bob and Kerry visit are exquistely done; the places sound real. I enjoyed this story very much.” Rachael Wollet, freelance editor.
“Wow. I read A Spark of Heavenly Fire twice. The first time for the story, the second for editing. Though I’m not sure I caught much because I got so engrossed in the story…even the second time through. Bertram’s characters are heartbreaking and real. I love Kate. Absolutely love her. The description of everything seems spot on. Sounds much like New Orleans post-Katrina. Bertram clearly did her research on this one. Fabulous.” Rachael Wollet, freelance editor.
“Full of intriguing dialogue and interesting characters one will not soon forget, “A Spark of Heavenly Fire” is a truly satisfying read I highly recommend. Captivating visuals and an original theme kept me turning the pages at a rapid rate. I look forward to more work from this gifted writer.” Deborah Ledford, author
“Pat Bertram, author of More Deaths Than One and a Spark of Heavenly Fire, is one of the best of the new crop of writers. Pat’s work is insightful, superbly crafted, and completely involving. I would unhesitatingly recommend her books to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction of the highest order.” Suzanne Francis, author of the Song of the Arkafina series from Mushroom Ebooks.
“While we are intrigued and caught up in the absurd story of a man who goes to the second funeral of his mother (long dead) and sees himself (living a life he doesn’t realize he’s lived) and his brother (with a trophy wife young enough to be his daughter), the real clues Bertram leaves us as to what’s going on are to be found in Bob’s perpetual headache, his troubled/troubling art, his mysterious reappearance in his hometown, and the questions asked by the friendly, persistent waitress. Meantime, I enjoy the dialogue, with unique phrasings such as “son of rabid dog”. Denver is an unusual setting that must figure into the story in multiple ways. I enjoyed the rock solid POV, as well as the nice, just-slightly-more-than-minimal descriptions (like the way Bob concealed himself in the lilac bushes or the description of the young couple in the diner). Above all I appreciate the way Bertram builds mystery on several levels into the story. Good job.” Lazarus Barnhill, author
October 8, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I’ve been in awe of Pat’s dedication to the craft of good writing for some time. I also like the fact she’s not into cardboard characters or passe’ plots.
I enjoyed what I was able to read of More Deaths than One. I’d really like to read A Spark of Heavenly Fire.
The curious and other authors should check out the writing topics she introduces in her group No Whine, Just Champagne on Gather.com You’ll be amazed at not only the subject matter, but the participation and Pat’s knowledge. I never walk away without learning something.
Like I say, Pat is amazing.
March 18, 2009 at 9:50 am
Interesting to see Andrew’s kind words again. I have no idea who invented the serial killer novel, but my book has been cited by many as being the beginning of the type of novels that have become such a mainstay. I will also agree that it isn’t a great book. I was young when I wrote it, and I hope you’ll be kind enough to try some of the others, THE BOTTOMS, MUCHO MOJO, LEATHER MAIDEN, ETC. But the bottom line is I think it blended a lot of things that are now thought of as the serial killer novel’s back bone. Actually, when I finished that book, I moved on. I’ve written about serial killers since, but never in that way, and never in any way as the heroes of a piece. Genre writing and mainstream writing are welding together, and sometimes in good and interesting ways. But the old fashioned genre writing is disappearing. Maybe it should. All things mutate. LONESOME DOVE was a Western, and a great one. SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is bestselling genre, and so on. It’s there. It won’t die, but it will mutate. As for ACT OF LOVE, I think there may be a thirty year anniversary volume, 2011, and then I retire it. The reason it doesn’t have the impact it had then is now so many people have done what I did, and better than when I did it. But it’s also dated, and probably, at this juncture, my worst novel. But man, I’m glad I wrote it. I’ve been amazed over the years at how many writers have told me it influenced them. Surprising. I was just trying to learn how to write a novel and have a good time at it and maybe discuss a few social issues, if in a superficial way. Anyway, Thanks for the space. Joe Lansdlae
April 12, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I enjoyed reading more about you than what’s on your Goodreads profile!
June 23, 2009 at 6:49 pm
We’re already connected in a bunch of social networking ways, Pat. I’d love to expand that by exchanging blog links. Let me know what you think. (http://thevoiceofyourmuse.com)
July 16, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Good for you, jumping into independent publishing! Keep up the good work!