Patty Smith Hall

Patty grew up just outside of Atlanta, hearing family stories of gallant men and gutsy ladies. Those early tales whetted her appetite for history and by the age of eleven, Patty had plowed through all the history books and biographies in the county library. At age fifteen, Patty wrote her first novel, a satire of a gothic novel, for her tenth grade English class. She received an A plus, but even more, her teacher encouraged her to keep writing.Patty received her degree in nursing from Kennesaw State University and worked in various areas such as research and high risk infant care. But even with her love of nursing, Patty still studied the craft of writing, listening to writing tapes during her daily commute. With the birth of her daughters, her attention shifted to her home life and raising two busy little girls. Between church activities, volunteer work and extended family, her life was full.But the desire to write never wavered. In 2000, with her girls growing up and life settling into a routine, Patty began studying the craft of writing. She first found publishing success with her short stories in the God Allows U-Turns series as well as Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul; a Second Dose and Guidepost magazine. Her debut novel, Hearts in Flight, won the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award in historical romance and was picked by Publishers Weekly as a top inspirational read for the 2011 spring and summer season.Patty lives with her husband of 31 years in North Georgia and finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family and friends.