Carla's Book Crush

The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date:  April 22, 2025
Genre:  Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller

​​She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

PURCHASE LINKS:
Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon
Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

About the Author

Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, Jessica R. Patch has penned over 27 novels and is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense or a dark, twisty thriller. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, down the street at the Mexican restaurant, or collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook.

Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicarpatch.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to her email newsletter “Patched In” updates and receive a FREE short thriller.

Author Q&A

CB: You write suspense with dark twists but always include hope. What draws you to this kind of storytelling?

Patch: I think a myriad of things. I was exposed to darker books and movies at a young age and God used that, as well as my own life experiences, and the fact that the world is a very dark place. Things do go bump in the night and yet there is always hope and light in Christ Jesus. 

CB: You’ve been married for over 30 years (amazing!). Has your own love story influenced your stories?

Patch: How fun! My husband truly loves me like Christ loves the church and often in my romantic suspense stories, the heroes remind me of my husband who reminds me of how Jesus loves me. 🙂

CB: What type of research do you do for your books? How long does the process take?

Patch: It depends on the book. In The Other Sister, I talked a lot to my sister who is a therapist and has been for almost 25 years. We talked about mental illness, what survivors from trauma would be like, deviance, and sociopathy in children and adults. Then I research online as well, reading case studies and stories. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.

Patch: I am a student and Bible teacher and God doesn’t sanitize or edit out the depravity of humans in the Word, though He does not condone it. To me, that’s hopeful because it means that no one can fall so far they can’t be saved, restored or healed. He often used the backdrop of depravity and darkness to reveal his redemptive purposes and that what the enemy means for evil, he means for good. Just read the book of Judges and these are God’s people perpetrating these heinous crimes! And yet hope was still found. This is how I approach all my darker stories as well.

CB: Charlotte faces some serious moral dilemmas. How do you weave faith into a story without it feeling forced?

Patch: I think the key is understanding the basic heart and at its core according to Jeremiah it is wicked and sick. So I take a sick heart and put her circumstances that shape her and give her opportunity to change and with each crucible, it brings her to a place of change. I use people such as Tillie who she doesn’t want to hurt but realizes she is, and Detective Patrick, who is a type of Christ, and challenges and encourages her. With each new conflict, those seeds planted and watered begin to change her sin-sick heart to a point she knows she cannot keep going without hope—without faith. I think in a way that’s all our stories, isn’t it? Sin-sick hearts recognizing we are sinners and need saving grace.

CB: The twin swap idea is such a great setup for suspense! What inspired this storyline for The Other Sister?

Patch: In 2012, I watched a CW show called The Ringer and loved the twin storyline but it only lasted one season. When it was time to start a new story, I was praying about it and felt I should write my own “ringer” story!

CB:  If readers could take away one big theme from The Other Sister, what would you hope it is?

Patch: That we may not have an identical twin, but we certain mirror each other’s hearts. The human heart is all the same and we all battle discontentment but want is an open grave that can never be filled and if we don’t find it solely in Christ, we’ll slip over a sin slope and find ourselves in a world of mess.

CB:  As a Christian author, how can readers support you—not just as a writer but also in the faith-centered work you’re doing through your books?  

Patch: I would love for readers to pray for me while reading my books. I always need covered in prayer. And pray for readers who are picking up the book, that God would use it to speak their hearts. 

CB:  Thank you for taking the time to share your insights! I wish you all the best with The Other Sister and your future projects—I’m sure readers will be blessed by your work!

Patch:  THANK YOU!

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of The Garden Girls & a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 22, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!