Rising Stars: Meet Perrie Patterson of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Perrie Patterson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a fashion merchandising major at the University of Alabama and planned to open my own boutique one day with no plans to write novels, much less eight of them. But having always been an avid reader, becoming a writer became a new dream. Writing novels started with what I knew, the University of Alabama; and I developed a romance series based on a character who grows and changes throughout college, falls in and out of love, and learns a lot along the way. The latest book in the Crimson Series is Forever Crimson, dedicated to Miss Terry and Nick Saban. If you like a little spice, I’d read either My Blood Runs Crimson or All the Crimson Roses, as Forever Crimson, although a sweet romance, is written for the younger crowd.

Later, my passion for history grew with my membership in the ancestry-based nonprofit founded by four women in 1890 called Daughters of the American Revolution. After writing about Benjamin Tallmadge and The Culper Spy Ring (Washington’s spies during the Revolution) I knew I’d write another historical fiction set during the 18th century. Sparks of Freedom: Tale from a Tea Party released in June 2026 and was written in honor of America 250. It’s a story set around the time of the Boston Tea Party that takes the reader into all the historical events that lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The epilogue moves into Georgia when the document first arrives in August of 1776 and is first read in Savannah at Tondee’s Tavern on August 10, 1776, by Archibald Bulloch. The book is heavily focused on John Hancock and the Boston Sons of Liberty, like Sameul Adams, Paul Revere, and Dr. Joseph Warren. I think it’s a must read for America 250!

For those who enjoy a fun, girly read, I wrote a contemporary romance novel set between Atlanta and NYC titled The Tulip Tea Twenty-Four Hours in NYC. It’s a story that I like to say is a little bit #swiftie, a little bit #funny, a whole lot #romantic, and a whole lot #girlboss.

Now that my children are grown and out of college, I enjoy a lot of work with nonprofits, especially the NSDAR or for short the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) I’ve been a chapter regent, and I’ve held many board positions and chapter chair positions. Currently, I am the Georgia State Society NSDAR America 250 State Chair. And my job, although voluntary does take up quite a bit of my time. I work with a team of four district vice chairs, and together we are working to ensure all 110 Georgia chapters receive their $500.00 celebration grant in order to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with a community-wide event. Those events range from hosting American Revolution trivia nights, to hosting patriotic-themed musical concerts, to preparing history talks at libraries, to Revolutionary Patriot grave markings, to receiving and unveiling a Revolutionary William G. Pomeroy Foundation marker to mark a person, event, or location taking place during the revolution. My job as state chair is to make sure all 110 Georgia chapters have the information they need to hold a successful event.

Some of my free time includes mentoring an elementary student at a local elementary school and leading a ladies Bible study group for Brown’s Bridge Church. I also helped to start Harvesting Hope for Jesse’s House, a fall fundraiser that helps the girls who’ve been removed from situations of abuse, neglect or who’ve been trafficked by giving them a hope and a future. The Fourth Annual Harvesting Hope for Jesse’s House is coming up the weekend of October 22-25 and for the past four years has been held at Stoney J’s Winery in Cumming. Harvesting Hope weekend includes several fun events, and a silent auction, where the proceeds all benefit Jesse’s House.

I also speak to groups, DAR and SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) chapters, book clubs and school groups on the history behind my two historical fiction novels: Leader of Liberty: Tale of America’s First Spy Ring, and Sparks of Freedom: Tale from a Tea Party. One of my favorite things is to share American history with those who might not know as much about those who fought for or gave aid to the cause of liberty and freedom which led to the founding of a new nation.

My next novel will be based on the Edenton Tea Party set in Edenton, North Carolina about the 51 women who in 1774 signed a resolve to boycott tea and all British goods. It was the first time women spoke out about the king’s tyranny. Taking research trips to the locations where my historical novels take place is key, as a lot of research goes into writing historical fiction and doing it well.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Becoming a writer was definitely a learning experience and something that you get better at the more you write. Like with anything worth doing, practice makes perfect. And success doesn’t always happen overnight; it’s a process that takes time and patience. I think it’s good to remember that whatever you do when it comes from the heart is always going to be worth your time and effort. We might not always know what God has in store for us, but what we do know is that he wants only the best for us, leaning into him daily helps with that understanding.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an author, I’ve written young adult, new adult, contemporary and historical fiction. Writing historical fiction well takes a lot of research, going to the places where history happened; and reading and studying the material until you know it so well that the words come easy when writing the story and bringing the characters to life. Writing fictional stories that are just made up is easier and certainly less time consuming. But until you know and understand your characters and where they’re headed and why, the story might not be ready for the page. I am probably most proud of my latest novel Sparks of Freedom: Tale from a Tea Party because I wrote it specifically in honor of America 250 and because it’s a comprehensive story, its one that so many readers will enjoy and will learn something from while at the same time being entertained.

I think I am most proud of some of the things I was able to accomplish while chapter regent of the Chestatee River NSDAR chapter. When I first became regent, I’d learned about five young women at the University of Georgia who’d rescued a mother and two children when their car left the road and rolled into Brier Creek. The girls had been on a less traveled back road on their way to Savannah when they’d seen something, like, a flash of white and some dust. They turned their car around and went back to investigate. That’s when they found the car almost completely submerged. They called out and the mother came up from a broken window saying that her two children were in the backseat and she couldn’t get to them, the youngest completely submerged and trapped in his car seat. Four of the girls dove into the coffee-colored water while the fifth went back to the road and called 911. By the time rescue teams arrived the girls had performed CPR on the youngest bringing him back around and had gotten the mother and older child out of the car.

I knew I wanted to do something to recognize those brave, fearless young women, and I was able to connect with three other DAR chapters. two in Athens and one where the accident happened. Together we worked to submit paperwork for all five women for a national award called the DAR Founders Medal for Heroism. It was a joy filled day finding out they’d been approved for that award! Then we got to work to put together a beautiful ceremony at their sorority house that included UGA President Jere Morehead, the girls’ families, Georgia State NSDAR State Regent and other Georgia DAR board members, and even Harry Dawg!

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I think those who I’ve worked with on DAR committees while working towards a successful nomination, and an award recognition, or to receive a special grant or historic marker approval are most memorable and special to me. Those ladies who become friends and appreciate what you do can make life more special and make volunteer work much more meaningful. Finding like-minded women who are supportive of each other and lift each other up is the best, and something I’d like to be remembered for.

Pricing:

• most of my books are 16.99-18.99
• my books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and any idenpendant bookseller can order
• Local independent bookseller Poe & Company in Milton has signed copies of all of my novels.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://perriepatterson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/always.n.style/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkingthecrimsonroad/
• Twitter: @PerrieT
• Other: TikTok @authorperriepatterson