Here's a nice image for a life in balance,” she said. “You're juggling these four balls that you've named work, family, friends, spirit. Now, work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it bounces back. The other balls they're made of glass.”“I've dropped a few of those glass balls in my day. Sometimes they chip, sometimes they shatter to pieces.

— James Patterson

He rolled his eyes and took my hand. His hand was hard and calloused, tough with muscle and old scars. The night settled around us like a blanket. I could hear the water lapping against the dock. We were totally alone.“You’re. . . , ” he began, and I waited, heart throbbing in my throat. “Such a pain,” he concluded.”What?” I asked, just as his head swooped in, and his mouth touched mine. I tried to speak, but one offing’s hands held the back of my head, and he kept his lips pressed against me, kissing me softly but with a Fanglike determination. Oh, jeez, I thought distractedly. Jeez, this is Fang, and me, and. . . Fang tilted his head to kiss me more deeply, and I felt totally lightheaded. Then I remembered to breathe through my nose, and the fog cleared a tiny bit. Somehow we were pressed together, Fang’s arms around me now, sliding under my wings, his hands flat against my back. It was incredible. I loved it. I loved him. It was a total disaster. Gasping, I pulled back. “I, uh—,” I began oh so coherently, and then I jumped up, almost knocking hi mover, and raced down the dock. I took off, flying fast, like a rocket.

— James Patterson

Honesty is always good, except when it's better to lie.

— James Patterson

How did you become blind, uh, Jeff is it?" Yeah, Jeff. Well, I looked directly at the sun, you know, the way they always tell you not to. If only I had listened.

— James Patterson

Human skin hisses like a rattlesnake when it burns.

— James Patterson

I can talk to fish!" Angel said happily, water dripping off her long, skinny body. "Ask one over for dinner," Fang said, joining us.

— James Patterson

I didn't know a van could go up on two wheels like that, for so long." -Nudge

— James Patterson

I don't care if we have our house, or a cliff ledge, or a cardboard box. Home is wherever we all are, together,

— James Patterson

I don't damsel well. Distress, I can do. Dampening? Not so much.

— James Patterson

I don't get a chance to be funny with the thrillers. I like to be funny, and I think I am hilarious. So with 'Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life', it was fun to let loose.

— James Patterson