INTERVIEW WITH LYN HORNER -- TOUCHING CHARLOTTE

One of the fun parts of having a blog is that I get to introduce readers to my friends. Lyn Horner and I met about fifteen years ago at a Romance Writers of America local chapter in the Fort Worth-Mid Cities area. We have been friends ever since. Lyn has agreed to let me grill her here. I’ve read both her series and have to admit this new one is my favorite. I look forward to each book.

Please tell us about growing up, Lyn. Share anything that lets readers get to know the real you.

Caroline, Let me first thank you for inviting me back. Visiting you is always a pleasure.

As for my childhood, I was an only child, born in San Francisco but raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A bit of a tomboy as a youngster, I became a bookworm in my teens. I was shy around boys and didn’t date until my senior year of high school, when a girlfriend goaded me into inviting a classmate to the Sweetheart Swirl, a girl-ask-boy dance that culminated our school’s Sadie Hawkins Days. After the dance, my date, Ken, invited me to the senior prom. Four years later, we married. We have two grown children, a boy and a girl, and nine grandkids – two biological, four by marriage, and three adopted. Our family is a messy, joyous melting pot!

Ken and Lynda

Aren’t you glad you invited Ken to that dance? Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Diana Gabaldon is my favorite author. I never tire of reading and now watching her Outlander series. Of course there are many other authors I admire, including you, my friend. Western historical and Scottish romance, as well as certain types of paranormal are my favorite genres. Lately I’ve also come to enjoy the mysteries of Faye Kellerman.

When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

I enjoy reading, gardening and watching good movies. Oh, and cuddling my three furry babies. Err, cats that is. Naturally, I also love cuddling my youngest grandbabies.

Jax, Emerson, and Kira
December 2015

I have three cats, too. Alas, no grandchildren. How long have you been writing?

A long time! Some thirty years ago we moved from Minneapolis, our home town, to Chicago. Giving up my career in the visual arts, I stayed home to raise our kiddos, the youngest of whom was still in diapers. To keep from going bonkers, I took up writing, soon finding that I enjoyed historical research and crafting a passionate romance. Still, my new love remained only a hobby until years later, after two more transfers brought us to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Following many false starts, I finally published my first book in 2010.

We were both late bloomers to publishing, weren’t we? My first book was published in 1998. Where do you prefer to write?  

When I’m actually writing, not keeping up with social media and marketing my books, I prefer to shut myself in our bedroom with my laptop, story outline and notes. Sometime I’ll tune in a music station on TV, one with instrumental tracks, especially Irish or Native American flute melodies.

I listen to instrumental music also. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

I’m a plotter except for the first two or three chapters of a new book. I like to get acquainted with my imaginary people in that opening section before plotting their path.

Do you do your research before you begin a new project, or as you go along?

I do basic research about the setting before I start a project, but hunt up details as I go. Often, I don’t know what details I need until reaching specific points in the story.

Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?

LOL I don’t have a set schedule unless you count sitting down and opening my laptop immediately after feeding the cats their breakfast and grabbing my first cup of coffee in the morning. Barring errands or interruptions, most of my day and part of the night is spent typing. Not all on writing, of course. Social media, blogging and answering email messages take up a fairly large chunk of my time.

Tell us something about yourself that might surprise readers.

Hmm, let me think. I love mint chocolate chip ice cream. In fact I’m addicted to it. J

Chocolate and ice cream—always a good combination! What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

In each of my books, I try to lead readers on an exciting adventure and immerse them in a passionate, highly emotional romance. Additionally, I hope to leave them wondering if the psychic gifts my characters possess might really be possible.

And we both know they are, don’t we? What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

First, learn your craft. Join a writers group, attend workshops, listen to advice from experienced authors and, if possible, join a critique group.

Second, in order to build name recognition before you publish, establish a presence on Twitter, Facebook and other social media. Also consider starting a blog where you post about interesting, helpful topics. You might offer to host guest bloggers and/or conduct interviews as Caroline is doing for me.

Third, be patient and persistent. Don’t expect fame and fortune overnight, and don’t give up on your dream if it takes a while to come true.

Excellent advice, Lyn. Tell us about TOUCHING CHARLOTTE.

My latest release is TOUCHING CHARLOTTE, Romancing the Guardians, book four. Combining romantic suspense with paranormal elements, the series carries readers from Ireland to Texas, to other far-flung locations. This book is set mainly in New York City and Long Island’s gold coast (Great Gatsby country.) NYC cop turned celebrity chef Tristan Jameson meets empathic nurse Charlotte Dixon, who can’t stand to be touched. Teaching her the right man’s touch can bring joy instead of pain is Tristan’s goal. At first, he makes progress, but frightening surprises await. Please be aware this is an adult romance.

TOUCHING CHARLOTTE Excerpt:

He rested his hands on his hips, studying her. “Have you ever been touched by a man and actually found it pleasant?”

She blinked, pivoted partially away and hugged herself. “No, but there was a boy once,” she said softly. “We were ten years old, in the same grade at school. He was sweet and his touch never hurt. Then his father caught us holding hands and yanked Robbie – his name was Robbie – away from me. He called me bad names and told me never to come near his son again or he’d make me sorry.”

Tristan swore, wishing he could make the man sorry for frightening a young girl. “Why did his father not want him near you?”

She laughed bitterly. “He thought I was touched in the head or maybe a witch, like most of the townspeople believed.”

“Because of your gift?”

Char faced him, rubbing her arms. “Yes. My mother made me wear long sleeved clothes to school no matter how hot it was. She told me to avoid touching others as much as possible and not to let on if I felt things. But I picked up flashes of emotion constantly and being just a kid, I couldn’t control my reactions. Sometimes I’d start laughing or crying for no apparent reason in the middle of class. When I babbled about what some boy or girl was feeling, he or she would want to kill me and the teacher would send me down to the office, again.” She sighed. “Being different was a curse.”

“I can see that. And since Robbie, there’s been no boy, no man in your life?”

Her eyes fled his. She shook her head, auburn hair swinging back and forth. “I can’t let anyone close.”

“You’re willing to shut yourself away, always afraid to touch and be touched? To love and be loved? You’re a sweet, kind person, Char. It’s not fair for you to have to live like that.”

She stiffened and he could almost see a curtain drop over her features. Fisting her hands at her sides, she stared past his shoulder. “It’s the only way I know to survive without being crushed by the pain of someone else’s emotions. I didn’t choose this kind of life. It chose me and nothing can change that. I’ve accepted it.”

She lifted her chin, shoulders thrown back. “Thank you for showing Marilee a good time today, but now you need to go.”

He’d pushed her too hard. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to criticize you.” He retrieved his coat from the chair where he’d tossed it and shoved his arms into the sleeves. Not bothering to button it, he strode past her into the hall. Halting, he drew a deep breath. He refused to leave her like this. She deserved better. Turning, he said, “I hope you’ll let me see you again. I’d like a chance to show what pleasure the right person’s touch can give you. At least allow me to be your friend.”

She hugged herself again, watching him. “Just go. Please,” she said, smoky voice tight with emotion. Was it regret?

Lyn Horner, Author

Lyn Horner resides in Fort Worth, Texas "Where the West Begins" with her husband and several very spoiled cats. Trained in the visual arts, Lyn worked as a fashion illustrator and art instructor before she took up writing. She loves crafting passionate love stories, both historical and contemporary. Lyn also enjoys reading, gardening, visiting with family, and cuddling her furry, four-footed children.

The author's Texas Devlins series blends authentic Old West settings, steamy romance, and a glimmer of the mysterious. This series has earned multiple awards and nominations, including the Crowned Heart reviews and a Rone Award nomination from InD'Tale Magazine.

Jumping from the 19th century American Old West to the present time, Lyn is now hard at work on her romantic suspense series, Romancing the Guardians. These books combine her trademark flashes of psychic phenomena with Irish folklore and a chilling apocalyptic sub-theme. Along the way, readers are treated to thunderous action, terrifying suspense, and sizzling romance. 

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