Interview with an Author featuring Loni Lynne

The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Loni Lynne, author of Immortal Heat (The Guardians of Dacia Book 1)!

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

My 7th grade English teacher introduced me to writing when there was a Halloween writing contest for a $50 Savings bond and 2 tickets to the local haunted house with the top three winners stories posted in the local newspaper. I won first place with a very macabre, horror story for a 13 year old. But hey, kind of cool. It was at a crucial, awkward time in my life (middle school pre-teen) with a lot of angst and issues going on. Writing became my sounding board. I started writing what was considered ‘fan-fic’ now, dreaming of one day writing movies for Steven Speilberg or George Lucas. Yeah, Geek! I still have some of those old five subject notebooks with ‘oh-my-God-I wrote-that!’ in my files.

What time of the day do you usually write?

When I first started ‘professionally’ writing, I was a stay at home Mom and could set my own schedule. A few years ago I had to go back out to the workforce (after 20 + years) so now it’s whenever I can, after work on the weekends. The COVID-19 era has created a situation in which I have had to stay home (along with many others) so I’ve been able to dedicate much more of my time to sitting down and actually spending quality time writing again in the evening after my teleworking, day job. When God gives you lemons—I’m trying to make lemon meringue pie.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

I try to have an idea of the ‘character world’ when I start to work on a new novel. The great thing right now is that I am still working on my two series that I have out–The Crossroads of Kings Mill and The Guardians of Dacia series so both of the worlds are more or less created. But as I introduce new characters with each book (or focus on a character I might have cameoed) I can really elaborate a bit more. Truthfully, I’m what the writing world would consider a pantser–my stories are character driven. I have index cards of very basic ideas of where I want to go and then my characters take over and I just end up along for the ride. It’s when they come to a fork in the road and they look at me that I go, “Oh crap–you want me to think of something? Okay–give me a few days. I’ll get back with you on that.”

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

My most enjoyable book to write? I will have to say I really loved writing all of them (they are my babies). But I will admit the first ‘book’ always stays with you. Wanted One Ghost was just so easy. James and April were my best friends. The story was fun, spooky, loaded with History, metaphysics, humor with the Wilton women (April’s women folk). I loved the research (yes, I’m weird and I love researching for the little tid-bits of information to make it realistic) and as the storyline developed with my characters direction, I loved it more. I felt they had a story to tell. I was just interpreting it. I hope that’s what all of my stories do. I want my characters to tell the story, I’m just the interpreter.

Who is the author you most admire in your genre?

There are so many authors I admire. Where to start? And each one for a different reason or some for the same. I’ll name a few: Anne Rice (thanks to my sister-in-law, cut my teeth on her), Sherrilyn Kenyon-Dark Hunter series, Lynsay Sands, Katie McAlister, Cindy Miles…the characters, the humor, the realism even in a fantasy/paranormal world. They have a way with their characters, the dialogue.

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

I hear from my readers once in a while. I wish I could hear from them more. I would love to hear what they think of my books, the characters. Or just to see how they are doing out there with life being so crazy right now.

Favorite book when you were a kid?

Favorite book as a kid? World Book Encyclopedias, my Mom had a set and every Saturday morning while I waited for the household to wake up, I would get one out and go through them. No kidding. Yeah. Did I mention…Geek! Nerd? Other than that? Loved the Little House series, Charlotte’s Web, later it was Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of Baskerville along with anything by Charles Dickens and Poe…oh and guilty pleasure, bonding with my older sister over, V.C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic series. (I know–right.)

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Momma, Hugger, Eclectic.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Advice–Speak/write from your heart…what you say will inspire someone to think about something today, tomorrow and in the future. If your book were to become a classic, would it still resonate within the heart and minds of those who love and dream in the future?

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

See question # 8. Consider my books an eclectic or weird moment that you might take for yourself in which you realize a long, Momma-like hug was needed. Even if you didn’t expect it in the least. But once you got that hug, it made you feel better.

Thank you Loni Lynne for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out Immortal Heat today!

~Synopsis~

Dacian Historian…
Determined to study ancient Dacian folk lore abroad, Marilyn Reddlin’s plans are cut short when she is abducted by a dark haired stranger who insists she’s in danger. The only danger she’s in is losing herself to her abductor’s inexplicable seductive energy. Draylon Conier teaches her there is more to Romania than myth and fairy tales while sweeping her into a wild adventure of paranormal mystery and intrigue.

Dacian History…

Thousands of years trying to pay back a debt, Draylon Conier is finally able to do so. Sent to capture a young, American student who is in danger while in Romania, he just has to send her back home. Easy enough for him. Unfortunately, Marilyn Reddlin is determined to thwart his every attempt—even telepathy. But there is more to her than meets the eye and the closer he gets to her, the more danger she is in, not only from the ancient immortal Dacian clans he’s trying to protect her from, but also his own sexual need.

History just got a lot harder.

They must find out what connection Marilyn has to Dacian history before Draylon destroys her when she succumbs to Immortal Heat.

Born in north-central Michigan, Loni Lynne still loves the quiet woods, lakes and rivers in Otsego County and the Victorian era bay side houses of Little Traverse Bay. But after decades of moving around the country as a child and twenty-five years of marriage to her personal hero, she calls western Maryland her home.

Serving in the United States Navy didn’t prepare her for the hardest job ever, being a stay at home mom, to her two wonderful daughters. After years of volunteering as a scout leader, PTA officer, and various other volunteer positions, all while still writing snippets of story ideas, her husband decided it was time for her to put her heart to finishing a story. He gave her a laptop, portable hard drive and his blessings to have a finished manuscript, ready to be sent out to the masses in one year. He created a writing monster.

Immortal Heat was her first idea six years ago and has gone through many revisions since then. In the meantime another story took hold, Wanted: One Ghost and it became her first published book in 2013. Now with the help of her friends, family and friends of the romance writing community, she’s pursuing her love of telling stories written from her heart.