 | Saddle up your horses and head out to the heart of the Wild West in this collection of short love stories by authors of Westerns and Romances from all over the country and around the world. Whether your passion is historical or contemporary, sweet or sassy, there's something inside for everyone! |
I'm very pleased to introduce my first official guest of this series of articles getting to know the authors of the great stories in this superb western romance anthology. My first guest is award-winning author, Lyn Horner.
Welcome, Lyn!
Hi, Chad. Thank you for having me here today.
How did you begin writing?
I’ve always enjoyed writing although my formal training was in the visual arts. After art school, I worked as a fashion illustrator and art instructor, but quit work when my children were small in order to stay home with them. However, I soon needed a creative outlet. As a longtime fan of historical romances, it came naturally to try writing one. That led to years of scribbling on notepads and hiding my little “hobby” from family and friends – because I was afraid to admit I liked reading and writing hot love scenes. Silly, I know. Now I regard a beautifully written, passionate love scene as a work of art.
Who is your favorite author?
Diana Gabaldon, without a doubt. I love her Outlander series. The historical settings are so real that I feel like I’m actually there in 18th century Scotland, France and colonial America. As for her main characters, Jamie and Claire, they are like members of my family. Their love story is wrenchingly sad at times, hilariously funny at others and always entertaining. Diana is my idol!
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
Putting my butt in the chair and actually writing! I am easily distracted and there are so many demands on my time, especially since I’m self-published and must do all my own book promotion. I’d like to be three people!
Where do you research for your books?
I used to do all my research in libraries, but over time I’ve amassed quite a collection of books on history, geography, fashion, and you name it. Nowadays, though, most of my research is done on the internet. It saves loads of time.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Why?
I used to be a pantser, but my characters had a habit of running off on side trips far afield from their intended destination. Then I’d have to haul them back kicking and screaming and set them on the right path. This took up way to much time. I’m now a confirmed plotter, although I do welcome some unexpected twists along the way, as long as the end goal remains in sight.
Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?
Yes, I decided to use a pen name for the sake of my family’s privacy. Lyn is a nickname. My husband started calling me that almost from our first date -- a century or so ago. Horner is my maiden name. I chose it to honor my parents.
I know you’ve published a series of historical western romances. Please tell us about them.
Glad to. Set in the 1870s, the series is titled Texas Devlins. It’s about a trio of Irish-American siblings, each blessed with a rare psychic gift. White Witch, a prequel novella, offers a dramatic enactment of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, seen through the eyes of Jessie Devlin, who possesses second sight and “sees” the fire before it happens.
Darlin’ Irish takes Jessie west in search of a man she has seen in a prophetic vision, who she believes she’s fated to love. But will her quest lead to happiness or into a deadly trap?
Dashing Irish spotlights Tye Devlin’s empathic talent, the ability to literally “feel” others’ emotions. His encounter with a feisty Texas cowgirl spells trouble. Big time!
Dearest Irish stars baby sister Rose Devlin. Gifted with the power to heal with her mind, Rose is meek and mild, surely no match for a tough half-breed cowboy. Or is she?
I’m thrilled to say Dearest Irish has been nominated for a Rone Award by InD’Tale magazine, in the American Historical category. Voting is open, either on the site for subscribers: http://www.indtale.com/2014-rone-awards or email: [email protected]
Congratulations, Lyn! I’m also nominated for a Rone Award. Exciting times! Now please share an excerpt from your nominated book.
Welcome, Lyn!
Hi, Chad. Thank you for having me here today.
How did you begin writing?
I’ve always enjoyed writing although my formal training was in the visual arts. After art school, I worked as a fashion illustrator and art instructor, but quit work when my children were small in order to stay home with them. However, I soon needed a creative outlet. As a longtime fan of historical romances, it came naturally to try writing one. That led to years of scribbling on notepads and hiding my little “hobby” from family and friends – because I was afraid to admit I liked reading and writing hot love scenes. Silly, I know. Now I regard a beautifully written, passionate love scene as a work of art.
Who is your favorite author?
Diana Gabaldon, without a doubt. I love her Outlander series. The historical settings are so real that I feel like I’m actually there in 18th century Scotland, France and colonial America. As for her main characters, Jamie and Claire, they are like members of my family. Their love story is wrenchingly sad at times, hilariously funny at others and always entertaining. Diana is my idol!
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
Putting my butt in the chair and actually writing! I am easily distracted and there are so many demands on my time, especially since I’m self-published and must do all my own book promotion. I’d like to be three people!
Where do you research for your books?
I used to do all my research in libraries, but over time I’ve amassed quite a collection of books on history, geography, fashion, and you name it. Nowadays, though, most of my research is done on the internet. It saves loads of time.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Why?
I used to be a pantser, but my characters had a habit of running off on side trips far afield from their intended destination. Then I’d have to haul them back kicking and screaming and set them on the right path. This took up way to much time. I’m now a confirmed plotter, although I do welcome some unexpected twists along the way, as long as the end goal remains in sight.
Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?
Yes, I decided to use a pen name for the sake of my family’s privacy. Lyn is a nickname. My husband started calling me that almost from our first date -- a century or so ago. Horner is my maiden name. I chose it to honor my parents.
I know you’ve published a series of historical western romances. Please tell us about them.
Glad to. Set in the 1870s, the series is titled Texas Devlins. It’s about a trio of Irish-American siblings, each blessed with a rare psychic gift. White Witch, a prequel novella, offers a dramatic enactment of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, seen through the eyes of Jessie Devlin, who possesses second sight and “sees” the fire before it happens.
Darlin’ Irish takes Jessie west in search of a man she has seen in a prophetic vision, who she believes she’s fated to love. But will her quest lead to happiness or into a deadly trap?
Dashing Irish spotlights Tye Devlin’s empathic talent, the ability to literally “feel” others’ emotions. His encounter with a feisty Texas cowgirl spells trouble. Big time!
Dearest Irish stars baby sister Rose Devlin. Gifted with the power to heal with her mind, Rose is meek and mild, surely no match for a tough half-breed cowboy. Or is she?
I’m thrilled to say Dearest Irish has been nominated for a Rone Award by InD’Tale magazine, in the American Historical category. Voting is open, either on the site for subscribers: http://www.indtale.com/2014-rone-awards or email: [email protected]
Congratulations, Lyn! I’m also nominated for a Rone Award. Exciting times! Now please share an excerpt from your nominated book.
My pleasure, Chad. This excerpt is from chapter four of Dearest Irish. Choctaw Jack has kidnapped Rose in a desperate attempt to save his dying mother.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rose regained her senses slowly. Feeling herself rock to and fro, she groggily recognized the loping gait of a horse beneath her. But how could that be?
She forced her eyes open, taking in the starlit sky and the dark landscape passing by. Blinking at the sight, she realized she was seated crosswise on the horse – in a man’s lap. Just like that, the scene in her bedroom with Jack came back to her, and she knew whose chest she leaned upon and whose arm was locked around her.
She forced her eyes open, taking in the starlit sky and the dark landscape passing by. Blinking at the sight, she realized she was seated crosswise on the horse – in a man’s lap. Just like that, the scene in her bedroom with Jack came back to her, and she knew whose chest she leaned upon and whose arm was locked around her.
Panicking, she cried out in fright. Pain lanced through her jaw, reminding her of the blow her teacher-turned-abductor had delivered just before she’d sunk into oblivion.
“Easy now,” the brute murmured. “You’re all right. Nobody’s gonna hurt you.”
She threw her head back to see his shadowed features. “I’m not all right, ye . . . ye kidnapper!” Cupping her painful jaw, she demanded, “Take me back this instant!”
“Can’t do that, Toppah.”
“But ye must! Tye and Lil will be looking for me.” Catching the odd word he’d spoken, she repeated it. “Toppah? What’s that?”
“It’s you. It means yellow-hair.”
“Oh. Well, don’t be calling me that again. Now turn this horse around and take me back,” she again demanded.
“Nope. We’re heading for the Nations. You might as well relax and enjoy the ride.”
“Enjoy the ride, is it? You’re daft!” She pushed at his steely arm and attempted to twist free, but, although his hold caused no pain, it was unbreakable. Feeling smothered and panicky, she shoved at his chest, managing to create a small space between them.
“Be still,” he ordered sharply. “Do you want to fall off and break your neck?”
Before she could reply, another man’s voice sounded nearby, speaking in an unfamiliar tongue. Unaware of his presence until that moment, Rose uttered a frightened cry and instinctively shrank against Jack. His arm tightened around her for a moment. He said something to the other man then spoke softly to her.
“Don’t be afraid, Poe-lah-yee. That’s only Tsoia. He is my friend, my blood brother. He won’t touch you as long as he thinks you’re mine.”
“Yours! I’m not yours!” she shrilled, once more stiffening against him.
“You might not want to let him know that.”
Available in ebook and print:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CK9LGA2
http://tinyurl.com/l64ctss (Barnes & Noble)
Find Lyn Here:
http://lynhorner.com
https://www.facebook.com/lyn.horner.1
http://www.amazon.com/author/lyn.horner.award-winning.books
https://twitter.com/LynHornerauthor
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rose regained her senses slowly. Feeling herself rock to and fro, she groggily recognized the loping gait of a horse beneath her. But how could that be?
She forced her eyes open, taking in the starlit sky and the dark landscape passing by. Blinking at the sight, she realized she was seated crosswise on the horse – in a man’s lap. Just like that, the scene in her bedroom with Jack came back to her, and she knew whose chest she leaned upon and whose arm was locked around her.
She forced her eyes open, taking in the starlit sky and the dark landscape passing by. Blinking at the sight, she realized she was seated crosswise on the horse – in a man’s lap. Just like that, the scene in her bedroom with Jack came back to her, and she knew whose chest she leaned upon and whose arm was locked around her.
Panicking, she cried out in fright. Pain lanced through her jaw, reminding her of the blow her teacher-turned-abductor had delivered just before she’d sunk into oblivion.
“Easy now,” the brute murmured. “You’re all right. Nobody’s gonna hurt you.”
She threw her head back to see his shadowed features. “I’m not all right, ye . . . ye kidnapper!” Cupping her painful jaw, she demanded, “Take me back this instant!”
“Can’t do that, Toppah.”
“But ye must! Tye and Lil will be looking for me.” Catching the odd word he’d spoken, she repeated it. “Toppah? What’s that?”
“It’s you. It means yellow-hair.”
“Oh. Well, don’t be calling me that again. Now turn this horse around and take me back,” she again demanded.
“Nope. We’re heading for the Nations. You might as well relax and enjoy the ride.”
“Enjoy the ride, is it? You’re daft!” She pushed at his steely arm and attempted to twist free, but, although his hold caused no pain, it was unbreakable. Feeling smothered and panicky, she shoved at his chest, managing to create a small space between them.
“Be still,” he ordered sharply. “Do you want to fall off and break your neck?”
Before she could reply, another man’s voice sounded nearby, speaking in an unfamiliar tongue. Unaware of his presence until that moment, Rose uttered a frightened cry and instinctively shrank against Jack. His arm tightened around her for a moment. He said something to the other man then spoke softly to her.
“Don’t be afraid, Poe-lah-yee. That’s only Tsoia. He is my friend, my blood brother. He won’t touch you as long as he thinks you’re mine.”
“Yours! I’m not yours!” she shrilled, once more stiffening against him.
“You might not want to let him know that.”
Available in ebook and print:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CK9LGA2
http://tinyurl.com/l64ctss (Barnes & Noble)
Find Lyn Here:
http://lynhorner.com
https://www.facebook.com/lyn.horner.1
http://www.amazon.com/author/lyn.horner.award-winning.books
https://twitter.com/LynHornerauthor
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. This hobby grew into a love of research and the crafting of passionate love stories based on that research.
Lyn’s Texas Devlins trilogy blends authentic Old West settings, steamy romance and a glimmer of the mysterious. This series has earned Lyn several awards, including two Reviewers Choice Awards from the Paranormal Romance Guild. Her most recent release, Dearest Irish, is nominated for a Reader’s Choice Award on BigAl’s Books and Pals.
Lyn’s Texas Devlins trilogy blends authentic Old West settings, steamy romance and a glimmer of the mysterious. This series has earned Lyn several awards, including two Reviewers Choice Awards from the Paranormal Romance Guild. Her most recent release, Dearest Irish, is nominated for a Reader’s Choice Award on BigAl’s Books and Pals.
Thank you, Lyn, for dropping by and being my first official guest. I wish you continued success with your work!
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