Interview with Linda Trout

Storm Goddess Book Reviews is pleased to have with us today author Linda Trout! Linda's debut release, Grave Secrets, has been out since August through the Wild Rose Press. Linda has graciously answered my inquiring questions, and I'm glad to be sharing them with you today!

Hi Linda! Welcome! I'm glad to have you here with me today.

Tell me about yourself, and your writing.

Hi, Nikki. Thanks for having me. I grew up in northeastern Oklahoma, married my hero, a Marine, moved to San Diego then Austin before coming back home to our roots. I’m a retired accountant who now has time to pursue my passion, writing. When I first began writing, I truly wondered if I had enough talent to write an entire book. But I gave myself permission to try (yes, I know that sounds weird but it’s what worked for me). I took classes on writing, joined a romance writers group, went to conferences and workshops. i.e. I began to learn the craft. I also grew a Rhino hide. After all, this is a tough business so you have to be able to cope.

How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I’ve been writing for over 10 years but didn’t push myself to publish until recently. I suppose getting rid of the day job was the catalyst I needed. Grave Secrets is my debut novel, published by The Wild Rose Press. I write romantic suspense because, well, it seems nothing else will come out of me. Trust me, I’ve tried. LOL

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?

I’ve thought of writing Women’s Fiction as I have several snippets of stories bouncing around in my head that poke me every so often. But for the time being, I’m sticking with romantic suspense.

Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?

I’ve been writing by the seat of my pants, and even though my stories have done well, getting them down and knowing where I was going has been my bane. I’m working on the sequel to Grave Secrets, but this time, I’m doing a lot more plotting up front. I’m hoping it improves my process.

What is a typical writing day like for you?

Maybe it’s because of all my years of trying to write while I worked, but I seem to do my best writing late in the evening when the house is quiet, hubby has gone to bed, animals all taken care of. I find myself looking up and it’s 1 or 2 a.m. Huh. No wonder my eyelids were heavy. At least I no longer have to get up and go to the day job so I can sleep in a little later.

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?

I like a lot of the Harlequin Romantic Suspense authors, Marilyn Pappano (LOVE her Copper Lake series!), Justine Davis, Carla Cassidy, Merline Lovelace, but I also like Jodi Thomas (I get lost in her Whispering Mountain and Harmony series books) and Julia Quinn. So I’m a little all over the place.

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?

I’d like to get the sequel to GS cranked out and published as well as become a bit more savvy about online promotion. That seems to eat my lunch! Argh.

Tell us a little about your latest release.

It’s (obviously) a suspense with lots of twists and turns with a few surprises thrown in every so often. It has even taken some of my critique partners by surprise. Always a good thing, I think. Hehe Here’s a blurb:  

When Sara Adams' infant daughter is abducted, she moves heaven and earth to find her. But six months later, time is running out and Sara turns to the one man she shouldn't—insurance investigator Morgan Daniels. Dangerously attractive, he's a threat to more than just her heart, and if she isn't careful, he'll unearth secrets better left buried.

Proving Sara murdered her husband is Morgan's top priority. Helping her find her child is the perfect opportunity to get the proof he needs. But when he starts to think of her as a woman rather than a suspect, she slips under his armor. He can't trust her. Worse, he can't trust himself around her.

All evidence points to Sara as a murderer, but Morgan's gut tells him the evidence is wrong. Is his obsession with her blinding him to the facts? Or is the real murderer still out there…stalking Sara?

And just for good measure, here’s an excerpt:

Sara’s sobs, the first he’d heard from her, broke through his stupor. Was this the reason behind those dark circles under her eyes? The logical side of his brain said to back out of the room and get the hell out of the house. He didn’t need another mental case in his life, didn’t need the responsibility, and later the guilt, when he failed them.

Instead, he gathered her in his arms, then pressed her head against his shoulder. She cried so hard, her entire body shook, and her keening touched him in places he’d thought long dead. He had the feeling this was the first time she’d truly cried since they’d dug up her husband’s body. No wonder there were so many tears.

His shirt was soaked. He didn’t care. He forgot about his mom, about how Sara could already be headed down the same road and simply held her close. When the tears had abated and she’d blown her nose on the handkerchief he’d offered, he kissed the top of her head, whispering it would be all right. She looked up at him, parting her lips. Remnants of tears still trailed down her cheeks. Without thinking, he lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers to comfort her.

Sara had been clinging to his shirt, but now moved her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. She opened for him, inviting. Am I out of my mind? He couldn’t get involved with a client. Or a suspect. Sara Adams fell into both categories.

He chuckled to himself. He was about to make the biggest mistake of his life, but right now he didn’t care. When she whimpered he scooped her into his arms, her weight a turn-on by itself, and strode across the hall to the nearest bed he could find.

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?

I like working outside in the yard with my hubby. We have 10 acres so there’s always something to do year-round. No livestock, though. The multiple cats and dogs are quite enough, thank you very much. In nice weather, we love riding our Harleys. For some strange reason, doing online promotions scare me, but it doesn’t bother me one bit to zip down the interstate at 70 mpg. Go figure.

If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?

Um, you mean besides Grave Secrets? Don’t have a clue. LOL

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?

I love to sing, and had a halfway decent voice when I was (much) younger. Now it’s just so-so. I wish I’d had the voice to take my singing to the next level ‘back then.’ Not meant to be, though.

Favorite color?

Definitely blue.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink.

Sweet iced tea

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?

Alaska, Norway, New Zealand, Nova Scotia. You get the general idea.

You can find me at:

Website: http://www.LindaTrout.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lindaperrytrout

Twitter: @LindaTrout2

Thanks so much for having me and letting me reveal a bit about myself to the world.

TWRP: http://tinyurl.com/cann8jz

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/cnqz5ky