Interview with Linda McLaughlin

Today I'm interviewing Linda McLaughlin! Please help me welcome Linda to Storm Goddess Book Reviews today :)




Linda, tell me about yourself, and your writing.

I'm a librarian by trade though I spent about 8 years as a travel agent. I've had a life long love affair with books and with history, and most of my stories are in the historical romance subgenre.

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

I started writing seriously about 25 years ago. The first book came out in 1998 and since then there have been two more full-length novels and about two dozen short stories and novellas.

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

I write in multiple subgenres of romance. Everything from sweet Regency romance to erotic male/male. My muse has a short attention span and can't stand to just do one thing over and over again.

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

I fall somewhere in between. I've never been able to write by the seat of the pants, but I don't do really specific plotting either. I work with a fluid scene list, but I do need to have some idea where the story is going.

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

I'm a pretty eclectic reader, but some of my favorite authors are Mary Jo Putney, Jacqueline Carey, M. J. Rose, Catherine Asaro and Naomi Novik. I like historical romance & mystery, but also science fiction and fantasy. I have a lot of admiration for writers of speculative fiction, as that is the most imaginative of genres.

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

Still trying to get through this year, lol. I'm doing a lot of reissues in 2013. Next year I'd like to publish more original stories.

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

I'd like to be able to project my mind back into the past to see what things were really like way back when.

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?

A unicorn, because they are so gentle and beautiful. Most mythical creatures are pretty scary!

Tell us a little about your latest release.

Rogue's Hostage is a historical romance that starts on the Pennsylvania frontier in 1758 during the French and Indian War. My heroine, Mara, is taken captive by a French & Indian raiding party led by the hero, Jacques Corbeau, an officer in the French army. She doesn't expect to fall in love with her captor, but she does.

Rogue's Hostage is the book of my heart, or at least the one that grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go. I became so engrossed in Jacques and Mara's story, and the characters wouldn't leave me alone until I'd finished it and sold it. It got great reviews, including 4 ｽ Stars and Top Pick from Romantic Times. Now it's getting a second chance with a gorgeous new cover by Lex Valentine of Winterheart Design. And I hope some new readers will discover this book of my heart and join me in Jacques and Mara's dangerous and exciting world.

What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)

Chocolate, and believe me, I've tried.

Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?

I did write one contemporary romance with a co-author, Anne Farrell, called Worth The Risk by Lyn O'Farrell. It was originally published as a Zebra Precious Gem in 1998 under the title Private Affair. In 2011 we revised it and released a new ebook edition.

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?

I used to do needlepoint and cross stitch and genealogy, but don't have time any more. Writing and the Internet seem to eat up my time. I guess the Internet is my new hobby, for good or ill.

What is something you've always wanted to do, but haven't done yet. Why not?

I've always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis, but it's not gonna happen here in Southern California. Maybe some day I'll happen far enough north at the right time.

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

Wish I had a better talent for organization. I never seem able to tame the chaos.

             Favorite color? Red

Weather: Hot or cold? Cold

Favorite place to read? Anywhere

Favorite non-alcoholic drink. Decaf coffee. Can't have the real stuff any more, not if I ever want to sleep again.

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

Ooh, I'd sign up for one of those super expensive trips into space that some day may be possible. I think it would be awesome to see Earth from space. Scary but very cool.



BLURB:  His hostage ...

In 1758 the Pennsylvania frontier is wild, primitive and dangerous, where safety
often lies at the end of a gun. Mara Dupre's life crumbles when a French and
Indian war party attacks her cabin, kills her husband, and takes her captive.
Marching through the wilderness strengthens her resolve to flee, but she doesn't count on her captor teaching her the meaning of courage and the tempting call of desire.

Her destiny ...

French lieutenant Jacques Corbeau's desire for his captive threatens what little
honor he has left. But when Mara desperately offers herself to him in exchange for her freedom, he finds the strength to refuse and reclaims his lost self-respect. As the shadows of his past catch up to him, Jacques realizes that Mara, despite the odds, is the one true key to reclaiming his soul and banishing his past misdeeds forever.

Linda McLaughlin grew up with a love of history fostered by her paternal grandmother and an incurable case of wanderlust inherited from her father. She has traveled extensively within the United States and has visited Mexico, Canada, & Australia. A lifelong dream came true with a trip to England where she was able to combine sightseeing and theater with research for her novels. A native of Pittsburgh, she now lives in Southern California with her husband.

Her first book was Worth The Risk by Lyn O'Farrell. Now Linda writes historical and Regency romance. She loves transporting her readers into the past where her characters learn that, in the journey of life, love is the sweetest reward.

She also writes sexy to erotic romance under the name Lyndi Lamont.

Linda’s online contacts:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/lindamclaughlin

Website: http://www.lindamclaughlin.com/

Blog: http://flightsafancy.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LyndiLamont

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/lindamclaughlin

Her latest release is Rogue's Hostage

http://www.lindamclaughlin.com/rogueshostage.html

Buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00BJO26OY

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1005663623

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/291719

Add to Goodreads shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author/1216627.Linda_McLaughlin