Hi Linn and Welcome to RomanceJunkies!

Q: First, can you let us know what projects you are currently working on?

Linn: Absolutely, at the moment I am finishing up with my paranormal HAUNTED HEARTS and am beginning COLD RIVER MURDERS, the second in the McCall Mystery Series.

Q: What does your writing space look like?
Do you need absolute quiet music, candles or anything to spark your writing?

Linn: I actually have a writing studio in my home. I am surrounded by bookshelves, wizards, Disney Princesses-mostly Snow White whom I have great affinity for; Cinderella who reminds me of my friend who passed away last year and Tinkerbelle. I have hanging plants and candles and other magical things to help me create. I listen to music when I write. Each book has a particular theme. My music to PIRATES IN PARADISE, to be released this June-Triskelion Publishing, was appropriately the beautiful music of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. One window looks out to squirrels and birds enjoying the birdfeeder and the other overlooks our tropical pool. However, please let everyone know; when I first began I started out in a tiny corner of the kitchen. You are all welcome to my world.

Q: How do the ideas for your stories come about?
Do you incorporate life’s experiences or friends/family into your stories?

Linn: I’m a reality show junkie, and I wondered what would happen if a real murder took place on a who-done-it reality show. It helped my husband used to be in the movie industry. YOUR CHEATIN’ HEARTS was inspired by a silly conversation about my friend’s cheating ex-husband; hence, a private detective agency that specialized in cheating husbands. I had to add more to both initial concepts but it played out quite nicely in each book. Yes, I do incorporate my life experience. In my upcoming COLD RIVER MURDERS, my heroine is a K-9 Search and Rescue Handler, just like me. Do I use real friends or family, never….they never do what I want them to do in real life or on paper.

Q: What is the easiest part of the writing process for you? How about the hardest?

Linn: The easiest part is just sitting down and writing, especially when creativity flows like a river. Most of the time, its work; work I love. The hardest part of writing is to simply find time to write. Like most of us, life just has so many demands these days.

Q: Do you do any research for your stories? What is the most interesting thing you have learned?

Linn: I will go to the ends of the earth to make sure my research is accurate. I’ve taken classes on poisons, how to handle and shoot a gun, but the most hair-raising research was taking a trip on an airboat down the St. Johns River. The driver came straight from central casting and wanted to show off ‘what this baby could do”. So off we went, full speed 7 foot albumin frame airboat with an airplane engine propelling us forward at breakneck speeds. Readers will experience a bit of ride in PIRATE IN PARADISE where my heroine escapes into the Everglades on an airboat. Me…I’m still shaking.

Q: If your life was movie, what would it be called? What would the theme song be?

Linn: Oh gosh, would anybody come to see a movie about me? It would be an insane mix of heart rendering life experiences and episodes straight out of ‘I Love Lucy’ with a touch of ‘Desperate Housewives’. I would pick ‘Moby’ for the soundtrack.

Q: What is the age of your inner child? Why did you pick that age?

Linn: My inner child is 35; she’s an impulse buyer who buys more books than she can read. It was simply a good age for me, a favorite age when I first learned my power as a woman.

Q: If you could physically transport yourself to anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Linn: My favorite places are on the St. Johns River, fishing with my husband, my son, Michael’s room, when we talk, with my dog Hunter in the woods, and at Walt Disney World where I become lost in laughter and joy all around me.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher? Why?

Linn: My favorite teacher was my Japanese Riding Instructor (I grew up in Japan). He told me when I was having difficulty taking my horse over a jump, to ‘let my heart go first, everything else would follow’. He was right about the jump and about life.

Q: What kinds of books will we find on your bookshelf?
Do you remember the first author that you were hooked on?

Linn: My favorite first author was Phyllis Whitney. Today my favorites are Michael Prescott and Kevin O’Brien just to name a few. I have hundreds of books mostly romantic suspense though you will find historicals in the mix. And heavens, if anything happens to my husband, one look at my crime library with books filled with poisons, the complete Howdunits series, and more, the cops would have me in the clinker before I could say “they are just for research.”

MORE FUN…

Q: If you could keep one junk food stocked at all times in your house, what would it be?

Linn: LOL, like I don’t now? Popcorn, I’m a maniac for popcorn, it’s soul food, relished with salt and butter used to soothe my pain, celebrate my happiness, beside me while I read or watch TV. Thank goodness it’s low in calories.

Favorites and Fun Questions

Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?

Linn: My favorite childhood memories are about horses. I was an accomplished rider by the time I was eight years old and went from formal English Riding to riding in the Rodeo as a Team Roper and Barrel Racer.

Q: If you could be a flower which one would you be? Why?

Linn: I would be a wildflower growing on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Why? Because wild birds would soar above me, bears, raccoons and wolves would amble pass me, the ground beneath me would always be solid and firm and because it is there I would be closest to God and a starry night sky.

Q: If you could be on a game show, which one would it be and why?

Linn: I would love to be on ‘Jeopardy’; because my husband and I watch it every night after dinner. I love answering the questions even when I get them wrong.

Q: What is your favorite movie to watch? How about TV shows?

Linn: I love romantic movies with adventure. My favorites are ‘The Mask of Zorro’, ‘Romancing the Stone’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. I am addicted to the ‘Law & Order’ series, ‘CSI’, ‘Court TV’ and ‘Dr. Phil’.

Q: Do you have any special holiday traditions or plans for this year?

Linn: Our household is a simple one with all traditional holidays celebrated at home. I am such a homebody, I’m quite sure your readers would find me boring. However as I am half Irish, I have to admit I make St. Patrick’s Day a grand celebration. Alone at night, out in nature, I always celebrate the Summer Solstice and the Celtic Harvest Moon.

Thank you and Romance Junkies for interviewing me. I’d like to invite everyone reading to visit my site, enjoy free chapter reads of my books, and register for a full year of contests. This month it’s a $42.00 Victoria Supermodel Makeup Kit. And Kim, thank you so much, this has been fun. You and everyone are invited to stay in touch with me. Have a wonderful day!

Thank you Linn for spending time with us and letting us get to know you. I wish you great luck in your future.

By Kim Atchue Cusella