An interview with Crimson Suspense author Lynn Crandall

 I'm so excited to be hosting Lynn on the eve of her release of her new novel. I love the title, and am anxious to find out more about the book and the author, so let's dive in.

Tell us about your upcoming novel.

My book, Dancing with Detective Danger, releases tomorrow, Jan. 21. It focuses on the redeveloping relationship between Sterling Aegar and Ben Kirby.

A private investigator who works with her sister, Sterling has never put to rest the trauma of her father's unsolved murder. Though she and Ben enjoyed a passionate and thrilling love affair, two years ago Sterling ran away from it when the wounds of her past demanded she insulate herself from the vulnerability of love and bury herself in her work.

A police officer, Ben has spent the last two years trying to put Sterling out of his heart and mind. But he knows it hasn't worked, and when he runs into her at a crime scene, his desire for her at a physical level is triggered, but more profoundly at an emotional level.

As the two are thrown together again, they find putting the past to rest means something unexpected.

What's next for your readers?

I am presently working on a book about Lacey, Sterling’s sister and co-private investigator. She is introduced in Dancing with Detective Danger and has issues of loss to contend with regarding her husband.

Do you have a favorite part about writing? Least favorite?

I love a lot of things about writing but to pick a favorite, I would have to say the “reveal.” Since I’m a pantser, what happens next is often a moment of delightful surprise when characters tell me something interesting or the plot takes a path I didn’t expect. My least favorite it not knowing what comes next. As a pantser I create character bios, a loose outline and ideas about scenes. But it’s nerve wracking to face blank pages not knowing exactly what’s going to happen. Something always does, but it’s still a bit daunting to not know.

Who influenced you professionally?

I began writing as a newspaper reporter and magazine article writer and was so lucky to begin under a fabulous news editor who helped me learn to “see” the lead and the points of the story that readers need to know. I think it is a very useful skill to apply to fiction, too.

Why do you write romance?

I feel humans are amazingly complex and interesting, so I like to read about characters who are flawed but are able to find love. I’m fascinated by the complexity of relationships and romance novels are about relationships. Or course, a happy ending makes my spirit swell.

Have you ever written in another genre?

I have written mystery short stories. I enjoyed it, but I found myself dreaming dark and disturbing dreams. Since I’m a wimp, I stopped writing mysteries to stop the murder and mayhem dreams.

Have you ever written a character based on someone you know?

Dancing with Detective Danger evolved as a story from a thought about family relationships that have suffered through problems and yet remain intact, vital and growing. This concept of family was sparked by my own family relationships at the time, which aren’t always ideal, as family relationships tend to be – not ideal.

Do you have an idea for “the” book of your career? Have you already written it or is it still an idea bouncing around in your head?

I have one or two of those ideas, and I hope to bring them to life soon, though I don’t imagine them as “the” book of my career, because there are always new “the” book ideas coming into my head. But since in a former life I’m sure I was a fairy or angel or something immortal (J), several of my ideas are fantasy, though still fundamentally romance.

Who would you like to cast as yourself in the movie about your life?

Hmm…good question. Can I have Anne Hathaway?? Please?? She looks nothing like me, but that’s OK. I liked her character struggles in The Devil Wears Prada.

If you could choose two people to have dinner with, from any time period, real or fictional, who would you want at the table?

Only two? Jane Austen and Kelley Armstrong. But that’s tough to narrow down. I think it would be amazing to be in a room with my characters from Dancing with Detective Danger.

Are you a dog or cat person?

I’ve never seen a dog or a cat I don’t think is cute. So I’m dual. But I have two cats who I adore.

Would you rather vacation at the beach or the mountains?

No question. Beach me. Growing up and living a good portion of my life in Michigan, I always was near a body of water and it was lovely.

Book blurb:

Uncovering secrets and exposing truth are all in a day’s work for private investigator Sterling Aegar. But when her latest case threatens to reveal her own buried feelings for an old love, Sterling runs for cover.

A body in the bathtub and pleas from a jilted wife to find her wayward husband mean a welcome break from the usual humdrum cases Sterling and her sister, Lacey, are called to investigate. But when Sterling’s old flame, Detective Ben Kirby, walks into the murder scene, she feels her world spin out of control. Danger from thugs and murderers poses no greater threat than the peril she’d suffer if she lets daredevil Ben get too close.

Seeing Sterling for the first time in two years is for Ben like drinking in a healing tonic. He could never forget the way it felt to run his hands over her delicious curves or the way she touched his soul. She remains the one person who can make the emptiness in his gut go away. Finding the murderer is his job, but protecting Sterling from seriously dangerous people is his mission.

As the case unfolds, Sterling and Ben not only solve the murder and locate the missing husband, they confront secrets that set them each free from a painful past.

You can learn more about Lynn or contact her at the following:

website: http://www.lynn-crandall.com/
 
https://www.amazon.com/author/lynncrandall

https://www.facebook.com/LynnCrandallAuthor?ref=hl

twitter -- @lcrandall246