Dana R. Lynn Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. My husband and I met at a wedding 24 years ago. He was the best man and I was the maid of honor. We’ll celebrate our 23rd anniversary this month. We have 3 kids between the ages of 17 and 21 and live in rural Pennsylvania. Our family also has 2 cats, 2 dogs, 3 chickens and a horse. In addition to writing, I also work full time as a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Q: What started you on your writing journey?
A. I have always loved losing myself in a good book and creating stories. When I was young, I read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and learned she was only 17. I decided then that one day I would write, too. It just took me a little longer. Okay. A lot longer. My first book was contracted when I was 44.

Q: What distracts you from writing the easiest?
A. My family! We’re a lively bunch, and there is always lots of activity in my home. My favorite place to write in the house is the dining room table, because I’m a pacer. I have a desk in my room, but there’s no space to pace and think, so I don’t like to write there. I have had to remind my kids and my husband that when I’m writing, I really am working.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Deadly Amish Reunion
A: Sure! I loved writing Jennie and Luke’s story. Let me share the blurb with you:
Separated by amnesia…reunited by a lethal holiday threat.

Jennie Beiler’s husband was supposed to be dead, so she’s shocked when he rescues her from an attacker. Although Luke has no memories of his Englisch wife, it’s up to him to protect her from someone who won’t stop until she’s dead. Can the peaceful Amish community he returned to after losing his memory shelter them and their son this Christmas when danger strikes again?

Q: Where did the idea for this story come from?
A. I was working on Plain Refuge, my June 2020 book. My hero had a sister, Jennie. I really liked her and wanted to do a story about her. But I was frustrated because I had trouble thinking of a hero for her. One day I thought, it’s too bad her husband is dead. And then I thought, what if he isn’t? From there I started to think of what could have happened to separate them and the idea of a hero with amnesia was formed.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I am working on my Love Inspired Suspense for fall of 2021. It features a woman who has left the Amish community with lots of baggage and the Amish man she’d loved and abandoned.

Q: What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
A. I love so many genres. Romantic suspense, romance, historical (especially Regency and Pride and Prejudice variation stories), spiritual, young adult, science fiction and fantasy.

Q: What is your favorite food?
A. H… Pizza or ice cream? Pizza or ice cream? It’s a tie. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes recently, so I have to be careful not to over indulge in either.

Q: What makes you smile and/or laugh out loud?
A My family is hysterical. My husband is a bit of a prankster, and he’s passed that talent on to my kids. They always make me laugh. I laugh out loud with my friends whenever we are together, too.

Q: If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A: I’d love to be a cat. I could take long naps, and still feel like I was ruling the house. We call our one cat His Majesty for good reason.