Lynn H. Blackburn

Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?
A. My degree is in chemical engineering, so, perfect for a future career in writing. 🙂 My first job was as an environmental engineer, then later I worked as a process improvement engineer and I did that until our daughter was born. I was staying home with our kids when I started writing in 2009. I sold my first book in 2014.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Unknown Threat?
A:Unknown Threat is the first book in the Defend and Protect series.

The United States Secret Service resident office in Raleigh, North Carolina is staffed by some of the most elite law enforcement officers in the country. They investigate financial and identity crimes and are always ready to support any protective mission that comes their way.

US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell has been assigned to the Raleigh office for several years, and he knows it’s not a coincidence when three friends and fellow agents die in unusual circumstances within weeks of each other. As more agents are targeted, the stakes become higher than ever. FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is placed in charge of the investigation and must work with Luke to bring the killer to justice before any more names are added to the Secret Service Wall of Honor.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?
A: I’ve always been fascinated by the U.S. Secret Service. When I started my research and learned more about what they do, I knew there would be a range of stories I could tell and I think readers will be surprised to discover how varied the mission of the Secret Service is. It’s far more than the protective detail we typically associate with them. And the Secret Service works closely with other agencies and with a variety of business which gave me the opportunity create an exciting and unique cast of characters.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: I hope readers are more confident than ever in God’s faithfulness and in the power of forgiveness.

Q: How do you choose your settings for your books?
A. I prefer to set books in places I’ve lived or where I’ve spent a significant amount of time. The Carolinas will always be my first choice because that’s where I’ve lived my entire life.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?
A: 98% made up with 2% random characteristics from people I know. I frequently give characters the hobbies or favorite foods of people I know, but that’s about as far as that goes. I much prefer to make people up. Then I don’t have to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings.

I’m more likely to mimic relationships. For example, the heroine of Unknown Threat, Faith Malone, is very close to her sister, Hope. They are very different people with very different personalities, but they have a tight bond. And Gil Dixon, the hero of the second book has a very close relationship with his twin sister, Emily. I’m very close to my sister, so it’s natural for me to give my characters something similar.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I’m finishing the second book in the Defend and Protect series while spinning ideas in my head for the third book in the series and a novella.

Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why?
A. If money was no object, I’d love to dive Silfra. It’s a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in the Thingvellir National Park in Iceland. It’s supposed to be the clearest water in the world.

And then when I was done with that, I’d visit New Zealand. I’ve wanted to go to New Zealand ever since I saw The Lord of the Rings movies.

Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done?
A. Let’s just say there was a lot of toilet paper involved…and the police … but it ended well . . . 🙂

Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?
A. Besides parenting, staying married for a long time, homeschooling, and writing books (which all should get more credit than they do) and limiting it to the last few years, I’d say learning how to dive. I was absolutely terrified and told my husband after the first day that I would never be able to do it. Diving of the Florida Keys a few months later made it all worth it.