A Timely Romance

Visiting me today in My Writing Corner is Veronica Lynch, author of the new Candy Hearts book, For Keeps.  Her real life story appealed to me because I was another of those women who felt I couldn't become what I really wanted to be back in the 60's. In my case it was a sportswriter and I ended up a journalist. In her case... well, sometimes your real life becomes great fodder for your writing life.

She says her experiences as a forensic nurse examiner, victim advocate, malpractice insurance investigator and nurse-paralegal are great for background in her award winnings novels and novellas. For setting, she has chosen her favorite places on earth: the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains, as well as the historic Thousand Islands regions of Upstate and Northern New York State.

Did you always want to be a writer? 

 I wanted to be a doctor but my mother told me [this was the late 50's and early 60's] becoming a doctor wasn't something women did. I started writing in nursing school and never stopped.  As a nurse in the Operating Room right out of training I learned real fast that women indeed become physicians and were successful at it. It was too late for me by then.

Tell us about your new Candy Hearts book.

As a Vintage Rose story, For Keeps takes place in the late 1980's when victim advocacy came into its prime. While advocates and cops 'hooking up' did happen, it was viewed by both sides of the issue as going over to the dark side. I wanted to show the conflict a professional woman might face with the idea of spending the rest of her life with a man who completes her versus remaining in an thankless occupation which often brings heartache and burnout.

What gave you the idea for the story?

Personal experience. There comes a time in the story when the heroine responds to the hotline only to find the hero on the other end. The essence of that conversation [“if I was any better, I'd scare myself”] actually happened. I laughed the rest of the day and still smile when I recall that man's voice. It was a gift in the middle of a very stressful day. I'm sure that poor cop thought I was a raving lunatic. 

How do you normally come up with your characters?

From news accounts, either print or electronic. I often receive a newsletter from one of the charities I support, such as Doctors Without Borders, and think, I'm going to do a story about a woman physician with PTSD.

What did you like best about your current hero and heroine in your Candy Hearts book?

 Keenan Rossi is patterned after a cop I once worked with. He had a great voice, the warmest hands in town and listened to my opinions. I miss him terribly. I like Meg Muldoon because she faced down detractors with grace and dignity. I wish I'd had half her courage back in the day. 

How about a blurb?

Meghan Muldoon is at a crossroads: struggling to balance the demands of a high stress vocation as an advocate for victims of violence with her feelings for Keenan Rossi, a man who wants to make their relationship permanent.

On Valentine's Day,  a series of routine crises force Meg to question staying in a profession which fulfills her both professionally and spiritually—or devoting the rest of her life to the one person who completes her.

Which one is For Keeps?

How can readers reach you or find you online?

Blogs:              www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com

                        www.ApronsWithAttitude2.blogspot.com 

Facebook:        Kathy.Doran.944@Facebook.com.

                        KatsKarryAlls2@Facebook.com

Goodreads:     www.Goodreads.com/Author.VeronicaLynch

Your book sounds great!  Good luck, and thanks for being my guest today today.  Any questions or comments for Veronica?