INTERVIEW | Christine Lynxwiler

Christine, describe yourself for our visitors.

Hmm. . .I’m 5’7 and—Oh wait, probably not what you had in mind. And that’s a good thing because my scale and I have a pact. I won’t smash it with a hammer as long as it doesn’t divulge my secrets. So back to describing myself. . .I write Christian romance and mysteries. I’ve been married for 27 years to a man who makes it easy to write romance. I’m the mom to two teenage daughters who make it easy to write conflict and drama. (Just kidding, girls! Sort of. . .) Seriously, the coolest thing about our house is we’re four very good friends who are blessed to be a family. Last, but definitely not least, I’m a Christian who wants to be everything God desires me to be and nothing more.

How do you find time to connect with God?

It’s the rare person who doesn’t wish for more hours in the day. I’m no exception. I’d love to have a set aside “devotional” time each day. Unfortunately, that’s not where I am right now, schedule wise. I study the Bible and go to “church” three times a week. I hope and try to connect with God with every breath I take. I talk to Him in the car on the way home from taking the girls to school. But even when I’m not audibly praying, I’m always aware that He’s there, listening to what I’m not saying and helping me through the day.

Do you have a favorite bible verse and or quote you wish to share?

That is a really hard question, but I think my favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38, 39. I memorized the KJV version years ago and it’s what comes to mind when I find myself feeling pulled away from God. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I love the fact that it mentions not only death, but also life. Life is what most often tries to separate me from God’s love. And this verse gives me the stamina to fight that with the knowledge of certain victory!

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

Most of my all-time favorite books are from my childhood. Madeline L’Engle’s Wrinkle in Time and C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia series. Then in more recent years, Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series, especially Voice in the Wind. That book changed how I think about what it means to be a Christian.

My favorite authors now are Francine Rivers, Ted Dekker, Dean Koontz, Tracey Bateman, Susan May Warren, and Rachel Hauck.

Tell us about your journey to publication.

I’ve always loved to write. In Freshman Comp, my teacher, Mr. Dollins, would scrawl encouraging notes across the page and they meant so much to me. I actually saved those papers and over the next decade while I was working to help my husband get through chiropractic school and starting a family, I would run across the stories from time to time and re-read his comments. One in particular stuck with me—“You really should do something with this talent.” Finally when I was pregnant with our second daughter in 1996, I decided to write a book.

It took me a little over a year and that book never sold, but it was the spark of a fire inside me that wouldn’t die. I wanted to write inspiring, entertaining stories for the masses. It wasn’t the equivalent of desiring to find the cure for cancer, but it was my dream and I held on to it like a bulldog with a bone. At the same time, I poured myself into becoming a better writer. I got on the internet and connected with other writers in a crit group. Mr. Dollins’ encouraging comment got me through a lot of tough critiques. But with each critique, I learned the delete button truly is my friend. And that writing may be for anyone, but rewriting is for professionals.

Finally in 2001, I sold my first story to Barbour Publishing. Since then I’ve written and sold fifteen more, including a three book mystery series I co-wrote with two of my sisters (available now in one volume, by the way, as Alibis in Arkansas.) My newest book, The Reluctant Cowgirl, is the beginning of a six book exclusive contract I recently signed with Barbour Publishing.

  Tell us about your current book.

Most of my books are about the heroine following her dream. The Reluctant Cowgirl came about while I was exploring the premise, What if the heroine was following someone else’s dream instead? And what if it was a BIG dream?

Here’s my attempt at back cover copy. This sums up the book as far as I’m concerned. I’m not sure if they used it or not. . .

Growing up safe in the love of her large, closely knit family, Crystal McCord’s natural talent for drama warred with her desire to be forever a cowgirl. . .until tragedy struck. At eighteen, she left all she knew behind and chased dreams of stardom on the big stage all the way to New York’s theater district. Now, almost seven years later, she’s finally on the verge of the ultimate success—a starring role on Broadway.

When Crystal’s New York dream seems to crumble just as her siblings call an emergency meeting, she travels home to the family’s Arkansas ranch to regroup. And runs straight into a real life Arkansas cowboy, complete with horse and hat.

Single father Jeremy Buchanan has his own demons to fight, but that doesn’t stop him from urging Crystal to break free from the past and embrace the future God has planned for her. But can she trust God. . .and Jeremy. . .enough to allow the real Crystal McCord to take center stage? Or will Jeremy’s own battle kill any hope of ever bringing the reluctant cowgirl home to stay?

What influenced you to write this book?

Hmm. . .That’s a tough question. “I wanted to write a fun romance” doesn’t seem like a very deep answer. But that’s probably how it started. I did choose to make Crystal out of sync with God because we don’t live in a perfect world. And no matter how solid our foundation as a Christian seems, tragedy, or even just everyday troubles, can sometimes knock us totally off course. I wanted to see through her eyes how that would feel and what the ultimate end would be. I was surprised by some of the things that happened during her journey, especially toward the end.

Did you have a favorite character(s)? Who and why?

In this book? Crystal. She handles her imperfections with an innate grace that is very endearing to me. Her struggles were real enough that I found myself dripping tears on the keyboard. Yet some of the predicaments she got into had me laughing so that my family wanted to know what the forwarded joke I must be reading said.

What’s next for you?

Book two in the three book McCord Sisters series (The three book McCord Brothers series will be after that!) – Cowgirl at Heart. Here’s my short synopsis for it, but keep in mind that since I’m just now writing it, it’s subject to change!

Elyse McCord always plays it safe. Blame it on being the biological daughter of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde, but now, even in the safety of her adoptive family, the McCords, Elyse is scared of her own shadow. Unless a dog is being mistreated. Then her heart leads her into situations out of her control.

Andrew Stone has no heart. Just ask him. His heart died with his pregnant wife when she was shot in a bank robbery three years ago. Since then his only thought has been revenge. Still when he sees a beautiful brunette trying valiantly to rescue a scrawny dog, he has no choice but to help. Especially when she ends up on the wrong side of a pistol.

When two people with painful pasts collide, the explosion is deafening. Can they pick up the pieces and go forward together? Or will they forever live with haunting memories, unable to forgive, unable to love?

Where can visitors find you online?

My website is http://www.christinelynxwiler.com and there’s a facebook group – Christine Lynxwiler Readers – that I keep updated frequently with new releases, booksignings, etc.

If you’re already a facebook member, just go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=72090221162 and click on JOIN THE GROUP! I’d love to see you there. If you’re not on facebook yet, here’s a good excuse. Just go to http://www.facebook.com, sign up, then search for Christine Lynxwiler Readers! See you there!

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