Author Genre: Romance, Mystery & Thrillers, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Website: Lynn Cahoon
Author's Blog: Lynn Cahoon
Twitter: @LynnCahoon
E-Mail: lynn@lynncahoon.com
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Amazon Author Profile
Author Description:
Lynn Cahoon is the author of the NYT and USA Today bestselling Tourist Trap cozy mystery series. Guidebook to Murder, book 1 of the series won the Reader's Crown for Mystery Fiction in 2015. She's also the author of the soon to be released, Cat Latimer series, with the first book, A STORY TO KILL, releasing in mass market paperback September 2016. She lives in a small town like the ones she loves to write about with her husband and two fur babies.
SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author
Congratulations on your book: Tea Cups and Carnage. Rumor has it that you have another book on the horizon called A Story to Kill (new series A Cat Latimer Mystery). Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?
A Story to Kill releases August 30th!
Former English professor Cat Latimer is back in Colorado, hosting writers’ retreats in the big blue Victorian she’s inherited, much to her surprise, from none other than her carousing ex-husband! Now it’s an authors’ getaway—but Cat won’t let anyone get away with murder… The bed-and-breakfast is open for business, and bestselling author Tom Cook is among its first guests. Cat doesn’t know why he came all the way from New York, but she’s glad to have him among the quirkier—and far less famous—attendees.
Cat’s high school sweetheart Seth, who’s fixing up the weathered home, brings on mixed emotions for Cat…some of them a little overpowering. But it’s her uncle, the local police chief, whom she’ll call for help when there’s a surprise ending for Tom Cook in his cozy guest room. Will a killer have the last word on the new life Cat has barely begun?
You have a good following on twitter. Since you started before the social media buzz, what impact has social media relationships had on your current success? How did you build your following in your niche? How much has it changed your book launch process?
Twitter is still a mystery to me. When I started this SM stuff, I would 'manage' my account monthly. (I actually had time. lol) I would cut off followers who unfollowed me when I followed them - a list building trick. I followed everyone who twitter suggested I follow. So it was a lot of work. Now, I follow who I'm interested in and who are interested in me. It's a lot more fun now.
As to what impact SM has? Who knows. LOL I love my Facebook followers (personal and author page) and you'll see me there more than on twitter or even blogging. I believe it's important to be out there, to have a presence, but does it affect sales? I don't know the answer to that.
Do you do any book signings, interviews, speaking and personal appearances? If so, when and where is the next place where your readers can see you? Where can they keep up with your personal contacts online?
I do. Probably too many this year, but I do. You can find my list on www.lynncahoon.com or on my Facebook page if I remember to tell people I'm doing something. My next signing will be at RWA Nat'ls in San Diego. They do a literacy signing each year to raise money for local charities. Then I'm involved in a local Wine, Wit and Lit event in August in St. Louis.
You have great covers. They carry a theme and your brand with them. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development?
As most traditional authors will tell you, covers are a piece of luck. I don't have 'control' over what happens, but I do make suggestions and most of the time, what I wanted was what comes out. It's like a game of telephone. :) Now, my self pub covers have been my design, but my cover designer is great at changing up things that she sees need correcting.
Several of your novels have been converted into audio books. What has been the impact on your regular sales? Has the audio books gained a new audience for you?
Most definitely. There's a different audience for audio books. I have one lady at work who listens to Audible as she works. I'm a commute listener - the only way I get reading in these days. I think authors need to have their books out there in any and all delivery devices.
You have written several novellas. Can you tell us if they had an impact on the sales of your novels? Are shorty’s one of your styles of writing or are they created to give readers a sample of your work? Do you feel short reads are a product of our email and smart phone age?
I'll answer the last question first. Yes. We are training readers to read shorter. It's been proven in a study. That being said, I like writing novellas because it gives me a chance to visit that world without committing to an entire novel. Sometimes I want to touch base with my worlds so it's an easy way for me to come back. And some stories aren't full books.
I like the idea of bundling a series of novels. You have put together a couple of sets of your novels (A Tourist Trap Mystery and The Bull Rider's Collection). What was the impact on your other sales? What was your main objective in bundling your novels?
The Tourist Trap mysteries have not been bundled. They are just listed as a series at Amazon. The Bull Rider's Collection is a true bundle. I think bundling works best with like authors. I got mega sales (of the other books) when The Bull Rider's Brother was in an anthology . But I don't think sales translate to new series. Or at least that's my experience.
What has been your experience in giving your books away free? Have you been involved in any other type of giveaways and how did that work out? What was your main goal in doing this? Did you run into any obstacles?
Ah, the controversy of the free book. I give away back list books. I rarely give away new releases, but my publisher gives me a batch to use during releases. I've done two five day free sessions on my self published series to 'get reviews.' The first one, I had over 5000 downloads. I got two bad reviews that weren't valid. (IMHO) So I had to work to get other reviewers to post about the book. I paid for ads for this first giveaway. I just did a second one, gave away less than 500 copies, did no paid advertising and got the same number (or more) purchases of the first book in the series and pre-orders. I think it works with a series, but if I do put first in series free, I'll write a novella for the series instead of my full length book.
Do you maintain a reader list? What are the methods you use to find your readers and create the list and the relationship? Do you use social media, forums, newsletters and/or support groups to build your list?
I do have a mailing list. I was using Mail Chimp, but now my website does my newsletter once a month. I do a giveaway once a quarter from the newsletter of any of my backlist books. And I have a link to sign up on my website. I also maintain a snail mail list for post card mailings for new releases.
What is your method of getting reviews for your novels? Do you seek professional reviews, use social media or do you rely on your reading audience to supply them?
My publisher sets my books up on NetGalley. But I also do a blog tour and if a blogger has reviewed in the past and isn't on the tour, I send them a NetGalley link. With A Story to Kill, I got several ARC's to send out so they went to my cozy bloggers who loved the Tourist Trap mysteries.
Author's Book List
A Story to Kill
- A Cat Latimer MysteryFormer English professor Cat Latimer is back in Colorado, hosting writers’ retreats in the big blue Victorian she’s inherited, much to her surprise, from none other than her carousing ex-husband! Now it’s an authors’ getaway—but Cat won’t let anyone get away with murder…
The bed-and-breakfast is open for business, and bestselling author Tom Cook is among its first guests. Cat doesn’t know why he came all the way from New York, but she’s glad to have him among the quirkier—and far less famous—attendees.
Cat’s high school sweetheart Seth, who’s fixing up the weathered home, brings on mixed emotions for Cat…some of them a little overpowering. But it’s her uncle, the local police chief, whom she’ll call for help when there’s a surprise ending for Tom Cook in his cozy guest room. Will a killer have the last word on the new life Cat has barely begun?
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Tea Cups and Carnage
- A Tourist Trap MysteryThe quaint coastal town of South Cove, California, is all abuzz about the opening of a new specialty shop, Tea Hee. But as Coffee, Books, and More owner Jill Gardner is about to find out, there's nothing cozy about murder . . .
Shop owner Kathi Corbin says she came to South Cove to get away from her estranged family. But is she telling the truth? And did a sinister someone from her past follow her to South Cove? When a woman claiming to be Kathi's sister starts making waves and a dead body is found in a local motel, Jill must step in to clear Kathi's name--without getting herself in hot water.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Murder on Wheels
- A Tourist Trap MysteryThe food truck craze has reached the charming coastal town of South Cove, California, but before Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More—can sample the eats, she has to shift gears and put the brakes on a killer . . .
Now that Kacey Austin has got her new gluten-free dessert truck up and running, there’s no curbing her enthusiasm—not even when someone vandalizes the vehicle and steals her recipes. But when Kacey turns up dead on the beach and Jill’s best friend Sadie becomes the prime suspect, Jill needs to step on it to serve the real killer some just desserts.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Audible
Killer Run
- A Tourist Trap MysteryJill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More—has somehow been talked into sponsoring a 5k race along the beautiful California coast. The race is a fundraiser for the local preservation society—but not everyone is feeling so charitable…
The day of the race, everyone hits the ground running…until a local business owner stumbles over a very stationary body. The deceased is the vicious wife of the husband-and-wife team hired to promote the event—and the husband turns to Jill for help in clearing his name. But did he do it? Jill will have to be very careful, because this killer is ready to put her out of the running…forever!
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Audible
Dressed To Kill
- A Tourist Trap Mystery Book 4Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More in the tucked-away town of South Cove, California—is not particularly thrilled to be portraying a twenties flapper for the dinner theater murder mystery. Though it is for charity…
Of course everyone is expecting a “dead” body at the dress rehearsal…but this one isn’t acting! It turns out the main suspect is the late actor’s conniving girlfriend Sherry…who also happens to be the ex-wife of Jill’s main squeeze. Sherry is definitely a master manipulator…but is she a killer? Jill may discover the truth only when the curtain comes up on the final act…and by then, it may be far too late.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Audible
If the Shoe Kills
- A Tourist Trap Mystery Book 3The tourist town of South Cove, California, is a lovely place to spend the holidays. But this year, shop owner Jill Gardner discovers there's no place like home for homicide. . .
As owner of Coffee, Books, and More, Jill Gardner looks forward to the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers. But when the mayor ropes her into being liasion for a new work program, ‘tis the season to be wary. Local businesses are afraid the interns will be delinquents, punks, or worse. For Jill, nothing's worse than Ted Hendricks—the jerk who runs the program. After a few run-ins, Jill's ready to kill the guy. That, however, turns out to be unnecessary when she finds Ted in his car—dead as a doornail. Detective Greg King assumes it's a suicide. Jill thinks it's murder. And if the holidays weren't stressful enough, a spoiled blonde wants to sue the city for breaking her heel. Jill has to act fast to solve this mess—before the other shoe drops. . .
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Audible
Mission to Murder
- A Tourist Trap MysteryIn the California coastal town of South Cove, history is one of its many tourist attractions—until it becomes deadly…
Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books, and More, has discovered that the old stone wall on her property might be a centuries-old mission worthy of being declared a landmark. But Craig Morgan, the obnoxious owner of South Cove’s most popular tourist spot, The Castle, makes it his business to contest her claim. When Morgan is found murdered at The Castle shortly after a heated argument with Jill, even her detective boyfriend has to ask her for an alibi. Jill decides she must find the real murderer to clear her name. But when the killer comes for her, she’ll need to jump from historic preservation to self-preservation…
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Guidebook to Murder
- A Tourist Trap MysteryIn the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store--Coffee, Books, and More--open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?
When Jill's elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls in a fit of pique, she already knows the city council is trying to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But Emily's gumption goes for naught when she dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill--along with all of her problems. . .and her enemies. Convinced her friend was murdered, Jill is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit--especially if it gets her closer to South Cove's finest, Detective Greg King. Problem is, the killer knows she's on the case--and is determined to close the book on Jill permanently. . .
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Roadside Attraction
- Castle View Series Book 2Maggie Castle never thought she'd be empty-nesting at 32. When her foster daughter leaves for college, Maggie's at a loss on how to fill her time except managing her restaurant. Until Josh walks into her bar one night.
Josh Reyes, gave up on his father's dreams and left the family business. Now Josh is living his own dream - riding his motorcycle through as much back country as possible. Until he breaks down outside a little northern Idaho town and meets Maggie.
One is tied to home by commitment and responsibility, one running from home and those ties, can they find common ground or will their attraction be just one more memory from the road?
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Wild Hearts
- Book 1 in the Castle View SeriesA Fresh Start -
Abigail Johnson just nabbed her dream job, running Castle View’s Big Cat Sanctuary. However, after she moves with her daughter from Seattle back to her hometown, Mark Castle drops the bombshell. The sanctuary is on life support and she shouldn’t even unpack.
Feeling torn –
Mark has one chance to save the family business on the verge of bankruptcy. And no one can deny, the tiger sanctuary is dripping in red ink. Closing it is the responsible thing to do. At least financially.
One final shot –
The sanctuary’s existence hinges on winning one of the most prestigious grants in the zoo world, The Wildlife Conservation Society –Hagenbeck Grant. Can Mark wait for Abigail to save the sanctuary or will the bank and the other Castle kids push him to sell off the one place the cats call home.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
The Salem Gathering
- Book 3 of The Council seriesA babe in jeopardy, a coven on the loose, and only one witch hunter team can save them.
Parris McCall knows her best friend’s life in in danger, but when Parris gets orders from The Council to track down Coven X, she has no choice but to follow orders.
Ty Wallace knows there’s more to The Council’s directive than meets the eye. Can he figure out what’s not being said before he loses Parris to her distant relatives or worse, forever?
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Return of the Fae
- Council Book 2Council, #2
A witch in training, a hunter on the prowl, and a world in jeopardy.
Learning the rules of being a witch takes years, but Parris McCall needs to master them in only weeks. Knowing how to wield her magic is the one thing she has to keep her grandmother safe and herself alive.
Ty Wallace is going mad with his desire for Parris, but he has to maintain an emotional distance from her. She’s a distraction in his quest to find Coven X before they grow too strong, taking The Council and everyone he knows down with it.
As Parris labors through the academy manuals, the couple takes a trip to find Ty’s mentor. He’s their only hope in helping Parris with her studies. To their dismay, the old man has disappeared. Their only clue comes from a witch banished for actions against The Council. When they return, not only do they find their own lives threatened, but casualties in the war between the covens have risen. And a new life hangs in the balance.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
A Member of the Council
Council, #1
A rogue hunter, a clueless witch and a mission to save an unknowing world.
Parris McCall, owner of the dive bar, The Alibi, has finally constructed a life where her little quirks don't show or matter to anyone. As for her grandmother's warnings that she's different, well, she'll cross that bridge if she comes to it.
But when Ty walks into her bar, both lives are instantly changed.
Ty Wallace loves his life. How could he not? He's a powerful human lawyer by day and the Magic Council's rogue witch hunter by night. But after he agrees to substitute on his secretary's dart team, all hell breaks loose. Now Ty has to help Parris admit who she is before her long-lost relatives kill her.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Marriage Not Included
Lauren is headed back to school, this time not as a fun-loving coed but to achieve her dream of turning the family farm into Idaho’s first Heritage Seed Center. Selling organic produce at the local farmers market, she meets Miles. After an unexpected act of kindness toward her daughter, Lauren agrees to one date.
As a VP and heir apparent to HN Seeds, the family business, Miles unknowingly holds the future of Lauren’s farm in his hands. Lauren’s looking for anything but a romance. She’s got too much on her plate to risk the distraction. But he plays the one card Lauren can’t resist, family. Miles needs Lauren and her daughter to feel at home. And Lauren needs Miles and his large extended family more than she knows. But can she forgive the one betrayal that would ruin all of her plans for the future?
When an organic farming activist meets the heir apparent for the corporate farm that’s buying up the small farmers all around her, she only agrees to one date to thank him for a kindness to her daughter. Will she be able to stand firm when he offers her the world, in exchange for selling the only home they’ve ever had?
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
The Bull Rider's Keeper
- Crimson RomanceJesse Sullivan isn’t afraid of any thing, any man, or any bull. But when he decides to take a chance and carve out a life outside his rodeo career, he feels like he’s walking on shaky ground. In typical Jesse style, he jumps at a chance to purchase Main Street Gallery, a Boise tradition in the art world.
Taylor DeMarco has two goals for the next year. Getting the gallery on sound financial ground to prove to her parents that she can keep her grandfather's legacy alive is the first one. Moving out of the house and into her own condo by the Boise River is the second. When she finds her folks are selling the gallery to Jesse, she vows to stop the sale, no holds barred.
When sparks fly between Jesse and Taylor, family gets in the way of reason, and they have to decide what is more important: their desires or keeping Main Street Gallery open and successful.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Shawnee Holiday
- A Bull Rider's NovellaCash Dillon, former pro-football player and owner of The Pancake House, is hours away from paradise. A week on a Mexican beach–no responsibility, no worries, and no schedule. When his delivery driver is stuck on another run, Cash takes one last delivery up the mountain.
June Palmer is home visiting her grandmother, but when her high school crush delivers their meal, it feels more like a Shawnee reunion. When Cash crashes his truck minutes after leaving her cabin, she has to figure out a way to get him down the mountain and to safety without revealing her hidden feelings.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
The Bull Rider's Manager
- Crimson RomanceBarb Carico’s life is all about business. Now that her best friend has tied the knot with her high school sweetheart and Barb’s new partner, she’s busier than ever. Managing Jesse Sullivan’s career and public persona can be a handful. Add in an aging mother who goes through home health nurses like candy, Barb’s hanging on the edge.
Her one salvation? Hunter Martin, prodigal son of Martin Family Dairy and, hopefully, Jesse’s next sponsor. A promise his father had already made before Hunter took over the public relations department. After his brother’s death, Hunter’s become an instant dad to his seven-year-old niece. More responsibility. For Hunter, the rodeo weekend with Barb is the perfect excuse to relax.
When their dinner turns into drinks and then a quick trip to a Vegas wedding chapel, both Barb and Hunter agree their nuptials were a mistake. A mistake they consummated the next evening. As soon as they’re home, the marriage will be annulled. That’s what they both want. Or at least what they tell themselves.
Upon their return, Hunter finds that distant relatives are suing him for custody of his niece. The only way for him to keep custody is to design a life that matches the promise of a perfect family. For that, he needs Barb to stay married to him. Hunter would give her anything to go along with the charade.
Barb doesn’t know anything about being a wife or mother but she needs one favor. A favor she’ll trade her lifestyle, independence, and even risk her heart to make come true.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
The Bull Rider's Brother
- Crimson RomanceOn a girl's night out, Lizzie Hudson finds herself comparing her life as a single mom with her best friend's successful career when James Sullivan, the cowboy who got away, walks his Justin Ropers back into her life.
Seeing him shakes Lizzie's world but James is in for an even more eventful weekend: he learns he has a son. James has enough on his plate trying to manage his brother's bull riding career. Can he learn to redefine family and become part of Lizzie's life before she gives up on him and marries another?
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Playing Doctor
- A Central West End StoryWhen a determined nurse and a hot intern find the perfect apartment, the same perfect apartment, they must find a way to share it for ninety days, without killing each other.
Annie Baxter has her dream job. Now, all she needs is a cheap apartment close to the hospital. Troy Saunders knows his life as an intern is all about the long hours. He doesn't have time to play doctor to some Nurse Barbie. So when his sister finds a great apartment walking distance to work and next to the best running paths in the city, he's sold. Two leasing agents, two prospective renters, one apartment. Can they co-exist without fireworks?
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Author Recommended by: HBSystems Publications
Publisher of ebooks, writing industry blogger and the sponsor of the following blogs:
HBS Author's Spotlight
eBook Author’s Corner
Top Shelf Author Advice
Mystery Reader’s Circle
Check out the index of other Spotlight authors. Spotlight Index.
Thanks for having me over!
ReplyDelete