The Cozy 52: Q&A with author Lynn Cahoon

Lynn Cahoon joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. Read on to find out more about her life before becoming an author, what inspires her, and what she has coming up next.

Who or What is The Cozy 52? Each week I will be sharing an interview with someone involved with Cozy Mysteries – an author, blogger, Facebook Group host, podcaster, cover designer – so that we can showcase this amazing community! I hope you’ll discover some new authors, plus learn more about what goes on behind the scenes with the people who write, publish and promote cozy mysteries!

Introducing Lynn Cahoon

NAME: Lynn Cahoon

LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:

• The Tourist Trap series
• The Farm to Fork series
• The Cat Latimer series
• The Kitchen Witch series
• The Survivors’ Book Club series
• The Haunted Life novella series.
• I’ve also just contracted for a new Amateur Sleuth series.

HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? I’m a hybrid author. I have a majority of my series published traditionally. I’ve taken over publishing the Cat Latimer series and have self-published the Haunted Life series of novellas.

The Q&A

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

I grew up the fifth born in a family who lost their father a year later. My siblings always say I was in my own little world even before I got glasses so I could see the world. When I found books, I lost myself in them which saved me from an unhappy childhood. They did the same in high school when I didn’t fit in. And in an abusive marriage. When I got cancer, books came to save me one more time, but this time, I didn’t just want to read them, I wanted to write stories as well. And so my author journey began in 2012 with my first release.

LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.

1. I fell in love with Broadway plays in high school when I saw The King and I with Yul Brenner.
2. I took a Home Art’s class in high school and can crochet, knit, and quilt.
3. I played the clarinet in high school band. (Hmmm, these are all about high school.)

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?

I’d always wanted to write and had taken classes in creative writing when I got divorced. In my early forties, I had breast cancer. I had just moved to STL with my future husband, so I had no support system. I read, a lot. And found cozy mysteries during that time. I decided if I was going to have a life afterward, I would figure out how to become an author. I wrote cowboy, witch, and small-town romance, but editors said I had too many people in my books. So I started writing cozy mysteries and they took off.

WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE (CULINARY, PARANORMAL, PETS)?

Yes. Oh, you wanted me to break them down. I write all three – or include most of those themes in my books. Definitely small town. Some culinary (and if not, I have a lot of food involved.) And a couple of paranormals (one she’s a kitchen witch/caterer and one where she’s a medium/interior designer.) I have pets so I think my characters should too.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?

The book I’m releasing this week is DEATH IN THE ROMANCE AISLE. It’s book three in my Survivors’ Book Club series. I wanted to write a what happens after you survive a life-threatening disease – you change your life. So Rarity broke up with her boyfriend, moved, quit her job, and opened a bookstore. She also bought a house with a pool. I would have done most of these things too. The bookstore’s book club gets involved in solving local mysteries. It’s got a lot of food, fun, and friendships along with books.

WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?

I read them when I was going through cancer for a fun escape. I didn’t have to deal with too much reality. And that’s why they’re fun to write as well. Especially my paranormal series where I can have a ghost or two along with a few friendly monsters. People want to read about people that they could be – if the situation presented itself.

ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?

No. I’m in several writer groups and have my own Facebook group and I’ve led writing workshops for author groups in the past and will probably do so again.  

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?

Stephen King, Robyn Carr, Leigh Bardugo, Barbara O’Neal, Lisa Gardner (I could go on and on…)

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?

This is HARD. I’d want The Stand (King) – I tend to read that every few years anyway. Illusions by Richard Bach – to keep my faith in miracles going strong. And The Magicians by Lev Grossman, but probably book 2, The Magician King since I haven’t read that one. Or Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore. It’s a book I love!!!

DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

I’m starting a new series set in Bainbridge Island, WA next year (releasing 2025.) I’m really excited about the concept and hope it turns out like I have it in my head. It’s a girl whose not good at anything but being an amateur sleuth. So she’s looking for a mystery to solve.

The Quickie 5

• FAVOURITE FOOD: Salted Chocolate Almonds; or potato soup. Really good potato soup.
• BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Flavored sparkling water or coffee.
• MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: A ring that was made out of my mom’s ‘mothers’ ring
• FAVOURITE SEASON? Fall
• FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? The beach – Outer Banks, NC or OBX.

---

To keep up to date with Lynn Cahoon online, you can connect with her on:

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE