Author Interview with Darcy Flynn
I am happy to have Darcy Flynn with me today sharing a little bit about herself and her new release, Keeper of my Heart.
Hello, Darcy. Tell us about your book/series and how did the idea come to you?
Sure. My heroine, Katie McCullough, must face the death of a dream of owning the town’s lighthouse compound when, my hero, Max Sawyer, a new hotel developer in town outbids her for the property. The fun starts when she wrongly assumes he is turning the property into one of his ‘Serenity Spa Resorts’.
I came up with the story simply through my own love of lighthouses and from my girlhood dreams of someday owning a lighthouse compound and living in the keeper’s house. One can dream, right? J I visited three costal towns when researching the setting. As soon as I saw St. Michaels, Maryland, I knew that’s where Max and Katie’s story would take place.
When did the writing bug first bite?
I’ve always written poems, music lyrics and short magazine articles, but it wasn’t until my son went to College that I started writing romantic fiction. After he left for school, I was de-cluttering and discovered a box of vintage Harlequin and Silhouette romances in my attic. I read them again and every time I’d read one, I’d think, I could write one of these. So I seized the day and began writing.
Who are you favorite authors, book/series?
I really enjoy Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Mary Higgins Clark. Susan Meier’s Baby in the Boardroom series was really fun, too.
What is your most favorite childhood memory?
Visiting my grandparents who lived in a small rural town in Georgia and taking baths in a galvanized tub in their kitchen. They only had cold running water and my grandmother would heat water in the kettle for my bath. 
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spear time?
I love to dance, garden and go antiquing with girl friends. I also raise rare breed chickens on my farm.
Any advice for new writers just starting out?
A few things: 1. Write what you love. 2. Keep working on your craft. 3. Find a couple of good critique partners. And 4. Just write. Even if it’s not your best, that’s okay, push through. To quote Nora Roberts, “you can fix a bad page but you can’t fix a blank one.” That quote really speaks to me!
Boxers, brief or commando?
Boxers!
Favorite eye color?
Blue
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
This question was tough for me. Must be the sheltered life I lead! Lol The only thing I can think of is when our small community suffered the twelve-minute hail-storm from hell!
Thanks again, Lia, for having me today!
Blurb-Keeper Of My Heart
Katie McCullough doesn’t know it, but Max Sawyer, the over confident, irritatingly handsome hotel developer who outbid her for the lighthouse property, is none other, than her mystery lighthouse sailor. The one man who captured her heart five years earlier, the one man who has since been the plumb line for every other unsuspecting male who has crossed her path. Unfortunately for Max, he doesn’t measure up either.
Still reeling from losing the property she’d planned to call home, sparks fly when Katie assumes Max is turning her beloved lighthouse compound into one of his ‘Serenity Spa Resorts.” Outraged, Katie sets out on a mission to dismantle the property…and his plans.
Except Max’s plans have absolutely nothing to do with hotels and everything to do with winning Katie’s heart.
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Bits of oyster shell spewed out from under the tires of Katie’s Jeep as it screeched to a halt. Without knocking, she stomped into the keeper’s house to find Max working on an open windowsill on the bottom floor.
“So you’re in the hotel business.” Katie threw the sheaf of papers down on the table near where he was working.
“Yes and good afternoon to you, too.” Max stopped for a brief moment then continued to sand the windowsill. “I see you’ve been doing some research.” His firm lips twitched.
“If you think you are going to turn this,” she said, waving her arms through the air, “into one of your…Serenity Spa Inns, then you are dreaming Mister.”
“Is that so?” Max straightened and his eyes locked with hers.
“You bet. I’ll never let that happen.”
His tawny eyes gave her a once over. “And you think you’re big enough to stop me?”
“Yes,” she spat out, “Don’t think I can’t. I’ll rally the entire town if I have to. This is not what the council agreed to when they accepted your bid.”
Max’s brown eyes turned glacial. “Careful Angel. That sounds like a threat. If it is, you’ll come off the worse for it.”
Katie inhaled sharply. “You may have been master of all you commanded but you won’t master me.”
Max stopped working and turned toward her. Even in her anger, Katie noticed his shirt, unbuttoned and clinging to his muscular form with the sweat of his labor, his forearms glistening with perspiration mingled with tiny particles of wood shavings.
“Maybe we should put that to the test?” he drawled.
“There’s no maybe about it.” Inhaling sharply, Katie gathered up her papers and stormed out of the house.
About Darcy
Darcy was born into the rich culture of New Orleans, La., a city filled with colorful historical intrigue and broad creative energy. Darcy’s natural bent to the arts coupled with her love for one of the most romantic cities in the world has been the inspiration and anchor of her artistic, multi-dimension endeavors. Darcy was always compelled by the need to express herself and like her mother’s famous gumbo, her previous expressions included a little bit of everything—art, music, acting, and dance.
Although published in music, art, and the Christian non-fiction market under another identity, it was the empty nest that turned Darcy to writing romantic fiction. A lover of lighthouses, Darcy’s first novel, Keeper Of My Heart, unfolds in a small Maryland fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay.
Darcy, a former Mrs. Tennessee, continues to be surrounded by all things creative in Music City and when not in writing in her London flat, lives on a beautiful horse farm in historic Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband, son, two English Setters, and a calico cat. Darcy enjoys stargazing, raising rare breed chickens, and gardening.
Visit Darcy at www.darcyflynnromances.com
My email notification came up with ‘clean reads bookclub’ so I’d like to track that down. I love the idea of buying a lighthouse [for any purpose] but I suppose that’s what dreams are made of. Best of luck with your promotion.
Hey Maddy, I love your name! Thanks for taking a minute to stop by. Nice to meet you.
Hi, Darcy. Nice to learn more about you. Your book trailer is very well done. All the best.
Thanks Diane and thanks for stopping by to say hi!
Love this interview! Excellent advice to writers. So many give up because it’s hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it, right? I get a little frustrated when my writing isn’t going well, but I like to tell myself “Each pass will improve.” I know I can write it crappy,and go back over it and fix. Then, when I look at it again, I’ll fix a bit more. It’s like slowly polishing the grime from a diamond until you reveal the exquisite jewel beneath.
Wishing you the best of luck, Darcy! Your story sounds wonderful. I keep promising myself I’m going to take the time to read it.
Alicia, Writing is hard and sometimes I slave over every word and then it’s crap! lol I love your diamond analogy! Visual things always speak to me. Thanks for stopping by!
Great blurb and excerpt! And I love your cover too….book sounds great and I wish you much success!
Thank you Christine! Monet Rae designed the cover. She did a great job! Thanks for stopping by.
Great interview. I loved Keeper of My Heart. Like you, I find lighthouses fascinating. Can’t wait to read more from you.
Janna, So glad you liked Keeper!
Thank you for saying hi and for all your tweets! 
Fun! Loved the excerpt! Great interview!
Thanks, Krystal!