Please join me in welcoming author Cori Lynn to the blog today to chat about her debut novel, Hearts Under Fire!
Cori Lynn is a novelist and screenwriter based in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to her latest novel, Hearts Under Fire, she has written multiple screenplays including two feature-length films. As her recognition as a screenwriter evolved, she eventually walked away with an “Audience Choice” and “Best Story” award from the Phoenix Film Festival.
Cori graduated with a global business degree from Arizona State University and works full time as a Marketing Director. She spends her free time playing with her puppy, redecorating her home and crafting her next story.
You can follow Cori online at: www.thewritersjournal.net
HEARTS UNDER FIRE by Cori Lynn
GENRE: Dual Timeline / WW2 / Romance
PUBLISHER: The Writers Journal LLC
RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2022
PAGES: 280
When Laura, a heartbroken antique expert, stumbles across an old steamer trunk, she decides it is the perfect restoration project to distract her from her recent loss. She quickly discovers the trunk has a few mysteries of its own, including a journal dating back to 1941.
Laura finds herself caught up in a heroic love story between Ava and her high school sweetheart Dean. Their story of first love is suddenly interrupted when World War II begins, and Dean is sent to the front lines; leaving Ava to bravely fight her own battles supporting the war effort from home.
Laura soon identifies with Ava’s perseverance and in the process, is challenged to overcome her own hardships. However, the journal unexpectedly ends, leaving Laura with unanswered questions about Ava’s life. Laura is determined to uncover the missing pieces from the journal, but will she find the answers she seeks? And can she find the courage to love again?
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Hi Cori! Welcome to the blog!
Cori: Winter – When you live in Arizona, winter is one of the only times you can really enjoy the outdoors.
Carrie: winter has always been my favorite – and my pasty white skin proves that I don’t go outdoors when it’s summer haha
Cori: Over – under is like a workout to get what you need.
Carrie: haha!
Cori: Coke – hands down but I got Covid and it messed with my taste, so now my go to soda is Rootbeer because it’s one of the only ones that taste the same.
Carrie: oh no!
Cori: Print – I love to hold a book in my hands and see it on my nightstand. Its nostalgic and comforting.
Carrie: totally! (Though my eyes thank me for reading ebooks more lol)
Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Cori: People have always told me I have this ability to get things for free. I’ve always said, if you don’t ask, you won’t know. 🙂 Sometimes, people want to give and want to help but if you never ask, you’ll never know.
Carrie: haha that’s awesome!
Q: Which books are “on your nightstand”?
Cori: At the moment, and I kid you not, I have 3 of Terri Blackstock books. There were a lot of authors who inspired me to be a writer when I would read books in high school, but she’s got to be my all-time favorite author to read. I fell behind on my reading when I was working on my own book, so I’ve been catching up on all things Blackstock along with a few from Dee Henderson. Great authors!
Carrie: oooo two of my fave authors – and if you haven’t already read Blackstock’s If I Run series, it’s a must!!
Q: Writing spaces are as diverse as authors and books. Where is your favorite space to write?
Cori: I just remodeled my den into the perfect vintage rustic industrial space, so I love writing there. I have live plants, a white board for notes and a spacious desk with a large monitor. I can look out the window to the front yard and enjoy the view. I really love it when it rains. Rain is so rare in AZ, that it’s nice to feel cozy inside with a hot cup of coffee, some music from the 1940s and my puppy snoozing beside me.
Carrie: aww that sounds lovely – especially the puppy ♥
Q: Were there any songs that inspired you as you wrote Hearts Under Fire?
Cori: So many songs made up my playlist. In fact, I made a Facebook post on the fan page with all the songs in case readers wanted to listen as they read the story. All were 1940s but the book refers to one that was popular during the war, Harbor Lights by Frances Langford. I listened to soundtracks from Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan and The Pacific. I also listen to Thomas Bergersen a lot when I write. He’s instrumental for the most part and has a variety of music to fit the mood or genre of the story.
Carrie: that sounds great!
Q: If Hollywood wanted to produce Hearts Under Fire as a movie, who would you want to be cast as the lead roles?
Cori: When I wrote the story, I imagined the following actors:
- Laura – Erin Krakow
- Caleb – Ryan McPartlin
- Ava – Tiera Skovbye
- Tessa – Alisha Newton
- Dean – Lucas Till
- Grayson – Giacomo Gianniotti
Carrie: I need to look up the others but i love Erin Krakow!
Q: What is something God taught you while you wrote Hearts Under Fire?
Cori: Before I wrote the book, I attended a conference where I met Robin Jones Gunn. While there, I asked her if she thought that fiction authors could experience spiritual warfare while writing and she told me yes. When I asked why anyone would care about a fiction WWII book, she said when we bring light to a dark world, the enemy doesn’t like that. During the writing of the book, my family went through some of the worst health challenges we’ve ever had, and I lost my job. In the end, we all made it through, but you can’t give up, especially if you feel that writing is God’s calling on your life. I think it was ironic that my characters in the book learned the same lesson. No matter what challenges lie before you, keep going, you will see the end of the tunnel.
Carrie: I’m so sorry you went through all of that but Robin’s wise advice was so timely!
Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.
Cori: At the moment I’m working on the script for Hearts Under Fire as a few producers have expressed interest in reading it. Readers have also asked if they could find out more about their favorite characters and while the book was only meant to be a one and done, I think I may have found a way to write a sequel, Hearts Everlasting. In the meantime, we have a pretty active reader page on Facebook so I look forward to interacting with fans of the story and learning from them on what can make me a better writer.
Cori Lynn is offering a Hearts Under Fire t-shirt, journal & lip balm to one of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read Hearts Under Fire by Cori Lynn?
I will try it a second time. This book sounds so intriguing. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Being that she’s from AZ, I have to support our state! 🙂 This sounds like a great story.
Appreciate your support! Go AZ!
I am intrigued by Ava’s journal and wonder if Laura finds our what happened to her.
Sounds amazing! The message behind the story compels me! Never give up, no matter what! God has your back! I definitely want to read this book!
Captivating and I love dual time novels especially WW2. Laura and Ava’s stories and lives would be memorable and unforgettable.
This book sounds interesting! 🙂
Hearts Under Fire by Cori Lynn sounds like a romantic and touching book to read and enjoy.
Sounds like a book I will enjoy.
Such a great book.
Sounds really good
I’m so excited that you’ve pushed your book baby out into the world! Plus dual timelines and anything WWII are always among my favorites.
Thanks Teri! Awesome seeing you here as a part of this community too! Now we have two things in common. 😉
the premise
Sounds like a book you can curl up with.
Thanks to everyone who is open to giving the book a chance, I really appreciate it. Thank you Carrie for sharing this with your audience.
Sounds like an intriguing book!
I would love to read this book because the plot and characters are intriguing.