Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Tactical Force by Lynn Shannon

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Tactical Force by Lynn Shannon, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I’m delighted to have Lynn on the blog today to chat about her newest book!

TACTICAL FORCE by Lynn Shannon
SERIES: Triumph Over Adversity #6
GENRE: Christian Romantic Suspense
PUBLISHER: Creative Thoughts, LLC
RELEASE DATE: February 28, 2023
PAGES: 206

Some wounds never heal.

As a former Navy SEAL, Walker Montgomery faces danger without flinching. But not even a combat zone halfway around the world was far enough to escape the trauma of his teen years. His younger sister was murdered and the killer never caught. Since returning home, he’s been quietly working the case, unable to move on with his life until justice is served.

She’s a survivor.

Hayley Barlow has her own tragic childhood. Abducted and held captive, she barely escaped the clutches of the same killer that murdered Walker’s sister. The invisible scars on her heart and the brand on her shoulder are souvenirs she can’t get rid of. When Hayley receives a taunting phone call from her attacker, she turns to Walker for help.

A race to stop a killer.

Walker is committed to safeguarding Hayley, but their closeness fractures the walls surrounding his heart. As the killer draws them into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, nothing is as it seems. Walker is used to taking the fight to the enemy, but this time, with Hayley’s life on the line, it may cost him more than he’s willing to lose.

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Hi Lynn! Welcome to the blog!

Lynn: Apples. You can put peanut butter on them!

Carrie: yum! my fave snack 🙂

Lynn: Coffee, no question. I can’t do anything in the morning without my first cup.

Carrie: my husband is the same way – i stick to diet coke lol

Lynn: Ocean. There’s something magical about the seaside. Plus I love the way it smells.

Carrie: The ocean IS pretty magical!

Lynn: Ebook. I love having dozens of books right at my fingertips in one device.

Carrie: right?!? Plus you can enlarge the font for tired eyes and get definitions of words you’re embarrassed to admit you don’t know haha

Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Lynn: Organization. One of the best things in the world is opening up a drawer or a closet that’s impeccably organized. Everything has a place so you can grab what you need without hunting all over for it.

Carrie: that is a great feeling!

Q: Who is your favorite book character from childhood?

Lynn: Elizabeth from the Sweet Valley High book series. She was the first character that reminded me of myself. Responsible, dedicated, serious. Additionally, her twin sister, Jessica, was the fun-loving, popular girl. I related to Elizabeth’s desire to be more like her twin sometimes – more easy-going and lighthearted. As the series progresses, the reader finds out that Jessica often wishes she could be more like Elizabeth.

That series demonstrated to me as a young teen how much impact books can have on us. Each of us are special in our own way. The best thing we can do is embrace our strengths and use them for the betterment of others.

Carrie: we must be about the same age because that series was hugely popular in my tween/teen years – the nostalgia!

Q: Writing spaces are as diverse as authors and books. Where is your favorite space to write?

Lynn: My bed. I grab my portable desk, crawl under the covers, and type away. There’s something cozy about it. My kids laugh at me because they say working from bed in my pajamas is not a real job. But it is! I swear. The writing part is still hard work. I’m just fortunate enough to be able to do it while wearing my PJs and tucked under bedcovers.

Carrie: I work from my recliner in my pajamas so no judgment from me 🙂

Q: What surprised you about Tactical Force or your characters as you wrote their story?

Lynn: Hayley was a complete surprise to me. Since Tactical Force is the last book in the series, I had a lot of time to think about the hero, Walker. Who he was as a person, his likes and dislikes, his back story. Hayley…not so much. For example, her former career as a military police officer came to me while drafting. That wasn’t her original job. But sometimes inspiration strikes while creating the first draft and I like incorporating those changes to make the story better and richer.

Carrie: I love hearing when characters surprise the author!

Q: Did you have the whole plot outlined before you started writing Tactical Force, or did you let the characters dictate what came next?

Lynn: Half and half. I plot as I go because sometimes ideas come to me during the drafting process. Like Hayley’s career. Problems also arise. For example, a plot issue that I couldn’t have anticipated ahead of time. I like to be flexible as I write.

Carrie: i think that seems like the best strategy – gives you a direction to go in but allows room for creativity

Q: What do you most want readers to take away from Tactical Force?

Lynn: Your mistakes don’t define you.

Both the hero and heroine in Tactical Force are struggling with guilt and grief. They’ve made mistakes. As humans, we like to believe we control everything and blame ourselves when good-faith calculations go badly. But those “mistakes” are catalysts, pushing you onto the path God has set. He’s guiding us all the time.

Carrie: amen ♥

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.

Lynn: I’m hard at work on my next book, Ranger Justice, which will be the sixth novel in my Texas Ranger Heroes series. Readers have been asking for more in that series, so I’m delivering! And happy to do it.

Thank you so much for having me. This was a lot of fun!

It took an international move from Texas to Greece before Lynn Shannon turned her love of reading into a passion for writing. Now she spends her days penning fast-paced inspirational romantic suspense. Her novels combine intriguing mysteries with heartfelt romance.

Lynn lives with her husband, two children, an extremely spoiled dog, and a turtle who hibernates half of the year. The experience of a different country has provided amazing new foods—like Yemista and Kourabiedes—to accompany pecans and Blue Bell ice cream on her favorites list. She also never passes up coffee, chocolate, or the chance to watch cute animal videos.

Connect with Lynn by visiting lynnshannon.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon.com gift card + paperback copy of Tactical Force.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 18, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 25, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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This giveaway is hosted by JustRead Tours, not RimSP
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What about you? What makes you want to read Tactical Force by Lynn Shannon?