I was born and raised on Chicago’s south side into a family of staunch White Sox fans and Democratic Party bosses . . . and much to their consternation, I bleed Cubbie blue and refuse to discuss politics. Some things are much better left unsaid. I also grew up with a steady diet of syndicated Western television shows, John Wayne movies, and the Sunday night staple of Lassie. I blame those television shows and movies for my lifelong love of the American West and collies. Writing Western historical romance just seemed a natural fit with those influences.
I’m a hybrid in that I’m published traditionally as well as self-published. I wrote my first traditionally published novel (The Devil’s Own Desperado) while working on the critical introduction of my creative project for my master’s degree. It wasn’t the most perfect timing, but my Muse isn’t the most cooperative either. She dropped Colt and Amelia into my head and insisted I write their story. So I tried to reason with her. Yeah . . . that wasn’t going to work either. In between writing pages of that critical intro, I kept a second document open and wrote their story.
I’ve won The Laramie Award for Best Debut Novel (The Devil’s Own Desperado) and a second Laramie Award for Best Western Romance (Seize the Flame). I’ve been a RONE nominee with my heart book Smolder on a Slow Burn, and was a RONE nominee, finalist, and runner-up with West of Forgotten.
In 2018, I took the plunge and began self-publishing in addition to publishing a fifth book through Wild Rose Press.
When I’m not writing, I show those collies I first fell in love with as a child. I’ve bred more than thirty champions and am currently campaigning my smooth boy, Vander (known to his closest friends as “Lavender Larry Princess Paws”). For the past six years, he has been ranked in the top ten. The greatest thrill of my life showing this boy was when he won Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Variety at the Collie Club of America National specialty show.
I also make beaded “bling” leads to sell to help support my dog show addiction/habit. Dog shows are the reason I don’t have too many vices–I can’t afford another habit.
You can find my books on Amazon. I usually just send people to my author page there. Here’s the link: Lynda J. Cox Amazon page.
