Meet the Author Monday: Interview with Lynn U. Watson

Welcome to this week’s Meet the Author Monday interview with Lynn U. Watson. Lynn’s first book, Tangled Promises, released in 2024. The sequel, Frayed Promises, just released this month. I had the opportunity to get to know Lynn at a writing retreat when my publisher asked me if I’d be willing to share a room with someone. (I’m a room to myself kind of girl.) We got along well, and we’ve staying in touch since then. Now, it is my pleasure to share my interview with Lynn U. Watson with you and let you get to know her better too. Lynn, start us off by telling us a little about yourself.

I’ve worn so many hats over the decades. This bio I’ve included in the book and begun to share on my social media profiles sums it all up pretty well.  

Award-winning author, Lynn U. Watson is the great-great-granddaughter of a baron from Southwest Germany. From stories whispered down generations to the vibrant threads of her own life, Lynn’s journey is a testament to creativity and compassion. Nurtured by her grandmother’s love of needlework, Lynn built a thriving custom clothing business, and with her husband, Steve, they created The Lynn’n Butterfly Collection (cross-stitch designs). In 2007, Lynn became a certified reflexologist, opening Footsteps in Eden, a haven where she uses touch therapy and prayer to relax her clients. She combines her passions and heritage Stepping through Time Stitching Stories of Faith. Lynn, Steve, and their feline overlord, Jasmine, call Bartlett, Tennessee home.

Do you give readers glimpses of yourself in the books you write? If so, please give examples.

I asked a dear friend who’s also one of my biggest encouragers, if she saw me in my books. She answered in part, “Shadows of you dancing in the candlelight. (I made that up just now, but you can totally use it, and I won’t even charge you.)”  

She meant that in jest, of course. Clara and Daniel enjoyed dancing as a couple. My husband, aka my would-be dance partner, is allergic to the dance floor, but I have enjoyed participating in worship dance, which can be done in candlelight. 

Clara’s passion for encouraging other women and leading them in Bible classes aligns with my heart. I have written devotionals (some published) and Bible Studies and had roles in women’s ministries most of my adult life.  

Sewing and needlework of every kind have long been favorite creative outlets of mine. To write Rosa, Megs, and Clara as women gifted with needle and thread was a quite natural flow. I’ve done couture sewing for the public. My husband and I designed and published counted-cross stich designs in the 1980’s when this was popular. Signing up for my newsletter, readers receive one of those designs which I adapted to include the tagline for Frayed Promises: God gives impossibilities beautiful endings.

The story ideas for both Tangled Promises and Frayed Promises was sparked by my Great-grandmother’s story. Being the daughter of a German Baron and pregnant by the carriage driver must have created huge challenges in her life. Beyond the snippet or two I know, I’ve wondered what her life-journey was like. Her father did send her to America – a single pregnant woman. Women have always known how to make “the inconvenience” go away. I’m very grateful she chose life for her baby, my grandmother in spite of what the decision would have cost her. I’m an advocate for life and a supporter/volunteer of Life Choices of Memphis, Inc. Frayed Promises is dedicated to their staff and volunteers who help women make life-affirming decisions every day. A portion of my royalties benefits this ministry.

I remember you sharing the idea for your first book when we shared that room back in 2019. It was an intriguing idea, and I love that it ties in with your family. I know in addition to writing a great story, you love to read a great story. What was your favorite book you read last year and why?

What a tough question to answer! I read over 60 books last year, and loved so many of them. The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron stands out, because the story touched my heart and brought me to tears. I experience intense emotions when reading many stories, but rarely does one cause my eyes to leak like this one did.   

Those are the best, aren’t they? Do you have a scripture that guides or inspires you in your writing life?

Many years ago, I read Matthew 5:11-12 from The Message version of the Bible. Its colorful descriptions grabbed my attention. These verses motivate me to share His light. He’s given me a gifting with the written word, and I pray I use it well to shine an example for others to follow and bringing glory to God. 

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

That is a very vibrant way to word it. I like that. It catches the attention. What about your books? What can readers expect when open up one of your stories?

Expect romance and mystery, in clean faith-filled stories. Characters face formidable challenges and societal pressures with courage—putting their hope and trust in God amidst their struggles.

You write fiction, but what is the last nonfiction book (Bible not included) that you’ve read?

As someone who loves sewing and needlework of all kinds, it was a special privilege to be on the launch team for Naomi Fata’s, Stitching Your Story Piece by Peace. I love how she uses her experiences in real life and in her professional sewing world to mend hearts and encourage her readers to find the peace of God.

I love books that tie my spiritual life into other pursuits I enjoy. Let’s pretend a moment. You’ve reserved a table for three at a cute little coffee shop. You take one spot. Which authors, dead or alive, fill the remaining two spots?

Johanna Spyri. I fell in love with her book, Heidi, as a child. I owned a copy of the book and often reread it. It was a newly released book during the setting of Tangled Promises, and I featured it in that first volume of the Promised Destiny Series.

Ann H. Gabhart. Ann is a newly-discovered favorite author of mine. Comp authors whose themes and stories are similar to mine have been very difficult for me to determine. When I read In the Shadow of the River, I knew I had finally found a kindred author.

I have to admit, I’ve never read Heidi. But I do love an Ann H. Gabhart. Her covers are gorgeous too. Each author’s process is different. Would you rather have to hand-write all your manuscripts or speak them into a recorder?

I’ve heard that speaking your words into a recorder is the key to writing fast. My brain needs to see what’s going on that page in real time. On the other hand, when ideas are coming fast, my handwriting would probably disintegrate into something akin to scribble designs. If faced with this decision, I would probably write them out. 

Thank you for being a guest on Meet the Author Monday. I always enjoy getting to know more about the writing of the author’s I meet. Readers, I hope you’ve enjoyed this interview with Lynn U. Watson. Keep reading for more information on how to connect with her and more on her book, Frayed Promises.

Website: https://LynnUWatson.com

Newsletter sign-up: https://bit.ly/LynnUWatsonJoinMyCommunity

Facebook: https://facebook.com/lynnuwatsonwriter

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lynnuwatson

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/ Lynn-U.-Watson/author/B01N4NH1OA

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lynn-u-watson

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16289814.Lynn_U_Watson

Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108709330081009

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/lynnuwatson

More About Frayed Promises:

Sequel to The BookFest® Award Winner, Tangled Promises
Wurttemberg, Germany, 1881

“I’ll keep your secret. But, Clara.” Oma looked her granddaughter in the eye. “Choices carry consequences.”

Clara and Daniel–the Baron’s daughter and the family carriage driver, followed their hearts and married secretly circumventing nobility’s rules. They conduct their lives separately while sneaking every opportunity to be together. When Clara is forced to reveal her marriage, can she also hide the life growing inside her, and what punishment awaits from her father?

If Vati sends her away, Daniel promises to follow. But unexpected family troubles bring them face-to-face with the words of Proverbs 16:9. A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Her grandmother’s last warning spins like a tempest threatening to shipwreck their joy and fray every promise they have made.

Will they trust that God gives impossibilities beautiful endings?

If you enjoy stories of faith in the face of society’s pressures and trusting God in times of struggle, you’ll love this closed-door romance that will keep you guessing until the end. For readers of Tracie Peterson and Ann H. Gabhart.

NOTE: Inconvenient pregnancy, sanctity of life, and past abortion are a part of this story—handled with gentleness and grace.

Purchase your copy of Frayed Promises: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJW4N5J