Lynn Kurland — BadB — it was the title. My editor suggested it to me before I even started the book and I immediately could see a scene with Patrick and Madelyn in a rainy garden . . . it just seemed like the right book for that title.

apb1 — Lynn, was there a difficult part in writing this book? If so, what?

Lynn Kurland — apb1 — the most difficult part of any book for me is, believe it or not, trying to pick out names for the characters. That's closely followed by getting a first draft then watching myself pitch that and start over again . . . It takes me at least one draft to get a feel for the book, then I do many, many revisions and lots of tinkering before I'm happy.

runuts — Since I just picked up the book today, is this the MacLeod brother who disappeared and then returned?

Lynn Kurland — runuts, yes, that's him and yes, Sara, I would have to agree with your assessment of his very fine self. He was very difficult to shut the book on . . .

BadBarb — Lynn, how long does it take you to typically finish a book?

Lynn Kurland — BadBarb — re: finishing a book, it used to take me about 6 weeks for a short story and 3 months for a full book. With little feet scampering about my house it takes substantially longer. Probably 3 months to try to find enough peace and quiet to get a handle on the story, then another 4 to get it written.

apb1 — Lynn, what do you enjoy most about writing?

Lynn Kurland — apb1 — I'm half tempted to say cleaning my house after I'm finished. But I think it might be staring out the window for hours daydreaming and getting to call it work . . .

Ol — What qualities does your hero have that will make us fall in love with him?

Lynn Kurland — Ol, he's a SIP (Stud In Pain).

Sara — I may have missed this, but you said you worked hardest at getting the "names" so how or where did you come up with Madelyn?

Lynn Kurland — Sara, would you believe it came from the credits of a movie I can't remember?

Mary f — What are you working on now, Lynn?

Lynn Kurland — Mary f — I'm working on a short story for a fantasy/romance anthology. And it's the name thing that's really holding me up again . . .

BadBarb — Can you tell us what scene was your favorite?

Lynn Kurland — BadBarb — two favorites — sorry for the spoiler — when Bentley is standing in the dungeon and realizes that no one will come for him even if he sues, and the scene where Madelyn looks up and sees Patrick standing at the edge of her garden.

BadBarb — Is this stand-alone or do you recommend reading the others?

Lynn Kurland — BadBarb — if you want background you could read A Dance Through Time first, but you don't have to. The short story in Veils of time would be useful as well . . .

apb1 — Do you know yet if you'll be having a book signing at Deseret Book any time soon?

Lynn Kurland — I avoid book signings at all costs — inevitably I end up directing people to the bathroom or Nora's backlist!

timo — What's the most difficult part of writing a time travel?

Lynn Kurland — timo — I work hard at trying to keep historical figures straight, but I try to concentrate on what your average SIP would be feeling and put a woman back there to examine that at close range.

Ol — Are you shy? I read A Dance Through Time; which character is this one about?

Lynn Kurland — Ol — A Dance Through Time is about Jamie MacLeod — he's Patrick's (of AGitR) older brother. ... Shy? No.

apb1 — Your de Piaget family chart is extensive. Do you have any plans to do a series of books continuing from the Megan and Jesse’s time?

Lynn Kurland — Re: Megan and Jesse's time — no plans at present, but could happen in the future.

BadBarb — Lynn, what authors do you like to read when you're not writing?

Lynn Kurland — Barb — I like (and I'm sorry I can't remember her name off the top of my head) lots of mysteries — I'm thinking of "Murder on a Bad Hair Day", fantasy people (Patricia McKillip, Robin McKinley). Unfortunately at this point most of the rest of my reading involves books that my 6-year-old finds fascinating! By the time I have time to read, I'm wiped.

Ol — If you could write with any author alive or dead an anthology who would it be?

Lynn Kurland — Tolkien. :) he's my hero. But I'd tell him to put in more romance.

Mary f — Do you have a website Lynn?

Lynn Kurland — Mary f, yes, www.lynnkurland.com — hosted by writerspace, of course. :)

runuts — Are you going to be at the Seattle Writers Conference in October?

Lynn Kurland — runuts — I wish! No, we're taking a little trip to see family and won't be home in time — they're doing it a week early this year or else I'd be there!

Ol — What are your working on next?

Lynn Kurland — Ol — fantasy/romance short story in an anthology with Patricia McKillip, Sharon Shinn and Claire Cross. Very intimidating group of women to be in same book with.

Cissy — Lynn, thank you so much for chatting with us tonight. This was wonderful!

Lynn Kurland — Thanks everyone for coming — it was fun!

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Nothing was changed except for a spellcheck. ;)