If you love romance with richly crafted characters and a story that will bring you to both laughter and tears, you’ll want to add Kariss Lynch’s unforgettable series to your TBR pile. These faith-filled journeys with action, suspense, and a dash of humor keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Exclusive Interview
In Conversation with Kariss Lynch
Q. How do you develop your characters and their arcs?
A. One of my favorite parts of story creation process is getting to know my characters. I grew up with parents who did a lot of counseling, and as part of that, I learned a lot about personalities and tendencies, strengths and weaknesses, from an early age.
So I first come up with the characters I am interested in, along with a basic story seed. I then take a Myers-Briggs test as if I were each of my main characters. It helps me get in their head, get to know them, and learn to think like them, too. It also helps me with dialogue within the story.
I use Strengths Finder, DISC, and Enneagram to build out a whole character. Using all the profiles helps me build a well-rounded character. As people, we are never limited to a type or a number. We are made of our experiences, our joys, and failures, as well as our personalities. Characters that have been Christians a long time may have different personality tendencies that they have worked on over time than a character who is a newer believer and is learning to conform wrong tendencies to become more like Jesus. The same is true of real people. I like complex, fun, deep characters. From there I build my story out.
Q. What was the most challenging part of writing your latest book?
A. Over the course of writing Heart’s Cry, I lost several family members to cancer within a very short time span. It made me ask a lot of questions about how to handle grief and the role that community can play in helping someone heal.
While Micah, my hero, handles grief differently than I would, writing his journey to discovery healing and life and joy on the other side of grief was relatable. Determining what kind of girl would be courageous and strong enough to help pull him along in his journey was also challenging but fun. Enter Casey, our heroine. Turns out Micah is able to help Casey in her journey to letting people see through her tough exterior, too. I love that their relationship is proof that our grief doesn’t disqualify us. Sometimes it makes us stronger.
I also love that story revealed that there is humor and joy in life, even with heavy moments in our rearview mirror. Micah and Casey have fun banter and become champions for one another as they navigate the story. I loved seeing something sweet come from hard.
Q. How do you balance writing with other aspects of your life?
A. I’m learning balance is an illusion. When I wrote Heart’s Cry and my other novels, I wasn’t married and didn’t have kids. During Heart’s Cry, I wrote in the evenings after work and on the weekends. Now, I write for an hour here and there during nap times, sometimes when my husband is busy in the evenings after kids are in bed, and sometimes family will give me some time to do a writing sprint on the weekends. A little here and there is better than nothing. I have not mastered the art of this yet. But I am learning that for me, it’s less about balance or more about taking advantage of my short windows of time.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
A. Every author’s writing journey looks different, and that is a good and beautiful thing! Don’t play the comparison game. Don’t wish for someone else’s story (fictional or otherwise). Focus on your stories, your journey, and what the Lord is doing in and through you. Find a group of authors to lock arms with and do this journey together. Encourage one another, pray for each other, talk story together. Value and encourage one another’s different styles and processes. Learn from one another. Then do your own thing and trust the Lord.
Q. Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or books you’re working on?
A. Right now, I am working on a cozy, sweet romance set in a cute town called Maple Falls, Minnesota. Think beautiful winter setting, two hockey players, lots of competition, and lots of sparks. I’m excited to introduce you to Brady and Kenzie! This book (title TBD) will be part of a multi-author series that will have a set of books releasing in February 2026 and another set in the same town releasing in October 2026. I’m excited to introduce you to the town of Maple Falls!
Praise for Kariss Lynch's Work
‘‘ – Heart’s Cry Amazon Review
Brena Berrios
.’ – Heart’s Cry Amazon Review
Kendra Lovelady
‘ – Heart’s Cry Amazon Review
Mandy
Latest Book Release: Heart's Cry
Sometimes second chances come in small packages and unknown places.
When a car almost runs over him in the middle of a snowstorm, ex-Navy SEAL Micah Richards knows he’s hit rock bottom. After the deaths of several of his teammates, Micah is sure of two things: he only hurts those he tries to protect and their deaths are his fault. He has one family left on his list to pay his respects but stranded on the side of a mountain in the middle of the night, Micah has run low on options until Casey Stewart comes careening into his life.
The last thing Casey wants is a man, especially one as charming and handsome as Micah who reminds her of her heartache from high school. And especially not when she has so much on her plate: kids trapped in the middle of bad neighborhood cycles at home and a sister who needs out from under their mother’s roof. But helping is in her nature, and something about Micah makes her want to let him in.
Now in the same city, Micah and Casey just can’t seem to stay away from one another, despite Casey’s best efforts. The more, he gets to know the community, the more he wants to stay. When a local drug dealer goes awry, Casey has only one person to turn to—the one who could hurt her heart the most. Micah must face the demons of his past to fight for his new team and new dream—a woman with the heart of a warrior who fights for others. A woman he would die for.
Dive Into a World of Romance
Don’t miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in a captivating story that will touch your heart. Purchase your copy of Heart’s Cry today.
Kariss Lynch
Kariss Lynch is the author of the Heart of a Warrior series and Heart’s Cry and loves writing books about characters with big dreams, adventurous hearts, and enduring hope. She and her own handsome hero live in the great state of Texas and are the proud parents of two amazing kiddos with another on the way…and an energetic dog, Maverick. These days her adventures are a little closer to home, and coffee, ice cream, and a fun movie or book are her love languages. Kariss loves to talk about books with fellow readers. You can connect with her at karisslynch.com. You can connect with her on Instagram at @karisslynch.author.