Talking Books with Kaylin McFarren, author of 'Banished Threads'



Kaylin McFarren is a California native who has enjoyed traveling around the world. She previously worked as director for a fine art gallery, where she helped foster the careers of various artists before feeling the urge to satisfy her own creative impulses.

Since launching her writing career, McFarren has earned more than a dozen literary awards in addition to a finalist spot in the 2008 RWA Golden Heart Contest. A member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers, she also lends her participation and support to various charitable and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

McFarren currently lives with her husband in Oregon and visits her second home in California once a month. They have three grown daughters and two grandchildren, and look forward to having more.

Her latest book is the romantic suspense, Banished Threads.


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Can you tell us what your book is about?

Although Banished Threads is a stand alone book, it’s also part of a series involving a pair of damaged, insecure treasure hunters who are romantically involved and slowly growing more confident in themselves and their relationship from the experiences they share. Here’s the premise for this latest installment.

After arriving in England on a much-deserved vacation, Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen are quickly forced into becoming crime-stopping sleuths when a collection of priceless Morris Graves’ paintings turns up missing at her uncle's gallery. Determined to clear him of all wrong-doing and free his accused granddaughter, the treasure-hunting duo risk not only their relationship but also the life of their unborn child when it’s discovered that someone is determined to destroy the Lyons’ family by any means necessary.

Why did you write your book?

As with each of my books, Buried Threads ended on a cliffhanger with my main characters planning a trip to England. It became a natural transition to take them there and expose them to characters more flawed than themselves and also thrust them into incredible danger that could permanently affect their lives.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

I enjoy developing outrageous characters, exaggerating their strengths and weaknesses and turning them into unforgettable entities that readers often relate to in regard to their own lives and situations.

Are you consciously aware of the plot before you begin a novel or do you discover it as you write?

I have a concept in mind when I begin writing and often my characters help determine the direction my story takes. The greatest challenge is reining them in and not allowing the plot to splitter in too many directions.


Does the setting play a major part in the development of your story?

I believe a setting is a character in itself and very important to a storyline. Since Sloan Rafferty, my misguided character in Banished Threads, spends her nights in seedy parts of Soho, its important to understand visually what she witnesses and how her environment puts her at risk.

Open the book to page 69.  What is happening?

While riding as a passenger in a car, Sloan is mulling over aspects of her life and trying to understand why members of her family are hiding secrets about her upbringing and deceased mother.

Have you suffered from writer’s block and what do you do to get back on track?

I’ve had a few bouts but found the most effective solution for getting back on track is to revisit sections of earlier written books. The oddest thing is I often get the best ideas and solutions to problems in stories by taking a hot shower and simply relaxing.

Which holiday is your favorite and why?

Christmas is definitely my favorite time of the year (and holiday) because I love buying presents and giving them away. There’s nothing better than seeing the delighted look on my two grandsons’ faces and getting hugs in return.


What do you like the most about being an author?

I love the feeling of accomplishment when a story is completed and when positive feedback comes in the form of letters from avid readers anxious to read the next book.


What kind of advice would you give other fiction authors?

Read as many books as you can by fellow authors. This helps the mind grow, leads to new possibilities, and confirms the fact that there are hundreds of great stories out there…just waiting to be shared. J