Linnea didn't have to ghost write reviews for her own first thriller, CHASING EDEN. However, the novel's journey to getting published was infused with all the nail biters and twists of a good thriller. The first step was that giddy call we all dream of: one of the most important editors in New York wanted her book. A call to adventure.

But then the editor couldn’t buy it because it was similar to an upcoming book from one of her house’s bestselling thriller writers. Disaster.

News of how much the editor had loved the book caused five other editors to request it too. An auction took place. “The crazy thing was, it was so up and down—‘she wants it!’ ‘She doesn't want it!’ that a whole emotional roller coaster ride was happening during the call as my agent was talking.”

That night Linnea wondered about the outcome, “The thing I remember most was walking the dog by myself in the dark, trying to let myself be excited even though in the past I'd gotten so close and it had never worked out.” She wasn’t going to believe it until it happened. The technical term for it, she says, “is Dying of Encouragement.” Twists and turns.

But the book sold, the contract was signed, lunch with the editor was eaten. Suddenly she and her co-author, B.K. Sherer, looked at each other and said, “Holy [cow]! We just inked a three book deal with St. Martin’s—and we now have to write two more books!” Happy ending, but a hint of trials to come.

When asked when what she would do differently in her debut, she said “speaking up about changes to cover art.” They loved the cover art, asked for changes, and got them. One thing she’d do the same: “hire an outside publicist to augment the publisher’s efforts.”