Jones, Linda Winstead

(Linda Devlin, Linda Fallon, Linda Jones, Linda Winstead)

PERSONAL:

Married.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Huntsville, AL. E-mail—lindawjones@comcast.net.

CAREER:

Writer.

MEMBER:

Romance Writers of America (Heart of Dixie chapter; served as president and vice president).

AWARDS, HONORS:

Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, 2001, for Hot on His Trail; RITA Award for paranormal romance, 2004.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE NOVELS

Bridger's Last Stand ("Men in Blue’ series), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 1999.

Every Little Thing, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Secret-Agent Sheikh ("Romancing the Crown’ series), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Fever ("Family Secrets’ series; also see below), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2003.

A Touch of the Beast ("Family Secrets: The Next Generation’ series), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2004.

The Sheikh and I ("Capturing the Crown’ series), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Raintree: Haunted ("Raintree’ series), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2007.

"SINCLAIR CONNECTION’ SERIES; ROMANCE NOVELS

Madigan's Wife, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Hot on His Trail, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Capturing Cleo, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2002.

In Bed with Boone, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Wilder Days, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Clint's Wild Ride, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2003.

On Dean's Watch, Silhouette (New York, NY), 2003.

"FYNE SISTERS’ TRILOGY; ROMANCE NOVELS

The Sun Witch, Berkley Sensation (New York, NY), 2004.

The Moon Witch, Berkley Sensation (New York, NY), 2005.

The Star Witch, Berkley Sensation (New York, NY), 2006.

"LAST CHANCE HEROES’ SERIES; ROMANCE NOVELS

Running Scared, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Truly, Madly, Dangerously, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2005.

One Major Distraction (also see below), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Lucky's Woman, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2006.

"CHILDREN OF THE SUN’ SERIES; ROMANCE NOVELS

Prince of Magic, Berkley Sensation (New York, NY), 2007.

Prince of Fire, Berkley Sensation (New York, NY), 2007.

Prince of Swords, Berkley Sensation (New York, NY), 2007.

AS LINDA WINSTEAD; ROMANCE NOVELS

Guardian Angel (e-book), eReads.com, 1994.

Chase the Lightning, Love Spell (New York, NY), 1995.

West Wind, Leisure Books (New York, NY), 1995.

In Enemy Hands, Leisure Books (New York, NY), 1996.

No Angel's Grace, Leisure Books (New York, NY), 1997.

AS LINDA JONES; ROMANCE NOVELS

Desperado's Gold, Love Spell (New York, NY), 1996.

The Big Bad Wolf ("Faerie Tale Romance’ series), Loveswept (New York, NY), 1997.

On a Wicked Wind ("Timeswept’ series), Love Spell (New York, NY), 1998.

Cinderfella ("Faerie Tale Romance’ series), Love Spell (New York, NY), 1998.

The Indigo Blade ("Legendary Lovers’ series), Love Spell (New York, NY), 1999.

The Seduction of Roxanne, Love Spell (New York, NY), 2000.

One Day, My Prince, Love Spell Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Let Down Your Hair ("Faerie Tale Romance’ series), Dorchester Publishing (New York, NY), 2001.

Into the Woods, Love Spell (New York, NY), 2001.

DeButy and the Beast, Love Spell (New York NY), 2002.

"SHADES’ AS LINDA FALLON; SERIES; ROMANCE NOVELS

Shades of Midnight, Zebra (New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada), 2003.

Shades of Winter, Zebra (New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada), 2003.

Shades of Scarlet, Kensington (New York, NY), 2003.

"ROCK CREEK SIX’ SERIES; AS LINDA DEVLIN; ROMANCE NOVELS

Jed, Zebra (New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada), 2001.

Sullivan, Zebra (New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada), 2001.

Cash, Zebra (New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada), 2001.

Also contributor to books as Linda Devlin, including Some Enchanted Evening, Zebra (New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada), 2002.

OMNIBUS EDITIONS; ROMANCE NOVELS

(With Elaine Fox and Leigh Greenwood) Christmas Spirit, Leisure Books (New York, NY), 1997.

(With Rebecca Brandewyne and Maureen Child) Love Is Murder, Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Fever (bound with Billionaire Drifter by Beverly Bird), Harlequin Mills & Boon (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia), 2004.

One Major Distraction (bound with Melting Point by Debra Cowan), Harlequin Mills & Boon (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia), 2005.

(With Evelyn Vaughn and Karen Whiddon) Beyond the Dark (contains Forever Mine Haunt Me, and Soul of the Wolf), Silhouette Books (New York, NY), 2005.

(With Barbara McCauley) In His Bed, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Richmond, Surrey, England), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Linda Winstead Jones is a romance writer who has written in several romance genres under her own name as well as the pseudonyms Linda Devlin, Linda Fallon, Linda Jones, and Linda Winstead. She first wrote historical romances under the name Linda Winstead, beginning with the Western historical romance Guardian Angel. Other books written as Linda Winstead include Chase the Lightning, West Wind, In Enemy Hands, and No Angel's Grace. These historical romances are set primarily in the 1800s in America. In Enemy Hands, for example, takes place during the Civil War and features Southerner Lily Redford, who becomes a blockade runner for the South and who falls in love with Lt. Quintin Taylor, a Union soldier. Cyndie Dennis-Greer, writing on the Romantic Times Web site, called the romance ‘a sensual story of two people at odds with themselves and the causes they purport to follow.’ No Angel's Grace finds Grace Cavanaugh in New Orleans where she was supposed to meet her father. When she arrives, however, she discovers that her father is dead and she is soon involved with a rough Texan, Dillon Becket, who offers her a place to stay as part of a debt he owed her father. ‘Linda Winstead has created a story filled with tension and warm, believable characters that propel the plot forward,’ wrote Anne Black on the Romantic Times Web site.

Writing as Linda Jones, the author presents several fairy-tale and time-travel romances. For example, in DeButy and the Beast, Anya Sedley is long thought dead but survived the shipwreck that killed her parents. Living on a Caribbean island, Anya is treated as a goddess, which does not serve her well when she returns home to North Carolina high society and cannot readjust to civilization. Called the Beast of Rose Hill, Anya eventually meets Julian DeButy, who trains Anya to live in society and much more. Harriet Klausner, writing on the Best Reviews Web site, called the novel ‘an engaging early Americana romantic romp that will delight sub-genre fans with the antics of the lead female character."

The author's books written as Linda Fallon focus on the paranormal and include the ‘Shades’ series books: Shades of Midnight, Shades of Winter, and Shades of Scarlet. Shades of Midnight finds Eve Abernathy living in a haunted house where thirty years earlier Alistair Stamper is said to have murdered his wife and then committed suicide. As the ghosts become a nuisance, Eve sees the help of Lucien Thorpe, who can see and talk to ghosts, which has left him as an outsider who was even feared by his mother. However, Lucien and Eve almost got married and Lucien thinks that by helping Eve with her ghost problem he may be able to win her back. ‘This was a very good and suspenseful mystery, with lots of red herrings,’ wrote Raelene Gorlinsky on the Best Reviews Web site. Shades of Winter continues the story of Lucien and Eve, who this time find themselves snowed in at a haunted hotel. The novel ‘sizzles with sensuality’ according to Romantic Times Web site contributor Anne Black. Shades of Scarlet finds Eve and Lucien married, with Eve wanting to get pregnant as the couple go off to investigate the haunting of an old Civil War Mansion. Best Reviews Web site contributor Debrah Douglas commented that the author ‘just gets better with her series."

The author's ‘Rock Creek Six’ series, written as Linda Devlin, features members of the infamous gang of gunmen known as the Rock Creek Six. Jed finds Hannah Winters being held up on a stage coach and eventually being helped by fellow passenger Jedidiah O'Rourke as the couple look for a killer and fall in love. Romantic Times Web site contributor Evelyn Feiner noted that the author ‘gives the reader insight into strong-willed characters.’ Sullivan, the next book in the series, features Eden Rourke on her way to Texas when she rescues a stranger, Sinclair Sullivan. Indebted to Eden, Sinclair offers to escort her to Texas posing as man and wife. Another Romantic Times Web site contributor, Evelyn Feiner, noted: ‘This exciting series just keeps getting better and better.’ Cash features Daniel Cash, who is the only member of the Rock Creek Six who is still not married. The story revolves around Cash encountering his long-ago love, Nadine, who wants him to help keep their son, J.D., from becoming a gunslinger. Feiner noted that ‘readers will be thrilled to see all the loose ends [in the series] tied up."

The author began writing romantic suspense novels as Linda Winstead Jones around 2001. She has written stand-alone romances and several romance series under her name, including the ‘Sinclair Connection’ series. The first book in the series, Madigan's Wife, features Ray Madigan, a former cop turned private detective who finds himself rekindling his romance with his ex-wife, Grace Sinclair, after she witnesses a murder. Debbie Richardson, writing on the Romantic Times Web site, called the novel a ‘keeper.’ Hot on His Trail finds television reporter Shea Sinclair with a chance to break out of being the weather girl when she begins covering the murder trial of Nick Taggert, who ends up taking her hostage when he escapes from the courtroom. In Capturing Cleo, Detective Luther Malone finds himself involved with Cleo Tanner, a singer and club owner who may be the prime suspect in a murder case. Romantic Times Web site contributor Richardson noted that the author instills the story with ‘some fresh ideas.’ In Bed with Boone features opposites attracting when private investigator Boone Sinclair finds himself working with Jane Barrington, a Senator's daughter, to solve a murder case. DEA agent Del Wilder is held captive with his ex-lover, Victoria Lowell, in Wilder Days, which Romantic Times Web site contributor Richardson called a ‘charmer.’ Clint's Wild Ride, features the hunt for a serial killer by Mary Paris, a special agent who poses as a rodeo clown and begins a romance with Clint Sinclair, who is training her for the role. Richardson commented that the author ‘shines with Clint's Wild Ride.’ Dean Sinclair is staking out Reva Macklin, an escaped felon's ex-girlfriend, in On Dean's Watch.

The ‘Fyne Sisters’ trilogy begins with The Sun Witch, which features Sophie Fyne, who lives with her sisters, Juliet and Isadora, in an enchanted wilderness during the Civil-War era. All three sisters are under a curse that anyone they fall in love with will die by the time they are thirty years old. When Sophie decides to have a baby, she picks a wounded rebel soldier named Kane to father the child, certain that she is not in love with him. Diana Tixier Herald, writing in Booklist, called the novel a ‘marvelously captivating, sensuous, fast-paced adventure.’ In The Moon Witch, Juliet is a captive of Ryn, who is known as an Anwyn and becomes a wolf a night, while Isadora is a prisoner in a castle. Meanwhile, Sophie is wondering if Kane will survive his thirtieth birthday. Best Reviews Web site contributor Harriet Klausner called the second book in the series an ‘enjoyable romantic fantasy.’ The oldest of the Fyne Sisters, Isadora, is featured in the The Star Witch as she tries to reclaim her supernatural powers and deal with the amorous attentions of Captain Lucan Hern. Romantic Times Web site contributor Anne Black referred to the book as ‘a brilliant finish to an exciting trilogy."

Running Scared, is the first book in the ‘Last Chance Heroes’ series and features Livvie Larkin being rescued from a South American general by Quinn Calhoun. Truly, Madly, Dangerously finds Sadie Harlow, an investigator for a security agency, helping out her aunts with the family hotel in small-town Garth, Alabama, during the busy season. When people begin being murdered, she meets Deputy Truman McCain. Romantic Times Web site contributor Page Traynor called the book ‘an intriguing mystery with humorous family dynamics.’ Flynn Benning is working undercover at a girl's school and finds himself attracted to the mysterious Tess Stafford in One Major Distraction. Traynor noted the book's ‘exciting mystery and moments of humor.’ Lucky's Woman, features Annie Lockhart, a psychic who dreams of a serial killer who specializes in murdering couples. When she fears the killer is about to strike again, she contacts a private detective agency and meets Lucky Santana, who agrees to help although he doesn't believe in Annie's abilities.

The ‘Children of the Sun’ series includes Prince of Magic, Prince of Fire, and Prince of Swords. The series features magic, wizards, intrigue and romance. In the Prince of Magic, healer Ariana Kane Varden becomes involved with Wizard Sian Chamblyn as they go on a quest to save a kingdom. Writing in Booklist, Diana Tixier Herald noted that the novel ‘works well both as heroic fantasy and fantasy romance.’ In Prince of Fire, Keelia, the Red Queen of Anwyn, finds herself abducted by Joryn the Caradon, who she expects to kill her but who only wants a curse she put on his people lifted. Best Reviews Web site contributor Harriet Klausner wrote that the novel ‘enhances the overall saga as begun in the opening novel.’ Prince of Swords features Lyr Hern, Prince of Swords, rescuing Rayne, who is betrothed to the evil Ciro.

Jones also contributed to another series with her 2007 novel, Raintree: Haunted. The ‘Raintree’ novels are written by various authors and feature the Raintree Clan, who are psychics and also have magical powers. Raintree: Haunted features Gideon Raintree, a Delaware police officer who uses his powers to talk to the ghosts of victims to find their murderers. When Gideon teams up with his new partner, Hope Mallory, the two discover themselves collaborating on more than just a murder case. ‘The characters are well developed and the work the lovers have to do to avoid getting serious is quite amusing,’ wrote Harriet Klausner on the Best Reviews Web site.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, December 15, 2002, John Charles, review of Shades of Midnight, p. 738; March 15, 2003, John Charles, review of Shades of Winter, p. 1282; December 1, 2004, Diana Tixier Herald, review of The Sun Witch, p. 641; May 1, 2005, Shelley Mosley, review of The Moon Witch, p. 1574; February 1, 2007, Diana Tixier Herald, review of Prince of Magic, p. 37.

Publishers Weekly, March 28, 2005, review of The Moon Witch, p. 62; January 1, 2007, review of Prince of Magic, p. 36.

ONLINE

Alabama Bound Author,http://www.alabamabound.org/ (October 26, 2007), profile of author.

Best Reviews,http://thebestreviews.com/ (October 4, 2002), Harriet Klausner, review of Let Down Your Hair; (April 9, 2002), Harriet Klausner, review of DeButy and the Beast; (April 22, 2002), Linda Hurst, review of DeButy and the Beast; (September 19, 2002), Kathy Boswell, review of Some Enchanted Evening; (January 7, 2003), Raelene Gorlinsky, review of Shades of Midnight; (July 14, 2003), Debrah Douglas, review of Shades of Scarlet; (April 17, 2004), Linda Hurst, review of Love Is Murder; (November 17, 2004), Vicky Gilpin, review of The Sun Witch; (November 27, 2004), review of The Sun Witch; (November 24, 2005), Kelley A. Hartsell, review of The Sun Witch; (May 1, 2005), Harriet Klausner, review of The Moon Witch; (September 10, 2005), Harriet Klausner, review of Beyond the Dark; (January 8, 2006), Harriet Klausner, review of The Star Witch; (May 25, 2007), Harriet Klausner, review of Raintree: Haunted; (May 2, 2007), Harriet Klausner, reviews of Prince of Fire and Prince of Magic.

Fresh Fiction,http://freshfiction.com/ (October 26, 2007), brief profile of author.

Historical Romance Writers,http://historicalromancewriters.com/ (October 26, 2007), profile of author.

Linda Winstead Jones Home Page,http://www.lindawinsteadjones.com (October 26, 2007).

Paranormal Romance Writers; http://paranormalromancewriters.com/ (October 26, 2007), profile of author.

Romantic Times,http://www.romantictimes.com/ (October 26, 2007), Evelyn Feiner, reviews of Sullivan, Jed, and Cash; Susan Mobley, review of Some Enchanted Evening; Anne Black, reviews of Shades of Winter, Shades of Midnight, Shades of Black, The Star Witch, The Sun Witch, and No Angel's Grace; Jill M. Smith, review of Christmas Spirit; Page Traynor, reviews of A Touch of the Beast, Running Scared, One Major Distraction, and Truly, Madly, Dangerously; Sarah Paige, review of The Moon Witch; Kari Thomas, reviews of The Sheik and I, and Lucky's Woman; Melinda Helfer, reviews of Bridger's Last Stand and Every Little Thing; Debbie Richardson, reviews of Clint's Wild Ride, Madigan's Wife, Hot on His Trail, Capturing Cleo, Secret-Agent Sheik, In Bed with Boone, Wilder Days, Love Is Murder, and On Death's Watch; Catherine Witmer, review of Fever; review of Prince of Magic; Kathe Robin, review of Prince of Swords; Alexandra Kay, review of Raintree; Frances L. Trainor, review of West Wind; Cyndie Dennis-Greer, review of In Enemy Hands.

Sue's Clues,http://romancereaderatheart.com/clues/ (October 26, 2007), interview with author.