From the Booking Desk:

Having made many trips to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in my youth, I have always been interested in the lifestyle of the Amish, so when Linda Castillo first launched her Kate Burkholder crime series (in 2009), I was right there ready to learn more. Never did I think that years later I would still count this series as one of my absolute favorites. I continue to learn something new with each book and there is no denying the series has one of the top romantic relationships in the genre. I’ve not yet had the opportunity to meet Linda in person – how is that possible? – but I am nevertheless thrilled to invite her here as part of the BOLO Books Composite Sketch profile series. I hope that you enjoy learning a bit more about her as much as I did.

Name: Linda Castillo
Location: Texas

This person from my personal life is such an inspiration:  

Margaret Burris once told me, after I’d received a crushing rejection from a publisher, “No writing is ever wasted.” She wasn’t a writer, and yet she got it. She understood. I worked for years in the corporate world before I sold my first book. I hired Margaret when I was just twenty-nine years old. She was already into her fifties (and so much wiser than yours truly.) I was her boss…and I had a few things to learn. Margaret had a lot to teach me, but she was kind and let me think all those lessons were my doing. We had many excellent adventures, survived a few tough times, and we always had fun. She’s gone now, but in the years we were friends, she taught me how to be a better person and she showed me the true meaning of strength.

One of the people I admire most in the crime fiction community is:

I’ve admired Nora Roberts aka JD Robb for decades. I love her writing, her creative mind, her writer’s spirit, her work ethic, and her attitude. I love the way she worked her way to the top of a tough business—with an astounding talent that appeals to so many lovers of the written word.

STALKER ALERT! If this fictional character were real, they would likely need to get a restraining order against me:

Lucas Davenport. I’m not sure I’d actually stalk him per se, but I’d want to do a ride along with him…..and pick his brain…with Virgil Flowers…as we’re working through an intricate case and dodging bullets in the midst of a brutal Minnesota winter.

People are always surprised that I am a fan of this individual (singer, actor, or artist):

I’ve been a huge fan of Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin for many years (maybe too many!) They were such an iconic band, wrote some of the best lyrics of their time, and made some damn good music. I’ve mentioned a Zeppelin song in one or two of the Kate Burkholder novels, which is always fun.

My personal catch phrase is (or should be): 

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. My dad used the phrase a lot when I was a kid. I didn’t like it much at the time, but I never forgot it. It’s the thing that drives me to keep going even after I’ve hit a wall. The reminder that if you keep at it, you will succeed.