Lori Thorn Weaves Romance, Mystery, and Humor Into Stories That Leave Readers Spellbound
Photo: Lori Thorn: Author of Engaging Romance Novels That Bring Love, Mystery, and Laughs to Life
Romance, Resilience, And Relatable Characters
Lori Thorn discusses her vivid characters, cozy yet mysterious writing tone, emotionally resonant relationships, inspiration from music, and the joy of connecting with readers through compelling romance and heartfelt storytelling.
L ori Thorn is a literary gem whose romantic tales captivate readers with their unforgettable characters and intricate emotional landscapes. Her ability to intertwine heartfelt connections, riveting mysteries, and delightful humor has solidified her place as a master storyteller in the romance genre. With novels like Enchanting Elixirs, Petals & Punches, Remotely Love, and Crescendo, Lori crafts narratives that invite readers to laugh, cry, and cheer alongside characters that feel profoundly real. Her stories don’t just ask you to turn the pages—they invite you into a world where vibrant personalities and compelling drama come to life.
With deep roots in Western North Carolina, Lori’s surroundings shape her vibrant settings, while her experiences, from mountain trails to musical bands, infuse her books with authenticity and charm. Her gift for understanding the complex emotional dynamics of relationships, whether romantic or familial, ensures every story resonates on a deeply personal level. At Mosaic Digest Magazine, we’re honored to feature an exclusive interview with Lori Thorn, where she shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her beloved books, and the passion that fuels her remarkable storytelling.
Prepare to be inspired as Lori opens up about the magic of connecting with readers, crafting unforgettable characters, and finding joy in the art of weaving love, humor, and mystery into each page. This interview is a celebration of her work—and a testament to the brilliance of an author whose stories are impossible to forget.
What elements do you believe help forge vivid, intimate connections between your characters and readers—especially in a genre known for emotional resonance?
Imagine you go on a first date. Your date is close-lipped about their life. All night, they cut rude glares at the waiter and make snide remarks to them without any explanation. I’m betting you won’t make it to second date territory.
It’s the same between readers and characters. Readers need to feel something about each character and understand their motivations; otherwise, they tend to lose interest and stop reading.
I build my characters before I outline the story, so they are unique, complete, people with a history that will influence the actions they take. Their backstory serves as an anchor for me to return to as I write, and ultimately makes the characters relatable to readers.
What inspired the cozy-yet-mysterious tone of Enchanting Elixirs, and how did you approach weaving romance, humour, and suspense into the narrative?
Fun fact about me, Cozy-and-Mysterious is my middle name!
Okay, you got me. That’s not my middle name, though if you were making some sort of summoning circle to attract a Lori, you’d be on track by including those vibes. The inspiration for Enchanting Elixir’s tone is definitely rooted in things that I love.
As for weaving these other elements… It may seem strange for me to say as a romance author, but the mystery and suspense of what is happening in the town of Mystic, and how it exposes Covington family secrets, is as important as the romantic development between Cordelia and Carlos. For this book, I focused on the story first, then determined how their relationship would progress. The humour just happens. People are funny, and so am I.
How do you craft emotionally resonant yet entertaining relationships between female characters—especially relatives with contrasting personalities?
Aha! We’re talking about Cordelia and Hestia Covington here, two characters from Enchanting Elixirs. Cordelia is introverted, blunt, and enjoys her planned existence, whereas Hestia is a social powerhouse who trusts easily and acts on impulse.
When writing about friendships in general, I invite the reader to be the new friend. You’ll hear references to the past and learn the character’s inside jokes.
In the case of Cordelia and Hestia, their differences are especially important. They are aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and use those traits to help run Enchanting Elixirs. Moreover, they both need to learn from each other to grow.
In what ways have in-person literary events impacted your connection with readers and your growth as an author? Can you share a memorable moment from one of these events?
My table at Barnes & Noble in Asheville, North Carolina, featured copies of Enchanting Elixirs and Petals & Punches, along with stickers, bookmarks, and a sealed recipe from Petals & Punches. I was talking to a pair of customers about my books, trying to portray the excitement of them without giving spoilers, when it happened.
A young girl (I’m guessing around 10 years old) from a group of people to my right gasped. My eyes drifted to her, only to find she was staring right at me. “Are you a real author?”
It’s a question that indie authors are frequently asked, except that this girl’s words weren’t accusatory or challenging. “I am, I’ve written these two books and several others.”
The girl approached my table and told me that she wanted to be an author more than anything, and I told her that she absolutely could do that. I hope my voice was so passionate and true that she remembers it when anyone doubts her.
This was my absolute favorite moment from any book event I’ve attended, although I have many other powerful memories from them as well. Meeting readers, fellow authors, and occasionally even people who follow me on social media, is an enormous joy! And you’ve nailed it with the question. These events are rarely about selling; they are about connecting, and I love them for that.
Does playing musical instruments influence your writing—perhaps in pacing, voice, or rhythm? How does your home life shape your storytelling?
Another fun fact about me (this one is true) is that I hold a bachelor’s degree in Music Studies. Music, and my experience playing in bands, is quite literally the inspiration for my small-town romance book, Crescendo.
Music also influences my writing in other, less obvious ways. The structural forms of music and plot diagrams are not dissimilar. The writing elements found in literature frequently overlap with those in music. Is a soliloquy not a solo?
My home life is the story that I live. It is precious. It is full of love, gratitude, admiration, and support. It is able to rise to meet any challenge. My home life is the ultimate inspiration for every word these fingers have typed. B
