A Fusion of History and Romance at your Fingertips
Local Author: Danielle Thorne
Written and Photographed by SUSAN MAYER DAVIS
If you love historical fiction and wholesome romance novels, be sure to check out the books of local author Danielle Thorne. Her newest novel, published by Harlequin, is due out this month. The title is “A Home for the Twins,” and the book was inspired by her twin 4-year-old grandsons, Nic and Dek.
Thorne grew up in a family of six children – four brothers and one sister. “My father is an avid reader and reads all my books,” she says. Her mother was a busy homemaker and mom, while her father worked in sales and marketing for the trucking industry. “Life was simple and we didn’t have much, but they always encouraged us to find our talents and pursue what we felt passionate about,” says Thorne.
She and her husband Rob are from Tennessee. They grew up in Nashville, moving to Sharpsburg with their four sons 17 years ago for Rob’s job as an Air Traffic Controller out of Hartsfield Airport. They both love this area
and plan to be here for the long haul. Three of their grown sons live in Utah, while one lives
in Maine.
She confesses that she is basically introverted, so writing is her best form of communication. Danielle won her first award in seventh grade: Honorable Mention in a National Scholastic poetry contest. She has a few books available in audio format, and she has published a few non-fiction books for young adults. A prolific writer, Danielle published books for school libraries, including biographies of Andrew Jackson and Queen Victoria.
Danielle describes her books as “Southern happily-ever-afters and romantic historical adventures.” Her “Love Inspired” series, published under the Harlequin name, brings stories of inspirational romance (“A Home for the Twins”), while her historical line includes swashbuckling adventures, such as “A Pirate of Pembroke” (Danielle’s personal favorite book), and “A Smuggler’s Heart or The Privateer” (her first published book.)
In total, Danielle has published 25 books since 2008, all set in small Southern towns.
Her dream is writing historical fiction that may inspire others to believe in themselves, as her heroes and heroines possess character traits of faith, strength, and determination molded into a positive demeanor. Danielle wants to instill courage and a sense of “I can do this,” into her readers. Her favorite authors are Patrick O’Brian of the Master and Commander series, Jane Austen and Tolkien. “I also love bestselling historical authors Amy Harmon and Kate Morton,” she says.
When not working on a manuscript, Danielle loves to be outside. She loves to hike, kayak, and take road trips. She enjoys visiting state parks and historical museums and cemeteries. She admits to loving both dogs and cats and having two “obnoxious cats.” She also admits to being a chocoholic. (No wonder her romances are so sweet!)
Her interests range from thrift shopping to tracing family history and watching football or basketball. College sports are her favorite. Since her grown children are all musical, Danielle enjoys jazz, marching bands, and orchestra concerts. She volunteers for her church and in the community.
And of course, Danielle loves to read, especially historical fiction, and watch sci-fi and fantasy movies. NCM
