Caitlyn O’Leary Shares the Heart, Heat, and High Stakes Behind Her Bestselling Romantic Suspense Novels

PHOTO: Caitlyn O’Leary, bestselling author and fan favorite, shares a laugh during her latest book research adventure—proving real life inspires great fiction.

Strong Heroines, Alpha Heroes, And Stories That Stay With You

Bestselling author Caitlyn O’Leary discusses her love of romantic suspense, writing strong characters, tackling real-life issues, and how her personal journey shapes the powerful, emotional stories her readers love.

Caitlyn O’Leary doesn’t just write books—she builds worlds where danger crackles like static in the air, love burns with intensity, and heroes rise to meet challenges both external and deeply personal. With more than 57 novels to her name, she has carved out a place among the top storytellers in romantic suspense, earning both bestselling acclaim and the devotion of thousands of readers. Her stories pulse with emotion, tension, and hard-won healing, making them impossible to put down and even harder to forget.

What sets Caitlyn apart isn’t just her knack for weaving high-stakes action with swoon-worthy romance. It’s the emotional intelligence behind every scene, the fearless exploration of trauma and resilience, and the cast of unforgettable characters—especially the Alpha heroes with soft centers and the fierce, brilliant heroines who match them step for step. Caitlyn writes with heart, humor, and a refreshing honesty that carries through not just her novels, but her life, her infamous “Caitlyn Factor” stories, and her generous connection to fans.

In this exclusive interview, Caitlyn opens up about her journey—from childhood challenges with dyslexia to corporate boardrooms, from her beloved Trixie Belden rewrites to the heart-pounding pages of her bestselling series. We’re thrilled to spotlight a writer who continues to inspire with both her craft and her courage.

Caitlyn O’Leary is a bold, compassionate storyteller whose thrilling, heartfelt novels captivate readers and elevate the romantic suspense genre with grace.

What inspired you to start writing romantic suspense novels, and how do you manage to balance romance with suspense in your stories?

I’ve loved romances, since I was twelve, and found my neighbor’s stash of Harlequins while babysitting. At fourteen, I got hooked on Ian Fleming and Robert Ludlum.  James Bond and Jason Bourne pulled me in with all the action.

By high school, I was reading about twelve books a month, everything from emotional romances to Tom Clancy thrillers. Suspense forces characters to drop their walls fast. When lives are on the line, there’s no time for games, and that honesty creates a deeper romantic connection.

A lot of my couples face high-stakes situations together. That teamwork builds trust and attraction quickly. I don’t separate romance from suspense. The danger makes the love feel more intense, and the love makes the danger feel even more personal.

Can you share some of the challenges you faced due to your dyslexia, and how it impacted your journey as an author?

I was never officially diagnosed with dyslexia back in the day. My grandmother figured it out.  She spent a year teaching me to read.  It was hard, but once it clicked, reading opened up a whole new world. Books became my escape and eventually my passion. Dyslexia made me learn to work harder.  That early struggle gave me a deep appreciation for storytelling, and now, getting to create and share those stories is one of the greatest joys in my life.

“Dyslexia made me learn to work harder.” — Caitlyn O’Leary

How do you develop such strong and captivating alpha male characters, and what do you believe makes them appealing to readers?

I often write about military men who’ve taken an oath to protect our country’s values and freedoms. That kind of service takes strength and honor. I believe many of these men also have a natural instinct to protect others.

But not all my heroes are military. I believe plenty of men, no matter their background, want to protect the people they love. I just turn that instinct up a few notches. These men lead with their hearts. They’re strong, but also honorable, kind, and loyal.

I make sure all the men are human. They’ve got flaws, insecurities, and the occasional annoying habit that makes the reader laugh. All of them are layered. I think that’s what readers connect with: not just the tough alpha on the outside, but the real man underneath who struggles, grows, and shows up when it counts.

Your books often feature strong heroines. What qualities do you think are essential for creating a memorable female protagonist?

I write women who are self-reliant and think for themselves. Whether emotionally intelligent or book smart or both, my heroines bring their own kind of strength. They have unique personalities and skillsets that help them handle the challenges in their stories.  Their compassion, kindness, and occasional snark always shine through.

Strength isn’t just physical, it’s emotional resilience, integrity, and getting back up after life knocks you down. That’s what makes a female character memorable: not that she’s never saved, but that she always keeps fighting.

“Strength isn’t just physical, it’s emotional resilience.” — Caitlyn O’Leary

How did your childhood experiences, like rewriting Trixie Belden books, influence your writing style and storytelling approach today?

I grew up as the oldest child in a big, funny, loving, and totally dysfunctional family. Books like Trixie Belden were my escape hatch. I’d disappear into those pages when things got chaotic. Rewriting the stories in my head gave me a sense of control.  

With your move back to the Pacific Northwest, have you found any new inspirations or themes for your upcoming books?

Since coming back to the Pacific Northwest I’ve been able to reconnect with old friends and family.

In my small-town books, I’ve started leaning into themes of coming home and rediscovering connections.  There’s comfort in the idea that no matter how far you go, some places, and people, are always waiting for you.

How do you approach addressing tough and relevant issues in your novels while keeping the story engaging?

Myself or people I love have gone through a lot, cancer, mental illness, assault, miscarriage, PTSD. I’ve seen how those experiences can break you down, but also how they can build you back up. I’ve watched my friends and family often face pain with grace and grit, and come out stronger.

Since I write in series, I often already have characters who feel right for exploring certain issues.  When I write those stories, I focus not just on the struggle, but the healing. Even my strong, capable heroes and heroines, aren’t immune to pain. But they can still find love, joy, and a path forward.

When a character’s hurting, a partner who shows up with patience and compassion adds real depth to the romance. Sometimes the suspense plot can become a turning point in their healing.

“Rewriting the stories in my head gave me a sense of control.” — Caitlyn O’Leary

Can you share a memorable “Caitlyn Factor” story, and how do these personal anecdotes influence your writing and connection with fans?

A “Caitlyn Factor” is just me telling a story about one of my many screw-ups, and they happen a lot.

While writing Her Honorable Hero. I needed to research an Amtrak crash near San Diego, so I figured I’d take the train and get a feel for it. I did some reconnaissance and drove to what I thought was the station… but it was a caboose turned restaurant. I went home and found another station, five miles away, bought an online Amtrak ticket, and went to the station the next day.

The train flew right past me.

Turns out, I was standing at a Metrolink stop… with an Amtrak ticket.

So, I called the actual Amtrak station, and the woman said, “Our station is behind the caboose restaurant.” Of course it was.

I went back, day-late ticket in hand, and the kind agent let me on. I got great details for the book.

These ‘Factors’ happen at least monthly, and I share them in my newsletter, usually with photos. My readers love them.  They remind people that even though I write about military heroes, I’m really just out here trying to catch the right train… and sometimes sadly failing.  And yes, my characters often make the same types of mistakes.

As a former corporate executive, do any skills from your previous career translate into your writing or managing your author platform?

Definitely, as an indie author, I spend about 70% of my time writing, but I’d get bored doing just that. The rest goes to managing metrics, planning marketing, and working with my team, like editors, artists, VA, and PR. It’s great putting my leadership and project management skills to use.

“Your challenges and quirks add heart to your writing.” — Caitlyn O’Leary

 What advice would you give to aspiring authors who face obstacles, like dyslexia, on their journey to becoming successful writers?

I tell authors to embrace their differences. Whether an introvert, have dyslexia, or babble too much like me… own it. Share it. Those things don’t make you less of a writer; they make you more human.

Don’t shy away from what makes you unique. Your challenges and quirks shape who you are and add heart to your writing. They’re what give your voice that special something no one else can replicate.