Interview with Lori Zoss, Author of Under Caution

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Under Caution?

I had been toying with a suspense romance for years on and off with a heroine in a male-dominated sport backdrop, but nothing stuck. Then, a couple of summers ago, I went to my first NASCAR race and was hooked. The setting, the pace, the intensity, it had everything I was looking for, especially a sport where men and women can compete against each other. I also thought how interesting it would be if two competing drivers were hot for each other on and off the track. Also, I started thinking about how a relentless villain obsessed with revenge, mixed with a solid knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI), could bring about deadly sabotage. After a few draft modifications, Under Caution was born!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Under Caution, what would they be?

Funny you should ask, because I have a character playlist on my website. Check it out for a full list of songs for each of the main characters!

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I actually read a lot of motivational self-improvement books, but love to escape with a good thriller or suspense fiction. I also enjoy fiction with strong female heroines in genres of all types.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden, Never Flinch by Stephen King, and Again, Only More Like You by Catalina Margulis.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There is a scene where the heroine (Daisy) sees her estranged love interest and fellow race car driver competitor (Jackson) for the first time after a separation, which was fun to write. On the other side of that coin would be the scenes involving Daisy and the villain of the story (Lumen). Very intense.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I like to listen to mellow Lo-Fi music or beats in the background when I write. Specifically, I’ll put on Lo-Fi Study or Chillhop, which are Sirius XM Extra Channels on their app. Also, when I get to key parts of a story, I’ll listen to the playlist of that character most involved at that point, almost as if I were watching my story as a movie and hearing the soundtrack. Otherwise, my only other quirk might be that I never want to end mid-chapter when I’m writing. Of course, I’ll go back and make edits, but if I’m unable to finish a chapter, I at least write some key phrases to map me out to the end that I’ll go back to the next day. I feel more accomplished that way.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Yes. “The only way out is through.” It’s something I live by both in writing and in life. No matter how difficult the challenge, the only way to overcome it is to face it head-on. You can’t hide it, bury it, or run away from it. This resonates deeply in Under Caution, where the characters, especially Daisy, are forced to confront their fears and vulnerabilities. It’s a reminder that we don’t grow by avoiding struggles, but by pushing through them, learning, and emerging stronger on the other side.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

How much fun they had reading it! If I did what I had set out to do, readers were able to escape their own world temporarily and dive into a thrilling, high-stakes adventure. I want them to feel the rush of the racetrack, the intensity of the romance, and the suspense of the story. Most of all, I hope they close the book with a smile, having been captivated by the characters and the journey, eager to come back for more as Book 2 is in the planning stages!

Lori Zoss is the author of the new book Under Caution

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