Lynne Hinton is native of North Carolina. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Masters of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. She also studied at Wake Forest University and the NC School of the Arts, School of Filmmaking. She has served as a chaplain with hospice and as the pastor of Mount Hope United Church of Christ and First Congregational United Church of Christ, both in North Carolina.

Lynne began considering writing when she was in seminary. She enrolled in literature classes that broadened her understanding of story and inspired her to make her own attempt at storytelling. She was most influenced by Harlem Renaissance Literature, Third World American Literature, and a class taught by fellow North Carolinian, Dr. Katie Cannon, Black Women’s Literature, Toward A Constructive Ethic.

Lynne is a regular columnist with The Charlotte Observer and the author of several books, including a nonfiction piece, MEDITATIONS FOR WALKING, and the Hope Springs Trilogy with FRIENDSHIP CAKE. She has a mystery series with St. Martin’s, written under the name, Jackie Lynn which includes DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE, JACOB'S LADDER, and SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT. CHRISTMAS CAKE AND WEDDING CAKE are her latest endeavors.

"I believe it is vital for people of faith to know the stories of others. How can we speak of deeply spiritual issues like hope and peace if we are not willing to open our hearts and minds to the suffering and the triumphs of those who appear different from us? Stories serve to remind us that we are all a part of one human family."

Lynne and her husband, Bob Branard, live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Lynne serves as the pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ.