The sleepy bayou town of Eternal Springs, Louisiana has a new police officer. Lincoln Vailes used to be a park ranger but, with his aging parents needing his help and support, he’s made a career change and moved south to be with them. Jade Laurent is also new in in town. But after someone runs the young social worker’s car off the road and threatens to shoot her, it’s up to Lincoln to find out what a big city gang is doing in his small town… and to stop them if he can.
WHAT LED YOU TO WRITE FEAR NO EVIL?
My husband loves The Learning Channel and The History Channel on television. We enjoy spending our evenings together, so we often watch specials on one of these two stations. I watched a series entitled Gangland and my mind began the “what if” game. My plot idea was born from there. The main point of the book is a look into the workings of gangs. How certain children are at risk to become gang members. To expose how gangs operate. Emotional themes of the book are forgiveness, acceptance, and letting go of the past to move forward. I also touch on such issues as social services and organ donation/transplant. The research for this novel was eye-opening for me, and I hope it will be for readers as well.
STARTING OUT, WHO WERE THE AUTHORS WHO INSPIRED YOU? WHO INSPIRES YOU NOW?
I’m a HUGE Stephen King fan. What impresses me about his books are the deep characters you meet. Each character in each of his stories makes an impression on the reader that stays long after the book is over. Another author who influenced me is Colleen Coble. I love how she makes her setting a character … that the story couldn’t take place anywhere but where she sets the book. So many authors have made an impact on my life, and my writing … Jim Rubart, Ronie Kendig, Dineen Miller, James Scott Bell, Tosca Lee, Cara Putman, Rachel Hauck, Sara Mills … each of them have touched my life, which shows in my writing.
HOW DOES YOUR FAITH INFLUENCE YOUR WRITING?
Before I received my first contract, I wrote a lot of stories, but they weren’t all Christian-centered. After reading several books in the Christian market, I realized this was where my focus needed to be. I prayed, and dedicated my writing to honor Him, always be Scripturally accurate, and write stories that could change people’s ideas. I hope I succeed with that in every book I write.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WANTED TO BE AN AUTHOR?
From a young age, words meant something to me. I devoured books, becoming an avid reader of mysteries (Trixie Beldon series) at the age of eight. Being such a reader, I began writing my own stories in grammar school, filling notebooks upon notebooks with short stories, ideas, and such. I wrote some short stories that were published in our state school publication. Upon seeing my words in print, I knew this was what I wanted to do in life.
WHAT DO YOU MOST HOPE THAT READERS GET FROM READING YOUR WORK?
I just hope that readers enjoy the story and are blessed by the spiritual aspect of the book.