Interview with Delia Latham

Where did you grow up and attend school? Are there any other authors in your family?

I grew up in California, a little ways southwest of Bakersfield, in a tiny farming community called Weedpatch. Attended school there, as well – first in a public elementary school (1^st through 4^th grades), and then in a parochial school operated by our church (5^th through 12^th). My aunt and pastor’s wife, Rita Mae Dawson, self-published a couple of non-fiction books many years ago, mostly for distribution within their Apostolic church fellowship. She was my mentor and encourager, who convinced me at an early age that I could and should be a writer.

How did you get started writing? How old were you? What made you want to start? What did you enjoy reading as a child?

I think I’ve been writing since I could wrap my fingers around a pencil. I’ve often stated that I was born with a pen in my hand, and I don’t think it’s far from the truth. Even at a very early age, I wrote poems, songs, little stories. As I grew older, I learned to love reading. I read everything I could get my hands on, including the backs of Comet boxes and toothpaste tubes. J I loved Trixie Belden, The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames…even the Hardy Boys mysteries (I wasn’t a gender-specific reader!). And the list goes on. As I entered high school, I started writing more and more. My uncle and pastor was married to an amazing, very talented and intelligent woman, who was always a strong mentor to me. Rita Mae Dawson homed in on my God-given talent and encouraged me to develop it. I will forever be grateful for her!

How and when did you and your husband meet? Was it love at first sight? What does he think about your being an author?

I was 11 when I first saw my future husband, Johnny. My brother (4½ years older) and I were visiting a small church in a nearby town. Johnny (one of the pastor’s five sons) was dating one of the girl’s in the church, but it didn’t stop me from developing an instant crush. From that time on, when I played house with my friends, my name was always Mrs. Johnny Latham.

My brother and Johnny became very good friends, and when Johnny’s dad left that little church where we first met them, he and one of his brothers started attending ours. One happy day a few years later, my brother informed me that Johnny wanted to date me. “Too bad you like Aubrey so much,” he said. Poor, sweet Aubrey suffered an instant break-up…and the rest, as they say, is history.

Johnny is very supportive of my love for writing. Thank God! He’s the family cook anyway, which is such a huge load off my mind when I’m in the middle of a story. But he doesn’t stop there. If I’m on deadline and crunching to get a story done, he picks up the slack with laundry and whatever else must be done while I’m hidden away in my office. God is such a Master matchmaker!

How old are your children? Do they read your books? Have any of them got the writing bug, as well?

I have four children, all adults. None of them are much into Christian fiction, but each has read one or more of my books. Both of my boys are excellent writers and every once in a while, they’ll send me a story they’re working on, so I can advise and edit. The oldest actually completed a novel, but has never attempted to submit it anywhere, much to my disappointment. Maybe someday.

How do you research the communities and people you write about? Do you find yourself having do a lot of research?

Since I don’t write historical fiction, there’s less research than one might think. However, every book requires a certain amount of fact-checking – whether due to an unfamiliar locale, a character’s profession, or some other element of the storyline with which I’m unfamiliar. I do almost all research online. While I have visited a couple of locations in order to familiarize myself with them, many of my settings are fictional, which gives me some leeway with “facts.”

Which is your favorite book? Do you have a character in your books you identify with the most ?

My favorite book that I have written, or by another author? I’ll answer both.

My two favorite books ever are both epic good vs. evil novels: The Stand, by Stephen King and Swan Song, by Robert R. McCammon. Neither of these authors writes Christian fiction, but I love their good vs. evil storylines.

Choosing a favorite amongst my own books is really hard. The most recent is always “favorite” while it’s new—so right now, Spring Raine holds that title. Lol They are each “favorites” for different reasons. However…for the sake of giving an answer…Goldeneyes will probably always be the book of my heart, as it is set partially in Weedpatch, California. Many of the characters’ names are a mix of people I knew as a child growing up in that community and in our church. I also really love one in particular of my Heart’s Haven novellas—Love in the WINGS. It deals with spiritual oppression, and I fought a royal spiritual battle as I wrote the book. I think God was giving me a glimpse into the devastation that can be wrought on a person’s heart and soul by satanic forces that seek to destroy His children through oppression. I will always consider this book a triumph over evil, as it became more and more clear that Satan did not want the story written, and was willing to destroy me to keep it under wraps. As always, God prevailed. I pray the book is a blessing and a source of strength to anyone dealing with evil spirits and/or oppression.

Blurb for

Spring Raine, Paradise Pines series, Book 1:

An uncharacteristic, last-minute decision to do something "wild and crazy" before entering the stressful world of forensic science sends Raine Presley to Cambria, California. Against a cloud of disapproval from her slightly manipulative, over-protective parents, she signs a seasonal lease at the beautiful Paradise Pines Lodge...and winds up over her head in life and love.

Declan Keller's just minding his own business—literally—when Raine drops into his world and turns it upside down. He's far too busy carving beautiful shapes out of chunks of wood to be babysitting a gal from Pasadena. Even so, his father’s promise to an old friend obligates him, despite a looming deadline that could make or break his career in the art world. He’s praying for anything but Raine when she comes along.

Neither Declan nor Raine is prepared for the seemingly divine influence of Paradise Pines—and Miss Angelina Love. A mysterious lady who may or may not own the lodge, Miss Angie possesses an amazing talent for mending ruffled feathers, spouting proverbs, and somehow bending even the most determined of hearts to the power of love.

Bio:

Writing Heaven’s touch into earthly tales, Delia Latham puts her characters through the fire of earthly trials to bring them out victorious by the hand of God, His heavenly messengers, and good, old-fashioned love. You’ll always find a touch of the divine in this author’s sweet tales of romance.

Delia lives in East Texas with her husband Johnny. She’s a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and author of inspirational romance…with a finger or two immersed in the design pool, where she creates beautiful marketing material for other authors. Delia treasures her role as child of the King and heir to the throne of God. She’s got a “thing” for Dr. Pepper and loves hearing from readers.

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Amazon purchase link for Spring Raine, Paradise Pines Series, Book 1