Spotlight on Delia Latham and Goldeneyes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Delia Latham is a former newspaper Staff Writer and an occasional contributor to her hometown’s regional publication, Bakersfield Magazine. She also writes greeting card verse, short stories, articles, and songs. Her editing and proofing skills have been utilized by numerous authors, including Dr. Chuck Wall, founder of the Random Acts of Kindness movement.

Her debut novel, Almost Like a Song, was released in June 2006; Goldeneyes will be released in March 2008 by Vintage Romance Publishing. Delia's work is also included in an upcoming short story anthology, The Shortstack: 20 Stories to Fill You Up.

The author lives in Bakersfield, California with her husband, Johnny, a Pentecostal minister. Her four adult children and four "beautiful, absolutely perfect" grandchildren daily light up her life. She loves to hear from her readers. Contact her through her website or her blog.

GOLDENEYES
by Delia Latham
Published by Vintage Romance Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK

A man's eyes are the windows to his soul . if he has one. Deep in the darkness of a Depression-era night, a man addicted to alcohol sells something precious to obtain it. His vile action impacts the lives of two entire families, and it will be over two decades before the horrible wrong begins to be made right again. Two young women - strangers to each other - unknowingly enmeshed in a Pandora's Box of secrets that could prevent them from finding happiness with the men they love. Two adoring mothers who know more than they are willing to say. A newsman with a story he cannot tell. What is their connection, and who is the golden-eyed stranger who moves in the shadows of their broken lives?

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I grew up in a tiny California farming community called Weedpatch. I have always wanted to write something and set it in that locale. Believe it or not, I think I actually worked the story around the setting, rather than the other way around - which is by far more usual.

One aspect of my inspiration I can't share because it would give away an important twist in the book. Want to talk again a few months from now? :)

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

I may be wrong - God knows I have been before! - but I truly believe every author writes a bit of themselves into their characters. Sometimes we don't even know we're doing it. One of my heroines (there are two in Goldeneyes) shares a relationship with her father that mirrors my own with my Dad. Their manner of speaking and the honor they show their parents is most likely influenced by my own upbringing. I just wrote into them the kind of respect parental respect I feel a Christian should have.

I think that's probably the extent of it. Who knows, though? Both of my boys tell me the heroine in my first novel, Almost Like a Song, IS me! That was not my intention at all (and I don't think it's quite as definitive a resemblance as he thinks! LOL ), but it is easy for a writer to allow his/her characters to be influenced by their own upbringing, environment, personal beliefs, etc.

One of the Goldeneyes heroines has an extreme fear of the dark. That's entirely her own, not mine. She's also a good artist. Again, totally her - I can't draw a stick figure and make it straight. But the other twin is a writer. Okay, that's me. She's also kind of shy around people she doesn't know, and yeah, I can relate to that, too.

3. What themes exist in Goldeneyes that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

I just shared this theme with someone else this morning - and it did develop as the story progressed. It is simply this: Never stop believing that God has a reason for every incident in your life. He does, and His purpose will be manifested in time, always to your good and His glory.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I loved writing about the golden-eyed stranger who managed to bring to light the connection in the lives of my primary characters. Those parts just seemed to flow. I was so into this mysterious person, I could actually see him in my mind. Because he's not one of the characters we see on every page, I had to curb my enthusiasm and be careful not to paint him too prominently, allowing him to overshadow my heroines. Having him show up in odd places and times worked best - it made him more interesting to the reader.

To my surprise, writing about Weedpatch was difficult. As much as I wanted to use that setting, I found myself struggling to separate myself from the reality of the place enough to fictionalize it. I encountered a huge writer's block at one point that I feared would be insurmountable. But with many tears and a lot of prayer, God broke down the barrier. When He gave me that release, He also gave me the inspiration, and the rest of the story flowed well.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Whenever God wants it to happen. You can all help me pray that my manuscripts find favor with an editor and are contracted quickly!

I've completed a short novel called Karissa's Dream which is being pitched to several publishers now. Currently, I'm working on a storyline that (to my utter surprise!) will make a connection between Almost Like a Song and Goldeneyes.

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Thank you, Delia, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Goldeneyes.

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