A graduate of Asbury University with a degree in English and French, and Seton Hill University, with a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction, Laurie Alice Eakes is the bestselling, award-winning author of sixteen books—with five more to be released during the next two years.
Eight of Laurie Alice’s books have been published in large print editions, one as a Crossings Bookclub hardcover, and one in Braille. She also contributes articles to writer’s publications, teaches writing workshops, and speaks on inspirational topics.
Laurie Alice lives in Texas with her husband, her working dog, and their cats.
What is your earliest memory of wanting to write?
Maybe at six or seven. Very early. I was already making up stories in my head.
Sometimes God sends us down an unexpected path—one that ultimately blesses us despite it being different than what we might have planned. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?
Sometimes I think my entire life has been a divine detour. I never thought I would end up living in Texas for going on five years now, for example.
Let’s talk about A Lady’s Honor (Zondervan, April 2014). Please tell us about it.
One of those divine detours, actually. I didn’t expect to be writing another Regency series, and there it was–the offer I couldn’t refuse.
When her parents, for their own political reasons, try to force her into an engagement with a man she fears, Elizabeth Trelawny writes her brother for help, then flees back to Cornwall, the home of her grandparents and a place she associates with safety. Instead of her brother helping her, a stranger leads her through a rainy night and her entire life changes.
This is historical romantic suspense set during the Regency era.
God often uses our stories to teach us something. What did you learn (about life, faith, and/or even yourself) in the process of writing this book?
One lesson I learn with every book is how much I need to trust the Lord in every word I write. I can have all the “great” ideas in the world, and if they are not the stories God wants me to tell, they won’t work.
I also renewed my own understanding that there is no room for pride and selfishness in love.
One of your speaking topics is “Stepping Off the Curb: Taking Risks and Growing Your Faith.” That’s an intriguing premise. I’d love to hear more about it.
A friend of mine asked me what faith was to me. She was seeking an understanding of something new to her. Since we went walking together, I thought this analysis would work: When I get to a corner, I can’t see what is on the other side of the street or what is in the street other than the sound of running engines. But my guide dog can see ahead of me. When I step off that curb, my future is in his hands–er–paws. He may lead me straight across. He may stop me, he may swerve to right or left, and he gets me to the other side of the street safely.
That’s what faith is like to me: We can’t see our future, and as long as we hold onto the Lord and let Him guide us, no matter how many detours we may experience on the way, He will guide us safely through our lives.
I expand on this when speaking, and that’s the crux of the premise.
You have several other books releasing this year. Please tell us briefly about them.
Sincerely Yours is a novella collection where each of the stories is launched by a letter the heroine receives. “Moonlight Promise” is my story and takes place on a steamboat on the Hudson River in 1825 at the opening of the Eerie Canal. Other authors are Jane Kirkpatrick, Amanda Cabot, and Ann Shorey. The publisher is Baker/Revell. It released April 1.
Next is The Honorable Heir. This is a turn-of-the-century (1900) story set in Tuxedo Park, New York. This was a playground for the uber wealthy of New York society. My heroine has come home after her husband, an English earl, died far too young. She hopes to help launch her younger sister into society despite a bit of scandal she–the heroine–left behind, but she ends up getting accused of stealing family heirlooms from her husband’s estate and his family wants them back. The hero needs to get them back for his own reasons. This comes out in May from Love Inspired Heartsong. Three more books will follow in the series by Gina Welborn, Lisa Karen Richardson, and Jennifer Alee.
A few fun questions…
When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?
Really good coffee with chocolate. I’m not as fussy about my chocolate as I am about my coffee. Why? I like the combination of sweet and bitter, the richness of cream and the caffeine/sugar jolt. No sugar goes in the coffee, though, just cream.
This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?
That’s debatable : -) I have had a few years of voice lessons and love to sing, though don’t do so much except in church.
If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?
Something upbeat and energetic that makes you want to dance. I’m a high energy person and sometimes, like those songs, can be a little too much, and I don’t know how to turn it off.
In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?
Oh, definitely the strong woman lead. Considering I’m rather an introvert, that’s an odd thing to claim, and I have a bad habit of taking things over.
I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.
I could write volumes about my pets. Despite having my golden retriever, Nick, who is a working dog and utter bad boy charmer (were he human), with his big brown eyes and puppy grin, I am really a cat person. At one time, I had twelve cats–two of my own and the rest ferals I was sheltering in my fenced yard. I now have two cats who are rescues. Tangelo is orange and white and spent the beginning of his life on the streets of San Antonio. He is so needy and babyish and sweet he melts my heart. Chili Pepper is a Himalayan with blue eyes and hair that is about 2-4 inches long and a purr you can hear across the room. He is all white except for face, ears, paws and tail, which are reddish orange—like a chili pepper. He, too, is from San Antonio. I don’t know if I have ever met a more loving cat, and I have had gazillions of them–or so it seems. If I had space, I’d have more. Right now, one is sprawled on my desk and the other on the armchair beside my desk.
My dog is on the floor behind me. I like working surrounded by my animals.
Thank you, Laurie Alice! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.
Thank you for having me!
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For more information about Laurie Alice, visit her website or follow her on Twitter.
To purchase A Lady’s Honor and other books by Laurie Alice, logon to:
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