5 minute read
Jacquelin Thomas
Her Hometown Hero
Interview by King Brooks
I have been a fan of Jacquelin Thomas since 2000 when I first saw her film ‘Hidden Blessings’ on BET. She is a legend in the publishing industry and have been so nurturing and inspiring to so many upcoming authors. I had the opportunity to sit down and interview her about her new book ‘Her Hometown Hero’ the latest book in the Polk Island series. So sit back and enjoy our interview.
King Brooks: Tell us about your new novel ‘Her Hometown Hero?’
Jacquelin Thomas: Her Hometown Hero is the second book in the Polk Island series for Harlequin Heartwarming. Trey Rothchild returns to the island a wounded man, having lost both legs and his entire team. His childhood sweetheart, Gia Harris isn’t looking for romance, but refuses to give up on him or let him give up on himself. Trey doesn’t want to pass on this second chance with Gia, but he has to find the strength to fight through PTSD, survivor’s guilt and the nightmares that haunt him.
KB: Where did the idea for this story come from?
JT: Her Hometown Hero was born out of my desire to honor the active duty service members, veterans and their families. I also wanted to highlight a man who desired to serve and protect his country—a desire that cost him his legs and the ultimate sacrifice from his team.
KB: How long did it take for you to write ‘Her Hometown Hero?’
JT: I would say it would normally take me maybe five or six weeks after I do the research. But this particular book took a little longer.
KB: ‘Her Hometown Hero’ is the second book in “the Polk Island series.” How different is ‘Her Hometown Hero’ from your other work?
JT: I wouldn’t say that it’s different from my other body of work, but to me it’s a special book. This is the first book I’ve written which features a character who is a double amputee and an active duty service member. It is similar to my other work in that, some of my characters struggle with mental disorders such as anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, etc.
KB: What do you want readers to take away from ‘Her Hometown Hero?’
JT: The main message I’d like readers to take from this story is that life is precious. Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone, so we must live each day on purpose. In the middle of writing this book, I lost my oldest daughter, so I have to confess it was a challenge to finish this story, but I pushed through. As I mentioned earlier, it took me a little longer because it was an emotional story to write and I was heartbroken. However, writing this story helped me through my own grieving process. It was through writing about Trey’s to be called a hero that I realized that we honor the people we’ve lost by living our lives to the fullest.
KB: Who is Jacquelin Thomas as a person and as a author?
JT: I am a wife, mother, grandmother. As an author, I am those same things but I write about life and its struggles. As a person and an author, I try to encourage and inspire others by sharing some of my personal experiences. I’ve lived with chronic panic disorder for almost 30 years. For a long time, I was ashamed and kept it a secret, but I’ve discovered that the more I talk or write about my own struggles—I have found that I’m not alone. Suffering in silence isn’t a good thing, so I use my voice and my writing to let others know that they are not alone. I no longer allow my fears to keep me silent—I use them to empower me and others.
KB: When did the writing bug hit you?
JT: Oh wow… I was in third grade and it was my teacher who took note of my “gift” as she called it. She actually nurtured this gift in me by taking me to a book signing and introducing me to local authors in my area. I didn’t publish my first book until 1997 and I’m forever grateful that she lived long enough to attend my first book signing. She stood up and shared that she’d always known I’d be a writer.
KB: What keeps you coming back for more? (i.e. writing, telling stories)
JT: The stories just won’t stop coming. There have been times when I’ve wanted to quit—times when I felt it was time to just stop writing, but I couldn’t. I have a personal goal of writing 100 books and then retiring… we’ll just have to see what happens.
KB: What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
JT: Always allow yourself to remain teachable. I’ve been published for 25 years and there’s still so much that I feel I still don’t know. I buy books on the craft of writing almost every other month because I am constantly trying to stretch myself as a writer. I believe with each book a reader should see growth in that writer. It is my hope that my readers see my growth and that I’m still able to surprise them and haven’t become predictable.
KB: How can readers get in touch with you and find your books?
JT: My website is: www.jacquelin-thomas.com. I’m also on Facebook: @jacquelinwrites
KB: What can we expect from you in the future?
JT: I’m happy to announce that my third book in the Polk Island series: Her Marine Hero will be released August 25, 2022 and my first romantic suspense Evidence Uncovered will release in October 2022.
