Featured Interview With Laurie Boulden
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi. It’s lovely to be here. I am a creative person. As a teacher, I love to engage students with active learning experiences they will remember. As a writer, I love the power of story and the way it becomes part of who we are, both individually and collectively.
I come from Pennsylvania and currently live in Florida with my adorable cockapoo Sandy and a couple of cats. The cats love to spend their time hanging out nearby. Right now, Maylee is asleep on the bookshelf above my computer, silly girl. The other one is meowing because she wants me to turn on the water for her.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
There was nothing super special about learning to read. I trudged through kindergarten and got the skill down pat by first grade, (Although, truth be told, that doesn’t apply to spelling. I’m still horrible!) Then there was this story about a girl with an evil stepmother. The girl ran away into the woods. The evil stepmother tried to murder her several times, but in the end, Prince Charming saved the day. I fell in love with Prince Charming, and all these wonderful fairy stories. By the time I was eight, I realized other books were just as fascinating. I gobbled them up.
One day, I wrote something myself. It wasn’t even a full story, only a description of something happening. Between those lines on the paper I wrote words. Those words flowed from something in my imagination. By high school I was dabbling in stories and poetry. I was too shy to do anything much with them at that time. But I’m not so shy now.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Geek alert! I am a HUGE Tolkien fan. I love the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. I appreciate the Silmarillion for the depth it brings to Tolkien’s Middle Earth Universe. Next would be the Narnia series. I’ve been sneaking into the wardrobe since I was a little girl. A few summers ago I got to stand beside the CS Lewis Wardrobe Statue in Belfast. Crazy excited!
There are some more traditional things on my list, or should we say classical? I love Jane Austin and Louisa May Alcott.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
The newest release is Jewel of Jericho, Rahab’s Story. Strong female characters in the Bible are not easy to find. The ones who are there are bent and broken, just like many of us today. Jewel is the first of the series The Fruit of Her Hands. As we read this remarkable love story, we realize all of us have been called by God. All of us have gifts and talents to be used for His glory.
I started writing Rahab’s story probably five years ago. I’ve won contests at the Florida Christian Writers Conference. I’d work on it, then put it away, then work some more, then put it away again. Recently, I’ve felt the urge to make it happen. I’m so glad I did, because I am super excited about this whole series.
The story of Rahab comes to us through Joshua. Forty years of wandering have brought the children of Israel to their Promised Land, now controlled by the peoples of Canaan. This remarkable story tells of Jewish spies and their unexpected saving. There is a call and a reason to answer. Through it all, the hand of God moves not only nations to war, but individuals to great risks and greater rewards.
My name is Rahab. I am a woman of Canaan. I do not belong in the lineage of the greatest love story, and yet, I am here. Kings have come through me. My people would look in wonder or scorn. It matters not for they are no more. Rahabek is a strong name. I took it to myself and carried my head high. Now it has come down through the ages, the story of a whore who betrayed her people. But I do not think they were my people. The One who called from across the Jordan said I am His. He is mine. As such, His people have become my people. My haughty head I now bow low, for I am redeemed in love and joy.
Listen to my story. Decide for yourself. It is no easy thing to fall into the hands of a fearful God without a willing heart.
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