Laurean Brooks writes inspirational romance with heart, wit, and humor. Chivalrous heroes stand by to rescue their heroines from a plethora of scrapes they manage to get themselves into. Her sassy heroines are familiar with the taste of their own shoe leather, since foot-in-mouth episodes prevail throughout her stories.
Ms. Brooks developed a love for writing after she'd read a book report to her fifth-grade class and the teacher announced, “One day Laurean will become an author.” But her imagination got her in trouble that same year when she penned an assignment on Columbus's adventures. Or should I say Columbus's “mis”adventures?
Miss Mary didn't crack a smile when the grass-skirt natives stuffed Columbus inside a cannon then shot him back across the ocean. The class found the story hysterical, but not Miss Mary. In fact, the teacher politely asked Laurean to rewrite the essay to make it “more realistic.”
If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
That's an easy one. Gone With The Wind. Margaret Mitchell knew how to tell a story, and the Civil War setting is one of my favorites. Sad to say, it was her only book. Even sadder to think that if she submitted the book today, it would not be accepted by a publisher. Too much storytelling, description and run-on sentences.
What genre do you consider your books? Have you considered writing in another genre?
Christian and/or Inspirational Romance is what I write. My first book was set during the Great Depression and based on my mother's life. My other books are contemporary, except the current one. It is my first attempt at a Mail Order Bride Western. Through writing it, I believe I found my niche. I also have a time travel partial that has been on the back burner for too long. I really want to finish that one, but wonder if it's safe to change genres. I will always keep an element of faith in my stories.
What do your friends and family think of your writing?
I've received mixed responses. My son and three siblings support me, my husband tolerates my writing obsession. But two other family members are a bit jealous, so I avoid mentioning it in front of them.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
This an easy one. Corinne in To Trust Her Heart is a devious character who works in the law office with my heroine and newly hired, Amanda. Fueled by jealousy over the attention the attorney pays Amanda, Corinne does everything within her power to get her fired.
What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
The main characters in my books would say, “You rarely give me a chance to breathe. Why do you keep jerking me around? Just when I get comfortable you toss me into another sticky situation.”
Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
Three come to mind. Tony Orlando and Eric Estrada, I met at shows in Branson several years ago. In 1976 when I was very young, Country Singer, Jim Ed Brown autographed a record for me at the local county fair. For a long time after that, I swooned every time his songs came on the radio. Especially the song, “Morning.” I bought every album of his I could find, and still play them occasionally.
How did you get to be so witty, funny, and good looking?
Funny you should ask. I don't know about the “good looking,” but my “witty and funny” traits came from my father. He could make a joke out of the most serious situation and change the atmosphere from tears to laughter in a couple of minutes.
If your life were a movie, what would you call it? What would the theme song be?
Movie Title: An Author Who Persisted and Found Joy In The Journey. My theme song would be: “You're Gonna Make It After All.”
If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?
I would love to meet my ancestors who lived in the early 1800s. It would be interesting to spend time with them, get to know them, and learn which countries they migrated from. Also, it would be fun to discover which traits, gifts, or talents (if any), they passed down to me.