What was your favorite picture book as a kid?
I loved the Richard Scarry books. I pored over every page, finding things that made me laugh hidden in with all the other illustrations. (Me too!)

What was the first “real” book (with chapters and without pictures) you remember reading?
101 Dalmations. It’s when I realized there were things in the world I was unfamiliar with, strange words (like flat and dumbwaiter), different homes, and that I could learn from reading. Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler? Who had nannies?

What was your most favorite book in high school?
I discovered Stephen King in high school. The first book I read by him was Salem’s Lot, which terrified me. That led me to Carrie, also horrifying. But the big one was The Shining. It was so “dread-ful” (as in I dreaded what was coming), I’d put it down, unable to read on. But then, I’d snatch it back up because I couldn’t bear not knowing what would happen. I also read Frank Herbert’s Dune in that time period, which was my introduction to science fiction. That led me to his Pandora trilogy, which started with The Jesus Incident. I still think of those books to this day. And I read every Kathleen Woodiwiss romance I could get my hands on.

What was your least favorite book in high school?
The Canterbury Tales. We had to read it in school. I couldn’t get into it.

What was the last novel you read?
And Then She Fell, written by an indie author friend of mine, Dreena Collins. Totally captivating and the ending was absolutely unexpected.

What was the last nonfiction book you read?
Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. I don’t read as much nonfiction as I do novels, but it was really good. Actually, I’ve enjoyed just about every nonfiction book I’ve read, so I don’t know why I automatically turn to fiction when I look for something new. (Also, me too!)

My first nonfiction that I read by choice was Fatal Vision, written by Joe McGinnis. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. It may have had such a huge impact on me because I had a two-year-old daughter and could not conceive of doing what Jeffrey MacDonald did.

Which book lived up to the hype (from the past 1-2 years)?
Both came out earlier than 2 years ago, but I’ve only just read them: Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens (2018) and Stephen King’s 11-22-63 (came out in 2012). I know not everyone loved them, but I did. If I can get sucked into the story, I’m not a very critical reader. When other people complain about plot holes or overwriting, etc., I don’t notice. I just read and enjoy the story.

Which book do you love that needs more hype?
Oh, man! People need to read The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell. Love, love, love that book, and it pops into my mind with regularity even though I read it years ago. But also, anything written by Dick Francis. He’s been around for a long time, writing mysteries, but no one I mention him to has ever heard of him. He’s probably my favorite author of all time. Start with Whip Hand if you try him.

Next novel on your TBR (up to three).
Oh dear. Only three? I like to read books my friends have written, so I’ve got:
The Landlord of Hummingbird House by Jane Harvey
A Dress to Remember by K. L. Small
Fairy Tale by Stephen King (He’s not my friend, just to be clear. I wish!)

Next nonfiction on your TBR (up to three).
alk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2, by Steve Stockman
Leonard, My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man by William Shatner
The Captured by Scott Zesch. (I’ve read this one before, but years ago, and I need to read it again for research on my next book, Pursued. It’s very good, so I’m looking forward to visiting it again.)

Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release.
Accepted, Book Three in the San Antonio series is out in September. This is the story of Jonathan, the best friend of Manny, who is my male main character in book one. It deals with a piece of Texas history I discovered only recently. Certainly didn’t learn it in school. That detail felt like something more people should know about.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you for such interesting questions. I love to talk about books, just like other avid readers. I’d be happy to get drawn into a conversation about y’all’s favorite books. Let’s make a date!

A fifth-generation Texan, Paula Peckham graduated from the University of Texas in Arlington. She worked for 19 years as a high school math teacher. She divides her time between Texas and Rio Bravo, Mexico. She and husband, John, have four children and nine grandchildren.

Her debut novel, Protected, Book 1 in the San Antonio series, was published in April 2022. It was a finalist in the ACFW Genesis contest and won the gold medal in the 2022 Global Book Awards. Book 2, A Father’s Gift, is a finalist for a 2023 Selah Award. She also published two Christmas anthologies in 2021 – Texas Heirloom Ornament and Christmas Love through the Ages.

You can find her online at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and www.paulapeckham.com