F. T. Lukens' "Love at Second Sight" may be a paranormal romance on the surface, but in reality, it's about characters who are trying to find and live their truth under heavy societal strictures and pressure.
What was your inspiration behind "Love At Second Sight?"
"Love at Second Sight" was inspired by a blend of two things: a conversation I had with my papaw a few years ago about ghosts combined with my love of teen supernatural movies and TV shows. I won’t recount the entire conversation I had with my grandfather, but I do want to say that the surprising part of that whole talk was that my gruff, outspoken, blunt papaw believed in ghosts and knew his house was haunted. And that inspired me to research everything about ghosts, mediums, psychics etcetera which led me down a rabbit hole that eventually inspired the main character.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
For me personally, it means taking an active approach to not only reading queer stories but also championing queer authors, books, literature, and media as much as I can. It means ensuring that I’m reading books with characters that have intersectional identities. And as an author, it means supporting other authors and creators as much as possible to ensure that a variety of queer experiences are represented throughout the media landscape.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
There is empowerment in being seen and being told that you belong. There is empowerment in learning about identities, labels, and language that may assist you in your personal growth and journey. Reading diversely also encourages empathy and understanding for experiences that are not your own.
Tell us a little more about "Love At Second Sight" and why you decided to write it.
"Love at Second Sight" is a paranormal romance on the surface. But it’s really about characters who are trying to find and live their truth under heavy societal strictures and pressure. It’s about the pressure many teens and young adults live under in regard to expectations from their family, and how that can affect their choices in a negative way. I wrote this book for the readers who tried so hard to please their family, but the harm of trying to contort themselves into someone they weren’t cost too much. I wrote this book for those who are just trying their best.
What can fans expect from your book?
Fans can expect a few things they regularly find in my works: a quirky friend group, a romance, snappy dialogue, and comedic situations. And new things such as a mystery, twists and turns, and a little suspense.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
I just finished my next work and have turned it in to my editor. It’s a YA fantasy currently titled "Last Best Quest Ever," which will hopefully be out next year. And I’ve started plotting my next YA fantasy. Other than that, I’ll be traveling for a few physical appearances to promote "Love at Second Sight."
