Inspiration for The Adoption

The subject for my dark, twisty domestic thriller, The Adoption, set in Tampa, Florida, began with an email from my editor at Bookouture. They had a theme they wanted me to consider for a domestic thriller. Would I be willing to discuss?

I’ve always wanted to write a domestic thriller and jumped at the chance. During our video call, my editor said they were keen to have me write a story about adoption, a perfect family with a new baby and then something that threatened them all. With that vagueness in mind, I let my subconscious go.

My would-be mother is Dani Sutton, a bright, happily married wife of a local judge who is crushed by guilt after causing the auto accident that put her twin sister in a wheelchair and left Dani unable to have the children they desperately wanted. During her recovery, she relies on her husband and love of her life, Judge Tate Sutton, who has been her rock throughout this tragedy and has somehow secured an adoption.

As I plotted the story, I was certain that my heroine would have suffered a brain injury leaving her unable to remember some key details of her life and marriage. I had a good grasp on what dark secrets from her past were still barreling towards her. I knew who was stalking her and why and I was keen to have all the characters have understandable reasons for their actions, even if they were questionable.

I have to say that one of the twists should take readers by surprise. It certainly took me by surprise. I was writing along and suddenly I realized that what I and my heroine, Dani, believed was wrong. The revelation came as such a shock, it took my breath away.   

I think you’ll enjoy my story about one couple, one baby and one birth mother and hope you will pick up a copy of The Adoption today!

Abridged from Writing.ie on May 9, 2022