Improbable Future follows a woman who is trying to rebuild her life after facing numerous setbacks and decides to confront the traumatic events from her past by returning to the place she escaped from as a teenager, in order to uncover the mysteries that have haunted her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I draw from news stories and think about how the individuals involved would think, act, and feel in those situations. What gets them through unbearable times in life? What role does hope or the lack of it play in getting through those times? What are the lasting effects of trauma? How is trauma manifested in the individual? How does trauma affect that individual’s future and future generations? What happens when trauma is so overwhelming one can’t recover? Those are the questions I explored in Improbable Future.

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

I find all of it interesting. I’ve been a people watcher since I was a child. When I look at someone I wonder what that person’s story is, because we all have stories. If anyone brags their life is perfect, they’re lying. Life is imperfect. The human condition is imperfect. And it can be difficult, sad, and sometimes terrifying. It’s what you do with what life hands you. It’s what you learn about yourself and others from the experience and how you evolve. It’s also about accountability and redemption. And while there are difficult times, there are also times of love, joy, and belonging. How do we navigate among them? That’s what I explore in my stories. What’s really important to me is that fiction allows me to explore the human condition in an intimate way through my characters.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The family you were born into and the family you find. Sometimes they are one and the same. Sometimes they are polar opposites. As with the series overall, this book deals with the big themes of racism, misogyny, inequality, and physical and psychological abuse. New to this book is the exploration of religion and how it can be corrupted through power and control, and the way in which one’s faith and beliefs are challenged.

Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Cadence’s family and friends and the direction of the next book?

I’m so excited about book 6 of the series. I’m working on it now, and it will be released in early 2025. It’s titled Fallen Deer and is about two busloads of undocumented immigrants who are sent to Cadence, a sanctuary city, by the governor of one of the border states. As with all the books in the series, this book is also about current events and putting a face on the people experiencing it.

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