Lucas James and the Legend of Maxa follows a sarcastic teen whose telepathic bond with an ancient alien forces him to confront power, responsibility, and what it means to protect someone. What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The unrealized power I believe we have within us, was on my mind as I wrote this one. Along somewhat parallel lines is the idea that our external appearance doesn’t define who we are or our capabilities.

Lucas’s voice is very specific. Did that voice come naturally, or did it evolve as you wrote the book?

I knew his great power would come from his mind more than his physical self. I suspected Lucas would have a big personality and a lot of strong beliefs as I began to write. His grand ideas, coupled with the fact that he wasn’t thrilled about being at camp, gave way to him being pretty unique and memorable as he evolved – in my humble opinion.

The camp setting feels authentic. Do you have personal summer camp experiences that shaped Wee Great Falls and its rituals?

Going to several camps as a kid, and then later in life with my son, certainly resonated with me. Places like this are interesting and can feel like their own little worlds, which I hope is the sense of the setting created here.

The book balances slapstick chaos with genuine tenderness. How did you decide when to lean into humor and when to slow down for emotional moments?

I think humor is naturally woven into tenderness, love, and even fear, in life. When the characters are afraid, they look to something that makes them laugh as a distraction, while other characters might be humorous just by being themselves. At our core, though, I believe what drives most of us in the end is love. I’m glad that you appreciated this balance.

Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon

When Lucas is forced to go to Adventurer Camp one last time, it’s far from just the conventional zaniness and ordinary traditions in the wilderness. The ground is rumbling and a mysterious flower is blooming all over camp, but more than that – he is seeing and hearing unusual things. Lucas learns more about the campgrounds and about himself, as he follows his intuition into a life or death situation.