First novel by former Lodian explores loss of a child

The wife of a former Lodi pastor has published her first book, which combines plot elements involving the loss of a child and switching babies at birth.

Debbie Thomas

Debbie Thomas, whose husband, Don, was pastor at Lodi Community Church from 1984 through 1996, wrote "Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon."

"It's a Christian novel, but you don't have to be a Christian to read it. It's not preachy," Thomas said in a phone interview from her Auburn home.

The plot involves a woman whose child dies, only to find out that she didn't give birth to that child, Thomas said. It turns out that the child she raised and who ultimately died was switched with another baby. The biological daughter, age 13, then has anger issues and doesn't want to be a part of her birth family.

The idea came from a People Magazine article about two babies switched at birth, she said.

Thomas didn't begin creative writing until a neighbor in Lodi, Linda Opp, suggested that she try writing.

"I had a home daycare (in Lodi) with six preschoolers," Thomas said. "I needed a diversion and started writing fiction."

She took some writing classes and attended some conferences.

Thomas is now manager of after-school and day camp programs for the Auburn Area Recreation and Park District. Her husband was pastor of an Auburn church until last fall, when he made a career change. Don Thomas now has his own window cleaning business in Sacramento. He specializes in commercial buildings.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.