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Author Interview,  Giveaway,  Hope-filled Fiction

Laura Thomas: Romantic Suspense, Christmas, Canada, a Giveaway & More

February 1, 2023 /

Help me welcome Romantic Suspense author Laura Thomas to the blog this week. Laura is offering a paperback of The Christmas Cabin, a novella from the Christian Romantic Suspense “Flight to Freedom” series as a giveaway. To enter, simply comment below by February 7.

Welcome to the blog, Laura. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I’m a multi-genre published Christian author, originally from the UK, and have lived the latter half of my life in Canada with my husband of almost 35 years. (Goodness, that’s jarring to put in writing! I’m sure we’re not that old…) We are empty nesters and have three amazing grown children, one gorgeous grandbaby, and two mischievous bulldogs. 

It’s so nice to meet you. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was very young, I longed to be the next Beatrix Potter and be a real-life author—but kept that a secret and went into banking at the age of 16 instead! 

But look at you now! How and when did you start writing? 

It’s a long story, but after keeping my author dream secret for a full 25 years, I eventually shared it with my husband over a caramel macchiato one evening. He encouraged me right away to pursue writing—I was in my late-thirties at this point. I started by taking correspondence courses with the Institute of Children’s Literature, had stories published in children’s magazines, then eventually my first Christian teen novel was published… and now I’m working on book number 10. It’s been a wild ride in various genres and numerous rejections and spectacular celebrations along the way!

Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished. What does your writing space look like?

I know some writers enjoy coffee shops or remote locations, but for me, there’s no place like home. I’m thankful that I have a home office, a dedicated space where I can go and be in “writing mode”. I homeschooled my kids for 13 years, and this was the school room back in the day, and I think it’s just always been the place where the work gets done! It helps that I got to put my personal stamp on it with lots of white and hits of pink, a big window reminding me there is life happening outside, and several fully-stocked bookcases (color-coded, of course!) boasting plenty of fiction and children’s books. Beside my desk, there’s a round fluffy bed where my side-kick and administrative assistant, Lulu the Frenchie, resides. 

Your description makes me want to write there, too! LOL. What genre do you write and what inspired you to write that particular genre? 

Although I enjoy writing in several genres, my passion is Christian romantic suspense. It’s a genre I gravitated toward reading with its melding of love story, journey of faith, and page-turning plot, and I decided to challenge myself to try writing it, too. The last teen fiction in my Tears Trilogy had given me a taste for writing a little suspense, and I soon discovered Christian romantic suspense was as thrilling to write as it was to read! 

Ever since I was a child reading Nancy Drew Mysteries, I’ve loved suspense stories, but now I prefer suspense laced with faith elements. How do you incorporate Christ and hope into your writing?

In my novels, I try my best to weave faith through hope-filled stories in an unforced, realistic way. I want readers to resonate with certain aspects of my flawed characters and see how God is always working. My tagline is “heartwarming encouragement for your soul” and that’s what I aim to provide in all my writing!

That sounds wonderful. Do you have any pets? Do they find their way into any of your stories?

Oh yes, we have two dogs with humungous personalities and they have both wangled their way into my stories! Lily, the rather elderly English bulldog, was my inspiration for the canine featured way back in my 2016 middle-grade short novel, The Candle Maker, and she also plays a part using her own name in my latest release, The Christmas Cabin. I didn’t know I needed a French bulldog in my life when one popped into The Lighthouse Baby novel, but Lulu the Frenchie joined us during COVID and is my muse for picture book manuscripts, yet to be published. They are my sweet writing buddies!   

What is the setting of your current novel? Is it a real location or fictional? Tell us about it.

My latest release and my current work-in-progress are both set in my beautiful home province of British Columbia, Canada. For these novellas, this seemed like the perfect setting for a white Christmas story with all the cozy, festive feels—especially as the inspiration for The Christmas Cabin came literally as I was snowshoeing in our local mountains! I chose to create a fictional small city I call “Hollybrook”, where I incorporate some realistic aspects of my own, plus add in some Hallmark-esque layers for fun. 

Canada is the perfect setting for a cozy Christmas story. What do you hope your readers take away from The Christmas Cabin?

The theme of The Christmas Cabin is one of forgiveness in a story of second chances, and the Bible verse that threads throughout is Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” I hope readers take comfort in the fact that no matter what challenges and decisions we face in life, God is with us always. 

You can’t go wrong with the theme of forgiveness and second chances. What’s next from you?

I’m currently writing another Christmas novella following on from The Christmas Cabin, and my literary agent is also working to place my next Christian romantic suspense novel, Captured in Frame, with a brand-new series set in the English countryside. 

Thanks so much for sharing about your writing and books with us, Laura.I wish you the best as you continue writing for the Lord.

Comment on this author interview with @Laura_Thomas_ by February 7 for a chance to win a paperback of her novella, The Christmas Cabin. #giveaway #amreading

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Join the Conversation. How do you feel about reading Christmas books throughout the year? Do you enjoy second-chance stories based on the theme of forgiveness? Have you ever visited Canada or read novels set there?

For a chance to win a paperback of The Christmas Cabin, comment below by February 7.

The Christmas Cabin Book Cover

The Christmas Cabin by Laura Thomas

Click the book cover for purchase link

When Carla James flies home for the holidays at her family’s cozy Canadian cabin, she has no idea what—or who—awaits. But after five years serving at her beloved Mexican orphanage, it’s time to work through forgiveness, face her fears, and reclaim Christmas.

Up-and-coming chef, Rhys Templeton, still regrets leaving a heartbroken Carla in the past and is desperate to confess his truth and make amends. But her own shocking revelation has the potential to either send him spiraling back to his destructive lifestyle or into Carla’s arms.

However, someone else is privy to Carla’s chilling secret and they’re out there watching. Waiting. Wanting. Time is running out like melting snowflakes. And now, if Carla ever wants to see another Christmas, she needs all the grace and grit she can muster to trust the one who deserted her and the One who promised never to leave.

A published Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her romantic suspense novels, teen fiction, marriage, and children’s books. Laura is a hope*writers certified writing coach, a book loving chocoholic mom and nanny, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they live in Kelowna, British Columbia, as audacious empty-nesters.    

Connect with Laura: Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Goodreads / BookBub / YouTube

Please share Laura’s interview on social media to spread the word about her books!

If you missed last week’s Zoom interview with Roseanna M. White, find it here.

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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