Author Interview: Laura Thomas
Today, I am very happy to introduce a fellow author I met through Anaiah Press, Laura Thomas. She writes fiction that sounds fascinating and I hope you enjoy getting to know more about her and her books through this interview! 
I know you write across several genres and age-groups, but your adult fiction is romantic suspense. What made you choose that genre to write?
Christian romantic suspense was a favorite genre for me as a reader—back in the day I devoured everything by authors such as Colleen Coble, Terri Blackstock, and Dee Henderson. I loved how they blended clean romance with spine-chilling suspense and a message of hope, but at the time I was writing Christian teen fiction and had intended to only write for children and teens. However, as I penned my third Christian teen fiction (Tears, Fears, and Fame), I realized the story was heading in a suspenseful direction with an air of mystery—and I loved it! Then whilst on vacation in Jamaica, I had sudden inspiration for my own Christian romantic suspense story and came home to start writing The Glass Bottom Boat. It seems I found my true love in this genre as that was the first of six published romantic suspense books with more to come!
With your eleventh book being published soon, you have quite a few characters to choose from. Is one of your characters more like you than the others? In what ways?
This is such a great question! I think those who know me well tend to see aspects of me in most of my protagonists—not intentionally on my part, yet certain traits, dreams, experiences, or fears seem to be projected onto my characters and often come out in my writing. Madison in The Glass Bottom Boat has a fear of drowning, Bethany and Natasha in my Tears trilogy both have a love of ballet, Bella in The Lighthouse Baby adores all things books, Juliet goes to a Mexican orphanage in The Orphan Beach, and in my latest novel, Captured in Frame, Georgia moves her life from Canada to the UK… I did the opposite, but this new series based in England allows me to dig deep into my English upbringing. Also, I’ve been told that some hear my literal voice clearly in my books and end up reading them with their own version of an English accent!
Having lived in England, Wales, and now Canada, are those locations where your books are set? Which is your favorite?
Setting is extremely important to me as a writer—like an ever-present character—and many of my books have been inspired by my travels including visits to Jamaica, the Oregon Coast, Mexico, and Paris. I was especially excited to set my two Christmas novellas in my home province of beautiful British Columbia, Canada, where winter wonderlands are my reality. And now in my new romantic suspense Bite of Betrayal series, we get to hunker down in jolly old England. The first novel idea took root whilst staying at my sister’s family vicarage in a charming village in the countryside, where I decided some sinister shenanigans needed to occur! I haven’t set anything in Wales yet, but I did live there for 13 years and my husband is Welsh, so I never say never…
As a dog parent, do you love to incorporate dogs (or other animals) into your stories?
Haha! Yes, as empty nesters we have now become those people who have a dog-child with Lulu our Frenchie! Somehow, a Frenchie found its way into The Lighthouse Baby way before I considered getting one of our own, and my literary agent is actually working on finding a publisher for my children’s picture book about Bonbon the Frenchie! We also had an English bulldog named Lily, and she featured in both my Christmas novellas… in fact, Snow Globe Secrets was dedicated to her memory as we lost her just after I wrote it. There have also been kitties in my books and another bulldog in my middle-grade, The Candle Maker… so now that I think about it—yes, I really do love including our furry friends in my writing!
Can you give us a sneak peek into what you're working on next?
Absolutely! I have just submitted the second book in my Bite of Betrayal series to my publisher… it’s called The Final Word and is due to be released in June 2025. We haven’t started edits quite yet so I’m not sure how much could be changed, but I’m delighted that the story kicks off in Paris before settling in the English countryside, and the fact that the protagonist is an aspiring novelist who loves to bake. I’ve included opera, a cool sports car, murder, faith, romance, and plenty of Cinderella vibes… I can’t wait to share it!
Last, but not least, can you tell us one fun fact about yourself that very few people already know?
Many know that I pie-in-the-sky-dreamed of being an author when I was a little girl, but not many know that as a realistic five-year-old, I set my sights upon being a “lollipop lady” instead. (This is the English version of a crossing guard at elementary school!) I remember being enamored and impressed by our courageous, kind, grandmotherly holder of the “STOP” lollipop who brandished it like a lightsaber and saved us from being mowed down by traffic on the daily! She was perhaps my first heroine and now I’m pondering how I can work her into one of my stories…
I love that fact so much, and I hope you do work her into a future story somewhere! Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Readers, keep scrolling for more info about Laura's soon-to-be-released novel and info on where you can find her.
“In an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, photographer Georgia Brooks is desperate to begin a new chapter in her life. Bramble Cottage was supposed to give her space to heal and hope again after suffering betrayal and rejection by the only man she ever loved. This was Georgia’s chance to rekindle her faith and reconnect with her sisters in a place that held sweet childhood memories—not expose herself to the ugly underbelly of the art world and put her family in danger.
Local pediatric surgeon, Doctor William Hughes, is captivated by the Canadian beauty with a camera over one shoulder and the weight of the world on the other. After suffering his own tragic loss and balancing a demanding career with raising a toddler, he recognizes the heaviness of grief . . . and the burden of guilt.
When Georgia discovers she could be in possession of incriminating evidence to frame a criminal ring, she needs to trust someone. She chooses Will. Postcards, photographs, paintings—something about Bramble Cottage is worth killing for. Can Georgia uncover the truth in time?”
Captured in Frame is available for preorder NOW and releases August 5, 2024!
https://laurathomasauthor.com/project/captured-in-frame/
A published, award-winning Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her numerous romantic suspense novels, as well as her 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 now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog!
Find all her books, blog, bio, and writing coaching, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter at: www.laurathomasauthor.com
LINKS:
WEBSITE: https://laurathomasauthor.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lauracthomas/
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/LauraThomasAuthor
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Laura_Thomas_
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.ca/lauracthomas/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5837074.Laura_Thomas
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laura-thomas
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAIg1LlXedxtfqmEAssdgnQ
I know you write across several genres and age-groups, but your adult fiction is romantic suspense. What made you choose that genre to write?Christian romantic suspense was a favorite genre for me as a reader—back in the day I devoured everything by authors such as Colleen Coble, Terri Blackstock, and Dee Henderson. I loved how they blended clean romance with spine-chilling suspense and a message of hope, but at the time I was writing Christian teen fiction and had intended to only write for children and teens. However, as I penned my third Christian teen fiction (Tears, Fears, and Fame), I realized the story was heading in a suspenseful direction with an air of mystery—and I loved it! Then whilst on vacation in Jamaica, I had sudden inspiration for my own Christian romantic suspense story and came home to start writing The Glass Bottom Boat. It seems I found my true love in this genre as that was the first of six published romantic suspense books with more to come!
With your eleventh book being published soon, you have quite a few characters to choose from. Is one of your characters more like you than the others? In what ways?
This is such a great question! I think those who know me well tend to see aspects of me in most of my protagonists—not intentionally on my part, yet certain traits, dreams, experiences, or fears seem to be projected onto my characters and often come out in my writing. Madison in The Glass Bottom Boat has a fear of drowning, Bethany and Natasha in my Tears trilogy both have a love of ballet, Bella in The Lighthouse Baby adores all things books, Juliet goes to a Mexican orphanage in The Orphan Beach, and in my latest novel, Captured in Frame, Georgia moves her life from Canada to the UK… I did the opposite, but this new series based in England allows me to dig deep into my English upbringing. Also, I’ve been told that some hear my literal voice clearly in my books and end up reading them with their own version of an English accent!
Having lived in England, Wales, and now Canada, are those locations where your books are set? Which is your favorite?
Setting is extremely important to me as a writer—like an ever-present character—and many of my books have been inspired by my travels including visits to Jamaica, the Oregon Coast, Mexico, and Paris. I was especially excited to set my two Christmas novellas in my home province of beautiful British Columbia, Canada, where winter wonderlands are my reality. And now in my new romantic suspense Bite of Betrayal series, we get to hunker down in jolly old England. The first novel idea took root whilst staying at my sister’s family vicarage in a charming village in the countryside, where I decided some sinister shenanigans needed to occur! I haven’t set anything in Wales yet, but I did live there for 13 years and my husband is Welsh, so I never say never…
As a dog parent, do you love to incorporate dogs (or other animals) into your stories?
Haha! Yes, as empty nesters we have now become those people who have a dog-child with Lulu our Frenchie! Somehow, a Frenchie found its way into The Lighthouse Baby way before I considered getting one of our own, and my literary agent is actually working on finding a publisher for my children’s picture book about Bonbon the Frenchie! We also had an English bulldog named Lily, and she featured in both my Christmas novellas… in fact, Snow Globe Secrets was dedicated to her memory as we lost her just after I wrote it. There have also been kitties in my books and another bulldog in my middle-grade, The Candle Maker… so now that I think about it—yes, I really do love including our furry friends in my writing!
Can you give us a sneak peek into what you're working on next?
Absolutely! I have just submitted the second book in my Bite of Betrayal series to my publisher… it’s called The Final Word and is due to be released in June 2025. We haven’t started edits quite yet so I’m not sure how much could be changed, but I’m delighted that the story kicks off in Paris before settling in the English countryside, and the fact that the protagonist is an aspiring novelist who loves to bake. I’ve included opera, a cool sports car, murder, faith, romance, and plenty of Cinderella vibes… I can’t wait to share it!
Last, but not least, can you tell us one fun fact about yourself that very few people already know?
Many know that I pie-in-the-sky-dreamed of being an author when I was a little girl, but not many know that as a realistic five-year-old, I set my sights upon being a “lollipop lady” instead. (This is the English version of a crossing guard at elementary school!) I remember being enamored and impressed by our courageous, kind, grandmotherly holder of the “STOP” lollipop who brandished it like a lightsaber and saved us from being mowed down by traffic on the daily! She was perhaps my first heroine and now I’m pondering how I can work her into one of my stories…
I love that fact so much, and I hope you do work her into a future story somewhere! Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Readers, keep scrolling for more info about Laura's soon-to-be-released novel and info on where you can find her.
“In an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, photographer Georgia Brooks is desperate to begin a new chapter in her life. Bramble Cottage was supposed to give her space to heal and hope again after suffering betrayal and rejection by the only man she ever loved. This was Georgia’s chance to rekindle her faith and reconnect with her sisters in a place that held sweet childhood memories—not expose herself to the ugly underbelly of the art world and put her family in danger.Local pediatric surgeon, Doctor William Hughes, is captivated by the Canadian beauty with a camera over one shoulder and the weight of the world on the other. After suffering his own tragic loss and balancing a demanding career with raising a toddler, he recognizes the heaviness of grief . . . and the burden of guilt.
When Georgia discovers she could be in possession of incriminating evidence to frame a criminal ring, she needs to trust someone. She chooses Will. Postcards, photographs, paintings—something about Bramble Cottage is worth killing for. Can Georgia uncover the truth in time?”
Captured in Frame is available for preorder NOW and releases August 5, 2024!
https://laurathomasauthor.com/project/captured-in-frame/
A published, award-winning Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her numerous romantic suspense novels, as well as her 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 now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog!
Find all her books, blog, bio, and writing coaching, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter at: www.laurathomasauthor.com
LINKS:
WEBSITE: https://laurathomasauthor.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lauracthomas/
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/LauraThomasAuthor
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Laura_Thomas_
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.ca/lauracthomas/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5837074.Laura_Thomas
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laura-thomas
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAIg1LlXedxtfqmEAssdgnQ
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