Laura Thomas Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I’m a published multi-genre Christian author who writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in my romantic suspense, teen fiction, marriage, and children’s books. I’m a chocoholic mom of three amazing grown kids in their twenties, and I’m married to my high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, we live in Kelowna, British Columbia as audacious empty-nesters.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. My story is rather unconventional. I was an absolute bookworm as a child and had the lofty dream of being a real-life author one day. However, I kept this dream to myself and actually buried it for TWENTY-FIVE years. I didn’t tell a soul—until my husband and I were on a coffee date one evening having a deep conversation about dreams and goals in life. I shared about my secret writing dream—which came as rather a shock for the poor man who thought he knew everything about me—and he encouraged me to make it happen. From that moment, I knew writing was something I had to pursue. It was finally time.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A. As my original dream had been to write children’s books, I began my writing journey by taking correspondence courses with The Institute of Children’s Literature in any cracks of available time while I homeschooled my kids. Several of my stories were published in children’s magazines, and then after numerous rejections, my first book, Tears to Dancing, was accepted for publication by Dancing With Bear Publishing in 2012. It was the first in a Christian teen fiction trilogy published, along with a middle grade short novel, and a marriage non-fiction book. I also discovered my passion for writing romantic suspense, and after six years of submissions and rejections, I was offered a 3-book deal with Anaiah Press. And just like that, all three books in my “Flight to Freedom” series were published in less than a year. It has been an unpredictable adventure, to say the least!

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release The Orphan Beach?
A: The Orphan Beach is the third book in my “Flight to Freedom” Christian romantic suspense series, published by Anaiah Press.
“Life is spiraling out of control for pediatric nurse, Juliet Farr. Heart-broken, grief-stricken, and experiencing a crisis of faith—now she is the prime target for a crazed killer. When her ex-boyfriend, detective Max Bennett, returns to work the case in the Oregon Coast, he knows sharing the truth behind their break-up will destroy any possibility of a second chance together.
A manuscript, a maniac, and a mother’s love propel Juliet’s flight to a beach in Mexico as she desperately pursues hope and healing. Will she ever find freedom from the ache of abandonment? And when a troubled soul chooses Juliet as his perfect victim, can Max prove his love for her by risking his own life? Or will Orphan Beach be the end of their story?”

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for The Orphan Beach?
A: As the third book in the series, I knew I wanted to share Juliet’s story—it was time. She was a minor character in the previous book but was bursting with potential. I wanted to see how she would react to devastation and danger in her own life and to explore her faith and her relationship with Max. I was able to draw from my own experience on mission trips to Mexico as I wrote about the orphanage and the children… and ultimately, Juliet’s heart as a compassionate nurse and strong, feisty woman inspired me to write her dramatic story.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: I finish the book with this Bible verse which spoke to Juliet in her loneliness and points to the hope and freedom found in Christ:
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11
I would love everyone to take away this beautiful truth after reading the story of The Orphan Beach.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. My writing inspiration comes primarily from my faith—it’s always my desire to write “heartwarming encouragement for your soul”. But I also find inspiration from life experience, especially being a mom, and I am always inspired and looking for my next book setting whilst on my travels.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I seem to always have several irons in the fire as I work on my various genres—I have an agent for my picture book and middle-grade manuscripts, and am tweaking a devotional proposal. But in the suspense world, I’m currently planning my next Christian romantic suspense novel. It’s a new series with fresh characters and the setting is an English village, so I’m excited to be going back to my roots with this one!

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. When not writing, my happy place is reading a good book. And if I can read on a beach, that’s pure perfection! I love spending time with my family, traveling, ZUMBA fitness, singing on worship team, baking, dabbling in photography, and eating copious amounts of chocolate.