The short story:

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!   

The not-so-short story:

Hi friend— lean in and let’s talk details!

Firstly, my heart as a writer is to share words that not only entertain you as a reader but also encourage you in your everyday life, and maybe even inspire you to dig deeper in your faith.

I am very much a work in progress but I do have a little life experience under my belt! I was born and raised in the south of England, then spent my teens and early twenties in Wales, before embarking on an intrepid adventure—immigrating to Canada.

I’m married to Lyndon, my high school sweetheart (we started dating when I was 14!)  and I’m Mom to three phenomenal young adult children and Nanny to our precious grandbabies. We are empty-nesters and live with Lulu (our crazy French bulldog) in Kelowna, a beautiful gem in British Columbia, where my author dreams have become a reality…

When I’m not writing, I adore reading—it really is my happy place. And if I can read on a beach, that’s pure perfection! Other passions include making memories with my sweet family, traveling anywhere and everywhere, baking delicious treats, hiking, marriage ministry, sporadic ballroom dancing and snowshoeing, Pilates, dabbling in photography, and eating chocolate.

My faith is everything to me, and I love being able to weave it into much of my writing. I was definitely a late bloomer—as a child, I was an absolute bookworm, but didn’t pursue my secret dream of writing until much, MUCH later… actually, 25 years later! That’s a story right there. But after two courses from the Institute of Children’s Literature (USA) and numerous submissions (and a slew of rejections), I eventually became a published author.

And now I have the joy of coming alongside other writers to help bring courage, confidence, and clarity to their writing journey as a hope*writers certified writing coach—all the details are HERE.

Published:

Laura’s eleventh book will be published this summer…

She has five Christian romantic suspense books published by Anaiah Press in her “Flight to Freedom” series: The Glass Bottom Boat (March 2019), The Lighthouse Baby  (May 2019), The Orphan Beach (February 2020), and The Christmas Cabin, an award-winning Christmas novella (November 2022). Her second Christmas novella, Snow Globe Secrets, (November 2023).

Laura also has five books published by Dancing With Bear Publishing: Christian teen fiction novels Tears to Dancing, Tears of a Princess, and Tears, Fears, and Fame, non-fiction marriage book Pearls for the Bride, and middle-grade historical fiction The Candle Maker.

Her Kindle interactive picture book Fairy Wings is for princesses aged 3-6. She has devotionals included in Everyday Joy Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, and Volume 4 devotional books and also has stories published in anthologies Spread Your Wings and An Okanagan Tapestry books. Her articles and short stories are published in magazines and online in The Joyful Life Magazine, Iola magazine, Shine Brightly, U.S.Kids, Zamoof!, Keys for Kids, Bumples, Short-story-time.com, Guardian Angel Kids Ezine, Knowonder!, SUSIEMag.com, Christian Devotions U.S., Vida Yum, and Peoples Education in the US. Additionally, Laura writes devotional short stories and lessons for children, teens, and adults for Union Gospel Press.

*LATEST BOOK NEWS: Laura is represented by literary agent Karen Neumair at Credo Communications and has signed a contract with Mountain Brook Ink for her Christian romantic suspense “Bite of Betrayal” series; a 2-book deal with the option for 2 more.

The first book, Captured in Frame, will be published in August 2024, and book 2, The Final Word, will be published in June 2025.

Laura won a book award for The Christmas Cabin in The Word Awards 2023 novella category. (Details HERE).

Laura won first place in The Institute of Literature’s “Essay to My Younger Self Contest” with “The Nest of Now”. (Read essay HERE.)

Laura is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), The Word Guild, Canada, Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers, and hope*writers.

Watch:

Check out Laura’s book review videos on her Youtube channel HERE!

Listen:

Laura has been a guest on many podcasts including:

Because Fiction Podcast, the Storytellers Network, Gracewriters, The Christian Entrepreneurs, Ink & Impact, Between the Lines, Wecome Heart, Building Strong Homes, Fierce Calling, Build Your Best Family, Seek & Savor, Behind the Story, and The Business of Christian Fiction.

Want to hear the voice behind the words? Here are some of Laura’s podcast interviews:

LISTEN HERE for her podcast interview with Gracewriters, Australia.

LISTEN HERE for her podcast interview with Welcome Heart; Living a Legacy Life.

LISTEN HERE for her podcast interview with The Storytellers Network.

Laura relishes the opportunity to speak to all audiences about her faith, her writing journey, or in practical writing workshops. She enjoys holding book signing events, being a guest on podcasts, and has given presentations at writing conferences and to students at schools and writing camps in the Okanagan, British Columbia, as well as at writing conferences in North Carolina and Florida, USA. If you would like Laura to speak at an event, do a book signing, podcast interview, or writing presentation, please contact her directly HERE.

Laura’s 2024 events:

Jan 17-19: Workshop presenter at the hope*story conference, Florida, USA,  with “Breaking Through Writer’s Block”

June 28: THE BECAUSE FICTION podcast interview with Chautona Havig

August 5: Captured in Frame to be published by Mountain Brook Ink 

2023:

Jan.11: THE BUSINESS OF CHRISTIAN FICTION podcast interview—listen HERE!

Feb.1: BEHIND THE STORY WITH NAOMI & LISA YouTube interview—watch and listen HERE!

March 1: Contract signed with Mountain Brook Ink for “Bite of Betrayal” Christian romantic suspense series.

March  2: BETWEEN THE LINES podcast interview with Jennifer Sienes—listen HERE!

March 15: ORDINARY WOMEN, EXTRAORDINARY GOD YouTube interview—watch and listen HERE! 

March 22 at 4 pm: On the panel for “Writers Need to be Readers” —Women Together, Fresh Words

April 29 at 10 am:  Author presentation for Central Okanagan Writers (at Kelowna Library)

June 14: Contract signed with Anaiah Press for Christmas novella, Snow Globe Secrets.

Nov.10: Snow Globe Secrets published by Anaiah Press.

Nov. 14: THE ROMANTIC SIDE OF SUSPENSE podcast interview HERE!

Nov. 18 at 11-3pm: Book signing event at Kennedy’s Parable Bookstore, Kelowna, B.C.

[ AMAZON DISCLOSURE POLICY: “Laura Thomas is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.” If you click on an affiliate link and purchase something, I may receive a very (very) small commission. It does NOT cost you anything extra. It merely helps me keep this site up and running! ]