THE SHORT STORY:

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

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 grandbaby. We are empty-nesters and live with our crazy bulldogs (Lily the English and Lulu the Frenchie) 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 has four 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 her latest release, The Christmas Cabin, a Christmas novella (November 2022).

Laura 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 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 2024.  

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

WATCH:

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

LISTEN:

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.

LISTEN HERE for her podcast interview with The Christian Entrepreneurs Podcast.  

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 adult writing conferences and to students at schools in the Okanagan, British Columbia, and in North Carolina, USA. She also had the privilege of presenting at Penticton College for a week at the BC Youth Writers Camp. 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 2023 EVENTS:

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  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)

[ 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! ]