The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction: Laura Thomas on Writing Tribes, Inspiration, and the English Countryside

Hello, miners! Welcome back. I am excited to introduce Laura Thomas today. Her novella Snow Globe Secrets just won the FHL Reader's Choice Award for novella.

First, here's a little about Laura

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

Suzie: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Laura. We are happy you took some time out of your day to visit
with us. Let's start with some easy get-to-know-you questions.

What is your favorite summertime refresher?

Laura: I may be English, but I’m coffee over tea any day of the week, and my beat-the-heat favorite is a tall, iced, skinny caramel macchiato!

Suzie: Yum. What are three books on your TBR right now?

Laura: I just checked my Goodreads, and I could actually name over 300 books on TBR! I’ll choose an eclectic mix: A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble, Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner, and The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame!

Suzie: That is an eclectic mix, but some good reads. Where is your favorite place to write? Why?

Laura: I do almost all of my writing in the peace and quiet of my home office. It’s bright and pretty and has become the place where I can focus and be inspired, surrounded by my best friends (shelves of books!) with Lulu my Frenchie curled up on her fluffy bed next to my feet. Or situated on my lap, which makes typing tricky…

Suzie: I have the same trouble with my cat. She always wants to cuddle when I need to work.

Who makes up your writing tribe?

Laura: This is a great question! A writing tribe is vital, and my people currently consists of my critique partner, local writing group, literary agent, publisher, editor, publicity manager, my amazing book launch team, several online writing groups, writer friends, and the support mentally, emotionally, and financially of my phenomenal husband!

Suzie: Love that you are surrounded by so much support. What inspired you to write Captured in Frame?

Laura: I often find inspiration on my travels, and the initial spark for Captured in Frame came in January 2019 when I was visiting my family back in England (hence the English setting!). I was staying with my sister and her family in a charming little countryside village and thought it would make a delightful backdrop for a story. But I write suspense, so … one dark, rainy evening I saw (in the figment of my overactive imagination) a huge, drenched, grizzly man lit up by a flash of lightening outside my sister’s French doors. I freaked my poor sister out, but suddenly I had a character who would invade the serenity of this quaint country village in my future novel! Ta-da!

Suzie: LOL. And your sister now has a story to tell about her crazy author sister. What led you to write romantic suspense?

Laura: Honestly, when I started my writing journey, I wanted to write for children and never dreamed I would write novels for grown-ups! However, I absolutely loved READING Christian romantic suspense—I was obsessed with Colleen Coble, Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock and the like for years. I appreciated the blend of a love story with spine-chilling suspense, and marveled that at the end of the

book I had a spiritual take-away, even if it was subtly woven through the story. But God had plans in mind for me and my writing— and after my Christian teen fiction trilogy was published and I’d written some other stories for children, we were on vacation in Jamaica when I had the nugget of an idea for The Glass Bottom Boat, which ended up being my first published Christian romantic suspense novel. After that, there was no turning back…

Suzie: Isn't it amazing how God sometimes leads us to things we've never imagined. What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

Laura: My ultimate desire in writing all my Christian fiction books is to encourage and inspire readers in their REAL lives with compelling stories of hope, leaving no shadow of doubt that they are loved by God. Always.

In Captured in Frame, the overarching theme is one of forgiveness and the beauty of second chances, and as my characters deal with all kinds of insecurities and trust issues, I finish the book with this beautiful quote by C.S. Lewis, which sums up my heart behind the message:

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”

Suzie: What a terrific message. Can you tell us a little about your next project?

Laura: I would love to! I have another romantic suspense novel set in the English countryside—The Final Word is book 2 in the Bite of Betrayal series and is scheduled to be published by Mountain Brook Ink in June 2025. It continues on from Captured in Frame but, as is the case with all my novels, it can be read as a stand-alone title. In this one, I had fun incorporating some of my favorite things: Paris, writing, baking, opera, the city of Bath, a cool sports car, and some definite Cinderella vibes … I can’t wait to share it!

Suzie: Sounds like a fun read! Before we wrap up, how can we pray for you?

Laura: That’s so kind—thank you for asking. I would be grateful if you would join me in praying that by God’s grace my books would get into the hands of readers at the perfect time for them to be encouraged. Also, that I would have patience and wisdom and courage as I continue on the writing journey—for His glory. Amen.

Suzie: Amen. Thank you again for spending some time with us this week.

About the Book

“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?”

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