Interview with Author Laura Thomas and a Giveaway!

Kristen here. I'm thrilled to welcome my friend and fellow Mountain Brook Ink author, Laura Thomas, to the Suspense Sisters blog! Enjoy getting to know Laura and learning about her latest release, Captured in Frame, available now. She’s also giving away one copy of the book, so keep reading to the end to learn how to enter the giveaway.

Tell us about your upcoming or recent release.

I would love to… Captured in Frame is my latest Christian romantic suspense novel in the brand-new Bite of Betrayal series set in the English countryside. It’s published by Mountain Brook Ink and just released on August 5th! 

Canadian photographer, Georgia Brooks, arrives in England with the hope of making a fresh start in the serenity of Bramble Downs—but is ultimately blindsided by betrayal in a thrilling story of forgiveness and second chances! We’re talking hunky surgeon, dark side of the art world, charming pink cottage, and a message from the grave… 

What was your inspiration for this book?

I’m both English and Canadian, and have been longing to go back to my roots and write a story set in the country where I spent the first half of my life. In 2019, while I was staying with one of my sisters in her charming little English village, I considered what it might look like for a heartbroken woman to move there hoping to find peace and quiet, only to discover her life was in grave danger. (My suspense brain always has to mess with a sweet story.) Then one rainy evening, I conjured up a grizzly, bearded character in my wild imagination and pictured him standing at my sister’s French doors, huge and drenched wearing a full-length oilskin coat. It was so vivid, I freaked myself out (and my poor sister), but it was the spark I needed to begin writing Captured in Frame. 

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Finishing the first draft of a novel is the best feeling for me. Even though I know there is a mountain of revision work ahead, it’s exhilarating to have the whole story out of my brain and onto the page. 

Your least favorite?

Probably the middle of that first draft, once the initial surge of optimism and excitement starts to wane and I find myself wandering in the arid wasteland of will-I ever-get-through-this-story… 

I relate to that! Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

1. My typing is atrocious. 

2. I still have a writing dream to publish a picture book. 

3. I’m a “bubbly introvert”. 

That is a delightful way to describe yourself, and although I haven't had the privilege of meeting in you in person, I can absolutely see you as a bubbly introvert. 😊 What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I suppose it goes without saying that I’m a bookworm and adore reading whenever I have the opportunity. I also love to travel with my husband (often with a book setting in mind), hang out with our adult kids and grandbabies, bake somewhat obsessively, and enjoy eating chocolate and snuggling Lulu the Frenchie.

Lulu is such a cutie! (Check out Laura's Instagram feed and scroll to find the Lulu highlights.) What are you working on now?

I recently submitted book 2 in this Bite of Betrayal series to my publisher, which is due to be released in June 2025, so I’m expecting edits to begin very soon on The Final Word. I’m also in the planning phase for book 3 while I work on other projects such as freelancing for Union Gospel Press with Sunday School lessons and working on my picture book manuscripts… I like to keep things interesting! 

Where can your readers learn more about you?

Thanks for asking! The best place is my website at www.laurathomasauthor.com where they can find all my books, blog, writing coaching, socials links, and also sign up for my monthly newsletter for book giveaways and all my latest writing shenanigans! 

Thank you, Laura, for sharing your time and story with us! Keep reading to learn more about Laura and how to enter to win a copy of 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!  

For a chance to win a paperback copy of Captured in Frame, leave a comment answering this question: If you could spend a day in the English countryside with any fictional character, who would it be and why?

Be sure to include your email address in your comment.