Going Back to My Roots (Plus a Giveaway)!
I’m so pleased that Author Laura Thomas is guest-blogging for me today! Please give her a warm welcome + enter the giveaway she’s offering of her new novel. We’re delighted to get to know you, Laura! -Becky
As an English girl living in Canada, it made perfect sense (!) for me to create Canadian characters who live in England, so that’s exactly what I did in my latest Bite of Betrayal series of Christian romantic suspense. If nothing else, going back to my roots gave me a spectacular excuse to make trips to the UK in the name of research—with a bonus of visiting my family!
My latest trip was last year when I was in desperate need of some must-use-all-of-my-senses setting details for Book 3 in the series. Ribbons of Guilt kicks off at the Swan Lake Ballet in the stunning Royal Opera House in London, so I enlisted the help of my side-kick sister from the South of England and we embarked upon some big city sleuthing.
You’ll be relieved to know we managed to stay out of trouble, even when asking the train conductor for the best ways in which to cause an emergency stop without getting caught, and pressing the backstage tour guide at the Royal Opera House for security protocol should a child be kidnapped or some such scenario.
Going back to my roots with Ribbons of Guilt not only allowed me passage to my English upbringing, it also whisked me down memory lane to my childhood passion of ballet. Drinking in the sights of every elaborate costume backstage, touching the plush red velvet chairs in the theater, and being privy to a private ballet rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet all served me well as I then attempted to set the stage (pun absolutely intended!) for my readers.
Perhaps the most special memory from my research trip was returning to the countryside village where this whole series is based, and finding the charming pink cottage which originally inspired my Bramble Cottage—almost a character in its own right. My sister and I plucked up the courage to randomly knock on the ancient front door and chat with the owner. This sweet elderly woman was absolutely thrilled to receive a signed copy of Book 1, Captured in Frame, with a similar pink cottage on the front cover. Research can be so much fun!
So now the book has been written, published, and is available in the big, wide world. I loved going back to my roots in the UK, not only for the setting and themes but also reminding myself where my own love story began at the tender age of 14—and continues on with 38 years of marriage under our belts!
It’s my prayer that every reader will not only enjoy the delightful setting of England and be up late at night turning pages with the edge-of-your-seat suspense… but that they would also be encouraged in their own relationship with God, knowing they are extravagantly and unconditionally loved by Him!
Giveaway!
A winner has been selected. Congrats to Denise E!
A multi-award-winning Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her numerous romantic suspense novels, Christmas novellas, teen fiction and children’s books, as well as her non-fiction writing.
Laura is a 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!
Connect with Laura via… Her website | Instagram | Facebook
Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon
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Imagine the train conductor’s thoughts when asked about emergency stops! I appreciate authors’ efforts to bring such realism to their stories.
Thanks, Terri—and it’s all good… when the conductor’s eyebrows rose, I did pull the “it’s okay, I’m a fiction author” card! 😉
I enjoyed the fascinating description of your research for your book. It sounds like an exciting story!
Thank you so much, Suzanne—it was such fun research! 🤗
Sounds like an amazing trip. What a way to research a book and touch on your roots. I do so love when an author pays attention to detail with research. Love to armchair travel through reading a book and love it when there’s a wonderful thread of faith running through it.
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read and review RIBBONS OF GUILT, which is on my Amazon wish list and Goodreads want to read list. Thank you so much for the amazing chance to win a copy!
Thank you, Kay! Setting is hugely important to me in my stories. I hope you get to read and enjoy Ribbons of Guilt! 🤗
What fun!! I had to visit Savannah, GA because of Eugenia Price’s books, so now I’ll want to go to England because of Laura’s, though it’ll also be because of Autumn Macarthur’s and Betty Neels’, too!
Thanks, Trudy—I hope my book fully entices you to explore England! 🤗
Laura your books so exciting. I can’t wait to read one of them.
That’s so kind of you, Judie—thank you! 🤗
I’m looking forward to reading your latest series! It sounds like just my genre: Christian, suspense and romance!
Oh, thanks so much, Julie! Christian romantic suspense is such a fun genre to read… and to write! 🤗
I visited London a few years ago and loved everything about it and want to go back. Would like to revisit via this book until I can do so.
I’m so glad you’ve visited London, Amy—it’s a phenomenal city! If you go back, be sure to check out The Royal Opera House… especially if you read Ribbons of Guilt! 😉
Laura is a “new to me” author. I’d love to win and read one of her books.
So lovely to “meet” you here, Traci! Hope you’ll check out my books. 🤗
Thank you SO much for having me on your blog today, Becky! It’s an absolute joy to share about my latest book and to meet some new readers! 🤗
Wow. Makes me really want to travel and read your books. Nice to get to know you.
Thanks ever so much, Linda—happy travels and happy reading! 🤗
This looks like a good book to read. Will have to check out the series.
Thanks so much, Janet—it’s been such a fun series to write! 🤗
We have a love for chocolate and originally living in the UK in common (I now live in America). I can’t wait to read your book!
Haha—I love this, Mary! (So many chocoholics in the UK!) Hope you get the chance to read Ribbons of Guilt. 🤗
So lovely. We just returned from a trip to the UK and really enjoyed ourselves. I would love reading your books.
I’m so pleased you had a good time in the UK! There’s so much to see and do. I hope you enjoy this series… it may bring back some happy vacation memories for you! 🤗
This series looks great and I would love to be entered in the drawing for a copy of Ribbons of Guilt. Congratulations on releasing another new book!
Thank you so much, Joyce—I’m excited that Ribbons of Guilt is now out in the world! 🤗
I wonder how concerned they were when you asked about security protocols for a kidnapped child.
I did explain that I was a fiction author doing research.. and I think I looked quite honest! 😬 The tour guide was actually very helpful and I even gave her a mention in my Author Notes at the back of the book. Thanks, Andrette!
Wow Your books sound very intriguing. Reading has been one of my favorite pastimes since I was a child.Enjoy each day to its fullest.” John 10:10b
Thanks, Elsie—and we have that passion for reading in common! I’ve always been a bookworm. 🤗
I loved your post and pictures of England! Your book sounds great. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Amy—it was my absolute pleasure to share! Thank you. 🤗
Would love to read it!
That’s wonderful to hear, Terri—thank you! 🤗
I love this entire series! Such a beautiful book!
Thanks ever so much, Jodi! That makes me so happy! 🤗
It sounds like you two could have potentially gotten in trouble, but it looks like it was a a fantastic trip. And the lady in the pink cottage, that was so sweet! I do love the cover!
Shenanigans were definitely to be had… but we managed to stay safe and had an absolute blast! Thank you, Perrianne! 🤗
Thank you for sharing. I would love to read. Blessings
My pleasure to share…thank you, Lucy! 🤗
I am so excited about the next book in the Bite of Betrayal series! I have loved the first two!
Thank you so much, Leanne—I’m delighted you have read the others and hope you enjoy Ribbons of Guilt! 🤗
I enjoyed all three of the books in this series. In fact, I proofread all three for Mountain Brook Ink. I would love to have all of them in paperback. Maybe I will win this one.
Bless you for your proofreading, Edward—I do appreciate your work! 🤗
Laura is a new author to me. I will have to add her to my wish list.
Oh, thank you, Cindy! That makes me very happy! 🤗
This trip sounded so amazing and fun! I can’t fly anywhere so I live through books to travel. I’m so grateful I found you and your novels! 😍🥰😍
I had the best time, Denise! Thank you so much for being such a wonderful encouragement to me! 🤗
I’d like to win this book. Thank you.
Kim.in NC
Hi Kim—thanks so much for entering the giveaway! 🤗
I want to live in that pink cottage! 😍
It sounds like you had an amazing research trip. Congratulations on the published books! I hope I win a free copy!💕📕
The cottage is so adorable! It’s the sweetest countryside village, too. Thanks for entering the giveaway, Christian! 🤗
I would love to receive your book. It looks like a good one!
Thank you so much, Cathy! 🤗
This story sounds so interesting. I love a book that has been researched so well. I’ve never been to the UK, so it will be a fun exploration.
Thanks so much, Jocelyn—I hope you’ll enjoy the visit via my pages! 🤗
Sounds really great!
Thanks ever so much, Renee! 🤗
What a lovely read, Laura. I feel like I have been on a brief trip to the UK. Maybe one day I will travel that country side and perhaps stay in one of those charming cottages, drink some tea and experience the taste of “real” chocolate! As for now I will settle into the pages of your books. Thank you for sharing your gift of words with me.
That sounds absolutely wonderful, Melanie—especially the chocolate! 😁 Thank you and happy reading!
Would love to read your book!!
That’s wonderful—thank you, Sandy! 🤗
Great to hear about this new-to- me author! The book and setting sound fantastic!
Thanks so much, Paula—I hope you’ll enjoy get the chance to check out my books! 🤗
I love that you mentioned your tour guide in your book. 🙂
Thanks, Cheryl—she was not only phenomenal at her job but also incredibly gracious and kind! 🤗
Your work sounds so interesting. I haven’t read any of your books yet, but I will now !! Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much, Hope—I’d love you to check out my books! 🤗
I just finished book 1 and enjoyed it so much!! It was recommended by a Booktuber on YouTube. I couldn’t put the book down! It was edge of the seat suspense!
Oh, thank you so much, Tanya—that’s wonderful to hear! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series, too. 🤗