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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why It’s Always Good to Make Dreams Come True

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Sometimes, authors need variety to write the best they can, and I always love it when I find another author who "gets me." Laura Thomas certainly does. via @chautonahavig

On Amazon, every time I went looking for a book, there it was. The Orphan Beach.  I’d not read anything by the author, Laura Thomas.  Each time I started to click through, something distracted me. Then, I had an opportunity to interview her, and when I discovered that it was that Laura Thomas, well… DUH!

Discussing her writing and publishing journey, the books in print and those to come, by the time I finished chatting about all things books, I felt like I’d made a new friend.  Laura Thomas is a fascinating and delightful woman, not to mention an eclectic author!

laura thomas

Note: Links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you

Why It’s Always Good to Make Dreams Come True

The moment Laura said hello, I had to ask about her accent. See, I knew she lived in Canada, but the accent said otherwise. So, English/Canadian author, Laura Thomas tells us about her childhood dream of being the next Beatrix Potter–a dream she’d never told anyone until, after decades of marriage, her husband winkled it out of her!

Still in the throes of homeschooling, Laura began taking correspondence courses to become a writer and eventually published her YA series, the Tears Trilogy.

Of course, picture books were still the dream, but she continued on to writing a middle-grade short novel, The Candlemaker.

Being the eclectic author she is, Laura then turned to non-fiction as a gift for her daughter, Pearls for the Bride.

It may seem an unexpected progression from those to romantic suspense, but…

A vacation, a lifelong fear, and a disappointment inspired Laura’s first romantic suspense novel, The Glass Bottom Boat.  Intended to be a stand-alone, an agent’s request turned it into a series, Flight to Freedom.

See?  Eclectic!  At least another author gets it.  And I wrote a whole blog post about all the genres once. You can read that HERE.

And this series is this week’s featured book!

There is supposed to be a box set, but I didn’t find it on Amazon. Still, all three books can be had for under six dollars, and two are on Kindle Unlimited!

the orphan beach laura thomasAnd the third book in the series is The Orphan Beach.

This book starts off with a bang!

  • the death of a loved one
  • reeling from a failed romantic relationship
  • struggling with her faith and
  • targeted by a crazed killer
  • About Orphan Beach

I haven’t finished the book (and much to my disappointment!) but it has several key strengths.

  • characters–I cared about them almost (if not) from the first word
  • the covers (they grab you)
  • in particular, the title of The Orphan Beach.

Although Laura doesn’t say she’ll never write more in the series, but a vacation to visit family in England last year inspired a new series–suspense. Set in a small village in England.  Stick me in a suitcase, I’m going with her!

And coming full circle, those picture books she mentioned? 

Well, two are being shopped to publishers.  One is about a French bulldog and her adventures, while the other is about an octopus making friends with a tea party!

Laura is about to get herself a French bulldog puppy of her own, and plans to name her “Lulu.”  That prompted me to share a song from the 1920s that I loved as a girl, and I’ve added it here for your fun, too.  🙂

And Frank Sinatra did a fun parody of this with Bing Crosby for those who love the oldie moldie!

If you’d like to learn more about Laura, visit her at:

Her website!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
byChautona Havig

Love a fast-paced suspense novel? Listen in as I chat with Taylor Newport about her newest release!

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Don’t know about you but this series sounds AWESOME.

Overdrive by Taylor S. Newport

The mission looked simple. But the enemy is closer, faster, and deadlier than they imagined.

Tyler Reid needs a break, but trouble finds him first. A call from London pulls him into a missing-person case linked to a powerful surveillance project that’s suddenly worth killing for. The deeper he digs, the more bodies he finds—and the more obvious it becomes that someone wants the entire system for themselves.

Alexandra “Alex” Romanova is looking for an escape from Veritek and the weight waiting for her back home. A trip with Tyler should’ve been the break they both needed. But when the case escalates and puts her company in the crosshairs, she goes with him—trying to keep him grounded even as the danger forces him to speed up.

The investigation spirals into a breakneck pursuit, ambushes snapping at their heels as their unknown enemy stays one move ahead. Someone is erasing anyone tied to the project, leaving bodies instead of answers. With the elusive threat closing fast, Tyler and Alex are fighting to get ahead long enough to expose who’s hunting them.

Learn more about Taylor on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Don’t miss the first episode HERE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
August 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
July 27, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 563: A Chat with Stephanie Mack
July 25, 2026
Chautona Havig
Bonus Episode: A Chat with Becca Wierwille
July 21, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 562: A Chat with Laura Thomas
July 20, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 561: A Chat with Laura Frantz
July 18, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episod 560: A Chat witih Melanie Dobson
July 13, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 559: A Chat with Lisa Phillips
July 11, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 558: A Chat with Felicia Hurd
July 6, 2026
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Episode 557: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
July 4, 2026
Chautona Havig
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