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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 572: A Chat with Kari Trumbo
byChautona Havig

Mystery is my absolute favorite genre, so when I heard that Kari Trumbo had taken her Wayside Ranch and spun it off into a mystery series, you know I was excited. Kari? Plus mystery? Listen in and hear why Beneath Still Waters is next on my “must read” list!

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

Okay… mystery that isn’t focused on romance? That’s like this book was tailor-made for me! EEEP!

I love what Kari is doing with this series and now this spin-off. This is gonna be great!

Beneath Still Waters by Kari Trumbo

Fresh out of training and still haunted by a near-fatal shootout, Ferd Kincade retreats to Wayside Ranch to heal.

She expects quiet. Instead, she finds a body. When she discovers a mysterious boat washed ashore on a nearby lake, nothing about the scene makes sense and Ferd can’t walk away. Pulling Piper’s Ridge detective Duke Campose into the investigation, she soon uncovers signs of something far more dangerous than a simple murder.

Someone is hiding a deadly secret.

And they’re willing to kill again to keep it buried.

As the truth points to a ruthless drug operation, Ferd becomes the next target. Now, she’ll need every ounce of her training, and a lot of faith, to survive long enough to bring a killer to justice.

Don’t miss the giveaway that ends September 7th. Books will be shipped to US addresses, but feel free to enter from anywhere and have the book sent to a friend! No purchase necessary! Just click HERE to enter.

Learn more on Kari’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

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  • and more!
Episode 572: A Chat with Kari Trumbo
Episode 572: A Chat with Kari Trumbo
August 19, 2026
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