Author Interview & Giveaway: Laurie Tomlinson

Today is a special day, friends. Not only do I get to introduce you to an author, but one who happens to also be my friend AND my editor for Someplace Familiar! Indeed, Laurie Tomlinson wears many hats. Today, Laurie is kind enough to tell us about herself and her upcoming release through a good, old-fashioned Q&A. Be sure to read to the end for a chance to win a copy of Laurie’s book, With No Reservations.

Welcome, Laurie! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Yes! I’m wife to a soccer playing engineer, mama to two littles, and small business owner living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. By night, I write stories of grace in the beautiful mess to help readers find beauty and hope in complicated, unexpected places.

We all need stories like that. What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Definitely when I hit the middle section of the story and tap into that deep well of inspiration.

What is your least favorite part?
The other 90% of the time when chocolate is the only thing keeping me from banging my head against the keyboard. 🙂

Ha! I think all of us authors can relate to that! Can you tell us about your latest/upcoming book?
My debut novel, With No Reservations, releases NEXT MONTH and tells what happens when a food blogger leaves her carefully controlled world to help a high profile millionaire-turned-chef open his first restaurant. Their story explores healing and hope when you’ve been stuck for a long time.

You guys, I’ve had an early glimpse at this book and you are going to love it! Laurie, from where did you get the inspiration for With No Reservations?
Well, if I’m honest, it started with food. Is that weird? I knew I wanted to have a food blogger heroine. Then some revelations the Lord gave me about healing while dealing with a chronic illness helped the story develop from there.

Not weird at all! I’m curious, what was the last book you’ve read?
Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger and Wild & Free by Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan. I recommend both!

(Did I mention Laurie is my editor? Ha!) Who are some of your favorite authors and why?
Katie Ganshert, Carla Laureano, and Kara Isaac. Authenticity is one of my highest values, and their stories, while very different styles, capture that so beautifully.

What’s one piece of advice you’d like to give other writers?
To own their work, watch out for filter words, and remember that a little here and there adds up to a lot!

And just for fun…What’s your favorite movie?
Recent: Hidden Figures
Classic: I will never quit Love & Basketball and 10 Things I Hate About You. Never.

It was so fun getting to know a little about you, Laurie. If you’re interested in learning more about Laurie’s small business go to 1624 Communications. Here’s a bit more and details about With No Reservations.

About Laurie Tomlinson

Laurie Tomlinson is an award-winning contemporary romance author and cheerleader for creatives. She believes that God’s love is unfailing, anything can be accomplished with a good to-do list, and that life should be celebrated with cupcakes and extra sprinkles. Her novella That’s When I Knew was featured in the Love at First Laugh collection, and her debut novel, With No Reservations, releases in May 2017 from Harlequin Heartwarming. You can connect with Laurie on her website, Facebook page, and Instagram.

There can be more than comfort in food… 

What could well-known and wealthy Graham Cooper Jr. have in common with a blogger like Sloane Bradley, a woman with secrets she’s kept firmly out of the public eye? That is, besides a love of food. Sloane still can’t believe Cooper’s the chef at the restaurant she’s been assigned to promote. But she’s boiling to prove to him that her “little blog” can put his place on the map. She can also fall head over heels for the guy, who has secrets of his own, it turns out…except for one thing. She can’t get past the post-traumatic stress disorder that keeps her walled up in her home studio.

Available on:

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Harlequin.com | Google Play | Goodreads

Win a Print Copy of
With No Reservations!

To enter to win a copy of With No Reservations, simply leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite family recipe OR book/movie that has something to do with food. You have until Friday, April 7 to comment. Good luck!