An Introduction of Sorts

Good morning! Laurie Tomlinson here, and this is my very first post on the Harlequin Heartwarming authors’ blog! My debut novel, With No Reservations, releases in May, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this amazing lineup of authors.

So, let’s get to know each other.


Yesterday was my tenth Valentine’s Day with my soccer playing engineer husband who is nine years older than me. By day, I wrangle our two small children and run an editing and PR consulting business. And at night? That’s when the story magic happens.

I’ve been writing since I was old enough to hold a pen but didn’t start my first novel until 2012—working full time from home with an infant. I spent Friday nights hiding in a corner of my favorite coffee shop with my laptop, because even though I was afraid people would find out what I was doing, I knew that, if I shed the wifely, motherly, employee parts I loved about life, helping a story unfold felt the most like me.

Nowadays, I’m much more unabashed in the pursuit of my dreams and am passionate about helping others own up to theirs, too—including my characters. My stories often begin with people (like you and me) who have big goals and painful pasts and really loud doubts in their ears. But I think there’s nothing more romantic than the give and take between hero and heroine as they fight those obstacles, make their whispers of hope more powerful than the doubts, and support each other’s pursuits.


This is where those stories come to life, a space my husband created while I was at a conference a few years ago. I write to celebrate that romance, to illuminate the beauty in the middle of the mess, and, of course, to defend hope. Disclaimer: there's also a lot of food in my books, so do not read on an empty stomach!

If you’re a writer, what do you write for? Readers, why do you pick up a story? I’m looking forward to getting to know you all--or, as we say in Oklahoma, all y’all!


Laurie Tomlinson is an award-winning contemporary romance author living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her stories are fueled by faith, steaming mugs of tea, and her belief that life should be celebrated with cupcakes and extra sprinkles. When she’s not writing, she enjoys baking with her two little sous chefs and testing new recipes on her husband—especially if she doesn’t have to do the dishes.


You can connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurieTomlinson or her website, www.laurietomlinson.com. Be on the lookout for her inspirational romantic comedy novella, That's When I Knewreleasing in March with the Love at First Laugh collection and her debut Harlequin Heartwarming novel, With No Reservations, arriving in May.

Comments

  1. Once again, welcome to the Heartwarming authors' group, Laurie! We're thrilled to have you as part of our group.

    I love your post. What fun getting to know you a little better. Thank you for sharing the pictures, too. I couldn't help but notice in the first picture the very cute little sous chef to the right and the handsome yellow Lab to the left. :)

    I am looking forward to your May release. (Terrific title, by the way!)

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    1. Thanks for such a warm welcome :) Yes, you and I are kindred spirits as a very large portion of my heart belongs to my first baby, Sampson.

      PS: My hero in With No Reservations has a black Lab named Madeleine (or Maddie).

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  2. Congratulations on your upcoming debut, Laurie!
    Your writing space is lovely. I remember seeing the picture on Facebook after your husband completed the work.
    Believe it or not, I write to relieve stress. Writing is when I'm happiest.

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    1. Thank you! Good to see you here :) And yes, writing is definitely a stress relief. One of the healthiest ways to process and relieve stress.

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  3. Welcome and congratulations. I love your pictures!

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  4. Welcome, Laurie! I write because I have to (can't seem to help myself). But seriously, to give readers that happy ending and maybe a new way of looking at some problem or issue along the way. Oh, and I love creating characters. Your office is beautiful.

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    1. Seriously! The characters just won't be quiet! I love that :)

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  5. Welcome to Heartwarming, Laurie!

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  6. Great to meet you Laurie! Can't wait to read your first Heartwarming! :)

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    1. Nice to meet you too, Lynn! Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Laurie, Congratulations! And welcome! Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself. Great photos and love that writing space. (Someday I will have a writing space that does not entail me parking on my sofa or lounging on my bed. Maybe(;

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    1. Thanks, Carol! My couch and bed still get a lot of use when I tell myself I'm "just going to read/write one more scene and then go to bed early." Yeah, right :)

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  8. Good morning, Laurie. Again, so nice to have you with us. Love the smiling, easy look of your husband, and now that I see the space he created for you, we get a peek inside him. You got lucky! So much about you fits in beautifully with the Heartwarmers - love of dogs and food! The voices in your head that don't stop. Wish you all great things!

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    1. I am very lucky and definitely don't take him for granted! I figured it was okay to talk about my Valentine the day after because this is a blog that celebrates romance :) Thanks for commenting!

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  9. Laurie, so happy to meet you. Look forward to reading your book in May, although I'm behind in my TBR stack as is. I've been writing for various lines at HQ since 1989 and love the books, the editors, the authors and just everything. You sound really busy, but it's such a nice group of people to hang with, even via the blog.

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    1. I feel you on that! My TBR stack is never ending, it seems. And, yes, I am so looking forward to hanging out here :)

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  10. Congratulations, Laurie! You've joined a wonderful group of authors. I'm looking forward to your book.

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  11. Hi, Laurie. Love your writing space, so serene and airy. What a special surprise. Can't wait to read your first Heartwarming in May.

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  12. Welcome, what a lovely room to write in.

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    1. What a great story--so many people can identify with writing with little kids are our feet. I started that way, too, although I won't say how long ago. Congratulations on your May debut! Lovely photos, by the way.

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    2. Virginia - thank you! I hope those babies will be inspired to go after their own dreams someday!

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  13. Welcome, Laurie. I'm never posting a picture of my extremely messy writing area again! WOW. I'm impressed. Glad to have you with us!

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    1. Oh, this was right after I cleaned it. Most of the time, I have to ignore kid messes :) Glad to be here!

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  14. So excited to read your Heartwarming release! And so proud of you, friend. Exciting things!!

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  15. I'm Laurie too!! Nice to meet you. I'm a reader who checks in here a lot. I've read many Heartwarming books. I'm reading one right now. I pick up a story when the plot sounds interesting and I want an escape into the lives of the characters. I love many genres and my mood tends to determine what kind of book I'm going to read next. I have a lovely reading/writing space similar to yours that my husband helped me to create too. Congratulations on your first Heartwarming book.

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    1. Thanks for adding your perspective, Laurie! I agree completely :)

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  16. Congratulations, Laurie!!! I'm so excited for you and I can't wait to read your stories :)

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  17. Oh Laurie!!! I'm just so excited that you are joining us! And I'm so super jealous of your writing space! Can't wait to read your book.

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  18. I'm so excited for your book to come out, Laurie! And what a fun peak into your daily life that we get to see! You and your hubby are so very cute. <3

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  19. Welcome, Laurie! What a fun introduction. So happy to have you as part of the Heartwarming family :)

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  20. I just read your post today, Laurie, and am belatedly adding my congrats and welcome to Heartwarming. A lovely introduction to yourself and your family - I especially love the photo with your child and dog peering out from within! All the best !

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  21. Congratulations Laurie on your debut Heartwarming novel. How exciting. The life of a writer is wonderful, especially when you get to see your novel on the shelves. smile Enjoy all the fanfare.

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  22. Wow... I love your writing space. My mouth is open in awe.
    And, welcome to the Heartwarmers :)
    We're glad you're here.

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