It's time for another Sit-down Saturday! Today, we're celebrating Laurie Tomlinson's debut novel, With No Reservations.
Laurie, where did you get the idea for your story?
It started with my heroine, Sloane. I got the idea to write a food blogger because I love reading food blogs. Then, the what-if questions started coming, and I figured out what was going to happen to her :) Of course, then my hero arrived on the scene and took over the story. I definitely didn't intend for that to happen!
It started with my heroine, Sloane. I got the idea to write a food blogger because I love reading food blogs. Then, the what-if questions started coming, and I figured out what was going to happen to her :) Of course, then my hero arrived on the scene and took over the story. I definitely didn't intend for that to happen!
What did you like best about writing this book?
Learning so much from my characters (and other people) as I researched their experiences. This was only the second book I ever wrote, so I learned a lot about writing throughout the process and from my wonderful editors at Harlequin Heartwarming!
Can you share an excerpt?
He’d arranged a bouquet of colored pens in a chunky ceramic mug printed with the Simone logo. Paper clips, Post-it notes and bigger notepads were lined neatly in one corner, arranged by color. A flutter of picture-perfect giddiness set loose in Sloane’s stomach. Bottles of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes occupied the other corner.
“It’s not much, but—”
“It’s perfect.”
Their eyes held for less than a second, charged with a rushing revelation for Sloane.
Cooper had been paying attention. And, despite all the weirdness, he got her.
What’s next for you?
Can you share an excerpt?
He’d arranged a bouquet of colored pens in a chunky ceramic mug printed with the Simone logo. Paper clips, Post-it notes and bigger notepads were lined neatly in one corner, arranged by color. A flutter of picture-perfect giddiness set loose in Sloane’s stomach. Bottles of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes occupied the other corner.
“It’s not much, but—”
“It’s perfect.”
Their eyes held for less than a second, charged with a rushing revelation for Sloane.
Cooper had been paying attention. And, despite all the weirdness, he got her.
What’s next for you?
I'm developing a new series for Harlequin Heartwarming that I hope to be able to share more details about soon!
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.
About Laurie: 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, is now available from Harlequin Heartwarming. You can connect with Laurie on her website, Facebook page, and Instagram.
Congratulations on the release of your debut Heartwarming book, Laurie. I wish you the very best with it. I also look forward to hearing more about the series you're working on, and I hope there will be many more books to follow. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteCongratulations Laurie. I like reading food blogs too, so I'm hooked already. All the best with the series!
ReplyDeleteI have a long, long list of foodies I follow. So many good recipes!
DeleteYour book sounds great Laurie Congratulations
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eleanor!
DeleteCongratulations on your release, Laurie. I'll be anxious to hear about your series.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill! Hopefully I'll have news to share soon!
DeleteCongratulations on your debut novel. How exciting!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Happy release to you, too!
DeleteGood for you, Laurie. Congratulations on your release!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia!
DeleteCongratulations on your debut with Heartwarming, Laurie! I'll bet you are over the moon and to be working on a new series is very exciting. I wish you all the best with it everything and many, many more books for Heartwarming to come!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I will agree with that :)
DeleteCongratulations on your release! It sounds like a great read. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I had a lot of fun writing it!
DeleteSounds like such a fun read, Laurie. Congratulations! I love food blogs, too. (Might have a little something to do with my love of food.) Throw in a hero chef and you've definitely got a recipe for my kind of my romance ;)
ReplyDeleteWho needs cookbooks, right? :)
DeleteLooking forward to reading your debut Heartwarming novel, Laurie! And congrats on the upcoming series, too! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteHopefully the new series is a good fit! Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for reading!
DeleteCongratulations, Laurie! Sounds like a winner!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melanie!
DeleteCongratulations--and I like to see another cheerleader for creatives. I like that, and identify with it, too. Another gorgeous Heartwarming cover. Very appealing story!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! The designers did a fabulous job!
DeleteCan't wait to read this, Laurie! congrats on the release and fingers crossed on the new project!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I will take all the crossed fingers and toes I can get :)
DeleteI love food books and getting new recipes to try. I read a few food blogs too.
ReplyDeleteThey make recipe planning so easy!
DeleteLooking forward to reading With No Reservations! Congrats on your book release!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat! :)
DeleteWhat heart can resist a man who can cook? This one sounds like fun, Laurie!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I know I sure can't resist a man who can cook!
DeleteCongratulations on your debut novel! It sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephanie!
DeleteHi Laurie! I finished your book a couple of days ago and I loved it! I can't wait to hear more about the series!
ReplyDeleteHopefully it's a good fit :)
DeleteSounds great, Laurie!! I love food blogs, too. Sometimes I am most impressed with the pictures they take of the delicious food that they cook! Can't wait to check out Sloane and Cooper :)
ReplyDeleteYes! I am definitely a victim of making a recipe immediately because of good photography!
DeleteCongratulations, Laurie! All the best with this book and the series to come.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Leigh!
DeleteSounds like a fun read. Best wishes on your new series.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSorry to be late checking in. I've been on the road, and reading this story along the way. I really enjoyed Sloan and her "weirdness" along with all that yummy food. Congratulations on a great debut.
ReplyDeleteYay! So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading!
DeleteCongrats, Laurie!! I love your cover and can't wait to read your debut. Best of luck on your next project for Heartwarming!!
ReplyDelete