#RealLifeWriter: Laurie Tomlinson

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What is the title of your book?

What was the inspiration behind your book?

It started with the idea to have a food blogger for a main character. I’d never seen one in a book, and it was something I knew a lot about and could provide lots of story ideas/material. The rest came from there!

Which character was your favorite to write, and why?

Hands down, Cooper. He really stole the show and unfolded as I wrote the story in a deep and dimensional way.

What are 3 things you can’t live without?

My family, some kind of writing utensil, and fresh air (especially if it smells like rain)

What are 3 things you’d have to have when marooned on an island?

A Kindle that never loses its charge (because my TBR pile could last me several years), a utility tool with lighter, and my REI rain jacket

Who is your all-time favorite character from a book?

Oooooh, that’s hard. Possibly Neville Longbottom?

What is currently on your nightstand?

My Simplified Planner and colorful pens, my favorite Target straw cup with iced lemon water, and my Kindle.

What book are you currently reading?

I just finished All This Time by Melissa Tagg and started Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh. I’m also reading Shalom Sistas by Osheta Moore.

What are you currently watching on Netflix?

Oh girl, don’t get me started. They just took away Friday Night Lights, which I am not happy about. We’ve been watching Madam Secretary, and it’s delightful. Elizabeth and Henry are marriage goals.

Favorite Starbucks drink?

Java chip frappuchino or a passion tea lemonade 🙂

What does a typical day of writing look like for you?

If I can ever defeat my snooze button, I’d become a morning writer. But for now, my routine looks like writing in spurts after my kids’ bedtime or two days a week when my son’s in school.

Favorite quote?

Right now: “Am I being led by love or pushed by fear?” – Emily P. Freeman

Current 4 favorite things

These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are on repeat in my kitchen this fall.

The book Story Trumps Structure by Steven James has been asking good questions to help me through plotting issues.

PaperMate Flair pens are always my favorite, but this Candy Pop color collection they have is gold!

The artist Sleeping at Last for writing concentration and rainy day naps. His song “Turning Page” also helps me with all the romance-writing vibes 🙂

More about No Reservations:

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.

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. Sign up for her newsletter to download a free COOK With No Reservations PDF cookbook.

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