Shannon here: Laura Thomas shares how her love for Lulu, her French Bulldog inspired her Romantic Suspense, Ribbons of Guilt. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an e-book copy plus 3 other titles. Deadline: Sept 5th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Laura:
For the Love of Frenchies:
As an author, when a new book releases and there are wonderful opportunities to share on podcasts and guest blog posts and the like, our answers and spiels tend to all morph together as we focus on aspects such as theme, plot, and characters. We love talking about our beloved book yet long for a fresh angle and perhaps something a little different our readers might enjoy. So, imagine my excitement when I saw an opportunity on this blog to select the option Authors and Their Pets!
Anyone who knows me even a little, knows I’m a Frenchie mom. Yes, I have wonderful human children and beautiful grandchildren, but as empty nesters my husband and I are now “those” people who have an animal-child.
Louisa May (known as Lulu) is a precocious French bulldog named after the author of my all-time
favorite book, Little Women. She was our 2020 COVID puppy and is therefore needy in every conceivable way and suffers from a guilt-inducing case of FOMO (fear of missing out). She’s also my sweet baby, my constant companion, and my chief admin assistant in my home office.
As I sit here writing this, she is snorting and snoring in her round, white fluffy bed by my feet. If I’m really lucky she will want a reassuring snuggle and claim most of my chair while I attempt to type. To be fair, she does offer me considerable health benefits. Without her bathroom break requirements there’s a decent chance I would not move from my writing desk for exceedingly long stretches and I may rarely inhale actual fresh air. She’s good for my cardio as well as my mental health, bless her heart.
It’s probably no accident that in my latest Christian romantic suspense novel, Ribbons of Guilt, there is a Frenchie. This is a story set in England about a marriage in crisis, first love and second chances, healing and hope amidst betrayal, blackmail, and ballet… so I decided a little fluffy relief was required. Enter Chanel the Frenchie—a soothing element in a suspense-filled situation.
As a romantic suspense writer, I put my fictional characters through every conceivable stress, fear, and danger—it’s what keeps readers like you turning those pages when you really should call it a night and get some sleep! In Ribbons of Guilt, my married couple Harriet and Leo Duval are both keeping secrets as their once-flourishing marriage struggles to survive—Harriet in the world of her old life as a professional ballerina and Leo as he spends way too much time “on business” in his home city of Paris, France. The glue holding them together is their sweet five-year-old daughter, Lucy. This family needed a French
bulldog.
Chanel joined the Duvals when Leo brought her home as a surprise—in his eyes, he’d hoped it might draw them together and bring some joy. Harriet couldn’t help wondering if the presence of a French bulldog was supposed make up for the absence of her French husband… Regardless, Chanel is doted on by little Lucy, of course, and she is also a source of comfort and reassurance for Harriet when she simply needs to hold someone close and be loved unconditionally.
We all love our pets and they each have their own unique qualities making them special, but a Frenchie is super-sensitive. I know our Lulu is constantly on high alert, her bat-ears like antennae picking up on anyone’s worry, fear, or need for affection. Those ears also have an uncanny knack of hearing any kind of human 
food being unwrapped, even from her posture of deep snoring sleep! She is my constant shadow, my Velcro-pup, and in her eyes, my faithful protector—all 20 pounds of her.
I hope readers will enjoy Chanel’s presence in this book—she’s subtle yet sure, always there when needed, and I loved writing her into the epilogue complete with a perfect Frenchie outfit, because believe it or not, they really do love their clothes… just ask Lulu!
But more than that, my prayer for each reader of Ribbons of Guilt is that as they witness Harriet and Leo returning to their first love and finding their way back to God, they will know without a shadow of doubt that they too are deeply loved by One who is a God of second chances.
From the writing desk of Laura… and Lulu.
Reader Question: Which animals do you enjoy reading about most in a novel?
August 2026 Book Bundle
Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas, Romantic Suspense, ebook
New Beginnings in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch, Contemporary Romance, ebook
A Troubling Rogue by Betty Woods, Historical Romance, print
Winner’s Choice of one Montana Gold book by Janalyn Voigt, Historical Fiction, print
About Laura Thomas: A multi-award-winning Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her numerous romantic suspense novels, Christmas novellas, teen fiction and children’s books, as well as her non-fiction writing. Laura is a certified writing coach, a book-loving chocoholic mom and nanny, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog! Find all her books, blog, bio, and writing coaching, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter on her website. Learn more and connect:
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About the book – Ribbons of Guilt:
A marriage in crisis. A betrayer in the wings. A life at stake.
Harriet Duval has it all—a handsome French husband, a delightful young daughter, a successful career as a professional ballerina behind her, and a beautiful future in a charming village in the English countryside. Even her beloved sisters can’t see the painful truth she hides beneath her perfect mask…
Successful businessman Leo Duval is at a breaking point physically, emotionally, and spiritually as he is forced to harbor secrets in Paris while his marriage in England dissolves before his very eyes.
The magnetic pull of Harriet’s old dancing life and the shocking murder of a Swan Lake ballerina causes her to question everything: faith, future, family. When the killer begins targeting the Duval family, Leo and Harriet’s vulnerable marriage is tested by an unimaginable traumatic event. Will the guilt they carry divide them when they need each other most?”
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