Some Big News in 2026

The ARC for Cammie’s Family Secret has gone to the printers. How exciting is that?

I’m anxiously awaiting my very own copy in the mail once they come back to my publisher. While an ARC isn’t quite the book, and I can still make some subtle changes at this point, it is one step closer to holding that finished book in my hands. As most of you know, the ARCs (Advance Reading Copies) are sent out for early reviews.

The publication date is June 9th–so, still quite awhile to go.

Once the book is published, I’ll be heading out for some book signings and deciding whether or not to have an official launch, which is kind of up in the air for me at this point. If you have any ideas as to where a book launch could be held, I’m willing to consider all options. Again, this is still a little less than six months away. Anything is possible.

BUT

That is not the very big news I promised.

Are you ready?

The very big news is that I signed another book contract with Nimbus Publishing for a contemporary middle grade novel to be published in fall 2027.

That’s right! Another book. And I couldn’t be more pleased,

I’m excited about this as the first seeds for this story sprouted way back in 2018.

So, there’s my big news. A great way to start out 2026. While this past week has had its interesting moments, signing this contract helped bring things back into balance.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more news as the publication of Cammie’s Family Secret comes ever closer.

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by Laura Best on January 18, 2026  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on January 18, 2026

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Sunrise

This morning Facebook was filled with photos of the spectacular sunrise that met us here in Nova Scotia during the wee hours this morning. I was reminded of a short story I wrote years ago titled, “A Christmas Morning Sunrise,” that appeared in a Maritime Christmas published by Nimbus Publishing the Christmas before my first novel was published.

I went down to the lake and snapped a few photos myself. There is something about a bright red sunrise that opens my heart to possibilities. As we head closer to the end of 2025, I find myself anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new year.

2025 was a challenging year and yet it is coming to a close. One thing we can be certain of is that life has its up and downs. We will all face challenges from time to time, but its not so much the challenges themselves as our ability to meet those challenges head on, do what needs to be done.

Remember that no matter the difficulties we might encounter, we’ve all faced times of sorrow, grief and dispair. Never imagine your pain is worse than any one else’s. Those things are not to be measured or compared. And always remember that life is about showing compassion and understanding toward others because we don’t know someone’s entire story.

And look at that–a blog post inspired by a morning sunrise!

I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday this 2025 season. Lets hope for peace in 2026.

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by Laura Best on December 29, 2025  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on December 29, 2025

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Wrapping up 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting upon some of the changes that have taken place in my life this past year. The ending of a year seems to do that for many of us. I always love it when a new year rolls around, bringing with it so many possibilites and hopes.

This year, on the morning of Mother’s Day we lost our dear sweet mother and the holidays this year will likely be a bit strained. Finding my Christmas spirit has not been without its challenges but, find it, I will! While loss is a part of life for all of us, there is always much to look forward to if we keep an open mind and heart. Life goes on. That is something that will never change.

Many of you might be aware that my mother was the inspiration behind the character of Cammie Turple in my middle grade novel series. I’m so pleased that a fourth book, Cammie’s Family Secret, is due to be published next June. I only wish Mum would have had the chance to know what happens next in Cammie’s life. And who knows, maybe she will.

Good news came just yesterday when my editor sent me the ARC layout of Cammie’s Family Secret to review over the holidays. It is always exciting when things start coming together. I’m not 100% sure when I started writing this book, but you can bet it’s been in the works for several years now.

Will there be a fifth book in the series?

That is a very good question. I would have to say it all depends upon Cammie.

As an added bonus–Dear Dad made the fall 2025 selections for Best Books for Kids & Teens put out by The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Such an honour to be on this list.

The list of all the books can be seen by following this link HERE.

I also finished another middle grade novel this summer and submitted it to my publisher. Stay tuned for news on this in the new year. (Not trying to be secetive, I’m just not able to fully share at the moment.)

I am presently working on some new material while revisiting some older works that have stopped to rest along the way. That is not unusual for me. I often go back to a story I began years ago and, finding the time just right, finally finish it.

While 2025 has been filled with ups and downs, more lows than highs, it has also been filled with life lessons that I am grateful for.

I would love to hear some good news that might have found you in 2025 if you willing to share!

As you near the holidays, I hope joy, peace, love and gratitude wraps you in a warm kind blanket for the coming year.

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by Laura Best on December 20, 2025  •  Permalink
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Cammie’s Family Secret

I’m excited to share with all of you, the cover and blurb of my next book coming out in June 2026.

Here’s what it’s about:

The fourth book in the Cammie Turple series, following our plucky protagonist on an adventure to solve the mystery of her birth mother, from the author of Cammie Takes Flight and The Family Way.

Cammie Turple is doing quite well, thank you. She’s been attending the Halifax School for the Blind and made great friends there. She’s home in rural Nova Scotia for the summer now and spending time with her cobbled-together family—sharp-tongued Aunt Millie (not really her aunt) and her best friend, Evelyn, in Tanner; and with Ed (unfortunately, not her father) and his wife, Miranda, in Sheppard Square. She should be happy she has so many people who like having her around. But there’s still a question burning in her chest: Who is her real mother?

Desperate for the truth, Cammie secretly writes to the woman who ran the Ideal Maternity Home, where Cammie was born. When the letter goes unanswered, Cammie and Evelyn embark on a dangerous journey to try to get to the bottom of Cammie’s family mystery. Along the way they uncover an impossibly long chain of secrets that leads them to the biggest surprise of their lives.

In this exciting fourth book in the Cammie Turple series, celebrated author Laura Best combines thrilling twists, quick humour, and heart-rending tenderness to create an ending even Cammie might be happy with.

The Book is already up on the Nimbus Publishing site. You can see it HERE if you want to take a peek!

It takes a long time for the book an author has written to finally see print, but it’s all so worth it once you’re holding that book in your hands. This is my nineth book. Is it the end of the Cammie Series? Maybe yes. Maybe no. Ask me in a few years. Maybe I’ll know then!

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by Laura Best on November 15, 2025  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on November 15, 2025

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Lake George Wildfire

Earlier last week, we received word that the Lake George wildfire was, first being held and then a few days later was under control. With the news, came a great feeling of relief.

People who had been evacuated were able to return to their homes and I can only imagine how wonderful that must have felt for these homeowners. Luckily, no homes were lost in this fire. So much credit can be giving to all those firefighters who worked the fire and brought it under control. So grateful to all of them!

It has been a rough year for our province. First, the Long Lake wildfire that burned olmost 8,500 hectares and then the Lake George Wildfire that broke out in late September, burning 288 hectares.

The Aylesford Road remained closed until recently. Today was the first time we ventured out to see the damage.

The smell of burnt wood was overpowering. There was such a sense of loss as we looked out over the burned area, mindful of the fact that we were seeing only a small potion of what had been burned.

These photos don’t come close to capturing the sense of loss we felt and yet, we came away knowing that next spring would bring with it signs of renewal for Mother Nature is resilient. She always brings hope.

My hope is that our province receives some well needed rain and that next year we will remain free of wildfires.

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by Laura Best on October 15, 2025  •  Permalink
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The Not So Mighty LaHave

Mother Nature begs for rain to dampen her soil and the parched foilage hanging from her trees, the withered dry grasses of her fields. Brooks and meadows and rivers run dry, their waters devoured by an unrelentless sun and the promise of rain drops that have failed to come. We waited all summer and now into fall for a cloudburst to plummet from the sky while Mother Nature stood in silent vigil.

Here in Nova Scotia, the lack of rain has brought about drought conditions. Farm fields are drying up and so are our rivers. Forest fires are feeding on our woods, persistantly edging our farther, encrouching closer to the homes of those who have been evacuated.

This latest fire is maybe 30 klms from where we are. We are safe for now but the fire contines to grow. It’s an uneasy feeling. My heart goes out to those whose homes may be in jeapardy. The uncertainly of it all must be difficult to deal with.

Where would we be without our firefighters and volunteers? We owe them a debt of gratitude for sure.

This photo of the LaHave River was taken in New Germany recently. The LaHave River is a 97 kilometre-long running from Annapolis County all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. It is typical of what our rivers look like at the moment.

There is some rain in the forecast for this Wednesday, but will it be anywhere near enough?

I am sure that many ae praying for rain.

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by Laura Best on October 6, 2025  •  Permalink
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Countryside Literary Arts Series

Last evening, kicked off the first of the Literary Arts Series at the Maple Creek Centre for the Arts in New Germany. I was there along with authors Emily Bowers and Heather Veinotte. I also got to meet and chat with author Jan Fancy Hull who was in the audience last evening.

It was a fun, relaxing evening. Lots of laughter, which is always a bonus. I read from A Sure Cure for Witchcraft.

It’s so interesting to hear what the writing process is like for other authors. We are all so individual. But the one thing we all have in common is our love of words and story.

The next evening in the series is on November 13th where authors Michelle Elrick,
Jan Fancy Hull and Alison Smith will be reading.

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by Laura Best on October 3, 2025  •  Permalink
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How To Rescue a Unicorn

Saturday, I headed out on a mission, not only to enjoy the beautiful almost autumn day but to quash the rumours of a possible unicorn sighting in the Annapolis Valley. I had to know if said rumours were true. I mean we’re talking about unicorns, right? How could I not investigate?

My quest lead me to R.D. Chisholms LTD. in Kentville, Nova Scotia where I came face to face with fellow Nimbus Publishing author Andy Tolson who was signing copies of his brand new middle grade fantasy novel, How to Rescue a Unicorn.

I’d finally found the unicorn! Who says unicorns do not exist?

I discovered that this book is #2 in the series. The previous book, How to Kidnap a Mermaid was published last year.

So, what’s this book all about?

Tiny Wilde would like to believe that all is well in Wonderville now that the Immortal Octopus, and source of the Mythics’ magical powers, is healing. But not everyone is happy about the return of magic. Tiny’s human classmates see him as a scary giant out to get them all, so he’s trying to prove them wrong and stay out of trouble.

It’s not long, however, before trouble finds him.

Unicorns are disappearing from Wonderville. A frightening midnight visitor, an injured unicorn, and long-lost photos that once belonged to Tiny’s mother give Tiny the clues he needs to investigate the disappearances.

Desperate to reunite his dad and his Grandpa Bron, who haven’t spoken to each other in years, Tiny sees this adventure as the perfect opportunity to reach out. But when Tiny discovers his grandfather is spending time with dangerous thugs and terrorizing Mythics in the Woods, he?s not sure who to trust.

With fellow hero Nalia and new allies Sadie and Numbskull by his side, Tiny sets out to rescue the missing unicorns. Together, they’ll battle pirate trolls and trickster pixies, all to restore balance to the Mythic population in this exciting second installment in the Quests of Tiny Wilde series.

Wishing you all the best, Andy with this new book. I can hardly wait to read it!

PS: Look for the next book in the series due our next year.

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by Laura Best on September 21, 2025  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on September 21, 2025

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Every Little Thing

This weekend, I had the honour of meeting Janice Landry when she came for a book signing at Coles in Bridgewater. Her new book, Every Little Thing: How Small Acts of Kindness Make a Big Impact has already gone into multiple printings since its release this spring! That is a huge big deal and a thrill for any author.

If you’ve not met Janice or read any of her books, I urge you to do so. She’s a real people person and so down to earth and she writes books that matter–always uplifting, always leaving the reader with a postive message.

I think we can all agree that kindness is something this world can definitely use more of and this book is all about that. It was amazing to meet Janice and have her sign my copy of her book which. I might add, is a wonderful read! PS: I’m sure there are signed copies at Coles at this moment!

I arrived at the signing to find Andy Tolson chatting it up with Janice. A fellow Nimbus author, Andy’s new middle grade novel How to rescue a Unicorn has just been newly released and he’ll be stopping off at R.D. Chisholm in Kentville this coming Saturday from 11:00 am-1:00 pm for a book signing. If you know some young readers who love unicorns, you might want to check this one out!

It was great to meet Andy and chat with him about writing and publishing.

It wasn’t long before Stephens Gerald Malone quietly approached with a copy of Janice’s book in hand. This was another thrill for me as I’d read several of his books, The History of Rain and Jumbo. I blurbed Jumbo and absolutely loved it. (Another Nimbus author, I might add.) Stephens’ writing is SO good! So you can imagine how excited I was to finally meet him. Living where I do, I don’t often get to talk with other authors. I’m always so grateful when I get the opportunity and last weekend I got to talk with three!!

Being able to attend this signing meant so very much to me. Even more so because I’ve not been able to attend many of the signings and events I used to in the past. But that is changing and I’m so happy to be able to come out and support our local talent when possible.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to support our local authors no matter where you live. Our diverse writing refects who we are as a province, as a country. Each one of us has something different to offer.

So, that was my weekend. How was yours? Hopefully, you found something to be grateful for.

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by Laura Best on September 16, 2025  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on September 16, 2025

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Summer 2025 Catch Up

As summer quickly starts to fade, I’m reminded of some of the projects that I have been waiting to get back to. Summer is a time for breaking with routines and relaxing during those unbearably hot days of which we seemed to have had more than our share of this year.

Yes, I did some writing over the summer and I’m presently working on the edits for my next Cammie book, due out in spring 2026. I’m quite excited to be back in Cammie’s world. And I hope readers will be equally as excited to read book four in the this series. I’ll keep you updated as time goes on. We’ve already been discussing some cover ideas.

Although my writing life has been on hold for the past five years, I’m anxious to settle get back into it. I’ve several unfinished novels I want to explore as well as a collection of short stories I plan to revisit and start submitting when the time feels right. I have plenty of projects to keep me busy. Although, sometimes the problem with having too many unfinished projects is, it is difficult deciding which one to work at first. (I know, that is not a bad problem to have!) The focusing part sometimes is.

As for the summer, it was taken up with visits from the grandchildren, gardening, day trips, checking in with some friends and trying to stay cool during these incredibly hot summer days. We’ve been keeping up with news of the wildfires in Nova Scotia this August as well. Many in our are have had bags packed for awhile as some people have bees evacuated and they wanted to be prepared in care the unthinkable happened. Fire is so unpredictable.

While summer was mostly uneventful, I didn’t mind the slow pace as I settle into some kind of routine where writing is made one of my priorities.

FYI: The photo I shared in this post, is one my son took in my flower garden this summer. We had some monarchs here on several ocassions and he was lucky enough to get a nice shot of one.

I hope your summer was peace-filled. Please share one of your most favourite parts. I’d love to hear about it.

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by Laura Best on September 3, 2025  •  Permalink
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Posted by Laura Best on September 3, 2025

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