Writing became J. Laura Chandler's ministry after she discovered the power of story to illuminate themes of grace, healing, and renewal. Drawn to Christian fiction for its ability to gently invite readers into deeper trust in God's guidance, she crafts narratives that honor the complexity of starting over while celebrating the quiet strength it takes to let go of everything familiar in pursuit of something truer.
Now retired, J. Laura Chandler lives in Cornelius, North Carolina, with her husband. She draws daily inspiration from her walk with God, her family, and the quiet moments where creativity and prayer meet.
"Fingernail Moon" was written over several years after the author's mom passed away, a journey of healing. Lifeway originally published the book; currently the novel is published by LifeRich. Fingernail Moon was well received in the Franklin/Nashville area, and many requests asking for a sequel prompted the author to ponder the undertaking of another novel. Thus, Out of the Mouths of Babes was inspired by the Holy Spirit. The first novel is suspenseful, a page turner and a story of redemption. The second novel keeps you tethered to the REAL hero of the first novel. Laura has been told that this novel has been read over and over by individuals because of the HOPE it offers. Redemption and Hope...both novels inspire one to dare to dream!
Third novel, "Men of Clay," is a novel of many miracles! A mystery that reveals divine appointments and supernatural events in the political arena of the United States, Israel, Iran, China and Jordan. An American ambassador, Adam Garcia, is miraculously brought back to life. His new identity along with the aid of a supernatural warrior connects the president of the United States, the prime minister of Israel and the minister of defense and logistics of Iran. These leaders fight for Integrity in all their actions that reveals the evil leaders behind corrupt politics in support of a world dictatorship. They fight together to expose the criminal acts of elite and powerful people behind the scenes of human trafficking. Men of Clay is a journey that expands the imagination. Unexpected humor in some of the more frightening scenes will evoke laughter in the reader along with the astounding surprise of seemingly impossible circumstances. The combined efforts of men committed to moral righteousness and the might of heavenly warriors add a dimension that will compel the viewer’s own spiritual reckoning in the defense of truth and justice.
"Where Moonflowers Dance" is an emotionally rich story that invites readers into the journey of Gwenyth Ray Belltower, known simply as Ray, whose life is marked by grief, global adventure, and unexpected love. Ray is forty-seven, single, and fiercely independent. Adopted as an infant after her biological mother died from a drug overdose, Ray’s life has always been shaped by both mystery and purpose. Raised by a loving family and gifted with a sizable inheritance, she pursued a life of service through the Peace Corps, adopted a son, and built a successful career in photography, eventually being hired by National Geographic.
But life takes a devastating turn when her son Byron is tragically killed in a car accident. What follows is a powerful narrative of heartbreak and healing, as Ray leaves behind everything she knows and embarks on an assignment in Austria, with only her camera and sorrow as companions. A chance encounter in Pakistan offers hope, but when that too is lost, she retires to the Cayman Islands, where an unexpected new chapter begins, with Blake Forsyth and a beloved dog named Journey by her side.
"Where Moonflowers Dance" is more than a story of personal reinvention. It is a testament to God’s enduring grace, the strength of the human spirit, and the beautiful, often surprising ways life blooms even after tragedy. Full of romance, suspense, global settings, and a heartwarming twist; this novel promises readers a journey they will not soon forget.
"Hidden but FREE" is Laura's last novel. Although it is fiction it is based on true experiences of a young woman who wanted others to find freedom. At thirty-three, protagonist Lana Cantrell runs a major publishing firm, holds a decorated past as a world-class athlete, and spends her weekends volunteering at a local mission house. To the outside world, she is a portrait of professional success. But behind closed doors, Lana's narcissistic family has turned every achievement into a weapon of manipulation. When her mother's latest phone call humiliates her in front of her own staff, Lana sets in motion a plan she has been quietly building for over a year. She is going to vanish. Armed with a prepaid phone, a disguise, a large sum of cash, and an Alaskan cruise booked as a cover story, Lana disappears to Whistler, British Columbia, where she takes a house-sitting arrangement under a false identity. Only her loyal assistant, Scottie, knows the truth. But isolation proves to be its own challenge as a well-known author named Will Stewart and his Border Collie, Skip, begin to break through the emotional walls Lana has spent a lifetime constructing. Hidden but FREE traces her struggle to trust again, to confront fear, and to discover a faith she never knew she needed.
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