Author Spotlight + GIVEAWAY: Lorna Seilstad

After reading my first of Lorna Seilstad's books recently, I can certainly say that it is an honor to have her with us for the next few days. Lorna is a funny, sensitive, and talented author who writes historical romance with a charm, and she has become one of my favorites. You can see my review of While Love Stirs, book #2 in the Gregory Sisters Series, here.

Lorna has a great sense of humor, and I just have to share these words from her website:  "I taught high school English until my oldest child was born. After that I began my career as a professional wiper. I wiped noses, counter tops, tiny tushes, tears, and scraped knees."

Lorna is graciously giving a copy of While Love Stirs to one of you and entry details follow this interview. Now enjoy Lorna . . .


Q:  Have you always wanted to write, Lorna, and does your writing fit into a particular style or genre?

I’ve wanted to write since the fourth grade. I have always loved making up stories. My writing style is often described as breezy. As far as genre, I always say that I write historical romance with a generous dash of humor.


Q:  Please share 3 random or surprising facts about you.

1) I have potty trained over 20 children. I did daycare for about 15 years.
2) I knew I’d marry my husband the night we met. It scared me to death, and I didn’t talk to him for months.
3) Like Charlotte in While Love Stirs, I love to cook. I grew up on a pig farm. My mother made me a deal. I could either cook supper—and do it well—or I could scoop pig pens. Needless to say, it was great motivation to become a good cook.


Q:  I understand from your bio that you enjoy working with youth, Lorna. Is there a special experience or child's story that has touched you over the years?

There have been several, but I’m especially close to a little girl right now whose mother is in jail. This little girl is a tenacious, spirited survivor. Not only does she come to church on her own (a member brings her), but she brings two neighbors. I’d love to pack her up and take her home.

Q:  Tell us about the Gregory Sisters Series and how the novel we're featuring today, While Love Stirs, fits in.

After the death of their parents from influenza, the Gregory sisters must pull together to survive. They make a promise to support one another’s dreams. While Love Stirs is the story of the middle sister, Charlotte, whose dream was to have her own restaurant.


Q:  What will draw readers to Charlotte and Joel?

Great question. I think both Charlotte and Joel are very real. Joel is a little OCD, and Charlotte knows what she wants, but doesn’t always present her thoughts in the most productive manner. I always try to create main characters that a reader would like to have as a friend—warts and all.


Q:  Times have certainly changed! Putting yourself in Charlotte's place, how would you have responded to these words of Chef Reisen:  "Go home, little cook. You don't belong in a real kitchen. No woman does"?

Since I’m not as confrontational as Charlotte, I would have probably suffered in silence. That’s why it’s so much fun to write characters who will stand up for themselves. The attitude of some men of that day is hard to take. The chef wasn’t being mean with his   condescending words. It was an accepted attitude that’s hard for us to imagine.


Q:  I loved these words of wisdom from Molly's character:  "God doesn't want us to settle for what's in front of our face. He wants to bless us with things beyond our imagination." Have you found this to be true in your own life, Lorna?

Absolutely! When I held my first published book in my hands, I was overwhelmed by this thought. I would have probably kept on writing stories for my friends if I hadn’t felt God’s strong nudging that it was time to seek publication. Then, he opened doors in absolutely amazing ways that I couldn’t have possibly imagined.


Q:  What do you hope readers will take away from While Love Stirs?

I hope readers will take away the importance relying on God and not on ourselves. We all expect to be so self-sufficient today that I think we forget to let God fill our empty vessels.


Q:  What stories can readers expect from you in the days ahead?

As Love Blooms, the story of Tessa, the youngest Gregory sister, will come out in April 2015. It was such a fun story to write!


Q:  How can we support and/or pray for you, Lorna?

I would greatly appreciate prayers for my writing ministry. I want the stories I write to minister to those who need a little boost of encouragement and joy in their lives. As a relatively new writer, the best way my reader friends can support me, besides prayer, is by telling others about my books.

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Lorna, I am so glad to have discovered your writing! It has been a joy having you here and I hope you will come back soon. Readers, you can learn more about Lorna and her writing at lornaseilstad.com.

GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for While Love Stirs, simply leave a comment about Lorna's interview or a question for her. E-mail address are required for the drawing and be sure to leave them in a safe format - [at] and [dot]. If you're willing, it's also helpful to share about this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Please "like" my Facebook page, ThePowerofWordsBookReviews, if you haven't already. And new followers of this blog are always welcome!

• E-mail required, one entry per person. Odds of winning are based on number of entries.
• Contest ends at midnight PST on Saturday, September 20. No purchase necessary.
• Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail by Monday, September 22. Respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen.
• Eligibility: US residents, 18 and older