Interview with Lorna Seilstad & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted Word
Award-winning author Lorna Seilstad has called Iowa home her whole life. She received her B.S. in Education from Lubbock Christian University. After her first child was born, she quit teaching and became a professional wiper. “I wiped noses, tears, skinned knees, baby’s bottoms, and counter tops every day. But at nap time, I wrote.” Today, she writes historical fiction with a generous dash of humor. She is the author of the Lake Manawa Summers Series and the Gregory Sisters series, a wife, and a mother of three.

For more info, visit her website at www.lornaseilstad.com.

————————————————————————————————————————-

Savanna:  Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Lorna! Congratulations on your recent release, As Love Blooms. In writing the Gregory Sisters series, which of the three heroines reminded you the most of yourself? Who do you most relate to and why?

Interview with Lorna Seilstad & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordLorna:  I’m a middle child so I’d have to say Charlotte in While Love Stirs. I also love to cook and bake, so I could relate to her.

Savanna:  You have a lot of great reviews on your website. Can you share with us one of your favorites? 🙂 It’s okay, don’t be shy!

Lorna:  A lot of the reviews I get mention the historical details that make the reader feel like they are “there” and the humor. I always like the ones that mention the faith element. One of my favorite reviews for As Love Blooms was in Library Journal. It said, “As tenacious as Tessa is, she soon realizes that the only one who can truly move mountains for her is God. And God works at his own pace… Historical romance buffs are sure to savor this sweet inspirational tale.”

Savanna:  Oh, that’s a great one! I read on your website that you grew up attending antique auctions. I grew up working at my grandparents’ antique auction barn and my dad was the auctioneer for many years. Do you remember the best treasure you ever purchased? 🙂

Interview with Lorna Seilstad & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordLorna:  My dad almost always did the bidding. He expected us to know values of things in our “area.” Mine was dolls. One time, we went to an auction that advertised a set of silk dolls from China. When it was time for us to leave, they still hadn’t brought them out. My dad went up to the auctioneer, who knew him well, and said, “I came to buy those dolls. If you want me to bid, you’d better sell them now.” They brought them out and he bought them for me.

Savanna:  How cool. What a neat family heirloom!

I also read that you teach at church camp every year. What is your favorite thing about participating there?

Lorna:  Oh, I love being at camp. I teach juniors (3rd-6th graders). My favorite part is making the experience memorable and watching the kids get turned on to learning about God. Last year, my class was C.S.I. (Christian Science Investigation). We learned to lift fingerprints and make castings, all the while discussing the mark we can make on people’s lives.

Interview with Lorna Seilstad & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordSavanna:  What is one of your most unforgettable moments from your writing career to date?

Lorna:  The day I met author Judith (Judy) Miller will be special to me forever. I’d just joined American Christian Fiction Writers and had been invited to a meeting on the other side of the state. She happened to be in the area doing research for her Amana series and dropped in to visit our informal group. We connected that day. I can’t explain it. It was a God thing. She’s been my mentor and one of my dearest friends. I thank God for her daily.

Savanna:  Oh, I love to hear how God brings friends together. That’s wonderful, Lorna. Thanks for sharing with us today. It’s been great to have you here. Looking forward to your next stories!

GIVEAWAY!!

Lorna has graciously offered to give away one copy of As Love Blooms to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends June 30, 2015.  The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!