I worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now write full time. Three of my books, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA awards.
I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Savanna: Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Julie. Congratulations on your newest release, The Secret of Pembrooke Park. I loved it! 🙂 When you set out to write the story, did you already have an ending in mind or did its secrets surprise you along the way too?
Julie:  I knew going into it, that this was going to be one of my most complicated books. I had a fairly short time to write it, so I spent time brainstorming at a retreat of my local chapter of ACFW, and dedicated more time up-front to the plot and synopsis to streamline the writing as much as possible. Even so, things definitely changed—and surprised me–along the way. I love when that happens!
Savanna: The book trailer for The Secret of Pembrooke Park is SO intriguing. Do you have a favorite video trailer from one of your books?
Julie: Thanks! I love the trailer, too. It’s definitely my favorite so far!
Savanna:Â You’ve won multiple writing awards. What has been one of the greatest lessons and fondest memories from participating in these contests?
Julie: The first time I won a Christy Award, I was congratulated most warmly and genuinely by the other two finalists in the category (Deanne Gist and Tamera Alexander). Not only was I touched, but I also learned then and there that that was the kind of gracious author I wanted to become. Ready to cheer on fellow-writer brothers and sisters—after all, we are all on the same team.
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!
Julie: I love this review from Booklist: “Jane Austen meets Victoria Holt in Christy Award–winning Klassen’s latest deliciously spooky and sweetly romantic historical, and the author’s deft incorporation of the faith-based component of her story means this well-crafted romance will have wide appeal beyond inspirational romance fans.”
Savanna:Â I loved seeing pictures on your website from your travels to England. Such inspiration for your novels! What was one of your favorite places to visit and why?
Julie: Thanks. Yes, I jokingly say that is the real reason I’m writing–so I can justify my long-held desire to travel to England! I especially love visiting the Cotswolds—a lovely, peaceful area filled with meadows of grazing sheep, picture-postcard villages, and thatched roof cottages. Ah…
Savanna: Thank you so much for being with us today, Julie! I’m looking forward to your next books! 😉 Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Julie: I am looking forward to 2015, as (Lord willing) it will be my first year with two releases: Lady Maybe in July and The Painter’s Daughter in December. Whew, I’d better get busy….
Thanks for asking, and thanks for having me here!
GIVEAWAY!!
Julie has graciously offered to give away a copy of The Secret of Pembrooke Park. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends Feburary 3, 2015. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody! 😉
No – I can’t think of any favorite book trailers off the top of my head!
Hi Sharon! That’s alright, we’re just glad you stopped by. Good luck in the drawing. 😉
I usually don’t watch the trailers, but I do remember Tamera Alexnder’s for To Whisper Her Name. I enjoyed it!
Hi Kathryn! I really want to read Tamera’s book. It looks so good. Thanks for visiting!
I don’t usually watch trailers!
I don’t actually watch many of them, either, Joan. But this one of Julie’s is really good! 😉 Have a great week!
I didn’t even know there were trailers for books, lol! Guess I’d better get busy and see the one for “The Secret of Pembrooke Park”. Julie, I HAVE to say this (I hope I don’t embarrass you too much), but you are the author that has inspired me to fall head over heels in LOVE with the Regency period-time romance books! Your writing is so very real & I feel like I travel back in time when I read your books. I get so immersed, I forget we are in the 21st century, lol! I adore all the moral values, culture, traditions, courtships, just EVERYTHING! When gentlemen treated ladies the way they are meant to be treated & courted. My heart swoons (literally!) I have read The Apothecary’s Daughter, The Girl in the Gatehouse, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Silent Governess, & Lady of Milkweed Manor. My next one would be The Dancing Master. The book featured here in this interview would be one I would treasure having in my collection! Thank YOU for introducing me to a whole different world through your books! And last but not least, for the chance to win a copy of “The Secret of Pembrooke Park”. Maybe someday, I can meet you in person 🙂 Savanna, I was SUPER excited to see which author you were featuring in today’s blog…WOW!! You made my day, girlfriend 🙂 Blessings to you both & Julie especially as you write what the Lord has on your heart to write! Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Trixi. That means a lot to me!
Trixi, you always have something so sweet to say. Thanks for sharing your love for Julie’s books here. I’m thrilled to have both of you here with us today. And I can’t wait for you to read The Secret of Pembrooke Park. 🙂 Thanks so much for following my blog!
No, I don’t have a favorite book trailer.
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Thanks for reading, Caryl! Hope you’re having a good week so far… with a good book nearby. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway.
I don’t really have a favorite, though I’ve enjoyed trailers for Tamera Alexander’s books. The trailer for The Secret of Pembrooke Park is intriguing.
Hi Pam! Okay, now I’m going to have to go watch Tamera’s videos. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Author Ronie Kendig has a pretty awesome trailer for her book Raptor 6.
I’ve heard a lot about that book, Amanda. Thanks so much for joining us! Good luck in the giveaway. Happy Reading! 😉
I don’t really watch book trailers, I prefer to read what they are about and look at reviews.
Me too, Angela. It’s hard to beat the written word. 😉 I do think trailers are a neat concept, though. Hope you get to read Julie’s latest release and love it as much as I did.
I have watched a few trailers but I don’t have a favorite yet. Although I did really like A Light in the Window – Julie Lessman.
Love that Julie Lessman.. and love that book too. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Deanna. We’re glad you’re here! Good luck in the drawing.
I have heard so many good things about the Secret of Pembrooke Hall!
You must check it out soon, Sierra! And here’s hoping for a win here, right? It’s a great book!
No, I don’t have a favorite book trailer. I’ve only watched a few. I really prefer to make my own ideas of what the characters look like. Maybe that’s odd. Lol Just the way I’ve always done it.
You know, I feel the same way, Rachael. When I saw the first book trailer, it threw me off a little bit. You summarized it very well. 😉 We’re glad you could join us. Good luck in the giveaway!
I watched the trailers and they are all wonderful!
Hi Rebecca! I’m glad you enjoyed them. Have a great day!
No need to enter me in the drawing. I just wanted to say that I loved your interview. Beautifully done and it was so nice to learn more about Julie. I love your blog. 🙂
Hi Stacey! It’s so great to see you here. Thanks for stopping by. I know we both enjoyed this book, didn’t we? 😉 I sure appreciate you following my blog. That means a lot to me! Happy reading… and writing!
Love your trailer. I’ve only watched a few besides yours. They are really neat!
Wasn’t the video intriguing, Janelle? 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading our interview. Good luck in the giveaway!
One of my favorites is The Healers Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson! Also the Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen!
Awww, two more I’m going to have to check out. 😉 Thanks for sharing, Amelia. We’re glad you could join us!
No, I don’t have a favorite trailer.
That’s okay, Brenda. 😉 We appreciate you stopping in. Happy Reading!
I’m a big Melanie Dickerson fan and I love all her trailers. I didn’t even know about book trailers till about a year ago though.
Yeah, they’re pretty new to me too, Melanie. I must check out Melanie Dickerson’s work. I’ve not read any of her books yet. Thanks for visiting! Good luck!
I didn’t know there were trailers for books. Guess I will have to check in on it. 🙂
Yeah, see if you find one you like, Donna. 🙂 Thanks for commenting. Have a great week!
I do not have a favorite book trailer.
We’re just glad you stopped by, Jan! Happy Reading!
Love Julie Klassen books and would love a copy of her new book. Another great interview, Savanna.
Hi Robin! I hope you get to read this one too. So glad you could join us. Have a great day!
I do not have a favorite book trailer yet, but I do enjoy them! They give a whole new insight into books.
That’s very true, Mackenzie. When they’re done right, I love them! 😉 We appreciate you stopping by. Good luck in the giveaway!
no-I don’t watch book trailers
It’s hard to beat the books themselves, huh? Thanks for taking the time to stop in, MS Barb! Hope you get to read The Secret of Pembrooke Park real soon. 😉
Sorry, I never watch the book trailers. I’ll have to try to watch them in the future! Thank you for this giveaway!
Hi Gert! I hope you’ll check Julie’s trailer out. It’s one of the best I’ve seen. 😉 And thanks for entering in the contest. Good luck!
I don’t actually have any favorite book trailers. I usually like to look at the book cover to determine if I’ll read the book. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for joining us, Lisa! Good luck in the drawing and happy reading!
Book trailers have really stepped up their game and I love watching them.
I do agree with you, Melanie. The few I’ve seen lately I’ve liked better. We’re glad you stopped by! 🙂
I had to read through the comments and google “book trailer”- I’m so behind the times. I remember when reading the back cover was the only insight into a book.
Haha, Jennifer! Don’t feel bad. I think book trailers are a fairly new thing. 😉 Hope you get to read Julie’s book soon!
I have heard of them, but can’t say I’ve actually watched a book trailer. I prefer blogs and reviews. To me, it seems that a trailer should go with something video, and something written for a book. I guess that might be my old age showing, or it may be that I grew up without any video entertainment, but read every book in the local library…and then some!
No, that makes sense to me, Lisa. 😉 I still prefer the written promotions for a book better myself. But that’s not to say book trailers can’t be creative and beneficial. Just different. Good for you reading your whole library! 🙂 Hopefully one more book will be added to your shelves soon, right?
I enjoy book trailers, they hint at the wonderful stories to be discovered… but I don’t have a favorite.
And Julie’s trailer certainly leaves us lots of hints. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Merry! Have a great weekend.
Never watched the trailers but have always loved reading regency books and like the Christian one now.Love Julie’s and looking forward to reading her new one.
Aww, you’ll like this one then too, Pam! 😉 So glad you could join us. Good luck to you in the drawing!
I enjoyed the trailer for The Secret of Pembrooke Park! Thanks for sharing your interview!
Hi Heidi! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed our interview. Here’s hoping for a giveaway win, right? 😉
I’m unfamiliar with book trailers, too…. I am half-way into “Secret” and loving it; my mom introduced me to “Apothecary’s Daughter” and I have devoured every Klassen book since. If I win this, it will be my gift to my mom. Also I am excited about the 2 releases this year!
I’m so happy you’re enjoying “Secret” as well, Julie! 😉 It’s always fun to meet other readers! I love your idea to give this as a gift if you win. Good luck! Thanks for stopping by.
The Secret of Pembrooke park by Julie Klassen is my favorite book trailer. She is my favorite author!
Then you came to the right place, Steph! 😉 We’re glad you’re here. Hope you get to read the latest by Julie soon. I have no doubt you’ll love it!
The book trailer of The Secret of Pembrooke Park was awesome. I didn’t realize that there was book trailers so this one is my favorite. Thank you for the giveaway. I am looking forward to reading it.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, Jen! We’re happy you’re here. Here’s hoping for a giveaway win! 😉
I honestly wasn’t aware there are trailers for books. My favorite genere of books are regency,historical fiction and Amish/ Bonnet fiction. This is one book I have REALLY, REALLY wanted to read ever since I’ve heard of it before the publication. I love the cover as well !
And I really really hope you get to read it, Deanne. 😉 I have no doubt you’ll love it! Thanks for joining us for the interview and giveaway. Have a great week!
Beautiful interview, Julie and Savanna – thank you!!
I always love learning more about Christian Fiction authors, their writing journey and their books!! I’ve heard so many wonderful comments about Julie’s books, but haven’t had the pleasure of reading one.
My fave book trailer is probably Julie Lessman’s “A Light in the Window”, I saw her hubby putting the finishing touches on it and it brought tears to my eyes, I love the book so much. Laura Franz’s “Love’s Fortune” is another of my very faves, I also enjoyed each of Tamera Alexander’s trailers. I just watched the trailer for “The Secret of Pembrooke Park” and loved the setting and mystery of it – would love to read the book!!
Blessings!!
Shared post!!
Thanks for joining us today, Bonnie! Yes, I remember liking Julie Lessman’s trailer video for “A Light in the Window” as well. I’ll have to check out the others you mentioned. Definitely pick up a book by Julie Klassen soon. I’d love to hear your thoughts on her unique and entertaining style. 😉 Have a great week, my friend!
My favorite book trailer is The Tutor’s Daughter. When you watch this it feels like you are viewing a mini movie. Wish is could have gone on longer! Thanks for offering this giveaway!
Now I’m intrigued, Jaclyn! I’m going to hop over and watch it now. Thanks for stopping by and entering in the contest. Good luck to you and keep on reading!