WHILE LOVE STIRS - Lorna Seilstad - One Free Book

Welcome back, Lorna. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

After I turn in the third book in the Gregory Sisters Series, I have some ideas for a couple of new series that I want to develop further. They would involve going back a little farther in history than this series was set.

Tell us a little about your family.

My husband, David, and I will have been married 25 years this February. We have three children. My oldest son graduates from college next week. I have one daughter who is finishing her sophomore year of college and another who is finishing her freshman year of high school.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I think my writing has made a more critical and aware reader in that I notice things I didn’t before. Sometimes I read something and I think, “Oh, I wish I would have thought to say it that way.” But the biggest change has occurred in time I have for reading. When I’m on deadline, I fall way behind with my To-Be-Read pile.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently finishing the last book in the Gregory Sisters Series As Love Blooms. It’s the story of the youngest sister, Tessa. She’s a lot of fun to write.

What outside interests do you have?

There’s life outside of my office? I almost forgot about that. Truthfully, I love cooking and baking. I do some wedding coordinating and flowers for weddings. I’m a 4-H leader, and I’m passionate about teaching Bible classes. Right now, I have two 5th and 6th grade classes. One on Sunday mornings where I teach Acts, and another all girl class on Wednesday nights. I’ll be teaching at Bible camp this summer, too. It’s my mission field.

We have a lot in common. I was a 4-H leader, and then I worked as a 4-H liaison. And I’ve worked a number of years in children’s ministry, but not now. How do you choose your settings for each book?

Setting is very important to me. I do more research on setting than almost anything else. I like to set my stories in real places and bring out things that the people who live there might recognize. I also like to discover some things they might not know. Certain stories, like those in my Lake Manawa Series, can only happen one place. Other stories just need the right fit.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Right now, after writing While Love Stirs, I’d love to spend an evening having dinner with Fannie Farmer. She was the first woman to use standardized measurements in her Boston Cooking School Cookbook. She was also one of the first women invited to lecture to the Harvard Medical School. She spoke to them about improving nutrition for the convalescent.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wish I would have known every heartache, every joy, and every tear I’ve experienced has helped me become a better writer. I wish I’d kept better notes on what I was feeling, too.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

This whole year has been about learning to lean on the Lord and not on my own strength. I often want to protect those I love, and I have to remind myself that God loves that person even more than I do. We met with a hospice worker last week concerning my dad, and as much as I want to change this situation, I have peace knowing God will carry us through.

That’s always a hard time in a person’s life. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

First, I believe you have to feed your writer’s soul, and the best way to do that is through spending time with God and through reading. When writers aren’t reading, they’re starving themselves.

Second, I think authors need to make sure their cup is full and overflowing. If you are always dipping from your cup and not recharging, you’ll get burned out. It’s so easy to lose the joy when your cup is empty.

Third, authors need to protect their “golden hour.” This is the time when you are at your best. It’s not the time to answer e-mails, take phone calls, or schedule appointments. Save the “golden hour” to write.

Very good advice. Tell us about the featured book.

While Love Stirs is the second book in the Gregory Sisters Series. It’s a standalone, so you don’t have to have read When Love Calls to enjoy it.

After the death of their parents, the Gregory sisters make a promise to support each other’s dreams. While Love Stirs is the story of the middle sister, Charlotte Gregory, and is set in St. Paul, Minnesota.

As a graduate of Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery, Charlotte is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution—the gas stove. And she certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the kindhearted Lewis Mathis to entertain at her lectures.

Lewis encourages Charlotte's work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made—especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Thursday, May 12, 1910

Charlotte Gregory stared at the elderly doorman. With his arm outstretched, he barred her access to Saint Paul’s recently opened Million-Dollar Hotel.

“Sir, what is the meaning of this?” She fought the urge to shove past him and march inside. Creating a scene was not the way to make a good impression on the hotel’s staff.

In front of her, the revolving door swished, and a stylish couple entered the establishment unimpeded.

Charlotte motioned her head in their direction. Perhaps the doorman would catch on.

He simply smiled.

She glanced down at her outfit. While not as fancy as that of the lady who’d been allowed inside, the cream-colored walking suit was one of her best, and her wide-brimmed hat was practically brand-new. Surely she looked good enough for a day visit to the prestigious hotel. She tried to step around the man, but he moved to block her.

“Sir, I need to go inside. I’m here to apply for a position as the chef’s assistant. Now, if you’ll kindly let me pass—”

When he didn’t drop his arm, she darted to the right. She’d come too far to let a portly little gray-haired doorman stop her.

For a portly, gray-haired man, he moved quickly.

“Miss.” He dipped his head respectfully. “If you don’t have a gentleman escorting you, you’ll want to enter through the door on the side.”

“Isn’t this the public entrance?” She glanced at the curved front of the hotel and reread the signage.

“Yes, miss.” He gave her a disarming smile. “But you lovely unescorted ladies enter through a separate door—for the protection of your reputation, of course.”

“Of course.” Charlotte’s cheeks warmed. Why hadn’t she remembered that? She’d read about this kind of hotel etiquette before, but it still seemed absurd—especially in 1910. “In that case, sir, where exactly do I find this ladies’ entrance?”

“It’s to your left, miss.” He pointed his gloved white fingers to a door on the side. “It’ll lead you directly into the lobby. The hotel’s restaurant isn’t open yet, but the roof garden and the Palm Room Café are. May I recommend a cup of tea to ward off the chill of this lovely spring morning?”

The doorman’s deep, sonorous voice made it difficult to stay cross. Besides, he was simply doing his job. She only hoped this wasn’t an indication of the rest of her day.

“Thank you. Perhaps I will have a cup of tea.” To celebrate when I get the position. Charlotte nodded her head in thanks and slipped around the corner.

I can’t wait until my book arrives. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.lornaseilstad.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lorna-Seilstads-Fan-Page/119754468040830?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LornaSeilstad

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lornaseilstad/

Thank you, Lorna, for giving us a peek inside your life and your new book.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
While Love Stirs - Christianbook.com
While Love Stirs: A Novel (The Gregory Sisters) - Amazon
While Love Stirs (The Gregory Sisters Book #2): A Novel - Kindle

Christian Book Store

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com