Thursday, September 2, 2010

making waves end of summer giveaway!

I've been waiting for this moment for months:) Last year at the ACFW conference, I met Lorna Seilstad, fellow Revell author, and we've been fast friends ever since. I've been counting down till the release of her debut, Making Waves, wanting to gift one of you with a copy to celebrate. We share the same editor who called Lorna's work "fresh" - a hallmark of good fiction. I have a feeling her debut novel is as funny and warm and winsome as she is. I've been checking my mailbox daily awaiting my copy!

*Tell us about the inspiration for Making Waves.

I've lived in Iowa my whole life and Lake Manawa is about a ten minute drive from my house. Since my dad lived there as a child, I'd heard stories about the resort's heyday, but I had no idea what a fascinating place it was until I began to research it. After I did, I had to write a story set there. I wanted to bring the area back to life.

*How much are you like your main character, Marguerite? How did you choose that particular name?

Marguerite is witty, adventurous, and doesn't let anything stop her. I wouldn't say we had a lot in common. I've never been a risk-taker, but I appreciate that quality in others. My husband is one, and I know he thrives on change. I chose the name from an old U.S. census. It seemed to fit the character I had in mind, but my, was it a long name to type hundreds of times!

*What makes a historical setting more appealing to you than a contemporary one?

I love history. When most kids were going to baseball games on Sunday afternoons, I was going to antique auctions with my parents. My parents also took us to every place with historical significance within a day's journey of our home. There's something so amazing about holding something in your hands that's a hundred years old and imagining who else the object has touched. Time may change the way we dress or what we do - but people don't. We still want the same things. We want to be loved. We want to matter. We want our children to be happy. We still struggle with pride, anger, and lack of faith. I love bringing the past back to life and making it relevant today.

*What do you like most and least about being a published author?

What I like most is telling the stories and connecting with readers. I love that God has given me this opportunity. What I like least is the hurry up and wait side of publishing. There are deadlines you have to speed up to make, and then, there's usually a nice long wait to see what the editor says. That part's hard.

*What are some of your hobbies, interests? Tell us a little-known fact about yourself that readers may not know.

My birthday is on Halloween, so I'm a spook baby. It has its good point and its bad point. On one hand, my husband can never forget my birthday; on the other, I've spent most of my life trick-or-treating or taking my kids trick-or-treating.

Even though Making Waves has a lot of sailing in it, readers might be surprised to know that I've never sailed before even though I'd love to. I read "Sailing for Dummies" and several other sailing books when writing Making Waves. I also had help from a sailing writing friend to make sure I got the information correct.

In college, I was once stopped for armed robbery. Apparently, the getaway car used in a bank robbery matched my enormous '73 Dodge Polara. As I traveled through Kansas on my way home from college for Christmas, the highway patrol pulled me over and approached with their guns drawn. They let me go, but were surprised there were two cars like mine still on the road.

Thanks so much, Lorna, for taking time to be a part of my blog. May God bless your writing endeavors and your readers as they read your book!

A copy of Making Waves will go to one reader here, announced next Friday, September 10th. I've rolled the names over from the other book drawings to this one. But please feel free to leave a comment for Lorna. Bless you all!

49 comments:

  1. Lorna is here!!! Great interview - and I love the story of your getting pulled over for armed robbery. You really need to use that in a book someday. :)

    Lorna, Laura, you are both two of the most encouraging ladies I know. I can not WAIT until September 16, when I can hug you BOTH!

    Don't enter me - I'm going to get a copy straight from Lorna's hot little hands!

    Hugs!

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  2. Whoo hoo! Or should I say BOO! Another Halloween baby. :) When I was a kid it was a lot of fun. Now, everyone is busy on that day. But we get to say the whole country celebrates our birthday, right? Great to learn more about you, Lorna. I'll be looking for your debut. How cool to have found an intriguing setting so close to home. I tend to pick places (or they pick me), that are 3000 miles away!

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  3. Laura,
    Great interview. I love the story about getting pulled over for armed robbery. If the officers had known Lorna, they would never have suspected a thing. LOL.

    Oh and I have my own copies of the book, or at least will when I get to the book store next. Long story, but rest assured God does have a sense of humor.

    Hugs!!

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  4. Terrific interview, both Laura and Lorna! I'm so excited to read this book. I read a sneak peek on Seekerville this week and it made me laugh out loud. Marguerite seems like a really fun and spunky heroine.

    Lorna, congrats on your first book!

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  5. I saw this book on Amazon and it looks really good! I haven't gotten a chance to buy it yet though so please enter me. Thanks!

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  6. Oh my goodness, you all are the first ones the party! Laura, my dear friend, thank you for having me on your blog. This is going to be fun!

    Regina, I can't use the getting pulled over story unless I write a contemporary. I'm not sure that God is leading in me in that direction, but who knows.

    Lori, another Spook? Yeah. I've only known a couple others in my life. And guess what? While my real name is Lorna, my family has always called me Lori. Isn't that wild?

    Dawn, the funny thing about the getting pulled over story is that I was bringing a guy back from college with me. They said, "He matches the description, but you don't, so we're going to let you go." Can you imagine my dad's reaction if they hadn't?

    Mary, I'm thrilled you liked the sneak peak. Marguerite was so much fun to write. Anyone who wants to read a little of the first chapter can do so on Amazon.

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  7. I have heard a lot of great things about this book!

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  8. Please don't enter me, Laura, because I already own this FABULOUS book! I love, love, love, LOVED it! It is witty and fresh, humorous and kind of like historical chick lit. It has an upbeat, fun beat and I can't say enough good things about it. I want to know when the second one comes out. Well done Lorna!!!

    Thanks for the interview ladies, Laura, I might have to remember a few of those questions. :)

    And a Q for Laura real quick, have you heard of the Idaho Book Extravagnza in October?

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  9. This book sounds so fun! I'd love to get my hands on a copy :) I love stories about the old resorts of the victorian era...it was all just so decadent and lovely. I'd love to learn more about this area too. And this girl on the cover--what a darling! Count me so in!! ;)

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  10. Loved the interview. I love your armed robbery story, Lorna. This book sounds fantastic...I love historicals and I love funny. I just love the facial expression on Marguerite on the cover.

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  11. Love the idea for Making Waves! What a nice interview. Fun getting to know Lorna. The name Marguerite is so pretty!

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  12. Well fancy seeing Lorna highlighted here. I'm dying to get my hands on a copy of Making Waves and horribly jealous that it's out already in the states. If I had my own car and could drive I'd have headed for the border by now and bought a copy already. As it is I am waiting impatiently for my Christian bookstore to get it in. I have it on order, and they are usually on par with the states on Revell releases so I don't know what's going on. They hadn't even put any orders in for A Hope Undaunted!!!!! Helloo???? Somebody must still be on vacation. All this to say don't put me in the draw because I have a copy on order.

    Thanks for highlighting Lorha, Laura!

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  13. Lorna is really loved, I can tell:) Thanks to you all! You Inkspys are a faithful bunch...

    Lori, Bless you for spotlighting Lorna on your blog after reading mine! That sure makes this author smile:)

    Casey, I haven't heard of the Idaho Book Extravaganza but it sounds like my kind of venue! If it's anywhere near Boise, I have a nephew enrolled in Christian college there as of last week. Need to plan a trip to Idaho!

    Rebecca, Welcome! Always great to hear from you and glad we have a book you haven't read and would like to:)

    Bless you all for taking time to comment!

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  14. Just got my copy of Making Waves in the mail today!! Woo-hoo!! You all are in for a treat:)

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  15. This is a new author to me but the interview was great and her book sounds good. Thanks Laura for featuring her.


    oh yes please enter me in the drawing

    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

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  16. I've heard so much about this book!! The book sounds like SUCH a fun, entertaining read! I'd love a chance to win a copy of it! Keep up the great work, Lorna!

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. What a unique cover and title - I would love to win. Great interview as well. Thanks for the chance!

    Sheri

    hspruitt {at} juno [dot] com

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  18. It is SO wonderful to see Lorna here!! This was a great interview, and it was very interesting and very fun to learn more about a soon to be favorite author, too! i haven't had the pleasure and privilege of reading Making Waves yet, but hope to get my hands on a copy very soon!! Just looking at that beautiful cover, I know it will be all the wonderful things people have said about it and more!!

    Thank you Laura for hosting Lorna and giving us a shot at winning her fantastic book! Praying you ladies have a beautiful weekend! Hurricane Earl is scheduled to arrive here sometime tomorrow, but prayerfully he won't be making waves too close to my house, LOL! :D

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  19. would love to read lorna's masterpiece...thanks for the chance...and what a beautiful cover :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  20. Wow! Thank you all for your kind and welcoming words!

    Adge, thank you for stopping by.

    Casey, I am humbled by your words and thrilled you liked MW. The next book is called A GREAT CATCH and comes out in June.

    Heather, decadent is a great word. I think people at the turn of the century worked hard and played hard.

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  21. Julia, isn't Marguerite's face on the cover perfect? It makes you wonder what's going on. Personally, knowing Marguerite, she's just been caught.

    Carla, I found Marguerite's name in an Iowa census from around that time period. The only thing I didn't think of was how many times I'd have to type it in a book. No surprise that the heroine in book two is Emily.

    Kav, my dear friend, I'm about ready to drive up to Canada and bring you a copy. And they didn't order A HOPE UNDAUNTED. Shameful.

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  22. Laura, I am not responsible if we don't hear from your tomorrow. :)

    Hi Edna. Bless you for stopping by.

    Katie, I'm glad you've heard good things about MW and I hope you do find it fun when you read it. Shouldn't a summer book set at a beach be fun?

    Hspruitt, the artists at Revell outdid themselves on this cover. I just love it. (And I love Laura's Courting Morrow Little cover, too.) The dresses on both those ladies are just perfect.

    And Casey, it's funny you said MW was like historical chick lit. I was accused of that by one contest judge. I didn't get the feeling she meant it as a good thing though. :)

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  23. I've read Making Waves already. I just love saying that when everybody else is waiting for their copy. I read it a chapter at a time in our critique group and there wasn't much to critique. Lorna is a gifted writer. It made me want to sail and I've never not in a million years wanted to sail. Don't put me in the drawing. I'm planning to buy a copy in Indy.

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  24. Great interview! The book looks great.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  25. Amanda, I'll be praying for you and your home this weekend. Stay safe and thank you for your encouraging words.

    Karenk, masterpiece? Well, I don't know about that, but you're awfully sweet to call it that.

    Shannon, my dear crit partner, thank you for stopping by and for making sure my characters say and do the right things. :)

    Ashley, thank you! Bless you for stopping by.

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  26. Oh yeah! That means I won't have to wait tooooo long. ;) Unlike some other authors I know who just love to torture their readers. You know who you are. ;P

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  27. Yay! A book I don't have yet! Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;)

    I enjoyed reading the interview, and it is nice to meet you, Lorna. Making Waves has been on my wishlist for several months.

    Very cool that you were born on Halloween.

    I must admit that I enjoyed the story about being pulled over on your way home from college. Reminds me of something that happened to my mom when I was a little girl. There must be something about 1970's model Dodge cars which made them good getaway cars.;)

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  28. Casey, LOL! I'll write faster...and faster...and faster. Just for you:)

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  29. Michelle, too funny. My dad got me that car. He bought it from my great aunt who had only driven it 4000 miles in ten years! Even then, she'd managed to ding up one side. It was huge, but with that big engine, it was fast. I don't think my dad realized that. :)

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  30. Lorna, thank you so very much for your prayers!! I believe the Lord heard them because Earl went from a category 4 to a category 1, and by the time it reached me it was just some rain and wind! Now we have a beautiful, sunny 70-80 degree weekend in store! Praising the Lord for His great mercy and for the prayers of a very sweet author :D

    Thank you!! And, Happy Labor Day!!!

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  31. Laura, I just wanted to let you know I so understand now what you meant. The school year is full in gear for the last few weeks. I never realized how all consuming it would be. I haven't written on my WIP in a few weeks, but I know when the time is right it will get written. This season is far too short and I have the rest of my life to "write" in some form.

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  32. Yes, but I was listening to a ACFW conference recording today and complaining, impatient readers (ME) would rather wait then have poorer quality. So a wait for one of your books or Julie's is very, *very* worth it. I just devour them too fast. Grr. :D

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  33. Laura, I just found out a minute or so ago that I won Lorna's book on another blog. Please don't enter my name into this giveaway. Thanks.

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  34. Julia, You've made such a profound discovery. You'll have your writing far longer than you'll have your littles at home with you. I'm so glad you see that and can find joy in this season of mothering:) The best thing I ever did was take 5 years off from writing completely when mine were small. I think the Lord honored the time/decision. Thinking of you and praying you have a wonderful school year, etc.

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  35. Casey,
    You've made such an important point! Thanks for your patience. Still waters run deep ~ deep stories take time:) So thankful you're my reader!

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  36. Sylvia, Congrats!! And thanks for telling me here. I'm on page 105 of Making Waves and it sure is a FUN read:) I think you're going to love it! And Marguerite is so pretty on the spine of the book ~ and the back shows our hero, or a part of him:) Bless you.

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  37. Thanks so much. I definitely would like to honor the Lord when/if I do write. The odd thing is I just started writing again this March after giving it up for 6 years...I don't feel God's leading me to give it up completely right now (though I pray that I would be open to whatever He wants whenever He wants it)...but it is back burner. I have no timer whatsoever on my WIP and I fully expect it will take at least several years to finish. But this is a wonderful time :)

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  38. I was thinking of your son and hoping he enjoyed his first week of school :).

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  39. Julia, I agree with Laura. I'm so glad I wasn't trying to write for pubication when my kids were little. My oldest just left for college this year, and I can't believe how quickly that time flew. I can see God's providence in the whole thing.

    In the last couple of years, my kids have gotten to see a mom pursue her dreams. They were old enough to see God's blessings and appreciate them. I think it's given them courage to reach for their own.

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  40. Lorna, So well said! Thanks for your thoughts about writing and children. I think, too, that my boys appreciate that mom has a "job" now that they are older and can understand why my head is in a book so often.

    Julia, I didn't realize you had taken off 6 years! Some moms can balance writing and mothering well. I wasn't one of them, at least when they were small. Even now it is a challenge and they sometimes dislike the hours I put in. But like Lorna said, they see that it's a dream fulfilled and what God has gifted me to do.

    Thanks so much for thinking of Paul. He LOVES 5th grade. And now there are 6 boys in his class instead of one as 4 more showed up the first day along with him:) He already has a cold, thanks to all that public school fun, so I think this will be a long year adjusting to bugs/viruses, if nothing else. But we're off to a great start!

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  41. Lorna and Laura, Thank you so much for the encouragement. Its funny I was led to ACFW as a bookclub and then God recaptured my dream of writing. I had never even heard of ACFW until 6 months ago. But no, I definitely don't think I will do any writing for publication until the kids are quite a bit older.

    Its really encouraging to hear that. Frankly, I sometimes wonder why I can't seem to "do it all" like some of the writers. I know there are a few who homeschool and write late at night or super early in the morning. I just don't function well on little sleep. Hopefully homeschooling will help me learn to manage my time a bit better. I think this is going to be every bit as much of a learning season for me as for the kids :)

    Oh my goodness, I had forgotten about all the viruses. Always seems to happen the first month of school, doesn't it? I will keep him in prayer, though it probably doesn't phase him. My kids don't seem to slow down at all when they're sick.

    Thanks so much for the encouragement, Lorna and Laura. Lorna, I'm so happy to have now "met" you, you seem like a wonderful encourager!

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  42. Amanda, Just reading through the comments here and somehow missed your one about Earl. Hope he avoided you like the plague!! Prayers with you. Another writer friend had her beach vacation interrupted by him. Thinking of you!

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  43. Thank you so very much for your prayers, Laura! Earl went from a category 4 to a tropical storm by the time he got to us, and I'm praising the Lord for it! I know some homes on the beach where affected by him, but I'm further inland. But, there couldn't have been much damage here considering Block Island opened for business the very next day (I know they were worried about the holiday weekend and all). It was truly the grace of God because our waters have been so warm these past few years (and getting warmer with each passing year), and that definitely fuels a hurricane. We've even had great white sharks (quite a few, from news reports- they've even closed down our beaches a few time because of it) which aren't usually found this far north, show up because of the warmer waters.

    Alas, RI hasn't seen a hurricane in some time, and they say we're due for one, a BIG one, VERY soon. Prayerfully, they're WRONG!!

    Thanks again, my friend! I'm just happy you don't have to deal with hurricanes ;)

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  44. The 10th is my birthday! Hope I win a copy :) The cover of this book is fantastic. Makes me sure it has some humor in it!

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  45. Amanda, So glad you didn't get the brunt of Earl. That's so interesting about the warmer waters and the sharks, etc. I always think "end times" when I see all the strange weather/world happenings. I smiled when you mentioned Block Island as I just read a wonderful Ann Rinaldi novel set there! I didn't even know you had an island! I bet your state is beautiful and has a trove of historical treasures:)

    Thanks so much for getting back to meb ~ love this back and forth chat stuff:)

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  46. Anne,
    Happy early birthday! I'm so glad you're a part of the drawing. Thanks for taking time to stop by. Lorna's book is wonderfully humorous and the cover fits perfectly. Will announce the winner on Friday!

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  47. Toss my name into the hat! Thanks,
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  48. I remember you telling me about that Ann Rinaldi book before. I'm gonna have to check it out!

    There is actually a lot of islands in Rhode Island! Here's a link with a list of island names and their history. A lot of them I didn't even know existed, LOL! There's some really interesting history on the page, and you'll also see that most of the islands have (or had) Indian names :D Like, Block Island's Indian name was "Manisses" which means "Island of Little God."

    http://www.providence.com/narragansettbay/the_islands.html

    The preview on here is showing that the link is too long and is going off the side of the page. Just in case it doesn't show up right, here's the link broken up:

    http://www.providence.com/
    narragansettbay/the_islands.html

    RI is a beautiful state! We're microscopic in comparison to everyone else- I swear, it would probably take only a good 2 hours to get from the Mass border to the south shore. But, while we are the smallest, we also have the longest name: "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations"- quite a mouthful, LOL! I confess, I don't know much about my states history, not like you and Michelle know about Kentucky, that's for sure! But, you ladies have inspired me to start digging!

    And, I completely agree with you about the "end times" signs. The Bible does say that in the last days "perilous" times shall come, and it certainly appears they have arrived. Every time you turn on the news you're hearing reports of record catastrophic natural disasters, or things that have never happened before happening, even earthquakes big enough to to mess with the earth's axis, and essentially time itself! Praise the Lord that we have a Rescuer on His way!!

    Thanks for having an interest in my state, it's really sweet :) And, I always love "back and forth chat stuff" with you, too, dear friend!!

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  49. Thanks, Ann! Your name is in the hat:) Will announce the winner Friday. Bless you.

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