In this captivating interview on the Historical Bookworm Show, hosts KyLee and Darcy delve into the remarkable career of Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning and bestselling author known for her historical novels that vividly bring past eras to life.

An Author’s Dream

Lauraine Snelling began her writing journey with Tragedy on the Toutle her first young adult novel, published in 1982. Since then, she has authored over 140 books, with more than five million copies in print. Living her lifelong dream, she has crafted novels deeply rooted in historical narratives, including her beloved Red River series, which spans an astonishing 22 books.

Characters That Resonate

During the interview, Darcy asked Lauraine which of her historical novels she would step into for a day. Lauraine shared her deep connection with the Red River series, describing how vividly she envisions scenarios and adventures within her stories. More than historical details, her books resonate with emotional depth, captivating readers with realistic characters who embody personal and historical truths.

One particularly memorable moment was when Lauraine imagined hosting a dinner party for her characters Ingeborg, Amalia, and Hawkin. Each character, infused with elements of her life experiences and family, holds a special place in her heart, highlighting the personal connection she shares with her creations.

The Power of Writing and Community

Lauraine attributes her success to God’s good will working in her life. She also discussed widowhood—a subject she has come to know deeply after personal loss—expressing gratitude for her community of readers, who engage with her on Facebook. Through her own journey with grief, Lauraine has found ways to support others, offering wisdom and empathy both in her life and her novels.

Next Steps and Future Reads

Currently working on the second book in her latest series, Lauraine and her co-writer, Kiersti Giron, are already creatively mapping out the third and fourth installments. Her ability to adapt and find inspiration through life’s changes serves as a testament to her enduring passion for storytelling.

Stay tuned for Lauraine Snelling’s next heartwarming tale—you’re sure to be transported to another time, surrounded by characters who feel as if they’ve stepped right off the page.

Award-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling began living her dream to be a writer with her first published book for young adult readers, Tragedy on the Toutle, in 1982. She has since continued writing more horse books for young girls, adding historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers to her repertoire. All total, she has over one hundred and forty books published with more than 4.5 million copies in print.

As a sought-after speaker, Lauraine encourages others to find their gifts and live their lives with humor and joy. Her readers often clamor for more books, and Lauraine would like to comply … if only her paintbrushes and fragrant flowers didn’t call quite so loudly.

Lauraine has two grown sons and a daughter and husband in Heaven. She lives in the Tehachapi Mountains with Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).

During her voyage on a ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother to watch over her five-year-old daughter, Ruth. Together, Amalia and Ruth trek to Iowa to claim the farm and former boardinghouse that Ruth has inherited, despite opposition from a difficult cousin. Struggling with an empty house and scarce resources, Amalia resolves to return the boardinghouse to its former purpose, aided by the kindness of strangers and the resilient spirit of her young charge.

As Amalia and Ruth endeavor to make ends meet, tensions rise due to a trail of orphans showing up on their doorstep. Meanwhile, Absalom Karlsson–the magistrate’s son–offers legal assistance and helps them advocate for justice. With each challenge they face, Amalia and Ruth find hope in believing that with faith and determination they can overcome even the most daunting of trials.

In this heartwarming series starter, bestselling author Lauraine Snelling weaves together a delightful story of new beginnings.

Connect with Lauraine through her website, newsletter, Facebook, X, Instagram, BookBub, Amazon, and GoodReads.