Spotlight & Review for A Season of Harvest by Lauraine Snelling

About the Book

Book: A Season of Harvest

Author: Lauraine Snelling

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: January 30, 2024

Can her dreams for the future–and a budding romance–survive the trouble that comes calling?

Larkspur Nielsen is determined to keep her family homestead running and to fulfill their dream of starting a seed catalog, with or without her siblings’ help. With Isaac McTavish back in town, Lark finds herself at odds with her own heart and her determination to shoulder the burden of carrying her responsibilities alone. But Isaac is set on convincing her that he’s here to stay and she doesn’t have to carry everything by herself.

As a new romance blossoms between Lilac and an old schoolmate and the other Nielsen sisters are busy caring for their families, Lark bears more and more responsibility on the farm. When a long-feared threat returns and Lark approaches the breaking point, the life she has always dreamed of is in danger of disappearing forever.

About the Author

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of nearly one-hundred books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold more than five million copies. She makes her home in Tehachapi, California.

More from Lauraine

Please provide a brief summary of your new novel, A Season of Harvest.

Lauraine Snelling: With her three sisters all finding their own paths of life and love, Larkspur Nielsen determines to shoulder their family farm and business dream herself and stay single—even if drifter Isaac McTavish, claiming he’s back in town for good, now seeks her heart. When danger from the past comes knocking, Lark must choose whether to insist on going it alone or accept the love and support God—and Isaac—hold out.

Each of the previous books in your current series, Leah’s Garden, follows a different Neilsen sister as the main character. What led you to save Larkspur’s story for the series conclusion?

LS: I’d actually planned Larkspur’s story to be first since she’s the oldest. However, once The Seeds of Change started coming together, Forsythia took over the story! So the first book became hers.

Loyalty plays a key role in A Season of Harvest. Without giving spoilers, can you hint at why loyalty is at the core of the story?

LS: Loyalty threads through the whole series. These sisters are loyal to each other, to their friends, and to everyone they know. Through all the books, they take care of each other so faithfully. Even their initial departure from Ohio stems from drastic action they take to protect each other and their family. Loyalty then streams over into other characters in the series, especially Isaac McTavish, who really grows into loyalty in this book. Even our villain stays loyal to his purpose all the way through.

Which of the four Neilsen sisters do you personally resonate with the most?

LS: Truth be told, I resonate with each of them. But really, I tend to identify with whichever one I’m writing at the moment! 😊

A Season of Harvest returns to a major conflict from the first book in the series, The Seeds of Change. Was it always in your plan to circle back and address that conflict again in the series conclusion?

LS: It wasn’t always in our plan, but as the book came together, it became inevitable. One benefit of a great editor is that they sometimes contribute ideas, and my editor, Jessica Sharpe, pointed out how key it would be for Ringwald to confront Larkspur at the end of the series. As the book went on, it became so important to resolve that conflict, and we kept the villain in the stories just enough to keep readers from forgetting about him.

What do you hope readers learn or take away from this series?

LS: A reminder of how important our families are. The Nielsens stood by each other in so many crises, and that’s what I would hope readers take away—just a reminder of how important your family is and how absolutely critical faith in Christ is. Salton becomes a place of healing, a place for people to recover joy. That we have so many joys and things to learn in this life is a theme that weaves through all my books.

What led you to set these stories in the homesteading period? How was the setting important to the story you wanted to tell?

LS: It’s one of my favorite periods! The homesteading era was such a time of change and adventure. As for why Nebraska, I hadn’t set stories there very much yet. For Kiersti, it was special to join in on The Seeds of Change and get to write about Nebraska homesteaders living in a soddy because her great-grandfather, a son of Danish immigrants, was born in a soddy in Nebraska in the late 1800s.

Is this truly the last your readers will see of the Neilsen sisters and the rest of their community?

LS: As far as we know!

Now that you’ve wrapped up the Leah’s Garden series, what are you working on next?

LS: A series set in 1889 near Decorah, Iowa. Six-year-old Ruth and twenty-one-year-old Amalia are thrown together on a ship crossing over from Norway when their families die of cholera. Ruth’s dying mother gives her daughter into Amalia’s custody, and the two orphans travel to Iowa to take over the family boardinghouse Ruth will inherit. They must battle a greedy relative trying to claim the property and somehow make ends meet for the motley band of orphans who gather under their roof, while finding a way to make this new land home.

Blog Stops

Wishful Endings, February 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 6

Texas Book-aholic, February 7

The Avid Reader, February 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 8

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 9 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 9

She Lives to Read, February 10

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 11

Mary Hake, February 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 12

For Him and My Family, February 13

Splashes of Joy, February 13

Holly’s Book Corner, February 14

Cover Lover Book Review, February 15

Connie’s History Classroom , February 16

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 16

Live. Love. Read., February 17

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 17

lakesidelivingsite, February 18

Pause for Tales, February 18

Giveaway – Wow! What an awesome Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Lauraine is giving away the grand prize package of a $15 Amazon gift card and a paperback set of all four books in the Leah’s Garden Series: The Seeds of Change, A Time to Bloom, Fields of Bounty, and A Season of Harvest!! (US Only)

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/29c4f/a-season-of-harvest-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Pioneer Christmas Collection “On Sale for $1.97… Nine authors including Margaret Brownley

A Pioneer Christmas Collection

From Barbour Books.
Nine authors including Margaret Brownley

First of all, I would like to thank Margaret Brownley for sending me a copy of this book to read and review. And the next thing is, I just found out that this book is for sale at Barbour Books for just $1.97. Wow that is a bargain! But hurry, not sure for how long. 

ABOUT THIS BOOK

9 Stories of Finding Shelter and Love in a Wintry Frontier

by Margaret Brownley, Kathleen Fuller, Marcia Gruver,Cynthia Hickey, Vickie McDonough, Shannon McNear,Lauraine Snelling, Michelle Ule, Anna Carrie Urquhart

Journey along with American settlers who learn that despite where the trail takes them or how primitive their lodgings may be Christmas is all about the heart. Determined to honor Christ’s birth, these pioneers find a way to make Christmas happen in places like a cave, a tipi, and a dugout. Modern readers will enjoy a peek into life before commercialism took over the sacred day, distracting us from the true blessings of faith, hope, and love. Enjoy nine original novellas of Christmas romance as penned from many of today’s leading Christian authors, including Lauraine Snelling, Kathleen Fuller, and Vickie McDonough.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

A Pioneer Christmas Collection was such a good read! Each story is short enough that it can be read in an hour or so, but they are short but Awesome!! I especially enjoyed these because the setting of each is during the pioneer days and I love that era in history. Listed below are the nine stories, the author who wrote each one, and the historical time and place of the setting. If you only purchase one fiction to read during the Christmas Season, this is the one you need to choose! These stories are so neat because during the busy season, its comforting to sit down take a break and read all or half of one story at a time. And if you read the beginning of my blog, you saw that Barbour Books had this amazing book for only $1.97. But hurry, it may end soon!

And today I am mainly focusing on A Pony Express Christmas by Margaret Brownley, since Margaret so graciously provided a copy for me to read and review.

Ellie-Mae Newman was in search of her brother. He left home because of not getting along with their dad, but now that their dad was gone, Ellie-Mae wanted to find her twin. But at this time, she is sitting with a broken wagon with two stubborn mules to pull it with, that is if it was workable! Then she runs into a hanging about to happen, and offers money for the poor mans life. Thanking Ellie and walking away, Mr. Corbett thought he was free, but little did he know he had a price to pay.

Margaret Brownley makes every story she writes funny and fun to read. In the mist of the difficult situations Ellie-Mae and Mr. Corbett were in, she had be laughing most of the way through A Pony Express Christmas Collection. How these two kept going on their trail was anybody’s guess, but they kept one. Ellie-Mae was one determined woman, and Mr. Corbett was a fugitive. But as they stopped at each Pony Express office on the trail, them seemed to run into a dead end, but Ellie-Mae just wouldn’t give up. Wanna find out if they find this twin brother? The answer is in Ms. Brownley’s story, A Pony Express Christmas. And you will find this story in A Pioneer Christmas Collection from Barbour Books HERE.

And here is a list of the stories in A Pioneer Christmas Collection!

1. DEFENDING TRUTH by Shannon McNear, 1791 NC

2. THE CALLING by Kathleen Fuller, 1820 OH

3.  A SILENT NIGHT by Ana Urquhart, 1824 Scotland & 1830 MI

4.  A PONY EXPRESS CHRISTMAS by Margaret Brownley, 1862 NE

5.  A CHRISTMAS CASTLE by Cynthia Hickey, 1867 AZ

6. THE COWBOY’S ANGEL by Lauraine Snelling, 1875 ND

7. A BADLANDS CHRISTMAS by Marcia Gruver, 1885 ND

8. BUCKSKIN BRIDE by Vickie McDonough, 1889 OK

9.  THE GOLD RUSH CHRISTMAS by Michelle Ule, 1897 AK
I received this book from Author Margaret Brownley and the publisher Barbour Books to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

Whispers in the Wind by Lauraine Snelling

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS BOOK

After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.

Cassie’s arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she’s kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But younger son Lucas decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her.

Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father’s dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

 

I really enjoyed this historical fiction, and the vivid descriptions about ranching at the Bar E Ranch in South Dakota and getting to know the horses there! The story started off a little slow for me, but picked up after a few chapters and I will hooked! I could hardly put the book down. Cassie trying to fulfill her fathers dreams was heartwarming in itself, and special as well. If you enjoy a good historical fiction, and stories about ranching and horses, you will love this one. I highly recommend it to you!

 

I received this book from Bethany House to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography

Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers’ conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California. Visitwww.laurainesnelling.com

REUNION………….by Lauraine Snelling

REUNION

by Lauraine Snelling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Keira Johnson, a 50-year-old mother of two grown sons, believes she lives a good Christian life without secrets– until she discovers a life-jarring fact her late mother kept hidden all her life. Kiera was born out of wedlock, and the man she had always known as her father had adopted her as an infant.
Meanwhile, Keira’s beloved 17-year-old niece, Kirsten, has just discovered an unwanted pregnancy. Her boyfriend, Jose, is bound for college and Kirsten does not know what to do. As the family comes together for a reunion, Keira and Kirsten struggle with their fractured pasts and jumbled present. Will truth and honesty be the catalysts that allow the entire family to find peace?
Inspired by events in Lauraine Snelling’s own life.

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

The Sorenson family will be getting together for a reunion for the first time since Dagmar Sorenson passed away. As Dagmar’s daughter Keira is busy getting ready for the reunion, she is also busy looking for her birth certificate to get her passport for her dream trip with her husband to Norway. But what she finds will change her life forever because her birth certificate doesn’t have a fathers name. Why would her mother do this to her? And who is the mysterious man who fathered her, along with her mom? And is she still a Sorenson? After all she loved the father who raised her, and he loved her as well.

This is a heartwarming story of love, betrayal, forgiveness, understanding and hope. And Lauraine Snelling creates a special unique group of characters that develop so well throughout the story, giving readers a wonderful and enjoyable read. As we read Keira’s story, we laugh and cry with her as she is forced to deal with the developments taking place in her life. And with all of the twists and turns in the plot, I couldn’t put this book down. I kept reading and reading until the very last word.

I highly recommend this wonderful heartwarming read for anyone that likes a nice, clean, fun, read. You will not be disappointed, so pick up your copy today!

Buy this book from Christianbook.com / from Amazon.com / from Barnes & Noble

Buy an autographed copy from Lauraine

This book was provided by FaithWords for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.

 

Lauraine Snelling Long Bio:

Award-winning and best selling 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 told, she has seventy books published.

Shown in her contemporary romances and women’s fiction, a hallmark of Lauraine’s style is writing about real issues of forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer within a compelling story. Her work has been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German, and she has won the Silver Angel Award for An Untamed Landand a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart for Song of Laughter.

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

Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a watchdog Basset named Winston. They love to travel, most especially in their forty-foot motor coach, which they affectionately deem “a work in progress”.