My little sister and me in New Mexico with our baby dairy goats, around the time I first fell in love with Lauraine’s books.
Once upon a time, a shy homeschooled teen in rural northwest New Mexico eagerly anticipated the arrival of the rural bookmobile each month. She devoured most of the books in their several shelves of Christian fiction, but her favorite series became the Red River of the North historical novels by Lauraine Snelling. She fell in love with the Bjorklund family and other characters and followed them through all the Blessing family saga that followed, till they seemed not fictional people on a page but real friends. Lauraine became one of her favorite authors.
Our mentoring group (now critique partners) with Lauraine at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, 2011.
Ten years or so after those bookmobile days, she arrived at her first writers conference, nervous and wide-eyed, in the process of writing her own first historical novel. Her nerves at the thought of meeting editors and agents paled compared to actually meeting Lauraine Snelling, whose mentoring group she would join for the first few days. But after the initial awe, she got to know this real, wise and warm lady who’d written so many beloved books, learned from her wisdom, and through Lauraine was even introduced to another wonderful lady who would eventually become her agent, Wendy Lawton. Both these women helped give this shy girl hope that perhaps she actually could do this thing called writing, and the critique circle formed through that mentoring group became her writing sisters and precious friends.
Seeds of Change, Bethany House, June 2021
Fast forward another ten years, through many ups and downs of writing and learning (not to mention the plot twists of marriage, teaching, and a baby along the way!). Then, when at a crossroads job-wise, the Lord suddenly brought many years-long threads together. And that avid teenage reader, that wide-eyed newbie writer, was given an opportunity she never could have dreamed of…to actually write with Lauraine Snelling. To continue to learn under her while collaborating on a new series of historical fiction by this beloved author whose books and characters she had loved so long.
In case you hadn’t guessed, the girl in this story is me. And I have the privilege to share that in this past year, I’ve been given the joy and honor to come alongside bestselling author Lauraine Snelling, whose around-a-hundred novels are no doubt beloved by many of you already, and work with her on her newest set of historical fiction. Leah’s Garden is a delightful series focusing on the four Nielsen daughters as they journey to the Nebraska frontier just after the Civil War, forging a new life together while finding their own unique paths.
The first book, Seeds of Change, just released last week from Bethany House publishers! It’s available now wherever you like to buy books (see links below). We’d love if you would check it out, but most of all wanted to share this story of God’s faithfulness. Neither Lauraine nor I would have guessed how the Lord would intertwine our lives into this story over so many years, but we are so grateful that He did.
Here’s the back cover blurb for Seeds of Change:
Larkspur Nielsen is ready for change, frustrated by the small mindedness of her Ohio hometown and its lack of opportunity for her or her younger sisters. But the push to leave comes faster than she ever expected when several of her bold actions for justice earn her vindictive enemies. Overnight, they must pack up and ready to make a new life out West, hoping to escape notice and any opportunities for revenge.
Knowing that four women traveling together will draw unexpected attention, Larkspur dons a disguise, passing herself off as “Clark” Nielsen accompanying his three sisters. But maintaining the ruse is more difficult than Larkspur imagined, as is protecting her headstrong, starry-eyed sisters from difficult circumstances and available young men. Will reaching a safe place to call home ever be possible?
Buy Seeds of Change through any of these links!
What is the next book in Leah’s Garden and when? I’m hooked on the series already!
Hi Donna! Thank you so much for sharing, and I’m so sorry I somehow missed your sweet comment until now! We are so glad you are enjoying the Leah’s Garden series. Hopefully you’ve seen that A Time to Bloom, Del’s story, came out in June! And Fields of Bounty, which focuses on Lilac, is set to come out early next spring. Feel free to subscribe to my newsletter (top right of this website) or follow me on Facebook or Instagram if you’d like the latest updates! 🙂
What a great story. I just finished both The Seeds of Change and A Time to Bloom. Fantastic job. I really enjoyed them both and look forward to reading Fields of Bounty next spring. It’s wonderful to read here how the Lord has blessed your path. When I was in graduate school studying publishing and writing I had the chance to interview my favorite Christian fiction author, Roseanna M. White, for a class. As an aspiring writer myself, I understand how special that can be, and for you to be able work with Snelling years later is amazing. I was quite inspired by your story. Congratulations.
Thank you so much, Lettie! I’m so glad you enjoyed our story–and also the first two books in the Leah’s Garden series! We are excited for Fields of Bounty to come out next spring too. 🙂 How special that you had the chance to interview Roseanna White! It really is something to discover our favorite authors are “real people,” isn’t it? 🙂 I still sometimes am a bit in awe that I get to work with Lauraine. 🙂 Blessings to you!
I enjoyed your story and would love to read your books. I enjoyed Lauraine Snelling series Red River of the North historicals. I am not a writer, just a reader and i have reach 89 years of age. I am in a wheelchair, God has allowed for me ambulatory problems to slow me down for time to study His Word. Also giving me time for fiction Christian historical books. I have finished both books in Lauraines series Leahs Garden. I read all her Blessings series and awaiting the 3rd in Leahs Garden. I like Amish fiction also.
How lovely to hear from you, Jean! Thank you so much for sharing. I love the Red River of the North books too–that series introduced me to Lauraine Snelling, and little did I know I’d ever get to meet her, let alone write with her. 🙂 What a blessing to hear how you use your time to read God’s word and also stories that point to Him. The next Leah’s Garden book will be coming in March–we hope you enjoy Fields of Bounty! Blessings. 🙂
I just read Fields of Bounty. Loved it! Will there be more of the series in the future?
So sorry for the delay in my reply, Jerrie! And I’m so glad you enjoyed Fields of Bounty–I fell in love with Lilac’s story too. 🙂 Yes, there will be one more book in the Leah’s Garden series! Watch for it at the beginning of next year. 🙂
I just finished fields of bounty and loved it. Is there going to be any more in this series?
I just finished book number 4. I am curious what will happen to their brother Johan and Tilda. Any chance for another book? I have loved reading this series. I know a lot of mysteries have come to a close and all the sisters are married, but I wish I could read more. Maybe a spinoff series? I may just have to go back and re read the books. Thank you for writing them.
Hi Kara! Thank you so much for sharing, and we’re so glad you enjoyed the Leah’s Garden series! I love your ideas for a story for Jonah and Tilda. At this point, Lauraine has no plans for a spin-off series, but you never know! We have begun a new series of historical novels, though, so stay tuned! Thanks again for stopping by. 🙂 Blessings!