Episode 223 - Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron Author Chat

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Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron join us to chat about their new book, Land of Dreams. One of the pioneers in the Christian fiction industry, Lauraine now teams with Kiersti to continue to bring books that entertain and that strengthen our faith. We chatted about what working together is like, how a volcano kicked off Lauraine's writing career, and how important trusting God is. Patrons will hear what is the biggest difference in the writing styles of the two of them. 

Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron

On the ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother, vowing 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 fight for their new home, a trail of orphans shows up on their doorstep, and Amalia makes a promising friend in Absalom Karlsson, the magistrate's son. With each challenge they face, Amalia and Ruth find hope in believing that faith and determination can overcome even the most daunting of trials.

Get Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron.

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. All total, she has over eighty 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 and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).

Visit Lauraine's website.

Kiersti Giron holds a life-long passion for history and storytelling and currently collaborates on series of historical fiction with Lauraine Snelling, as well as writing her own historical novels. She loves to write stories that show the intersection of past and present, explore relationships that bridge cultural divides, and probe the healing Jesus can bring out of brokenness. Her novel manuscripts set in the American West have been contest finalists and winners, including two ACFW Genesis Awards, and her debut solo novel, Beneath a Turquoise Sky, releases April 2025.

Much of Kiersti’s interest in Native American cultures and history comes from the relationships built with Native friends after living five years on the edge of the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. She has a heart for racial healing, justice, and reconciliation, as well as a B.A. in English from Azusa Pacific University. When she’s not writing, Kiersti enjoys teaching 8th grade English online, trying to master baking sourdough bread, and spending time with her husband, lively young son, and two cuddly kitties.

Visit Kiersti's website.