‘At Morning’s Light’ Author Q&A with Lauraine Snelling
Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than 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. Learn more at LauraineSnelling.com.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel At Morning’s Light?
When Maya Bredesen loses her husband in a freak fishing accident shortly before they are set to immigrate to America, all her dreams for the future seem sunk into the sea with his beloved boat. Reeling with grief, she agrees to accompany her brother on the planned journey to Iowa, where her cousin, Amalia, now runs a boardinghouse. The discovery that she is pregnant lifts Maya’s hope again, as does a budding friendship with the shy young farmer next door, Eben Miller. But when this new land brings fresh challenges to her battered heart, Maya must discover if her faith and the family who surround her can enable her to weather life’s storms.
FF: This is the second installment of your Home To Green Creek Series. How does this book build on the topics and themes of the previous book in the series, Land of Dreams?
At Morning’s Light continues the story of Amalia and her new husband Absalom, as well as young Ruthie, as Amalia’s cousin Maya joins the boardinghouse family. While their stories and journeys are different, the themes of adjusting to a new land and language, finding one’s place in the world, faith, family, and community all connect. We also continue to get to know other characters at the boardinghouse, like JJ and Hank, more deeply—as well as meet new friends!
FF: What inspired you to write about Norwegian immigrants in Iowa during this time period?
Through the years people at other functions have asked why I never set any books in Iowa. So when thinking about a new series, I decided to do just that. I had been to Des Moines during their Scandinavian festival a few years ago, and that planted the seeds. I chose that period because there was a lot going on with westward expansion, repercussions of the Civil War and immigration.
FF: What kind of research was involved in accurately portraying the Norwegian immigrant experience in America?
My favorite research is talking with people about their family stories. I have a great collection of family stories that folks have sent to me because I encouraged them to get their stories down—with all the pictures and letters written or spoken—so that someday down the road someone will ask, “Grandma (or Grandpa) what was life like when you were a kid?” I wish I had asked more questions through my growing-up years. Get your family stories down. Share them with other members of your family. Pure treasure.
FF: The boardinghouse setting creates a unique community dynamic. What drew you to this particular setting for your series?
Good question. I guess I heard Ruthie’s mor (mother) talking with Amalia, their families became friends on the crossing. I know, that sounds crazy, but you never know what’s going to happen in a book until you get to know your characters well enough to hear them talking and see them doing things. The picture in my mind was like the house was almost another character.
FF: At Morning’s Light begins with a significant loss for Maya. How do you approach writing about grief while still maintaining hope throughout your stories?
Grief is part of life, probably the hardest part of life. But hope does not disappoint us. Our God of hope never lets go of His children. No matter how hard we try to pull away sometimes, He keeps calling us back to Him.
FF: Your characters face numerous hardships throughout the novel. How do these challenges shape their faith journeys?
The rougher things are in our lives, the closer we draw to our heavenly Father. When things are easy, we have a tendency to think we can handle it—we’re doing all right. So clinging to our Father when in despair is our lifeline. And He promised, repeatedly, He will never leave us. And He never goes back on His word. We are His children.
FF: Eben and Maya’s relationship develops slowly amid difficult circumstances. What do you enjoy about writing this kind of gradual romance?
That’s often how romance is in real life! Love rarely bursts upon us like a lightning bolt, though it can happen. We enjoy seeing characters gradually get to know each other and relationships develop naturally, as they fall in love by getting to know who the other person truly is, rather than “at first sight.”
FF: What do you hope readers take away from At Morning’s Light?
My hope for readers of all of my books is that they will draw closer to our heavenly Father and let Him show his great love for them. The peace that passes understanding—that we can count on. I love the hymns like “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus, Look Full in His Wonderful Face, and the Things of Earth Will Grow Strangely Dim, in the Light of His Glory and Grace.”
FF: What are you working on next?
Book three in the Home to Green Creek Series, no title yet—but Kiersti and I think we know the characters and the outline. And as usual, we’ll figure the story out and get going on it, and new people and events will walk on stage. Surprise! And that’s one of the wonders of writing these novels.
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