Title: Making Waves
Author: Lorna Seilstad
First published September 1, 2010
368 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780800734459
Rating: 3.85
Overview
When Special Agent Will Trent steps into Grant County, he is confronted with a police department that is more interested in saving face than finding justice. With too many unanswered questions surrounding a prisoner’s death and Officer Lena Adams’ suspicious behavior, Trent is left wondering about her role in the death of the beloved police chief.
Dr. Sara Linton, the late chief’s widow, seeks Trent’s help to crack the case. As the investigation into the murder of a young woman progresses, Trent uncovers explosive secrets that put him at odds with the insular town’s powerful blue line.
Balancing the complexities of two determined women and navigating the thin line between truth and lies, Trent must tread carefully to find the killer before it’s too late.
About the Author
Writing has always been a passion of mine. Even in my dreams, I would come up with plots and storylines.
Growing up, I spent most weekends attending antique auctions with my family in Iowa, so history became a big part of my life. I read books, played with Barbies, and did chores on our farm, but writing historical romances was the perfect fit.
Despite changes in fashion and language, the fundamental experiences that unite us remain the same. We fall in love, face injustices, fight for what we believe in, struggle, endure, and grow.
After earning an A.A. from York College in Nebraska and a B.S.Ed. from Lubbock Christian University, I met and married my husband, David. Our love story was written by God, and I knew from the start that he was the one.
Although it wasn’t love at first sight, I was so certain he was “the one” that I wrote about meeting him in my diary. Two and a half years later, we pledged our hearts to each other.
I taught high school English until our first child was born, after which I became a professional wiper, tending to all of the little things that come with raising children. Now that they are older and less in need of constant supervision, I’ve returned to my first love: writing.
I joined American Christian Fiction Writers, found a supportive critique group, and began studying the craft of writing.
David and I have three children, and we work in youth ministry while also teaching Bible classes for both youth and adults. Thank you for visiting!
Editoral Review
Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad is a heartwarming historical romance novel that will delight readers with its captivating storyline, charming characters, and vivid setting. Seilstad skillfully weaves together a tale of love and determination that takes place in the midst of the suffrage movement in 1890s Lake Manawa, Iowa.
At its core, Making Waves is a story about the power of dreams and the courage it takes to pursue them. The novel follows the journey of Marguerite Westing, a spirited young woman who dreams of becoming a professional swimmer despite societal expectations that she focus on marriage and motherhood.
With the help of her supportive family and a dash of luck, Marguerite’s dreams begin to materialize, but not without obstacles in the form of romantic entanglements, family drama, and the suffrage movement. Seilstad expertly brings the characters to life, infusing each one with unique personalities and motivations that make them feel like real people rather than mere literary constructs.
Marguerite is a particularly memorable protagonist, with her spunky attitude and fierce determination. The male love interests, however, seem a bit flat and predictable, lacking the intrigue and depth of the female characters.
The novel’s setting is also a highlight, transporting readers to a charming lakeside town in the late 19th century. Seilstad’s attention to detail brings the town and its inhabitants to life, painting a picture of a bygone era that is both nostalgic and informative.
One potential weakness of Making Waves is its slow pacing, which may be frustrating for readers who prefer a faster-moving plot. Additionally, the side characters and subplots may seem extraneous to the central story at times, detracting from the overall cohesiveness of the novel.
Despite these minor flaws, Making Waves is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of historical romance and anyone looking for an uplifting story about chasing one’s dreams. With a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose threads and leaves readers feeling hopeful, Seilstad’s novel is a solid addition to the genre.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
