Minnesota-based writer Loretta Ellsworth will read from her newest novel, The French Winemaker’s Daughter, and will be joined in conversation by Iowa City-based writer, Katie Runde. Set during World War II, The French Winemaker’s Daughter is described by its publisher, Haprper Paperbacks, as “an unforgettable historical novel about love, war, family, and loyalty told in in the voices of two women, generations apart, who find themselves connected by a mysterious and valuable bottle of wine stolen by the Nazis.” Genetta Adair of historicalnovelsociety.org praises The French Winemaker’s Daughter as an “unputdownable novel” that “immersed me in the beauty of resilience, honor, and the lovely French culture. Part mystery, part romance, this haunting story connects two timelines and two women from drastically different backgrounds through one bottle of wine.” She adds, “A captivating story of serendipity. Very much recommended.”

Loretta Ellsworth is the author of five novels for younger readers, Shrouding Woman, In Search of Mockingbird, In a Heartbeat, Unforgettable, and Tangle-Knot, as well as two adult historical novels, The French Winemaker’s Daughter and Stars Over Clear Lake (which is based in Clear Lake, IA). Her books have received many awards including Teen’s Top Ten, Midwest Bookseller’s Choice Award, Kirkus Critic’s Pick, IRA Notable, BBCB Choice, Northeastern Minnesota Book Award, and the Charlotte Award. She was born in Mason City, Iowa, and grew up in a large family of seven children, two parents, and one bathroom. Loretta received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University and now lives with her husband and children in Lakeville, Minnesota.

Katie Runde is originally from the Jersey Shore, where her family ran boardwalk businesses. She now lives in Iowa City with her husband and two daughters. She holds an MFA from the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers and attended the Tin House Summer Workshop. The Shore is her first novel.