Today we’re welcoming Heartsong Presents author Shannon Vannatter to chat about her romance White Roses. She’s putting together a really fun new blog that will be launching the end of this month–details at the end!
As usual, leave a comment with how to reach you to be entered for a chance to win a copy of the book!
~*~
About Shannon
Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife/writer. When not writing, she runs circles in the care and feeding of her husband Grant, their eight-year-old son, and their church congregation. Home is a central Arkansas zoo with two charcoal gray cats, a chocolate lab, a dragonfish, and three dachshunds in weenie dog heaven. If given the chance to clean house or write, she’d rather write. Her goal is to hire Alice from the Brady Bunch.
~*~
About White Roses
Pastor Grayson Sterling loves his wife. The problem is, Sara was killed by a hit-and-run d
river two years ago. Grayson knows he needs to move on, that the continuing depth of his grief is not healthy for him or his young son. Desperate, he convinces his church to hire Mark Welch as associate pastor to relieve him of some of his load. When Adrea Welch arrives at his church with her brother, Grayson cannot deny his attraction to her.
For years, florist Adrea Welch has been artfully arranging white roses for Sara Sterling. Now those flowers are carried to the cemetery by a faithful, grieving husband. How can Adrea be so attracted to a man still devoted to his dead wife? When secrets from Adrea’s past collide with their budding relationship, both she and Grayson must learn to lean on
God’s abiding wisdom.
~*~
What’s your latest book?
White Roses – Heartsong Presents – May 2010
What was the hardest part to write?
The black moment. I hate being mean to my characters.
LOL–I’m with you there. Unless it’s a mean character, of course. 😉 What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
A closer walk with Jesus and I pray they’ll loan my books to friends who are non-believers.
Is there a theme to this book?
Don’t let fear of the future rule your life. Turn it over to God and live.
Ah, very important lesson. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
Romance on both counts. I love worrying how the couple will get past the horrible things the author throws at them, but knowing everything will turn out happily-ever-after. I hate sadly-ever-afters.
I know! What’s the point of escaping if you’re glad to get back to reality? Happily is a must. =) What’s one of the oddest or most interesting things someone has ever said about you?
A writer friend recently said that I have Southern charm. I didn’t realize that and still don’t really know what it means.
It means you’re a true pleasure to be around! =) What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
I actually have my dream office, though if it were truly a dream office, it would be neater and more organized. The walls are my favorite mauve color, it’s furnished in white whicker, with pastel seashell curtains, cushions, and wallpaper border. I have real seashells on display and a few writing awards with family pictures. My two charcoal gray cats usually sit in the window sill. The room inspires me and I do my best writing there.
Is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?
I keep old magazines and catalogs. For each book, I find a picture to represent each character. I put it all on a piece of paper and hang it on the bulletin board next to my computer.
A visual like that would be cool! Making a mental note . . . Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
My awesome critique group and my content editor. They help me whip things into a readable, cohesive book.
Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
An eight year-old, all-boy, energetic son, a pastor husband, and our church. And I’m starting a new blog. Inkslinger will launch May 31 and will share real life love stories, author interviews, and first meetings of fictional characters, all geared toward romance. It’s taking more time than I ever dreamed.
I know that is! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
White Doves releases in Oct 2010 and White Pearls releases in Jan 2011.
~*~
Thanks for visiting, Shannon! Readers, her new blog is going to be SO COOL–make a note to check it out. Yours truly will be a guest this summer. =)
Now, you can find Shannon online at www.shannonvannatter.com, www.inkspirationalmessages.com, and the new love story blog, www.inkslingerblog.com
White Roses is available for purchase from Heartsong Presents. It’ll be available from other retailers in a few months.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered a confirmation of eligibility based on your local laws. Contest ends 5/20/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim the book before another is selected.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Deb K and Amanda. Glad you found the interview and giveaway. Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like a book I'd love to read – thanks for the giveaway!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a great Book~Please count me in too!
deb55106(at)gmail(dot)cm
Hi Jenna,
I'm glad you're excited about the book. I am too!
What a great interview, now I am dying to read the book (that's the point, right?) haha
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Hi Esther and Anita,
Glad y'all think the book sounds good. Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds wonderful. I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Hi,
I love the book 🙂 from what I have read so far.
Please enter me into the contest.
estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com
p/s Carman sent me.
Hi Karen,
The blog will officially be up May 31. The first week I'll tell what it will be about and post a schedule for all the authors who will be there in June. I have a feature on a romantic getaway featured in my book and an excerpt from White Roses. I'll give away three copies in June as some of the authors don't have their books yet. I have two other authors with book giveaways also. I'm excited about it.
And thanks to Roseanna, I know to let Carman know about it.
a wonderful posting/interview…planning to visit your fabulous blog, too.
thanks for the chance to read this novel…it sounds like a great story.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Linda and Katie,
Thanks for stopping by. So glad to know y'all think it sounds interesting.
Roseanna,
I'll have to make a note and send Carman info when I launch my blog since I'll be having book giveaways.
Mollydawn,
It blows my mind that people are waiting to read my book.
Virginia,
Thanks! I love the cover too!
This sounds like a wonderful book and I love the cover!
lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
Sounds like another WONDERFUL book! Please enter me!
God bless!
~Katie G.
katiegalyean [@] yahoo [.] com
I've been wanting to read this one! please enter me!
Mollydawn1981 AT aol DOT com
Hey, Shannon–I submitted the giveaway to the Christian Book Giveaways blog, which is hosted by Carman. Lots of lovely readers always make their way over from her site. =)
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Janet Ruth and Trish,
It does my heart wonders to know the book sounds good to y'all. Thanks for stopping by.
Casey, Blue Rose, and Judy Lynn,
Y'all have got me wondering who Carman is.
Please enter me in this giveaway – Thanks!
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
(Carman sent me)
Please enter me. Thanks! 🙂 Carmen sent me. bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would like to read this, thanks!
Email in profile.
Carman sent me.
Sounds like a wonderful book. thanks for the review. trishbazin(at)yahoo.com
This book sounds great, I would love a chance to win. Thanks!
alongtheway at telus dot net
Debbie,
Thanks for stopping by. It makes me feel good that the book sounds interesting to readers.
Merry,
I love second chance at love stories too, so it was fun to write.
Abi,
Wish I had more time to read more Heartsongs. Thanks for stopping by.
I love the heartsong books. Please include me in this drawing. Thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
White Roses sounds like a wonderful romance, I enjoy second chance at love stories. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
I would love to read this book.
twoofakind12[at]yahoo.com
Hi Robin,
I love Heartsongs too. A Heartsong was the first inspirational romance I ever read. Wish I could remember which one.
Roseanna will be on the Inkslinger blog on July 7 & 9. I promise to remember to have it up. Author's honor.
First, Roseanna,
Thank you so much for having me. I'll just have to admit it. I didn't look at my calendar today. Things have been crazy in life and in writing.
My husband's sister passed this week. It was expected, but still sad. She was really sweet and saved, so that helps.
I've had two interviews pop up from my publisher, so I had to get those together, and I'm teaching a workshop tomorrow, so I've been working on that. Think I need to slow down.
I didn't get Roseanna's reminder e-mail because I forgot to check that e-address until midnight.
So everyone please forgive me, I usually do better than this.
Brenda,
You're such a great friend with a great memory.
Hi Susanne,
The blog is in transition in the moment. The guidelines are up on the blog: inkslingerblog.com. But my friend Linda is designing a new website for me and the blog will be hosted there:shannonvannatter.com.blog. A little confusing right now, but we'll have it up and running by May 31.
Runner 10,
I really enjoyed writing this book. Out of the 12 books I've written, it's one of my favorites.
Hi Stephanie,
Hope your books are flying off the shelves.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for stopping by, even when I didn't.
Holly,
The authoress is amazingly forgetful and I may not get any other interviews with this kind of showing.
Megan,
Roseanna's book sounds very intriguing.
I hope you'll all forgive me and I promise I'll do better if I ever get another interview.
Thank you all so much for stopping by.
Roseanna–I just bought your book…Yay!
Also, we posted about your giveaway at Winning Readings.
inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com
Awesome interview!! Thanks for having it Roseanna! You're the greatest! The Authoress is amazing as always! I would sooo love to have this book! I think it sounds sooooo awesome!!! Enter me please!!
1joy4you(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love the chance to read White Roses. Please enter me into your giveaway.
Smiles,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
White Roses sounds like a good book. I have enjoyed many books by Heartsong Presents.
Enter me in the drawing.
robinribbit(at)yahoo)dot)com
Please enter me! Once upon a time, Shannon and I were part of the same agent family. I'm really interested in reading her books!
Stephanie at StephanieMorrillBooks dot com.
WHITE ROSES sounds like a great book.
csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com
Great interview! Thanks, Roseanna and Shannon. I'm going to have to check out the blog.
Oh, please enter me into the drawing for the book! srdietze at sbcglobal dot net
Thanks, and blessings!
Good morning, Shannon. Another fun interview. (Just to let everyone know, Shannon is a marvelous storyteller and she writes very good happily-ever-afters.)
And I love the idea for the Inkslinger Blog. What a creative way to share romance.