You’ve got two more days to enter the giveaway for A Lady Like Sarah!

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So last week I had one of those sudden ideas that not only pops into my head with surprising clarity, it develops super fast. I spent last week getting some basic research out of the way, taking notes, and writing the opening so that the characters solidified in my mind. What, you wonder, was this one, when I was supposed to be working on my ’20s Egypt story?? Well, I’ll tell you–now that I’m back in Egypt and so no longer feeling guilty about my detour into Ancient Persia.

Pick up on that hint? That’s right, Ancient Persia. My idea is for another Biblical fiction, and with that hint it’s pretty easy to guess that it’s Esther. Only this is me–I prefer heroines who are totally fictional, so Esther is only a secondary character. The main focus will be Esther’s best friend, another wife to the king, whom I have named Kasia.

In my research, I learned some interesting facts. For instance, did you know that Susa (a.k.a. Shushan, which is what it’s called in the book of Esther) is halfway between the mountains and coast of Iran, where it receives both monsoon rains and dry desert air, depending on the season? Their winters are temperate and warm, but their summers get to a scorching 140 degrees Fahrenheit. There are accounts of the year-round inhabitants roasting barley seeds on the ground instead of in the oven. Can somebody say, “Sizzle!”?

This would be why the king’s house wintered there. Their summer home was Persepolis, where the summers weren’t so daunting. I found it surprisingly difficult to find information about the ancient cities online, though–I’ll be scouring the Library when I get down to business on this one. I did, however, find a great site with the British Museum that paints a good picture.

But anyway. It’s going to be interesting to combine the events from Esther with history as recorded by Herodotus and the like. They mesh well, but there are always holes–holes that Roseanna gets to fill in with Kasia. =) Betcha didn’t know that she was the reason the king was sleepless that night that he remembered what Mordecai had done for him, did you?

So with four pages of notes, half a dozen new sites bookmarked, and fifty pages of novel under my belt, I’m quite happy to let these new characters winter in Susa while I get down to business in Egypt. But I expect that by the time summer comes, they’ll be leaving their vacation home and paying me a visit. I’m definitely looking forward to it!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for Wind of the Spirit!

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I’ve already dedicated a few Remember When Wednesdays to my 20s historical set in Egypt, I know. But it occurred to me as I sat on the couch last night that I’ve talked about different aspects of Egypt, of the 20s, of tombs, of my research . . . and I haven’t even brushed on one of the driving forces behind The Stars and the Sands. Atlantis!

We all know the popular ideas about a technologically advanced society that existed way back before most histories were recorded, which may or may not have destroyed itself with that technology, and which may or may not be buried somewhere under the waters of the Atlantic. It’s the kind of story that captures the imagination. I mean, what’s better for adventure than finding a Lost City?

Silly me keeps getting hung up on facts as I research Atlantis, though–the fact that it can’t actually be where it’s supposed to be leading the way. But the actual legend, which we get from Plato’s Critias is really quite intriguing. So putting aside the question of whether it is (or was), let’s have a little refresher course. =)

First, this came to us through a Greek, so it naturally starts with their gods. Poseidon, in this case, created an island, on which his descendants reigned. There were ten kings, and the chief of them was from the line of Atlas, Poseidon’s oldest son. As the divine blood faded (those pesky humans, sullying it with mortality;-), the powerful Atlanteans grew greedy and lustful and pretty much decided to take over the world.

In typical Olympus fashion, the Gods weren’t too keen on all their other little cities getting wiped off the map, so they wiped out the Atlanteans and sank the island-continent into the sea in a single day and night.

Apparently, though, this mystical world contained everything a heart could desire. Animals of all kinds, rich stones in blacks and reds, water and minerals, all kinds of foods, and a rare metal called “orichalum,” which sparkles like fire. (I need to get me some of that!)

Interestingly, though this tale comes to us from a reputable source, there were a few centuries when Plato, being Greek and all, was deemed a stupid heathen and all his works were ignored. Stories of Atlantis went the way of other forgotten lore . . . until 1882, when a man named Ignatius Donnelly penned a tome called Atlantis: An Antediluvian World, which claimed that all societies descended from Atlantis, that it was wiped out in the Great Flood, but that “shared” technology on both sides of the world got their knowledge from Atlantis.

Though many of his claims have been disproven in recent years, he still managed to single-handedly resurrect the idea of Atlantis, so literature and Hollywood alike have Donnelly to thank for endless fodder for plotlines. And me! I have him to thank as well. Though I don’t intend to make my characters find a city I’m none too sure is out there, they’re going to have a lot of fun chasing it . . . and finding some other lost truths along the way.

One more day to enter the giveaway from Friday’s post for Golden’s A Prisoner of Versailles!

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This week I’ve been diving back into my 20s Egypt story, and as I got to work on it and began sorting through my research, I realized I needed some more information. So I went online and basically just dove into a haystack to search out a needle.

My goal: find a rich pharaoh whose tomb is lost.

My purpose: put my antagonist on the trail of it.

My complication: his location has to actually contain clues vital to my hero’s search for something else entirely.

In moments like these, I ask myself questions like, “Why do I write historicals? How am I supposed to find this stuff and actually make it make sense? What am I thinking???”

Then I stumble across something that works perfectly, and I have that moment of “Aha! Right! This is why it’s so much fun!”

Yesterday I spent a good hour looking up my lost pharaoh who could somehow be linked to my hero’s search for Atlantis. A formidable task, given the fact that I’m pretty sure there is no actual link between Egypt and Atlantis. But, you know. Fiction. I just need something to fit my version of facts.

Since my version of facts start with Plato’s version of facts, I returned to Critias. According to this fellow, who is quoting his grandfather, who was good friends with Solon (who was in truth Plato’s great-grandfather) the story Plato has of Atlantis originated with the priests in Sais, Egypt.

So Roseanna went to Sais (digitally speaking). Found some pharaohs linked to it, looked one up, and voila! Amasis II! Rich dude, would have had quite a burial. Tomb mentioned in Herodotus but has never been found. Score!! My antag can look for it, fruitlessly. My hero can go to his dig at some point and find, not the tomb, but a secret chamber containing writings that detail . . . well, he won’t know what they detail, because he can’t read them. But still. To a historian, finding a chamber filled with writings at all is super-exciting.

And that’s the fruit of my haystack-dive. Oh, the tangled web we historical writers weave when we practice to make up history that is plausible and yet totally untrue . . .

Okay, I’m cheating today and just linking to a bunch of awesome stuff that’s up this week. =) Totally allowed, though, right? We’re allowed to be excited about the buzz on our first release.

So, obviously, first is a reminder to enter my giveaway for Stephanie’s Out with the In Crowd.

Next, is Sandi Rog’s blog. There’s a giveaway and and a little something I wrote, as well as Sandi’s observations: “Passion shows. When a reader picks up a book written from the heart, they see, hear, feel, touch and taste the believability of the characters, the intricacies of the setting, the depth of the story. What the writer puts down on the page becomes an intimate part of the reader. And that’s how Roseanna writes!”

Moving along to Trish Perry’s blog, where there’s another giveaway and an interview. She asks some tough questions that really made me think, so hop over there for some fun answers.

I did a guest blog spot with Lauralee Bliss on finding a character’s voice. “Voice is always a huge marker for me of a good writer versus a so-so one. When the words of a character flow, when they not only tell me what they’re saying, thinking, and doing, but how–and even whose head I’m in without being told–then I know it’s a strong voice. I’ve read a lot of opinions on how to “find your voice,” on dialogue, on deep POV. But for me, nothing helps me find each character’s voice like sitting back and listening . . .”

Tomorrow another guest spot will be up on Inkwell Inspirations, which I’ll link to again then. The theme over there this week is “A Million Missing Facts,” and I wrote about all the research I put into Stray Drop and how I was struck by the move from Greek mythology to Old Testament Law and Prophets to Roman literature and then into New Testament writings. It’s called “The Middle Testament” and will hopefully be interesting to everyone. =)

Now, some super fabulous reviews!! First (in the order in which I’ve received them) is Dina Sleiman. “”A Stray Drop of Blood by Roseanna White is a novel of epic proportions that blew me away. It beautifully wove together rich history, complex characters, deep spiritual content, romance, and a mesmerizing story all in an edgy and artistic package . . .” Dina goes on to hit on most of the major issues raised by the book, and this review left me in total awe of the fact that people actually get it! LOL. Her review will be linked to the Inkwell post tomorrow, too.

After that I was treated to the words of Susanne Deitz: “An epic tale of salvation, passion and love, this inspirational story is rich in historical detail and intriguing characters, providing a tantalizing glimpse into the Jerusalem and Rome of Jesus’ day.”

Next is Edwina Cowgill. “One cannot improve on a perfectly woven plot, characters that come to life as the reader gets to know them and the Biblical setting of the three years of Jesus’ teaching, His crucifixion and resurrection . . . I have read many books – both Christian and secular – in my life. Some of these books have been heralded as ‘the best book since the Bible,’ and other larger-than-life accolades. I have been moved by these books. But none of them have come close to the effect A Stray Drop of Blood has had on me.” Edwina said lots more that was worthy of quoting, but you know. Space. =) Check out her full review at the link, and the comments are flattering too. 😉

Christine Lindsay made my day with this: ” . . .The author has woven a story that not only glistens with historical detail, but draws the reader into a very human drama.” (There’s also a piece written by me in this post.)

My fabulous crit partner Mary writes: “Strong, multi-layered characters, rich spiritual insights, well-depicted historical events, and moving romance are powerfully combined in an edgy yet tastefully crafted and fast-paced classic . . .”

Cindy Loven says: “A beautiful story of love, redemption and how their lives are changed by Jesus, the story of the Visibullis household is a story that will captivate you from beginning to the end. A story that will have you weeping in sorrow, and gritting your teeth at injustice at its peak.”

And the latest is from Michelle V., who begins with “A Stray Drop of Blood by Roseanna M. White is by far one of the best books that I have ever read! There is no way I will ever be able to adequately describe to you just how wonderful this book is. It’s not just a book, it is an experience, and it’s one that you must have for yourself. The writing, the story, the Gospel message, are all outstanding” and goes on from there with more wonderful stuff. =)

I have a feeling I’ve missed some . . . And there’s more pending, which I’ll alert everyone to as they come up, because I get too excited to keep them to myself. =) But suffice it to say that I have been both humbled and flattered, encouraged and edified at all these lovely words about my words. I have been told it’s a book to savor, to reread, one epic in its influence as well as its story. I’ve brought people to tears (who knew that would be good thing? LOL) and been compared more than once to Francine Rivers–who has always rated as Best Author Ever in my mind.

So thank you, readers, reviewers, and influencers! You guys make my day regularly. =)

Much of our Christmas tradition actually comes from the Magi. We give gifts because they gave gifts. And ah, how well we know them. Right? Gold–a traditional gift to give to royalty, arguably the most valuable commodity on earth at the time of Jesus. Frankincense–an aromatic resin used in perfume and also a traditional gift for a king, which is considered symbolic because of Christ’s divine authority. And myrrh–an incense used in burials, which is generally considered prophetic of the sacrifice of our Savior.

But did you ever stop to wonder about the Magi themselves? Their identities are greatly disputed, but their importance is well recognized. Because they were obviously not Jewish, their part in Jesus’ arrival points to the salvation offered to the Gentiles. They’re also generally thought to be scholars or astronomers, the only ones who would have taken enough note of the star to follow it. To me, that also indicates that Christ truly came to complete the Law as representing reason and logic; He calls us to faith, but also to understanding.

The traditional names of the Magi are Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar; these are in a Greek manuscript found in Alexandria in the sixth century. Given this and references to them as “kings,” historians think that Caspar may have been Rustaham-Gondofarr Suren-Pahlav, king of modern day Iran from 10 BC to 17 AD. As his name means “master of the treasury,” he is the one thought to deliver gold to our Lord.

One more interesting tidbit. On the Twelfth Day of Christmas (yesterday), observers would always scratch C+M+B onto their doorposts. Many mistake this as standing for the names of the Wise Men, but really it’s an abbreviation of the Latin phrase Christ Mansionem Benedictat, which means “Christ Bless this Home.”

In this coming year, may Christ dwell with you, giving you His blessings and filling you and yours with His Spirit. May today, and every day, bring you an Epiphany of the reality of His sovereignty.

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