by Roseanna White | Feb 8, 2018 | Thoughtful Thursdays
Last Thursday, my family used some Christmas money to attend a hockey game in Pittsburgh–something we’ve been wanting to do for years. Six years ago, hubby and Xoe went to one while I stayed with Rowyn in the hotel room (because he wasn’t quite 4 and had a hard time staying up that late, LOL), but our darling son never forgot that he didn’t get to go have fun with Papa and Xoe, so eventually I came up with this plan to put Christmas money toward the tickets. ?
Now, I’m not a huge sports fan in general, but after watching hundreds of hockey games with David over the years, I certainly know how the game works and enjoy it. I mean, not enough to put my book or knitting down, most of the time, but I listen and obligingly look up when he directs me to a particularly brilliant play. 😉 So even though there’s no announcers giving you the play-by-play while you’re watching it live (I was shocked at how QUIET it was!), I could follow along.
We won, which was fun. But something I enjoyed even more was the collective nature of being in that audience. The community. Let me see if I can explain my thoughts.
I’ve been to football games, pro baseball games, that sort of thing, so I’m no stranger to the unanimous cheering and all that, but it was different in the hockey arena. Every time there was a shot on the goal and it missed, there was a collective groan/gasp that went through the entire arena. Twenty thousand “Ugggghhhhh”s is quite a thing! And when there was a score, twenty thousand fans surged to their feet. No one was more concerned with the food or beer (though those Dunkin Donuts were calling my name…) during the periods. Everyone was riveted to the game–because unlike football or baseball, you can’t look away for a minute, because you literally never know when the next scoring opportunity will come.
As I pondered these collective reactions, it reminded me anew that we–humanity–weren’t built to be alone. We’re created to live in societies, to be members of communities, to thrive on experiences shared by others. I’m not an extrovert–but there’s no denying how much I appreciate those hours spent with my church family, my actual family, my book club, my homeschool group. These are my people, and I need them.
Whenever I think about these things,
this article springs to mind. I daresay I’ve linked to it before, but it bears repeating. It’s on the rise of glass mirrors in Europe and how that changed the entire structure of civilization–mindsets became more about “me” once people could see themselves clearly, and less about “community.” It used to be the case that the worse punishment imaginable was to be excommunicated or exiled. Now, if one community or group tosses you out, it’s relatively easy to just move to another and find a new place, not just because of ease of travel, but because we’ve become a culture that teaches “It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you.” When that used to be the
only thing that mattered.
It’s especially interesting to consider the positives and negatives of this change in the church. On the one hand, it has a direct correlation to the rise of the Protestant emphasis on personal relationships with God. I deem that good. But at the same time, it corresponds to a direct decrease in the value put on community.
But it still matters. And whether we see it most in a hockey arena or when our hands are all lifted in corporate worship, community remains vital to humanity. Sometimes I need a reminder of that–that it isn’t about me and what I have to do, but about us, and what we can achieve together.
by Bookworm Mama | Feb 1, 2018 | Sales, Thoughtful Thursdays
Yup! That’s right! I am excited to start offering sales on my books in my personal bookstore. (You can find this on my website
HERE.)
The Lost Heiress is currently FREE for Kindle on
Amazon. So I thought I would give you the opportunity to get the next book in the series for a discount. From now through Valentine’s Day,
The Reluctant Duchess will be 20% off (Print edition AND Signed by yours truly)! This sale is only valid in my shop.
Share with your friends! Copy this link to social media: http://bit.ly/2nwAmVB don’t forget to use the hashtags: #Sale #Books #TheReluctantDuchess @RoseannaMWhite
I will be restarting my Monday LIVE videos with you all on Facebook. I am very excited to chat books with you. Let me know if there is a discussion topic that you would like to see featured! You can check out my past videos
HERE. THIS Monday make sure to check in on my
Author Page at 7pm EST! I’ll be taking you behind the scenes of
A Song Unheard this week and will be giving away one copy to a live viewer!
As most of you know…I have a new book scheduled to release later this year. I am so excited about the Cover Reveal that will be going LIVE on Valentine’s Day! However, as a very special “THANK YOU” to all of my subscribers…You will be the very first to witness this cover in all its glory. I am so giddy about it, I can not WAIT! So be on the look out for the next newsletter…as that will be your exclusive reveal!
If you are not already a subscriber, you can sign up
HERE. I am also hosting a giveaway in correlation with the Cover Reveal and subscribers will earn extra entries! (Just so you know?)
by Roseanna White | Jan 25, 2018 | Thoughtful Thursdays
I totally stole the title inspiration for this blog…from the other person embarking on this adventure with me. 😉 I think she’ll forgive me. (
Check out her post here)
So, a few weeks ago my husband said, as he has said many a time before, “You need an assistant. You should really consider hiring someone.” In the past, I always just waved off that suggestion because…well…I don’t know. Because figuring out how to delegate work is work in and of itself, I guess.
But I’m staring down the barrel of quite a lot of deadlines, and this time the advice really hit home. I
do need an assistant. Someone to handle some of the minutia of book releases and promotions, to help keep me on schedule and do some of my scheduling. Someone who can handle the non-creative parts of my job, so that I can focus on the creative parts.
The next morning, I shocked my husband by putting together a list of things I could have an assistant do, and posting to my launch team that I was looking for someone. To my mind, who better to go to first than the readers who are already my cheerleaders and promoters?? I was shocked to get a big response from my post. I thought I might get one or two interested people, who may or may not be serious. Instead, I was flooded with emails from a collection of wonderful, gracious people with experience and a passion for helping authors.
After a whole lot of prayer and quite a lot of emails, I’ve hired Rachel Dixon as my virtual assistant, and I’m so excited to begin this new chapter with her! Maybe most people wouldn’t feel the need to post about hiring someone, LOL, but I do. Because the way I view it (and the way Rachel views it, hence why she was a good match for me) is that what we’re doing is building a team. We’re working together toward a common goal. Serving authors as an assistant is Rachel’s calling, and serving readers as a writer is
my calling. So the fact that we can work side by side for the Lord…well, that’s pretty awesome.
So to Rachel, welcome to the team–your heart for this work really touched me, and I’m super excited to be working with you!
To my readers, I know this move is going to help me get more, better stories to you, and also allow me to be more interactive.
I can’t wait to see where the adventure takes us. Here’s hoping and praying it’s to new heights in faith, friendship, and productivity. ?
by Roseanna White | Jan 18, 2018 | Thoughtful Thursdays
Whenever I have a new book release, there’s always that anxiety about how readers will connect with my characters. Oh, I’ve had some input by this time. Critique partners, beta readers, editors. And they all have their unique opinions. Their perspectives.
As I’ve been enjoying the feedback of my early readers of A Song Unheard, I’ve found it especially fun to see how readers are responding to my hero–especially as contrasted with the first hero in the series, Peter. Peter was awkward socially, Lukas is at home in society and a bit of a rake. Peter stammers. Lukas is silver-tongued. Peter is a man of prayer and consideration. Lukas is a man just beginning to realize that his mother was right, and seeking nothing but his own pleasure will leave him empty.
I loved creating both of these heroes. All of my heroes. They’re each unique, different. And yes, I love it when people call them swoon-worthy. I’ve given that title to some heroes in my favorite books as well.
I’ve noticed lately that the term “book boyfriend” has been floating around, and that always makes me giggle. I personally won’t ever call a hero that–I’m married, thank you very much, and won’t have any boyfriends, be they real or imaginary. 😉 But that, in turn, has made me ponder what it is we love so much about a good hero. And why we sometimes wish they were real.
I’m going to start by saying that bits and pieces of my husband work their way into each and every hero I write. Maybe it’s his wit in one. His eyes in another. Maybe it’s his way of questioning everything. Or of loving me so wholly. Maybe the way he looks at me. Or the way he supports my every dream.
My husband isn’t perfect. He’s the first to admit it. We have our moments of frustration, of course, but when I look at this man living life with me, I know God blessed me beyond measure. And I consider it an honor to demonstrate in my books that a real hero isn’t necessarily a muscle-bound hunk that can make women fall at his feet with a mere flex of his biceps. (Not that I have anything against muscles, mind you.)
A real hero is a man who knows, or discovers, that love makes him stronger.
A real hero is a man who listens to and leans on the Lord.
A real hero is a man who will make a sacrifice, not to gain glory, but to protect those he loves.
A real hero is a man who pairs duty with honor, diligence, and passion.
A real hero is a man who can be vulnerable.
I’ve written a lot of heroes who aren’t the typical hero. Some who might even be called anti-heroes. I’ve had a few action-type ones, a few too-handsome ones, plenty of should-be-average ones. But they each become more than ordinary in the pages of a book, and that’s because…
A real hero answers the call of the Lord.
That’s usually what we see them doing in one of my novels, and in the Christian romances I so adore. They’re just ordinary men, living often ordinary lives, but living them in an extraordinary way.
And that, in my opinion, is what makes us love them…just as it’s what makes us love these wonderful, flawed men in our lives.
by Roseanna White | Dec 21, 2017 | Author Interviews and Guest Posts, Thoughtful Thursdays
Today I’m happy to welcome my friend and fellow biblical fiction writer Mesu Andrew to the blog, with a very special post. To go along with her upcoming release, Isaiah’s Daughter, Mesu has written a small devotional that is available as a free download to anyone who pre-orders her novel! And she’s here today to share one of those 14 devos…as it’s very appropriate to the season. Please join me in giving Mesu a warm welcome!
~*~
Isaiah’s Daughter
14-Day Devotional
Day Twelve
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him
Immanuel.”
~ Isaiah 7:14 ~
Which aspect of
Jesus’ birth is most amazing to you?
 |
| Christmas print – will be mailed to anyone who pre-orders |
I have two
daughters and was honored to attend each of their first births. Watching my
babies give birth to babies was an amazing privilege but pales in comparison to
watching them be mothers. Mothering is
not for the faint of heart, and I’ve often pondered the impossible task Jesus’
mother faced. So much intrigues me about her conception, Jesus’ birth, and her
life as a mom.
What was it like
to create in her womb the God who created her? Was her birth experience more or
less terrifying, knowing the Son she bore was God’s own? Instructed to call
Him, Immanuel—God with us—how did she
parent God?
I’ve heard folks
say it would have been easier to believe in God if they’d lived while Jesus
walked the earth. I’m not so sure. While we have the benefit of hindsight, Isaiah’s
conservative theology might have struggled to embrace God’s Messiah. Even Mary,
who lived moment-by-moment with a divine toddler, teenager, and adult Son, remained
as confused as His other disciples until the Spirit was given at Pentecost (Mark
3:20-21). Seeing doesn’t always make
believing easier. Jesus’ brothers refused to believe He was the Christ (John
7:3-5) until after His death and resurrection. Only then did James believe his
Brother had been God With Us, the
perfect representation of the Father’s glory.
“The Son is the
radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining
all things by his powerful word.
After he had provided
purification for sins,
he sat down at the
right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
~ Hebrews
1:3 ~
I think many in
Jesus’ day discounted Him as the Messiah because He was too common. He wasn’t
spectacular in any way.
“He grew up before him
like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or
majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his
appearance that we should desire him.”
~
Isaiah 53:2 ~
What if we—the
Ones to whom the indwelling Holy
Spirit is available—actually have the easier path to faith. Immanuel dwells through
His Spirit in all who believe in
Jesus Christ. Perhaps Isaiah would envy us.
[Jesus said to His
disciples,]
“But very truly I tell
you, it is for your good that I am going away.
Unless I go away, the
Advocate will not come to you;
but if I go, I will
send him to you.”
~
John 16:7 ~
What
benefits did the disciples have with a flesh-and-blood Savior that we don’t?
What
benefits do we enjoy with the indwelling Spirit that the disciples couldn’t?
 |
| Quote card ~ will be mailed to anyone who pre-orders |
About the Book
Ishma
comes to the prophet Isaiah’s home as a five-year-old orphan,
devastated after watching her family destroyed and living as a captive.
With tenderness and care, her lively spirit is revived, and the prophet
and his wife adopt Ishma, giving her a new name—Zibah, delight of the
Lord. As the years pass, Zibah wins Prince Hezekiah’s favor, a boy
determined to rebuild the kingdom his father has nearly destroyed. But
loving this man awakens Zibah’s painful past and calls into question the
very foundation of her father’s prophecies. Can she learn to rely on
only Yahweh, who gives life, calms fear, and conquers nations?
Isaiah’s Daughter releases January 16, so this pre-order deal is good until the day before! You can find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, Parable, Lifeway, or see the full list of retail affiliates from the publisher.
by Roseanna White | Dec 7, 2017 | Thoughtful Thursdays
I’ve had several ideas lately for Thoughtful posts. But it seems like every week, I run out of time, and blogging slips down my to-do list until it falls off the edge. =/ So when I pulled up a new post today, I’m not sure why I typed into that title line “Who We Get to Be.” But I had no desire to delete it. So let’s see where my fingers and my still-sleepy mind take me.
In part, I think my thoughts originated a month ago, with that horrific church shooting. When my husband said on the way home from Bible study, “When are people going to realize that it isn’t the guns doing this–it isn’t the people doing this. It’s the hatred that has such a stranglehold on this country.”
Or maybe it’s from a post my sister, just a few months away from her last cancer treatment, said on Facebook yesterday:
“We live in a society that seems to focus on the negative… the news, your FB feed, the magazine covers in the check out line…I’m just about in tears as I scroll through FB and read the self hate and the harsh words towards others. So many people are fighting battles every day that we don’t know about
or see! We can’t even imagine the thoughts going through the minds of
others and one small kind word or act could make their day or even
change their hearts. I’m here to tell
you I have experienced more kindness from family, friends and complete
strangers in the last few months than I could even imagine. I’ve had
strangers stop me to pray with me on days I really needed it, I had a
lady who I rented a condo from for a treatment to tell me if I ever
needed to stay there again it would be free, I have a girl who walked
the same path and was put into contact with me but doesn’t know me send
me messages; on days when I seemed to need them the most! Those are just
a few examples folks! Can we please spread love and Joy instead of
negativity?”
Or maybe it’s just the continued realization as I type up responses to emails or messages or smile at someone on the street: We get to choose how those people see us. We get to decide what kind of us we’re going to be. We get to determine whether we’re ruled by bitterness or love.
Hate does have a stranglehold on our nation. Hatred for the president (what happened to respecting the office even if you don’t like the man? I didn’t vote for Trump. But he’s now my president. MY president. Just as Obama was–who I also didn’t vote for. Why would I wish any of my presidents failure?? Isn’t that then MY failure, as they represent me?). Hatred for whoever believes differently on moral issues (What, you’re for/against homosexual marriage? Then you’re EVIL! It doesn’t matter where your belief comes from, it’s different from mine, and therefore you deserve no respect). Hatred for those who believe differently on political issues (You own guns? When are you going to wake up and realize you’re part of the problem? You’re for gun control? You might as well stomp on the Constitution!). Hatred for those who say “Happy Holidays.” Or who say “Merry Christmas.”
We live in a society that has forgotten how to listen. That can’t fathom respect. And we, who claim to have the Light of the World living inside us, all too often add to that darkness.
But we get to decide, don’t we? We get to decide whether it’s words of love or hate that spill from our lips. We get to decide whether we meet bitterness with a smile and a prayer or with bitterness of our own. We get to decide whether we live by love or hatred.
I remember years and years ago, when I was working on the edits for Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland–my first book published with a company other than my own–I had an epiphany as I composed an email in response to some of my editors’ suggestions.
I get to decide, right now, what kind of author I’m going to be. I can be the kind that argues and snarls and resents every suggestion–the kind that will make editors groan when they see my name pop up in their inbox. Or I can be the kind that greets suggestions with enthusiasm and goes out of my way to make my editors know I value their opinion. Readers will never know how I interact with my publishing team. But they know. They know, they sense, they talk among themselves. And the kind of author I choose to be with them could likely determine whether they want to work with me in the future.
This is the same in all other aspects of life. In how we deal with our families. With our neighbors. With our churches. With the stranger in the supermarket line. It’s true of our online presence. It’s true of our in-person presence.
We get to choose. We get to choose who we are. According to the Bible, we get to be new creatures because of what Jesus did for us. We get to leave behind all the darkness and sin. We get to be perfect. We get to be saints. We get to be His.
So why are we still acting like the world?
We get to be joyful. We get to boast in our tribulations and troubles. We get to glory in insufficiency. We get to show the world that God is so much, even when life offers us so little.
We get to be Jesus to those hurting people around us.
What an awe-inspiring title. Not Employee of the Year, Best-Selling Author, Attorney at Law…not Best Mother or Award Winner or Millionaire.
Christ follower.
Sometimes that just blows me away. That we get to be that Light for Him.
We don’t just choose to believe. Choose to profess. We have to choose to live it. To be it. And then to watch the world around us change in response.
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. 