by Roseanna White | Oct 15, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s with us again, this time to talk about her latest book, Legacy of Lies. Hope you’re a fan of romantic suspense! (I mean, really–who isn’t??)
Jill has offered a signed copy to one lucky reader, so leave your comments below with an email address. And be sure you’re a follower!
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About Jill
Jill Elizabeth Nelson writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith, earning her the tagline: Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth. She was delightfully astonished this year to receive the prestigious Carol Award in the Short Contemporary Suspense category for her 2009 release, Evidence of Murder. Jill speaks regularly at conferences, writer’s groups, Library associations, and civic and church groups. When teaching classes for writers, she thrills to bring the Ahah! moment to her students as they make a new skill their own. Jill and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children and are currently enjoying their first grandchild. Visit Jill on the web at http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com.
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About Legacy of Lies
Secrets Buried Deep!
Evidence from a decades-old murder is the last thing Nicole Keller-Mattson expected to find in her grandmother’s back yard, but the finger-pointing and accusations leveled at her family came as no surprise. Everyone in Ellington is eager to blame the Kellers—but after an attack leaves Nicole’s grandmother in a coma, only Nicole can clear the family name. With the assistance of police chief Rich Hendricks, she stands a chance of solving the mystery . . . if she’s willing to accept Rich’s help. Nicole lost her policeman husband in the line of duty—getting close to another cop is too painful. But keeping her distance could be deadly.
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What’s your latest book?
Legacy of Lies released in September from Steeple Hill. I had a blast writing this story, because it gave me the opportunity to explore the politics of small-town life. As a life-long resident of a variety of rural communities, I had loads of personal experience and observation to draw from when crafting the story.
Oh, fun! I’ve always lived in smaller areas too, but I try to avoid the politics. =) What’s your favorite part of the story?
I really enjoyed writing the elderly characters in Legacy of Lies. Since the initial crime occurred half a century ago, the plot offered lots of interaction with a senior generation of characters. I’ve worked for nearly 20 years now in an elder-care setting—both assisted living and nursing home. Older folks constantly amaze me, some by their strength and maturity, and some by their behaviors in line with a second childhood.
What a unique twist to the story! Love it. Is there a theme to this book?
In Legacy of Lies, I was particularly interested to explore the affects past sins and secrets can have on a tight-knit community and how the illusion of power is always trumped by the immutable laws of God. We do reap what we sow, no matter how grand and invincible we imagine ourselves to be.
The scripture I used at the front of the book was Psalm 37: 10 – 11 from the NIV version of the Bible: A little while and the wicked will be no more; Though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. I comfort myself with these words quite often when I see the injustices in the world.
Very cool. And I recall interviewing you about the “generational curse” idea many, many moons ago. I love this new twist. Not exactly generational, but still the idea of sin being unable to escape its consequences. Okay, next question. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
I’m writing in my favorite genre to read and write. The first novel I ever wrote was a mystery. That was in the sixth grade, and the world is grateful that not a shred of the manuscript yet exists. LOL. I’m a fan of puzzles of all sorts, so that tendency translates into my taste in reading material. I’ll lay a book down, though, if I can figure out “who dunnit” within the first few chapters. When I write, I’m a stickler about making the mystery aspect of my plot a challenge to figure out beforehand, and yet quite clear in hindsight once the truth is revealed. I leave my readers to tell me if I’ve succeeded.
What writing goal have you set for yourself that would be the hardest (or unlikeliest) but most rewarding to achieve?
Ever since a goal-setting session at an American Christian Fiction Writers conference a couple of years ago, I’ve carried in my purse a blue, 3 X 5 index card bearing a list entitled, “Five ‘Impossible’ Goals for God to Make Possible.” One of those “impossibilities” came to pass a month ago when, Evidence of Murder, one of my 2009 releases won the ACFW Carol Award in the short romantic suspense category. Wha-hoo! I had considered that goal to be somewhere in the nebulous cloud of my long-term future. God sure worked fast!
(Roseanna interjecting a hearty “Congrats!!”)
One of the other items on my “impossible” list is the publication of a manuscript I wrote nearly a decade ago. The story remains near and dear to my heart, and I see vast ministry possibilities for it. Many have told me this story has a lot of strikes against it for traditional publication. Well, then, perhaps the Lord will do something untraditional. Hah!
I wouldn’t put it past him! =)
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Thanks for visiting, Jill! Readers, you can check out her website at
http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com and find her books at
Amazon.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Chance of winning depends on number of entries. Contest ends 10/21/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
by Roseanna White | Oct 14, 2010 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
(First, a sidenote–I’m featured today at Stepping Stones Magazine for Readers, so go check out the letter I wrote you!)
Now that I have a school-age kiddo, I’ve found that an awful lot of focus in our house in on the season and holidays coming up. Kind of amazing how they go from clueless to completely into celebrating over the course of a few years, isn’t it?
I’ve put a lot of thought into the way we celebrate things, and it inevitably comes up for me this time of year. All the kids’ shows (and I mean ALL) are focused on Halloween. I can see why they like to be–to the politically-correct way of thought, this is a safe holiday. There’s no religious attachment to worry about ignoring or getting in trouble for not ignoring. It’s just costumes and candy, right? And boy do my kids get excited about it!
Then I inevitably come across something that expounds on the evils of Halloween and how it’s the most un-Christian holiday you ever could see. I have friends who avoid anything Halloween at all costs. I’m still trying to figure out my own stance, and maybe y’all can help me.
See, here’s the thing. The history of it dates back to the days when Christians and pagans were still butting heads in the British isles. Halloween is the night before All Hollow’s Day (aka All Saints Day), the day on the Catholic calender that is devoted to honoring all the saints not already honored on their own days. A holy day. Halloween is kind of . . . almost like a Mardi Gras before lent for the pagans. A day of black magic, sorcery, and spells. So yeah, I get the evil thing. But our traditions? Those come from people attempting to stay apart from it. Jack o’ lanterns, for example, were first carved into scary faces to frighten away the evil spirits–and those who would bring them to a house. I’ve heard that trick or treating is a terrible thing, but it actually has similar roots. It can be viewed negatively, but . . .
Well, but so can the Christmas tree. So can the Easter egg. And if we’re on that subject, um, hello–“Easter” is named after the Roman goddess for spring, not for the resurrection. If we’re taking issue with holidays . . . But seriously. How many of our Christmas traditions, so beloved, are rooted in paganism? A lot.
And you know what? I’m okay with all that–because the whole point is that Christians integrated what was not sacred into their traditions and made it sacred by stripping it of old meaning and giving it new. I don’t believe that things, all by themselves, carry particular meaning (generally speaking, of course–there are exceptions)–it’s a matter of the meaning we give it.
So I keep coming back to the fact that I can’t have a problem with Halloween if I’m not going to have one with Christmas trees, Easter eggs, and who-knows-what-else. Why not have fun with costumes and candy, so long as my kids are taught the difference between good and evil, the dangers people once faced on that day, and the importance of recognizing the saints, like All Hollow’s Day is meant to do?
On that theory, I looked up some Catholic Halloween sites, thinking to get a good grounding for ways to make the holiday line up with a moral code. Interestingly, I found their suggestions way scarier than any Halloween party I wanted to go to! (It involved taking your kids through a graveyard to talk about those who have gone before, and having someone jump out from behind a tombstone to frighten them–fright is apparently a crucial part of the sacred holiday, too!)
So anyway. I know people get really upset by Halloween, and I’m happy to hear their points of view. I would, in fact, welcome any corrections, since I know many of these folks have done their homework on the subject better than I have. Or if you do celebrate it, I’d love to hear why. All I know if that if I wanted to keep my kids away from it, I’d have to cut off all TV, Story Time, and keep them out of public for the entire month of October.
All in all, I think my favorite way of someone making this day sacred was my friend Karlene’s family, who took her kids out trick-or-treating, yes–and together the family stopped and prayed at each house they visited, covering each and every place they went with the Lord’s blessing. Cool, huh? A trick-or-treating prayer walk!
by Roseanna White | Oct 13, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
In our homeschooling, we read one children’s book each of the school days and discuss a different aspect of it each day. This week we’re reading The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills, which takes place in turn-of-the-century Appalachia, in a coal-mining town. The premise is that the character, Minna, is too poor to afford a coat, so all the mothers of the community pool their scraps and quilt her a multi-colored coat that she says is like Joseph’s coat of many colors. She loves it because each scrap is a story, and now she carries a piece of each of her friends with her to keep her warm.
Being from the Appalachians ourselves, I’m loving this book. It’s so cool to see visuals of that era-gone-by, and I’ve been amazed at how much Xoe actually knows about it. I can point to any of the old-fashioned things in the illustrations, and she’ll say, “Oh, that’s the thing that blows out air on the fire” (a bellows) and “that’s the tub with the stick in it that you make butter with” and “that’s an oil lamp, silly–it looks like the one on our shelf! Remember, you got it from Gran-nan!”
I love this because as she identifies everything, she puts a story to it–just like Minna with her coat. It was all “Nonna has one of those” and “That was in that story you read to us before, about the pancake.” Our assignment for the story yesterday involved that storytelling aspect, and it recommended we get down a quilt and recall the stories in the squares. But, alas, we don’t have a quilt quite like that.
It was in casting around for something similar, though, that I realized my daughter does this already, with everything. There’s no such thing as as simple answer with her. Everything’s a story. It’s never just, “Look at my new sparkly red shoes.” It’s “Look at my new sparkly red shoes–they’re like that girl’s from the Oz movie, with the wizard and the lion and the man made of metal, and she clicked them together . . . ” =)
I love that about my sweet little girl. And I love the storytelling tendency in general. Do you have a memento or heirloom that’s your favorite, not because of monetary worth, but because of the story attached? I’d love to hear it!
by Roseanna White | Oct 13, 2010 | Uncategorized
And the winner of Shannon Vannatter’s White Doves is . . .
Cathy W! (cjwallace43@ . . .)
I’m sending you and email now, Cathy! Congrats!
by Roseanna White | Oct 12, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m excited to welcome Penny Zeller to my blog to talk about her novel, McKenzie. Penny and I started emailing a while back while she was still in the seeking-endorsement stage of publication, and I was thrilled to get to help her out with out. And now all of you get a taste of her historical romance!
Penny’s generously offered a copy of McKenzie to one lucky reader, so as usual, leave your comments below with an email address. And be sure to follow if you don’t already!
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About Penny
Penny Zeller is the author of several books and numerous magazine articles. She writes the humor blog “A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author” (www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com), is an active volunteer in her community, serving as a women’s Bible study small-group leader and co-organizing a women’s prayer group. Her passion is to use the gift of the written word to glorify God and to benefit His Kingdom. She devotes her time to assisting, encouraging, and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. When she’s not dreaming up new characters for books, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and camping, hiking, canoeing, gardening, and playing volleyball.
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About McKenzie
Desperate times call for desperate measures is the reasoning that prompts McKenzie Worthington, a young lady of Boston’s high society, to respond to an ad for a mail-order bride for a man in the Montana Territory. McKenzie is desperate, after all, to save her beloved younger sister, Kaydie, from her evil, abusive husband, who robs banks for a living. And so, it is with reckless determination that McKenzie runs away from the comforts of home and hearth to head West and meet her new husband-whom she’ll divorce, of course, after she rescues her sister.
Desperate times call for desperate measures is the reasoning that also prompts Zachary Sawyer, a rugged rancher after God’s own heart, to post an ad for a mail-order bride in various newspapers across the country. Managing a ranch and caring for his adoptive son, Davey, has become more than one man can handle alone, and Zach prays for God to send him a wife with whom to build a life and share his dreams.
When McKenzie arrives at Zach’s ranch, she immediately puts her plan in motion, searching for her sister and doing all she can to keep her new husband from forming an attachment. But his persistent kindness and significant self-sacrifices begin to change her heart-and ruin her plans. God has a way of working things out to the good of those who love Him, though, as McKenzie and Kaydie will soon see.
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Welcome, Penny! What’s your latest book?
My latest book is titled McKenzie and is the first in my Montana Skies Series. It is a Christian historical romance and was released September 1, 2010 by Whitaker House.
I actually got my copy in the mail not long ago. =) It’s sitting on my READ THESE! shelf, just waiting for me to have time to finish it, LOL. What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
Writing is my ministry and I hope my readers will get from McKenzie the power of God’s love, redemption, hope, and forgiveness. Readers will get a glimpse inside McKenzie’s life and see that God can and does change hearts.
What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
Historical fiction is my favorite genre to write, followed by contemporary fiction. In third place would be nonfiction, which I also enjoy writing as well. As for reading, I would have to say my favorite is historical fiction. There’s something neat about being able to pick up this genre and escape into a simpler time.
Ah, blissful sigh. I just love historicals. What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
That the hardest work comes after the book is published!
Yeah, what’s up with that?? Shouldn’t we just be able to move into our mansions where our mad genius can terrorize the help? 😉 Okay, back to reality. Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
I rely heavily on my family, both immediate and extended. My husband, Lon, and my two young daughters are very supportive. I also rely on my friend, Barb, who reads through everything I write and offers comments before I send it to my publisher. Then of course, I rely on my editor, Courtney, at Whitaker House. She always has wonderful suggestions and is awesome to work with.
Here’s one of my favorite questions: if someone were to give you $5,000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy? (No saving or gifts to charities allowed!)
No charities, saving, or gifts? What about paying bills? *grins* Actually, I would take my family on a vacation or buy my husband flying lessons, since it’s always been a dream of his to learn how to fly. And if there’s any money leftover, I’d probably buy a cute new outfit since I love clothes!
I sometimes dream about walking into “my” closet and seeing rack after rack of adorable clothes. Somehow, they’re never there when I wake up. LOL. What writing goal have you set for yourself that would be the most rewarding to achieve?
That a reader’s life would be impacted for Christ through one of my books. That is my ultimate goal.
Beautifully noble. So what are you writing right now?
I am working on Book Three in my Montana Skies Series, which will take fans of the series into the lives of more Pine Haven characters and a glimpse at the main character’s chance for love in an unexpected place! I am also starting a new series that takes place in the Civil War era.
Fun! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
Book Two in my Montana Skies Series, Kaydie, will be released in April 2011. Here is a short blurb:
For the first time in years, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer can breathe easily. Although she is still haunted by memories of her abusive husband, Darius, she takes comfort in knowing the man is dead. Staying with her sister McKenzie and brother-in-law, Zach Sawyer, at their ranch, Kaydie is still wary of men, especially now that she has another life inside of her to protect. As she looks forward to her baby’s birth, she builds a protective wall around herself that won’t be easy to tear down.
Ranch hand Jonah Dickenson views his boss, Zach, like a brother. He does not, however, envy Zach’s new role as a husband. Deserted by his mother at a young age and forever despised and rejected by his own father, Jonah has few close relationships. But there’s something about Kaydie that draws him to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.
When Cedric Van Aulst, an old friend of Kaydie’s, comes to town, an unforeseen prospect of marriage arises. Cedric is someone Kaydie trusts. Will she settle for a safe union with him, or can she trust God to guard her heart and her life in the arms of Jonah?
(A side note: readers can read the first two chapters of Kaydie in the back of McKenzie).
Sounds great! Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?
Sharlene MacLaren has influenced me in that I have “adopted” her as my mentor. She is a gifted writer with a wonderful and encouraging personality. Plus, I love to read her books! Another author who has influenced my writing is Janette Oke. I love that her books touch the heart and are wholesome and God-honoring.
Oh, Shar’s such a sweetie! It’s impossible not to be her friend, isn’t it? =)
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Thanks for visiting, Penny! Readers, you can check out her website at www.pennyzeller.com and her blog at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com and find her books at Amazon, ChristianBook or CrossPurposes.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Chance of winning depends on number of entries. Contest ends 10/18/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
by Roseanna White | Oct 11, 2010 | Uncategorized
So after sending out proposals for approximately everything I’ve ever written (okay, not everything, but a lot!) I obviously have these crazy thoughts. Like, “What if, rather than the historicals I’ve been writing, it’s my contemporaries they want? If that’s the case, then they’d expect me have more of them . . . so what would I give them?”
If Yesterday’s Tides clicks with a pub team, then cool–I’ve got that series planned out, and even an idea for a follow-up series. But if by some strange chance someone wanted my romantic suspense . . . do I have any more ideas for those? Hmm.
I probably have a few ideas in my Documents folder that could redone for the cause. But considering that option isn’t nearly so interesting as coming up with a new one, right? So my brain goes to the random, not at all fleshed out idea I had on vacation. My hubby had just bought me an absolutely gorgeous larmiar necklace, and I was reading the brochure about larimar on the way home.
For all of you who are like I was two months ago, you have no clue what larimar even is, let alone why there’s a whole brochure about it. Well, crash course. It looks like this picture. Back in the 70s, some dude who was visiting the Domincan Republic came across a stone like this while washing in a river, and he had never seen anything like it–for good reason. This particular gem exists in only one square kilometer in the world, in the midst of the Dominican rain forest. He named it larimar after his daughter Larissa and mar, the Spanish word for “sea,” since the stone calls the ocean to mind.
Larimar is the rarest gemstone on the planet, and last year they began mining the last layer of it. So naturally, my little brain thinks, “Something that rare, and just about gone . . . there has to be a story in there somewhere!”
I’ve got an inkling of an idea, but I’d love some brainstorming, just for fun. Anybody have any fun suggestions for how to use this information in a suspenseful story?
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.