by Roseanna White | Sep 20, 2010 | Uncategorized
I confess it–I love a good hero. I like being in their heads for a while, I like seeing their thoughts. Generally speaking, I like their reactions. My hubby and I joke that my emotions are more like a man’s than a woman’s (and he frequently praises the Lord that I somehow escaped the moodswings that plague so many women), and more than once I’ve growled at a heroine for being so . . . so . . . blastedly girlish in her response to something, when I wanted her to suck it up and take it like a woman.
Maybe that’s why I enjoy crafting my heroes, tucking little pieces of the men I know and love into their characters. Yes, my hubby sees a bit of himself in some of my awesome guys. My dad probably would too, if he read my unpublished manuscripts. Though of course, there are always some things uniquely their own.
I love creating heroes that earn sighs from my critique partners, and I know I’ve gotten it right if Carole emails something to the effect of, “If I weren’t happily married to a real man, I’d be giving your heroine some competition for him.” =)
One of my favorite heroes thus far is in my contemporary, Seized. He’s got the alpha-thing going in that he’s in peak physical position–kinda necessary, since he’s a SEAL. But he’s not the leader of his group–he’s the tech guy. He’s of especially strong spirit, his relationship with the Lord one I aspire to. He prays over everything, and has so well learned to listen to the Lord that his entire team has learned to trust whatever God tells him to do or not do. Of course, he’s going to be a little challenged toward the end of the book when God’s telling him to put the woman he loves in harm’s way without any guarantees that she’ll come back to him.
Which brings me to one of my favorite, but trickiest heroic attributes. See, Smith (my hero) hasn’t been involved with a woman for the last eight years, ever since some torture-training drew him so close to the Lord. What will come out throughout the story is that God has actually put blinders on him so that the next woman he really notices is THE woman–and it isn’t an at-first-sight thing with her, he doesn’t get struck by it until she accepts Christ. Then bam! He falls hard.
Now, personally I think this is going to be a lot of fun. I do admit to some concern that Smith will be too perfect, or the blinded-to-all-others thing might not be realistic. (Hence the backstory concerning the woman he was a little too involved with in college and her determination to come back into his life now and dredge up the past.)
What are some of your favorite characteristics in a hero? Do you like the strong, silent types? The just-waiting-to-be-reformed bad boys? The geeky ones who come into their own over the course of the story? Do share!
by Roseanna White | Sep 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today we’re welcoming prolific writer Darlene Franklin to the blog to talk about her newly-released anthology from Barbour, A Woodland Christmas. Hard as it is to believe ’tis the season again, it’s definitely time to start hunting down what books you’ll want to get yourself in the holiday spirit this year!
Darlene has graciously offered a copy of A Woodland Christmas to one lucky readers, so as usual, leave your comments below. And please make sure you’re a follower!
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About Darlene
Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin recently returned to cowboy country—Oklahoma—to be near family. She recently signed the contract for her twelfth book. This fall she is celebrating the repacking of her Rhode Island romance in Seaside Romance and her third novella anthology, Face of Mary in A Woodland Christmas. Visit Darlene’s blogs at www.darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com and http://thebookdoctorbd.blogspot.com.
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About A Woodland Christmas
Four couples carve a niche for love in the Piney Woods of East Texas. itinerant woodcarver moves from town to town in the woodlands, delivering “sawdust sermons” that hold even more value than the furniture he crafts. Will the advice he dispenses help four couples find their way to the miracle of love at Christmas? In my novella, The Face of Mary, Mary “Polly” Jessup holds onto a promise of marriage made five years ago, but when Joseph “Joey” Carpenter returns from law school with a new outlook and new girlfriend, her future hopes are dashed.
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What’s your latest book?
Barbour Publishing released Seaside Romance in August and A Woodland Christmas on September 1st. Both books are anthologies, and I am one of the authors.
I’m already intrigued by the mere mention of “seaside” . . . but I’ll be good and focus on the Christmas one. 😉 I do love Christmas too, after all. What’s your favorite part of the story?
Gabe Noell, an itinerant woodcarver, appears in all four stories in A Woodland Christmas. He’s quite a character, and I had fun with him. In my story, The Face of Mary, Gabe is carving life-size nativity figures. My hero is painting them, and he is searching for the woman who resembles Mary in character to be his model. Little does he realize she’s right under his nose.
Sounds fun! What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
I would say that romance picked me. As a single woman, I give all the credit to God for allowing me to write romance. He is the author of all true love and His love is the rock solid foundation of my life. Lately I’ve been writing mostly historical romance, which has become a very rewarding experience. At the same time it’s scary. There is so much I don’t know!
I read a lot of romance (mostly historical), but my default genre for mental relaxation is mystery/suspense. The busier I get, the more I drop everything else and stick to mysteries.
I know exactly what you mean about the scariness of historicals! Gotta love ’em though. What are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?
I’m in the middle of a “push” writing project, so I am doing what I usually do when under pressure: relaxing with a good mystery or suspense book. Currently I’m reading Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark. She’s one of the few romantic suspense authors I read regularly, and she always impresses me by the way she integrates her faith into her books in a very gentle way.
And of course I always have more than one book going at a time! During my quiet time, I’m reading Breathing Grace by Dr. Henry Straus. I’m also reading Rocky Mountain Match by Pamela Nissen. I am also reading a book about a range war in Texas for my next WIP.
Next, I want to finish Vigilante’s Bride by Yvonne Harris and the next mystery on my list is The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry.
Wow, that’s one rich reading life! I’m impressed. =) Now, here’s a fun one: what’s one of the oddest or most interesting things someone has ever said about you?
My entire family was humor-challenged; practical jokes used to leave me scratching my head. So when laughter comes easily now, I thank God. Imagine my shock—and delight—when someone said “You smile all the time!” Give all the credit for that to God.
LOL. What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
I recently purchased a home and have the luxury of an entire room for my office! And every spare inch is crammed: desk, 3 book cases, 2 filing cabinets, printer desk, and a rolling cart where I keep office supplies. I hope to finish off the room with a poster-sized print of one of my photos of my beloved Rockies, so I can escape to Colorado in my mind while writing. (While living through Oklahoma’s hot summers).
I’ve come a long way since I wrote my first novel while riding on the bus! Praise the Lord.
Oh, I envy you that room to yourself! Though not the writing on the bus . . . 😉 What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
I’m not sure at which point I learned this lesson, but I hear it a lot from pre-published writers: the attitude of “if only.” If only I could win the Genesis contest. If only I could get a book published.
The “if onlys” don’t stop there, however. Then it becomes “if only I get a second book published.” If only enough people buy my book. If only I could get a bigger contract.
Whether pre-published or multi-published, we still struggle with self-doubt and want more and have to turn it over to God.
Too true. Do you remember where you were when you got your first or most important call about a book contract?
I have sold sixteen books; and I haven’t had a phone call yet. I do remember that I received the news about my first book the night before Thanksgiving. Great rejoicing!
I bet! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
This has been an amazing year! In addition to the two books mentioned before, I have three books coming out about historical Vermont (and eventually, a repack like Seaside Romance). Each story is based on a historical event in Vermont’s history. In Prodigal Patriot, Reid hides out in a cave with her family and continues to farm her land in spite of Tory opposition—including the father of the man who loves her. In Bridge to Love, Tuttle has to make crops grow in the year when every crop failed (The Year of No Summer) to pay off his debt to the banker—and win the heart of the banker’s daughter. Love’s Raid is a Civil War story; when the bank is robbed, Daniel Tuttle has to determine if it’s a copycat robbery (the St. Albans Raid)—or something closer to home.
Those all sound awesome!
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Thanks for visiting, Darlene! Don’t forget to check out her sites (above), everyone. And you can order her A Woodland Christmas from 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 9/23/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
by Roseanna White | Sep 16, 2010 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
So, there’s an awesome new site debuting in October, and as an official sponsor (well, the Christian Review of Books is), I feel the need to let y’all know about it. Cuz it is cool.
Clash of the Titles (www.ClashoftheTitles.com) is a place “Where authors battle and readers judge.” Here’s the setup. Two published authors submit excerpts from their books in a certain theme (best kiss, smoothest conversion scene, best nature description, etc.). The two selections are published–but the readers don’t know who the authors are. Readers vote based solely on which snippet they think best captures the theme.
Mid-week, the results are tallied and the winners are announced, along with the knowledge of who wrote what. The authors and their books are promoted, and readers get a chance to win a signed book–and meet some new authors they now know they’ll love!
I adore this idea and have already submitted something–though mum’s the word on what or when. 😉
Readers, writers–you have GOT to check this site out! It’s going to be a ton of fun. How often do you get to do a blind taste-test when it comes to books??
Hop on over to get a feel for things, and when it goes live in a month, visit weekly to vote for The Worthiest!
by Roseanna White | Sep 15, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Okay, so since I’m on vacation right now (mwa ha ha ha!) I’m cheating and cross-posting something for a friend. And since she writes historical fiction and this is my historical day . . . works pretty well. =)
So, dig in and learn a little about Rita Gerlach’s wonderful Revolution-era romance, Surrender the Wind. Enjoy!
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~ When a
n American patriot of the Revolution inherits his grandfather’s estate in faraway England, he inherits more than an isolated manor house. He discovers Juleah’s love and a plot that leads to kidnapping, murder, and betrayal, in this stirring tale of fidelity and forgiveness. ~
Instead of answering interview questions, I’m commenting on some quotes from reviewers to give my readers a deeper glimpse into the storyline in Surrender the Wind.
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From author Marylu Tyndall ~ Ms. Gerlach’s historic research is evident throughout the story, and her attention to detail and literary descriptions of scenes placed me right in the middle of the action.
If a writer wishes to write a historical novel, research is a vital, essential part of developing a great story. When I began Surrender the Wind, I read numerous accountants of the Battle of Yorktown where the book opens in the prologue. I researched uniforms, dress, weaponry, food, and culture.
As the book moves forward into Chapter 1, the reader is taken to England, to a crumbling manor house in Devonshire. The historical research from this point on had to be in the details. I wanted my reader to see in their mind the scene, outdoors and indoors. Everything from a tallow candle in the socket of a brass candlestick, to the blue and white pitcher and bowl on the heroine’s washing table, adds strong visual imagery. My editor told me once that a place can become a character in a book. I feel that is true for Ten Width Manor. It’s walls hold secrets of lives past and present in the story. Because it is the ancestral home of the Braxtons, Ten Width has a stronghold on those living in it.
Then there are the historical cultural markings in a book that make up the characters. Dress. Etiquette. Traditional family life. I studied 18th century wills and marriage customs, the fashions of the period, and how the classes interacted with each other.
* * *
From author Linda Clare ~ The American Revolutionary period comes to life as Gerlach explores themes of patriotism with a faith element.
In America today there is a resurgence of patriotism. We are returning to our roots, our Constitution, and faith. In the 18th century faith played a major role in the lives of people in both the Colonies and United Kingdom. In Surrender the Wind, I bring faith into the story as a lifestyle. It is delicately woven into the characters’ personalities. One thing I did not want to do is write a ‘religious novel’. My goal was to write a novel where readers would become immersed into the characters by relating to the struggles they faced which bring about spiritual breakthroughs.
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From Annette Temple ~ A Well-Watered Garden Blog’ This book is one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read. The passion and love that is poetically described between Seth and Juleah was rousing.
I am so grateful to Annette for this comment. She helped me realize that I achieved my goal. Most of us ladies want a bit of romance in our stories, don’t we? We want a hero that is tough with the world, but tender with his lady. And a heroine that is strong in the face of tribulation, but swept away by the love of a man. Romance in a novel, in my opinion, is the most intriguing when what is written is just enough to leave the rest up to the reader’s imagination. In Christian fiction a writer brings out romance deftly, love that goes beyond the material, but deeper into the heart and spirit of the characters.
I’ll close here with a romantic excerpt from Surrender the Wind . It is Seth and Juleah’s wedding night. I hope you will consider reading my novel, and keep an eye out for the release of book 1 in a new series, Daughters of the Potomac, coming out in May, 2012, entitled ‘Before the Scarlet Dawn’.
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In his bedchamber, which they now shared, Juleah slipped on her silk nightdress. Thin white ribbons laced the front. She sat at the dressing table brushing her hair. Tinted with the golden splendor of the candles, she smoothed it over her shoulder and ran her fingers down its length. Excitement filled her, tripped over her skin along with desire. She glanced around the room. How masculine it appeared. A fresh coat of paint would improve its appearance, and white curtains over the windows would bring it warmth and light.
She set the candlestick on the table next to their bed. The brass clock on the mantelpiece chimed out the hour. She paused to listen to the musical sound it made, while she pulled down the coverlet. The door drifted open. Seth came inside, shut it, and proceeded to pull off his waistcoat.
“Ah, have you seen the moon?” She opened the drapes wide to let the moonlight pour in. It bathed the room soft blue. “Is it not lovely, Seth?”
He joined her at the window. Wrapping his arms around his wife’s waist, he stood close behind her. His breath brushed against her neck and she sighed.
He whispered in her ear. “Doubt thou the stars are fire. Doubt that the sun doth move. Doubt truth to be a liar. But never doubt I love.”
It pleased her that he, a Virginian rebel, had memorized the beauty of Shakespeare’s verses. Melting with longing, she turned to him. He took her into his arms. She reached up and pushed back a lock of hair that fell over his brow. “I will never doubt your love, not for anything in the world.”
He brought his lips to hers and she strained against him. Love rose within each heart. He lifted her, and her feet dangled above the floor. Holding her, he kissed her, turned with Juleah toward their bed, and took his bride away from the window.
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Read Chapter One: http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/displayImage.aspx?pcid=1173111
Rita’s Website: http://www.ritagerlach.com/index.html
Surrender the Wind is available wherever books are sold. Kindle additions available from Amazon.com
Cokesbury Bookstore is having an amazing sale. http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=783958
by Roseanna White | Sep 14, 2010 | Uncategorized
Can I just say that I miss chick lit? I’m not sure why it went out of style, but there’s something about those insecure young heroines with a quirky outlook that inevitably sucks me in. And you know, I occasionally need a break from heavy, serious works–when that happens, this genre is just perfect. They still deal with the real issues, but they do it in a light voice.
Last month I e-met (how’s that for coining a phrase? LOL) Sandra Byrd, who was interested in joining one of the historical groups I belong to. She has a Tudor-era novel coming out from Howard next year and loves this new direction of her career. Now, though, she has some YA books out, and a chick lit series. We did a book swap–I sent her Stray Drop, and she sent me these contemporaries. =)
I just finished reading the first one, and I gotta say, I love it. The heroine, Lexi, is a fairly recent college grad who majored in French studies . . . and now can’t find a job. Certainly not in her area of interest. As a result, she’s living at home again–and can’t find a guy. But with her parents selling their house and moving to a retirement community in six months, Lexi’s on the clock. It’s time to get her life together–fast. Can the fabulous French bakery–and the fabulous French baker–be the answer to her stilted prayers?
But nothing’s easy, not even something she loves as much as working at L’Esperance. She somehow manages to flub a huge order for a cute professional, and when he asks her what he’s supposed to do, she snaps, “Let them eat cake!” Something snaps inside her too–it’s high time she stop trying to please everyone else in her life and work on pleasing God. Chasing her own dreams, no one else’s. Viva la revolution!
Personally, I was hooked from the first page. Each chapter starts with a French quote translated into English, and what woman wouldn’t love this one? :
Chaque personne sait où sa chaussure pince.
Each woman knows where her shoe pinches.
And that is the summation of life through the eyes of Lexi Stuart. She knows where her problems are–but just like those fave shoes that rub, but which you just can’t get rid of, it isn’t a matter of obliterating your problems. It’s a matter of working with them.
As I was reading, I couldn’t wait to see what Lexi would get into next! Where her rêves, her dreams, would take her. And how many blisters her over-priced shoes rubbed along the way. 😉
(Adorable note–my kids sat there yesterday trying to decide which of the petit fours on the cover would be tastiest and them pretended to munch them. =) Xoe, of course, favored the pink heart-shaped one in the middle. Rowyn wanted the German chocolate one on the back. )
by Roseanna White | Sep 13, 2010 | Uncategorized
And the winner of Jody Hedlund’s The Preacher’s Bride is . . .
Bluerose! (blueroseheart@ . . .)
Congrats! I just sent you an email!
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.