by Roseanna White | Jul 21, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Sometimes when we’re just reading through a short-ish book of the Bible like Esther, we tend to ignore little things like “and in the third year of the reign of Xerxes” verses “in the seventh year . . .” right? I know I do. But now that I’m concluding Jewel of Persia and am hence digging into Esther, I’m reminded again of all this fun stuff.
Though incredibly short, this book of the Bible spans quite a few years. First of all, the time between Vashti being deposed and Esther arriving at the palace is three years. Three years! You wouldn’t really think that when you read it, unless you pay attention to those “year of the reign” things. It reads like “So Xerxes got mad, took care of business. When his temper had cooled, he remembered Vashti and all his dudes said, ‘Hey, kingy, time to find a new queen.'”
Apparently it took his temper three years to cool. Which actually makes so much sense if you accept that the king mentioned in Esther is in fact Xerxes I, who was away preparing for war with Greece for those exact years of his reign. Cool stuff, eh? Especially since non-Biblical history then records that he “returned to Persia and dedicated himself to the intrigues of the harem.” !!!
I’ve probably shared bits and pieces of this before, but given that last night I just typed “The seventh year of the reign of Xerxes” under my next chapter’s heading, it hit home anew. And now I’m going to get writing.
Hope y’all have an awesome day!
by Roseanna White | Jul 20, 2010 | Uncategorized
I’m gonna do that thing again–talk about a book you can’t buy yet. đ This isn’t my official review (which is written and will post in November when the book releases), but it’s a sneak peek to whet your appetite.
For a while now, I’ve been hearing my friend Sandi Rog talk about her Biblical fiction, which, unlike Stray Drop which integrates events of the Bible, is set in first century Rome with early Christians. I’ve always loved this time period, getting glimpses into Roman life, and putting myself in the sandals of some of the first members of the church. So I very eagerly raised my hand with an excited “Oo, oo! Me, me!” when Sandi asked for endorsers.
I’m going to unabashedly say that if you liked my book, you’ll love Sandi’s too. They’re nothing alike in plot, but I’d say they share the same spirit.
The Master’s Wall is about David, a Hebrew in Rome whose parents are killed for their Christian faith. He is badly hurt and then sold into slavery to a wealthy villa. From the first moment he realizes he’s bound to this place, he wants to escape, to run back to Rome and see what became of his little sister. But he’s not only bound by his word and the law–he’s also bound by invisible strings to his master’s young, fiery granddaughter Alethea.
Alethea has lost her father to this new faith called Christianity, watched him die for it, and it is too much for her young heart. She at once longs to know more about the God he served and wants those she cares about to stay far away from Him, lest they be killed too.
Tempted constantly by escape and something even more dangerous, David grows into a warrior and a strong Christian. But what will it take to right the wrongs that rule at the villa?
And seriously, put this book on your list NOW. In fact, ask for it for Christmas. It’s a small press book with an enormous spirit–one of those rare books that pulled me from my writing to keep turning those pages. Sandi is a fantastic writer, and the story . . . the story simply won’t let you go.
by Roseanna White | Jul 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
One of the hardest thing for me sometimes in a contemporary is deciding what in the world my characters should do for a living. Sometimes it’s so much a part of their character that it’s no decision at all–but other times . . . I find myself watching TV just to remember what jobs people have, LOL.
In one of my humorous contemporaries, the heroine is an advice columnist, which is where the inspiration for the book came from. The hero is an insurance agent. I don’t know that I’ve read a book with an insurance agent hero, but I worked in an insurance office for three years, so I knew how funny one could actually be. And it was a blast to have him react to everything in terms of deductibles and claims and underwriting. Trust me–it’s how you start to think, LOL. I wasn’t an agent, but even I started viewing life through that lens after a while. Like, I see a fabulous necklace on someone and think, “I sure hope they have an Inland Marine policy on that–it’s too much to be covered under Homeowners . . .”
In my more suspenseful contemp, the hero is by necessity an ex-SEAL. Again, it’s where the inspiration came from. But the heroine is from a culture where women were wives and mothers and nothing more. All well and good until she arrives on U.S. soil, sees women moving about with their male counterparts in the working world, and has this moment of, “I’m not suited for this world. I can’t drive, I’ve never used a computer, I have no skills. Now what?” She’ll find her place, of course, but it’s a driving force of the book.
There’s a big difference to me when reading between a character who must have whatever profession they do and one who happens to. Even when I have to take some time to figure out what a character ought to do, I want to make it so organic to who they are–or even make the not-knowing so integral a part–that you don’t put down the book and forget what so-and-so did for a living.
by Roseanna White | Jul 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today you’re in for a treat as Margaret Daley joins us to talk about her latest Love Inspired novel, Heart of a Cowboy. I have ready many, many a LI book by Margaret, and they rank among my favorites. So pull up a stool and sit a spell and get to know this lovely lady and her new inspirational romance.
Margaret has graciously offered a copy of the book to one lucky winner, so leave your comments below with a way for me to reach you.
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About Margaret
Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writersâ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHLâs Inspirational Readersâ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian Romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines. She has sold seventy-four books to date.
Margaret is currently the Volunteer Officer for ACFW. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She served as vice-president for two years in WIN-ACFW and is still on its board as an advisor. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.
Until she retired last year, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community.
You can visit her web site at http://www.margaretdaley.com and read excerpts from her books and learn about the ones recently released and soon to be released.
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About Heart of a Cowboy
Ten years ago Jordan Masterson left her hometown heartbrokenâand pregnant. Now, yearning for connection with her family, the single mother returns to Tallgrass, Oklahoma. But she’s shocked to find her son’s fatherâunaware he has a childâa vital part of the community. Zachary Rutgers owns the ranch that the local homeschoolers use for riding and recreation. Which means little Nicholas, Jordan and Zachary will be spending a lot of time together. Jordan must tell Zachary the truth about their sonâand ask for answers herself. Hoping the heart of her cowboy will still be hers for the taking.
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What’s your latest book?
Heart of a Cowboy is out this July. It is the second book in my Helping Hands Homeschooling Series for Love Inspired, Steeple Hill. The first book in the series is Love Lessons, Love Inspired April 2010, and the third book will be out in November called A Daughter for Christmas.
Oh, cool! I’ve just begun homeschooling, so I’m intrigued already. đ What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
The power of forgiving a personâit is freeing when a person does it.
Amen to that. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
My favorite to write is romantic suspense. My favorite to read is suspense and adventure.
Romantic suspense is one of my favorites to read, so I’m grateful you love to write it, LOL. What would your dream office look likeâand what does your REAL writing environment look like?
I would have an office with a large picture window overlooking a lake with a mountain in the background.
Reality: I have an office that overlooks my front yard and the flower beds. I watch butterflies land on the butterfly bushâalso hummingbirds like butterfly bushes, too. My walls are hot pink with white trimming. I have a lot of flamingoes in my office as well as book shelves full of lots of booksâthousands.
I could use some of those shelves–and I just relocated my office, so I get to look at our butterfly bush too. =) What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
I thought when I sold my first book I had it made. Selling the second book was as hard as selling that first one.
Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
I have a critique group I belong to, and weâve been together for years. I also have several writer friends I brainstorm with, go to conferences together and discuss the publishing business.
Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
My church, family and friends. I have four granddaughters who are wonderful. I love going to lunch and a movie with a friend.
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!)
Taking my granddaughters to Disney World. Iâm a kid at heart and would have so much fun with them.
Awww. I bet they would like that too! What are you writing right now?
I am writing the second book in my female bodyguard series (Guardians, Inc.) for Love Inspired Suspense. It is called Protecting Her Own and will be out next June.
Love the idea of that series! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
I have several coming up:
A Daughter for Christmas, Love Inspired, November 2010
Christmas Bodyguard, Love Inspired Suspense, December 2010
Trail of Lies, Love Inspired Suspense, April 2011
Protecting Her Own, Love Inspired Suspense, June 2011
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You’re a busy woman, Margaret! And we readers are grateful. Everyone, be sure and check out Margaret’s website at www.MargaretDaley.com and her blog at MargaretDaley.blogspot.com.
You can purchase Heart of a Cowboy from Amazon.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Contest ends 7/22/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim book.
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, sheâs 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 booksâŚto offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.