by Roseanna White | Dec 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
Well, it’s December 1, which means my book is officially released!! I think this calls for something special, so this is the one Story Time that will be dedicated to my book.
First off, today and tomorrow I’m being featured on a blog called Patterings by Patty Wysong, and we’ll be giving away a copy of the book. So if you want a chance to win, leave a comment over there! She even put up an excerpt of the book, which I think is awesome.
Anyway. For today, I’m not going to tell you what I think about Stray Drop anymore–I’m going to show you what others are saying.
~*~
Haunting and powerful are two words that come to mind at the close of reading Roseanna M. White’s debut novel,
A Stray Drop of Blood. Not since Francine Rivers’
Mark of the Lion trilogy has a book and its characters captured me so completely. From its rich, historical prose that depicts the era of Christ with startling reality, to a compelling love story that will both jolt and seize your heart, this is one of those rare novels that haunts you centuries beyond the last page.
Ms. White states she began writing
A Stray Drop of Blood on Good Friday, a significance not lost in the telling of this tale that revolves around the crucifixion of Christ and the life-changing impact of “a stray drop of blood” on a Hebrew girl. At a young age, Abigail is sold into slavery to a kind Roman centurion, in whose household she grows in favor and beauty. She soon catches the eye of her master’s centurion son, handsome but worldly Jason Visibullis, who seeks to possess her, body and soul. In his quest to own Abigail’s love completely, Jason weds her, redeeming her from the bonds of slavery. But it is the blood of Christ that provides true redemption, not only for Abigail, but for her master’s household and husband as well. And amid the seething unrest of Roman tyranny and Hebrew uprising, a spell-binding saga unfolds, unleashing startling twists of both fate and heart that will leave you utterly breathless.
~ Julie Lessman
author of the Daughters of Boston Series
~*~
A Stray Drop of Blood is a fast-paced story that keeps you guessing until the very end. The unexpected plot twists and action make for an entertaining read—not your average ‘I-know-how-this-is-going-to-end’ type of tale.
One thing that author Roseanna White really nails is influencing a readers’ emotions via characterization. When main character Jason Visibullis was introduced, I took an instant dislike to the man, which rapidly turned to disgust. However, later on, White managed to completely change my opinion of him, and he became one of my favorites.
I think this is an important book because of how well it describes the plight of women. Granted, this happens to be told from a slave’s point of view, but even contemporary women will relate to the way heroine Abigail is treated. Ultimately this is a story of hope and contentment.
If you’re a lover of Biblical era novels, then this is the book for you…or a great Christmas gift for someone you know that has a Bible times penchant.
~ Michelle Greip
author of Gallimore
~*~
“[White] draws the reader in with irresistible characters and keeps him reading with complex action and a heart-clutching story. Not to be missed by anyone who loves Biblical fiction!”
~Marta Perrry
author of Leah’s Choice and Rachel’s Garden
~*~
“In A Stray Drop of Blood, Roseanna M. White delivers a spellbinding tale that will whisk readers back in time, to the last days of Jesus. Like an artfully-woven tapestry, the story is rich in colorful details of the city and its people… and the fearsome political climate that changed Jerusalem, forevermore. When you’ve finished this book, you’ll want more from this talented author!”
~Loree Lough
award-winning author of 74 novels that are “touching hearts and changing lives”
~*~
“A Stray Drop of Blood is a complex and captivating story full of characters I both adored and despised, sometimes at the same time. I loved the rich historical setting and how it wove effortlessly through the plot. The story is unpredictable, addictive, and full of hope even in the saddest of scenes. An excellent debut from Ms. White.”
~Stephanie Morrill
author of The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt Series
~*~
“ I love biblical fiction. I love reading about how the ordinary people really lived during that time and related to each other without haloes drawn around their heads and a chorus of angels singing in the background. And Roseanna White does a splendid job in A Stray Drop of Blood of bringing the days and months surrounding the crucifixion to brutal reality through the eyes of a young Hebrew girl. If you enjoy biblical fiction like I do, pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.”
~Golden Keyes Parsons
author of Darkness to Light Series
~*~
“Prepare to be transported to Rome in the time of Jesus by this powerful debut novel. With a cast of compelling characters and a roller-coaster plot, this is a memorable tale that will stay with you long after the last chapter is read. Abigail’s journey of faith and love is nothing short of miraculous. Biblical fiction fans will find it extremely rich and satisfying.”
~Terri Kraus
author of The Project Restoration Series:
The Renovation, The Renewal, The Transformation
by Roseanna White | Nov 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
So with the re-release of
Stray Drop being only TWO DAYS AWAY (!!!!!!!!), I’m trying to split my concentration between all the stuff necessary for promotion and moving on to new projects. There’s just one problem. My fickle little brain can’t settle on what it wants to work on.
I’ve got my wonderful 20s Egypt story, but upon doing some research into the really interesting crux of the story, I realized that there are some kinks that need cleverness applied. I’ve thus far had no brilliant ideas.
So last week I moved to a contemporary idea I’ve had for years, which I wanted to aim at Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired line. The original premise was a bit too, er, edgy for LI, so I was pleased when I came up with a way to at once up the emotions and take out some of the edge. I think this could be a great solution for these characters I love. I just need to have a good hook for the opening, and I’m not sure I’ve hit upon it yet.
And before I could be sure, I had this other bolt of inspiration. See, one of my critique partners challenged me to write a modern day pirate story. Naturally, I immediately started considering it, but no brilliance struck at once. Until Thursday, while watching a Bond movie of all things. Two seconds of a random scene suddenly had the brainstorming juices flowing. Not even a big part–just a clip of a woman letting herself through a sliding glass door on a yacht in a skimpy bathing suit and walking past a poker table. The thing was, we never saw her face–like her only purpose was to make the other men look her way briefly. For whatever reason, that one snippet brought to life the heroine for this pirate story.
I quickly wrote an opening for the story, which was all I could do on my own, because I have no clue about some stuff pretty crucial to the idea. Namely, boats. Yeesh! So I put my hubby to work figuring out what my pirates would be using, what my hero would be using against them, etc. I chewed on it all weekend, tossed it around with some visiting friends. And last night I sat down and wrote four pages of notes outlining the entire plot.
This is one of those times when I pray for the right direction (which I have been) and trust that the Lord will make clear which story I should pursue. I have to decide what to focus on, and the only guaranteed way to do that is to focus on God. He’ll handle the rest. =)
by Roseanna White | Nov 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From A Stray Drop of Blood
ESTER
Ester Visibullis has been an outcast ever since she married her Roman husband. Her father was a high priest of the synagogue, and he cast her off when Cleopas entered her life. Though she swiftly fell in love with her husband, his friends never welcomed her, not until a year after Abigail joins their home, when the general’s new wife arrives from Rome and becomes her friend.
Of a nervous disposition, Ester paces and fidgets whenever something is bothering her and will often have a cup of camomile at hand to try to soothe her frayed nerves. She is a woman of deep heart, one who only wants the best for those she loves, though she rarely presumes to know what that “best” might be.
In spite of all she suffered at the hands of her father, Ester is still held by the lessons he taught her, his way of interpreting the Law and the Prophets. Though her husband is hopeful for a messiah, she is uncertain the Scriptures can be interpreted to promise one.
Having spent so many years with only her home as her world, Ester is always uncertain when meeting new people and unsure how to impress.
Abigail quickly learned how to reassure her mistress.
“What they will see is a woman of great beauty. And they will be pleased to see you trying to show how pleasing you are to be seen with.”
Though Ester is the mother of a grown son, she’d still be quite young by our definition, and still very beautiful. Connie Nielsen would make an excellent Ester.
by Roseanna White | Nov 26, 2009 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
I imagine 99% of blogs today are going to talk about Thanksgiving in some form or another. I toyed with the idea of taking a holiday from blogging, but I’d actually like to sit back and muse about the day. We’ll see if anyone reads it, LOL.
This year, I have so much to be thankful for. I have my wonderful family, complete with a husband I’m so in love with, a daughter who amazes me with her insights and entertains me with her 4-yr-old-isms, and a son who’s in that oh-so-fun stage where he’ll imitate anything, says new words everyday, and just delights me every day.
I’m so blessed to have a critique group full of wonderful women who love me and understand me, including my best friend. I have a fabulous agent who has stood beside me as I toss project after project her way and we wait to see which one will sell. I am thankful for the almost-contract I have on a contemporary, and for the many requests for manuscripts I got at the conference.
I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to work on and re-release A Stray Drop of Blood. This book is so special to me, and I’ve long wanted to give it its due. Special thanks to WhiteFire Publishing for making the investment in a whole new book. And to Tekeme for designing such an awesome cover. And to my endorsers and influencers who are helping bring it to the public eye.
The Lord has given us a good year; I can’t thank him enough for all of it. But I can remember, and I can try to find the words for it, and I can keep looking forward to the future.
by Roseanna White | Nov 25, 2009 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
I have either forgotten a lot I learned about Thanksgiving as a kid, or my schools focused more on the
first Thanksgiving than the history of it. Because I’ve learned so much with my 4-year-old this year . . .
The sermon this past weekend touched on the Biblical perspective, and how there were Old Testament commands for giving thanks to God, as well as New Testament guidelines. I really love that our country has a history of setting aside a day for this–that some of the first settlers were here to seek free worship of God, and that they honored him for his faithfulness, in spite of the hardships.
I find it even more inspiring that there were people like Sarah Hale who cared enough about this tradition to fight for it. She first succeeded in getting each state to recognize the day, then, eventually, convinced President Lincoln to have the nation honor it as one. At a time when the country was torn by war, this was a monumental moment, one that helped us heal.
In some ways, it’s really easy to imagine that day when it was only a state-recognized affair, and one that they often neglected. In some ways, Thanksgiving is almost a “second-rate” holiday to modern people–it doesn’t require presents, and in fact is often lost in the anticipation for Black Friday. It only rates as a chance to host an elaborate meal.
But I remember my own childhood, when I sat back in my room one Thanksgiving smelling that wonderful turkey, knowing that soon my family would be coming. I remember spending some time writing a story about a girl named Felicia, which I knew meant something like “happy.” I remember cutting out some construction paper turkeys for all my family members. And I remember thinking, “This is one of the happiest days in the year. Where everyone just comes over to be together.”
I still love the holiday for that very reason. It’s a chance to come together with those I love and just be. Be there. Be together. Be thankful for all the Lord has given me.
Thank you, Father, for putting me in a country with such a history of recognizing You.
by Roseanna White | Nov 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
For this Thanksgiving story time, I couldn’t think of a better book to spotlight than a fabulous children’s book I read to my daughter this week. We found it at the library, on display because of it’s Thanksgiving theme, and I am so impressed with this book.
We all know the Pilgrim-and-natives story of Thanksgiving, sure. But how many of us know the story of how it became a national holiday? I had some vague memory about it, but this great picture book helped flesh it out and make real the story of one determined, courageous woman who headed the 38-year battle to get Thanksgiving recognized as a national holiday.
Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving is great on so many levels. Illustrator Matt Faulkner created pictures that both appealed to my 4-year-old daughter and delighted me with their excellence and the humor hidden within them. They sort of cross Norman Rockwell with editorial cartoons. The writing is friendly and funny, and Anderson uses this vivid voice to bring to life an amazing woman.
We’ve read a lot of Thanksgiving books this past month, but the one that in my mind best combines history with good writing and fabulous art is Thank You, Sarah.
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.