by Roseanna White | Jan 25, 2011 | Uncategorized
I was very excited yesterday. My hubby brought up the mail, and in it was a book from Revell. I get a ton of books from Baker Publishing Group, but I knew as soon as I saw the envelope what this one was, solely because other influencers on the list for the particular book had begun receiving theirs.
And I was right! I opened it and pulled out Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes, which I have been eagerly looking forward to reading for, like, ever. Laurie Alice let our historical group in on its inception as soon as she sold it to Revell, and we’ve gotten to travel this journey with her. So you can imagine how touched our whole group was when we open the book to see she dedicated it to us, the HisWriters.
I only had a few minutes of reading time last night, but I carried her book with me all afternoon as I was out doing errands, just in case there were a few minutes of unexpected down time. I only managed to squeeze in two chapters last night, but that was enough to hook me.
Here’s the back cover blurb:
By virtue of her profession as a midwife, Tabitha Eckles is the keeper of many secrets: the names of fathers of illegitimate children, the level of love and harmony within many a marriage, and now the identity of a man who may have caused his wife’s death. Dominick Cherrett is a man with his own secret to keep: namely, what he, a British nobleman, is doing on American soil working as a bondsman in the home of Mayor Kendall, a Southern gentleman with his eye on a higher office.
By chance one morning before the dawn has broken, Tabitha and Dominick cross paths on a misty beachhead, leading them on a twisted path through kidnappings, death threats, public disgrace, and . . . love? Can Tabitha trust Dominick? What might he be hiding? And can either of them find true love in a world that seems set against them?
With stirring writing that puts readers directly into the story, Lady in the Mist expertly explores themes of identity, misperception, and love’s discovery.
And here’s what I already love about it:
From the get-go, you get a taste of the suspense. A woman who dies under suspicious circumstances, a stranger run into the shadows, a knife to the throat.
Already there’s wit and banter. The first exchange between mysterious hero and weary heroine is enough to make one’s heart flutter. I mean, he jests about her being a mermaid. How much more awesome can you get?
The characters are already engaging and lovable.
I can’t wait to read more, and I’ll give you a full review of the book next week, but I was too excited to wait. =) Lady in the Mist is a book I know already will go on my favorites list, and Laurie Alice will be here to talk about it in February. Yay!
by Roseanna White | Jan 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
Today I’m happy to welcome Ronie Kendig to the blog to talk about her latest romantic suspense. It sounds awesome, so y’all are in for a treat!
Ronie has been kind enough to offer a giveaway, too. So as usual, to be entered please leave a comment below with an email address where I can reach you in the event that you win.
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About Ronie
Ronie Kendig grew up an Army brat, married a veteran, and they now have four children and a Golden Retriever. She has a BS in Psychology, speaks to various groups, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers. Ronie lives in the Dallas/Ft Worth her family and their pets, Daisy, a Golden Retriever and Helo, the Maltese Menace.
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What’s your latest book?
Digitalis (Discarded Heroes #2) was released January 1 from Barbour Publishing. Step into the boots of a former Marine in this heart-pounding adventure in life and love. Colton “Cowboy” Neeley is a Marine trying to find his footing as he battles flashbacks now that he’s back home. Piper Blum is a woman in hiding—from life and the assassins bent on destroying her family. When their hearts collide, more than their lives is at stake. Will Colton find a way to forgive Piper’s lies? Can Piper find a way to rescue her father, trapped in Israel? Is there any way their love, founded on her lies, can survive?
Oo, sounds intriguing! What’s your favorite part of the story?
Oh man, that’s. . .hard. I can’t give away the story. . .but there are so many favorites parts, too. I guess one aspect that I loved in this book was Colton’s relationship with his family, especially his daughter. That’s pivotal. I loved writing the scene in the mall when his daughter vanishes.
We authors are such strange folk, delighting in making terrible things happen to our beloved characters, LOL. What are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?
I’ve spent the last week reading Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Fascinating story and read. I have a stack of books sitting next to me that are champing at the bit for me to read: Decision Points by George W. Bush, Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card, and Valley of the Shadow by Tom Pawlik. That’s not counting the dozens more that I have.
I just read Pathfinder! It was fabulous. We ordered his other new release too. =) Lost Gate, I believe. Anyway. While we’re on the topic of books . . . Other than the Bible, what’s your favorite of all the books you’ve ever read?
It would definitely have to be The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis because that book radically changed my mind and life.
I’ve yet to read those, though several friends have recommended them. One of these days . . . Okay, so what’s one of the oddest or most interesting things someone has ever said about you?
Years ago, at a small group meeting, we had to write something about those around us on 3X5 cards. One friend wrote that “Ronie is sweet. . .and unassuming.” Sweet? Well, if you insist, but the “unassuming” stopped me cold. I had to ask my husband what that meant to him, and when he explained, I realized. . .she’s right. But I’d never really thought about that, and it blessed me that someone would notice such a small thing about me.
Awwww. Any funny family stories about living with a writer?
It was the night when Brian and I were flat broke but managed to scrape up a smidge to go out for a CHEAP dinner date. We were sitting there in the restaurant, and he mumbled something that threw my mind back into my story… I have no idea how long I sat there, staying off into space before he said, “I’ve lost you, haven’t I?” I felt HORRIBLE. Our first night out in eons and I spent it with my characters. *blush* I apologized profusely, but he laughed, said he loved that I loved writing so much.
Another awwwwww. Aren’t those supportive hubbies grand? =) Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
Yes, absolutely! In July, the third installment of the Discarded Heroes will release—Wolfsbane. Then in January, the final book releases, Firethorn.
Can I just say I love your titles? =) Okay, one final question. Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?
This question brings warmth to my heart just thinking about my mentor, John Olson. He plucked “me” from an entry in the Genesis contest—before it was called the Genesis. I didn’t final that year, but John sought me out, befriended me, and told me he wanted to be my advocate. He has such a passionate heart for writers, and such a very gentle soul. But he’s wildly creative and sometimes, he just blows my mind with the way his works. He has not only encouraged me, but championed me in so many ways. I would *not* be where I am without John’s help (through the Lord, of course). He’s become like a big brother to me. If you haven’t read his books—Shade, Powers, Fossil Hunter, Oxygen, Fifth Man—take a moment to do so. He’s amazing and so very brilliant!
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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 1/28/11. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
by Roseanna White | Jan 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
And the winner of the Karen Kingsbury omnibus is . . .
Kelly Massman! (kmassman@ . . .)
Congrats, Kelly! I’m emailing you now.
(This drawing was a combination of entries from my blog and the Christian Review of Books)
by Roseanna White | Jan 20, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
Does anyone like to wait? I don’t think I’ve ever met such a crazy person. I’m not talking about being patient in a long line or restraining yourself from honking your horn in traffic. I’m talking being really, truly joyful as you put down the phone or close out the email that said, “Not yet. I know you’ve been anxious, but not yet.”
It’s hard. When you’ve been looking forward to something, when your hopes rest in a possibility . . . it’s hard when that possibility remains just out of reach.
Hard–but that doesn’t mean it’s cause for discouragment.
I don’t find it a coincidence that so many of the devotionals and inspirational quotes I’ve read in the past year deal with waiting, with resting, with that lull between times of action. And all the messages are the same: we might get impatient, but this is the time when God’s preparing us for what’s to come. This is the time when He’s building our roots before visible growth, when the waters are gathering beneath the surface before the wave breaks. This is a blessing. This is rest–if only we can sit back and let Him rejuvenate us instead of stressing out about it.
This came up again for me yesterday because, within an hour, we got two big “Not yet” answers. The first was concerning a publishing proposal. It wasn’t a No, it wasn’t even a “maybe at some far distant time.” It was instead a request that I finish up, send it to her when it’s finished, but don’t kill myself over pace in the meantime, and a promise of an answer in March. In some ways, this is the best possible news, because I need to take a few days from writing to get editing done here real soon, and I hadn’t felt I had the freedom to do that. So it’s good . . . even if it leaves me with a bit of ennui over yet another Not yet.
The second was concerning our church. We’ve been renting a building we share with other groups since our inception, and it’s not really working anymore. But our hunts for a place of our own kept turning up empty. We recently found a building we feel can work, everything was chugging along . . . then we get the email saying, “I think it’ll still go through, but not yet. We have to check on XYZ first.”
It would be easy to toss our hands into the air and say, “Fine! Okay, God! You’re not smoothing every bump, so fine, we’ll just give up!”
But that’s not right. When God calls us to leave something behind, he fills us with peace about it. He breathes excitement into us about the new path he wants us on. Never, never does He work through discouragement. Never, never does He work through destruction. He is a builder. He edifies, He encourages. If we get discouraged by minor setbacks that isn’t Him telling us to quit. That’s someone else entirely.
No, God isn’t into tearing us down when we seek him. But sometimes, because He sees a lot farther into the future than we can (like, all the way), He makes us wait just a bit longer than we wanted. Maybe just a week. Maybe a couple months. Maybe years or decades. Why? Maybe because it’ll grow our faith. Maybe because there other things at work that need to be dealt with, on both physical and spiritual planes. Maybe because He wants us to enjoy just a little more rest before the change begins.
I don’t have answers about this stuff, not definitive ones. But I know that when disappointment sets in, He isn’t the one that whispers, “Give up.” He’s the one that whispers, “Hold on.” Yeah, that can mean “wait.” But it also means, “Take My hand.”
I’m holding on, Lord. I’m not letting go, no matter how long it takes. When my strength fails, when my patience runs thin, when hope feels faint, You’ll sustain me. That‘s the way You work.
by Roseanna White | Jan 19, 2011 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
It was bound to come up sooner or later. And as it happens, I seem prone toward them, including with my latest historical, so now seems as good as time as any.
Let’s talk love triangles. (See me rubbing my hands together with glee? Mwa ha ha ha.)
They can be overdone. Yes, I came right out and said it. I have been known to sigh and roll my eyes when I’m presented with a supposed love triangle, yet it’s obvious the other guy (or girl) is there only to provide conflict for the author, and really there’s nothing to endear him (or her) to the heroine (or hero). It rings fake, it’s annoying, and there’s never any real question who the heroine (or hero) will choose.
I know, I know. In a romance, we always know who ends up with who anyway. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t times along the way when you wonder if maybe–just maybe–the author will trick you. And it certainly doesn’t mean that if done really, really well, you might want the unexpected, yet still be satisfied with the happily-ever-after you knew you’d get from the get-go.
In this day and age, one can’t talk love triangles without mentioning Twilight. I mean, the fans are divided into “teams.” I’m Team Jacob. On the opposing side are the Team Edward girls. Now, am I unhappy that Bella ended up with Edward? No way. It was the way it had to be. But I still loved Jacob more. That takes skill. It takes talent.
And it takes one killer love triangle.
Now, when I use them, I try to bring something new or unexpected to the table. And always, if I intend to really make folks wonder, I give the third point of the triangle a POV (point of view). How are people ever going to take the triangle seriously if it’s lopsided toward the hero? 😉
So, give me your take. Which side of the love triangle do you come down on?
by Roseanna White | Jan 18, 2011 | Uncategorized
Yes, I’m doing it again and talking about a kids book today, because I haven’t had time to read anything else this week. 😉 (Well, technically speaking, I’ve been reading plenty, but none of it is near publication yet, so . . .)
But this book is a hoot, so all of you with kids should be grateful to me for bringing it to your attention, LOL.
What happens one frantic week when everyone forgets to put the things they need on Mom’s shopping list? First, it’s cookies, but no milk. Then macaroni, no cheese. And don’t even ask about the toilet paper!
Newcomer Kristen Darbyshire’s quirky humor, fresh, graphic style, and sweetly expressive family of chickens will make this a favorite with kids . . . and the beleaguered grocery shoppers in their lives.
Here’s why I love this book–first, it’s just hilarious as these cute little chickens go through their human-esque world, yet make observations like “Mom, chickens don’t have teeth.” Second, it’s so my life sometimes. I’m not a list person (unlike certain friends and sisters of mine), and I don’t think I’ve ever gone to the grocery store without realizing within 24 hours that I forgot something vital. So it was quite the funny book to read to my kids, who know how very true this can be, LOL.
For a fun, quirky read the adults will enjoy as much as the kids, I can’t recommend this book enough. Even my husband got a few hoots out of it as he caught part of the story while strolling through the living room during our nightly book time–enough that he paused at the doorway to hear the end. For a man who was on his way to watch a hockey game, that’s the highest compliment a kids book can be paid!
We got this book from the Library, but my kids love it enough that they asked if we could get a copy of our own. And I love it enough that I intend to. Can’t wait to see more from Kristen Darbyshire!
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.