by Roseanna White | Dec 6, 2010 | Uncategorized
Whenever I sit down on Monday mornings lately, I have an internal debate. What do I really have to write about right now that’s on contemporaries? Sure, I have a slew of them written, but they’re not in my thoughts. And which one should I talk about this time? My beach books? My romantic suspense? What??
Well, today I’ll just talk about my thoughts on the matter, which are spurred from two separate friends/family members asking this past week, “When do I get to read Seized? Every time you mention it, it intrigues me.”
To which I reply, “Whenever I finish it.”
Sigh. I can write quickly–really I can. But I still have to have the time in general, and at this point all my time’s going to historicals that, you know, actually have the promise of being published. So . . . yeah. Seized is put on hold. Though as soon as I have no deadline looming over me on Jewel of Persia and my Annapolis story, you can bet I’ll be going back to it.
But I’ve definitely come to appreciate a few things about contemporaries while writing all these historicals. Case in point–I spent my weekend in Annapolis, so I went downtown and plotted out my heroine’s escape route through the city, etc. Very handy . . . except that most of the buildings here now weren’t here then. I’m pretty lucky when it comes to Annapolis–it’s such a historical tourist town that even the street signs have dates on them, and there are plaques on each corner saying who bought and built what when. Still. One major plus of researching a place for a modern story is that what you see is what you need.
Anyway. There are my thoughts this morning. Hopefully not too dull. đ
Now, quick reminder–there are only TWO DAYS left in the online book signing. TWO DAYS! Tomorrow it closes, so you’d better hurry yourself over to www.ChristianReviewofBooks.com and make up your minds about what books you want! =)
by Roseanna White | Dec 6, 2010 | Uncategorized
And the winner of Alice K. Arenz’s Mirrored Image is . . .
Charlotte Kay! (chakasa58@ . . .)
Congrats, Charlotte! I just sent you an email.
by Roseanna White | Dec 3, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m pleased to welcome Grace Bridges to my blog to talk about her latest speculative fiction, Legendary Space Pilgrims. A fun deviation from most of the books I’ve featured, and I hope you like it, because Grace is kicking off a slew of interviews with her fellow spec-fic writers from Splashdown books. =)
Grace is offering a copy of her book to one lucky reader, so as usual, leave your comment below with an email address for a chance to win!
~*~
About Legendary Space Pilgrims
If Pilgrim’s Progress happened in space, this is what it might look like…
On a planet that has never seen the sun, a harvester hears a Voice from beyond. It’s time to leave the oatfield. Mario and Caitlin escape the mind control of Planet Monday, following the Voice to unknown worlds where wonders and challenges await. Have you got what it takes…to be a legend?
~*~
About Grace
Often found staring into trees in search of a tui. Mystic wordnerd. Independent friend. Urbanite hermit. Beachwalker. Head in clouds. Literary. Likes to sleep.
~*~
Hi, Grace! Good to have you here. What’s your latest book?
Legendary Space Pilgrims from Splashdown Books. It released in July 2010.
What’s your favorite part of the story?
I have lots of favourite parts, but one of the most intense takes place between the two main characters in a glade of blood-red flowers on the fifth planet they visit on their journey. They had believed it was their final destination, but this incident makes it clear that it’s not: they must go on to find their true calling.
Ah, the unexpected. That’s always fun. (And y’all, note her way of spelling “favourite.” Grace is visiting us all the way from New Zealand, so she gets extra points for coolness;-) What was the hardest part to write?
All of it? LOL. Writing is mostly like pulling teeth for me.
=) Hopefully you didn’t end up toothless. đ What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
A sense of wonder at the world around us, perhaps seen through the eyes of someone totally unfamiliar with the variety and freedom we enjoy.
Oh, neat. Is there a theme to this book?
It’s a journey from oppression to freedom, with all the inherent emotional tangles and cultural shocksâand more: to then be chosen for a unique task.
What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
Science fiction on both counts. There’s nothing like it for expanding the imagination.
Very true. My hubby’s favorite author has always been Orson Scott Card, and so I had to expand my horizons and read a bunch of sci-fi just to keep up with him. =) What are you reading right nowâand what do you want to read next?
Some older stuff by Timothy Zahn that I picked up at the Library. After that, I have a whole stack, including Jeffrey Overstreet, Randy Ingermanson, and Karen Hancock.
Nice stack! Okay, let’s move on to one of my fun, frivolous questions. đ 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!)
A stereo, and some furnitureâmost of mine is borrowed. And probably a road trip holiday around New Zealand. It’s my backyard, and my car drinks diesel, so that’d be pretty cheap!
I would so love to visit New Zealand sometime. From what I’ve seen it’s just breathtaking. Ahhhh. Anyway. What are you writing right now?
Comet Born, a superhero serial appearing monthly at Digital Dragon magazine. Lots of fun!
And still slogging away on Godspeed, which is the sequel or companion volume to Faith Awakened, my first release.
Oh, a serial does sound like fun! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
CyberDublin is finished but still very much a first draft. Perhaps it might be ready by next year. It’s a near-future tale of what might happen in Ireland if everything ran on the Internetâand then crashed. Complete with plenty of Irish humour. I actually got to write it in Ireland.
Well, can’t beat that! Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?
Lots! Stephen Lawhead, with his amazing emotion-wrenching descriptions; Frank Creed and Jeremy Robinson with their movie-like visual action styles; and of course C.S. Lewis, especially his imaginative Space Trilogy.
~*~
Thanks for visiting, Grace! Readers, you can check out her website at www.gracebridges.com. Look for her book at Splashdown Books–or get signed copies from 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 12/9/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
by Roseanna White | Dec 2, 2010 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
When Xoe was a year old, her grandfather came in for Christmas (he lives in South Caroline) and brought his new girlfriend–a super-sweet woman who was very excited to meet Bill’s granddaughter. They came armed with gifts. Lots of them.
The prettiest? A gorgeous little white box with rhinestone accents and silver flourishes, with a mirror on the top–perfect for a little girl to store her treasures as she grows up. I knew the moment I glimpsed it that Xoe would come to love this box. But for some reason, Glenda handed it over with a funny expression.
“I’m so sorry,” she said as we unwrapped it. “The name’s misspelled.”
I glanced at the top of the box, where the mirror was engraved with . . . Zox?
Glenda shook her head. “It was an elderly woman working, and she just couldn’t wrap her mind around the name. We said ‘It’s Zoe, but with an X.’ So we left while she engraved and came back to this. We didn’t have the heart to yell at her about it, but we’ll get it fixed.'”
Well, as things often happen when folks live states upon states away, we never got it fixed. Instead, we shared a laugh with them then (Zoe with an X . . . yeah, I totally think “Zox” when I hear that, don’t you? Snicker, snicker), and I put the box on the vanity beside one of mine.
For a long while, Xoe obviously didn’t realize there was anything wrong with the box. We put in it the money she got for holidays, her special necklaces and barrettes and bracelets, the beads from a very pretty bracelet that broke. Treasures.
Then one day, after Xoe had learned to spell her name, she was looking at the box and asked, “Mommy, what does this spell?”
So I told her the story of “Zoe with an X” and how now she has a Zox Box.
As lovers of all things Seuss, this became special and cute and quirky in our family. Now whenever Xoe comes across a dollar, she rushes to put it in her Zox Box. When she gets a special new necklace, she lifts that mirrored lid and slides it inside. She makes up songs about it.
The life lesson is probably obvious, right? So often things don’t work out the way we want them too, things get “ruined.” But who’s to say “ruined” isn’t right? Would a Xoe Box have been special? Well, sure. But anyone can get a box with their name on it. How many little girls have a Zox Box?
Mine does. And I love that she cherishes it. Makes me want to be careful to cherish those “ruined” things just as I do the things that turn out “right.”
by Roseanna White | Dec 1, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
I think I was awake more than I was asleep last night, so my brain power is seriously wanting right now. Usually I’d still be able to come up with something fun in the history category, but my historical thoughts are totally occupied, right now, but an upcoming trip.
I’m going to Annapolis on Friday!
I know, I know–this isn’t all that unusual, and not that big a deal.
Annapolis is only 2.5 hours away, we have friends still in that area . . . visiting isn’t exactly abnormal. But this time I’m visiting while writing a book set there. This time, I’m going to head downtown and play tourist. I’m going to going sightseeing, visit all the historical spots I always ignored as a resident.
Yes, I’m going to be armed with a camera and a notebook, and I’m going to have a blast!
I think this is especially exciting for me because it’s the first time I get to visit a place for research like this. Pathetic, huh? đ That’s what happens when one writes about Persia, Rome, and even England and Monaco, when one has no travel budget, LOL. Okay, so I’ve visited the Outer Banks while writing about them, but that was more coincidence then design. This is actually planned.
So, that’s my excitement. And all the thought I’m capable of before coffee. And possibly before a nap on this rainy, rainy day. Hope everyone has an excellent Wednesday!
by Roseanna White | Nov 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
Baltimore, 1812–people are getting fed up with Americans being impressed into the British navy, and the grumblings are of war. Marianne Denton loves her country–and hopes she can somehow find a way to fund a privateer to both help in the war effort and provide for her sick mother and small sister. Their father left them with a stack of debt, and Marianne can’t access her inheritance until she weds.
Hence her betrothal to the awful Noah Brenin. She wants nothing more than to get out of the engagement–but as it is the only way to afford the medicines her mother needs, she intends to see it through. At least until the careless man walks out on their engagement party, saying he must set sail straight away. Furious at the spectacle he has made of them, Marianne storms after him, all the way to the harbor and its menacing dark waters. All the way onto his ship.
Noah Brenin has no use for the high-and-mighty Marianne who was always obnoxious in her wealth. Their fathers arranged the betrothal for obvious reasons–his wants her dowry, and hers knew no other man would ever come forward for the plump, unpleasant girl. But if he can get his cargo to England straightaway, he’ll make enough profit that he won’t need her wealth–and he’ll be able to end the engagement. He doesn’t believe for a moment that they’ll soon be at war with the British, or that the British are really doing the monstrous the things others say.
At least, he doesn’t believe it until a British man-of-war comes after his ship. Unable to get away, thanks to the stowaway Miss Denton and her nefarious schemes, he finds himself impressed–and his betrothed with him.
Only under the darkest of circumstances can both face their fears, and come to see the truth about one another. Only through pain and trial do they come to realize that faith is not about seeing evidence of God, but rather about hoping in those unseen things. And that He intends for them something great–something that could change the course of history.
MaryLu Tyndall never ceases to amaze me. I was intrigued right away, not only because of the awesome premise of the book, but because I loved the fact that her characters despised one another at first. Both found the other totally obnoxious–and both had good reason for their opinions, though they were all rooted in the past. I loved seeing how Marianne and Noah had grown and changed over time, and how their spirits shone through the circumstances as the unthinkable befell them.
As always, this author delivers adventure and romance on the high seas, with a knowledge of all things marine that makes it clear she knows her stuff without overwhelming the reader. She does a wonderful job of painting the horrors surrounding the War of 1812 without making all the British out to be monsters. And also as always, there is a touch of the supernatural within to leave the reader warm and fuzzy with how our awesome Father looks after us.
I have adored MaryLu’s previous books, but I must say that Surrender the Heart is my new favorite. You just can’t beat characters unaware of their own worth, an unparalleled romance, and the action I have come to expect from MaryLu. I am eagerly anticipating her next book, and may just sigh over the gorgeous cover of this one whenever I need to remember how wonderful a high-spirited, Godly romance can be. =)
And since you are all obviously totally in love with this book (mwa ha ha ha), I’ll point out that it’s one of the 190 being offered in the book signing bash. So click on that banner up top, and you can order a signed copy! Cool, huh? =)
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.