by Roseanna White | Nov 5, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m happy to welcome Margaret Daley back to the blog, this time to talk about her latest book, A Daughter for Christmas. Nothing like a fabulous holiday novel to get you in the spirit!
Margaret has been awesome enough to offer a copy to one lucky reader, so please leave your comment below with an email address to be entered. And make sure you’re a follower!
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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 Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ 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, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold seventy-five 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 a few years ago, 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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What’s your latest book?
My latest book to come out is A Daughter for Christmas, a November Love Inspired book. The back cover blurb is:
Dr. Max Connors had no idea he had fathered a child 13 years ago. Or that his baby girl had been given up for adoption. He locates his daughter in a small Oklahoma town and moves there, hoping to become a part of her life. But when he meets her widowed mother, Max is unsure how to reveal his identity. As he helps Rachel Howard with her plans to home school the girl, he’s welcomed into the family. But with the holidays approaching, Max must tell Rachel who he really is. Can he make his dreams of family come true by Christmas?
Ah, sounds good! Is there a theme to this book?
The theme for this book is forgiveness. Max must learn to forgive his deceased wife who never told him he had a child. I often use the theme of forgiveness because I think it is so important in life.
Definitely something we all have to deal with, so always a fabulous theme. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
My favorite genre to write is romantic suspense. My favorite type of book to read is suspense with at least a little romance. I do enjoy reading lots of different types of books from mysteries to science fiction.
What are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?
Right now I am reading several books having to do with research on my next novel for Summerside. This historical romance is set in 1816 in South Carolina.
What I would like to read next is any book for pleasure. But I’m afraid I have a stack of books to read for research.
Sigh. The life of a novelist sometimes, isn’t it? Here’s hoping you get back to pleasure-reading soon! What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
I actually really like my office that I have right now. It has all my research books in it on bookshelves, a filing cabinet, a desk and chair as well as a couch. The window next to my desk looks out on the front garden. The walls are hot pink with white trim and my husband has framed every book I have written. Those books are up on my walls in my office.
Cool! Loved the framed books. That is some inspiring decor! =) What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
The main lesson I have learned is that it doesn’t get any easier once you have sold a book. When I sold my first book, I thought the whole publication process would be much easier. Not!
Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
I have wonderful editors that I have worked with who have a sharp eye for what works and doesn’t work. I also have a wonderful critique group who are amazing writers. I value their opinion a lot.
Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
Besides writing, my family takes up most of my time. I have four grandchildren from the ages of 18 months to 10 years. They keep me hopping.
I bet! My two kiddos sure do. =) What are you writing right now?
Right now I am writing a historical romance set in South Carolina right after the War of 1812. My editor and I are still working on a title for the book, but it will come out next September for Summerside Press.
Oh, cool! I’m noting an increasing interest in books with similar settings. I know I love them! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
I also have a Love Inspired Suspense coming out in December called Christmas Bodyguard. This is the first book in my Guardians, Inc. series about female bodyguards.
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Thanks for visiting, Margaret! Readers, you can check out her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com and her blog at http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com. Look for her book at eHarlequin.
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 11/11/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
by Roseanna White | Nov 4, 2010 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
Actually, my hubby and I had this brilliant idea years ago, but we only ever remembered it when it was too late to implement for Christmas. Not so this year!
Curious yet? Biting your nails in suspense? Only, I suspect, if you’re not on any lists or loops with me–if you are, then you probably already saw my announcement. But just in case . . .
We’re putting together an online book signing! A what, you ask? A Christmas Book Signing Bash, that’s what. Over 50 (yes, I typed that correctly–OVER FIFTY) authors are joining up to sign books for you, and no one has to leave the comfort of their computer for it!
Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, the Christian Review of Books in conjunction with CrossPurposes Bookstore will be featuring these 50+ authors and their books, giving you a little sampling of fun trivia about them and then letting you order autographed, personalized copies of their books. They’ll sign them and ship them to you or your intended recipient, and voila! Things you thought you could only get from physical book signings are delivered straight to your door!
Pretty cool, eh? The author community obviously thinks so. Of course, we’re going to need help spreading the word about this fun event, so if you’d be interested in posting about it on your blog or any other forums you can think of (including announcing it at off-line locales as well), shoot me an email at roseanna (at) whitefireprinting (dot) com and I’ll email you the graphics and blurbs next week when we’ve got them!
Now . . . wondering who all you can expect to see at this shindig? Here are just a few:
Me (obviously, right?)
Laurie Alice Eakes
Stephanie Morrill
Anita Higman
Nicole O’Dell
Deborah Vogts
Trish Perry
Margaret Brownley
Mary Connealy
Lena Nelson Dooley
Cynthia Ruckti
Vickie McDonough
Rita Gerlach
Sandra Byrd
Martha Rogers
Melanie Dickerson
James Rubart
Maureen Lang
Ronie Kendig
MaryLu Tyndall
Kathi Macias
Vanetta Chapman
And more! But you know, I’m not copying my whole list. =) There will be Christmas books, biblical fiction, Amish stories, romance of every imaginable genre, suspense, mystery, young adult . . . something for everyone on your list!!
We’re a little excited over here. And a little overwhelmed with thoughts of it, truth be told. Can’t wait to see how all this comes together!
by Roseanna White | Nov 3, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Yes, more from Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack today. Largely because it’s two hours after my usual posting time, and I have no other brilliant ideas. =)
Beware! Beware! He’ll cheat without scruple, who can without fear.
As pride increases, fortune declines.
Ambition often spends foolishly what avarice had wickedly collected.
Creditors have better memories than debtors.
Death takes no bribes.
A good example is the best sermon.
All would live long, but none would be old.
A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.
Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.
Beware of him who is slow to anger; he is angry for something, and will not be pleased for nothing.
(In other words, don’t make Roseanna mad! 😉
Danger is sauce for prayers.
Bad commentators spoil the best of books.
Approve not of him who commends all you say.
And my favorite from this batch . . .
Clean your finger, before you point at my spots.
Happy Wednesday, all! Hope ol’ Ben’s wisdom brightens your day. =)
by Roseanna White | Nov 2, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m bringing you something a little different–and totally awesome. For full details you need to hop over to
Go Teen Writers, but I’ll give you my spin on it here. =)
My awesome writing buddy / best friend ever,
Stephanie Morrill, is embarking on a new, totally exciting project, and she needs some input from the young adult crowd. Here’s the gist:
Out of Reach is a story about a teen who’s writing–and eventually publishing–a novel. And Stephanie wants YOU (or the teen in your life, depending on how old you are, ha ha) to help come up with the novel the character is writing.
How stinkin’ cool is THAT? By checking in on
Go Teen Writers, you can lend your input, participate in the conversation, and have a part in the creation of a novel-within-a-novel to be published by Stephanie!! Stephanie has the info you’ll need on how it will tie in with her character’s life, and I for one can’t wait to see what cool things lurk in the minds of the teens that read
GTW.
Hop over! This isn’t an opportunity to be missed!!
by Roseanna White | Nov 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
One of the most challenging things about writing a book, in my opinion, is jargon. Technical lingo. Those words peppered throughout speech that say, “This person is an XYZ, and he knows his stuff.”
There’s a fine line to walk–you don’t want to overwhelm a reader, but you want them to get the impression that you as a writer know what you’re talking about. And more, you want to creating setting, mood, and accurate characterization through these word choices.
I just finished reading a super-fabulous historical, Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall. One of the things I expect of MaryLu’s books is a wonderful knowledge about tall ships and seafaring, and she knows how to strike the balance between showing me the details of a ship and not making my eyes glaze over with it all. I closed her book and thought, “Wow. She obviously knows her stuff. She imparts her wisdom. The characters come across perfectly. And I shiver at the thought of ever writing anything on this topic, because how in the world would I keep it all straight?”
And though, yes, I deal with this issue in historicals all the time, the first story to pop to mind when I contemplated it was my contemporary, Seized. My hero is an ex-SEAL, so he uses military jargon all the time among his friends.
Now, I’m an avid watcher of NCIS (and was of JAG back in the day), so I at least know TV jargon. =) Not exactly dependable research, but they’re pretty good at establishing setting and mood, anyway. I read a lot. I visit a lot of websites when I’m researching something. But I’m never quite sure I’m getting the jargon right until one of my critters goes, “What are binocs? Binoculars?” and I lift my brows and realize I hadn’t even intentionally peppered that particular shorthand in. I like it once that starts happening, when I can stop thinking about it so much and just let it flow.
Stop for a minute and think about some of your favorite books. When I do, I realize they all have this jargon-thing in common. The characters are so very much themselves that they think with these words, use them to make unique-to-them analogies, and convey a definite image. How about your favorites?
Hope everyone had a safe and fun weekend! My little fairy and turtle were adorable and polite as they skipped around the neighborhood, so I’m a proud mama. =)
by Roseanna White | Nov 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
And the winner of Melanie Dickerson’s The Healer’s Apprentice is . . .
Sheree! (neednspace@ . . . )
Congrats, Sheree! I just sent you an email.
About Margaret
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.