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Thursday, July 18, 2013

Interview & Giveaway! Roseanna M. White ~ Author of Ring of Secrets!!

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Roseanna!! Will you tell us a little about yourself? 

Thanks so much for having me, Melanie! Let’s see, about me...I’ve been married for twelve years to my high school sweetheart, we have two adorable kids, 7 and 5, who we homeschool, make our home in the mountains of Western Maryland/West Virginia, and I’m an editor for WhiteFire Publishing as well as a novelist. Once in a while I take the time for such luxuries as breathing. ;-)

What is your Culper Ring Series about? 

Well, back in the time of the Revolution, there was really a spy ring called the Culper Ring, George Washington’s most trusted intelligencers. Ring of Secrets weaves my fiction hero and heroine through the documented exploits of the Culpers. Winter Reeves is a Patriot forced to hide her heart amid the Loyalists of New York and uses her unique position to feed information to her childhood friend—one of the real Culpers. Bennet Lane is a professor from Yale who comes back to New York City with one purpose—to find the Patriot spy hidden amid the elite. From their introduction, he knows there’s more to Winter than anyone gives her credit for...but if she opens up her heart to this man who seems to see her depth, it could mean a noose around her neck.

Though history has no idea what become of the real Ring after the Revolution, my series continues with the question of “What if they didn’t all just go back to their normal lives?” Book two, Whispers from the Shadows,  follows the children of the characters from Ring of Secrets in the War of 1812. Gwyneth Fairchild, daughter of a murdered British general, flees to America to save her life—but when she finds herself under the protection of the charming Thaddeus Lane, she has to wonder how safe she really is, given that his family deals in a dangerous commodity—espionage.

The final installment, Circle of Spies, follows our family into the Civil War. Marietta Arnaud Hughes didn’t choose to be a spy, it was forced on her when she discovered that a Southern secret society, the Knights of the Golden Circle, has been meeting in secret cellars under her house. Her grandfather brings her into the Culpers and charges her with protecting a Pinkerton detective trying to infiltrate the K.G.C. But that detective, Slade Osborne, has some secrets of his own—and is none too sure Marietta is anything but a puppet of the Knights’ captain, who has been secretly courting her.

There are also two bonus novellas that come between the books. The first, Fairchild’s Lady, is available now for free download for all you devices! http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-novella-is-live.html

What inspired the series and how many books will there be?

The inspiration came from a TV show that dug into the history of the real Culpers. Naturally, I had to ask, “What if one of their unnamed members was this cool chick pretending to be ditzy...and what if my hero and heroine are on different sides?” Then when the show said no one knew what became of them—well. That’s just fodder for imagination, isn’t it? LOL. So there are a total of 3 books and 2 novellas, making a series of 5. (Both novellas will be free forever.)

What is something the average reader wouldn't know about you? 

That I belong to a farming family but hate vegetables. *Sigh.* I wish I liked them, but alas!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

Primary school. =) I wrote my first story in class at age 6 and was hooked!

How many books have you written/published and do you have a favorite? 

I’ve written somewhere in the neighborhood of 25. Published far fewer, LOL. Of all those books written, five are available, two more slated for publication, and I have contracts on five more not yet written. =) My favorite? Oh dear. I don’t think I could decide between them!

Where do you like to write? 

Anywhere there’s quiet! LOL. Which I seldom get, being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom with two active, small children and a hubby who works from home. I’m most often at an end table in the living room, my chair turned to face it, laptop waiting for two minutes of opportunity. =)

What is the best and/or worst part about being a writer? 

For me, the best part is, well, the creativity. Coming up with stories, putting them upon the page...the worst part for me is the conflict between the time it takes to produce a book and the time the rest of my life takes—there just aren’t enough hours in the day!

Is there a place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet? 

I’d love, love, love to go to Europe sometime. Italy especially. And Monaco. And England. And...

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? 

“So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” 
I Samuel 3:19

This might seem like a strange one to pick as a favorite, but that image of words not falling to the ground has stuck with me for years. That’s my goal—to be like Samuel, so attuned to the Spirit that every word I speak or write (and every word I don’t) hits its mark and doesn’t fall to the ground.

What is your favorite holiday? 

Easter. =) I love spring, and more, I love the reminder of what Jesus did for me. So stinkin’ amazing!

A few this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms? Thunderstorms (so long as we are guaranteed no tornadoes)
Chocolate or Vanilla? CHOCOLATE!!
Tea or Coffee? Coffee-coffee-coffee-coffee...you’re offering, right? Where is it???
Call or Text? Um...email? LOL. Between the two, call.
Cats or Dogs? Both =) I’ve got cats at the moment but always had dogs before
Early-bird or Night-owl? Early bird, for sure!
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook. I try to tweet, but it still feels like a foreign language. ;-)

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint?

Always! My next couple years are pretty well mapped out for me. =) I just finished up edits on the third Culper Ring book, Circle of Spies, so I’m working on another quick little novella to come between books 2 & 3—about the parents of book 3’s heroine—and then I’m launching into my next series for Harvest House, Let Me Count the Ways. The first book of those, How Do I Love Thee?, is set in the Regency when Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a little girl, on an estate neighboring her parents’. My hero kidnaps my heroine, determined to make her pay the price for her fiance’s sins...and ends up fearing she’ll have to pay for his. Should be fun. =) And in between those, I’ll be working on another biblical for WhiteFire, Song of Solace, set in the time of Melchizedek and Abraham.

Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web?

Sure! I LOVE to hear from readers, so you can email me at roseanna at roseannawhite dot com, or check out my website at www.RoseannaMWhite.com, my blog at www.RoseannaMWhite.blogspot.com, like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite and follow me on twitter @RoseannaMWhite.

And again, I hope everyone will download that free novella if you want a test drive of my writing. ;-) You don’t need to read the rest of the series to understand it, though hopefully it’ll make you want to, mwa ha ha ha, LOL. http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-novella-is-live.html


Book Giveaway!



Roseanna is giving away a signed paperback copy of Ring of Secrets (US only) and a digital copy of winner's choice of A Stray Drop of Blood OR Jewel of Persia (open to everyone). Enter via the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to be one of the two winners. Ends 8/1.


To enter, be sure to sign into the Rafflecopter form and click “enter” on each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

66 comments:

  1. Roseanna, I would love to win your paperback book. I have enjoyed the writing for this give-away. Sounds like you are a very busy lady. GOD bless you and your work. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Maxie! And yes, "busy" is an accurate word. "Crazy" can also be applied. ;-)

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  2. Thanks so much for having me, Melanie!

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    1. My pleasure! Thanks so much for being here, Roseanna! :)

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  3. Eeek!! I have really been wanted to try her book! This would be an awesome giveaway to win!

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  4. What a neat interview and giveaway! Rosanna White is one of my favorite authors. She's definitely one of the best! Thanks for the interview and giveaway.

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    1. You're so sweet. =) Thanks for stopping by--as always! Love having your support.

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  5. That's awesome that you've been writing since you were six; that's about when I got bitten by the writing bug as well. :)

    Your books look really good; I look forward to reading them someday. :)

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    1. Isn't a lovely way to pass through childhood? LOL. Thanks!

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  6. It's always good to hear that an author one enjoys is contracted for more books, especially with hints as to what they will be about!

    It would seem a truth universally acknowledged that any woman in possession of the ability to read must be in want of a Regency novel.

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. LOL! Completely true. =) And it's always great for an author to know they have contracts on more books too!! ;-)

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  7. Great interview! I've really been looking forward to reading these books. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  8. I loved the interview! You are a new author to me and I can't wait to read your books. Thanks for this opportunity to win one.
    Debbie

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    1. Well, nice to meet you, Debbie! So glad you stopped by. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  9. Rosanna seems like such a wonderful, fun person. Thank you for the giveaway, and I'll definitely be checking out her free novella!

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  10. Haha I come from a farming family too and I also hate vegetables! And I dislike the homegrown ones even more than the kind from the store. It was also cool to hear about your next books-can't wait to read them!

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    1. I see we are kindred spirits, Abbi. I forced myself to eat carrots today. Now I'm feeling very virtuous. And craving chocolate. ;-)

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    2. After carrots chocolate is deserved! Those are some of the worst veggies out there!

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  11. Awesome interview!
    I recently won a copy of Ring Of Secrets, I cannot wait to read it! :)

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  12. Love the this or that! I too am not good at Twitter & looooooove coffee :)

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    Beth

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    1. Another kindred spirit! My family has a funny story about my MIL driving through a red light in pursuit of coffee. ;-) That's where our beloved chant of "Coffee, coffee, coffee!" comes from, LOL.

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  13. I've heard lots of great things about this book and would love the opportunity to win/read it! :) Thanks ladies!
    Bethany

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    1. I'm sure all those great things are true. ;-) Kidding--I mean, sort of, LOL. Sure hope they are! Best of luck in the drawing. =)

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  14. I LOVE coffee! I First thing I do when I get up in the mornings. I have a board on pinterest just for coffee and books :)
    Loved the interview, btw :)

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    1. And there is no better combination than those two--coffee and books. =) I think I might need a tall glass of iced coffee now, as a matter of fact...

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  15. Enjoyed the interview & appreciate the opportunity to win 2 of your books!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Great interview, Melanie! Sounds like a great series. Thanks for the invite and link to the free Novella!

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    1. Thanks for following the link over to my blog, June! I hope you enjoy the novella. =)

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  17. Wonderful interview! Your books sound great! Don't feel bad being a farmer's daughter and not eating vegetables, it makes me feel good to know I'm not alone. Thank you for sharing and looking forward to reading your books.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. Great interview! I love hearing/reading about how an author comes by ideas. :-) Thanks for sharing and the fun giveaway!

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    1. Sure! And be grateful you got the short version. ;-) I could on for hours about how I come up with stories, LOL.

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  19. sounds like this is going to be a great series thank you for the opportunity to win your books. looking forward to reading them

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    1. Thanks, Darlene! It's been an amazing series to write. I've learned so much from our forefathers (and mothers)!

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  20. Your books sound like fun reading. I'll have to put them on my reading list! Thanks for the chance to win!

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    1. Thanks, Amanda! I certainly had fun with them. =) Best of luck!

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway would love to read your books!

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  22. Sounds like a really good series--can't wait to read it! Love that you take series into the War of 1812 and into the Civil War.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! I'd never considered a generational series before, but the premise of this one required wars, so...and it turned out to be so much fun! Had to redo all my research every time, LOL, but I so enjoyed learning more about each era.

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  23. this sounds like a good book thanks for the chance to win a copy

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  24. Your books look like exactly the kind I love to read!

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    1. You must be exactly the kind of reader I was aiming for. ;-) Thanks for stopping by, Brooke!

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  25. I enjoyed the interview and I'm looking forward to reading your books. thank you for offering a copy of one of your books.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  26. SUNDS GOOD. THANKS FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN IT.

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  27. Hi Roseanna! I've been hearing great things about this series. Can't WAIT to get caught up and read your new book when it comes out!

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    1. LOL, I'm thrilled that people are actually talking about it! ;-) Thanks for stopping by!!

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  28. Your book sounds awesome! I wish you well! Thank you for the giveaway!

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  29. I LOVE the interview <3 thanks for putting it up here, Melanie :-)

    Roseanna, I just recently read Ring of Secrets and loved it <3 I love the American revolutionary war so this was perfect for me :-) also enjoyed Fairchild's Lady! Can't wait for the next book!!! I have one question for you - what made you decide to homeschool your children? I was homeschooled and did it all the way through high school :-)

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    1. Hello, Charmaine! So glad you enjoyed Ring of Secrets!!

      I actually decided in high school that I would homeschool my kids--though at the top of my class, I grew very disillusioned with the teaching methods of public school and wanted an education that let me dig deeper and focus on learning rather than testing. Hubby's experience was similar, so it was a decision we never really questioned as our little ones grew up. (Had a few moments there when we got started though, LOL.) We both love that we can control the curriculum; that we get to be engaged fully in their education; that we get to have conversations on every subject with them; that we get to be the ones to see the discovery in their eyes...the list goes on!

      Too many people (not all, mind you!! I know many parents NOT guilty of this who send their kids to school!) check out of that portion of their kids' lives and adopt the "let someone else do it" stance. They have no clue what their kids are learning and don't really care (again--SOME). I have some pretty strong opinions on how that's leading us as a society into some scary times.

      Not saying everyone should homeschool by any means. But everyone should certainly take an active interest is what their kids are learning and engage with them in it. =) (Looking around now for incoming tomatoes, LOL. Really not speaking against most of the people I know who send their kids to school, speaking more of the nebulous society-as-a-whole...)

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  30. Thanks for the chance to win. I really enjoyed reading the interview. I was a first grade teacher and thought it was interesting that you remembered writing your first story in class in first grade. cespeary (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. My primary school teachers were some of my greatest influences, Carol! Such a tender age, ripe for encouragement. You no doubt get to touch countless lives. =)

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  31. Thank you, Roseanna. I love historical fiction. I have never heard of the Culper Ring and I thought I had a good grasp of history. I appreciate the interview and some excerpts of your books,

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    1. They're a rather recent discovery, really, and certainly never make it into the history books--though they're getting the attention of some TV folks now, so I expect you'll be hearing more about them. =) Thanks for stopping by!

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  32. Great review and I know this will be a great read. I admire you for all you do and still have time for your 2 young children. I also married my high school sweetheart many many years ago. My only son is almost 30!!!!! Love the covers of the books also!!

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    1. It has its challenges, trying to balance writing and editing with homeschooling and just taking care of the kids--but it's so worth it! Thanks so much for coming by. =)

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  33. I loved your interview. Thanks so much for sharing. I just recently received this series as a gift and am looking forward to reading it.
    Michelle Hofacker

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  34. Thanks for the giveaway, all the books look really good :) I have the novella, Fairchild's Lady, on my Kindle waiting to be read.

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  35. A Stray Drop of Blood looks SO good! Whether or not I win this contest, I am definitely going to look that up and read it. I really enjoyed reading your interview - it's so much fun to discover who the author is behind a good book!

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  36. Wonderful interview and your books sound very interesting! Would love to win!
    Brittany McEuen

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