Cover reveal with Roseanna White

Guess what? It's time for Kara's and mine very first cover reveal! (unfortunately, it's not for a book by either of us... but it's still exciting!) :)

 
Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. The Lost Heiress is Roseanna’s tenth published book. Her novels range from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at www.RoseannaMWhite.com

Mrs. White was kind enough to answer a few questions along with the cover reveal. So, here it goes!

1.      What inspired you to write this novel?

Oh my. This is a hilarious question, because the original idea came when I was 12, and I first wrote the book over a year and a half then, finishing when I was 13. This version is a rewrite of a rewrite of a rewrite of that, LOL. I don’t remember much of what inspired me, other than Lori Wick’s The Hawk and the Jewel—my favorite book at the time. =)

I can tell you, though, that the inspiration for this version came about by my agent asking, “Say, do you have anything Edwardian? Or that you could make Edwardian?” I went through my folder of completed, unpublished manuscripts, and got a definite, “Hmm…” when I saw this one. It had been Victorian in its setting, but as I considered the personalities and plotline, I realized that Brook would work much better in the changing mindset of the Edwardian era than she did in the 1860s. I dove into this final, enormous rewrite with glee. I took out some extraneous aunts and uncles and cousins, gave her a father (who had in previous versions been dead) who totally stole the show in some ways and became one of the most awesom characters I’ve ever written, LOL, exchanged a few horses for automobiles, and just knew that this was the way this book was always meant to be. =)

2.      Can you name a few books that are similar to this one?

Well, the original did bear a definite resemblance to that Lori Wick book, LOL. These days, not at all. I now say it’s Anastasia meets Downton Abbey…which aren’t books, I realize. =) But there are a whole host of books right now set in the Edwardian Era or Gilded Age, thanks to how Downton has popularized it.

3.      Was there an overall Biblical theme you kept coming back to? (whether on accident or on purpose)

Love this question! I thought, as I wrote the first draft of this version, that it was forgiveness. But as I was working on the revisions my editors requested, it required tweaking some motivation for my heroine…and then I realized in a flash that Brook’s issue wasn’t with forgiveness after all. It was with fear, and with trusting God to protect her heart. This is one of those deliciously ironic themes, because Brook always comes off as fearless…when it comes to wild horses, automobiles, or wearing trousers. But when it comes to love—not so much.

4.      What is one thing you want readers to come away with after reading this book?

I think my editor put it best when she said, “The romance is great, and we love it. But what makes this books so special is family.” Brook has to find her family, and her place in it, throughout the book. And even though most of us know where we belong in name, at least, I think most of us struggle at some point or another with finding our true place within that family or school or workplace. I hope readers come away knowing that they have only to be who God made them, and trust in Him to lead them on the path He wants them on.

5.      Do you have any advice for any authors out there?

“Always move on…never give up.” This book was 19 years in the making. Had I just deleted that file or tossed the original handwritten manuscript because it wasn’t “good enough,” then The Lost Heiress wouldn’t exist today. And yet, had I not put it aside and worked on all those other books in between, I don’t think I could have done the story justice. I’ve learned SO much in those 19 years, both about writing, the industry, and what I want my stories to mean. So for other writers on the path, just let me assure you that you don’t need to rush, you don’t need to stubbornly cling. You just need to be always willing to learn…and always willing to work hard to make your dreams come true!

The back cover: 
Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she’s British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook’s friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.

The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close—but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.

As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?

And then, for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession—and this time only the servants of Whitby can save her.

If you want to check her website, here you go! Or her blog here. You can also add The Lost Heiress on Goodreads, you can also preorder it, and sign up for her news letter!

And now, the moment we've all waited for.... *drum roll* The cover of The Lost Heiress! (isn't it pretty? :) )

 

Thank you all for stopping by! Tell me what you thought about the post in the comments. :)

What I Do To Prepare an Author Interview-- by Naomi

Recently I've felt like I've done a lot of Author Interviews... and I know I've only done two, so far but I have possibly a few more in the works. So, for a little bit there I was a little paranoid I was overloading you...

Now that I've pretty much reassured myself I'm not I'm going to offer advice on how to do an author interview. (Noted: These are my suggestions, things I do, not necessarily the only thing you can do to have a successful author interview... Haha! :) )

1. Email them-- and if you have it-- use a professional email address.
Usually, I just email them to say hello, introduce myself, offer to do a blog interview (say I liked their book if I read it and liked it. If I read it and didn't like it... well, I might not want to do an author interview for them. :) ) and give them a brief sum of what I do on the blog.

2. Usually they email back and say yes, to which I return an email thanking them and saying that I'll give them an the interview questions shortly, but in the meantime I ask them for some things... a lot of things. Their author bio (and picture if they want/have one), their back cover copy and cover, and some endorsements, if they have some. Usually, as I'm telling them everything I want, I tell them, "if you want too"... and, honestly, I could find all of these things myself, but.... besides the fact I'm lazy, I point out (to myself) that I am doing them a favor. :)

3. During the time it takes them to send everything that I asked for, I usually try to think about what questions to ask them. I'm still trying to figure out how many I should ask them, but the last few interviews I did I think I had ten.

4. Around this time, maybe a little before, is when I figure out if they are actually going to follow through with the interview. If they never respond, I get the hint. They aren't interested, and that's okay. I don't really mind.

So, that's what I do. :) Do you like my interviews? Is there any advice you have?

Author Interview with Caroline George

Author Bio: Caroline George’s life-long love of literature and science-fiction inspired her to write her debut series, The Prime Way Program. With the overwhelming support of her family and Literature professor, she began pursuing her goal of becoming a best-selling author.

Caroline lives in Georgia, where the diverse terrain and city-life feeds her visions for The Prime Way Trilogy. She spends most of her time writing novels, playing guitar, and spreading her passion for young-authors throughout her community.

“Age shouldn’t limit a person from pursuing their dreams. If they’re willing to fight for what they love, the opportunities are endless”.

You can find out more about Caroline and The Prime Way Trilogy at www.theprimewayprogram.com

“The numbers on your arm define you. You are who we say you are. You do what we say you do. You think what we say you think. You can’t kill the Program.” The Prime Way Program, designed for engineering a new race of super-human teenagers. “Once it’s entrenched in the system, there’s no tearing it out.”

For ex-Legionaries, Kyle Chase and Cora Kingston, the closing of the Program is bittersweet. No longer will they be forced to endure the pain of training in the Ground Sector, spend endless hours lying on the examination tables in the Prime Way labs, or live knowing that at any moment, their paranormal abilities may cause them to end a life. They were deceived, betrayed, turned into weapons meant for destroying our world. And now, left to fend for themselves in an ignorant society where the futuristic technology of Prime Way no longer exists, Kyle and Cora must choose. Do they continue to run from their new identities and the life they’ve left behind? Or do they face the mastermind of the Program and prepare an army to defend our worlds?

Packed with gritty romance, thematic depth, and rip-roaring action, this Sci-Fi thriller has readers clamoring for a sequel and the world pondering a question that has critics raving. Will Kyle and Cora be the Victor, or the Victim?

 

(1)   When did you start writing?

Since the moment I could grasp a pencil, I’ve been writing stories. Being an avid reader inspired me to write books of my own. I wanted to create something that would connect with readers as much as I connected with the works of other authors. Writing, for me, was a poignantly personal form of expression and self-discovery. In middle school, I wrote two novels and posted over sixty short-stories on a teen writing website. It was during this time that I set the goal of being published by sixteen. The Prime Way Program: Be the Victor was released twenty-five days before my sixteenth birthday.

 

(2)   Of your two books, which do you do you like better? Which did you have more fun writing?

Asking me which book I like most is like asking a mom which of her children is her favorite.

I love both equally because they reflect different times in my life and progress as a writer. Be the Victor was the first of my books to be published; it’ll always have a special place in my heart. I was deeply connected to my characters when writing Just Strength and absolutely adore the book’s setting. Both novels were fun to write! They each explore new worlds, situations, and variations of characters.

 

(3)   What made you decide to self publish? Do you have any advice for anyone who is thinking about self publishing?

As a fifteen-year-old wanting to publish her debut novel, self-publishing offered me the chance to have control over the released content of my book, the cover, and a large percentage of profit from sales. Originally, I had hoped to take the more traditional publishing route; but after several setbacks, it became clear that self-publishing was the route God wanted me to take.

For those of you who are considering self-publishing, I do have a few tidbits of advice. First, be aware that self-publishing requires you to be the author, publisher, agent, cover-shoot coordinator, and publicist. You are in control of every aspect of your publication, which is both a gift and a burden. Second, always aim for quality. As a self-published author, you will be constantly trying to prove that your book is worth reading. There won’t be an agent or a publishing house vouching for you, so you must do everything possible to create a product of topnotch quality. Invest the money! Find a great editor! Pick an original cover! Do not give anyone a reason to criticize the format and presentation of your book. Lastly, don’t be discouraged. It’s easy to feel defeated during and after the publishing process. Keep working! Stay strong! Never give up!

 

(4)   Do you have any advice for a new writer?

Write for the right reasons.

I know from personal experience that the idea of being an author seems spectacular. Write a book, publish, become rich and famous—that is the three-step plan many people find themselves drawn towards. I’m sorry to say that the life of an author does not usually fit that plan and if you spend your time writing to achieve that plan, you’re going to be disappointed. Write because you love to write. If you are connected with your characters and believe in the story you are creating, it doesn’t matter if you are the next J.K. Rowling. You’ll love your book because it is your book. Later success is but a bonus.

(5)   What were a couple of things you were most excited about when you published your books?

Readers!

Until publishing, my books were my secrets. They belonged solely to me until the day I released them to the public and then, they belonged to everyone. I was thrilled to develop a fan-base, receive reviews and fan-made art. My secrets had become alive. Kyle and Cora, my main characters, were as real in the minds of readers as they were in my own. To know that other people were able to experience the relationships and story that I’d spent years creating was truly exciting, but also terrifying. When writing a book, an author must be completely and utterly transparent. So I knew that since my novels were available to the public’s scrutiny, I’d be vulnerable to scrutiny as well. I tell people often that it was like allowing someone to look into my underwear drawer; I felt exposed.

To hear my own words…

I almost started crying when I heard the robotic Kindle voice read my book aloud. It was exciting to hear my words and know that they meant something to someone other than me.

 

(6)   What kind of book covers capture your attention?

As disappointing as it is, people do judge books by their covers. I am one of those people. Since my favorite genres are YA dystopian, SciFi, and speculative, I am attracted to covers that are well composed and properly reflect/illustrate their story. Originality is important!

When brainstorming ideas for the covers of my novels, I decided that I wanted each cover to be inspired by a pinnacle moment in the book, reflect a sense of desperation and grit. I write thematic stories. My readers should see that element visualized in the book covers.

 

(7)   Can you name a few books that are similar to yours? (you can use your imagination if you need too. ;) )

I have a tendency to write books that cannot be placed in any one genre. The Prime Way Trilogy is a mixture of YA medical SciFi and dystopian. To find a similar story, you would have to fuse together books and movies such as Divergent, The Hunger Games, Captain America, X-Men, and I Am Number Four. Even then, the book formed wouldn’t be exactly the same as mine.

 

(8)   What is one thing you want your readers to come away with after reading your books?

Authors have an amazing power. Their words are lenses; they allow readers to see the world differently, from a new perspective, discover more about themselves and humanity as a whole. I want my readers to finish my books and be motivated to overcome the obstacles to their lives, think deeply about the world’s situation and possible future, and also be inspired to pursue whatever God has called them to do. The Prime Way Trilogy was written during a time in my life when I had the choice to either give up my dream, succumb to what other people titled as normality, or fight for what I believed was my calling. My personal struggle is reflected in my books; but of course, I wasn’t conflicted with programming and a misanthropic villain determined to destroy humankind.

 

(9)   Where do you do most of your writing?

I do most of my writing at my desk, but coffeehouses are also a favorite place.

 

(10) Do you have a writing schedule? (and if you do, would you like to share it with us?)

I do not have a formal writing schedule. In the past, I worked on my books for at least five hours every day. This semester has been different, due to my college courses. I haven’t been able to write as much as I’d like, but I plan to spend all of December and January writing my current stand-alone novel. Remember, life is constantly changing. Your writing schedule must adjust to fit your lifestyle. It’s not easy to make those adjustments; but if you prioritize your writing, you’ll find the time to do it.

 

You can keep updated on Caroline's writing adventure on Facebook, her website, her personal blog, goodreads, on Youtube @ThePrimeWayProgram, and twitter @PrimeWayWriter or just the books @PrimeWayProgram AND you can follow two characters from her books, Cora and Kyle-- @Cora_237 and @KyleChase1026

 

Thanks for stopping by, Caroline! Come again. :)

 

Do you have any questions for Caroline? Comment below and maybe she'll reply. :)

Author Interview with Leah Good

Today, I'm happy to say I'm interview our first author. Author of Counted Worthy, Leah Good agreed to answer some questions.


About the book:
Heather Stone lives in fear of repeating the past, yet she continues doing the one thing that could trigger another disaster. When the police trace an illegal Bible to her house, Heather’s world begins to crumble.
Her father’s life hangs in the balance. No one with the power to help knows or cares. If she tries to save him, she could lead her friends to their deaths. If she does nothing, her father’s fate is certain. Can she evade a hostile police force and win public sympathy before it’s too late?

About the author:

Leah E. Good is a daughter of God, lover of stories, homeschool graduate, and passionate orphan care advocate. She lives with her parents, brother, and Shetland Sheepdog in beautiful New England. You can find Leah at leahegood.com.

 Who is your favorite fictional character? (It could be one of yours but also someone else.)

Picking a favorite character is even harder than picking a favorite book! There are so many amazing “people” to choose from. One character jumps immediately to mind, though. Mikkel, from the Viking Quest series. I loved those books, and while Devin was originally my favorite, Mikkel is the one that stuck in my head and heart the longest. Of my own characters, I especially love Zaid, a runaway slave from the civil war era novel I wrote when I was fifteen.

How long did it take you to write Counted Worthy?

I started Counted Worthy in November of 2012. I originally wrote the first chapter as a short story. Several of my friends read it and protested the cliff hanger ending. You can check it out (http://leahegood.com/leahs-stories/counted-worthy/cw-sampler/) to see what they were talking about. I finished the rough draft around June 2013.

I read it. I can see why your friends would want you to continue! Is this your first published novel?

This is my first published novel, but it’s the forth I’ve written since getting serious about writing.

What’s your favorite color?

Light blue. Sky blue. Baby blue. Periwinkle. You get the idea. ;)

Who is your favorite author?

Oh man. Another hard one. I don’t think I can narrow it down to just one. My brother and I both carefully track release dates for books by Jill Williamson and Chuck Black. And Rachel Starr Thomson is a fantastic writer in the indie publishing world.

Ah, yes, Jill Williamson is definitely a favorite of mine.What kind of book covers catches your attention? (And I really like yours, by the way.) :)

To be honest, I’m not a very visual person, so for the most part I live out “don’t judge a book by its cover” pretty well. However, I do use covers to identify my favorite genres, like historical and dystopian. And, of course, I like covers that look professional.

What is one of the quirkiest things you’ve ever done?

My family and friends could probably answer that one better than me. According to them, my life is a continuous list of quirky things. They’re probably right. Completing three-quarters of a twin sized quilt in one day is pretty high on the list, though.

Whoa... that is a lot! If you could live anywhere, where would you want to live?

I’m pretty happy right where I am. Someday I would like to try some non-permanent but long-term missions work, though.

Do you listen to music while you write and who do you listen too if you do?

Nope. I listened to the Narnia soundtrack once or twice while editing, but that was mostly because I was bored. Music draws my attention too much to be able to focus on writing at the same time. I’m slightly envious of the people who do listen to music while they’re writing.

Could you name a few—or at least one—book that is somewhat similar to Counted Worthy? You can use your imagination. :)

I describe Counted Worthy as the Safe Lands Trilogy meets Safely Home. It’s also been described as The Hunger Games meets Safely Home with a dash of Fahrenheit 451. If you haven’t read Safely Home, you should add it to your reading list. One of my top five favorite books.

Ooh, I think I've heard of Safely Home... Yes, I DO need to read it... If you could choose one book to be turned into a movie, which book would it be? (Not counting your own…)

One of my friends and I were just thinking about how great The Shadow Children series would be as movies. Of those books, Among the Brave is my favorite. I’d love to see that as a movie (as long as the movie stuck the book and did it right).

No matter what book is being made a movie, they should stick to the book... they seem to have an issue with that sometimes, though... haha! When did you start writing?

I can’t remember when I first started writing. I got serious about becoming a good writer when I was fourteen.

Do you like to eat while you write?

Sadly, yes. I’ve got a sweet tooth a mile long, but salty will do when there’s nothing sweet available.

About how many words and pages is Counted Worthy?

250 pages, 53,000 words.

What is your favorite writing environment?

I enjoy writing in my room. On my bed when I’m feeling lazy, at my desk when I want to be professional.

Thank you for stopping by today, Leah. Can hardly wait to read your book! (Blog readers, look for a review of Counted Worthy coming up!)