Special Guest - Debby Mayne

White Roses are pleased to have with us once again, author Debby Mayne with her book, Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida.

Author and speaker Debby Mayne grew up in a military family, which meant moving every one to three years throughout her childhood. Debby was born in Alaska and lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, Oregon, Florida, Hawaii, and Japan. Her comfort foods are as diverse as her interests. You might find her eating sushi while reading a cozy mystery novel or fried catfish while watching a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game.

Her husband of almost 30 years has accepted the fact that outside of her faith and family, books are the most important thing in her life. She and Wally have two grown daughters, Lauren and Alison, a son-in-law, Jason, and a granddaughter named Emma.

Debby has published 11 books, more than 400 short stories and articles, and 5 novellas that have been printed in 6 anthologies. She has also worked as the managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for a TV retailer, and as a copy editor and proofreader for several book publishers. Debby currently enjoys writing Christian fiction, which allows her the freedom to tell stories without restraining her convictions.

She lives on Florida’s west coast with her husband and two cats. To learn more about Debby, visit her website at http://debbymayne.com.

Debby's 2009 releases: Peachtree Dreams - Barbour Publishing, April 2009

Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida - Summerside Press, June 2009

Christmas Homecoming - Barbour Publishing anthology with Paige Winship Dooly, Elizabeth Goddard, and Elizabeth Ludwig, September 2009

Noah's Ark - Heartsong Presents, October 2009

Be Still and Let Your Nail Polish Dry - Summerside Press, 2009

Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida - Amanda Burns owns a bicycle shop in Treasure Island, Florida, but she has very little time to enjoy the charming town or its beautiful beaches. When she's not caring for her emotionally demanding sister, she's busy waiting on customers. There's one customer she never minds seeing. Each year for his parents' anniversary, Jerry Simpson returns to the shop to rent a bicycle for two. Jerry's sense of responsibility to his parents has prevented him from even thinking about love. Will he and Amanda find the treasure they both deserve, even if neither of them is looking for it?

Working with Summerside Press: From the moment of my sale to Summerside Press, editor Rachel Meisel has been a joy to work with. Jason and Carlton have put together a great team of publishing professionals, and I'm excited to be included in the fabulous lineup.

Thank you Debby! Best of luck and God's blessings on your writing.

Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!"

Special Guest - Sandra D Bricker!

Please joine the White Rose Authors in welcoming author, Sandra D Bricker as our guest today.

“I'm going to be a writer when I grow up!"
Sandra D. Bricker declared these words to her father on a Sunday afternoon in Slidell, Louisiana. She was 5 years old, and was referring to being able to string her cursive letters together to write her full name for the first time, but the declaration proved somewhat prophetic. By the time she reached high school and her first article was published in The Cincinnati Enquirer, Sandie knew writing was what she wanted to do. For more than a decade, Sandie lived in Los Angeles and, while writing in every spare moment, she studied screenwriting and worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved cross-country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

"I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!” she declares. “Not only was I given the gift of getting to know my mother as an adult woman before she passed away, but I was also afforded the blessing of being able to re-focus on writing novels in an effort to pursue my dream of a writing career.”

That career weaves a web that draws in every age of reader. Sandie's interest in telling a story knows no boundaries. Three novels for middle readers carved out the beginning of the journey; then Avalon Books followed up with two hardbound romance novels in 2001: unWANTED: Husband (romantic comedy) and Change of Heart (romantic suspense). The response was tremendous, and Sandie was asked to pen a sequel to Change of Heart ... and so Sins of the Past was released in December 2003. Next up was another romantic comedy; Wish I Weren't Here was released in February 2005.

“I’m a Christian woman, first and foremost,” she says. “So my newest book is also a bit of a dream-come-true. Summerside Press has chosen me as one of two authors to launch their new Love Finds You line in October 2008. Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas is a romantic comedy for the inspirational market. So the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

Future laughter is promised from this author. Her recent sales include Love Finds You in Big Sky, Montana and Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida for Summerside Press, and The Big Five-OH! for Abingdon Press (Spring 2010).After spending nearly 15 years dealing with her celebrity clients' fans, Sandie finds it amusing that she is suddenly the one getting fan mail!

"When people were actually buying my books at a recent signing, I found myself wanting to go around and invite them all to dinner or offer to bake them cookies. Hey! In fact ... maybe I'll do that very soon."

So what if she can't hook a fish? This city girl has a plan to snag something else ... and his name is Justin.Lucy Binoche is reasonably attractive, intelligent, she has French lineage and better-than-average hair. So why is she nearly 30 and still single? Justin Gerard is the rugged hottie new to her church's single group. When he signs up for a camping trip in the Ozarks, Lucy loses no time writing her name on the line beneath his. There's only one problem: Lucy's idea of "roughing it" is suffering through a long line at Starbucks. She assumes she can rely on the grace of God and the assistance of her friend to get her through. But at the campsite in Snowball, Arkansas, Lucy bungles everything she attempts as she tries to impress Justin. She can't fish, hike or ride a horse; caves make her hyperventillate and hot air balloons bring on nausea. Soon, events are snowballing out of control. Will Lucy pretend to be someone she's not to snag the guy? Or will she discover in time that there's someone else who loves her for just who she is?

Now a few words from Sandie.....I'd been published before Summerside, but never in the inspirational market. And that was the goal! When I heard about the new Love Finds You line Summerside Press was going to start, I was really excited. They turned down several of my proposals, and then one day my editor called to ask if I'd be interested in trying something specific. It seemed they wanted a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy for one of the two launch books, and they thought I'd be just the writer to give it to them.

I found this a little odd, since everything I'd submitted thus far had been rather serious in nature. But it turned out that the e-mails we'd been exchanging had them laughing at their laptops! So I dug in and put something together for Snowball. A week later, Summerside's Creative Director, Jason Rovenstine, told me I'd nailed it, and he invited me to be one of the launch authors for the line.

I was both excited and anxious. Launching a line can be exhilerating and wonderful, but it also means you're the first to dip your toe out there in the Great Unknown. My experience with Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas has resulted in a landslide of the greatest reviews I've ever received! A friend called me recently and asked, "Have you read the reviews on your book at Amazon?" I hadn't lately, so I stopped over to have a look. I was in tears by the second one. People had fallen in love with Lucy, and with her adventures in the quest for true love. But the greatest part was that, between the fits of laughter, so many of them seemed to be moved by her spiritual journey as well. As a writer who loves Jesus the way I do, there is no bigger rush than that!

There's lots going on in my life at the moment because of the success of Snowball, too. I've sold two more books to the Love Finds You line (Holiday, Florida will be released in November, and Carmel, California is slated for next year). In addition, I've sold a comedy to Abingdon Press for their new fiction line (The Big 5-OH!) which will be released in Spring 2010.

At the moment, I'm involved in some awesome promotion for a devotional that I co-authored with three other Summerside authors (Loree Lough, Debby Mayne and Andrea Boeshaar). It's called Be Still ... and Let Your Nail Polish Dry, and it's geared toward the busy woman on-the-go. We've already received amazing endorsements from Candace Cameron-Bure (remember D.J. Tanner on Full House?) and Robin Lee Hatcher. The authors have all decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (I'm a survivor). We have a blog devoted to the book over at http://bestilldevos.blogspot.com/ and I really do hope you'll all stop in there and say hello. We're so blessed (and humbled) by what the Lord is doing with that devotional.

So that's what's happening in my life these days. Thanks so much for having me here today!Blessings, Sandie Bricker

Thank you, Sandie for being with us today - please keep us posted on the Love Finds You line and the movies!

Well friends, hope you enjoyed this special guest. Join us on the 17th when Debby Mayne returns with her Love Finds You book!

Until later....Be Blessed!
Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!" (TM)

Special Guest - Jill Savage!

We have a very special guest today, Jill Savage and her book: Real Moms, Real Jesus

Jill’s recent book Real Moms…Real Jesus, just released, and I wanted to ask her about her real mom moments..

Jill, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
Mark and I have been married 25 years and we have five children. Anne is 24 and married to our wonderful son-in-love, Matt. Evan is 21 and married to our beautiful daughter-in-love, Julie. Erica is 18 and a college student at Heartland Community College. Kolya is 15 and in the 8th grade. We adopted Kolya at the age of 9 from Russia---the God story about his adoption is included in the Real Moms…Real Jesus book. And Austin is 12 and in the 7th grade.

Tell us about your newest book Real Moms...Real Jesus?
Real Moms…Real Jesus is a book designed to help moms understand that when Jesus lived on this earth he was fully God, yet fully man. We don’t often think about the fact that he was a human being and he lived the full human experience: pain, hunger, fatigue, frustration, betrayal, disappointment. He experienced it all!

There’s one verse in the Bible about Jesus that simply says “large crowds followed him everywhere he went.” Well, isn’t that the life of a mom? Large crowds follow her to the bathroom. They follow her to the kitchen. To the grocery store. She’s in high demand! And when Jesus lived on this earth, He was in high demand, too.

Why did you want to write this book?
Most of us long for a friend who understands. Yes, we need girlfriends who understand what our life is like. But we also need to understand that we have a friend who understands in Jesus. Too many of us think of God as being distant and unable to relate to our daily struggles. But nothing could be further from the truth! He understands and he wants us to build our friendship with Him. He wants to not only be our Savior, but also our Friend.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?
I hope that readers will gain a new perspective about their relationship with Jesus. I also hope to weave God’s truth into the daily life of a mom.

What unique elements will the reader find in Real Moms…Real Jesus?
Each chapter looks at some character trait in Jesus’ life that can help us in our life as a mom. In between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into our real, messy, busy lives.

There are also questions at the end of the chapter for further consideration and suggested Bible reading in the book of Matthew. If the reader chooses to pursue the suggested reading, she will have read the book of Matthew completely by the end of the book!

There is also a leader’s guide in the back of the book so it can be used in a group setting.

This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?
Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!


Any closing thoughts?
I am very excited about this book! I believe that if a mom can strengthen her relationship with Jesus Christ, she will feel more equipped to be the mom she wants to be. I’m also offering an online book discussion on my blog beginning Tuesday, April 7. If you’d like to join us, you can subscribe to my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

I’d love to hear a reader’s thoughts after they read the book, too! You can connect to me through my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

Thanks, Jill, for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your real mom, real Jesus moments with us.

You can purchase your own copy of Real Moms…Real Jesus by clicking here.

And be sure to check out Hearts at Home, their conferences for moms, and all their online resources here.

Sounds like a wonderful book for mom's everywhere!

Hope you've enjoyed another WRIB special guest!

Until later....take care and Be Blessed!
Pamt

Does Inspirational Romance Equal Emotional Satisfaction?

I read something troubling this week. It was from someone who doesn’t normally read Inspirational. To get a feel for the genre, she ordered three random Inspy books. I don’t know who she read or what stories but her response was that she was “surprised to find how totally distant the books were from any real spiritual angst. There's no struggle, no doubt and no fear. Consequently, there's no emotional satisfaction at the end.”

I assume she was reading Inspirational romance and some of them like any other genre of romance can be filled with ‘fluff’ stories. Fun reads without any real depth. BUT there are some great Inspirational authors out there who touch you deep down to the core. I’m right aren’t I? Who are some of the authors you’ve read and never forgotten—stories or characters that stirred you in an incomprehensible way?

I’ll give a couple examples of Inspirationals that have affected me that way. Blind Promises by Diana Palmer from Steeple Hill. Now Diana is a well loved author in many genres. She wrote a story that reminded me very much of Jane Eyre. The passion was there, the characters, the angst. And even now a year later, I still think about that book. Another favorite author is Lori Wick. Her book, The Princess, is another that truly affected me. It included more desire on the parts of the characters than I would have thought in a mainstream Inspy romance. There was depth to her characters and plot. A great book and one of my ultimate favorite Inspirational romances. Another author I would encourage this reader to pick up is Francine Rivers. Her books take you to a deeper level in so many ways. You will be changed after reading one of her books. Several of The Wild Rose Press White Rose books affected me in similar ways: Nicola Beaumont’s Forever from Paris, Kara Lynn Russell’s Until Summer Ends, and recently First I’m Nobody by Kassandra Elaine. There are so many more as well.

I know you all have favorite Inspirational authors and books. Share some today. What would you say to someone who read a couple Inspy’s and was now turned off to the genre as lacking in spiritual angst and struggle while missing emotional satisfaction? I want to know. The world awaits your response.

In the meantime, here is an emotional excerpt from my short Inspirational, Relationship Rescue:

Robynn folded her hands in her lap, rolled her shoulders back and held her head straight, waiting for what he thought they needed to talk about. But if she really started talking about what had been on her mind all this time, she might have to ask for forgiveness afterward. She released a breath through close lips in an attempt to calm herself.

Mitch looked out at the playground equipment in the distance, the bright street lamps illuminating his profile. He was definitely not comfortable with whatever it was he was about to say and she was glad of it. It was time he felt a little distress over this whole situation.

He turned abruptly to her with bright eyes. There might have even been some moisture there. “Robynn, I messed up. I’m sorry. In all this time, I never asked for your forgiveness but I should have. I’m sorry.”

Robynn felt her heart melt several degrees. She crossed her arms in an attempt to keep her courage up. “What are you sorry about exactly, Mitch? About the fact that you asked me to marry you and then a year later you still wouldn’t let me plan the wedding or set the date. Or is it because I wasted three years of my life believing that you loved me?”

He slid across the bench and moved as if he might take her hand but refrained and instead rested against the back of the bench. “I was crazy to think you could wait indefinitely. Things don’t stand still. They’re always moving, always changing. The bottom line is that I was afraid and then when you gave me that ultimatum, I got angry at you.”

“You were angry at me?” she replied, bristling from the inside out.

“You didn’t seem to understand that some people need more time.”

“Some people seemed like they were never going to be ready.”

“It wouldn’t have been never. I was just being careful, making sure it was right.”

“Sometimes you just have to have faith.”

“You’re right.” He tipped his eyes down to his lap and smiled. What was he smiling about? Nothing about this was funny.

His eyes moved back up to hers. The expression was serious again…well, more like intense. It made her pulse trip. “Honestly, Robynn, I didn’t even understand what love really was. I was blinded by my own selfishness and what I wanted. I didn’t appreciate what a blessing your love and even more your very presence was to me. Do you know what torture it has been for me to see your face each Sunday morning or at a single’s activity and not be able to tell you how much I love you, not even be able to look at you like I want to?”

An icy chill raced down Robynn’s spine, causing her to shiver. Her stomach seemed to drop down to her knees as her equilibrium fell off. She reached out and held the bottom of the bench to steady herself. “You still love me?” She almost choked on the words. It was what she had been hoping to hear from him for the past six months.

“Yes, of course, I still love you. How could I stop?” He reached his hand out this time and took hers captive, bringing it back to his lap.

Tears sprung to her eyes and she knew she was about to start blubbering and she couldn’t allow that to happen in front of him. She sucked in a calming breath and exhaled, hoping to find the strength as two renegade tears slipped down her cheek. “Tell me why then, Mitch. Why? You broke my heart.”

Now Available at The Wild Rose Press

Introducing KM Daughters & Jewel of the Adriatic

We didn’t know what to expect when we entered the adoration chapel on the grounds of St. James Church. A strange little building with a copper turret atop a cinder block structure it didn’t fit any notions we had of a place of worship. But our guide had inspired us with an anecdote about “what to do in an adoration chapel”, so we were excited at the prospect of worshipping there.

We should backtrack a little. Needing a guide and translator while on a pilgrimage in the village of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzogovina – a long way from the suburbs of New York City and Chicago where each of us resides – we were especially grateful for her guidance that day. She related a story about Sister Elvira, the head religious at a resident rehabilitation center for alcohol and chemically addicted men. Working with one of her charges, Sister counseled him to spend time in the adoration chapel and he opposed the advice claiming he didn’t know what he was supposed to do to “adore” in the chapel.

Sister Elvira compared the prayerful time she wanted him to experience to sunbathing. “When you lie in the sun, you don’t do anything, the sun does all the work. I want you to go to the chapel and let the Son work on you.”

As we mentioned, we were excited to worship in the chapel. After a peaceful and prayerful time intent on hoping the Son would work on us, we emerged from the chapel into the glare of an early summer day. Kathie’s face was radiant, on fire with the spirit of the Lord. “I know what we’re supposed to do, Patti. Honestly, it was as if He spoke to me, the words were so clear in my mind. We’re supposed to write about what we’ve learned on our pilgrimages. I think we’re supposed to stop writing the book we’re working on and write an inspirational romance.” The Son had worked on Kathie in a profound way!

Our pilgrimage ended in late May 2007. By November we had completed our manuscript. Pat heard about The Wild Rose Press publishing company’s call for submissions in all genres and it seemed meant for us to submit a query. The talented and discerning Nicola Martinez rejected the book based on a partial manuscript submission for several good reasons. Normally we’d accept a rejection with grace and gratitude for the constructive criticism. This time we were compelled to act totally out of character. We “fixed” the flaws Nicola outlined and asked permission to resubmit to her. Once granted, we sent her the “prayed over” full manuscript.

On January 26, 2008 Nicola offered us a contract for Jewel of the Adriatic by K.M. Daughters. Our penname is dedicated to our parents (both gone to eternal life) Katherine and Michael. Thrilled, honored and blessed, we are privileged to be included with our fellow White Rose authors.

Jewel of the Adriatic is a story about a village in the Adriatic where millions believe the Mother of God appears daily to three visionaries. Here two souls find faith…and love. Historic and contemporary Marian apparitions around the world inspired our story. Places like church-approved shrines in Fatima, Portugal; Lourdes, France; and the yet to be approved Medjugorje, captured our imaginations and deepened our faith… as we listened in the chapel.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:10-12

Visit us at our Website Or at The Wild Rose Press

Until next time, Be Blessed!

KM Daughters

Celebrate Christmas with Us!

Hi Friends,

White Rose Author, Cindy K Green is hosting a White Christmas Jubilee over at her blog!

Here are the details:
Come one, Come all to a special Christmas Book Giveaway Event!
December 8th to the 14th -- 14 Authors ~ 14 Holiday Book Giveaways

Schedule:
Monday, December 8th – Rose Ross Zediker & Jan Scarbrough
Tuesday, December 9th – Pamela Thibodeaux & Linda Swift
Wednesday, December 10th – Cindy K. Green & Sarita Leone
Thursday, December 11th – Kara Lynn Russell & Anna Kathryn Lanier
Friday, December 12th – Marianne Arkins & Stacey Joy Netzel
Saturday, December 13th – Nan Jacobs & Teri Wilson
Sunday, December 14th – Stacy Dawn & Carla Rossi

Also: Your favorite White Rose Authors are celebrating Christmas all month long right here on the White Roses in Bloom Blog!

Free Books, Holiday Recipes, and Excerpts to warm you to the tips of your toes.

Make sure to pop in everyday for a chance to win. There will be lots going on everyday--all day long.

Who knows, you may even receive a gift for posting a comment :-)