The House On Tradd Street by Karen White

About the book:

Practical-minded Charleston realtor Melanie Middleton hates to admit that she can see ghosts—even to herself. But now she’s going to have to accept it. Because an old man she met only days ago has died, leaving Melanie his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her something…

Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that some diamonds that went missing from the Confederate Treasury a century ago are hidden in Melanie’s new home. So he decides to turn the charm on with the new tenant, only to discover that he’s suddenly the smitten one...

But it turns out that Jack’s search has caught the attention of a possibly malevolent ghostly presence. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak, and even murder. And they must hurry, for an evil force—either dead or alive—lies in wait…

Thanks so much for agreeing to an interview! I look forward to reading your responses!

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

It’s what I call my ‘Sixth Sense meets Moonlighting meets National Treasure’ book. An uptight Charleston realtor who inherits an historic and run-down home in Charleston’s historic district—along with a housekeeper, dog, and a host of ghosts eager to tell her their secrets. Oh, and she sees dead people---and teams up with a true-historical-crime mystery rider to solve the secrets of the old house.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

Despite an abiding fear of deep water, I learned how to sail so I could write my last book, THE MEMORY OF WATER. I wouldn’t say I’m proficient at it, but I learned enough to understand what would draw my characters to the water on a boat.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Sleep! I’m the mother of two active children (and dog), my husband travels a lot, and I’m writing and promoting two novels a year. I really miss my sleep!!!

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on the sequel to THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET. It’s entitled THE GIRL ON LEGARE and will be out in November 2009.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

To borrow words from Nike—JUST DO IT!! If you want to write, don’t find reasons why not. Just sit down at the computer and start writing. Really, it’s that easy! Remember—you’ll never sell a book that’s not written.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

Diana Gabaldon. When I finished OUTLANDER I was truly inspired to create another world that would transport readers in the same way that I’d been transported by her work.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Writing two full-length novels in a single year two years in a row. It’s just about killed me, but I think these books are my best work to date and I’ve seen a corresponding rise in my sales numbers.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

What I feel REALLY sets this book apart is that it really is in its very own genre—or, what I’d like to think, is starting its own trend! Like all of my books, it could be considered Southern Women’s Fiction—with romance, mystery and a ghost story added to the mix.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

Definitely. A lot of it comes with just getting older and with it the accompanying maturity and wisdom. I’m a lot more patient, I don’t sweat the small stuff so much, and I’m a lot easier on myself. Life is too short to worry about things I can’t change!

What is your favorite past-time?

Reading! I don’t think I could be a writers without being a voracious reader.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

To read excerpts, enter my contest and find out more about me and my books, please visit my website at www.karen-white.com.

About the author:

Karen White marries her passion for Charleston, the architecture of the area, and its history and legends in her new novel THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET, the story of a real estate agent who, though she specializes in homes in the city’s historic area, detests them. To do so, Karen had to conjure up and face a universal horror—renovation. Unlike her recent book, The Memory Of Water, for which she physically confronted her lifelong fear of deep water for the sake of research, this time out she enjoyed a metaphorical wallow in the joys associated with restoring a one hundred and fifty year old house and garden and let her characters deal with the pain.

White’s protagonists face everything from a leaky roof, old fountains, and cracked cornices to overgrown flowerbeds, paint chipped ceilings, disintegrating plaster and warped floorboards. For herself she saved the best. Her research included luxurious strolls on the streets of Charleston, sampling and choosing restaurants such as Magnolias, Gaulart & Malicelet, Cru Café, Blossom and Anson for her characters to enjoy. Rumor has it she also did a bit of shopping at RTW on King Street and spent an afternoon on the Battery visiting White Point Gardens. Relishing the architecture and choosing among Victorians, Federals, Colonial Revivals, Queen Anne, Dutch Colonials and others, along with the amazing range of colors and appointments, Karen eventually placed the house at the center of her story at “55 Tradd Street” in the downtown historic district and, inspired by an actual house on that street, imagined it as a Federal style single family home.

Italian and French by ancestry, a southerner and a story teller by birth, White has moved around quite a bit in her life. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she has also lived in Texas, New Jersey, Louisiana, Georgia, Venezuela and England, where she attended the American School in London. She returned to the states for college and graduated from New Orleans’ Tulane University. Hailing from a family with roots firmly set in Mississippi (the Delta and Biloxi), White notes that “searching for home brings me to the south again and again.” She and her family now live near Atlanta.

It was love at first sight when White first visited Charleston and South Carolina’s lowcountry in 1995. She says it was “inevitable” that she would set several novels in the area, as she did with 2005’s The Color of Light, which Booklist praises as “an accomplished novel about loss and renewal.” Three years later, she returned to the there with The Memory Of Water and, now, to Charleston with THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET. Her love of the southern coast shows no sign of abating. Her next novel, The Lost Hours (May 09) is set in and around Savannah.

Karen White’s work has appeared on the South East Independent Booksellers best sellers list. Her recent novel The Memory of Water, was the Borders Books and Atlanta & Company’s Book Club Selection for May, topped off at the end of the month with their live, television interview with Karen. The Memory of Water, which is well reviewed in Atlanta Magazine and an array of other print and online book media, and was adopted by numerous independent booksellers as a book club recommendation and as a featured title in their store. It’s been back to press five times since its March 2008 publication, the first time within its first four weeks on sale. It is one of NAL/Accent’s fastest selling titles.

Adding to the excitement of The Memory of Water’s March 2008 debut, was the resounding, continued recognition achieved by White’s 2007 novel Learning to Breathe. This spring Learning to Breathe was honored with a National Readers’ Choice Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Virginia Romance Writers HOLT Medallion. It was also named a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s Award for Best Novel, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and the Georgia Author of the Year Award.

White credits years spent listening to adults visiting in her grandmother’s Mississippi kitchen, sharing stories and gossiping while she played under the table, with starting her on the road to telling her own tales. The deal was sealed in the seventh grade when she skipped school and read Gone With The Wind. She knew—just knew—she was destined to grow up to be either Scarlet O’Hara or a writer.

In addition to THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET, White’s previous novels include Learning to Breathe, Pieces of the Heart, and The Color of Light.

THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on November 3 and end on November 26. You can visit Karen's blog stops at www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.wordpress.com in November to find out more about her latest book!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available. The winner(s) will be announced on our main blog at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com on November 30!

Igniting the Moral Courage of America by Dean Kilmer

Paperback: 181 pages
Publisher: Moral Courage Publications (December 23, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0976032783
ISBN-13: 978-0976032786

About the book:

The moral landscape of America is eroding. The values of "The Greatest Generation" have been replaced by greed, selfishness, and a widespread disdain for the traditional moral values on which this great nation was founded.

Dean Kilmer, author of Igniting the Moral Courage of America, challenges individual Americans to take action to reverse the tidal wave of negative values that is destroying the greatness of America. It must begin with a personal commitment to integrity. "Integrity, however, cannot become the norm in our nation’s people until good people become courageous people."
When individual Americans commit to becoming courageous people of integrity, they will intentionally spread that commitment to their families, schools, communities, and ultimately to our nation as a whole.

It is not too late to reverse the tidal wave of negative values that has been robbing America of its moral strength for half a century. It is not too late to restore this great country's commitment to traditional moral values. That restoration will happen when America, one person at a time, steps forward with renewed moral courage to make it happen.

Will you accept the challenge?

I was able to ask the author some questions. This is what he had to say.

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

While most Christians wonder what they can do about the negative trends in our country, this book reminds us that God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. From the 92-year-old widow with cancer whose story has inspired the lives of thousands, to the average football coach who changed the lives of his players, to the reformed alcoholic who converted the meanest man in town, God is working!

This book documents the moral problems facing our country as it presents the long-term solutions for these destructive behaviors. We are reminded while life’s problems are extremely complex the solutions are simple. The solutions are found when one person allows the power of God to work in his or her life!

Igniting the Moral Courage of America starts in reverse. While most books begin with the foundation, this book begins with the challenge and builds through the solutions toward the powerful conclusion. The real foundation for life and morality is our God as He is revealed in the Bible. God’s absolute truth coupled with His amazing grace is the solid foundation that energizes good people. The real power is God working in you! You will be empowered by God to change your surroundings. While people who lack faith live “under the circumstances” of life, people of faith change the circumstances by God’s power.

Can people of all religious backgrounds benefit by reading this, or is it geared towards a particular religious sect?

Igniting the Moral Courage of America is designed for any person who believes in the Bible as God’s inspired word. Although many passages of scripture are used to explain God’s prospective on moral issues there is no church doctrine presented in the book.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book or was it a culmination of many things?

During the past 30 years as I have spent hundreds of hours with people who are hurting I have discovered that most of their pain is caused by the decline of moral values in our nation. People hurt because of broken homes, child abuse, teenage pregnancy, the struggle of raising children as single parents, and the guilt over abortion. Look at the list, all of that pain could be removed if we learned to live by God’s moral standard. I wrote the book because I wanted to help the next generation to avoid this pain and enjoy the blessing of Godly living.

How did you define the moral problems facing this country and come up with long-term solutions?

I used two criteria to define the moral problems in the book. First, what does the Bible say about these specific activities, are they considered sinful by God? Second, are these problems hurting the lives of people in our nation today?

The long turn solutions have been developed by applying God’s Word to these problems and developing step by step ways to implement His moral standards in our society.

Who or what was the inspiration behind this book?

The book was written for the grandchildren! My prayer is that their generation will have a greater faith than my generation. Christian adults must be willing to protect the future of our children and grandchildren.

Who is your biggest supporter?

I always have great support from my wife Karen as well as my children Keith and Kelly. I have also received strong support from Roy Orr who is the former chairman of the Texas Democratic Party and was offered a position in Ronald Regan’s administration. Gary Bassett, the founder of the “Moral Courage Foundation” has also been a great supporter.

Your biggest critic?

The book presents reliable research into the dangerous and damaging lifestyle of homosexuals. Those who support the homosexual agenda strongly object to my material.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

The saving message of Jesus Christ is the solution to the moral problems of our nation. I have spent my life working with people and trying to direct them toward our Savior.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

It is my goal everyday to improve my ability to serve God. I am working to improve my writing skills, my speaking skills and my people skills.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

I would encourage your readers to consider using this material in their small group Bible studies or in Bible classes. Each chapter has thought questions at the end which lead us into serious discussions about the moral issues of our day. The questions are designed to help the class to develop an approach to solving the problems in your city.

If your readers are interested in more information about a “Moral Courage Seminar” or they would like information about how to use this book in their Bible classes, they can contact by e-mail dean@moralcourage.net I am interested in helping anyone who wants to make a difference in our world.

About the author:

Dean Kilmer is the preaching minister for the College Street Church of Christ in Waxahachie, Texas. He has served in churches throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

He has conducted seminars on Church Growth, Leadership, and Teacher Training in 17 states. Dean has also been a guest speaker at Christian Universities across the nation.

Dean earned his undergraduate degree in Bible at Harding University and a master’s in Biblical Studies from Abilene Christian University.

He has authored the “Mastering the Word” Bible study, and has just recently written a book entitled Igniting the Moral Courage of America.

Dean has been married to his wife Karen for 37 years and they have two children and three grandchildren.

Suzanne Woods Fisher Book Spotlight

Paperback: 296 pages
Publisher: Vintage Romance Publishing (May 30, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981559204
ISBN-13: 978-0981559209

To Purchase, click here.

Book Synopsis:

On a summer day in 1945, Louisa Gordon receives a telegram from the International Red Cross Tracing Service. Her young cousin, Elisabeth, has just been released from Dachau, a concentration camp, and Louisa is her only remaining relative.

Determined to go to war-torn Germany to retrieve her cousin, Louisa is also on a mission to discover the whereabouts of Friedrich Mueller, a Nazi sympathizer who fled Copper Springs, Arizona. What Louisa never expected was to meet the man she had once loved. And now hated.

Excerpt from the book:

I’ll never forget that summer night. Our last vestige of normalcy. One evening we sat down to dinner, and by the time we finished, our lives would never be the same.
It was a beastly hot night in early July, 1945. We were celebrating William’s seventh birthday with his favorite dinner: hot dogs and baked beans.
“You’re not eating, Louisa. I hope you’re not sick,” Aunt Martha said, peering at my face to discern an ailment, probably worried it might be contagious. Aunt Martha belonged to my husband, Robert. It was whispered among the church ladies that she hadn’t smiled since the Hoover Administration. Just the other day, I overheard one woman asking another if the preacher’s aunt had been baptized in pickle juice.
“I’m just not very hungry tonight,” I told her.
“That’s certainly not like you, Louisa,” said Robert, glancing up at me, looking a bit concerned.
It was true. I wasn’t one of those women who scarcely ate. I never missed a meal. I brushed Robert’s cheek with my hand then deftly changed the subject. “Time to open the presents.”
William ripped off the newspaper wrapping of the present I had handed to him. “Junior Spy Kit,” he read slowly, in his thick sounding pronunciation, pressing his small finger along the lettering.
“A spy kit?” Robert’s eyebrows shot up. “Why on earth would you give a spy kit to a boy already blessed with an overabundance of curiosity?”
“Exactly because of that, Robert,” I reassured him. “He can practice his reading, his writing, his observation skills, his attention-to-detail. He’ll be learning as he plays. I’ve been reading a book that encourages deaf children to develop their awareness of life around them. It’s a good thing for him.”
“He’ll be spying on everyone in this town!” complained Aunt Martha. “No one will be safe.” She pursed her lips in that way I deplored. “You’ve been telling him stories again about being a resister.”
“A Resistance Worker, Aunt Martha,” I corrected her, frowning. She had never fully understood the role I played working with the Resistance Movement in Germany. To her, it seemed like child’s play. But I took my experience as a Resistance Worker very seriously. Very, very seriously. It was a dangerous but important job.
Well, mostly, I delivered messages to other Resistance Workers. Written messages. In sealed envelopes. While on assignment, I wasn’t even permitted to talk. My colleagues seemed to be under the impression that I was too outspoken. Dietrich, my friend and mentor, often remarked that he was sure I would get myself shot if I dared to open my mouth.
So I didn’t.
Even still, the Gestapo started following us, tapping our phones. Everywhere I went, an agent watched me, not caring if I saw him or not. Over my objections, Dietrich decided I should leave Germany, at once, and wait out the war in the United States. Before I knew it, Dietrich whisked me off in the dark of night to the Swiss border. After a rushed goodbye, I was in the hands of Resistance Workers, passed like fragile baggage from contact to contact.
One month later, I had arrived in Copper Springs, Arizona, to stay indefinitely at the home of Reverend Robert Gordon, courtesy of our mutual friend Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The two men had attended the Union Theological Seminary in New York in 1931 and became friends. They had kept in touch over the years. When Dietrich asked if he would sponsor someone for safekeeping, Robert readily agreed, assuming it would be a young man. The surprised look on his face when I stepped off that train will forever make me smile.
Once or twice I have wondered if Robert would still have agreed so readily had he known all that decision would hold for him.
William was studying the bubbles in his root beer bottle. He looked up at Robert. “Mom was brave.” Even though William wasn’t really my son, the bond between us was as strong as any between a mother and child.
“You’re right, William,” Robert said. “She was brave.” He stole a glance at Aunt Martha and noticed she was peering into a pot on the stove. Satisfied she was preoccupied, he leaned over and kissed the violin curve of my neck before getting up to refill his glass of iced tea.
Was I brave? Not really. I never felt very brave. But I never doubted I was doing the right thing. I was a Resistance Worker because I couldn’t help myself. The war had to be stopped. Hitler had to be stopped.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. Robert went to open it and found Ernest standing solemnly on the porch. “Come in and join us! We’re celebrating William’s birthday.”
“Thank you, but I’m here on official business, Reverend. I have a telegram for your missus.” Ernest handed the telegram to Robert and abruptly left. I looked at Robert, puzzled.
He shrugged. “Open it. It’s for you.” He held it out to me.
I tore open the envelope, not having any idea about its contents or who might have sent it. But as I pulled the thin yellow paper out of the envelope, our lives irrevocably changed.

To read my review visit Amateur de livre.

About the author:

College, marriage and small children...in the midst of those busy years, Suzanne started free lance writing for magazines, most frequently for Christian Parenting Today, part of Christianity Today, International. She eventually became a contributing editor.

Serendipitous, as her grandfather had been one of the first publishers for Christianity Today magazine,started by Billy Graham and his father-in-law, Dr. L. Nelson Bell, back in the 1950s.
Suzanne contributed to the award-winning Praying for the World's 365 Most Influential People by David Kopp (Harvest House), a book chosen to be placed on the breakfast table settings for the National Day of Prayer in Washington D.C.

On the home front, she and husband Steve raised their children (two boys and two girls) in a number of different locations: Houston, Seattle, Hong Kong. Each time, they returned back to California where Steve’s consumer products company was headquartered. One of her favorite memories is sitting in a 44-story high rise in Hong Kong, overlooking the South China Sea, and writing articles—sent via the newly-hatched-and-full-of-kinks Internet—back to Christian Parenting Today or Marriage Partnership or other magazines.

So, after returning back from four years in Hong Kong, Suzanne found she had lost her “writing wind.” There was a lot going on in family life—her dad was starting to show symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, her kids were acclimating to life back in the states. The older two were starting to drive (oh dear, oh dear, oh dear); college was looming on the horizon for her eldest. A lot at stake, it seemed.

Out of the blue, Suzanne's niece sent her the book If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland, first published in 1938. Just the needed "oomph factor!" She had an idea for a novel... and just started to write. And write. And write. And re-write.

That story? Copper Star, published by Vintage in June 2007. Its sequel, Copper Fire, will be released in May 2008.

All in all, she’s grateful to the Lord for giving her a love of words, and The Word.

COPPER FIRE VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘08 will officially begin on August 4, 2008 and continue all month. You can visit Suzanne’s tour stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in August to find out more about her and her book!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author with a recent release or a $25 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors’ blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they come available. The winners will be announced on this blog on August 31!