Interview with Joanne Sundell, author of "Meggie's Remains"

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

A: Meggie’s Remains is a love story—a romantic suspense in which the heroine struggles with far more than meeting the man of her dreams. In fact, she’s scared to death when she does. Why? That’s the question I hope to answer in this novel. I hope to peel away the pretty layers in classic, romantic theme and character, and show the not-so-pretty events that can happen—the dark, complex, emotional path a heroine’s life can take, suddenly, without warning, and with no guarantee of survival.
~Afraid of men, afraid for her sins, afraid for her sanity, and right now afraid for her life, Meggie McMurphy flees Boston once the fiendish terror so long stalking her in nightmares surfaces in the light of day. She escapes west to Denver, in the wild Colorado Territory, hoping to lose herself among the multitude of townsfolk. The year is 1874.
Twenty-five years old, alone, and near penniless, Meggie struggles to find honest work and to keep the dark secrets of her past just that: secret. Not so easily done when the handsome, formidable westerner Ethan Rourke stumbles upon her on a snowy Denver street. Why it’s as if he’d stepped right out of the pages of her beloved novel, Jane Eyre! Safe to encounter such a man on the page, it is certainly unsafe, even deadly, for her to encounter such a man in the flesh. Men belong . . . six feet under, six feet away . . . where to stay safe, the devil must stay!
Hired as a teacher, not in Denver, but in an isolated mountain town in rugged Ute country, Meggie is determined to make a home for herself in Hot Sulphur Springs. There she keeps up her masquerade as Rose Rochester, yearning for a normal life, for companionship and even love—all the while knowing it’s only a matter of time until the monstrous changeling from her nightmares will find her, killing any possibility of a life at all. ~

What is the inspiration behind this book?

A: Meggie’s Remains, my first completed manuscript and fourth sale, is near and dear to my heart. The title changed from Columbine Captive—for obvious reasons—to Day Dreams ~ Haunted Nights, but at the end of the day, became Meggie’s Remains. You might ask what this means, and well you should. Is Meggie dead, buried six feet under, never to take another breath, or is Meggie so shattered, it’s hard to take the next step in life? Number two is closer to the truth. My focus and interest rests solely in the nineteenth century, the Victorian Era. For the average romance heroine, life wasn’t easy. I can’t imagine the challenge to have lived and tried to love during such a restrictive, repressive time. When I first thought of writing romance, I thought of Jane Eyre and its classic romantic themes, wanting to pay tribute to this quintessential romance novel. What makes us root for Jane? Why do we care about her, and about Edward? How did the pair overcome impossible obstacles and find their happy ending?
Living in the West, in the Colorado Rockies, I realized the beauty all around me was a character befitting any romance novel. My first heroine would have to be a woman trying to make it in the rugged west. I decided to bring Jane Eyre to the American West and see what might happen if I took Jane’s situation and made it worse … and then worse. Ever curious about how a nineteenth century heroine might have dealt with sexual trauma and upset, I wanted to peel away the pretty layers in classic romantic theme and character, and show the not-so-pretty events that can happen—the dark, complex, emotional path a heroine’s life can take, suddenly, without warning, and with no guarantee of survival. In Meggie’s Remains, Meggie’s life mirrors Jane’s in many respects, but the mirror shatters when Meggie’s life takes a turn away from romantic conflict, toward dangers that Jane Eyre never faced. Beyond the suspense, I wanted to capture the romance, the moment when passion ignites between heroine and hero. Such is the stuff of which romance novels are made!
My love of old-fashioned theme and character led me to create my heroine, Meggie McMurphy, and her hero, Ethan Rourke, stumbling upon each other on the streets of Denver, Colorado Territory, October, 1874. Their path to find true love is most definitely not an easy one.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

A: Charlotte Bronte`, of course. After Ms. Bronte’, I’d have to say the wonderful romance writer, Judith McNaught. Every one of her books is magic.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

A: Confidence that the story “will come” and that I “can” finish a manuscript on time.

Biggest weakness:

A: Focusing on all I haven’t done instead of all I have accomplished.

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

A: The author, moi`. I say this because we, as authors, are unique. Our voice is unique, unlike any other. My literary voice and style is what sets Meggie’s Remains apart from others … I can only hope.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

A: Can I have two? The day my father died, and then my mother.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

A: That I have a lot to learn. The day I stop questioning and think I know it all is the day I’d best throw in the towel on writing.

Anything else you’d like to share?

A: Please … Don’t Stop the Zensanity! This has been too much fun. I really appreciate this opportunity to visit.


My very best,

Joanne Sundell




Born in a tiny hospital in rural Virginia, tucked snugly away in a bureau drawer, Joanne ever cherishes her country beginnings. Fond memories of toddling along after her older sisters along the Appalachian Trail, catching tadpoles in the local creek bed, chasing after lightening bugs, or falling asleep to the evening hum of katydids, remain with her still, despite the family move to more urban Arlington where Joanne spent her formative school years, and then on to Richmond for college. Though nursing was her chosen vocation, her chosen avocation has ever been the romance novel. Joanne grew up reading romance, falling in love with heroes and heroines from Regency England to the American West, from London’s pubs to Colorado’s ski slopes, loving that moment when the hero and heroine meet and fall in love. That moment to Joanne is the moment when Jane Eyre meets Edward Rochester, when Elizabeth Bennett meets Mr. Darcy—that’s the heart-stopping, passionate moment for Joanne in romance. That moment is what led Joanne to attempt traditional, old-fashioned, historical romance. Her first sale was in 2005 and since then, she’s sold five more historical romances to Five Star-Gale, Cengage Learning, in their Expressions line. Her books have been reviewed nationally by such notables as Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, and Romantic Times. With her three children grown and off on their own adventures, Joanne now lives part-time in Colorado and in California with her husband and their entourage` of felines and huskies. Joanne’s writing groups include Romance Writers of America, Colorado Romance Writers, Los Angeles Romance Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and Women Writing the West. You can visit her on the web at http://www.joannesundell.com/.



Meggie's Remains is a romantic suspense unlike any other. Meggie struggles with far more than meeting the man of her dreams. In fact, she's scared to death when she does. This story could happen to any woman, in any time. It is you. It is me. It is private ... but must be told.

Afraid of men, afraid for her sins, afraid for her sanity, and right now afraid for her life, Meggie McMurphy flees Boston once the fiendish terror--so long stalking in her nightmares--surfaces in the light of day. She escapes west to Denver in the wild Colorado Territory, hoping to lose herself among the multitude of townsfolk. The year is 1874.

Twenty-five years old, alone, and near penniless, Meggie struggles to find honest work and to keep the dark secrets of her past just that: a secret. Not so easily done when the handsome, foreboding westerner Ethan Rourke, stumbles upon her on a snowy Denver street. Why it's as if he'd stepped right out of the pages of her beloved romance, Jane Eyre! Safe to encounter such a man on the romance page, it is certainly unsafe, even deadly, for her to encounter such a man in the flesh. Men belong ... six feet under, six feet away ... where to stay safe, the devil must stay!

Hired as a teacher, not in Denver, but in an isolated mountain town in rugged Ute country, Meggie is determined to make a home for herself in Hot Sulphur Springs. There she keeps up her masquerade as Rose Rochester, yearning for a normal life--for companionship and even love--all the while knowing it's only a matter of time until the monstrous changeling from her nightmares will find her, killing any possibility of a life at all.

Distant Thunder by Jimmy Root Jr.

Jimmy Root Jr., has served as an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God since 1982, including service in Nebraska, Missouri, and a seven year term as a missionary in Colombia, South America. Jimmy is the lead Pastor of Family Worship Center of Smithville, a growing suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. Married to his wife Jean for twenty-nine years, the Roots have three grown children.

Root is a 1981 alumnus of Central Bible College of Springfield, Missouri where he majored in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Theology. He is also an alumnus of Southeastern University, Lakeland Florida, where he majored in Intercultural Studies.

A lifetime student of Biblical prophecy, Jimmy is also the Professor of Eschatology, The Study of End Times, for Berean University through the Northern Missouri District School of Ministry. He is a featured speaker at Churches and other venues, and is the host of “The Bible Uncensored” radio broadcast heard on radio stations around the country.

His writings, both in book form as well as his blog, are purposed to be a wake-up call to a sleepy American church that seems to be losing a truly Christian World View. Distant Thunder and its sequels, A Gathering Storm and Then Comes Lightning, will reveal to the adventure/thriller aficionado the reality of the coming fulfillment of Biblically prophesied events. You can visit his website at http://www.lightningchronicles.com/ or his blog at http://www.prophecyalert.blogspot.com/. Connect with him on twitter at www.twitter.com/JimmyRootJr and Facebook at http://facebook.com/jimmyrootjr



The unthinkable has happened. Iranian terrorists are poised to strike the United States and Israel with tactical nuclear weapons. How will the world respond? More importantly, how will a sleepy suburban Church in America respond?

Ty Dempsey is a young American pastor who finds himself in a trial of grief after the loss of his younger brother to the war in Iraq. During his darkest hours, God brings to life a series of passages in the Bible that Ty had always considered allegorical in nature. They aren’t. With a strong sense of urgency that the message must be preached to his congregation, Ty dares to go beyond anything he has ever done before. Most of his people are intrigued, but others begin to stir trouble. The result is a church conflict that threatens to destroy his ministry. His only reprieve is found in a budding romance with talented and beautiful singer, Blake Sieler.

Meanwhile, Moshe Eldan is an Israeli F-16 “Lightning” pilot who is faithfully doing his duty to protect his increasingly beleaguered nation. But things have gotten more complicated than normal. Beyond the fact that Hizbollah fighters are administering their cyclical rocket attacks across the border of Lebanon, neighbor nations are beginning to act provocatively, even after a Palestinian State has been formed. Worse, his wife confronts him with a startling prophecy from the Bible that seems to be coming true ten thousand feet beneath his wings. Never one to be anything other than a secular Jew, Moshe is forced into a journey toward faith. Then, his Lightning jet is shot down by a Russian Mig 29, and things get suddenly complicated.

Strangely, these two men, from totally different backgrounds and cultures are connected in ways that can only be orchestrated by God. This fast plausible, paced thriller never stops moving, and the end will be shocking.

I was lucky enough to get the author to agree to answer some questions. Here is what he had to say:


Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Distant Thunder is the first book of a Prophetic Fiction trilogy called The Lightning Chronicles. The story poses a question that I believe needs to be asked: What would happen if radical terrorists somehow got their hands on tactical nuclear weapons, and then used them against both America and Israel? It is a frightening scenario that is becoming more and more plausible in light of current world events. But in the midst of unimaginable terror and tragedy, two unsung heroes rise to extraordinary heights as they begin to understand that everything has been prophesied.

Two main characters form the storylines of Distant Thunder. Moshe Eldan is an Israeli F-16 “Lightning” fighter pilot who is doing his best to defend his country against the latest cycle of attacks. Unbeknownst to him, the greatest horror imaginable is waiting in the form of a nuclear tipped missile. Moshe finds himself in an unlooked for journey toward faith as he attempts to save his people.

The other character is a man named Ty Dempsey. His story is a bit closer to home. He is a suburban Kansas City pastor who, in working through the grief of losing his younger brother to the war in Iraq, has begun to discover the ancient prophecies of Ezekiel. So enthralled is he by the information that he preaches the prophecies to his congregation. Some of his people listen and are interested. Others, however, do not want the status quo of their comfortable lives challenged by something they consider allegorical in nature. A good old fashioned church conflict ensues. Ty decides to stay the course in face of tremendous opposition and is ultimately vindicated when nearby Kansas City is the target of a terrorist attack. Moshe and Ty become connected throughout the story in strange, spiritual ways that will only increase as the series progresses.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

I am a life-long student of Bible prophecy. It is stunning, not only in its predictions, but in the fact that prophecies are being fulfilled in the light of current world events. I wanted to demonstrate that the Bible is much more than a devotional, religious document. It is one hundred percent accurate, and one hundred percent true. With that in mind, I took another great passion, the military thriller genre, and blended the two into a relevant, fast-paced story.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My wife, Jean, is my most faithful, as well as prettiest supporter.

Your biggest critic?

That would be me. I show no mercy, give no quarter, and am absolutely ruthless in self-criticism. But that is not in the form of a self-image or perfectionism problem. I simply want to do the very best I can in every area pertinent to my life.

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

I am light years ahead in my understanding of grammar. My sentence formation has improved dramatically. This is especially true in the concept of making them short and powerful.

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

The most important thing in my life will always be found in fulfilling my calling as a Pastor. My motto is: Serve God first, and everything else will find its proper place.

What are you currently working on?

I am multi-tasking. The second book of the Lightning Chronicles, A Gathering Storm, is in the editing process. That is keeping me occupied. Plus, I am nearly half way through the final book of the series. Throw in the publicity work for the release of Distant Thunder and you can see I am extremely busy.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Absolutely! Never, ever give up your dream. Persevere even when it feels hopeless. Hone your craft. Tell your story. A door will eventually open if you beat on it long enough.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

My favorite authors are Clive Cussler, Dale Brown, David Hagburg, and Joel C. Rosenberg. All are fiction thriller writers that have kept me sitting at the edge of my chair for years.

What are some of your long term goals?

After the Lightning Chronicles trilogy is complete I have a strong desire to write an extended series based on the life and times of Daniel the prophet. It would be strictly classified as historical fiction, but with all of the action germane to the sixth century B.C.

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

Getting the word out about how current world events align with Biblical prophecy has been the greatest achievement. That is also the purpose behind Distant Thunder and its sequels.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Stick-to-itiveness. I will not give up.

Biggest weakness?

I probably enjoy football a bit too much. I am an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and an absolute freak when it comes to Nebraska Cornhusker football.

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

Other books in the genre, like Joel C. Rosenberg’s recent series, are designed around the world of geo-politics. Distant Thunder was created to demonstrate that ordinary, unsung heroes are really the ones that make things happen for the good in this world. Though their deeds may go unheralded, they are incredibly valuable none-the-less.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

The Bible. It is filled with action. Every human strength and weakness is found in the stories. It is packed with wisdom, and it is the message of life. I would need nothing else.

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

Absolutely. If you are not growing, you are stagnant. Difficulties and trials come our way to build character and integrity. I am certain that those two ingredients are continually being refined in my life.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

It is actually a Bible verse, and a great one it is. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

What is your favorite past-time?

Beyond football I love to fish, hunt, and take advantage of the great outdoors. I am also a gardener and a carpenter.

When Life Stinks, It's Time to Wash the Gym Clothes by Kelly Epperson

Join Kelly Epperson, author of the humor book, When Life Stinks, It's Time to Wash the Gym Clothes (RWG Press, Apr. '08), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in December on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion.

About the Author:

Kelly Epperson has been dubbed “Everywoman” and “Rare woman” in the same breath. Kelly’s style is uniquely her own, yet she can relate to all of us. Her weekly columns of life, real everyday life as well as travels through Europe, bring a warmth and a wit that we all long for.

Leaving her job at the IRS ten years ago (it was “sucking the life out of her”), she then embarked on a new career, and served as resident court jester, at a local nonprofit agency that taught English and reading to adults.

Kelly’s motto and quote that hangs over her desk is “To love what you do and feel that it matters – how could anything be more fun?!” After a year in France, Kelly returned to the states and launched a fulltime career of writer, ghostwriter, and speaker. Every day, she does the happy dance in her kitchen.

To maintain connection and spread a little joy with friends, family, and readers, Kelly recently started a weekly “happy mail” – When Life Stinks, Find Your Joy. To check it out, send Kelly an email to kel_epperson@yahoo.com.

Kelly lives in Loves Park, IL (city with a heart) with The Man of the Place, her two teenage sons, who are brilliant and witty of course, and a sweet dog Starburst who sheds like crazy. FYI-Kelly hates dog hair, hence, the essay, “It’s Not Easy Being Cruella DeVil.”

For more info, please visit http://www.whenlifestinks.com/.

I was lucky enough to get the author to agree to an interview. Here's what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

When Life Stinks, It’s Time to Wash the Gym Clothes is a collection of my weekly newspaper columns. I’m a fulltime freelancer and ghostwriter. My humor column is my chance to be me. I tackle the silly and the serious, and sometimes a comingling of the two. The book is a compilation of forty-three of these essays, each about three pages. Some readers tell me they like to enjoy a story a day. Others say they devour the whole book in one sitting.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

Two things. Readers asked for it. (How cool is that!) My wonderful, loyal, treasured readers wanted a book of my columns. I started writing in May 2001; this book is a small sampling. If you want to read them all, my grandma and mom kept scrapbooks. You can borrow them.
The second thing that prompted the book was that as a ghostwriter, I have written several books for others and none for me. I wanted a book of my own. Does that make sense?

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

My writing skills improve every day. I also am a speaker now, which is crazy because I used to be terrified to speak in front of a group. Now it is my joy! I come alive in a way I never knew possible, and we – the audience and I – have so much fun. It’s a blast! My eternal thanks go to those kind hearted retired guys who gave me my start.

What are you currently working on?

I always have freelance and ghostwriting projects, but I’m doing more of my own stuff. I launched a JOY network – When Life Stinks, Find Joy. Sign up for free weekly joy dropping at www.whenlifestinks.com. I am creating cards and clothes and calendars and………. Ideas are popping like popcorn in my hot air popper. (I still have a hot air popper and I love it. With real butter. Yum.) The next book will be Joy or When Life Stinks, Go to France. I lived in France for a year and it awakened my joie de vivre.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

I need very little sleep.

Biggest weakness?

I am addicted to Coca-Cola.

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

Not much out there like this little book. Get your happy on and give it a try.
It’s on amazon.com, www.whenlifestinks.com, at Borders, and Barnes & Noble.

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

I think I am becoming more me. I found a journal from long ago where I wrote, "I don’t let my real self out much." Now I am, and good things are happening. It’s okay to be silly. It’s okay to put pink flowers and peace signs on my smart car (my joy mobile). It’s okay to express myself. My boys are teenagers now and they think it’s cool that Mom is a writer and on YouTube. Instead of trying to be a perfect and proper mom, it’s okay to just be me.

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

Be yourself. Follow your heart. You don’t have to wait until you are 40. J
I give myself the Zen test. If a new place, person, or project makes the neon sign in my head flash BAD ZEN, I stay away. When Life Stinks, It’s Time To Wash the Gym Clothes is good for your zen. If you disagree, send it back to me. I love hearing from readers. Even the cranky ones. Write me at kel_epperson@yahoo.com or visit www.whenlifestinks.com. Thank you!


About the Book:

Kelly Epperson, former IRS agent turned English as Second Language teacher turned writer and speaker, unabashedly tells it like it is, heartwarming and hilarious. From tales of life in France to going blonde to buttwear, you'll bust out laughing, you'll get a little misty, and you’ll be sad when this little book comes to an end.

When Life Stinks, It’s Time to Wash the Gym Clothes is a collection of her newspaper columns and no topic is taboo. From the “Job Hazards of Parenting” to “Mysteries of IQ Testing Revealed” to “The Scary, Hairy French Doctor,” you’ll share a hearty laugh as Kelly’s conversational style makes you feel you are a part of the happenings. She also grabs your heart with poignant tales of walking the D-day landing beaches, Grandma O, and her reflections as the days in France come to a close.

Kelly’s fans call her writing “witty, pithy, and real.” A freelance columnist since 2001, Kelly viewed her writing gig as a soul-fulfilling side job. The year in France was a break from reality that propelled her into a new career, that of fulltime writer, ghostwriter and speaker.

In an interview, Kelly states, “Ghostwriting – writing for others under their name – is a fascinating job, and I’ve written for New York Times best selling authors. But to have a book in my own name with no confidentiality clauses is a joy.” Kelly, always the dreamer, may see her name on the New York Times list someday.

Loyal readers are already screaming for more. “Words can’t describe how great your writing makes others feel.” Kelly’s essays are called charming and delightful, and her favorite, “a hoot.”

Some people devour her debut book in one sitting and others savor an essay a day. When Life Stinks, It’s Time to Wash the Gym Clothes reads like a letter to a friend because that is how Kelly sees her readers. In fact, she is now organizing a trip to Ireland with her readers!

Beautiful, inspiring, funny, When Life Stinks defies categories. Certainly women feel a kindred soul, but men too are captivated by Kelly’s writing. All ages too find a warmth and a wit that they can relate to; if ever there was a perfect gift for anyone at any time of year, it is When Life Stinks, It’s Time to Wash the Gym Clothes.

Excerpt:

The Message Is: “Look At My Butt”They’re everywhere. I thought it was a passing fad, but this fashion statement is sticking around. Teenage girls wear sweat pants with words emblazoned across the rear end. No matter the word, “Cute,” “UCLA,” or “Pinch Me,” the real message is “look at my butt.”

I shake my head with envy. Do it while you can, girls.

My fashion consultants, my boys, tell me I could wear sweats like that. “BIG” or “WIDE LOAD” tickle their fancy. They think “Danger: Hazardous Gas” would be hilarious. I think “Made You Look” would be clever.

As women age, more words fit on the gluteus maximus. The classic, “Does this make my butt look fat?” could be popular. Depending upon my mood, I’d wear “Yeah, baby, I still got it,” or “Thanks! No one has checked out my butt since 8th grade.”

Mother-daughter sweats could become a trend. Daughter butt: CHEER. Mom butt: “Would you believe this butt used to fit into a cheerleader skirt?” Mess with minds by stating “Objects in sweat pants are smaller than they appear.” Just for fun, print in vertical letters: Cheek 2 Cheek.

Certain communities are banning billboards so I predict derriere advertising will be common in the future. Young girls can make bucks renting their rumps to Nike with a big swoosh on the tush. Your daughter could earn cash for college by plastering Heineken on her heinie. The Army could attract more recruits with “Be all you can be” brandished on All-American behinds.

It’s bumper stickers, plain and simple. My more mature bumper could work for Jell-o.™ See it wiggle; see it jiggle. Plastic surgeons could drum up business for lipo suction: 1-800-SUCK-FAT. Fitness clubs could do a dual campaign. Tight buns wear “Gold’s Gym.” Doughy buns wear “Gold’s Gym? Is that next to the donut shop?” Sort of the opposite of the old public service ad, “this is your brain/this is your brain on drugs.” This is your butt at Gold’s; this is your butt if you don’t go to Gold’s.

Certain songwriters think bigger is better regarding the backside. Their lyrics could result in size appropriate butt wear slogans. Small: “Bootylicious.” Medium: “I like big butts, and I cannot lie.” Large: “Fat bottom girls, you make the rockin’ world go round.”

“If you don’t use it, you lose it” does not apply to butts. If you don’t use it, you get a whole lot more of it. Sit on it and it will grow. My butt used to be a separate entity from my legs. Over time, they have merged into a new flesh I call the “bleg,” the combined area of drooping butt into upper leg.

I need a butt bra to lift and separate my butt from my leg, giving me back the fanny of my youth. Bleg be gone. Then I’ll wear words across the seat of my pants: “The butt stops here.”

Review:

Kelly Epperson proudly displays her dirty laundry on the pages of When Life Stinks, It's Time to Wash the Gym Clothes. A collection of her famed newspaper columns, the book is a series of heartfelt observations and a well-balanced start for a brilliant writer. This is the kind of book that could easily launch an entire series of collections. It's light and warm-hearted, yet unmistakably comprehensive and soulful.--R. Pulfer, Rockford Review

Win prizes!

WHEN LIFE STINKS VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on December 1 and end on December 23. You can visit Kelly's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in December to find out where she is appearing!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 at the end of every month!

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!

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!

Lisa Jackson Book Spotlight and Author Interview

Book Synopsis:

NOTHING'S MORE TERRIFYING...
One by one, the victims are carefully captured, toyed with, then subjected to a slow and agonizing death. Piece by piece, his exquisite plan takes shape. The police can't yet see the beauty in his work--but soon, very soon, they will...

THAN BEING LEFT ALONE...
In the lonely woods around Grizzly Falls, Montana, four bodies have been discovered. Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a killer's cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come...

TO DIE...
When Jillian Rivers opens her eyes, she's trapped in a mangled car. Then a stranger, claiming to be a trail guide named Zane MacGregor, pries her free. Though she's grateful, something about him sets Jillian on edge. And if she knew what lay out there in the woods of Montana, she'd be truly terrified. Because someone is waiting...watching...poised to strike and make Jillian the next victim...

To read my review of this book, please click here.

I was fortunate to be able to ask this New York Times Bestselling author some questions...what a treat!


Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer? In what way?

My sister got me started. She had the wild idea that we could write romance novels. Originally I thought she was crazy, but we gave it a shot. I was influenced more by inner ambition and the need to keep the wolf away from the door than any one person.

Do you write everyday?

Almost every day. Depends on where I am in the book and what else is going on in my life. But yes, especially when I'm under deadline, then it's almost round the clock.

What has been your greatest achievement as a writer?

As a writer? Hmmm. Maybe hitting the #1 New York Times position. It's been a real thrill.

Have you always wanted to be a writer, or did you aspire to be something else growing up?

I wanted to be a writer, but thought it was a pipe dream. I was an English major in college and worked in banks. I thought I'd be a teacher, but that didn't work out and the writing thing took precedence.

Are you currently working on anything?

I'm finishing my next hardcover, MALICE, for Kensington Publishing. It's the sequel to LOST SOULS and features one of my most popular characters, Rick Bentz of the New Orleans Police Department. After a near-fatal accident, Bentz believes that his dead first wife is alive. MALICE will be available in April 2009, right after WICKED GAME, a romantic suspense novel I co-wrote with my sister, Nancy Bush.

What authors do you enjoy reading?

I read my sister, Nancy Bush, Tami Hoag, Dan Brown, Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben, Stephen King, Sue Monk Kidd, William Lashner, John Grogan, whatever or whoever strikes my fancy.

Is there a particular author/s (yourself excluded) who you feel don't get the recognition they deserve?

I don't know.

What is your favorite book?

I've got several: The Stand, by Stephen King, MARLEY AND ME by John Grogan, FATAL FLAW by William Lashner, REBECCA by Daphne duMaurier, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and most of Harlan Coben's stand alones, THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini was incredible. I look for anything that lasts a long time on the bestseller lists.

What is a book that has been highly acclaimed but you haven't liked (I know, this is a tough one to answer)?

Not tough at all for me. WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte. . . never did "get" it. Loved JANE EYRE by her sister Charlotte.

What word or phrase do you feel is overused?

"Like" as "Said." For example, "He was 'like' "no way."

Growing up in the era you did, do you have a favorite song that reflects on your beliefs/feelings?

What? Are you kidding? Just about every protest song. "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" is great or "Blowin' In The Wind" or "Turn, Turn, Turn." I also think "Forever Young" has a great message. Yeah, that would have to be it. Incredible lyrics. However, these are not my favorite dance tunes.

Is there a show on tv that you feel is really must see?

LOST!! Love the characters and I'm not into sci-fi!

Is there a character in a book or movie that you can relate to?

Oh, lots, but I love Jane Kelly in the Jane Kelly Mystery Series . . . written by Nancy Bush, my sister.

If you could trade spots with anyone and live the life they lived, who would it be?

No one.

75 books...WOW! Do you have any hobbies?

I'm old. Been doin' this a while. Hanging with friends, crossword puzzles, dogs, walks.

Do you work on more than one book at a time? If so, is it difficult to keep the stories straight?

I write one book at a time but sometimes plot others. It's very difficult to keep all the characters straight.




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