I’m doing a rare Tuesday post today to talk about a truly amazing book. Yes, it’s a WhiteFire book, so you might think I’m biased. But hold that thought. 😉
Last year, our other acquisitions editor, Dina, sent me a first chapter to look over. It was for a book she was considering, and she wanted to get my take on the tone. I could see why she’d want that–just looking at the summary, it’s a book that could be too dark. That could be too heavy. That could be too…hard. Not hard to read, but hard to take. And while WhiteFire tackles subjects others won’t, we’re not a big fan of dark-for-the-sake-of-dark.
But Paint Chips…even in that first chapter, it was different. It spoke of sad things, but there was hope even in those first pages. Light. I liked that, so I gave a thumb’s up and went about my business. Dina kept reading…and then David read…and then we had a committee meeting. They both voted yes, and I still hadn’t read it, but I liked what I’d heard, so I voted yes too. For reference, that was the first book WhiteFire bought that I hadn’t read most-if-not-all-of. But hey, that’s what a committee’s for.
We welcomed Susie enthusiastically to the family, and I laughed when I realized upon typing the contract that she was a Facebook friend I interacted with almost daily. Duh, LOL. But that made me even happier to welcome her to the family! 😉 I got to work right away on her cover, sending her the above as a test-run. After all, I’d never read this book, I didn’t think I’d really be able to grasp it just from her questionnaire…but she quickly replied with “That’s it! That’s my cover!!”
Over the next couple of months, Dina worked her magic with her edits (Dina is a master of plot and scene structure, gotta say–and she does freelance work with that now, so if you’re a writer and need some help in that area,
check her out!!), Susie worked
her magic in incorporating them, and the manuscript came to me, ready for line edits.
Imagine Roseanna sitting at her desk, glued to her laptop as Hurricane Sandy went through, muttering phrases like, “If we lose power, I still have five hours of battery. I might be able to finish this on five hours of battery…” I just couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want to stop reading this story, because if I did, I’d leave one or both of the characters in a tough spot…and I couldn’t do that to poor Dot or Cora. I couldn’t. Besides, I wanted to keep laughing. And crying! I actually cried reading this book, and those of you who know me know that I don’t cry over stories. Not books, not TV, not movies…I cry, like, once a year. Maybe twice. It’s not my thing, so if this did it–that should be proof right there that you had better go buy it! 😉
Paint Chips is a book about family. About the ravages of a broken one and the healing touch of a mended one. It’s a story about the power of redemption…a power that shines the brightest into the darkest crevices. It’s a story that broke my heart. And then put it back together. Because it shows the ugly parts of our world. Human trafficking, abuse, the hard streets. But it shows even more starkly the beauty. What love can do. What faith can change.
When I finished reading this book, my first thought was, “Wow. I’m so glad this is ours! I want to publish this!!” (A good thought, yes, since it was only two months from release at that point, LOL.) So…seriously. This book is an experience you don’t want to miss. It’ll change you. Change how you look at the world, at those who love you unconditionally, at the Father who sees so much more than we do. Read it. You’ll see.
Here’s the back cover blurb, to give you an idea of, you know…what it’s actually about. 😉
What lies beneath the layers of hurt?
Though haunted by her troubled
past, Dot has found a safe haven. She has a fierce protector and a
colorful collection of friends…but sometimes she wonders if her life
will ever be normal again. Though college and romance await her,
embracing them requires a new kind of strength–one she isn’t sure she
has.
Emerging from years of confusion, Cora struggles to latch
hold of the sanity she needs to return to the real world. She yearns to
find a place of peace…but first she must deal with the ghosts of her
past.
Can this mother and daughter overcome abuse, betrayal,
abandonment, and the horrors of sexual trafficking, and make it back
into each others arms?
Facing the past is never easy. But as they chip away the layers, they might just find something beautiful beneath the mess.
And if you haven’t watched Susie’s book trailer yet, WATCH IT!! Seriously awesome–live action, and the best book trailer I’ve ever seen. (We’re not comparing it to mine because, well, that’s like saying “Which baby is cuter? Yours or your sister’s? Uh….LOL)
Now for the giveaway!
First of all, y’all should just go buy the book, because at $3.99 for digitals, why not? 😉 (Buy from Amazon…Buy from B&N…Buy from our distributor) But I’ll offer one free digital to a commenter. To make it more interesting, though, to a second winner, I’ll purchase for you your choice of items from Susie’s jewelry store, Inspired Novelties. Half her proceeds are donated to worthy causes (different one each month), and all are inspired by literature–and beautiful! I have several of her pieces, and they’re awesome. =)
To enter, leave a comment below telling me which is your favorite piece from Susie’s shop, and an email where you can be reached. Want an extra entry? Share the giveaway! Tweet it, blog about it, email it to a friend…have at it. =)
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered
verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Chance of winning
depends on number of entries. Contest ends 2/19/13. Winner will have one
week to claim prize.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Hi, Anne! Thank you so much for the kind words!
The books sounds like a haunting but healing story and has such a pretty cover. You did good, Roseanna.
I'm quite fond of the Pearl and Bronze tone Necklace Inspired by Pride and Prejudice in Susie's Etsy shop.
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
Hi, Karen! Thank you so much!
i love all of your jewelry…especially the silver toned charm bracelet.
thanks for the chance to read your wonderful novel, too
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Thanks for buying the book, Jolanthe! I'd really love to hear what you think of it when you're done!
Oh, yes. The red rose. I'm so glad you like it!
Thank you, Mary! I like the pink necklace, too. It's fancy and fun!
I just went and bought the Kindle version – can't wait to read it!! 🙂
The jewelery is beautiful – the red, red rose is so simple but gorgeous!
Thanks for letting us know about the book!
All fabulous thank you.
I do love the Effie Trinket Pink (short) Necklace Inspired by "The Hunger Games".
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you so much, Jennifer!
I know I'll have to read this, giveaway win or not. I love "hard" books, and the cover is beautiful. I think the Emerald City shell necklace is my favorite, too.
transformedgeneration[at]hotmail[dot]com
It's a difficult choice for sure! But I love the toad's eye necklace, too. Thanks for tweeting it, Annette!
And, YAY for you contacting me, Dina!
I tweeted, too, and tagged Susie.
WOW. Which do I want more? A fabulous book? Or a lovely necklace…maybe the silver toad's eye?
Would love to win either! Maybe Paint Chips a tad more. 🙂
I love hearing your description of how it came to be, Roseanna. Makes me want to read it even more.
Great article. Yay for all of us!
Lelia, thank you on both counts! I'll put your necklace in the mail right away!
Thank you, Golden! How very sweet of you!
Well, thank you, Sweet April!
Oh. I do love that name a whole lot!
LOL. I know how you feel, Lelia–we had an Inspired Novelties Christmas around here, with pieces for most of my female family members. =) So easy to love!!
So you persuaded me to buy the book. And looking at the jewelry…. whoa…. So I bought a necklace as a birthday present for one of my DILs. I think I need to step away from the computer now.
It's true. I could not put this book down. I'm a rabid reader with some semblance of self control and I'm usually able to put a book down and calmly come back the next day. HOWEVER, Susie's book kept me up waaaay too late two nights in a row! Excellent read!
Cannot wait to read this! And from one of the awesome authors at WhiteFire. So glad to be a part of a group that's not afraid to tackle the hard subjects.
Blessings for great sales!
She has a "Cora." =) (My sister's SIL)
Gillian, thank you so much!
I love the Tennyson quote. One of my very favorites.
Thank you, June! Lots of hugs to you!
Joanne, thank you so much. What encouragement!
I am partial to dragonflies as well.
Christine, hugs and hugs and hugs to you, my friend.
Shannon, thank you. I obviously don't know the way in which Paint Chips might related to your life. However, I hope that you are able to find healing somehow, in reading it. I know that writing the novel helped me to mend from some hard things from my past. Blessings to you!
Wow. The book looks really good. And the trailer was very well done. Gripping and powerful.
Literature inspired jewelry? How awesome is that. I think my favorite is the "flower garden necklace" inspiring by Tennyson.
email: thesongkeeper(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Natasha! I just lurked around your blog a bit. I love it!
I love the Phoenix necklace, too, Stephanie!
Congratulations, Susie, on your new release. I was blessed to win "What's Your Story" on a different blog. Wishing you many sales. June
Thank you, Normandie! I think you should still keep yourself in the running for the jewelry. 😉
Thank you, Misty! I'm curious, which character's name do you love? Do you have a child with that name?
The book looks AMAZING – and what a powerful trailer.
As far as the jewelry – it's ALL beautiful, but if I have to pick, I'm liking the dragonfly.
Thanks for publishing this book.
I just starting reading this amazing book last night, and I couldn't put it down. Yest the few pages start out with an obviously painful and dark topic, but it truly does have hope in every line. I carried on reading until I had to close my eyes. But I know this is one book I am going to cherish.
I am going to go buy the book now. I am afraid of how closely this is going to relate to me. I am drawn to the lime and black What's Your Story necklace. I have held my story so close to my heart for so long, it seems to be the perfect piece for me.
Definitely a great book–and I love the literature-inspiration too! So much fun!!
I can never pick either. =)
I keep seeing this book pop up… it sounds really good. And her jewelry? Adorable. I love that it's inspired by literature! I think my favorite is the "what's your story" necklace.
Will definitely share this giveaway. 🙂
I find it basically impossible to choose which of Susie's pieces I like best. I'm a big HP fan so I'm always drawn to the Phoenix 🙂
I really want to read Susie's book! I'm on a YA diet at the moment but I'm eager to read it once I'm done 🙂
LOL–sounds like reason enough to read the book to me! Thanks for sharing, Misty! I know you'd love this one.
Thanks for stopping by, Normandie–and you could still be entered for the necklace of your choice, if you'd like. 😉
Incredible book, great cover, fun publisher…what more could one want? Don't put me in the drawing as I've already bought the book and would love for someone else to share the fun, but I had to chime in to say (again) how much I enjoyed it. Well done, all.
This book does sound amazing! Plus I love the characters name….biased I know! And the jewelry is pretty awesome too…esp the. Emerald city shell necklace. Posting the giveaway too…I have lots of friends who would like this book! Mbalas[at]gmail.com