Monday, July 11, 2011

Shannon Vannatter's "White Pearls"

Title: White Pearls
Publisher: Heartsong Presents

Cover blurb: Shell doesn't have a good reputation...But no matter what everyone in Rose Bud, Arkansas, thinks of her, she's back in town with a job to do. She'll stick it out and make the best of things. But why does Ryler have to be the landscaper on this project? She was just getting her heart under control. Ryler has his own reasons for being in Rose Bud, and they don't include Shell. Spying on his birth family was going to be hard enough. He doesn't have time to worry about a woman who dumped him...even if his heart says otherwise.

1) How did this story come to you?
The heroine's character was mentioned in the first book of the series, White Roses, as the bleached-blonde clad only in a towel who broke up a pivotal relationship. From the moment I wrote that description of her, I wanted to explore Shell's character and understand why she was like that. After the second book, White Doves, I had a long-lost brother, so the hero in book three tied up all the loose threads.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Once I got the offer from Heartsong Presents for White Roses, my editor asked if it could be a series. I felt like the bleached-blonde was too fresh in readers' minds for the second book, but by book three, they'd be ready for her conversion.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1) I love jigsaw puzzles. The 1000 and up piece ones. They relax me, but I don't want to do anything else when I've got one going, like make supper or go to bed. I just want to do my puzzle and that's all.
2) My graduating class had 20 seniors and that was considered a large class for our small school. The school was consolidated a few years ago. Now it's just a bunch of empty buildings.
3) I often use names that I wanted to name our son, but my husband wouldn't agree to for hero names in my books.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm working on the 2nd book in a Texas rodeo series. The first book, Rodeo Dust will release to Heartsong book club members in October.

5) Parting comments?
It was kind of sad for me when White Pearls released because the series came to an end. I miss the characters and the setting. What better place to set a romance than in towns called Romance and Rose Bud, Arkansas?

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.shannonvannatter.com/ and www.shannonvannatter.com/blog

33 comments:

  1. This sounds like a great read I love the questions that she ask and wonderful answers as well !!!
    Amber
    mommyof3boysiluv@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love that you use names you wanted to name your son. That's a great idea! Sound like a really fun book.
    Thanks for the interview.
    kristengjohnson (at) gmail (.) com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm a follower and a subscriber. I posted this to my blog: http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/07/k-dawn-byrd-author-register-to-win.html

    Please enter me! Brenda From Michigan

    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. White Pearls
    sounds like a great book.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com .

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love jigsaw puzzles also. The book sounds good!
    sonya.aydell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds like an intriguing series and I plan to start looking for the first two books. I'd love to win this one to complete the set. I'm hunting for new authors to read and Shannon's novels look very promising. Sunny Q Eads - fellow inspirational novelist

    ReplyDelete
  7. It sounds like a great book. Please enter me.

    laurelprincess12 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love Shannon's books; read #1 and have #2 on "next to read" shelf so I would really love to win this one! Thanks for the chance.
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  9. this sounds like a good book thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  10. This series sounds really good. I love finding out about new (to me) authors. I am excited to be included in the drawing.
    Thanks so much!

    Deborah
    dleathers36(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. White Pearls, the name itself is intriguing. Would love to win it, sounds good for sure. I love to post these on my facebook. Juanita W
    whisper97304@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love to read these interviews and thanks for the chance to win a the book !!

    Donna
    djkrueger@wildblue.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sounds like more than enough tension for a good story!

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  14. White Pearls sounds like a great read and I'd love to win a copy. Thanks for the great interview with Shannon.

    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the name of the novel as well as the titles of the entire series. rdg.rendevous@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sounds like a book I would enjoy! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love finding out about new authors! Mrs. Vannatter? What was your favorite part about writing your book?

    This book sounds intriguing!

    kakuchouakisame_19(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh how I love books that have some romantic tension, especially when old flames get re-lit!! Sounds great!! Thanks for the chance to win!

    kcmelone at yahoo dot com

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  19. Lovely to read about how you decided to write about her.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Amber,
    Dawn's interviews are always fun.

    Kristen,
    I love unique names for heroes and heroines.

    Brenda,
    Thanks for sharing the interview.

    Emma,
    It was a fun book to write. I enjoyed taking a not so nice heroine and molding her into likeable.

    Sonya,
    I don't do the dimensional ones though. That would drive me nuts. I like the flat kind.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Sunny,
    Keep writing.

    Laurel,
    Glad the book sounds interesting to you.

    Jackie,
    Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad you enjoyed the book.

    Apple Blossom,
    I hope you get a chance to read it.

    Hi Deborah,
    I love new to-me readers.

    Juanita,
    I had fun coming up with the titles for the series and my editor let me keep the titles I chose.

    Donna,
    Glad you enjoyed the interview. I did too.

    Pegg,
    I'm glad there's not as much tension in my life as I throw at my poor charactes.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to win this book. Please enter me.
    angelac@mchsi.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Judy,
    I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. I had to put on my thinking cap to come up with things readers don't know about me.

    Sidne,
    A lot of publishers change the titles, but HP's been really good about that.

    Nancy,
    Glad the story interests you.

    Gabby,
    The salvation scene. Those are always my favorite. I wish I could make real people get saved like I can my characters.

    Courtney,
    This one definitely has romantic tension. Some of our church members were like, Whoa that's some book.

    Sheila,
    I'm glad I got the chance to write about Shell.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Loved the interview...sounds like a fun read!!! Would love a chance to win...Thanks!! margie at mijares dot net

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hope I win, this sounds like a great book to share with my female mentees.

    Lady_Nessa02@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. This sounds like a great book and really would love to read it. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great interview and would love to read the book. Thanks for the opportunity.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nakia,
    Your name could be a heroine name.

    Hi Margie,
    It was definitely a fun write.

    Nessa,
    What a great idea. I always hoped my books could be used as witnessing tools.

    Jo,
    Glad you enjoyed the interview. I appreciate Dawn for having me back.

    ReplyDelete
  29. thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. A wonderful Interview.
    Sounds like a great read.
    Wendy
    wdesirees[at]yahoo[com]

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Wendy,
    Glad you enjoyed the interview. I did too!

    Dawn,
    Thanks for having me on your blog, I enjoyed it.

    Sidne,
    Congratulations! You won the drawing.

    ReplyDelete

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