November and December have been very exciting as I watched the rerelease of the first four books in my White Series in digital format by Carina Press. I am so pleased (and grateful) to have these books once again available to my readers: new and old and those who missed some of the titles the first time around. This series is so close to my heart—each character became my brother, sister, best friend, etc. and to see them republished makes it seem like a long awaited family reunion! And as I read each book myself, something I never did when the books came out in print format, I am eager to become reacquainted with each character! Even the villains, for there is nothing like seeing justice served! I loved writing about this family just as my readers have loved reading about their lives. Especially Jeremy Jones and White Dove. Readers weren't just asking for their story but began demanding it! And honestly, I was right there with each and every reader for that was one story that just called to me and I chomped at the bit until the books before White Dove were written. So from two people (Sarah & Golden Eagle), who met by chance (first in my mind), eleven books were born.
Over the years, I have received so many reader letters and comments and emails and have been amazed at how these characters from my series have affected so many different people: from the mother who read the books to her dying daughter, to the lonely women who found companionship and to women who appreciated the guts, and the willingness of the heroine’s and hero’s to do whatever it took to overcome adversity and so many more reader stories.
In my writing, I’ve tried to create more than a satisfying story and read. I wanted to add value to these books by addressing some of society’s problems like abuse and handicaps. My blind heroine, Mattie (a child in White Dreams and not blind until her story in White Deception) was one of the hardest books to write yet one of the most satisfying. I was so afraid that I would receive letters protesting the fact that she does not regain her sight by a "miracle" but I didn’t receive a single complaint. Mattie was so comfortable and in tune to her world, that “fixing” her would have cheapened the story and her courage. I am grateful that my readers agreed.
Each of the White Books is a story that means something to me. Jessie in White Wolf is a lot like I was in my youth. Just try and tell me no back then without a very good reason and I was all set to rebel. I could go on and one with each book but then I’d be writing a book instead of a blog!
I will say that so many of the letters I received were stories in and of themselves but with one common theme: a love of reading, love and appreciation for characters who made a difference in their own lives. Even after the print version of the books were no longer available, letters still poured in from readers asking for the books, and even for new stories.
Just writing this letter makes me all teary and homesick for the lives and characters of this series but just as these books are once again available to my readers, they are there for me as I plan to become re-acquainted with each book and each character. A reunion of sorts!
Speaking of reunions, (you knew this might be coming, right?), I am planning a twelfth White book. So many characters to choose from though!
(Coming Feb. 20, 2012)
But right now, as the title suggests, I am grateful to see the White series available once more. And I am grateful to CarinaPress and very thankful for my editor Angela James, for making this series available once again.
How about you? How do you view "gratitude". Do you think of it often? Rarely? Can you sit down and write out 100 things you are truly grateful for in your life? Could you do that today? And again tomorrow? And the day after? What would we be as a society if each and everyone of us practiced gratitude and consciously gave thanks 24/7?
I'll start now by saying I am thankful for each and every person who reads this blog. Oh, I started my list of 100.
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