Posted on May 14, 2010 - by Lorna Seilstad
Presenting Our Own Shannon Vannatter!
Exciting times are here for one of the Inkspirational Messagers own! Shannon Taylor Vannatter White Roses has just been released by Heartsong Presents. It is being shipped to book club members this week and will available to purchase online at Heartsong next week.
We couldn’t be more thrilled for Shannon and want our Inksper family to learn a little more about her and her publishing journey. Shannon is a dear friend, a wonderful critique partner, and now a super published author.
Join us as we celebrate her debut novel!
Which amusement park ride is your favorite and why?
The roller coaster. I grew up near Six Flags over Georgia and at that time, the Great American Scream Machine was the largest roller coaster in the world. I had older cousins, so we spent our summers at Six Flags. Roller coasters are just pure fun. And I married a man who hates them. Our son likes them though. So when he gets tall enough to get on the major ones, we’ll have a blast.
What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?
The computer. If I had to write a book on a typewriter with no correction tape, I probably never would have written a book. I know I wouldn’t have. I had the first book I ever wrote in my head forever, but I didn’t start writing it until I got a computer.
Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My dad. He’s so proud, he’s about to bust. He took me to a writing conference when I won my first national writing award. He swam with my son in the hotel pool all day while I went to the conference and got my award. On the way home, he told every hotel clerk, gas station attendant, and restaurant server that I was a writer. That was before I was published, so he’s cheering even louder now.
What or who makes you giggle and why?
My husband. He looks at life differently than most people and has a very humorous take on everything. He also has wrong word dysfunction. He doesn’t quite say the right word, but something close that means something totally different than what he meant to say. And it’s usually in church, so I’m sitting in my second pew, trying to be supportive and preacher’s wifely, while I stifle giggles.
If you could have free unlimited service for one year from a cook, chauffer, personal secretary, housekeeper, or masseuse, which would you choose and why?
Housekeeper definitely. I absolutely hate cleaning house. It’s an endless cycle that never stays done. It reminds me of the Incredibles movie, where Mr. Incredible is talking about taking out the bad guys and making the world a safer place. He says, “I just cleaned up this mess, can’t you just keep it clean for five minutes?” We have an eight year old, so I can quote lots of kid movies.
And here is a little about White Roses.
Pastor Grayson Sterling loves his wife. The problem is, Sara was killed by a hit-and-run
driver two years ago. Grayson knows he needs to move on, that the continuing depth
of his grief is not healthy for him or his young son. Desperate, he convinces his church
to hire Mark Welch as associate pastor to relieve him of some of his load. When Adrea
Welch arrives at his church with her brother, Grayson cannot deny his attraction to her.
For years, florist Adrea Welch has been artfully arranging white roses for Sara Sterling.
Now those flowers are carried to the cemetery by a faithful, grieving husband. How can
Adrea be so attracted to a man still devoted to his dead wife?
When secrets from Adrea’s past collide with their budding relationship, both she and
Grayson must learn to lean on God’s abiding wisdom.
14 Comments
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White Pearls by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
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. McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr
McKenzie and Sydney meet in Branson, Missouri, where McKenzie has been recruited to help at the Dixie Stampede. While the girls take in the sights and sounds of Silver Dollar City, they become involved in a search to find a teen girl’s long lost uncle–who is rumored to have settled near the Branson area. With no clue other than a whittled necklace with an “SS” on the back, how will they ever reunite Shara with her uncle? The Camp Club girls are on the case, and they’re not about to give up until they close the gap and reconnect Shara’s family.
The Prodigal Daughter by Linda Fulkerson
Ruled by despair, remorse, and anger, the author’s life had become a classic rendition of the cliché “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” Desperate. Overwhelmed. Isolated. Trapped. She hit bottom.
On the elevator of life, those descending will all exit on different levels–some much lower than others. You don’t have to go all the way to the bottom. Stop now and push the “up” button. This book will show you how!
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May 14, 2010
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Brenda Anderson said:
Awesome interview, Lorna & Shannon!
I know I’ve said this before, but CONGRATULATIONS on your book release! Woo hoo! I’ve busted a few buttons telling people about White Roses, too, and I can’t wait to hold it in my hands.
Too bad your hubby doesn’t like rollercoasters. I’m blessed with a family who can’t wait to try the fastest, highest, loopiest ones around. You’ll have to come with us sometime, Shannon.
Hmmm. I wonder if Indy has any …
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May 14, 2010
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Regina Merrick said:
Shannon, I’d be sitting on the bench with your husband while MY husband rides the roller coaster with you. LOL
Great interview! I can’t wait to get my hands on your book!
Thanks, Lorna!
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May 14, 2010
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Shannon Vannatter said:
Brenda,
That year ACFW was in Minneapolis and the booksigning was at Mall of America, I wanted to ride the roller coaster inside the mall so bad. But I had to go back to the conference for more workshops and I knew my hair would be toast if I rode the rollercoaster. So, I didn’t ride it and planned to go back that evening. But by the time the workshops were over for the day, all the shuttles to the mall had already left. I still wish I’d rode it and had toasted hair the rest of the day, but I just couldn’t. Ex-hairdresser, avid primper thing.
Regina,
Bawk, bawk, bawk. They’re so much fun. I can’t believe I have no qualms about getting on a mass of steel and flying through the air, but I won’t fly in an airplane. That really doesn’t make sense.
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May 14, 2010
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Brenda Anderson said:
Shannon – you really didn’t miss anything. That coaster is like a walk on the beach. Not a hair would have moved out of place.
But, now the MOA has a new coaster that goes straight up then straight down & does loops. But none of that can compare to what Six Flags has.
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May 14, 2010
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Kav said:
Wonderful interview, Shannon and Lorna. I’m so excited for you, Shannon and even more excited since I found out that I can order ‘White Roses’ online next week instead of waiting until November.
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May 14, 2010
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Shannon Vannatter said:
Brenda,
I like the sound of the new coaster. I so miss Six Flags.
Kav,
You have to call a number to order: 1-800-847-8270.
Just found out I’m going to be on the Edit Cafe blog Monday. So excited! But I’m afraid with all these interviews, people will get sick of me.
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May 14, 2010
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LauIra Frantz said:
Shannon, I’m so thrilled for you! The cover is beautiful and I’ll be looking for it. Such fun to know the author:) Bless you bunches!
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May 14, 2010
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Linda Fulkerson said:
I’m with Regina — my favorite ride is the park bench, but I agree with you Shannon that the computer makes writing life SO much easier, and I’d definitely pick housekeeper out of those choices.
I am so proud of Shannon, and I’m excited about the release of White Roses. I haven’t read it yet, so I’m looking forward to reading it as soon as it’s available at Heartsong’s website.
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Dawn Ford said:
Shannon,
I will be sitting next to Regina on the bench waving and making faces at you as you go by.
I have told everyone I know about White Roses and I know a couple plan on ordering it. Count me in on your biggest fans list!!
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May 14, 2010
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Shannon Vannatter said:
Hi Laura,
Right back at ya. So fun to know the author.
Linda,
Since I’m so brave about driving in big cities, I might should opt for the chauffer.
Dawn,
Thanks for the publicity. Can’t wait until I can publicize you.
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May 14, 2010
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Karen said:
Regina the bench must be getting awfully crowded. Hope you have room for one more.
My stomach does not appreciate surprise dips in the road let alone flying through loop-de-loops any distance off the ground. But I can wave along with everyone else.
It must be so exciting to be enjoying your release day Shannon. Congratulations!!! Hope somebody thinks to get you a white rose or two today to celebrate. Though I suppose housekeeping for a year would be much better. Would that include laundry duties too?
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May 14, 2010
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Shannon Vannatter said:
Karen,
Thanks! It’s very exciting. No white roses, but Outback Steakhouse on the horizon. That’s how we celebrate. Will have to wait though. Too much going on this weekend.
The housekeeping would definitely have to include laundry. Hanging, folding, and putting away.
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May 14, 2010
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Kim said:
This is so cool, Shannon! I’m so excited for you.
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May 14, 2010
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Shannon Vannatter said:
Thanks Kim!
And thanks to all the inksters for featuring me today and for all the support y’all give daily.