Beth White is the award-winning author of The Pelican Bride. A native Mississippian, she teaches music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers’ Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.
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Savanna: Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Beth! Congratulations on your upcoming release, The Creole Princess. Can you tell us what first inspired the Gulf Coast Chronicles?
Beth: I conceived the Gulf Coast Chronicles as a series similar to Elswyth Thane’s classic Williamsburg series—which was written and published in the 1940’s and ‘50’s, but which still holds up as wonderful romantic historical adventure. The idea was to take a couple of central families and build a dynastic tale which would incorporate major historic events which took place on the Gulf Coast. Book 1, The Pelican Bride, launched the series with the establishment of the Lanier family and the city of Mobile, Louisiana Territory, during the French Colonial period (1704).
The Creole Princess, Book 2 of the series, skips a couple of generations and places the reader in Mobile at the outbreak of the American Revolution.
Savanna: Did you have a favorite scene from The Creole Princess? Without giving too much away, can you tell us a little bit about it?
Beth: The scene that was the most fun to write was sort of in the middle of the book when I knew that Rafa, the hero, would have to either ask Lyse to marry him and take her out of Mobile—or leave her there, vulnerable to prosecution as a traitor. When I began writing that scene, I honestly didn’t know which way it was going to go (and I’m not going to provide a spoiler here). But as the dialogue unfolded, it took on a life of its own, Rafa was so perfectly “himself”—funny, self-deprecating, and clever—and I couldn’t be happier with the plot twist that developed.
Savanna: Sounds like such a fun scene! 😉 How long did it take you to write this book?
Beth: I started reading and researching for The Creole Princess right after I turned in the first draft of The Pelican Bride to my editor. I always have good intentions of “starting early”…and I did write about a third of the manuscript during the summer of 2013. But once school started that fall (I’m a choral director in an inner-city high school), my writing schedule got very…unpredictable, let’s say. The last 2/3 of the book was written in a wild, panicked, marathon of two months. This “method,” by the way, is not recommended for stable mental health.
Savanna: That’s incredible determination! Way to go, Beth! 😉
You mentioned you teach choir and piano in an inner-city public high school. What is one of your favorite songs?
Beth: My musical taste is all over the map, and my favorite song changes nearly every week. Right now I’m listening to American Authors’ album Oh What a Life, and I love the song “Hit It” because of the percussion and the banjo. Call me shallow…
On a little more classical/spiritual note, I adore Christopher Tin’s “Baba Yetu,” recorded by the Sowetu Gospel Choir. It’s “The Lord’s Prayer” in Swahili.
Savanna: I LOVE “Baba Yetu”! I often play it on repeat. 😉 It’s amazing!
What is one of your most unforgettable moments from your writing career to date?
Beth: Well, it’s hard to beat that first phone call from an editor at Tyndale House, offering me a contract for a novella. But typing “The End” on The Creole Princess was amazing. The first part of the book was so hard, felt like pulling glass through my pores, then the ending gushed out almost as if it came from somebody dumping words into my brain. I felt literally giddy with elation when it was done.
Savanna: Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Beth: I’m currently working on the third book in The Gulf Coast Chronicles, The Magnolia Duchess. It is set near the end of the War of 1812 and involves the British invasion of New Orleans. The lead characters are the children of protagonists of Creole Princess. It will release about this time next year. After that I’ll have a short break before I begin a brand-new three-book series set in Reconstruction Era Tupelo, Mississippi—The Daughtry House series.
I’m so grateful to have these books contracted by Revell. Deadlines force me to actually complete projects. I am a champion procrastinator.
Savanna: Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Beth. It’s been great having you! Hope you have a blessed and happy 2015!
GIVEAWAY!!
Beth has graciously offered to give away a copy of The Creole Princess. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends March 31, 2015. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody! 😉
Sounds like a great series, I’ll be adding them to my reading bucket list!!
That’s great, Abby! Hope you love it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Love the covers!
Aren’t they pretty, Joan? I agree! Good luck in the giveaway. 😉
Ohh I throughly enjoyed reading The Pelican Bride!
Such a fun story!
I look forward to reading the rest in the the series!
Carisa, I’m so happy you enjoyed TPB! Good luck in the contest for Creole Princess!
Beth
Glad you stopped back by to enter to win The Creole Princess, Carisa. 😉 I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too! Good luck!
I love the setting of this book, the south and the Revolutionary War! I love the deep south. I am from Georgia originally and love the Magnolia Duchess title! Congrats on your new release and success of the Pelican Bride!
Me toooooooo, Nancy! 🙂 So glad you could join us for the interview. Good luck in the drawing and Happy Reading, always!
Sounds like an exciting book that’s right up my alley!
Here’s hoping for a giveaway win, Brooke! 😉
Oh boy, that depends on the length of a book. An adult novel…I’d say the shortest time would be 2 days to read since I also have to care for my family. I love it when a book can suck me in like that, but then the fun is over all too soon!
Reading through a great book so quickly can be bittersweet, that’s for sure! 😉 Thanks for visiting, Kathryn. Hope you’re having a great week so far.
I have the Pelican Bride and love it! I actually attend the church where Beth’s husband is a pastor! I would love to read this book too!
Hi, Michelle! Greetings from a fellow NoMo-er!
Welcome to my blog, Michelle! So glad you could join us. Hope you get to read this book soon as well. 😉
I really enjoyed the interview. Loved the cover to the book and it sounds like a really good one.
Glad to hear it, Ann. I always appreciate you stopping by. Have a great day!
What pretty covers.. I’d enjoy reading your books 🙂
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Definitely check them out, Deanna. And Happy Reading! 🙂
My first book to read by Beth White was The Pelican Bride. It proudly sits on my forever shelf, and I’m so excited to hear of a sequel!! 🙂
Rachael, I’m honored to be on a “forever shelf!” I’ve never heard it called that—love it!
Beth
Thanks for sharing, Rachael. We’re so glad you could join us. Hope you get to enjoy the sequel real soon! 😉
I haven’t read the first book in this series, but remember seeing the cover and thinking how beautiful it was! I love historical fiction, so this is right up my alley.
Perfect! This series is definitely for you then, Patty! 😉 We’re glad you’re here. Good luck!
Beautiful covers, beautiful books! I can’t wait to read them!
mauback55 at gmail dot com
Thanks for visiting, Melanie. Have a great day!
The cover of this book is absolutely beautiful! I would absolutely love too read this book
oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
Good luck in the giveaway, Danie! Hope you get to read this story soon. 😉
I think the fastest thing I’ve read lately is “The Longest Ride” by Nicholas Sparks. I read it in 2 days, which considering how little time I get to read is great for me!
2 days IS fast, Kim! “Time flies when you’re having fun”, my Mom always says. 😉 Thanks for joining us.
Decided I would put what book I was reading 😀 Rebels by Jill Williamson! third book in the Safe Lands series! Great book 😀
I’ll have to check that book out, Sierra. Thanks for sharing! Happy Reading!!
The Creole Princess sounds great, I would love to read it.
Hope you get to read it soon, Linda! I appreciate you stopping by. 😉 Have a great week!
Good luck to everyone on the contest! I’m anxious to see who wins!
Beth
Thanks, Beth, for taking the time to stop by and chat with us. As you can see, we’re all VERY excited for your latest book! 😉 Have a blessed week!
Hello fellow champion procrastinator! LOL…I love that phrase & will probably use it myself in the future! And I agree, deadlines do make you finish a task although to the determent of your mental health 😉
What is something you enjoy about teaching piano & choir to inner-city kids at the high school? It must be very rewarding for you to connect with them & see all they can accomplish! I really enjoyed the picture you have posted here on the blog. They all look like brilliant young minds ready to tackle the world!
Your cover for “The Creole Princess” is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve not read either book by you since you are a new-to-me author. But I do so enjoy discovering new books & have met some wonderful new writers through different blogs & Facebook posts. This one sounds like a real winner! Historical Christian is my favorite genre. Thank you for the chance to own a copy of this beautiful book! Blessings to you, Beth!
Savanna, wonderful author interview & blog post. You ask a lot of great questions for us to get to know them! I always look forward to your next blog post…whether a book review or an author interview! It just makes me smile when I see notification in my email of a new post 🙂 Thanks for just being who you are, blessings to you and yours!
Trixi, my friend, you have such a gift for encouragement! 😉 Thank you for always taking the time to visit. I’m thrilled when I can share a new-to-you author and their stories. And I hope you’ll get to enjoy Beth’s books in the near future.
Your kind words just made my day. If you ever have any suggestions or questions you’d like me to ask future authors, let me know. 🙂 I’m so glad to have met you in this crazy book-reading world of ours! Good luck in the giveaway.
Will do, Savanna! Questions & suggestions are something I’d have to think about, but if any inspiration comes to mind, I’ll be sure to let you know 🙂 Happy reading!
My fastest book that I read was Sweet Valley High when I was young. I think it took me an hour. I loved those books.
Oh wow! An hour is REALLY fast! 😉 Thanks for sharing, Tammy! Have a great day and good luck in the drawing.
Oh!! This book looks wonderful!! <3
We’re glad you stopped by to enter in the contest, Jennifer. Good luck!
fun sounding scene
I agree! Thanks for visiting, bn100! 🙂
This book looks great! And I read a book called Petticoat Detective in less than 5 hours.
There are certainly some speed readers among us! 😉 I’ve never heard of that book, Amelia. Sounds like you were hooked! 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway.
I haven’t read the books of this series yet, though I have read and enjoyed other books by Beth. 🙂 I’m really looking forward to reading these.
I’m sure you’ll love these then too, Dawn. 😉 Thanks for stopping by and entering in the contest. Have a great week!
Feel like I JUST put The Pelican Bride on my to-read list, and she’s already got another one out! 🙂
Well then it’s perfect timing for you to win her second book, I’d say! 😉 Good luck, Tamara. Happy Reading!
I enjoyed reading this interview and look forward to reading the book. It’s good to see that there are other procrastinators in the world besides me! Thanks for sharing that tidbit!
Oh trust me, Joelle, you are NOT alone in the procrastinating world. There are many of us out there! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the interview.
Hello, you are a new to me author. It’s always fun to discover new to me author’s. This way I never will run out of wonderful books to read and people to meet ! The covers of your books sre absolutely stunning and I would love to have the opportunity to read them. I am sure your students are much better people because of your care and devotion !
So happy you could join us, Deanne. Thank you for sharing your sweet comments here. Have a blessed week and good luck in the giveaway.
thanks for the great interview! As a teacher myself (and a huge procrastinator),I am impressed that Beth can find the time to write books! I love the covers of both books. “The Pelican Bride” is in my TBR pile and I look forward to reading it and then not having to wait to read its sequel.
It’s nice when you don’t have to wait for the sequel, huh? 😉 It spoils us, really! Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer. Good luck to you and Happy Reading!
I enjoyed this interview/review and look forward to reading this new series. Thank you for this giveaway.
Connie
cps1950 at gmail dot com
Glad to hear it, Connie. Thank YOU for always stopping by. Have a great week, my friend!
I’m always excited to read a book by a new author to me. And since I’m laid up with a broken leg now is the perfect time. Can’t go shopping, only been out of the house once in over a week and that was only for a doctors appt. Hope I win!
Oh my, Gail, I’m so sorry to hear about your leg. I hope lots of great books keep you company while you wait. 😉 And here’s wishing you a speedy recovery. Blessings!
Just got The Pelican Bride for $.99 for Kindle today – been waiting to read this one for a while! Would love to win the 2nd book and make it a set 😉
Wonderful, Carrie! Hope you get to add to your set as well. 😉 Good luck!
I tend to read fairly fast, so I can’t say which book I read the fastest.
Hi BJ! It’s always such fun to connect with other readers. Thanks for stopping by! Good luck in the drawing too.
So excited to read these books! My record for fastest read book was 4 hours, and it was The Lost Garden by Katharine Swartz. Great read, I couldn’t sleep till I reached the end 🙂
Ohhhh, how fun it can be to get lost in a book! 😉 Thanks for sharing, Jennifer. Hope you have a great day!
I loved the first book in this series and would love a chance the win the latest! Thanks for the interview!
So glad to hear you enjoyed Beth’s first one in the series. Here’s hoping for a win for the second book, Rebecca! 😉
This looks like a fun novel. Just added it to my goodreads to read list.
That’s great, Sydney! You’ll be so glad you did. 🙂 Good luck in the drawing.
I read Two of Sarah Edens books in about a day and a half. To say the least I had tons of house work to do afterwards because if mom wasn’t picking up the children didn’t need to either.
Haha, Leslie…. sometimes the house cleaning just has to wait, right? 😉 Thanks for joining us! Good luck to you.