Monday, November 30, 2015

Interview with Romance/Suspense Author Diane Dean White

Diane started writing for newspaper, covering hard news and feature stories including a column called: “Yankee Viewpoints”. Her writing includes ancestral history and writing donor appeal letters for non-profit organizations. She wrote for Frank Talk, a weekly magazine for over four years, with her column, “Caroline Calling,” and is the author of Carolina in the Morning, Texting Mr. Right, Stories from a Porch Swing, On a Summer Night, and Winter Wonderland. Diane is also the author of over three-hundred short stories. She and hubby, Stephen, have been married for forty-three years, and they are the parents of three grown children and three granddaughters.

Welcome back to my blog, Diane. We’re going to talk about two books today. The first one is an Inspirational Romance called Winter Wonderland. Please tell us about this story.


While most young women are looking for husbands, Ruth tries to further her career and concentrates on obtaining a job with her business skills at Detroit’s J. L. Hudson Department Store. She feels good about her new office position and then meets Clint…who changes everything.

Was he part of the reason for their move? During a health problem will their faith hold them together or threaten a loving relationship? Celebrate the Christmas holiday and follow Ruth in this romantic story, during Detroit’s heyday, in Winter Wonderland.

Where did you get your inspiration for Winter Wonderland?

Being raised next to the capital city of Michigan, we often visited relatives and went shopping in the much larger city, Detroit. JL Hudson Company was a huge department store, and well known. It was a fun adventure, and especially during Christmas with “Toyland” a great place to visit Santa. I was aware of the number of families that came from various states to seek employment with the growing auto industry, after WWII, and it was something I wanted to capture in my book. It was also important for me to share about my character Ruth and her walk with the Lord, her sweet spirit, and ambition to work as a secretary for Hudson’s. As happens in true life, something often gets in the way of our best laid plans, and Clint was a distraction for Ruth. Not without glitches, readers can enjoy a 1951 romance. Once the tallest department store in Detroit, and due to the increasing malls, Hudson’s was sadly taken down in the late 1990’s, with camera crews to capture the historic moment.

The second book is an inspirational suspense/romance. Please tell us about On A Summer Night.

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I loved writing this book. I’m pretty much a fly by the seat of the pants writer, but I had an event I wanted to share with readers. Things have changed greatly from the 1960’s when this story starts out, and captures something two high school graduates discover. Coming back to present day, my main character Kate and her husband return to the area, and she struggles with how much to tell her husband. The book takes a number of twists and turns and readers enjoy a trip to beautiful Montana and the snow-covered mountains, a visit to Lansing, Michigan and the town near Everglades, I call Gladesville, is where the story takes place. The plot deals with a scene that stays in Kate’s mind, and abused women, an uncle whom Kate loved, and redemption all come full circle.

Where did you get your inspiration for On a Summer Night?

I spent time visiting the Everglades in the late 60’s and I also attended college in Florida around the same time. There were a lot of things I was familiar with having grandparents who had a winter home in Florida, but I was from the North and many things happened that I’d never seen in an active University city. I knew the suspense I wanted to share, and I wanted to work spousal abuse, something too many women deal with, into the chapters. It’s important for me to share the plan of salvation in my books, and this has a large influence in two of my characters lives, and something as a Christian, Kate has a hard time accepting. I was happy to see the reviews and that readers enjoy the turns and action that takes place. When the publisher first came out with my book he priced it at a very high cost, and didn’t do an ebook, which was promised. I retained my author rights and cut the paperback price in half, and offer it on Kindle now too.  

Where can my readers find you online?


Thank you so much, Diane, for this wonderful interview. I hope my readers will check out your books.

19 comments:

Mary L. Ball said...

I've read, On a summer Night and Winter Wonderland, both are wonderful books. Diane Dean White has an awesome way of creating characters. With each turn of the page you feel as if you're there, experiencing the story too.

Unknown said...

Thanks much, Mary. It's wonderful to have the support
of other authors, and Mary's truly that! :)

Unknown said...

Really enjoyed the interview with Diane. She is one of my favorite authors.

Unknown said...

Love all books by Diane Dean White!
Great interview!

Diana Montgomery said...

i love Diane's books! The 60's I loved the music and the cars. Memories
!!
Blessings
Diana
joeym11(at)frontier(dot)com

Laurean Brooks said...

It sounds like both these books are wonderful reads Diana, you've been paid several high compliments. I don't know the others, but I trust Ann Ellison's judgment.

May God continue to bless the gift He's given you.

I don't own an ereader, only read print books. so I won't enter the giveaway.

Unknown said...

Ann, thank you for your sweet compliment. I'm happy you enjoy my
books and I appreciate your five-star reviews! :) Thanks, Joyce.I
know how faithful you are as a fellow-author. :) Diana, it's fun to
go back into a former time period, especially one we grew up in! :)
Laurean, I'm blessed to have some kind FB friends who enjoy reading.
Thank you for stopping by. :)

Linda Moffitt said...

I don't believe I have read any of Diane's books but this sounds like a good one and I Love Christmas Stories. Thanks for the chance to win and the interview.

LouisePledge said...

I would buy either for the cover alone! Very appealing!

Holly Letson said...

I haven't read any of Diane's books, but *Winter Wonderland* sounds like a wonderful holiday read.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Linda. They are both inspirational romance and On a Summer Night
holds quite a bit of suspense too. :) Louise Pledge, thank you. I'm happy to hear
the covers appeal to readers. I can't tell you how hard I work on those to project
the feeling of the story. :) Thanks, Holly. I think you'll enjoy it. Let me know what you think. :)

Nancy Brzak said...

This is a very nice interview. I have not read the books, but they sound great! and thanks for sharing the interview...Blessings Nan
sweetnan47@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for coming by Nancy; I hope you have time
to read them. I think you'll enjoy both. :)

Mutti said...

It would be hard to choose which book I'd like to read first, Diane. They both sound like great stories! I am going to have to add you to my list of authors whose books I want to read.
Thank you for being interviewed by Linda.

Unknown said...

Great interview! Books seem really interesting.

Unknown said...

Thank you Mutti for stopping by. I hope you'll have
a chance to read both books. Thanks for adding me to
your authors list. :)

Unknown said...

Thank you too, Diana So, for your kind comment.
Merry Christmas! :)

Linda Moffitt said...

Both of these books look really good Thanks for the chance to win one and that is sad about Hudsons I know it has to happen but it is very sad when historical buildings have to be torn down

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations to Linda Moffitt and Nancy Brzak! You are the winners of these two awesome books. I know you'll enjoy them.