Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Grab a summer read: On a Summer Night by Diane Dean White



Kate and Vanessa hadn't planned on the summer night that changed their lives. Could they have imagined the darkness that descended and how gripping fear could be? The beauty and sweeping moss, gentle palm trees and Florida breezes was wrapped with the memory of that awful evening. Time steals away from the 60s, Kate and her husband return to the winter home where bygone memories are stored. Nestled next to her husband's strong frame they drive toward town. Watching the egrets, the salty smell and beauty surrounding them, she wonders if she should tell him...Kate never had. Maybe it was time he knew. 

Available on Amazon, KDP for 3.99



Diane, what do you love about this book?
Thank you for having me, Lisa.  This book captures the experience two college bound girls have when visiting Kate’s uncle’s Florida home in 1966. The girls enjoy the sunshine, beach days in the quaint area, very rugged and nothing like the north. They also have an unforgettable experience which goes along with the era and time period. I loved weaving the sixties to present day, and dealing with a plot that revolves around their lives, and extending circumstances from the trip to Florida. Each incident comes full circle. I really enjoyed writing this book, as the Lord guided, giving me the ideas to share.

Introduce us to Florida and share what makes the setting special.
The setting is in a fictional town called Gladesville, much like the Everglades were in the 1960s. The prologue begins with Kate and her husband, recently retired going to her uncle’s home which he left to her, and she had not returned to after the traumatic night with her girl friend. Chapter one goes back to the 1960s, and several chapters later the story starts present day.

Share two things you learned about writing/publishing process/history/yourself while researching and producing this story.
My book was picked up by an approved ACFW publisher, and then during the editing process he announced it would cost me $260.00 for the ebook. I know how popular ebooks are to many readers, and I felt cheated, since he claimed to be a traditional publisher. They removed him from the approved list, but two other girls followed me, and were hurt too. I did finally buy back my rights after seeing the horrendous price of $19.95 that he listed it for, and wouldn’t lower it. I have it priced at $3.99 and it’s now on ebook only. That was quite a learning experience. After dealing with editors for years, this one took the zip out of me and makes self publishing more pleasing. :)

What do you hope readers will tell others about the book?
It’s a story that shares human mistakes, harboring hurt, a loss, God’s love and redemption. I do pray others who read it will see the way the Lord works out the details of our lives when we turn to Him, and how beautiful knowing that He is in control can be. It’s a book of inspirational romance and suspense. Although fictional there’s a lot of reality about the problems that took place during this time period in southern Florida.


What are you working on now?
I’m final proofing a book called This Side of Heaven, which probably is my most suspenseful romance yet. I loved writing this. It takes place in present day rural Georgia. And two of my favorite characters from On a Summer Night are my lead characters in this one. We lived in a small Georgia town for a few years in the late 70s and I think I’m finally able to capture some of those feelings. The book deals with a loving newly married couple, a visiting aunt that left an old flame and moved away, the reality of teens making and selling drugs, a murder and losses. Throughout the story the main characters will touch your hearts and you’ll identify their love, their losses and God’s perfect timing in a world that is indeed NOT perfect until we get to Heaven.


About the author:
Diane started her writing at an early age, but it wasn’t until her husband’s work took them to a small southern town she wrote her first column, “Yankee Viewpoint's” for a local newspaper. Returning to her home-state of Michigan, she did stringer work over the years, ancestral history, and donor appeal letters for non-profit organizations. Diane self-published two books in the early 2000s, and she became a columnist for a weekly magazine, for four years. She is the author of over three-hundred short stories. Her book On a Summer Night was released in October and her ebook, Stories from a Porch Swing in April. Texting Mr. Right was released September 1 of this year, and re released in April 2015, and her Christmas novella, Winter Wonderland was available at the end of October. She and hubby, Stephen, have been married for forty-two years, and they are the parents of three grown children and three grand-gals. Look for This Side of Heaven in late summer 2015.


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8 comments:

  1. Enjoyed the interview with Diane. I have read and really enjoyed On a Summer Night.

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    1. I appreciate your comment, Ann, and also your review on Amazon. I'm happy you enjoyed it. :)

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  2. Nice interview. I'm sure many of us relate to Diane's distaste with some of the publishing practices that often happen, but I'm glad it hasn't stopped her from writing. Diane Dean White's novels are wonderful to read. She has a great way of making you feel as though you're there with the characters. And I enjoy the little plot twists she often puts in her books.
    I'm looking forward to The Other Side of Heaven. I know it will be another awesome read!

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    1. Thanks sweet Mary. I appreciate your kind words. I'm not sure when The Other Side of Heaven will be out, but I'm doing my best to get This Side of Heaven done! :) I don't know if I know where the other side of Heaven is. Hugs~

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  3. Great interview! I love Diane's books and this one of my favorites.

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  4. Thanks, Michele. I appreciate you coming by. :)

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  5. Fantastic interview, I enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite authors.

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    1. Aren't you sweet, Rita Garcia. Thank you for taking time away from your own busy writing schedule. :)

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