A Winter at the White Queen Blog Tour with Celebrate Lit (Interview)

About the Book

Book: A Winter at the White Queen

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 3, 2023

In the world of the wealthy, things are never quite as they appear.

Ellie Hastings is tired of playing social gatekeeper—and poor-relation companion—to her Gibson Girl of a cousin. But her aunt insists Ellie lift her nose out of her detective novel long enough to help gauge the eligibility of bachelors during the winter social season at Florida’s Hotel Belleview. She finds plenty that’s mysterious about the suave, aloof Philadelphia inventor, Lewis Thornton. Why does he keep sneaking around the hotel? Does he have a secret sweetheart? And what is his connection to the evasive Mr. Gaspachi, slated to perform at Washington’s Birthday Ball?

Ellie’s comical sleuthing ought to put Lewis out, but the diffident way her family treats her smashes a hole in his normal reserve. When Florence Hastings’s diamond necklace goes missing, Ellie’s keen mind threatens to uncover not only Lewis’s secrets, but give him back hope for love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. Having served three years as managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ two historical imprints, as well as a freelance editor, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

Enter the Age of Wonder …   

I like to think of the time period between the Gilded Age and WWI as the Age of Wonder. New ideas and inventions swept society in waves while those who wanted to preserve the old ways tried in vain to hold back the tide. Opportunity and advancement flowed as railroads and communications linked America’s coasts, motorcars allowed individual freedom of travel, and companies flourished following Reconstruction.

My goal was to capture this excitement and promise in A Winter at the White Queen. You follow my heroine, Ellie, and her uncle and his family for their fashionable winter 1910 season at the Hotel Belleview in Clearwater, Florida. Ellie is more than “the poor relation companion” to her younger cousin Ava. She’s also a trusted friend, and like the heroines in her female detective novels, a budding sleuth—sniffing out promising matrimonial candidates for Ava at the bequest of Aunt Florence. Little does she expect to stumble into her own romance—and a mystery surrounding a certain intriguing entrepreneur.

Ellie Hastings is tired of playing social gatekeeper—and poor-relation companion—to her Gibson Girl of a cousin. But her aunt insists Ellie lift her nose out of her detective novel long enough to help gauge the eligibility of bachelors during the winter social season at Florida’s Hotel Belleview. She finds plenty that’s mysterious about the suave, aloof Philadelphia inventor, Lewis Thornton. Why does he keep sneaking around the hotel? Does he have a secret sweetheart? And what is his connection to the evasive Mr. Gaspachi, slated to perform at Washington’s Birthday Ball?

Ellie’s comical sleuthing ought to put Lewis out, but the diffident way her family treats her smashes a hole in his normal reserve. But when Florence Hastings’ diamond necklace goes missing, Ellie’s keen mind threatens to uncover not only Lewis’s secrets, but give him back hope for love.

Lewis’s work allowed me to sprinkle White Queen with clever inventions that spark Ellie’s curious nature. Among them are:

Temperature-compensated balance wheels, which Lewis invented as a teen. The backstory of how he sold his invention to the railroad, allowing them to synchronize all their watches, provides an unexpected link to uncover between Lewis and Ellie.

The cinématographe, patterned after Thomas Edison’s kinetoscope but intended by the Lumière brothers to show films to a wider audience. Used in the show at Washington’s Birthday Ball to end the season, the cinématographe aids in the culmination of the mystery of Florence’s missing diamond necklace.

The magical orange tree, which not only blossomed but appeared to grow actual oranges, was a real mechanical invention featured at Ava’s birthday party by The Great Gaspachi.

The Hydro-Vacu. I couldn’t resist including this titter-worthy, real-life machine, used, of course, by the appearance-conscious Aunt Florence. After applying a bleaching cold cream or “tissue food” to ensure plump cheeks, the massaging “Depurator” was rotated slowly over the face. How long until that idea makes a comeback?

As fun and whimsical as A Winter at the White Queen may be, our characters have some real growth to do … if they can get past the social expectations and masks, the suspicions and past hurts. I hope you’ll brighten your winter days by joining them at the White Queen.

Interview with Denise

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

I’m guessing many of my readers wouldn’t know that I started doing living history and vintage dance as a teenager to help inspire my writing, and I’ve continued off and on throughout the years … including working part-time for a while as a historical interpreter for the county and historic sites. There’s nothing like making history come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of the 1800s … or whatever period you’re interpreting.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Creative. Disciplined. Christ-like–at least in my striving! 🙂

What book is currently on your bedside table?

Besides my Bible, right now, my reading time IS my editing time. A good bit of my focus goes to editing novels for other people. After that plus my own writing and marketing, my eyes and brain need a rest while I come up for air in the real world. My husband and family say they like to see me occasionally. LOL

What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey?

That thrilling moment when all the research comes together and a scene flows onto the page just as I envision it. Outside the writing part, it’s always exciting to see the cover of your novel for the first time. I particularly love this one!

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

This might be mentioned in my Author’s Notes, but you can still book a room at the Hotel Belleview, now the Belleview Inn in Clearwater, Florida. Part of it was saved from demolition for condos and restored as a boutique hotel. https://belleviewplace.com/belleview-inn

Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

The heroine of A Winter at the White Queen, Ellie Hastings, will probably be relatable to many of us. While we no longer have the situation where a poor relation has to rely on wealthy relatives to the extent that occurred in the Gilded Age, and while not all of us find our interests at odds with society and family, many of us have felt insecure or substandard at some point in our lives. Ellie identifies with the plain bunting in the story about birds she’s writing. She doesn’t think the plain bunting can find a place beside the painted bunting. But the love of the hero and several supporting characters teaches her otherwise … to value her assets just as highly as those she admires in others.

What were the highlights or key challenges you faced when writing this book?

One of the highlights was my research trip to visit my author friend, Jennifer Uhlarik, who lives near Tampa and Clearwater. We had a great time gathering info for our stories. While the single-book collection we originally envisioned did not come to pass (the key challenge = the wait and then the no to that), God opened another door … my novella kicking off a series with Wild Heart Books! A Winter at the White Queen is dedicated to Jennifer, since her idea got me started on this path in the first place.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

It’s not always wise to judge by appearances.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

https://www.deniseweimerbooks.com

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

Yes! I recently signed a contract with Wild Heart Books for a three-book series, Scouts of the Georgia Frontier. Book one, A Counterfeit Betrothal, will release in early fall 2023. The stories will follow scouts and Georgia Rangers through the action of the War of 1812, The Revolutionary War, and the Stamp Act Riots in Savannah. I especially love eastern US frontier romances, so this trilogy should be a lot of fun to write.

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, January 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 20

An Author’s Take, January 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 21

deb’s Book Review, January 22

Christina’s Corner, January 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 23

Connie’s History Classroom, January 24

Betti Mace, January 25

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 25

Texas Book-aholic, January 26

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, January 26

Bigreadersite, January 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 27

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 28 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 28

Cover Lover Book Review, January 29

Holly’s Book Corner, January 29

Rebecca Tews, January 30

Blogging With Carol, January 30

Back Porch Reads, January 31

Simple Harvest Reads, January 31 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 1

Blossoms and Blessings, February 1

Pause for Tales, February 2

To Everything There Is A Season, February 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23bc4/a-winter-at-the-white-queen-celebration-tour-giveaway