1–What is the title of your latest release? THE HOUSE ON PRYTANIA 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? After eradicating two restless spirits in her fixer-upper Creole Cottage in New Orleans, Nola is ready to restart her new life despite the annoying presence of unavailable Beau Ryan and the unexpected arrival of an old flame.  Except things don’t go as planned as it becomes clear that one ghost remains; an evil spirit with a big secret to hide who will stop at nothing to keep it hidden—even violence. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I lived in New Orleans for four years during college and fell in love with the haunted and mysterious atmosphere of the city.  It was perfect for a series about old houses, the spirits that haunt them, and a young woman with a difficult past who loves architectural relics and isn’t afraid to battle a ghost or two. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes!  She’s smart, funny, and caring—the perfect friend. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? In addition to the above (smart, funny, and caring), I’ll add resilient, brave and…

Jennifer Vido: What’s the inspiration behind THE HOUSE ON PRYTANIA, the second book in the Royal Street series? Karen White:  I am currently contracted for a total of four books in the Royal Street series, so I knew while writing the first book, THE SHOP ON ROYAL STREET, that I needed to make sure there were lots of opportunities for growth not just for the main protagonist, Nola Trenholm, but also in terms of storylines.  THE HOUSE ON PRYTANIA starts right where the first one ended (and it’s written so that if you haven’t read the first you won’t be lost).  Nola has already come through her first crisis (although it won’t be her last!), and both she and the reader believe she’s primed and ready to begin her new life in New Orleans.  Except, well, forces beyond her control are just as prepared to stop her.   Jen: Let’s talk about Nola. My, how she has grown! For readers unfamiliar with this series, please give us a snapshot of this character, including her highs and lows. Karen:  We first meet Nola as a thirteen-year-old in the Tradd Street series where she shows up unannounced on her biological father’s doorstep…

Jen Vido: What inspired THE SHOP ON ROYAL STREET, the first book in the spin-off series based on the New York Times bestselling Tradd Street novels? Karen White:  Back in 2005, when I first started thinking about writing my first series, I wanted to set it in one of my favorite Southern cities—one with lots of history, gorgeous architecture, and—of course—ghosts!  Because I had attended Tulane University for four years, I was already familiar with New Orleans so it was an obvious choice.  But then Hurricane Katrina came along and changed direction for that first series that eventually became the seven-book Tradd Street series set in Charleston.  Seventeen years later, it was hard to close the door too permanently on those characters or the ghostly elements.  It was natural to think spin-off, with fan-favorite character Nola Trenholm leading the new cast, and to return to the original setting of New Orleans.  And that is how The Shop on Royal Street was born!   Jen: Why did you select New Orleans as the backdrop for this new series? Do you have a connection to The Big Easy? Karen:  I spent four of my formative years in The Big Easy while in…

“The house still isn’t for sale.” Melanie’s gaze strayed toward the stairs. “Look, why don’t we go somewhere to sit down and have a cup of coffee to discuss this? My feet hurt.” I knew there had to be another reason she wanted to leave. Melanie’s feet would have to be bleeding and on fire for her to say that wearing heels had been a bad idea. “There’s no discussion,” Beau said. “I own this house and it isn’t for sale.” I tilted my head back to look him in the eyes. “Well, the MLS says differently. And I’m calling my agent right now to make an offer.” Before he could respond, Jolene said, “There’s an adorable café right down the street, on Burgundy.” “Is it vegan?” Beau asked. “Assuming Nola still prefers cardboard to real food.” “I’m sure I can find something,” I said, less annoyed than I should have been. He’d remembered something about me that wasn’t pitiful. Which probably meant that he could recall more about me than I would have liked, but at least that part was from an earlier time, before the worst parts. “Fine,” I said. “But I’m not changing my mind.” Melanie practically…

Jen: THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET is the seventh and final book in the Tradd Street series. How did you arrive at the premise? Karen: The best part of a series is that it’s basically one long book with multiple plot lines that get resolved throughout the series.  Since I knew THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET would be the last, I knew that for the first time that loose ends weren’t a possibility.  Every single unanswered question, mystery, plot, character arc had to come to a complete resolution.  And, of course, the conclusion of the major cliffhanger at the end of the previous book, THE CHRISTMAS SPIRITS ON TRADD STREET.  This gave me the main guide I needed for this book’s premise.  The second, but equally important guide, was the spin-off series that will follow the Tradd Street Series.  Nola Trenholm will be the main protagonist, as will a new character, Beau Ryan, who is introduced in The Attic on Queen Street.  Beau is from New Orleans which is where the new series will be set, and there is a lot of mystery surrounding him and his family.  This is why at the end of the book, Nola is headed…

Danielle: Welcome back to Fresh Fiction, Karen! We are so excited to have you here. It’s a bittersweet day, because the last book in the Tradd Street series, THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET, has finally arrived. What has writing this series meant to you? How do you think you’ve changed during the course of writing about Tradd Street?   Karen:   The idea for the series began in 2005—sixteen years ago!  A lot can happen in sixteen years.  My children, then 13 and 11, have gone through high school, college, and grad school (lots of graduations!) and are now launched into adulthood with one wedding on the horizon.  We acquired two dogs, and lost one, remodeled our kitchen, bathrooms, and pretty much everything else, and bought a beach house.  We survived a pandemic and I inherited the care of my elderly parents.  All this while writing all seven books in the series plus nineteen other books and a chapter in an anthology.  I’m not sure I slept very much! I had never written a series before, and when the idea first hit me, I knew immediately it had to be set in a Southern city filled with lots of history, gorgeous architecture and, of course,…

Jen: What inspired you to write THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON? Karen: Many things, but mostly my experience of living in a beautiful old building in London for 7 years when I was a teenager, and the frequent emails from readers wanting to know what happened to Maddie Warner from my two previous books, Falling Home and After the Rain.  I guess you can say I’ve been waiting for over a decade to find the perfect story to bring these two inspirations together. What brings Eva Harlow and Precious Dubose together in pre-WWII London? They are both beautiful young women with a passion for beautiful things, including clothes.  They are also poor and needing to earn a living, and they become models for a small couture house while sharing a small flat.  Working and living together brings them to become as close as sisters.  At least at first. When Graham St. John comes on the scene, how does their friendship change? Initially, it doesn’t.  Both women are both enjoying their newfound freedom and access to higher social classes, and the exciting social scene of pre-war London.  It’s only when Eva becomes romantically involved with Graham that she begins to see…

PROLOGUE London March 1941 The cool, clear night shuddered, then moaned as the fluctuating drone of hundreds of engines eclipsed the silence. A wave of planes like angry hornets slipped through the darkened sky over a city already wearing black in preparation for the inevitable mourning. She tasted dust and burnt embers in the back of her throat as she hurried through a crowd of stragglers running toward a shelter. A man grabbed her arm, as if to correct her movement, but an explosion nearby made him release his hold and hurry after the crowd. She shifted the valise she cradled in her arms, the pressure on her chest making it difficult to breathe. Fatigue and pain battered her body, both eagerly welcomed, as they disguised the bruise of overwhelming grief. She staggered forward, the blood dripping unchecked from her leg and forehead, the acrid stench of explosives mixed with the sharp smell of death. Gingerly, she moved through the darkened high street so familiar in the daylight but foreign to her now. The night sky blossomed with fire and scarlet light as the loud bark of the antiaircraft guns answered the banshee wails of the warning sirens. Pressing herself…

Jen: What inspired you to write The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street, the 6th book in The Tradd Street series? Karen: My contract!  When I wrote book #4 in the series, RETURN TO TRADD STREET, I knew there were so many stories left to tell, and so much more growth that Melanie had to attain that it seemed there should be more books in the series.  My publisher asked for three more, and I said yes. In order for the story to ring true with readers, how much research was needed? That’s hard to quantify as I’ve been “researching” Charleston for nearly twenty years.  From my first visit, I’ve been intrigued and fascinated by the city–the architecture, history and its natural beauty–and have been eagerly exploring the Holy City ever since as often as I can.  Melanie Trenholm’s relationship with her parents, sister, and husband is in a constant state of motion. In what ways is she evolving in this latest installment?   It’s been a long road for self-sufficient Melanie (and it’s not over) to become more trusting.  Because she was abandoned by her mother at age six, and raised by an alcoholic father, she had to become self-sufficient very…

November 2010 On Sale: November 2, 2010 352 pages ISBN: 0451231449 EAN: 9780451231444 Trade Size $15.00 Add to Wish List Fiction Buy at Amazon.com A Fresh Fiction 2010 Favorite Read. “as refreshing as a cool breeze on a hot Georgia afternoon.” Falling Home by Karen White You know that saying about how sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug? It’s true. Take me, for example. I shook the Georgia dust from my feet fifteen years ago, vowing never to leave Manhattan. I traded sweet tea for Chardonnay, fried chicken for nouvelle cuisine, lazy days on my aunt’s front porch for ad campaigns and board meetings, and the guy who broke my heart for my handsome boss, who soon became my fiance. Perfect, right? Until my sister called. We haven’t spoken since I left home–because she married the guy who broke my heart. What’s more, she called to say my father is dying–but he refuses to finish until I show up. So I’m back in the hottest, dinkiest small town in Georgia, facing my sister and my old boyfriend over the heads of their–count them– five children. It couldn’t get weirder, right? Unless you count Sam Parker–a long-forgotten classmate,…