Behind The Book With Karen White 

I always look forward to reuniting with an author for more interviews. One of these authors is New York Times Bestselling Author Karen White. Karen’s new novel which is the third book in the Royal Street series titled The Lady on Esplanade is available today on November 4^th! I finished reading an early copy  back in August, and fell in love with the story! 

Q: Welcome back to Book Notions Karen! It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since I last interviewed you! I’m so glad you’re back! For those who haven’t read The Lady on Esplanade, would you like to give a brief description of the novel? 

A: Thanks for having me back for a return visit!  In this third installment in my New Orleans-set Royal Street series.  Nola Trenholm (a recent transplant from Charleston, SC) is still trying to settle into her new life in the Big Easy but is finding it difficult to overlook distractions such as the restless spirits in the houses she renovates and the presence of her business partner/nemesis and psychic, Beau Ryan.  They are starting a new venture of flipping murder houses – the first being an iconic shotgun house on the fabled Esplanade Avenue.   Between the dark presence in the house and the haunting mystery of Beau’s parents’ disappearance in Hurricane Katrina, Nola and Beau must untangle the tragedy that occurred in the house they’re working on and decipher the message Beau’s mother is trying to convey before it’s too late and the truth catches up to them with dangerous consequences.

Q: We did our first interview two years ago & I know you write both solo novels as well as co-authoring novels with Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig. Since you write so many novels solo and with Beatriz & Lauren, did it take you to write 2 years to write The Lady on Esplanade? 

A: I also write single-title novels (not in a series or co-written) so there is a lot of juggling!  Unfortunately, LIFE has a way of intruding and messing with our schedules.  Both of my elderly parents needed help and being the only daughter out of four children, the responsibility fell on me which meant my writing schedule had to come second.  Part of playing catch-up is the reason why I’ve had three novels published in 12 months—a collaboration, a single-title, and a series book all since November 2025—which meant I was very busy writing.  Unfortunately, life is still throwing me curve balls, but rest assured I’m trying to get back into some semblance of a writing routine.

Q: The Lady on Esplanade is my first introduction to the Royal Street series and an introduction to your books in general! For first time readers, is it best to begin with reading the first book or can you read each book as though it’s a standalone? 

A: As a huge fan of series books, I love reconnecting with recurring characters in a beloved setting—both as a reader and a writer.  It wasn’t until I wrote my first series (the Charleston-set Tradd Street series) that I understood how difficult it is to write them!  It’s hard to strike a balance between giving enough backstory for the new reader vs. not boring readers already familiar with the series.  I strive to make sure that each book has its own contained story as well as enough information about the characters and what has happened in previous books (but not too much!) so that readers new to the series aren’t lost if they read them out of order.  

Q: Which scenes in The Lady on Esplanade did you enjoy creating? I love the setting of New Orleans, and the writing takes you into the story as you see the spirits and the haunted house. I also like the characters, especially Nola, Jolene, Sarah, Felicity, Cooper & Beau. 

A: Any scene with Jolene is always my favorite to write.  As soon as she walks onto a page, her character takes over my brain, and I just begin taking dictation.  She’s a favorite of a lot of readers, too, so I’m glad to know I’m not alone with my fan-girling.  I also love writing the scenes where something paranormal is happening and the characters are trying to understand and control the situation.  Depending on who’s there, it can be really fun getting into their heads and individual personalities to figure out how they will handle it.

Q: The ending in The Lady on Esplanade left room open for another sequel and I already anticipate reading it! Can you reveal what fans can expect in the next book or would that spoil too much? 

A: The good news is that there will definitely be a book #4 (hopefully in 2026) but no pub date yet (so sign up for my mailing list and follow me on social media so you don’t miss anything!).  I’m one of those authors who doesn’t outline so I have no idea what will happen in that book (although I have started writing it) so I couldn’t give spoilers even if I wanted to.  Just be assured that the entire cast of characters will be heavily involved, there will be an old house, a spirit reluctant to rest, a smattering of romance, and, of course, a deep, dark mystery.

Q: Are there any messages and emotions you hope readers learn after they finish reading The Lady on Esplanade?  For me it’s a reminder to never run from your problems. 

A: Exactly, Nola is the poster child for ignoring problems in the hopes they’ll go away—which rarely ends well.  I also like to lean into the themes of family—both those we are born with and those we find along the way.  Despite her desire for complete independence, Nola eventually learns that we are never truly alone and that it’s not a show of weakness to ask for help.

Q: If The Lady on Esplanade & any books preceding & succeeding after it were to become a tv series, would be your dream cast to play Nola, Jolene, Sarah, Cooper, Beau & Felicity? 

A:  Good question—especially since beyond prominent physical characteristics (like Jolene’s red hair or Nola’s blue eyes), I don’t pay a lot of attention to what my characters look like.  It’s all about who they are inside.  I also don’t watch a lot of TV so I had to Google current actors and this is who I came up with:  Nola:  Mackenzie Foy; Jolene: Sadie Sink ; Sarah:  Brooklyn Prince; Cooper: Colin Ford ; Beau:  Austin Butler; Felicity: Anya Taylor-Joy.