Book Recommendation from Mary Hawkins

Writers meet through many different ways. About thirty years ago I longed to have other writers to share with, bounce ideas off, simply “talk writing” with. These days we are very spoilt being able to meet in places like this with like-minded folk  and through several different writing organisations. Nearly all of them - if not all now - have a presence online. And this is how I met a young, unpublished writer back in 2005 through the then relatively new American Christian Fiction Writers e-loop. I was thrilled there was another Australian also writing inspirational romance novels and able to contact her! However, Tasmania and Canberra are a long way from each other so we did not meet face to face until 2007 at a Romance Writers of Australia national conference.

I interviewed Narelle on my February ICFW blog post to celebrate the release of her very  first book and also the first one of her six book contract with Harlequin Love Inspired, Heartsong Presents, Falling For the Farmer. I really enjoyed that story, the first fruit of her hard work and perseverance over many years. I so admire Narelle not only for that perseverance, but the way she is always prepared to continue learning, always improving her skills, keeping up with what is happening in the romance genre writing industry.

Narelle is also VERY generous to other writers in the way she seeks to help us in many and varied ways. This has included being a co-president of the Romance Writers of America Faith, Hope and Love chapter, supporting our own great Australian Omega Writers, very involved in helping organise our Australasian Christian Writers group blog and the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA) - just to mention a few of her activities for us.

I personally have been blessed by her reading and commenting on my own manuscripts. Believe me, this is one very cluey reader who has given me great feedback. It is an honour to be presenting a workshop with her at the Romance Writers of Australia national conference this coming August. 

I am delighted to be able to recommend my friend’s inspirational romance novels. Today, May 5^th, we are celebrating the release of her second Heartsong Presents inspirational romance. I have sadly discovered it will take about three months for The Nurse's Perfect Match to reach our bookshelves here in Australia but it is also an e-book. Would love to hear from anyone who sees it first on shelves anywhere in the world - as well as America.

Nurse Amy Wilkins has come home 

After her marriage ends in tragedy, Amy returns to Snowgum Creek to rebuild her life. There she meets widower Ben Morton, who’s not looking for romance, though his young children are eager for Amy’s attention. She’s given up on her dream of being a mother, but can’t ignore how she’s drawn to Ben’s little ones, and to their handsome farmer dad. 

As love kindles between Ben and Amy, she worries how she’ll ever measure up to the wife he lost. And Ben is concerned about how Amy will ever truly fit into life on the farm. They could be the answer to each other’s prayers — if the secret Amy is keeping doesn’t tear them apart.

narelleatkins.com

BUY! BE BLESSED!
TELL YOUR READER FRIENDS!

Mary Hawkins is multi-published and a best-seller in inspirational romance. All except her Baragula single title trilogy are now out of print. However, she is delighted seven of her Barbour Heartsong Presents novels are again available to readers as e-books through their Truly Yours Digital Editions. Check out the VIDEO TRAILER  for her historical Great Southland series.

Her Outback Cowboy, is the working title of her latest single title just completed and in every writer’s nerve-wracking state - the submission process.

My First Blog Tour

By Narelle Atkins 

Last week I had the privilege of touring my debut book, Falling for the Farmer, with the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA). I’m a co-founder of ACRBA with Jenny Blake, an Aussie reader-reviewer-blogger. ACRBA started touring books in 2012, and I’ve reviewed a number of Christian books (fiction, non-fiction and children’s) as a member of ACRBA.

Jenny and I established ACRBA because we wanted to support authors by helping them promote their books. If I’m too busy to read and review a particular book or it’s outside my area of interest, I can still post the basic book information on my blog during the tour week. 

It’s a different experience when you’re the author with a book being toured. The ACRBA Tours are free. The only cost to the author or publisher is providing print copies to the members who request a review copy of the book. Electronic review copies are an option, which works well for international authors who tour their books with us. There are no international postage expenses or delays in waiting for the print books to arrive in the mail.

I appreciate the ACRBA members who posted the tour information and reviewed Falling for the Farmer on their blogs. Book reviews are a blessing and, as authors, we need to value the readers who take the time to share their opinions on our books. 

I believe authors will gain more from their blog tours if they interact with the blog tour participants. Authors can leave a thank you message on each of the blog tour posts. Authors can also show their appreciation by sharing the blog tour links on social media eg. Facebook and Twitter.

Book marketing can sometimes feel like an ‘all about me’ exercise. How many times have we heard authors say: What can I do to get my book out there and increase book sales? Blog tours provide an opportunity to promote the blogs belonging to the readers who are helping to promote your book. 

Have you participated in a blog tour, either as an author or reviewer? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. 

NARELLE ATKINS writes contemporary inspirational romance and lives in Canberra, Australia. She sold her debut novel, set in Australia, to Harlequin's Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line in a 6-book contract. 

Her debut book, Falling for the Farmer, was a February 2014 release, followed by The Nurse's Perfect Match in May 2014, The Doctor's Return in August 2014, and Her Tycoon Hero in November 2014. 

Narelle blogs regularly with Australasian Christian Writers and Inspy Romance. http://australasianchristianwriters.blogspot.com/ 
http://www.inspyromance.com/ 

She is also a co-founder of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA).
http://acrba.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.narelleatkins.com
Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor
Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins

FALLING FOR THIS DEBUT AUTHOR OF "FALLING FOR THE FARMER" & Book Giveaway.

Mary says: Meet fellow Australian, Narelle Atkins. Click on her name above for more details about her.

As far as I am aware, until now there was only one other Australian author besides myself published in the Heartsong Presents book club when owned by Barbour Publishing. Jenni Adams is now a multi-published Harlequin author in their Sweet Romance line. I was so excited to hear at last of another Australian signing contracts for Heartsong Presents inspirational romance which is now owned by Harlequin in their Love Inspired line.

Over several years it has been a real privilege becoming a friend of this vibrant author, Narelle Atkins. I am delighted to have this fellow Australian share some of her writing journey so far to achieve an amazing six book contract by an unpublished writer.

Mary: Narelle, you reminded me a while back that although we’d had contact for some time through email, we met for the first time at the 2007 Romance Writers of Australia conference. We are both members of several other writer organisations.

How important has this been for you to achieve your first book sales?

Narelle: Writing organisation memberships are invaluable for numerous reasons. I’ve heard writers complain about the cost of writing memberships and I think they’ve missed the point. If you want to become a professional writer and published author, you need to invest in your writing education in the same way a doctor, teacher and other industry professionals invest in their education and professional development at college and university.

Writing organisations can provide writing contests, online classes, conferences, networking opportunities, relevant publishing information, newsletters, critique groups, and many other helpful services and resources. In August 2012 I read about Harlequin’s purchase of the Heartsong Presents line on both the ACFW and FHL email groups. I followed the link to the Harlequin Community Forums and learned they were open for submissions, including international settings. I may not have heard about this opportunity if I hadn’t been a member of writing organisations that catered for my chosen genre.

Mary: For an unpublished writer, it is a great achievement to have signed a six book contract with Harlequin Love Inspired. Can you share how you believe you satisfied their guidelines and your submission and acceptance process?

Narelle: I was thrilled to read on the Harlequin Community forum that my editor, Kathy Davis, was open to contemporary romance submissions with foreign settings. The initial sale process for my first manuscript happened quickly, approximately seven weeks from the initial query to offer of publication on September 20, 2012.

I accepted the offer for my first book and Kathy asked if I’d written anything else. I had three complete mss, including the sequel to the book I’d sold, and a runaway bride story. A couple of days later I sent my runaway bride story to Kathy and this led to discussions regarding two 3-book series. I wrote three proposals for brand new stories over the next few months, and revised the proposal for the sequel to the book I’d already sold. I submitted all the proposals before Christmas in 2012 and I received the offer for a 6 book contract on February 7, 2013. 

The Heartsong Presents guidelines allow for a more overt faith element in the story. I love how I can share my characters’ faith journeys in my stories in a real and authentic way. Their interaction and connection to a church community is an important element in a Heartsong Presents story and I like having the freedom to explore this aspect of their lives.

Mary: Have you had any difficulties with your plot, characters and Australian setting in trying to reach an international readership.

Narelle: I have been blessed to have two American critique partners who have pointed out numerous Aussie expressions that don’t translate to a North American audience. For example, in Australia we call flip-flops ‘thongs’. I can’t have my characters’ talking about wearing their thongs to the beach, even though that’s a normal and respectable thing to say in Australia.

I also entered a number of unpublished writing contests in the US, which helped me to gauge the reader expectations for my genre. I appreciated the generosity of the judges who provided helpful feedback and explained why certain story elements could be problematic due to cultural differences.

I use American grammar and spelling because my home market is North America. It’s a juggling act to keep the authentic Australian flavour in my stories and use language that makes sense to a North American, Australian and international audience.

Mary: With Falling for the Farmer being the first in a three book series, can you tell us about the series and also the next three book series you have signed contracts for.

Narelle: Falling for the Farmer is set in Snowgum Creek, a fictitious town I created on the western slopes of the Snowy Mountains, Australia. Snowgum Creek is situated in the region that includes Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba. The Nurse’s Perfect Match (May 2014) and The Doctor’s Return (August 2014) are also set in Snowgum Creek. It’s a continuity series and either the hero, heroine or both are minor characters in a previous book in the series. The Nurse’s Perfect Match starts two years after Falling for the Farmer ends.

I love my Snowgum Creek series, and I have a number of ideas for future stories that I hope to write.

My second series, titles to be confirmed, is set in Sydney, Australia. These are urban stories and have a different feel to my Snowgum Creek books. For example, my heroine in the first book is a former party girl and recovering alcoholic. This series is set around the northern beaches region of Sydney where I grew up. I love Sydney and I’m looking forward to sharing the real life setting with my readers.

Mary: Is there anything you would like to share with international writers to encourage them in their writing journey?

Narelle: I encourage international writers to not give up on selling their books with international settings due to lack of market opportunities. I was told numerous times that it was virtually impossible to sell an Aussie contemporary inspirational romance to a large traditional publisher in the US market. We do need to have realistic expectations of the market and reader expectations. Plus, work hard on learning the craft of writing in order to produce the best possible stories.

Mary Says:
Narelle, all your hard work has sure paid off and I do congratulate you for this first book.

Being a farmer’s daughter, I know a little about city and country differences only too well. As a minister’s wife for nearly fifty years now, I have seen some of the problems and differences of family, faith and church issues that Christian couples may need to work through to achieve a happy marriage. Your Kate and Jack are real people with real problems and I thoroughly enjoyed reading their story.

I had indeed “fallen” for the author as a good friend and sister-in-Christ quite a while ago and so proud of you. Congratulations on these contracts with Harlequin and I look forward very much to reading many more books from Narelle Atkins.

For more details about Failing for the Farmer, click HERE

Book Giveaway: Narelle has been an active contributor to ICFW blog since it commenced and would like to give away a print copy of Falling for the Farmer. The book giveaway is worldwide and includes the giveaway on Valerie Comer’s book review post yesterday.

Readers can gain two entries in the drawing if they comment on both today and yesterday’s posts. Entries close on St Valentine’s Day, Friday, 14th February, and the winner will be announced on Sunday, 16th February in the Sunday Edition. Please leave an email address [ ] at [ ] dot [ ] where you can be reached.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."

Mary Hawkins is multi-published and a best-seller in inspirational romance. All except her Baragula single title trilogy are now out of print. However, she is delighted her Barbour Heartsong Presents novels are again available to readers as e-books through their Truly Yours Digital Editions. Check out the video trailer for her historical Great Southland series: http://youtu.be/mN5Mym_3doU

She enjoys speaking engagements where she can share the writing journey God is still taking her on. She is a member of several writing groups and as time permits, tries to help other writers, especially those targeting the romance genre.

Her latest manuscript, Her Outback Cowboy, is her latest single title just completed and now in the submission process. Checkout the latest news on her blog and more about Mary from http://mary-hawkins.com

Review: Falling for the Farmer by Narelle Atkins plus book giveaway

Kate Lawson is standing at the back of the church in Sydney, Australia. The bridal march has begun. She sees her groom's triumphant grin as he awaits her.

She can't go through with it.

She drops her father's arm and bolts for the rented Cadillac driven by her maid of honor's brother, Jack Bradley, and begs him to take her far from the church.

From reluctant bride to runaway bride, Kate can't believe she actually stood up to her mother. She quails at the drama she's unleashed, but there's no going back. Not to Rodney, not to her mother…and not to the apartment or job she'd already given up. What will she do?

She escapes Sydney with Megan, her maid of honor and best friend, who is heading for a ski instructor job in New South Wales, a few hours' drive from Sydney. Kate's mother won't be looking for her there.

But as luck would have it, she crashes her car on the snowy roads near Jack's farm. (Remember Jack? Megan's brother?) Megan goes ahead to her job, but Kate must wait for repairs. Jack's aunt takes her in and Kate offers to help out around the orchard. What Jack really needs is someone to untangle his bookkeeping, so Kate takes that on as the mechanic awaits parts for her car.

Sooner or later, though, Kate must come to grips with her hasty retreat. Rodney—and Kate's mother—will forgive her if Kate agrees to the marriage after all. But how can she, when she's now falling for the farmer and discovering what love really is?

Falling for the Farmer is the debut novel of our own Narelle Atkins. When the gates to publishing opened for Narelle, a slew of contracts poured into her deserving hands from Heartsong Presents.

The short word count of Heartsong novels doesn't leave a lot of room for story development, but Narelle kept secondary plotlines to a minimum and focused on the budding romance between Kate and Jack. The issues of Kate's wounded heart, the push-and-pull between farm and city life, and Jack's own insecurities all play out against the backdrop of an organic apple orchard in the Australian hills.

This setting was the tipping point for me in requesting an advance review copy of Falling for the Farmer. I live in an apple-growing area of Canada and was interested in the similarities and differences between the two countries' orcharding practices. I may have come for the setting and for Narelle, but I stayed because of the enchanting love story of Kate and Jack.

Highly recommended.

Book Giveaway: By leaving a comment on today and/or tomorrow's post, readers can enter the drawing to win a print copy of Falling for the Farmer. The book giveaway is worldwide and includes Mary Hawkins’ interview with Narelle Atkins on the blog tomorrow.

Readers can gain two entries in the drawing if they comment on both today and tomorrow’s posts. Entries close on St Valentine’s Day, Friday, 14th February, and the winner will be announced on Sunday, 16th February in the Sunday Edition. Please leave an email address [ ] at [ ] dot [ ] where you can be reached.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."

Valerie Comer's life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance and farm lit. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local food movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters. Visit her website and blog to glimpse inside her world.

Growing with your critique partners

by Narelle Atkins 

Over the years I’ve been blessed by the friendship and critiques from a number of romance writers. I’ve discovered some critique relationships are for a season, and others evolve into long term friendships. 

I met Suzie Johnson (aka Susan Diane Johnson) through the Faith, Hope and Love (FHL) Chapter of RWA. Suzie came second in the 2007 Touched by Love Contest short contemporary category and I placed third. When Suzie joined the FHL email group, I sent her a welcome email and our friendship was born. The following year we met in person at the RWA Conference in San Francisco, and we stayed in touch via email. Suzie lives in Washington and I live in Australia. 

In 2010 I started critiquing with Suzie and her friend, Stacy Monson, from Minnesota. I knew Stacy from the FHL email groups, and the three of us started exchanging chapters for critique. Stacy and I write contemporary romance. Suzie writes contemporary and historical romance. We discovered we each had different strengths in terms of what we picked up in our critiques. We were honest and tried to highlight both strengths and weaknesses in our stories. 

We have shared each other’s trials, frustrations and triumphs. Suzie and Stacy are dear friends, and our critiquing relationship has evolved over time. We brainstorm proposals and plot points when we’re stuck. We are now reading each other’s mss and looking at higher level editing and writing craft issues rather than line by line critiquing. 

Last year Suzie and I travelled together to the ACFW conference in Indy. I spent a few days in Washington with Suzie before we caught The Empire Builder train from Seattle to Chicago. A highlight of the train trip was meeting Stacy for the first time on the train station platform in St Paul, Minneapolis. We only had ten minutes together because the train was running late, but I treasure those precious minutes when the three of us were together in person. 

2014 is an exciting year for us. We have 7 new books releasing this year, including debut books from Stacy and I. 

Suzie’s second book, True North, is releasing this week. I’m so excited to see this story in print, having watched it evolve over the last few years. And, Suzie also has her first historical romance, Sweet Mountain Music, releasing in May 2014. I love this story, and I was delighted to see the setting in real life during our train trip to Chicago. 

Stacy’s debut book, One of Me, releases in June 2014. I’m thrilled for Stacy, and I’ve loved watching this story develop over the last couple of years. 

Stacy and I are also blogging together with ICFW member Valerie Comer on the new Inspy Romance group blog. http://www.inspyromance.com/ If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, please stop by and visit with us. 

Have you been blessed by critique partners? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

 

NARELLE ATKINS writes contemporary inspirational romance and lives in Canberra, Australia. She sold her debut novel, set in Australia, to Harlequin's Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line in a 6-book contract. 

Her debut book, Falling for the Farmer, will be released next week on February, 4 2014, followed by The Nurse's Perfect Match in May 2014, The Doctor's Return in August 2014, and an untitled release in November 2014.

Narelle blogs regularly with Australasian Christian Writers. http://australasianchristianwriters.blogspot.com/ 

She is also a co-founder of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA). http://acrba.blogspot.com/ 

The new Inspy Romance blog officially launches next week on February 3. A pre-launch Q&A and giveaway is starting this week on Wednesday. http://www.inspyromance.com/

Website: http://www.narelleatkins.com 
Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor 
Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins