By Narelle Atkins
This week I'm celebrating the release of Seaside Proposal, my sixth and final book with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line. It’s a bittersweet celebration in many ways because next month marks the end of an era in Christian Romance publishing.
In November 2014 Harlequin announced they were closing the Heartsong Presents line. Harlequin had acquired the line from Barbour only a few years earlier. The last four Heartsong books are releasing in June 2015.
Last year my agent, Steve Laube, wrote a post on Heartsong’s Publishing Legacy. Ellie Whyte has a list of the 1148 Heartsong Presents titles published between 1992 and 2015 on the Soul Inspirationz site. My mentor, Mary Hawkins, was published by Heartsong in the early years. Mary’s first Heartsong release with Barbour in 1993 was Search for Tomorrow, number 42 in the series.
Back in March 2013 I signed a six book contract with Heartsong. I was fortunate that Seaside Proposal was scheduled for release prior to the line closing. Many of my Heartsong author friends had book contracts cancelled and my lovely editor lost her job in the restructure.
Publishing is a tough business. Heartsong published my contemporary Christian romances that are set outside of the USA. All six of my Heartsong books are set in Australia.
There’s no longer a market niche with a large traditional publisher for my Aussie stories. A few years ago this development may have stalled my publishing career. The rise of indie publishing has created wonderful opportunities for authors to publish books that don’t fit into the traditional publishing model.
Zach and Billie, my hero and heroine in Seaside Proposal, are living on as minor characters in a spin-off indie novella. His Perfect Catch, featuring Billie's cousin, will independently release in a contemporary Christian romance novella box set next month titled SPLASH! It’s exciting to work on a publishing project with an innovative group of Christian romance author friends. I’ll be sharing more information on my novella release very soon and here's a preview of the box set cover.
Today I'm giving away a print copy of Seaside Proposal (worldwide, wherever The Book Depository delivers) to a reader who leaves a comment on this post and enters the Rafflecopter giveaway.
BILLIE RADCLIFFE HAS A SECRET
And she isn’t sharing it with anyone, including Zach Montford. Even though she feels an instant connection with the good-looking banker and youth leader, she’s wary of rejection. Besides she’s only in the close-knit beach community until she meets the one man who can fill in the blanks about her history.
Zach hopes his temporary stint with the church will help him decide whether to go into full-time ministry. Though his career plans are uncertain, he’s sure about his growing feelings for Billie. When a shocking revelation throws everything into question, Zach and Billie have a chance to put the past to rest…and walk into the future together.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia.
Website: http://www.narelleatkins.com
Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor
Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins
a Rafflecopter giveaway
