Narelle Atkins and Free Books!

A runaway bride finds love in Snowgum Creek, Australia!

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of One Realm Beyond, by Donita K. Paul, is:

lalla.lotz@ . . .

and the winner of the signed copy of Taken for English, by Olivia Newport, is:

von1janet@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

Now let's meet novelist Narelle Atkins, author of Falling for the Farmer (Love Inspired Heartsong Presents, February 2014).

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 and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to write for Heartsong Presents.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I often listen to 80’s music while I’m writing.

-- When I’m on deadline I reward myself with 2 lattes from the drive thru the next morning if I make my word count goal.

--Seven times world surfing champion Layne Beachley was in my year at high school.

I'm always amazed to hear people are able to write with music playing! I can't even write to music that fits my setting.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Falling for the Farmer.

Falling for the Farmer is set in Snowgum Creek, a fictitious town located near the Snowy Mountains in Australia.

Kate Lawson is a runaway bride and city girl who grew up in a wealthy northern Sydney suburb.

Jack Bradley runs the family apple orchards in Snowgum Creek and owns a car hire business. Jack drives Kate away from the wedding in his Cadillac and she ends up living and working on Jack’s apple farm.

Why will readers care about Kate?

Kate wants to please everyone and she has to deal with the consequences of her poor decisions. She finally stands up to her overbearing mother by running out on her wedding and leaving the man her mother wanted her to marry at the altar. Kate recognizes her need for independence and space away from her family. Readers will journey with Kate as she rebuilds her life and discovers what is really important.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

I’d cast Emily Blunt as Kate






and Hugh Jackman as Jack. I can’t resisting casting an Aussie actor to play my Aussie hero.



And you couldn't have picked a better Aussie!! Love him!

What is one of your favorite opening lines from a novel?

I recently read Made to Last by Melissa Tagg, and I was intrigued by the opening line.

"On any other day of the year, in the lull of routine, she could almost forget the lie she lived."

Oh yes, that's a great opening line.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

True North by Susan Diane Johnson. Susan is one of my critique partners. The hero and heroine are an estranged married couple who lost their young son in a car accident and find themselves on Alaskan cruise together. I love this story because it’s different and has a lot of deep, emotional layers as the characters are dealing with their grief.

What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished revising my fourth book for Heartsong Presents. This is the first book in my Sydney series and is scheduled for release in November 2014.

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can connect with me on my website, blog, Facebook page and Twitter. my website:

www.narelleatkins.com 

my blog

Facebook

Twitter: @NarelleAtkins

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:





CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

If you could visit Australia, what would be at the top of your must-see list?

Thanks, Narelle, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Narelle has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, February 17. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Narelle's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.