I first became
acquainted with Narelle on the ACFW email loop. She is friends with some of my
other friends in Australia .
Then we met in person at the ACFW national conference. What a treat.
Welcome, Narelle. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I’ve ridden a motorbike off-road on a farm, although my gear
changing abilities leave a lot to be desired.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. My mother
tells the story of how she’d buy colored paper notepads each week from the
grocery store when I was two, and I’d fill them with scribbles instead of
pictures.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I enjoy reading all genres of inspirational romance, and I
mainly read Christian fiction. I’m currently reading three books: a
contemporary romance, a supernatural thriller, and an autobiography.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Coffee, chocolate, and prayer. I have a regular gym routine
that keeps me sane and also gives me time and mental space to think through my
stories. I’ve solved many plot problems and other story issues during a cycling
class. I’m blessed to have supportive family and friends. My husband is amazing.
When I’m on deadline he picks up extra household duties on top of his crazy
busy job. My friends understand that I have to say no a lot to social
activities in order to stay on top of my deadlines.
Sounds like a good
combination to me. How do you choose your characters’ names?
My characters’ often name themselves. When I start exploring
their backgrounds, the perfect name will sometimes come to me. I research the
popular baby name lists for ideas. I also make sure my hero and heroine’s names
start with different letters of the alphabet and have a different sound.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Motherhood. Parenting is hard and challenging and rewarding
all at the same time. I’m proud of my kids and their achievements.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’m an Aussie so I’ll pick an Australian animal. I’d like to
be a koala because they’re cute and cuddly and everybody loves them.
What is your favorite
food?
I love fresh fruit and I could live on fruit salad. My
favorite is mangoes. I buy quite a few trays of mangoes each summer and I eat a
mango a day when they’re in season.
I love mangoes, but
they always made my lips and mouth break out. Then I found out I was allergic
to them. So I stay away from them now. What is the problem with writing that
was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
It took me a long time to learn how to write effective
conflict in my stories. My early contest feedback always contained comments on
my story lacking sustainable and compelling conflict. Debra Dixon’s GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict book
was a major breakthrough. I read the book, attended Debra’s GMC workshop at a
Romance Writers of Australia conference, and learned how to structure my
stories with strong GMC.
Tell us about the
featured book.
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 church in his Cadillac, and she ends up living and
working on Jack’s apple farm.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
She had to escape now!
The long aisle surrounded by rows of smiling faces awaited
Kate Lawson as she paused for photos at the back of the church, her sweaty hand
clutching her father’s tuxedo-clad forearm.
Her fiancé stood at the end of the aisle, a triumphant grin
on his face as his gaze swept over the crowded church.
Her father’s eyes misted. “You’re doing great.”
Kate shook her head. “Dad, I’m sorry. I can’t do this.” She
lifted her wedding dress off the plush carpet and ran out of the church, her
low heels scraping the stone steps as she sprinted to the bridal car.
Gulping air into her burning lungs, she wrenched open the
cumbersome passenger door of the Cadillac and threw her bridal bouquet on the
floor. She slid onto the soft cream leather seat, the full skirt of her gown
settling over her legs.
Jack Bradley spun around in the driver’s seat, his
tawny-brown eyes widening after she pulled the door closed and fastened her
seat belt.
Her pulse raced, and she sucked in a shallow breath. “Let’s
go.”
“Where? Why?” He
stashed his phone in the dashboard console. “Aren’t you supposed to be inside
the church getting married?”
Kate glanced out the rear window. Her mother hobbled down
the church steps in three-inch heels, her crimson face glowing in the
late-morning Sydney
sunshine. “Please, Jack, I’ll tell you later.”
He switched on the ignition and the powerful engine rumbled
to life. He drove out of the church parking lot, slowing to maneuver his prized
Cadillac Eldorado through the narrow gate.
She gripped the skirt bunched on her lap, refusing to look
back at the church and her mother. Jack needed to put his foot down on the
accelerator and get her out of here. Now.
He merged into a gap in the traffic. “Where are we going?”
I can’t wait until my
copy arrives. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Readers can connect with me on my website, blog, Facebook page
and Twitter.
Website: http://www.narelleatkins.comBlog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor
Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins
Thank you, Narelle, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Falling for the Farmer - Christianbook.com
Falling for the Farmer (Heartsong Presents) - Amazon
Falling for the Farmer (Heartsong Presents) - Kindle
Deeper Shopping
Christian Books
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
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.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
50 comments:
Hi Lena, thank you for the opportunity to visit your blog :) I'm sorry you can't enjoy mangoes. It's interesting how we're often allergic to the foods we love. I'm allergic to Vegemite, an Aussie food icon. I will confess that I don't like the taste of Vegemite, so it's not a big deal :)
Hi Lena and Narelle, I have a great picture of the three of us at the ACFW conference in 2013. Great memories. :)
I loved Falling For The Farmer, and I'm thrilled for Narelle and the books to come after this debut romance. Congratulations.
I enjoyed the interview Lena and Narelle. The first page of Falling for the Farmer definitely pulled me in. I would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.
I live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Love to meet new authors, Hi Narelle, I think reading your book with the farmer will be fun. thanks for sharing comments today with Lena.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a reader in Ga
Can't keep enough mangoes in the house because my eldest loves making mango milkshakes (though he loses some of the healthy benefits!). "Falling for the Farmer" sounds like a great book. Thanks for the interview. Elaine from Iowa
Thank you!!!
Sydney Harries
Georgia, USA
I enjoyed this interview and getting to know Narelle. After reading the first page, I would love to know more about this runaway bride! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of FALLING FOR THE FARMER.
Britney Adams, TX
Hi Dotti, the pic with the three of us is lovely :) Thanks for your encouraging words, and I'm looking forward to fun times at our next conference together.
Hi Cindy, I'm glad you enjoyed the interview :) Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Paula, It's great to meet you, too :) I hope you have the opportunity to read Falling for the Farmer. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Elaine, I love mango milkshakes and smoothies :) Costco here in Australia sell really good mango smooothies. I wish I lived closer to Costco and could indulge more often!
Hi Sydney, Thanks for stopping by :)
Hi Britney, It's great to see you here :) Im glad you enjoyed the interview and I hope you have the opportunity to read Falling for the Farmer. Good luck in the drawing!
Narelle, how fascinating that you were scribbling thoughts down at the age of two! Though you can't remember them now, I'm sure there were very creative ideas in your head at the time. :) Most of all, I have great respect for your mother for going with it and buying all those colored notepads!
London, England
ooohhh a runaway bride story - love the premise. Would love a chance to win this
Cheryl in IL
would love to win. Angela from KY
I really enjoyed the interview, and when I saw the title of the book I couldn't wait to read the first page! Win or not I will be getting my hands on this book! And thank you, Lena for introducing a new to me author! Thanks to your blog I have discovered several new authors!
Tonja In Virginia
Thank you for introducing Norelle. I enjoyed getting to know a few tidbits about her. I love the title of her book. I know it is a good read.
Melanie Backus, TX
Lena,thank you for another great blog post supporting fellow authors. Narelle is a special writer friend of mine here in Australia and so thrilled for her that she is now a published author and has that wonderful six book contract with Harlequin Love Inspired/Heartsong Presents.
Please do not enter me in the contest for her book, Lena. I already have a copy, have read it and really recommend it as a great read.
I did not want the first page to end. Fantastic.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Dont enter me I have a copy of the book. Interesting interview. I have to say I dont like mango. Oh how can you be allergic to vegemite.
I have Narelle on my blog also http://ausjenny.blogspot.com (with a give away sorry for the shameless plug).
I like getting to know you better.
Hi Sara, Who knows what I was writing about, lol. Possibly my imaginary friends :) My mum is great, although she does wonder at times how she produced me. She's not a big reader and doesn't like creative writing.
Hi Cheryl, I love the runaway bride story premise, too. A fun story to write :) Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Angela, Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Tonja, I'm glad you enjoyed the interview :) I hope my book lives up to your expectations. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Melanie, It's great to meet you here and I'm glad you enjoyed the interview :) Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Mary, thanks for stopping by :) I've appreciated all your encouragement and support over the years.
Hi Mary, It's great to connect with another Aussie here :) I'm glad you enjoyed the first page of Falling for the Farmer. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Jenny, How can you not like mangoes? It's the concentrated yeast in Vegemite that causes me grief. Thanks for stopping by :)
I believe this will be another great author to enjoy. Love the story line. Thank you Judy C. in Louisiana.
I have two FB friends from Australia, and I'm so fascinated with the place!! When I used to read secular books I watched the movie and read the book, Thornbirds, and I've been hooked on Australian settings ever since. I would love to read this and become acquainted with your work, Narielle, since I've just gotten a bit acquainted with you. :)
Diana in SC
dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com
I apologize for spelling your name wrong above, Narelle. I have a friend who has a friend named Narielle. Pretty name, either way! Me and my typos this morning...ugh. :/ It hasn't been long since I climbed out of bed!
Lena, I liked this post featuring Narelle.
I have only recently learned of her book and would love to read Falling For The Farmer. loved the excerpt!
Thank you
Ohio
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for introducing me to Narelle. She is new to me. This sounds like a great book. I am intrigued by the first page.
Susan
Odessa, Texas
Interesting interview, Lena. Like your greatest accomplishment answer Narelle. Please don't enter me in the drawing as I already have the book which I am reading and enjoying.l
I just knew I would fall for a farmer since I was a farmers daughter BUT instead...I fell for the cowboy! 30 years ago this summer, I sure did!
Donna, TX
Hi Judy, I hope you have the opportunity to read Falling for the Farmer :) Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Diana, It's great to meet you here :) The Thorn Birds was a good miniseries and showed off the Australian setting. Have you seen the The Man from Snowy River? It's a 1980's movie and one of my favourite Aussie movies.
No worries about the spelling of my name. I've discovered Narelle is a unique Aussie name. Narielle is also a pretty name. Is the 'ie' sound pronounced? My name is pronounced Na-relle. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Jackie, It's great to see you here :) I hope you have the opportunity to read my book. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Susan, It's great to meet you :)I hope you have the chance to read Falling for the Farmer. Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Dale, Thanks for stopping by :) I'm very proud of my kids and their achievements, and I'm glad you're enjoying Falling for the Farmer.
Hi Melody, Cowboys or farmers, how do we choose between them? Cowboys are called Jackaroos or cattlemen in Australia, and often live in the remote outback on large cattle stations (ranches). Congrats on being with your cowboy for 30 years :) Good luck in the drawing!
I love the Australian setting and can't wait to experience the runaway city girl's adventure. Thanks for the giveaway!
Merry in MN
I really enjoyed learning more about Narelle - and Lena, by association.
I just finished 'Falling for the Farmer', and loved it. Thank you, Lena for a great interview, and for featuring Aussie authors.
Narelle ... three books at once? You're a better woman than me, that's for darn sure!!
And I laughed at your "Coffee, chocolate, and prayer," response, hopefully not in that order, though, right?? ;)
Lena, GREAT interview, as usual, my friend, and SUPER CONGRATS on TBCN BLOG OF THE YEAR WIN -- SO deserved!!
Hugs,
Julie
Hi Merry, It's great to hear you like books with an Aussie setting :)
Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Rhonda, I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for stopping by :)
Hi Rose, I'm glad you loved reading Falling for the Farmer. Thanks for stopping by :)
Hi Julie, It's great to see you here :) It's a little crazy reading multiple books at once, but I will eventually finish all of them. And prayer is definitely more important than either coffee or chocolate, lol.
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