Celebrating Romance Awareness Month!

Since August is romance awareness month, I'd like to and my thoughts on romance writing. I just finished reading a book where the main character belittles another for writing romance saying there's nothing to writing romance. This is a theme that's often repeated in romance books and in Hallmark movies.

However, to write a romance that keeps your reader turning the pages rather than toss the book aside, takes skill and a lot of hard work.The key to writing a successful romance is bringing the reader into the emotional side of the story by adding conflicts that could pull them apart until the couple realizes their relationship is important and they're willing to overcome obstacles to be together.

Romance genres regularly outsell all other types of fiction. Last year’s statistics show romance books accounted for over 39 million books sold. There's definitely a demand for this type of writing. Reading romance is opening your heart to the thought that love indeed does conquer all.

Love is not just for romance novels, it's found in children's books as well. Here's a good example..."How do you spell love?’ asked Piglet. ‘You don’t spell it, you feel it,’ said Pooh.” —Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne

And here's a quote from one of the few books that I've read twice... “You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” —Gone With The Wind, Margaret Mitchell

Here's a read quote from an author that you wouldn't expect would talk about love... “You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought.” —The White Company, Arthur Conan Doyle

“We’re all a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love — true love.”  Robert Fulghum, True Love Stories

“True love is rare, and it’s the only thing that gives life real meaning.” Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle

Romance movies have the opportunity to show the emotional connections visually, but they also need great lines to grab your heart. Here's one of my favorite movie quotes from When Harry met Sally… “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

As you celebrate the romantic side of life this month, pick up a sweet romance novel or two to read. Let the genre give you an escape from everyday life and make you smile and feel happy about happy ever after endings even when you know there will still be challenges along the way. Ready for a romance story? Pick up one or more of my new releases whose covers you see on this post, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Here's the link to my Amazon page to learn more about these books and others as well. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-L.-Henderson/author/B09L2Y7XNP

Special Event - Happening Now! Dozens And Dozens Of Free eBooks - Today Only

I've joined with 50 other authors to celebrate Lisa. Prysock's milestone of publishing 50 books. That's a great achievement. At this point I'm only at 10% of that goal. The fun starts today at noon EST and runs till 9:00 PM. Hope you'll drop by several times during the day to chat with the different authors, learn about their books, and enter into the 50+ giveaways.

Other than the hosts for this event, other authors are running their giveaways in 15 minute time slots. My time slot is 7:15 to 7:30 PM. I would really appreciate it if you drop by during that time to ensure that I won’t only be talking to myself.

First off, I'll be telling you about an inspirational romance box set called, Once Upon a Starry Night which features 12 novellas written by 12 different authors. I'm one of those twelve. In my story, Christmas Moonlight Melodies, Nikki and Michael were high school sweethearts who were brought together by music but their quest for music fame tore them apart. Now they're both home for the Christmas holidays. Can the magic of the Christmas season bring them together? Or will their love become another love song gone wrong? 

The box set is at a special preorder price of only $2.99 – that’s 25 cents per story! Once the book is live, the price will be $9.99.  Here’s the link to buy the set now: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Starry-Night-Collection-ebook/dp/B0C81PYJBF

I’ll also be giving away copies of my eBook cookbook called, Let's Share a Meal,. which features my favorite recipes and those from family and friends. It includes my choices for breakfast, lunch, snacks, soups, sauces, main dishes, and desserts. You'll be sure to find several dishes you'd like to try.

My other giveaways will include kids picture eBooks and a 52-week woman's devotional. I’ll be discounting my inspirational romance novel, The Sweetest Delights in Life, in both eBook in print formats.  I have no idea what the other authors are promoting only that knowing at least one of their giveaways needs to be Christmas themed. I'm going to be checking in from time to time myself to see what they have to offer as well.

 So if you're ready to join the fun, here is the link to take you there.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/500592113747995 You will need to join the group to participate in the giveaways, but that's as simple as one click with your mouse.

 

See you there!

Celebrating the Debut of The Sweetest Delights in Life Inspirational Romance Novel

What inspired you to write that first novel?
I'm an avid reader of romance novels in watching hallmark movies. a number of years ago, I joined the local chapter of romance writers of America because I thought it would be easy to get a contract to write a book from Harlequin. They had great in-person They had mini critiques and longer ones (10 Pages) online monthly. They critiqued my book from page one to the end. After that, I brought the book to my Christian writers’ critique group and had my book with all the previous revisions critiqued again beginning to end. Sent it out once more to a content editor.

I did send the book to Harlequin, but it was rejected. The reason they gave was my female protagonist spent too much time in the big city. In my storyline, my female protagonist is involved you know baking championship in L.A. – which took up one-tenth of the book. During this event, she temporarily lost her phone and could not be contact or be contacted open by anyone. Had I moved the championship to her small hometown, that would have made it easier to keep in touch without a phone. However, this time period away added some important tension issues to the story that I didn’t want to try to rebuild another way.

Did you contact other publishers and agents?
I did find an agent who was interested in working with me but it never went anywhere. I did get a contract from a small traditional publisher. This was a regular royalty paying publisher and not a hybrid. After reading their terms, I decided I'd rather give it a try on my own.

Your books are independently published. What’s the hardest part for you in publishing and marketing your own books?
Although it's fun to start writing a book and bringing it to a close, the middle part can be excruciating in trying to figure out the roller coaster ride for your characters. however trying to figure out how to format a book for someone who's not a techie is even more frustrating. Glad that I have writing friends that were available to answer my questions.

Choosing the cover design was tedious. Since I wanted real people rather than sketches on the cover, my designer directed me to a site with thousands of photos to find the ones I felt suited my characters best. When I looked at pictures of couples, I usually liked the male or the female but not both. Finally after hours of image reviews, I found one that I felt would work and it was easy for her to finish the backgrounds.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
From the start, I have a beginning and an end. But finding the right middle components to move the story with the right tension is the hardest part for me.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
My critique groups we're very encouraging to me to keep writing and keep revising. When it was all done and I had my first arc readers review my book told me it was hard put down really the book down, that really encouraged me!

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
I have two more inspirational romances and one time travel novel currently in revision. I also write children's stories and devotional books for children and adults. They are available in paperback and eBook formats. Y
ou can find all my books and more listed on my Amazon page at https://www.amazon.com/Christine-L-Henderson/e/B09L2Y7XNP

Provide a short synopsis of your book.
Great first impressions can fall as fast as a souffle and become a recipe for disaster.

Jasmine Cattrell has returned home to Falcon Creek, Texas after crashing and burning with her previous dream job as a marketing exec and a disastrous breakup in Los Angeles. Once again, she’s working at her mom’s bakery where she learned the joys of baking. Now Jasmine has plans to revamp the shop and make it more profitable. She needs this success to rebuild her confidence and continue on with her previous career.

Trevor Lassitor, a food critic, can make or break businesses with his reviews. When he walks into the bakery there’s an immediate attraction between them, which intensifies as they share their interest in creating culinary delights. Only Trevor can't let personal feelings affect his reviews.

Incensed by his negative review, Jasmine angrily confronts him when they accidentally meet. Instead of blowing her off, Trevor finds a way to resolve their differences. As they grow closer, miscalculations and misunderstandings threaten to separate them for good. A TV baking competition, an ex-boyfriend, and a raging storm has Jasmine’s thoughts in a whirl. Will the fierce winds blow away her chance for love? Or will she still find the sweetest delights in life with the man she loves.

If you're a fan of Hallmark movies and sweet romance stories that warm your soul and make you smile, this book is for you! Find it at: https://www.amazon.com/Christine-L-Henderson/e/B09L2Y7XNP