A Heartwarming Dream Come True!
I can barely remember a time I didn't want to be a Harlequin author. From the time I read my first romance, I knew writing romance was what I was meant to do. It took me a few years...okay, it took me a lot of years to make that dream a reality, but when it finally happened, I was thrilled to find a home in the Heartwarming line. Writing these sweet romances that emphasizes the emotional adventure of falling in love feels almost like a calling and now, that dream I thought I'd achieved has now grown. The Heartwarming line is now available in select Walmarts!
I don't know that it's possible to convey how thrilling (and a bit overwhelming) it is for an author to find their print book on store shelves, especially in the age of digital publishing. I grew up reading actual books, feeling the paper, turning the pages, and carrying those stories around with me until pages were tattered and covers were torn. Going to the bookstore and seeing all the books, all the stories and worlds to choose from, there's rarely been anything I've enjoyed or valued more.
Harlequin romances have been a major part of my life, first as a reader and now as an author. Writing romances that the entire family, from grandmothers to granddaughters can enjoy, creating heroines readers want to be and heroes readers want to fall in love with--there's truly no better job in the world.
And that world is getting bigger for our Heartwarming books every day! I hope you enjoy all these beautiful stories.
Happy reading!
I don't know that it's possible to convey how thrilling (and a bit overwhelming) it is for an author to find their print book on store shelves, especially in the age of digital publishing. I grew up reading actual books, feeling the paper, turning the pages, and carrying those stories around with me until pages were tattered and covers were torn. Going to the bookstore and seeing all the books, all the stories and worlds to choose from, there's rarely been anything I've enjoyed or valued more.
Harlequin romances have been a major part of my life, first as a reader and now as an author. Writing romances that the entire family, from grandmothers to granddaughters can enjoy, creating heroines readers want to be and heroes readers want to fall in love with--there's truly no better job in the world.
And that world is getting bigger for our Heartwarming books every day! I hope you enjoy all these beautiful stories.
Happy reading!
— Anna
Growing up in the 70′s and 80′s meant there weren’t a lot of YA books, so she ventured early into mainstream fiction and read Stephen King’s CARRIE at the age of 8. Discovering Nora Roberts and romance novels early in high school opened her eyes to the wonders of storytelling and the beauty of a happily ever after.
So here she is, many years later with an English degree from CSU Sacramento, an RWA Golden Heart nomination behind her, countless stories in her head, and a serious addiction to STAR TREK, SUPERNATURAL, and SHERLOCK. She recently wrapped up a nearly 8-year stint working as assistant to NYTimes bestselling author Brenda Novak where she helped run Brenda's annual online auction for diabetes research. When she's not writing or reading (which she never has enough time for!), she's working on dollhouse miniatures and tolerating her overly-affectionate cat named Snickers (or perhaps it's Snickers who tolerates her).
January 4th: I Am A Reader - Amy Vastine
January 5th: Mel's Shelves - Anna J. Stewart
January 6th: deal sharing aunt - Cari Lynn Webb
January 7th: Reading Is My SuperPower - Carol Ross
January 8th: Katie's Clean Book Collection - Catherine Lanigan
January 10th: Babs Book Bistro - Leigh Riker
January 11th: Love, Laughter, Friendship - Melinda Curtis
January 12th: Heidi Reads... - Pamela Tracy
January 13th: Christian Chick's Thoughts - Rula Sinara
January 14th: Bookworm Lisa - Tara Taylor Quinn
January 15th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
15 - $10 Walmart Gift Cards
- Rules: To enter, take a selfie at a local Walmart with a Heartwarming book and post publicly on social media (can be your hands, your face, etc. with a Heartwarming book). Can enter once each day with a different picture each time. Those who post the same picture multiple times will be disqualified. Those who only post privately (so that it can't be viewed publicly) will also be disqualified.
- US Only
- Ends January 20th
8 comments:
Anna,
I'm smiling so big. When I was maybe ten, I had to go to the car repair place with my dad. It was supposed to only take am minute. I didn't, it took hours. After awhile, he gave me a five and told me to go to the grocery store across the street and get something. He was thinking food. Me, I was thinking BOOK. I found Carrie, truly had no idea what I was getting into, read it, and fell in love with the horror genre. How cool that we're alike :)
I read Carrie when I was about 16 and am still a little traumatized LOL! Great post, Anna. Congratulations on seeing your dreams come true. btw...how did you get such a cute selfie? I look like drowned rat with fuzzy hair and red eyes. It was pouring down rain the day I went in and I seriously had an eye appointment at Walmart. It did not make for the finest conditions.
Hi Pam!! Yay! Another horror fan, LOL. I don't read as much anymore, but odd how fond I find those memories . Who knew Carrie could be a bonding experience! :) Thanks for posting!
LOL, Carol. I had a secret weapon--my mom took the pic (and I asked her to focus on the book, not me!), plus it's not like CA has been getting a lot of rain (until this week!).
I have four Walmarts in my area that are carrying the books!! I'm zooming to all of them! And Carrie is the only horror movie I've ever seen - if that tells you anything about my reaction to it!
Hi, Tara! I'm so jealous you have so many Walmarts carrying them! Ironically enough, I can't do horror movies. I can read it, but movies? *shudder* Thanks for stopping by!
Love this, Anna, and agree that the feeling you get seeing your book on a store shelf is hard to describe! It hasn't happened for me yet, but just seeing my fellow Heartwarming authors' books in person in a Walmart today was so unbelievable!
Okay, I used to handle horror a bit better when I was younger lol. I can do scary, but I don't like 'disturbing' type of psychotic villains. My heart can't take it. Now, my heart CAN take tons of romance ;).
Anna, it's so much fun getting to know more about you! I haven't been to WalMart yet this year, but will definitely be looking for all of your books when I go. I'm more of a suspense girl rather than a horror one, but also enjoy a good romance. You women do not disappoint! I'm looking forward to learning more about each of you on this tour and want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of it!
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