It's a special thrill to me to be able to introduce my next Guest Blogger as someone who has her novel out on the shelves with me this month. Not just her novel - but her very first published novel ever. Natalie Rivers is a brand new signing to the Modern/Presents line and her book The Kristallis Baby is out now in both UK an America - and in the UK it's sharing a shelf with The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge.Which is a delight to me because I have watched this book develop - and watched Natalie grow from an eager student, throught the New Writers' Scheme, to a published author - and I've had my own small input into the success of her career.
But I'll leave Natalie to tell you about that. Just to say that I'm specially pleased that the success of Natalie's book shows how talent, determination, hard work and commitment will win through - and that the publication of it is a great endorsement of the Romantic Novelists' Association New Writers' Scheme - which I'm proud to be a reader for.
So - Natalie Rivers
There are more than 50 reasons why I love Kate Walker, but here are just some of them…
As a brand new writer, I felt very proud and honoured when Kate asked me to take part in her 50th Book Celebrations. It still seems quite unreal to me that I’ve been published
(my first book, The Kristallis Baby, is out in June UK and US), and I am delighted, and somewhat awed, to say that Kate Walker helped me on the road to publication. I first met Kate three years ago at the Romantic Novelists’ Association conference, at Leicester University. It was her second year as the creator/organiser of the Conference Virgins and she did a wonderful job looking after the first-timers. But even better than that, she arranged for us all to have a ten minute discussion with an author of our choice.
Well, you can guess who I chose! I’d loved Kate’s books for years, so it was fantastic to get to meet her as a fan. And, as an aspiring Modern/Presents writer, who could be better to talk to for help and advice?
I already had a very good idea of Kate’s warmth, intelligence and caring personality from her on-line presence. But in person I was immediately struck by her amazing dynamic energy. She is also an incredible teacher and is unstintingly generous with her wealth of knowledge about the craft of writing. (Just take a look at Kate Walker’s 12-Point Guide to Writing Romance, and you’ll see what I mean.)
I discussed my story idea with her. Then, once it was written, I sent it off to the RNA’s New Writers Scheme, hoping that my manuscript would fall into her hands. I was lucky! Although the reader is supposed to be a secret, I was sure I recognised her voice in the hugely detailed and helpful feedback. I revised my story – always keeping in mind Kate’s favourite question Why? Then sent it off to Mills & Boon.
And now my book is on the shelves in the UK, next to the fabulous The Sicilian’s Red Hot Revenge by none other than the equally fabulous Kate Walker.
GIVEAWAY PRIZE: signed copy of The Kristallis Baby and sequined coin purse
GIVEAWAY QUESTION:
In The Kristallis Baby the hero whisks the heroine away to the beautifulGreek island of Corfu. If you could go anywhere in the world, which islandwould you love to visit for a romantic getaway?
In The Kristallis Baby the hero whisks the heroine away to the beautifulGreek island of Corfu. If you could go anywhere in the world, which islandwould you love to visit for a romantic getaway?
Natalie doesn't yet have a web site that I can link you to but as she has just had her second book accepted, I hope that she soon will have one - and as soon as I know, then I'll give you a link to that.
30 comments:
I think it would be great to go to St. Croix. It looks beautiful.
Big congrats, Natalie! And they've given you a lovely cover, too! Yay! I'll be on the lookout for your novel when I'm in Newcastle next week.
If I could choose any island in the world for a romantic getaway, I'd go for Great Britain (okay, so it's a big island *g*). I'd love to do a trip around England one of these days (and stuff myself with Cadbury chocolate).
Congrats Natalie! I would love to visit the Island of Malta. It has so much history and is in such a beautiful location.
When I travel I love to dream of special places. One island that I long to visit is the Island of Murano. I have read a great deal about this unique and lovely place, since it is so well known for the glass.
Super congrats, Natalie, on your first book. It has a gorgeous cover!!!
If I had my choice of an island to escape to, it would be an uncharted one that has been untouched by man. Where the flaura and fauna are straight from the Garden of Eden.
Wild wave to Kate!!!
I have always wondered about seeing the Isle of Capri. The setting is romantic and I would love to stay there for a short holiday.
Congrats on your debut! Best. I would enjoy spending time exploring Vancouver Island. I love B.C. and the beauty and serenity of this place attracts me.
One day I hope to see the Isle of Skye. It would be an experience of a lifetime since it is so unique and spectacular.
A dream come true would be to visit and vacation on Crete. Amazing place with beauty and striking location. Congrats Natalie!
Congrats Natalie! Since I love to travel and rarely do that is a great query. To me it would be an adventure to go to the Island of Sicily. The culture, food and the surroundings would be fascinating.
Hi Natalie and huge congratulations on the publication of your first book! What an enormous thrill. I don't think anything quite beats it.
I've been reading the responses to your post and there are so many wonderful islands I'd love to visit. There seems to be something so special about an island that appeals to adventurer in us all. My son has already decided he's going to live on one!
My own island-visiting list is enormous but I'd definitely have to include the Tahitian islands in there. The combination of pristine white sand and crystal clear water, the lush rainforest and the steep mountains make it look so exotic. Add to that the French patisseries I hear are there...Sounds like heaven!
All the best,
Annie
Congrats Natalie!!!!!!!!!!!!!I would love to go to Guadeloupe, which is over in the Caribbeans or the Virgin Islands. They are so beautiful.
THe Isle of Wight.
Or, as an alternate, I second Ellie's vote for Capri. :-)
It'd just like to travel! Full Stop! LOL
Congrats, Natalie, on your first book! If I have the chance, I'd love to go to South Island of New Zealand.
Congrats Natalie! on your first book and best of luck with you second.
I would love to visit the virgin islands. I think it would very romatic and beautiful place to visit. I would also love to go to Irland but I am only dreaming.
Congrats, Natalie! I'd have to third the vote for Capri. (And I would so, so, SO like to nip over to the mainland and visit Pompeii. Nice thing about being a writer is you get to do the wish fulfilment *g* but I would've preferred to do my research on location rather than on the net!)
My mom and her husband recently went on vacation to Jamaica I would love to go there. Congrats, Natalie!
I think any Island would work because when it comes to making it a romantic getaway it's who you bring that makes it romantic. But I'll say the Greek Islands since so many of my favourite HP books are set there.
Hello everyone!
Thank you so much for all the congratulations – I feel quite overwhelmed by all your lovely comments.
Wow! What an interesting collection of island destinations. Lots of them are on my wish list too, and after reading all your wonderful ideas my wish list has grown even longer!
I’m just about to leave to take my kids down to the Sussex countryside to spend the day with my Dad. He’s 80 next month, but you wouldn’t believe how he can still chase round after them on their bikes! When I get back I’m going to give some serious thought to picking the winner, but after reading your posts I know I won’t manage to settle on just one.
Have a great weekend everyone and thanks again for all your fabulous ideas. Plenty of daydreaming material for me!
All the very best,
Natalie Rivers
I'd like to go to the isles Hawaii.
There are two places hubby and I dream of going to when the little ones are much older. Those places are Great Britain and Australia.
Oh geez, the way things are. . . I'll take a nice small, cozy, quiet, cool island with no one else on it, but somehow it does have modern plumbing and wireless internet, and a nice big house for me and my Kitty. :) With only shelves around in the rooms for all the books. :) And chocolate. :)
Lois
Congratulations Natalie!
I would love to go to Hawaii.
Mauritius! I've always wanted to go there, and almost did go there on my honeymoon. But unfortunately we ran out of money and couldn't really afford the flight tickets! Hope to go there sometime, big sigh.
Congratulations Natlie!
I've always wanted to go to Australia/New Zealand.
I'd love spend time on the Great Barrier Island in NZ.
I've been intrigued by everyone's entries for this question. It seems that so many of you share my love of islands - I've visited Malta, Madeira, The Isle of Man, Tasmania and of course the big one Ireland - and so many of the other islands names on these lists are places I'd love to visit too.,
I wonder what the special appeal of an island is.
Kate
Thank you so much to everyone for making me feel so welcome and for posting such wonderful island ideas. I’ve had a lovely time on-line looking up all the places I haven’t heard much about, and now my wish list of destinations has grown even longer!
I’m going to send the names of the winners to Kate very soon. Thanks again to everyone for contributing.
With very best wishes
Natalie Rivers
The Virgin Islands for me; oh yes.
Congratulations on your book, Natalie! You must be so excited.
I would love to go to Malta or Kauai. Of course, Ireland is near the top of my list for travel too. :)
Natalie, I couldn't find an email to reach you but wanted to THANK YOU for receiving THE KRISTALLIS BABY and beautiful coin purse in my mailbox. :D
What a delight both are!!! I know I'm in for a great read and will have fun using my coin purse!!!
Hugs, JJ - Nancy from MI
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