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| Mary Manners |
Hey writers, Annette here. Raise your hand if you write romance and/or series. Today's guest, Mary Manners, is a romance writer with some great tips on how to combine the two. Enjoy!
Setting the Backdrop for Family Series Romance
by Mary Manners
The art of romance
occurs solely between a hero and heroine, right? Well… yes and no. Sometimes mixing
in a heaping helping of extended family thickens the plot, especially when it
comes to writing powerful series romance.
I love stories which illuminate family, steeped with the
message of God’s love and grace. One way to begin a little family romance is with
a trio of handsome yet slightly flawed, headstrong brothers and their intelligent
yet quirky baby sister. Mix in an independent mother who is more headstrong
than her children and the foundation for a four-book series is neatly set. Backdrop
the drama with a quaint community tucked into the foothills of the majestic
Smoky Mountains for a setting sure to please. Serve up scrumptious platefuls of
delectable Italian food in a down-home restaurant nestled front and center on
the town’s main boulevard, and readers become intrigued. Expertly blend a touch
of humor to the mix as well as once-in-a-lifetime partners for each sibling
(and the matriarch, as well) and a powerful, tightly-woven romantic series is
born.
A family steeped in trials yet
grounded in love, helping one another to overcome heartache and embrace hope,
makes for a romance that goes beyond simple hero/heroine attraction. What can such
characters teach us about life…about commitment, loyalty and devotion? The
possibilities are endless.
~~~~~
Warrior at Willow Lake
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| Warrior at Willow Lake |
Forgiveness is a symphony of love.
Hunter Stone rides a bright future as an MLB star pitcher until a
senseless accident steals his ability to through a curve ball--as well as the
life of an innocent child. Disgraced, he leaves Willow Lake in search of
something to fill the void.
Maci Ferguson uses her gift of music to help children overcome trauma.
Music is the balm that soothes her hurt and washes away memories with scars
that refuse to fade. She fears she may never trust a man to love her...until
Hunter returns to Willow Lake.
Can the two trust enough to allow God to work in their lives...and heal
them both before it's too late?
~~~~~
Mary Manners is an award-winning
romance writer who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee
with her husband, Tim, and the cherished cats they’ve rescued from
local animal shelters—Lucky and Gus.
Mary’s debut novel, Mended
Heart, was nominated Best
Inspirational Romance and was finalist for the Bookseller’s Best Award and her
follow-up, Tender Mercies, was awarded an outstanding 4 ½ star rating from The Romantic Times
Book Reviews and was also a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award.
Buried Treasures, her third
novel, was named Book of the Year by The Wordsmith Journal. Light
the Fire took top honors for the
Inspirational Readers Choice Award while Wisdom Tree garnered National Excellence in Romance Fiction. Mary was named Author
of the Year by Book and Trailer Showcase. She writes romances of all lengths,
from short stories to novels—something for everyone.
Learn more about Mary Manners at
her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.
