Dream Big! by Susan Anne Mason

Susan Anne Mason

I think I know how actors feel when they finally get that breakout movie that thrusts them into the spotlight. Suddenly they have ‘made it’, and people call them an overnight success — even if they’ve been acting for years. Like them, I had been writing for years, getting rejection after rejection, when suddenly everything seemed to happen at once.

In August 2013, I entered my historical romance, Irish Meadows, in a contest and prepared my pitch for the September ACFW Conference. Sadly, my appointments seemed a waste of time. I found no interest for my book, and in fact, received a lot of negative comments and advice. Yet I wasn’t discouraged. I had confidence that when the time was right, God would give me the desire of my heart.

Meanwhile in October 2013, I got the wonderful news that two of my contemporary stories would be published by a small publisher called White Rose. During the following excitement, all thoughts of Irish Meadows got pushed to the background while I concentrated on revisions and galleys for these two books scheduled for release in August and December, 2014.

Then in early 2014, I found out that Irish Meadows had won the contest I entered, and an editor from Bethany House asked to see my manuscript! He loved it!! And in March 2014, I received an offer from BETHANY HOUSE for 3 historical romances! This book of my heart had now expanded to a three-book series! I could not believe it!

Imagine my shock when within a week of this astounding news, I learned that Harlequin’s Love Inspired line wanted to buy one of my contemporary romances! Now I had THREE contracts with 3 different publishers!

I hope my story gives hope and encouragement to other aspiring authors out there!! Keep trying, keep sowing the seeds that will eventually reap the harvest. It only takes one person to love your writing!

Persistence, hard work, and faith! Three key elements for anything you wish to achieve! And remember that God can dream a bigger dream for us than we can ever imagine! So don’t give up!

About the Author

Susan Anne Mason describes her writing style as “romance sprinkled with faith.” She particularly enjoys exploring the themes of forgiveness and redemption in her stories. Irish Meadows is her first historical novel and won the Fiction from the Heartland contest sponsored by the Mid-American Romance Author chapter of RWA.

Susan lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband, two children, and two cats. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Learn more about Susan and her books at www.susanannemason.com.

Irish Meadows
by Susan Anne Mason

Irish Meadows
Irish immigrant, James O’Leary, has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men—ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry—as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

Links:
Webpage: www.susanannemason.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.mason.127
FB Author page: https://www.facebook.com/susan.anne.mason.333
Amazon :
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_10?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=susan+anne+mason&sprefix=susan+anne%2Cstripbooks%2C352

My Success Story Suprise by Marianne Evans

Attention-grabbing cover, isn't it? Last year, White Rose Publishing offered a contest for writers to have their story published. The novel would have this cover and title, a predetermined synopsis with key elements, and a deadline for submission of the full. I toyed with entering, but didn't feel I had time. Since the contest has concluded, and I've followed the results, I've made a new friend. (I still tear up reading her story below.) Marianne Evans graciously agreed to share her story with us here on Seriously Write. Please welcome her this Fortifying Friday and may her testimony encourage you today!

My Success Story Surprise!
by Marianne Evans

There I was, noodling on the Net, when along came an astounding e-mail.

Wait - let me hit reverse, and catch you up on the moment when I became a member of the White Rose Publishing family and say I’m delighted to make your acquaintance here at Seriously Write!

My son and his wife were home for Christmas. My daughter had also just arrived home for break. The entire family was in the kitchen, making sugar cookies for Christmas Eve festivities to come. That’s when my son asked, "Mom, while Mary's at the store, can you show me the top you got her for Christmas? I may have gotten her the same thing.”

The blouse was already wrapped, but I had ordered it on line, so I had a confirmation e-mail and photograph. Busy as we were, why did everyone follow me to the computer? Because something big was brewing, and God knows exactly what He's doing.

I paged through e-mail. As I hunted down the confirmation, I saw a new message that made my heart pound. The sender was Nicola Martinez, Editor in Chief of White Rose Publishing. The subject line: Hearts Crossing Contest Entry.

I passed it by. I found the picture of the top, discovered duplication wasn’t an issue, then logged off. Here's my justification: Days away from welcoming fourteen people to my home, I didn't want to find out I had lost the Hearts Crossing writing contest sponsored by White Rose. I was happy and content. I didn't want anything to interfere with that fact. When you don't "know" there's always hope, right?

The contest meant a great deal to me. I've wanted to join the Christian inspirational genre for a long time, and this contest was a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Still, I was realistic enough to realize victory was a long shot. Many talented people were vying for the grand prize - a book contract.

When I turned from the computer, I caught my husband's eye and had to come clean. "I think the verdict is in on Hearts Crossing."

Unfailingly supportive he said, "Well, come on! Open it up! Let's find out!"

I was somewhat less enthusiastic. I explained all the reasons why avoidance seemed best. His answer to that somewhat psychotic behavior? "Marianne, if you win, we're all here around you. If you've lost, we're all here around you. It’s meant to be.”

He's so smart.

I reopened e-mail. I clicked on the message from Nicola. As it opened, Steve quipped, "It'll probably say Congratulations . . ."

First word of the e-mail? "Congratulations . . ."

I burst into tears. Steve and the kids cheered. I found myself blessed by an incredible moment, one I got to share with those I love so much, and who have supported me through the inevitable rejections and sad times that also come along frequently in the publishing world.

Hearts Crossing is available now, and I’m so proud of it! Thanks for letting me share my excitement – and blessings!

Here's the blurb on Heart's Crossing:

“How do you feel about God, Collin?”
“I don’t.”

Collin Edwards, a former parishioner at Woodland Church of Christ, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss.

Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God and the community of Woodland. But lately she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm.

A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists—but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better.

Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.

Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?

Marianne Evans loves to tell a good story. In fact, she’s been enthusiastic about writing ever since she could string sentences together. She’s seen a number of her books published. Kensington Publishing purchased her first book, Friends & Lovers. Her second contemporary romance, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third release from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim in The Oakland Press. Her fourth book is her inspirational romance debut at White Rose Publishing – a contest winning novella entitled Hearts Crossing. Her fifth release will be a December 2010 release, a Christmas-themed novella, With This Kiss, offered at The Wild Rose Press. A resident of suburban Detroit, she’s happily married with two kids. An active member of Romance Writers of America, she’s a long-time member of Greater Detroit RWA where she served the chapter most notably as treasurer and two terms as president. She also belongs to the Faith Hope and Love chapter of RWA, American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network. Purchase Hearts Crossing here.