Skip to main content

welcome Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans loves to tell a good story. In fact, she’s been enthusiastic about writing ever since she could string sentences together. Kensington Publishing purchased her first book, Friends & Lovers, a contemporary romance. Her second release, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third offering from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim from readers, and The Oakland Press.


Her fourth book is her inspirational romance debut at White Rose Publishing – the contest winning novella Hearts Crossing. Hearts Crossing led to the creation of the ‘Woodland Series.’ This series of books centers around Woodland Church and characters who are first introduced in Hearts Crossing. Book two is titled Hearts Surrender. Hearts Communion and Hearts Key will follow as books three and four. The series is offered in both print and electronic formats via White Rose Publishing (http://www.whiterosepublsihing.com/) and Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/).
A lifelong resident of Michigan, she calls suburban Detroit home. She’s happily married, with a son, a daughter, and cats who wrap her around their paws. An active part of Romance Writers of America, she’s a long-time member of the Greater Detroit chapter 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.

Connect with her at: http://www.marianneevans.com/ or via her fan page at facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744?ref=ts




Blurb – Hearts Surrender

Kiara Jordan is a sophisticated modernista, but beneath an engaging personality and super-model looks, her heart hungers, and she longs for deeper meaning in her life.

Ken Lucerne is the charismatic young pastor of Woodland Church ; he's adjusting to life on his own following the death of his wife and copes by keeping as busy with parish life and mission work as he can.

A home-building mission in Pennsylvania brings them together, and forces them to look hard and deep at the relationship they share, and where God means for it to go. Already bound by mutual respect and caring, love dawns, a love that takes them to a life-point neither would have expected.

After all, can a chic, vivacious woman find fulfillment within the quiet, mission-centered life of a clergyman? Can they trust God's hand strongly enough to surrender their hearts to one another…forever?

Excerpt – Hearts Surrender

“I’ve been the wallflower who bloomed. But I’ve never believed in myself enough to give up the fancy trappings. I've clung to vanity-centered ideals for too long, I suppose. I’ve worked hard to fit in, and finally I succeeded. Problem is, that kind of success is a double-edged sword. That pathway, once you start to follow it, is hard to leave.”
In an unexpected, graceful motion, Ken caught her swing by the chains. He held her in place, suspended backward, with nothing but a cushion of air between them. All at once Kiara went dizzy, tempted once more by that full, supple mouth, and the satiny-looking fall of his thick brown hair. He was close enough to touch. In this moment, she wanted nothing more than to do just that.
“Some time – at some point – I’d like to hear more about that, Kiara. I’d like know how you became the woman you are.”
“I’d bore you to tears. It’s nothing extraordinary.”
“All present evidence to the contrary.” He set her gliding once again and Kiara’s stomach performed a sparkling fall-away. She delighted in his words but forced herself to brush them aside before they could take root and sway her into believing he saw richness to her spirit. After all, it was part of Ken’s persona to be gracious and encouraging.
He continued, “You're moving forward in directions that are not only admirable, but eye-opening – not just for you, most likely, but to everyone who's part of your life. Don't hold to what other people see, or expect of you, Kiara. Be who you are. And while you're at it, create the best version of yourself you can imagine. After all, the only question, with the only relevance that matters, is this: Who are you now?"
When she sailed back his way, he caught the chains of her swing once again and whispered in her ear, "I believe in you."
With that, he released her on a push, sending Kiara on another dizzying spin of sensation. He walked away, retracing his steps up the path to the cabins and mess hall. She swung to a stop then sat in silence for long moments after he left, absorbing, shivering in a way that had nothing at all to do with the cool of the encroaching night.

Purchase Link for Hearts Surrender

http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Hearts-Surrender
Available in Print and Electronic Formats - $4.99 Digital / $11.99 Trade-Size Paperback

The Story Behind the Story

Talk about a risk…

There I was…well, no. I take that back. There they were, my characters I mean, Ken and Kiara, all but leaving me sleepless as they fed me their story. I tried to silence them. Had to silence them. Really. After all, I couldn’t tell their story unless Collin Edwards and Daveny Montgomery had their shot first!

Let me fill in the blanks for you. I was writing furiously on a submission to White Rose Publishing for their Hearts Crossing contest. Collin and Daveny simply filled up the pages and I fell in love with them completely – but hey, this was a contest. Chances of winning were slim to none when you consider how many talented authors would be participating. Still, I had to try. So, I finished off this heart-warming novella and sent it in.

That’s when the weirdest thing happened. Two of the secondary characters from Hearts Crossing stepped to center stage and threw me into the midst of a story that stole my entire focus. It centered around the modernista versus the clergyman. The gorgeous, vivacious woman versus the quiet, yet completely charismatic missionary. When I wrote this story, the scenes, the dialogue, the characterization, poured out of me like water.

One small problem, though. What about the prequel? What about Daveny and Collin’s story? Ken and Kiara stand just great on their own, but how would I be able to convince White Rose to contract Hearts Surrender if Hearts Crossing didn’t win their interest? Ordinarily that would have stopped my writing angel like a freight train. Not this time, though. The story needed to be told.

I knew I was setting myself up for a letdown, but I had to try, and I figured if I didn’t win the contest, I might still be able to work out details and logistics at a later point. So on I went…or in this case, wrote.

How good is God’s providence and provision? I ended up winning the Hearts Crossing contest! Furthermore, when I told my editor I had a sequel about ready for review, she seemed eager to see it! The rest, as they say, is history. I ended up contracting Hearts Surrender to White Rose Publishing, and beyond that, I have been contracted to create an series of books based around Woodland Church, home of the characters you met in Hearts Crossing, and continue to meet in Hearts Surrender…in fact, Ken Lucerne, the hero of Hearts Surrender, is its pastor. Books 3 and 4 of the series are Hearts Communion and Hearts Key, and they’ll be coming soon from White Rose Publishing!

Thanks for letting me share my story, and excitement about the release of Hearts Surrender! I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for stopping by Marianne. This book is gaining rave reviews. And I loved it... Just wish it came with the hanky too :)

Don't forget she's on tour - see this post for where she is and when... http://telscha.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-tour-announcement.html

At the end of her blog tour, Marianne is giving away three special prizes:

1. A $10 gift certificate to White Rose Publishing
2. A $10 gift certificate to Amazon.com
3. An autographed, print edition of her new release, Hearts Surrender

Entering is simple: Leave a comment – or several comments as you track her progress on the tour (Marianne and her blog hosts will get the word out and let you know where she’ll be!). Each comment gives you a chance to win!

On September 30th, she’ll randomly select three comments from visitors at any of the blogs she’s visited, and award them the prizes!

Comments

Marianne Evans said…
Hi, Clare!! Thank you so much for hostessing me at your blog today! I'm enjoying my visit! :-) I can't express how grateful I am for your enthusiasm and support of White Rose Publishing, and my new release, Hearts Surrender! Blessings, my friend!! Marianne
Delia Latham said…
I'm so excited about the release of Hearts Surrender! Can't wait to read it. I love the cover! I just popped over to your site and saw the cover to Hearts Key, and it is beautiful, too. I hope you have tremendous success with this series, and that it blesses many, many readers!
Donna B said…
Hi Marianne! Your book sounds wonderful! I wish you many blessings with the series. I can't wait to read all of them as they come!
JoAnn said…
Are you having fun on your blog tour? I just popped over to say "Hi!"
I may have mentioned this before, but I loved reading about the story behind the story part of you post.
Blessings~
Therese said…
Hey, Marianne, I'm still in love with your cover. Most esp the hero on your cover. Can I print it out and frame it? Wait--my husband might wonder...

I'm loving all your great details, and I'll see you on my blog on Monday!
Mary Manners said…
Marianne, you are a wonderful storyteller. I wish you great success with Hearts Surrender and all you other works. May God bless you abundantly!
Tanya Hanson said…
HI Marianne and Clare, I am so excited about this wonderful story, Marianne. The covers are glorious, too. May God bless you with many, many tales of romance mixed in with His love and care. oxoxox
Marianne Evans said…
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such wonderful, supportive comments!! I can't agree more about the cover art - Nicola Martinez is simply fantastic as both an editor and cover designer. I feel so blessed to even have this opportunity - I have to pinch myself soemtimes!! LOL!!!

Popular posts from this blog

Falling Forever by Katherine Robles

  Blurb Hillary is stifled by an entry level IT job in the Virginia suburbs and longs to move to Washington D.C. where she can make a difference in the world. When Javier comes to her rescue in Great Falls National Park, Hillary likes everything about him except for the gorgeous fiance hanging on his arm. But things are not as they seem and he enlists her help to renovate a homeless shelter. Romance blossoms over paintbrushes and pipes until a career launching opportunity arises. Hillary can chase her dreams, but they might cost her Javier’s heart.       Excerpt Javier cast a shadow over her placemat as he delivered her glass of water. He rounded the table, apparently unaware that the whole family was watching him with interest. When he got to the other side of Mom, Hillary willed him to make eye contact and gave a little wave in greeting. “Hi,” she said. Javier retracted the hand that was lowering Coryn’s water. His lips parted like a curtain to reveal his pearly whites. “Well, if it

Author interview - Nicola Beaumont

Today we have author Nicola Beaumont with us. Nicola has written several books including The Lighthouse which I am spotlighting today. BLURB: DANGEROUS LIAISON... Rachel is in love with her best friend, but when Malachi doesn't seem interested, she turns to an international stranger whom she meets on the internet. At first, conversation is just a pastime, but soon, romantic fantasies form in her mind. Why not consider a man who travels across an ocean to meet her-a man who makes her feel wanted? After all, Malachi might as well be a world away-even if his concern does seem genuine when he warns her about the intriguing Frenchman. RESCUE ON THE WAY... Malachi has sworn not to interfere in Rachel's relationship, but he's in love with the head-strong woman who is determined to continue her budding romance...Yet, Malachi senses something isn't right about the playboy who has suddenly consumed Rachel's time, so he vows to save her from the stranger-and herself-even

Wooing Gertrude by Jodie Wolfe

  Blurb   Enoch Valentine has given up finding peace for his past mistakes. He throws everything he has into being the new part-time deputy in Burrton Springs, Kansas while maintaining the foreman position at a local horse ranch. But when trouble stirs on the ranch, he questions whether he's the right man for either job. Peace has been elusive for most of Gertrude Miller's life, especially under the oppressiveness of an overbearing mother. She takes matters into her own hands and sends for a potential husband, while also opening her own dress shop. Gertrude hopes to build a future where she'll find peace and happiness. Will either of them ever be able to find peace?   First Page Peek   Burrton Springs, Kansas August 4, 1877   Gertrude Miller’s life couldn’t get any better. She grinned, patting her pocket. Her fingers traced the two skeleton keys. After months of planning and preparing she finally had moved into her own place a week ago, away from the overbearing reach of he