Category Archives: Novels

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Preditors & Editors 2012 Readers’ Poll Results

January 19, 2013 Melanie 4 Comments

The annual Preditors & Editors Readers Poll, sponsored by Critters Workshop has drawn to a close. The results have been tallied and in the end, 4RV Publishing (with nominations in Children’s Books, Young Adult Books, Artwork from Books, Book Covers, Publisher, Author, Artist and Bookstore) finished with seven in the top ten.

Children’s Books (2 4RV nominations) took 8th place with First Flag of New Hampshire written by Stephanie Burkhart and illustrated by Ginger Nielson.

My novel’s cover created by Aidana WillowRaven

Young Adult Books (2 4RV nominations) took 3rd place with with my novel A Shadow in the Past.

Artwork from Books (2 4RV nominations) had two results tied for 6th place. Ginger Nielson who wrote and illustrated Willow, an Elephant’s Tale and my talented artist Aidana WillowRaven for her cover design for A Shadow in the Past.

Artist saw Aidana WillowRaven earn a 9th place finish in addition to her tie with Ginger in the Artwork category.

Author saw 4RV Publishing President, Vivian Zabel place 6th.

Bookstore 4RV Bookstore placed 3rd in the bookstore category.

Congratulations to everyone who placed!

4RV Publishing, Aberdeenshire, Authors, Books, characters, Famous Five Plus, Local Authors, loveahappyending, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, Reading, Scotland, Writing

Guest Posts

January 18, 2013 Melanie Leave a comment

It’s been a busy day for my character, Sarah Shand, and me. Sarah did an interview with Kai Strand at her blog Strands of Thought. You can read her interview here.

While she was off with Kai, I was in the spotlight over at Famous Five Plus You can read that post here.

I hope you’ll stop by both blogs and find out a bit more about us.

Suggested tweets:

Featured author @RobertsoKing today at Famous Five Plus http://ow.ly/gWG49 @famousfiveplus #Shadowpast #4RV #FFP #lahe

Get to know @SarahShand96 from @RobertsoKing’s novel A Shadow in the Past http://ow.ly/gWGf9 @4RV #shadowpast #4RV #lahe #FFP

4RV Publishing, Artist, Authors, Awards, Novel covers, Novels, Publishing, readers, Writing

EXTRA, EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

January 13, 2013 Melanie 7 Comments

My publisher, 4RV Publishing, was recently awarded the prestigious Best of Edmond Awards in the Book Publishers category! How exciting is that?

I am so happy to say that I’m a member of the family because that’s what we are from every level within the company. We care about each other and support each other. You don’t get that at every publishing house.

So as Stuart McLean says about Dave’s record store on the Vinyl Cafe, “we may not be big, but we’re small”. There’s nothing wrong with that, don’t you think?

4RV Publishing, Authors, Books, Famous Five Plus, loveahappyending, Novel covers, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, readers, Reading, Scotland, Writing

I’m in Texas with fellow 4RV Publishing author, Janet K Brown

January 12, 2013 Melanie Leave a comment

Fellow 4RV Publishing author Janet K Brown hosts me today over at her blog.

I met Janet last year at the Kansas Book Festival where we both had novels making their debut.

Suggested tweet:

Authorly chat with @4RV author @janetkbrowntx http://ow.ly/gL9mr @RobertsoKing talks about her publication journey and heritage.

4RV Publishing, Aberdeenshire, Appearances, Authors, Books, Famous Five Plus, Interviews, loveahappyending, Novel covers, Novels, Publicity, readers, Scotland, Writing

January 4, 2013 Melanie Leave a comment

Today I’m Michelle Betham’s guest on her Meet the Author Feature. I’d love it if you dropped by her blog and left a comment.

Suggested tweets:

Meet the author – @RobertsoKing talks about her writing inspiration with @michellebetham http://ow.ly/gxgmg #shadowpast #4RV #lahe #readers

Meet the author – @RobertsoKing talks about her writing inspiration with @michellebetham http://ow.ly/gxgmg #shadowpast #4RV #FFP #readers

4RV Publishing, Aberdeenshire, Appearances, Authors, Awards, Blog Tour, Book Launch, Books, Brand, Brockville, characters, Famous Five Plus, Gananoque, Independent Bookstore, Interviews, Liebster Award, Local Authors, loveahappyending, NaNoWriMo, Novel covers, Novels, Photographs, Publicity, Publishing, Reading, Scotland, Writing

Happy Hogmanay!

December 31, 2012 Melanie 6 Comments

Dec 31st says goodbye to the current year in anticipation of what is to come in the next year. Known as New Year’s Eve in many countries, in Scotland, it’s a special celebration known as Hogmanay. Great street parties with entertainment take place in major cities. Edinburgh’s celebration is the most widely known. You can see what’s happening in Scotland’s capital to ring in 2013 here.

But before I pop the cork on the champagne, I want to take a look at 2012 and reflect on all the good things that happened to me during the year.

In early January, fellow Writers’ Ink member, Joe Mossman, and I did a spot for the local cable TV’s program, Readers’ Corner and talked about our group.

Joe Mossman, myself and host of Readers’ Corner, Doreen Barnes

A few days later, I was assigned my editor. We hit it off immediately which made the revision process a lot more fun. My gorgeous cover designed by Aidana WillowRaven was revealed here on January 18th.

My novel’s cover created by Aidana WillowRaven

In February, I was honoured with my First Book award from the Ottawa Romance Writer’s Association.

March came and with it, I received the Versatile Blogger Award from loveahappyending.com associate reader, Susan Livingston. I had been an associate reader for loveahappyending.com myself since June 2011 and on May 21, 2012 (my son’s birthday), I became a featured author!

June brought about the new Melanie Robertson-King “brand” reveal.

The weekend of Sept 14-17 (okay Friday to the following Monday – weekend plus) took me to Kansas for the debut of my novel… and best of all, I got to hold it in my hot little hands for the first time. It was brilliant meeting my editor, Carla, for the first time and my publisher, Vivian Zabel, and fellow 4RV Publishing authors Jacque Graham, Janet Brown and Galand Nuchols.

Janet Brown, me, and Galund Nuchols with our books that debuted at the Kansas Book Festival

My short story, Cole’s Notes, that had been accepted for publication became available for the Kindle in Carrick Publishing’s first cross-genre anthology – EFD1 – Starship Goodwords, and classed as literary fiction, no less!

Home from Kansas and the following weekend I hosted my hometown launch at the Wedgewood Retirement Resort in downtown Brockville.

One week later, I embarked on a 21-stop 15-day blog tour starting off at loveahappyending.com and ending at Author Roast and Toast.

In October, I created a blog for my character, Sarah, and filmed another program for Readers’ Corner – this time talking about my novel,

was invited to join Famous Five Plus and woo-hoo, I got my first 5-star review for A Shadow in the Past!

November came along and with it, my first kick at the can taking part in NaNoWriMo, and a number of appearances and signings – Ladies’ Night at Green Things Garden and Gift Shop, the Mallorytown Legion’s Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale, and finally downtown Brockville’s Christmas Open House at Leeds County Books.

December and another signing – this time in Gananoque at All About Books Internet Cafe and I was awarded the Liebster Award by Joanne Clancy.

A great year for sure, and now I’m looking forward to what 2013 brings! So now that I’ve rambled on long enough, it’s time to pop the champagne corks and ring in the New Year.

Happy New Year! Happy Hogmanay! Or Happy whatever you call it in your part of the world. May 2013 be good to you and yours! Cheers!

4RV Publishing, Aberdeenshire, Authors, Books, Brand, characters, Contests, Novel covers, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, Reading, Scotland, Writing

A Shadow in the Past currently #2 in Preditors & Editors Readers Poll

December 29, 2012 Melanie 2 Comments

My novel’s cover created by Aidana WillowRaven

I’m so excited. My novel, A Shadow in the Past, is currently sitting in 2nd place in the YA category at the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. If you’ve not done so already, I would appreciate your vote. Help me make it to #1.

If you’ve already voted – Thank you! Follow the instructions here.

Authors, Books, Novel covers, Novels, Publishing, work-in-progress, Writing

Author Interview with Jack Durish

December 28, 2012 Melanie 2 Comments

Celtic Connexions welcomes US author Jack Durish. He’s got a lot on his plate these days, so without further ado, I’ve put him in the hot seat to allow him to get back home as soon as possible.

What is the one book you want us to read (title, genre, and availability)?

Rebels on the Mountain: Historical Fiction available in all ebook formats on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

What is your one sentence synopsis?

A childhood crush evolves into romance when Nick Andrews, a U.S. Army spy, reconnects with Lucia Comas, an American-educated mulata, in Cuba while he is there to unravel the diplomatic mess created by Fidel Castro’s revolution.

Who are the main characters and who would you like to see portray them in a movie?

Fictional
Nick Andrews: A U.S. Army Ranger and Korean War Veteran who has made a career of reconnaissance patrols behind the Iron Curtain – possibly portrayed by Stephen Amell.

Lucia Comas: An American-educated, island-born mulata, daughter of the second wife of don Carlos Comas, a Cuba sugar plantation owner, and love interest of Nick Andrews – possibly portrayed by Christina Milian.

Emma Regan: An American socialite whose husband, a retired pediatrician operates a free clinic on the sugar plantation she inherited, and sister to the don Carlos Comas’ second wife Sigourney Weaver.

Real
Fidel Castro: The charismatic leader of the revolution that overthrew the Cuban dictator, Fulgencio Batista – possibly portrayed by Jsu Garcia.

Che Guevara: The Argentinian doctor who became one of Castro’s most notorious lieutenants and his executioner following Fidel’s rise to power – possibly portrayed by Guillermo Diaz.

Ernest Hemingway: Nobel Prize winning author and Havana resident who mingled freely in the halls of power in Havana and purportedly supported Castro’s revolution – possibly portrayed by William Hurt.

Tell us about the story without revealing too much.

Nick Andrews uses the cover of a pleasure trip with friends, the Regans – a retired doctor and his socialite wife who own an estate in Cuba – to infiltrate the island from its halls of power in Havana to the rebel camp in the mountains at the eastern end of the island. Unexpectedly, he rekindles a childhood crush with the island-born niece of the Regans, and makes friends with a loyal Fidelista rebel. Romance, rum, rumba, and revolution layer themselves into a thrilling tale of intrigue, action, and suspense.

What inspired you to write this book and how long did it take?

I was slated to pilot a vessel from Galveston Bay to the Chesapeake, with a stop in Havana, when I was a young sailor, but the trip was canceled due to several factors including the fall of the Batista government in Cuba. I suppose that I never let go of the disappointment of missing that adventure. Thus, I followed events in Cuba closely and studied the history of the island and its people during the intervening fifty years. I spent another two years cataloging and studying my research, and another year and a half to write and edit the manuscript.

What other books have you written?

Dream Pirates – Fiction for young readers with impaired reading skills and new English speakers
WordPerfect: Creative Applications – Technical manual
Infantry School: A Soldier’s Journal – Personal memoir
Vietnam: A Soldier’s Journal – Personal memoir
Trifles: Literary Dessert – A collection of short stories to be published soon.

Which authors inspired you, your style?

Many including…
Ernest Hemingway: Voice
Mark Twain: Irony
Charles Dickens: Memorable characters

Where can we learn more about you and your books?

www.jackdurish.com contains my personal blog as well as my biography, a synopsis of all my books and links to them, and recommended websites for anyone interested in reading.

How can we follow you? Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc.

Twitter: @jackdrsm
Google+: Jack Durish

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

I am currently working on my second novel featuring Nick Andrews as a young soldier in the Korean War. Also, I have been posting to my blog a series of articles built from my research into Cuba with special emphasis on the love-hate relationship between the island and the United States. Most expect a change in US-Cuban relations when Fidel Castro dies, and Americans will begin looking forward to visiting this Caribbean paradise which has been off limits for so many years.

Thanks for stopping in, Jack, and sharing your story with us.

Authors, Books, Famous Five Plus, loveahappyending, Novels, readers, Reading, Writing

I’m over at YA Author, Suzy Turner’s blog today…

December 24, 2012 Melanie Leave a comment

Christmas Eve and I’ve flown to Portugal to meet up with YA and fellow Famous Five Plus author, Suzy Turner. Why not pop over to Suzy’s blog and see what we’re talking about?

But don’t lag about or you’ll miss the interview and won’t be home in time for Santa to come.

If you’re feeling so inclined, here are a couple of tweets:

YA author @suzy_turner talks to debut YA author @RobertsoKing over at http://ow.ly/ggVlB Drop on by. #FFP #lahe

Debut YA author @RobertsoKing stops by to chat with @suzy_turner http://ow.ly/ggVsd to talk about writing and other things #lahe #FFP

4RV Publishing, Appearances, Authors, Books, Brand, Famous Five Plus, Gananoque, Independent Bookstore, Local Authors, loveahappyending, Novel covers, Novels, Publicity, Publishing, Reading, Scotland, Writing

Today’s book signing…

December 15, 2012 Melanie 2 Comments

Things went well today at All About Books Internet Cafe in Gananoque. Owner Debra Savoy, was a lovely and gracious hostess. We hit it off immediately and before the end of my time there, we agreed to a date to do it all again in 2013!

My table set-up

According to Debra, Saturdays are slow at her shop but traffic was brisk during my two hour time frame. There were the regulars who come for coffee/tea and a chat and folks off the street.

We had the opportunity to talk before people came into the shop about writing in general, my inspiration to write, my journey to publication along with some good “girlie” chat.

Having a good natter

Posing with my book and one of the “regulars” in the background

I took some time to pose for a picture with my book (hubby came along to take pictures in addition to fetch and carry). Suffice it to say, he was quite chuffed when the box of books was lighter on the walk back to the car.

Signing a copy for Debra

My first sale of the of the day, and personalizing the copy for my wonderful hostess.

The afternoon went well. I sold 4 books and left a further 5 copies there. Debra assures me she’ll be able to sell them with no difficulty.

What can I say other than I’m chuffed to little mint-balls to make this contact!

I’m looking forward to returning on February 16, 2013 (weather permitting). Winter in these parts can be truly unpredictable but we’ve got plenty of time to work things out and come up with a game plan for my next visit.

My Scottish roots and writing by Melanie Robertson-King