This outback rural romance series of Elsie Creek is a finalist for the ARRA’s Aussie-styled Academy awards for Favourite Continuing Romance Series.
You bet I did one of those embarrassing dances in the outback’s red dust and danced like nobody was watching because no one was around to watch! So please indulge with me for a moment as I share this amazing news with you.
WHAT IS THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR AUSSIE ROMANCE READERS?
It’s my nickname for the annual romance reader choice awards, managed by the Australian Romance Readers Association.
By knowing that this nomination comes directly from the readers, means a lot to me.
So when the ARRA Members recently announced that the ELSIE CREEK SERIES is a finalist for FAVOURITE CONTINUING ROMANCE SERIES for 2021, you should have seen my smile. Especially when I spotted my name sitting among some big-named superstars. My cheeks ached!
THE ARRA’S FAVOURITE CONTINUING ROMANCE SERIES FOR 2021
The finalists for Favourite Continuing Romance Series of 2021 are:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A Scandal in Mayfair by Anne Campbell
Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward
Bunyip Bay by Rachael Johns
Elsie Creek by Mel A Rowe (wearing that cheek aching smile again)
Lizzie Grace by Keri Arthur
Sydney Smoke Rugby by Amy Andrews
The Lairds Most Likely by Anne Campbell
The Valkyrie of Birca by Tanya Nellestein
GETTING LISTED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS
I love to read, so seeing my name listed among some of my favourite bestselling authors (that isn’t within my genre of Australian Rural Fiction) is such an honour.
I also have read the following authors included within the category of Favourite Continuing Romance Series, because I own and adore their works, long before I even published my first book!
Here’s why…
THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD SERIES IS GOLD.
I am a huge fan of JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. I own the collection in paperback, including her reader’s guide!
That’s almost 20 books.
S
It reminds me of a scene from Sex in the City when Carrie realises she’d spent the money she could have invested in her apartment — on shoes!!
But wait, this gloating moment only gets better, as JR Ward (ohmygosh) shared a tweet with my name in it.
Hold your ears, because this is where I scream like a teenager!
IT’S EASY TO GET ATTACHED TO SARAH J MASS’S SERIES.
The #1 New York Times, international bestselling author of the Court of Thrones and Roses series has been listed in this ARRA category of Favourite Continuing Romance Series. Her books have sold millions of copies, in thirty-seven languages, so how can you compare me (an outback author) to the magic of Sarah J. Maas?
You bet I’m a fan and will openly admit to owning many of her books. I’ll also admit I’ve been skipping down the corridor knowing my series got to brush shoulders with Sarah J. Maas!
THE ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS KERI ARTHUR.
Keri Arthur’s blend of myth, magic, and murder makes her books unputdownable, but she is also a champion to many indie Aussie Romance Authors where she effortlessly helps many with her sound advice that works!
Her Lizzie Grace Series is also in my E-reader, and I can also brag about owning a signed paperback copy of this series. So yes, the Lizzie Grace Series is a brilliant contender for this award.
ALSO NOMINATED IS THIS AUSSIE RURAL ROMANCE AUTHOR
Rachael Johns is a brilliant rural romance author who specialises in coastal rural romance with her Bunyip Bay Series.
Guess what?
Me to. I mean, I’m technically classed in the sub-genre of outback rural romance authors. But it’s such an honour to be included in a list with another author from this uniquely Aussie flavoured genre.
I met Rachael a few years ago when I made the trek to the big smoke to play tour guide for the eight hours Rachael was in the Northern Territory. We talked about my lead character of Xmas Dust, Monet, the bush pilot, sharing my stories on the unique struggles that ag pilots endure while working within the Northern Australian unique outback environment. And also how they all seem to love scaring the bejeezus out of me when in the air.
It was so great to see that a year after the hugely popular bestselling Xmas Dust was released Rachel’s latest book in the Bunyip Bay Series also included an Ag Pilot, a Cecil, red dust, cattle mustering in Northern Australian outback, while also set in a small town at Christmas time, as well as so many other similarities.
Is this where I say two amazing author minds think alike?
The Bunyip Bay series is worth a read as I own most of them, personally signed by this amazing author herself.
HAVE YOU MET THE AMAZING AMY ANDREWS?
I’ve lost to the amazing Amy Andrews a few times now. And to be honest, I’ve never been happier because Amy Andrews is one of my Auto. Buy. Authors. It’s like my purchasing finger is possessed, that I don’t even blink as I buy her books because I know they’re gonna be awesome.
Amy’s books are also steamier than the compressed power used to propel the world’s largest rocket beyond this universe’s galaxy! Phew, that’s a lot of heat, right?
But it’s just not the sex in her stories, it’s the build-up of romance. The desire. And those gut-wrenching moments where you scream at the hero and heroine fighting against each other. Only to shed happy tears when they finally get their Happily Ever After. sighs
Amy Andrews is one of those gifted authors who, if you’re suffering from a crappy day, makes you completely forget everything. Like collecting kids from piano lessons, or that roast turning into charcoal in the oven, or that load of washing you were to, um, what…
ANNA CAMPBELL IS MY HERO.
Anna Campbell has two series nominated within this category of Favourite Continuing Romance Series. I also own a few autographed copies of her books on my keeper shelf. Admittedly, historic romance isn’t my jam, but I do read Anna Campbell’s stories.
But Anna Campbell is my RL hero, too.
Here’s a true story involving Moi, and Anna Campbell….
Once upon a time in a land far-far—
Okay, I’ll just skip to the good bits.
I met Anna Campbell when she did an author’s talk in the library. She then graciously took the time to talk to me afterwards too.
It’s because of Anna Campbell that I’d found the courage to publish my stories. Without Anna Campbell’s gentle words of encouragement, my stories would still be sitting in the cupboard, where they would not be included among a hugely talented group of authors. So I sincerely thank you, Anna Campbell, for just being the amazing author you are.
TANYA NELLESTEIN’S NOVELS.
I’m sorry to admit this, but I haven’t read any of Tanya’s novels. But I’ve read her work, as Tanya is the deputy editor for the Romance Writers Australia monthly magazine. She is also an award-winning journalist and a worthy finalist for many other ARRA awards for her work. So you bet I am adding her to my list of authors to read.
AND THE AWARDS KEEP PILING UP FOR THE ELSIE CREEK SERIES
The Elsie Creek Series is an outback rural romance set within the remote Northern Territory. It’s where I work and play while trying to avoid various creatures like water buffalos and man-eating crocodiles.
It’s because of this amazing lifestyle in one of the most unique parts of Australia that it ends up in my stories, where reviews continuously labelled them as uniquely authentic.
The Elsie Creek Series is a finalist for many awards, so here are just a few:
The RWA Ruby is said to be a premier award in Australia where I became a rarity becoming a double finalist in 2021 for the categories of:
- Romantic Elements For Women’s Fiction Book Of The Year
- Contemporary Romance Book Of The Year
The Elsie Creek Series is now a 7 x ARRA Awards finalist for the following categories:
- Favourite Continuing Romance Series
- Favourite Australian Romance Author
- Favourite Contemporary Romance
- Favourite Australian Set Romance
- Favourite Christmas Romance
- Favourite small-town romance
- Favourite romantic book cover
To think, that each outback rural romance story within the Elsie Creek Series has earned bestselling status in various countries! And none of these books bears an outback title on the cover which seems to be the norm of many new authors now joining this popular genre.
IS THIS WHERE I PRACTISE MY ACCEPTANCE SPEECH?
I’d like to thank the amazing Australian Romance Reader’s Association board, their volunteers, and their amazing members for this outback author’s inclusion among such a wonderful group of authors within this category.
But it’s not just this one event either…
The ARRA offers year-round fabulous support to both Indie and traditionally published romance authors.
I’d never been prouder of my achievements as an author, (well, except that time I outranked Harry Potter) as this is another author moment I will cherish, just for the nomination alone.
Congratulations to all finalists for this year’s ARRA Awards.
Again, I sincerely thank the ARRA Members for nominating the Elsie Creek Series as Favourite Continuing Romance Series for 2021.
Continuing is the word for this rural romance series, as there will be more to come, so watch this space or join my newsletter for the updates.
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