When I was invited to speak at a library in another town, I was happy to accept. The librarian in charge of marketing made a lovely advertisement with my picture and covers of two of my books. The library’s summer theme, “Oceans of Possibilities” fit perfectly with my lighthouse brand and my topic was about how lighthouses inspire my writing.
One of the attendees arrived early, bustling with excitement about my presentation. However, as I proceeded through my talk, I noticed her enthusiasm sagged, and when I was finished, she hurried out instead of coming up for the book signing.
Something told me we had not connected and as I went over our conversation, I realized a couple of things. First was how I began by asking what people think when they see lighthouses. Her answer was romance. Then, as I mentioned books and authors I knew, she had a puzzled look, but when she mentioned authors she read, I had the same reaction.
The problem? She thought I was a romance writer, someone whose books have covers with bare-chested men, usually with a woman leaning against them, books known as “bodice-rippers,” and usually contain erotica. My books are not like that. On the contrary, they are clean, Christian-based romances. I thought she knew what kind of books I wrote, but apparently her idea of romance was completely different.
Lesson learned: Make sure others know who I am and what I stand for. In the future, I will introduce myself and my books as Christian-based, clean romances.
Romans 9:1a “I speak the truth in Christ”
Award-winning author Marilyn Turk writes historical and contemporary fiction flavored with suspense and romance. Marilyn also writes devotions for Daily Guideposts. She and her husband are lighthouse enthusiasts, have visited over 100 lighthouses and also served as volunteer lighthouse caretakers at Little River Light off the coast of Maine.
When not writing or visiting lighthouses, Marilyn enjoys walking, boating, fishing, gardening, tennis, playing with grandkids and her golden retriever.
She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Faith, Hope and Love, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Word Weavers International, and the United States Lighthouse Society.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.turk.9/
Twitter – @marilynturk.com
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/bluewaterbayou.
Website – Pathways of the Heart, https://pathwayheart.com/. Two blogs: Lighthouse blog and The Writers Path blog. Sign up for newsletter and blogs on this site.
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/marilyn-turk
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9791210.Marilyn_Turk
Amazon author page – https://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Turk/e/B017Y76L9A
Be sure to check out all of Marilyn’s books. See below:
Historical Series
Coastal Lights Legacy
Rebel Light
Revealing Light
Redeeming Light
Rekindled Light
Suspicious Shores
The Gilded Curse
Shadowed by a Spy
Seaside Strangers (coming soon)
Standalone Novels
Abigail’s Secret
Coming March 2023, The Escape Game
Novella Collections
The Wrong Survivor in Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides
Love’s Cookin’ at the Cowboy Café in Crinoline Cowboys
Between Two Worlds in Heart of the Midwife
The Christmas Gift in The Christmas Gazebo
Kaetlyn’s Cup of Christmas Cheer in Misstletoe Mishaps
Not My Party in Never Too Late for Romance (March 2021)
The Old Beach House in The Waves of Romance (July 2021)
Book Lady of the Bayou in The Librarian’s Journey (Oct. 2021)
Nonfiction
Lighthouse Devotions
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