Winners and Winners


By Kathryn Lye, Editor, Harlequin Heartwarming


I like being part of a profession or industry that can bring people together.  Harlequin Heartwarming romances do that with their family-, relationship-, community-heavy themes and stories.  It’s a trait that’s shared with another passion of mine—soccer, also known as football. 

The World Cup, which is happening now, is one of my favorite times. Not only is there a game (sometimes three—woohoo!) every day, but the stories around it are great. For instance, the Mexican fans in Mexico City were so happy that South Korea won a match resulting in Mexico advancing to the next stage (due to the math) that they mobbed the South Korean embassy in the nicest possible way. When the South Korean consul general came outside to greet the Mexicans, he was carried on the shoulders of the celebrating fans. Meanwhile, back at the competition, Japanese fans tidied up the stadium after each game Japan played, and the Japanese team left a spotless dressing room and a note of thanks, even after they'd suffered a tough loss and were dumped out of the tournament!

That so many around the world are following the games—live—and sharing in these stories is a testament to how small our huge planet feels at times. Similarly, the universality or sharing of moments or experiences, like a satisfying ending to a well-crafted Heartwarming novel, is something I'm always proud to cheer for.

Thanks to our July 2018 Heartwarming authors: Beth Carpenter for Alaskan Hideaway, Amie Denman for In Love with the Firefighter, Syndi Powell for Finding Her Family and Eleanor Jones with A Home for Her Baby.

Happy summer, everyone!

Kathryn




  







Comments

  1. I used to play soccer and still love the sport! I wish more attention was given to it here in America. My high school team won our division title three years in a row, but the boys football games (despite their abysmal record) always drew the crowd... I still get chills when watching a penalty kick-especially at a key moment in the game. I remember how hard my heart would beat when I had to make them. I wish I was in the same shape now that I was then. I used to bike ride five miles to my rural school for a three hour practice then bike back each day during the preseason- now I'm out of breath after 45 minutes on the elliptical. Sheesh. lol.

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    1. Wow! That is commitment. Kudos to you, Karen. I wished I had played it more growing up, but it wasn't popular at all here. Thanks for the reply!

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  2. Yes, thanks to the July authors! I had the honor to read Alaskan Hideaway in advance and loved it.

    A question, that has nothing to do with soccer - do you see the line expanding from 4 releases per month to 6? I've been following Heartwarming since the beginning (back when they were "refreshed" versions) and have noticed a lot of new authors come on board. Like some my fave Superromance authors - Jeannie Watt and, most recently, Claire McEwen.

    Thanks! And here's hoping everyone makes their GOOOOAAAALLLL.

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    1. Hi, Marcie! Thanks for the post. At the moment, i'm not aware of any plans to expand the series from 4 to 6 books. It's a great idea, though, the more Heartwarming, the better! :)

      Kathryn

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  3. Thanks for the post--I've been following it, too, not so much because I know a lot about the game, but because of the fun and spirit of it. The international stories around it are always, dare I say, heartwarming!

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  4. I've never watched much soccer. But I suppose if they showed more in the U.S. and they are beginning to, that interest would develop.

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  5. Oh, I dunno, Kathryn, it sounds almost too exciting, lol. I stopped watching hockey games because I got entirely too wound up. Same thing with attending womens' roller derby. I spent the whole time literally vibrating (my left leg was all spastic) and then when the back girl (I forget the position) was blocked from passing--whoozah! I listened to the applause after a sudden death round of penalty kicks--absolutely thunderous!

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  6. I saw an article about what the fans did in Japan and loved it. Hadn't heard about the Japanese team, but cheers for them being such good sports; they turned a loss into another kind of victory. Cheers for Heartwarming and its July authors!

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  7. I have a soccer fan in the house, and so have been seeing glimpes of games everyday. Love those stories about Japan and Mexico. We should all follow Japan's example. And I understand in eight years, we can see it all here. Will Toronto be a host city?

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    1. Yes, Toronto will be one of the Canadian cities to host some of the games. Sooooo excited!

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  8. I played soccer for 10 years when I was a kid. I always loved the game, even when i could no longer play.

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  9. The only soccer I watch is when my grandson is playing, but yay for the July authors and their stories. I'm in the middle of ALASKAN HIDEAWAY right now and not getting much else done...

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