What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to mid-May. 2026 is flying by too fast. At the end of April I flew to Queensland to visit family and attend Christian Author Showcase Queensland (CASQ) in Brisbane. It was lovely catching up with my family and seeing my writing friends at the weekend conference. My dear author friend Rose Dee and I (see photo below) presented a workshop on Independent Publishing: Self Publishing Strategies and Pitfalls.
**For Romance Readers with an AUSTRALIAN mailing address**
--> Please scroll down to find out how to enter LOVE INSPIRED GIVEAWAY EXTRAVAGANZA (5 prize bundles with signed paperbacks from Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense authors)
I'm happy to share that the wonderful Autumn Macarthur has been working with the late Marion Ueckermann's family to publish the first novel our beautiful Marion wrote -- THE PIANO -- and the Kindle ebook is releasing this week (paperback coming soon).
This morning I dropped a Fan Girling episode introducing The Piano to my listeners. I've also updated the blog post I shared in 2021 after Marion graduated to heaven. The preorder link for The Piano is at the end of the blog post (see link below).
Remembering Marion Ueckermann and her books
Fan Girling with Narelle
Visit the Podcast Page on my website for links to my podcast and YouTube episodes. Here are the links to my recent episodes.
Contemporary Romance: Marion Ueckermann and The Piano
Ep. 66 – Love Romantic Suspense: Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters
Ep. 65 – Love Cozy Mystery: Mostly Dead by Susan J Bruce
Ep. 64 – Love Contemporary Romance: A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham
Ep. 63 – Love Suspense: The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few fiction book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters
Book Recommendation – A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham
Book Recommendation – The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch
Book Recommendation – Mostly Dead by Susan J Bruce
For those interested in learning about Christian fiction new releases, I also compile a monthly new releases post on my blog — Christian Fiction New Releases - May 2026.
I have a Friday weekly blog series showcasing books on preorder. Here are the links to my recent "Narelle's Preorder Roundup" blog posts:
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 5/15/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 5/8/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 5/1/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 4/24/26
Paperback Giveaway - The Rules of Falling for You or Unexpected Danger
My Christian contemporary romance selection is The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer that's set in Minnesota. Zoe is a dating advice podcaster who discovers a singles retreat where she can immerse herself in her beloved regency world, film her regency dating adventures for the show, and hopefully meet her own Mr. Darcy. Harrison is temporarily working as Zoe’s podcast producer with his sister and he tags along on their hilarious regency retreat. A delightful LOL romance unfolds as Zoe and Harrison deal with their emotional baggage and consider if their friendship could become something more. I recommend The Rules of Falling for You to contemporary romance readers who like Jane Austen regency era inspired friends-to-more romcoms with the best friend’s brother trope, unrequited love, forced proximity, and relevant faith elements in the story. Read my book recommendation here: https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-the-rules-of-falling-for-you-by-mollie-rushmeyer/
My alternative selection is Unexpected Danger, a standalone romantic suspense novel in Penny Zeller's Mountain Justice series. Londyn's working as a debt collector in the city. She lives alone in her apartment and someone is stalking her. Brodie is the sheriff in their mountain hometown who lives on his family's ranch. He unexpectedly reconnects with Londyn in a dangerous and life threatening situation. I loved journeying with them as they work through their emotional baggage while trying to catch the elusive stalker. I recommend Unexpected Danger to romantic suspense readers who like second chances and friends-to-more romances with danger, suspense, a scary stalker situation, and strong faith elements in the story. Read my book recommendation here: https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-unexpected-danger-by-penny-zeller/
The paperback giveaway is open to readers with USA and Australian mailing addresses who can receive paperback books from Amazon USA or Amazon Australia. The choice of book is subject to availability from Amazon.
I’m happy to substitute an ebook for readers who live outside USA and Australia, as long as they have digital access to ebooks at either Amazon USA or Amazon Australia and can redeem an Amazon gift card for the equivalent US or Australian ebook price at the US or Australian store.
To enter the giveaway, please reply to this email by MAY 25, 2026 (USA Pacific West Coast Time Zone) and include your first name and the name of the country where you live and include the book title (The Rules of Falling for You or Unexpected Danger) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by MAY 28, 2026 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our APRIL winner, Mel J, chose Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy.
Questions for You
Do you like reading novels inspired by Jane Austen's characters and storyworlds? Do you like reading romantic suspense?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and I will do my best to reply to your emails within 7 days. If I receive an undelivered email message, I’ll try again and send a second reply. If you don’t receive a reply from me, please let me know because emails can go astray. You can contact me via my website.
Are you a paperback reader with an Australian mailing address who likes reading Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense books?
A lovely group of Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense authors have kindly contributed autographed paperbacks plus promo merch for the giveaway. Many thanks to Aussie author Megan Short for putting together the giveaway.
FIVE Paperback bundles for FIVE winners with an AUSTRALIAN mailing address. Total Prize Value: AUD $390
Learn more about the giveaway via Australasian Christian Writers blog at the link below:
For Australian Readers: Love Inspired Giveaway Extravaganza
Join in the fun and discover new books via 2026 May Book Scavenger Hunt!
There are 13 stops, each featuring a different author and one of their books. You get to find out a little about the author, their book, and “hunt” for that author’s featured word. After you have hunted and collected each author’s word, you will form it into a sentence to input in the giveaway for some huge bonus entries.
What can you win? A $50 Amazon Gift Card to grab a lot of books to build up your TBR Piles.
Join the scavenger hunt at the following link:
https://www.celebratelit.com/2026-may-scavenger-hunt-2/
Discover New Authors - The Bookworm: Spring Edition
The Bookworm is an online reader's guide featuring wholesome Christian and Clean books from indie, small press, and traditional publishers. Over 100 books are featured in a variety of genres.
Download at BookFunnel:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/a8xu6rlf66
Final Thoughts
Thanks for journeying with me on my often crazy and challenging book publishing journey. If you’re a praying person, I’d love continued prayers for my family and my writing. It has been a busy few months and I'm looking forward to reading and relaxing as winter arrives in Australia. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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