What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to July! The cold winter weather has set in and I'm appreciating days like today when the sun is shining and taking the edge off the cold snap. Since I sent out my June newsletter, I've been busy finishing the clearing out of my mother's apartment. A big job and a sad job and I'm really glad it's almost done.
I've also been catching up on watching the Faith Hope & Love Christian Writers Virtual Conference workshops. The actual conference was held in mid-April, and it took place overnight in my Aussie time zone. I watched Becky Wade's excellent keynote live before being too tired to stay awake. God's timing is always the right timing, and I'm now feeling inspired to get my head back into writing mode. My stories are like coffee and I brew them in my mind prior to putting the actual words on the page. I'm looking forward to having time to focus on my writing.
We’re more than half way through the year and I'm hanging in there with my Read the Bible in a Year Challenge. My goal is to listen to the daily readings in The One Year Chronological Bible and the encouraging Daily Bible Podcast - Audio Bible Reading Plan episodes with Tricia Goyer and her friend Michelle. In recent days I've been reading inspiring and encouraging passages from Psalms and Proverbs.
ROMANCE IN THE LAND DOWN UNDER is now available in paperback from Amazon.
It has taken me a few months longer than anticipated, but I finally have the novella collection available in print. It's the first time Seaside Christmas and His Perfect Catch have been available for paperback readers. Solo Tu is part of the 3 book novella collection.
2024 CHRISTMAS IN JULY READER EXTRAVAGANZA!
Do you love Christmas in July? I sure do, and this year, I've teamed up with more than 70 Christian authors of Christmas-themed books for an EPIC reader giveaway.
My author friend Sarah Hamaker is the organizer and I'm one of her team of authors who are helping her with the giveaway.
You can sign up to receive daily emails featuring some of the authors, who will be giving away print copies of their Christmas books plus some awesome Christmas items.
Those who participate will also be eligible for one of 11 grand prizes, which include Amazon gift cards and 2024 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza swag.
Please note: Most of the participating authors will only ship to US addresses. All of the overall prizes (grand through 10th) will only ship to US addresses. It’s not that we don’t love our international readers, but the cost to ship overseas can be very expensive.
As always, please read the giveaway information at Sarah’s website before you sign up and enter. The giveaway is a list builder promotion. When you sign up, you’re giving permission for your email address to be added to the newsletter lists of the participating authors. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter lists at any time.
Sign up here: https://sarahhamakerfiction.ck.page/da6674b452
FAITHBOOKS FREE BOOK BLAST is happening TODAY - Saturday July 13!
Check out all the FREE Christian Romance ebooks including my book — HER TYCOON HERO.
Find your weekend read at BookFunnel here: https://books.bookfunnel.com/faithbooksfreeblast/r700cr6sy3
New Release in July from Jessica Wakefield in Trinity Lakes Romance series
I'm delighted to share Jessica Wakefield's new book in the Trinity Lakes Romance series -- Right in Front of You -- releasing on July 30, 2024.
Here's the book description for Right in Front of You:
Rachel Marshall, a sports nutritionist, will do anything to save her mother’s health. Even travel to the tiny town of Trinity Lakes to bring bad-boy NFL player, Hayden Donovan, back to Texas.
Despite turning over a new leaf, circumstances conspire against Hayden Donovan that sees his bad-boy reputation the center of viral social media outrage. His past won’t let him be the better man he’s determined to be.
When his nutritionist, Rachel, turns up to find him in Trinity Lakes, he sees an opportunity to strike a deal. He'll help her get the medicine her mother needs if she'll help him show the world he has truly changed.
Sparks fly between them, but will Rachel let cruel memories and scars from her past stop her from seeing the man behind the image? And will Hayden find the courage to show the world how much he’s truly changed?
A friend-to-more, ex-NFL player, small town contemporary Christian romance. Book thirteen of the Trinity Lakes Romance series (can be read as a standalone). Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-afters.
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a couple of book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – Sky High by Meredith Resce
Book Recommendation – Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck
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 - July 2024.
I've started a new 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: 7/12/24
Narelle's Preorder Roundup: 7/5/24
Narelle's Preorder Roundup: 6/28/24
Paperback Giveaway - The Roads We Follow or Just for the Summer
My contemporary Christian romance selection is The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese. I love road trip romances and this one kept me turning the page because I couldn't put it down. Reagan has two sisters and their mother is a country music superstar. Micah wants to learn about his late mother's life while she was in a band with Reagan's mother. A lovely romance between Raegan and Micah unfolds as they travel with Reagan's family in a vintage tour bus from Nashville to the west coast and uncover family secrets that have massive implications for their families. I recommend The Roads We Follow to contemporary romance readers who like celebrity road trip stories with complex family dynamics, an intriguing mystery subplot, and a relevant faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-the-roads-we-follow-by-nicole-deese/
My alternative selection is Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson. I loved the story premise which has Ginny and Jacqueline, two strangers who live in different states, swapping jobs for the summer. Ginny manages a boutique Seattle hotel and has an awful bully boss who delights in making Ginny's life miserable. Ginny leaps at the opportunity to swap jobs with Jacqueline, who's stuck in a boring job at her grandfather's fishing lodge in rural Idaho. The romances that bubbled along in the background were sweet, and the side characters were delightful and often hilarious. I recommend Just for the Summer to contemporary fiction readers who like fish out of water stories with strong romantic elements and a relevant faith thread in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-just-for-the-summer-by-melody-carlson/
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 JULY 20, 2024 (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 Roads We Follow or Just for the Summer) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by JULY 24, 2024 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our June winner, Kaye J from Australia, chose The Love Script.
Questions for You
Are you a fan of road trip romance stories? Would you prefer to spend your summer vacation in a boutique Seattle hotel or a fishing lodge in Idaho? I'd choose the peace and quiet in Idaho. I'm not particularly good at fishing, and I'd be relying on my hubby to catch our fish for dinner, lol. I would reread Autumn Macarthur's Come To The Lake box set (see below).
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. I can be contacted via my website.
July Featured Author ~ Autumn Macarthur
I love reading Autumn Macarthur's books and I'm delighted to share that COME TO THE LAKE is available as a free ebook download for her newsletter subscribers.
Here's the Book Description for Come To The Lake:
Laugh, cry, & smile as three couples find faith, hope, and healing in a lakeside Idaho community!
Book 1: Calm & Bright
Will Brad and Maddie let God use a Christmas together for the sake of their son to help them rediscover the love that led to their whirlwind romance, and overcome the issues that caused their divorce? Even Maddie's matchmaking grandmother and their adorable four year old might not be enough to help them reunite!
Book 2: Imperfectly Proverbs 31
Can Samantha, a klutz-in-the-kitchen minding her twin nieces for the summer, become a good enough homemaker in time to stop cynical journalist Daniel revealing the truth about her blog, ruining the girls' summer, and destroying their growing love?
Book 3: Midnight Clear
No one guesses teacher Claire's secret heartbreak. Including Ryan, who seems to think she’s “the One”. Her snark should make him forget her. Problem is, this Christmas it seems both God and Ryan have other plans!
Faith, Hope, & Heartwarming - real romance, real faith! Fall in love with these uplifting and inspirational romances.
Come to the Lake is available at the following link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/uzmgbv2b65
Final Thoughts
Thank you 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 sister, especially as she prepares to move into her new home. The builders are ahead of schedule, which is a big blessing, and she's ready to move back to her life in sunny Queensland. I'd love continued prayers for the energy I need to get all the stuff done for my mum's estate and also time for writing. My yearning to write is there and I'm praying my season for writing will start soon. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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