What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to mid-June! Winter has arrived where I live in Canberra, Australia. We can see snow on the high peaks in the Brindabella Ranges. It's indoor weather and I'm planning to catch up on reading my long list of books and record more podcast/YouTube episodes.
Last week we had family staying with us and they brought wet weather with them. We need winter rain (and there was sleet falling in the nearby hills). After a cold start to winter, with below freezing overnight temperatures, I'm wondering if we'll see snowfall in Canberra in the coming months.
I'm plugging along 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 listening to chapters from 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.
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.
Ep. 18 – Love Contemporary Romance: Uneasy Street by Becky Wade
Ep. 17 – Love Contemporary Romance: Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet
Ep. 16 – Love Contemporary Romance: Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson
Historical Romance: Chat with Jennifer Mistmorgan – These Long Shadows
Ep. 15 – Love Historical Romance: These Long Shadows by Jennifer Mistmorgan
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few fiction book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – Everything’s Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh
Book Recommendation – Uneasy Street by Becky Wade
Book Recommendation – Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson
Book Recommendation – Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet
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 - June 2025.
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: 6/13/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 6/6/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 5/30/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 5/23/25
Paperback Giveaway - Sometimes You Stay or These Long Shadows
My contemporary Christian romance selection is Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson set on the beautiful Prince Edward Island in Canada. Cretia is a nomadic digital content creator and influencer who gets stuck on the island for longer than anticipated. Finn breeds Newfoundland puppies on his farm and trains them for search and rescue work. He falls for Cretia, but she never stays anywhere. I recommend Sometimes You Stay to contemporary romance readers who like opposites attract vacation romances with forced proximity, adorable animals, found family themes and relevant faith elements in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-sometimes-you-stay-by-liz-johnson/
My alternative selection is These Long Shadows, the third book in Jennifer Mistmorgan's On Victory's Wings WW2 historical romance series set in England. Katie is living with her parents and younger siblings in London while her husband, Jonty, is away fighting the war. Their marriage of convenience is in trouble. Jonty leaves the military and goes to London to save their marriage. I recommend These Long Shadows to historical romance readers who like marriage of convenience and second chances WW2 romances with unrequited love and relevant faith elements in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-these-long-shadows-by-jennifer-mistmorgan/
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 JUNE 23, 2025 (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 (Sometimes You Stay or These Long Shadows) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by JUNE 26, 2025 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our MAY winner, Diana H, chose The Voice We Find.
Questions for You
Do you like reading international Christian fiction set in Canada and/or England?
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.
June Featured Author ~ Cathryn Brown
Cathryn Brown is a new-to-me author and I downloaded HOW TO MARRY A COUNTRY MUSIC STAR via BookFunnel to learn more about her books. This book is available as a FREE ebook download for her newsletter subscribers - plus - Cathryn's welcome email includes links to more FREE books that you can add to your reading list.
Claim your free ebook at the following link:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/foina4dhua
🌲 2025 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza 📚
Don’t want to wait six more months for Christmas?
Then join our 2025 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza and start celebrating the holiday early! We have 74 authors of Christian Christmas books, plus unique holiday-themed items. But because everyone goes overboard at Christmas, we’ve added a dozen grand prizes with Amazon gift cards and contest swag.
We have special giveaways for international readers who live outside USA. You won’t want to miss this, so sign up today!
👉 https://sarahhamakerfiction.kit.com/29f68db7f9
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 health and my writing. I'm having issues with headaches and I'm thankful they haven't developed into full blown migraines. I'm praying that a few stressful situations that I can't avoid will be resolved soon. The surgical procedure I mentioned in my last newsletter was successful and my family member is doing well. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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