What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to May! Winter has arrived here in Canberra with chilly overnight temperatures. This week we can see snow on the nearby Brindabella Ranges. The pretty autumn leaves are still falling, and I'm enjoying our recent run of crisp and sunny days. I'm looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day this weekend, and spending time with my mum.
Our cat, Miss Daisy, managed to break my bedside table lamp the other night and scare me half to death. We've worked out she must have stepped on the lamp's power cord between the table and the wall, which pulled the lamp off the table and into the bed frame. I woke screaming at 12.30am to discover the broken lamp and a wide awake sheepish cat in a different room. Thankfully there were no injuries, other than the lamp needing to be replaced. Miss Daisy has switched to sleeping in our son's room, and the App that monitors my sleep patterns is showing that I'm sleeping better without a feline nearby. Lucky she's cute and lovable, lol. :)
Last month I shared the cover reveal for Her Cowboy Blind Date, my upcoming release in the Easter in Gilead contemporary Christian romance series. I’m having so much fun writing this story and exploring a small Kansas town in a fictional setting with my Aussie girl and cowboy hero. For a few more weeks the Kindle ebook will be available at the special 99c preorder price.
Trinity Lakes Romance multi-author contemporary Christian romance series is set in Washington State, USA. I’ve enjoyed working with a wonderful group of author friends to create a small town romance series with interconnected characters and storylines. I’m looking forward to sharing more books and cover reveals with you over the coming months. Never Find Another You (Book 1) is available now in ebook at Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and paperback at Amazon.
I'm thrilled to share the cover for No Matter How Far (Trinity Lakes Romance Book 7) from my USA author friend Sara Beth Williams.
Here's the Book Description:
He ran away to escape his fear. She faces her fear every day.
After the death of his late wife, associate professor Dylan Mackay never thought he’d fall for another woman, until the stubborn and beautiful Jocelyn rescues him from the top of a ski slope—though he needed no such rescuing. The blissful whirlwind week spent together at Trinity Lakes Ski Resort is one of the happiest in recent memory.
After a messy breakup followed by her parents’ sudden divorce, local Trinity Lakes paramedic Jocelyn Monroe had sworn off dating, until she is forced to rescue an injured Australian against his will while volunteering for the mountain ski patrol. Dylan is stubborn, handsome, intelligent and honorable, with a swoony Aussie accent to boot and she finds herself falling head over heels before the week is out.
Once down the mountain, the spontaneity and carelessness of their rushed relationship comes full circle in devastating blows. Each one grapples with life-altering decisions that would result in moving out of Trinity Lakes—her a short distance away, him across the world. Neither one wants to leave the other, nor do they want to leave the charming town itself. Can they lean on God and trust that He will hold onto them no matter how far they go?
A second chance, opposites attract, small town Contemporary Christian romance.
Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-after.
I'm excited that Iola Goulton's debut book, Always By My Side (Trinity Lakes Romance Book 4) is releasing MAY 30.
A hardworking introvert meets a handsome adventurer longing to settle down.
Tabitha Thomas longs to leave Trinity Lakes and travel the world in honor of the beloved grandmother who raised her and her siblings. But she’s needed at home—she’s the responsible triplet, the one who stayed home to run the family inn while her brother and sister left to live their dreams.
Kiwi Logan Wylde doesn’t call any place home. When an injury frustrates his travel plans, he accepts an invitation to return to Trinity Lakes and recuperate at the Lakeview Inn, where he hopes to rediscover his purpose in life.
When Tabby and Logan find a property deed while cleaning out Gran’s rooms, Tabby embraces a new challenge—to solve the mystery of the floodplain and renovate the old boatshed. Working with Logan reignites long-suppressed feelings, but will their differences drive them apart?
An opposites-attract, friends-to-more, small town contemporary Christian romance.
StoryChats @ InspyRomance Podcast/YouTube
Valerie Comer, Elizabeth Maddrey, and I have so much fun recording our StoryChats @ InspyRomance episodes for the Podcast and YouTube. Here's the list of our recent episodes.
Episode 121: Romcoms and Meet Cutes with Krista Phillips
Episode 120: CCR set in Louisiana and Oklahoma
Episode 119: Memory Lane by Becky Wade
Episode 118: The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – His Wake-Up Call by Jan Thompson
Book Recommendation – Plan B by Erin Stevenson
Book Recommendation – Learning to Love on Nantucket by Taryn Daniels
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 2023
Paperback Giveaway - Memory Lane Or The Year of Jubilee
My CCR selection is Memory Lane by Becky Wade. I'm a big fan of Becky's books and I loved how the amnesia trope played out in the story. We chatted with Becky on a recent StoryChats episode and learned more about Memory Lane. It's the first book in a new contemporary Christian romance series, and I can't wait for book 2 to release in 2024. I recommend Memory Lane to contemporary romance readers who like the amnesia romance trope combined with a compelling mystery and faith threads in the story. Read my book recommendation for Memory Lane here.
My alternative paperback selection is The Year of Jubilee, the debut novel by Cindy Morgan. It's a powerful and inspiring coming of age novel set in the summer of 1963 in the small town of Jubilee, Kentucky. I recommend The Year of Jubilee to readers who like young adult coming of age Christian novels that deal with hard issues, including grief and loss, and have strong redemption and forgiveness themes in the story. The pet rooster in the story is adorable. Read my book recommendation for The Year of Jubilee here.
The 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.
The Book Depository sadly closed in April. I’m so disappointed that I need to limit my paperback giveaways to USA and Australia. I haven’t found an affordable alternative to the Book Depository that offers international shipping. Many paperbacks are only available at Amazon, which limits my options further because, being an Aussie, I can’t set up an account at the other international stores eg. Amazon UK.
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 18, 2023 (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 (Memory Lane or The Year of Jubilee) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by MAY 21, 2023 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our April winner, Barbara R from USA, chose Her Unlikely Hero by Valerie Comer.
Questions for You
Do you like reading amnesia romances? Are you a fan of coming of age novels? Have you read any books by Becky Wade?
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.
Zip Into Summer
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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 prayers that I'll be able to continue managing my migraine symptoms. I’ve been on antibiotics to clear a nasty sinus infection, which has helped to reduce headaches. I appreciate all your prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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