What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to December! We're in the busy Christmas season and counting down the days until Christmas. Summer is here in Australia and our first heatwave (temps over 35C/95F) in Canberra is happening early next week. The weather will determine if I prepare a hot or cold Christmas Day lunch and dinner for my family. We always have turkey and ham, and possibly roast beef with roast veggies if it's cool enough to use the oven indoors on Christmas Day.
I've been watching the cricket (Australia vs. India test matches) and haven't watched many Christmas movies. My fave Christmas movie this season is A Biltmore Christmas. Have you watched it?
This past month I've been prioritising exercise and healthy eating. I'm committed to daily walking and/or riding my exercise bike to improve my health. It's making a difference. I'm sleeping better and I have more energy. 2024 has been a rough year on so many levels. I've experienced burnout (combined with grief) for a large part of the year. I'm now planning how to create a manageable schedule for 2025 that is balanced, includes self care, and provides the space to write more books.
We’re very close to the end of the year and I'm on the home stretch 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. I've recently read chapters from Timothy, James, and Philippians. I'm going to repeat the same Bible reading challenge in 2025 because I missed reading chunks of the Bible mid-year when life was topsy-turvy.
I'm taking a blogging break on my author blog from December 20 (my last Preorder Roundup post for 2024) until January 3, 2025.
I'll be posting at Australasian Christian Writers (ACW) blog on December 27, 2024. From Tuesday, January 7, 2025, I'll be sponsoring a quarterly gift card giveaway at the ACW blog for Tuesday Book Chat posts. Check out the ACW book chat posts here:
https://australasianchristianwriters.com/category/book-chat/
I hope and pray you'll have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Year's break with your loved ones.
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a couple of fiction book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – Hearts Unknown by Dienece Darling
Book Recommendation – A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson
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 - December 2024.
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: 12/13/24
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 12/6/24
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 11/29/24
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 11/22/24
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 11/15/24
Christmas Paperback Giveaway - Winners Choice
This month I’m switching my focus to Christmas books. I have 4 books that I’ve read in recent months that I’ve included in my December Giveaway. The Christmas books are Christian contemporary fiction/romance or sweet/clean contemporary romance with a Christian worldview underpinning the story. Here are the links to my Christmas book recommendations:
Book Recommendation – The Christmas Catch by Toni Shiloh
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-the-christmas-catch-by-toni-shiloh/
Book Recommendation – Wishing for Mistletoe by Robin Lee Hatcher
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-wishing-for-mistletoe-by-robin-lee-hatcher/
Book Recommendation – Mistletoe Season: Three Christmas Stories by Kathleen Fuller, Pepper Basham, Sheila Roberts
Book Recommendation – The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-the-christmas-tree-farm-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 DECEMBER 19, 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 Christmas Catch or Wishing for Mistletoe or Mistletoe Season or The Christmas Tree Farm) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by DECEMBER 22, 2024 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our November winner, Ana G, chose Fiance Finale.
Questions for You
Have you read any of the Christmas books included in my giveaway? Can you recommend a must-watch Christmas movie? (Hopefully I can watch it in Australia).
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.
December Featured Author ~ Meghann Whistler
I've enjoyed reading Meghann's books (including The Billionaire's Secret - look out for my book recommendation on my blog in 2025) and I'm delighted to share that THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET is available as a FREE ebook download for her newsletter subscribers.
Here's the Book Description for The Billionaire's Secret:
“A sweet, well-written book filled with love, family, and inspiration.”
Stranded with the woman of his dreams... but will his big secret break her heart?
When Ryan Lawson’s business partners force him to go on a wilderness retreat to come to terms with a shocking diagnosis, the last thing on Ryan’s mind is romance. But when he’s stranded in the woods with a sweet young event planner, all thoughts of business take a back seat to her girl-next-door appeal.
Fresh off a bad breakup, Zara Georgopoulos comes to Vermont to help her terminally ill mom work through her bucket list—not fall in love with a man who’s the exact opposite of her usual type. But when Ryan starts working his way into her heart with his kindness and generosity, she needs to make a decision: Trust the biotech billionaire not to walk all over her, or go back to guarding her heart.
Stuck in the wilds of Vermont, they forge a tenuous connection. When Ryan finally shares the truth about his illness, will it bring them closer together . . . or shatter Zara’s trust in him for good?
Inspired by 2 Corinthians 12:9, The Billionaire’s Secret is a sweet inspirational romance with a swoony hero, LOTS of entertaining banter, and a strong Christian message. Download your copy today!
Winner of the 2022 Selah Award for Contemporary Christian Romance!
The Billionaire's Secret is available at the following link:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6t1g5ammy8
Searching for your next favorite story?
Look no further! These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books.
https://books.bookfunnel.com/snuggleupwithakindleunlimitedbookthischristmas/6shnw052ww
Searching for your next favorite romance?
Look no further! These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of FREE ebooks.
Genre: Contemporary Clean/Wholesome/Inspirational/Christian Romance
https://books.bookfunnel.com/christmas-hearts-2024-12-CCR/vn11oeolyp
Love freebies?
These amazing authors have joined together to offer you some wonderful freebies in the Christian and clean/sweet/wholesome fiction genres, just in time to fill your stocking for Christmas!
https://books.bookfunnel.com/fillyourstockingthischristmaswiththesefreechristiansweetcleanreads/fvduru8ma1
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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 for my health. I've been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, hence my new daily focus on exercise and healthy eating. My goal is to minimise the need for meds. My parents both had Type 2 Diabetes and I've expected this would likely be my fate. Spring cleaning (aka. removing clutter) has become summer cleaning and is still on my to-do list. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support. Have a blessed Christmas season celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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