What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to mid-August! I'm glad we're moving closer to September and the arrival of warmer spring weather where I live in Canberra, Australia. The sleet from this morning turned into occasional misty rain showers this afternoon. I'm not sure if we'll see snow on the ground this winter. There's still time...
We're in a season of change in our family. One of my kiddos, who's now an independent twenty-something young adult, is flying the coop permanently and buying property. Our Federal Government and local ACT Government have first home buyer schemes that, when merged together, have made this an affordable reality. It's very exciting and we're looking forward to assisting with the big move in the coming months.
In other news, after a long break from writing, I'm happily brewing my next book. I'll share more in my September newsletter.
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 Jeremiah.
My Sydney Sweethearts series of Christian contemporary romance ebooks are on sale for 99c/99p at Amazon Kindle in US/UK through August 22.
These books are leaving Kindle Unlimited (KU) soon. If you prefer to read ebooks in Kindle Unlimited and want to read my Sydney Sweethearts series, please add the ebooks to your KU library before they disappear.
Her Tycoon Hero - leaving KU on October 10.
Winning Julia's Heart - leaving KU on September 5.
Seaside Proposal - leaving KU on October 10.
https://www.narelleatkins.com/sydney-sweethearts-series-on-sale-us-uk-only/
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. 27 – Love Historical Fiction: The Rustler Hunter by R.J. Sloane
Ep. 26 – Love Historical Romance: The Bandit’s Redemption by KyLee Woodley
Ep. 25 – Love Contemporary Romance: If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair
Ep. 24 – Love Romantic Suspense: Alaskan Police Protector by Megan Short
Ep. 23 – Love Historical Fiction: The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few fiction book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – The Rustler Hunter by R.J. Sloane
Book Recommendation – The Bandit’s Redemption by KyLee Woodley
Book Recommendation – If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair
Book Recommendation – Alaskan Police Protector by Megan Short
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 - August 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: 8/15/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 8/8/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 8/1/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 7/25/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 7/18/25
Paperback Giveaway - Some Like It Scot or The Collector of Burned Books
My Christian contemporary romance selection is Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham, set in Scotland. Katie is a jet-setting travel writer and podcaster from North Carolina who visits the Isle of Mull to immerse herself in an Edwardian Experience. Graeme is a down-to-earth Scotsman and talented woodworker. His family recently purchased their ancestral Scottish family estate that they are renting out for six months to an eccentric English couple who want to create an Edwardian Experience vacation destination. I recommend Some Like it Scot to contemporary romance readers who like Scottish vacation romcoms with an Edwardian flavour that includes found family themes and a relevant faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-some-like-it-scot-by-pepper-basham/
My alternative selection is The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White, a historical fiction novel set in Paris in 1940 during WW2. Christian is a German Professor who witnessed horrendous racism and political upheaval in his homeland during the 1930s. He joins the Party to try and save a loved one, and the Party assign him to a military post in Paris to catalogue and destroy banned books containing ideas they consider dangerous to young minds. Corinne is a strong and independent Parisian and her beloved books are being destroyed. She works with family friends in the Resistance to smuggle out precious books and relay intelligence via coded messages in the book margins.
Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-the-collector-of-burned-books-by-roseanna-m-white/
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 AUGUST 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 (Some Like It Scot or The Collector of Burned Books) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by AUGUST 25, 2025 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our JULY winner, Amanda M, chose Every Deadly Suspicion.
Questions for You
Do you like reading WW2 historical fiction? Have you read any books by Roseanna M. White or Pepper Basham?
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.
August Featured Author ~ Brooks Wright
I'm happy to share that our FREE book this month is BLUEBONNET COWGIRL, a Christian contemporary romance from Brooks Wright.
An injured rodeo superstar finds herself jobless, stranded in a small town in Texas, faced with the biggest challenges she’s ever had to deal with…
BLUEBONNET COWGIRL is available as a FREE ebook download for her newsletter subscribers.
Claim your free ebook at the following link:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/uwh7jfp6gd
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 prayers for time to open up so I can dive into the story that I put aside in 2021 and make progress on reworking a first draft and writing new words. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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