What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to mid-March! It still feels like summer here and we're having another warm start to autumn. I'm having a lot of fun reading books and recording episodes for my new podcast/YouTube show. It's inspiring my creativity and I'm enjoying the new challenge.
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. We've finished Numbers and we're moving into Deuteronomy.
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. 5 – Love Romantic Suspense: Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore
Ep. 4 – Love Contemporary Fiction: Welcome to the Honey B&B by Melody Carlson
Ep. 3 – Love Romantic Suspense: Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard
Ep. 2 – Love Contemporary Romance: An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon
Ep. 1 - Love Contemporary Romance: The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few fiction book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore
Book Recommendation – Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn
Book Recommendation – Home Town Melody by Milla Holt
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 - March 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: 3/14/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 3/7/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 2/28/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 2/21/25
Paperback Giveaway - An Overdue Match or Welcome to the Honey B&B
My contemporary Christian romance selection is An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon that's set in a small town in Tennessee. Evangeline is a librarian who has an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. She wears a wig, has given up on finding love, and she's determined to match make library patrons according to their reading preferences. Tai is a tattoo artist who has an undeserved bad boy reputation. A dare from his librarian cousin, who works with Evangeline, creates a fun and memorable library meet cute for him and Evangeline. I recommend An Overdue Match to contemporary romance readers who like fun matchmaking romances with depth that explore health issues and include a relevant faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-an-overdue-match-by-sarah-monzon/
My alternative selection is Welcome to the Honey B&B, a contemporary fiction novel set in a small Oregon town. Honey is a retired school teacher in her late sixties who lives on the family farm with her husband, CT, who has FTD—early onset dementia. Honey welcomes her daughter, Jewel, and granddaughter, Cooper, who will live with them on the farm and help her manage CT’s growing care needs. I recommend Welcome to the Honey B&B to contemporary fiction readers who like charming small town family stories that include issues relating to a loved one’s dementia diagnosis, romantic elements, and relevant faith threads in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-welcome-to-the-honey-bb-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 MARCH 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 (An Overdue Match or Welcome to the Honey B&B) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by MARCH 27, 2025 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our FEBRUARY winner, Malvina, chose Storm Warning.
Questions for You
Have you read any books by Sarah Monzon or Melody Carlson? Do you like reading contemporary stories that deal with health issues?
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.
March Featured Author ~ Jan Thompson
I've enjoyed reading Jan's books and I'm happy to share that TIME FOR ME is available as a FREE ebook download for her new newsletter subscribers.
I've shared recommendations for Jan's books at my blog:
Book Recommendation – Look for Me by Jan Thompson
Book Recommendation – His Wake-Up Call by Jan Thompson
Claim your free ebook at the following link:
JanThompson.com/time-roundrobin2025
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, writing and podcasting. I'm thankful my recent blood test results were an improvement on the Nov 2024 results. My dietary changes and daily exercise routines are making a difference. I'm moving back into pre-diabetes territory and I'm feeling so much better. I haven't had a migraine this year and I'm hopeful they won't return. I'm also thankful we'll soon have a satisfactory resolution for the stressful family situation I mentioned in my last newsletter. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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