What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to mid-March! I'm later than I'd planned in sending my newsletter this month (my plan was the 14th and I usually send between 10th and 20th) for a sad reason. My father-in-law's health declined after I sent my February newsletter and he passed into Jesus' loving arms a few days ago. We'd been caring for him in recent months and we're thankful he's no longer struggling with the limitations of his physical body.
I have a few lighter reads on my TBR and I'm looking forward to escaping into a few fabulous stories. I find reading fiction can be like a soothing balm when I'm grieving and processing the loss of loved ones.
I've featured T. I. Lowe's novel, South of Somewhere, in recent Fan Girling podcast/YouTube episodes. I've dropped an author chat episode that includes my lovely conversation with T. I. Lowe (and the YouTube episode shows her fun and crafty hat decorating projects).
South of Somewhere - Paperback Giveaway for USA readers
Enter at the following link: https://www.narelleatkins.com/south-of-somewhere-giveaway/
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. 57 – Love Contemporary Romance: Claire Holloway Is Winging It by Angela Ruth Strong
Contemporary Fiction: Chat with T. I. Lowe – South of Somewhere + Giveaway
Ep. 56 – Love Contemporary Fiction: South of Somewhere by T. I. Lowe + Giveaway
Ep. 55 – Love Contemporary Fiction: All Booked Up by Melody Carlson
Ep. 54 – Love Romantic Suspense: Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few fiction book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer
Book Recommendation – All Booked Up by Melody Carlson
Book Recommendation – Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn
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 2026.
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: 3/13/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 3/6/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 2/27/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 2/20/26
Paperback Giveaway - Claire Holloway Is Winging It or Deadly Currents
My Christian contemporary romance selection is Claire Holloway Is Winging It by Angela Ruth Strong that's set in Seattle. Claire is embarking on a new flight attendant career and Nathan is a First Officer pilot who's recovering from a difficult breakup. Despite their initial attraction, they quickly friend zone each other for different reasons. I recommend Claire Holloway Is Winging It to contemporary romance readers who like cute friends-to-more and second chances romcoms with forced proximity, unrequited love, a love triangle with a twist, and strong faith elements in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
My alternative selection is Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard, a romantic suspense novel set in Washington. Cressida is in danger from the moment she arrives in Hidden Bay to research and finish writing her late father’s book on shipwrecks and ghost ships. Braden is a former diplomatic security services agent who’s working undercover as a police detective and protecting Cressida. I recommend Deadly Currents to readers who like fast paced romantic suspense with unknown danger, a protector law enforcement hero, forced proximity, small town secrets, maritime mysteries, and relevant faith elements in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-deadly-currents-by-elizabeth-goddard/
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 25, 2026 (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 (Claire Holloway Is Winging It or Deadly Currents) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by MARCH 28, 2026 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our FEBRUARY winner, Kathy H, chose Hearts in Circulation.
Questions for You
Do you like reading books set in the airline industry? The covers for my giveaway books are coincidentally purple themed. Do book covers influence your decision to read a book?
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.
The Bridesmaid's Hero (novella in KU)
My spring themed small town Aussie novella is available in Kindle Unlimited (KU). I scheduled a sale that ends on April 18 and I'm disappointed I couldn't send my newsletter earlier to let you all know about the sale. The Bridesmaid's Hero is also available in Romance in the land downunder novella collection.
Learn more at the following link:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/books/the-bridesmaids-hero-a-snowgum-creek-novella/
Easter Contemporary Christian Romance Series
The Easter in Gilead multi-author series - featuring a town passion play held in the lead up to Easter in a small Kansas town - will be going on sale at Amazon Kindle for 99c/99p (US/UK) from MARCH 26 through APRIL 2. The ebooks are available in Kindle Unlimited (KU).
Learn more at the following link:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/easter-themed-contemporary-christian-romances-easter-in-gilead-series/
Discover New Authors - The Bookworm: Spring Edition
The Bookworm is an online reader's guide featuring wholesome Christian and Clean books from indie, small press, and traditional publishers. Over 100 books are featured in a variety of genres.
Download at BookFunnel:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/a8xu6rlf66
I'm 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/
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 continued prayers for my family as we grieve and process my father-in-law's graduation to heaven. I'm so thankful we're comforted by knowing we'll reunite with loved ones in eternity. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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