What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to July! It has been a busy month and I've had a chance to catch up on a few things. My mum is home from hospital and I'm thankful her health issues at present are stable. I've delayed the release of Her Cowboy Blind Date until August. I'm thankful that my migraines issues have also been under control.
The option at Amazon to extend the ebook preorder deadline has been a blessing. It has provided time for me to destress and rest. I used to grit my teeth and push myself hard to meet deadlines while juggling work and family obligations. I'm not doing that anymore. It's not healthy and, frankly, not necessary. I'm looking forward to restructuring how I balance my writing time with other life responsibilities.
Her Cowboy Blind Date is book 4 in the Easter in Gilead contemporary Christian romance series. The Kindle ebook is on preorder for 99c and will now release on AUGUST 25.
Her Cowboy Blind Date - Review Team Application
Are you interested in reading an ARC (advanced reader copy) ebook of Her Cowboy Blind Date? If yes, please complete the Google form via the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VTY4w0AMsOp9CCskQR1BLIYmSUnEv7fzrbhK9f6dunQ/edit
I'm excited that Where Our Hearts Lie (Trinity Lakes Romance Book 6) by Jenny Glazebrook is releasing on JULY 25.
Here's the Book Description:
Can two hurting hearts find where they belong?
Hallie Hollaway is the daughter of missionaries and a child prodigy who desperately wants to fit in. When her first meeting with an internet boyfriend goes horribly wrong, she escapes to her childhood home of Trinity Lakes. The only place she has ever felt safe and loved.
Josh Ladan is the pastor’s kid who once dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps. Until one tragic summer in Australia changed everything. Now Hallie, his clever childhood friend, is back in Trinity Lakes. Josh is closely guarding a secret that he fears will disappoint Hallie, but he is determined to prove himself to her.
Hallie is drawn to Josh, but holds herself back, believing she is unworthy of love. Can Hallie and Josh allow God to work in their hearts and lives to restore trust and hope for a future together?
All of the Trinity Lakes Romance books can be read as standalone stories, but there are a number of fun story thread connections that run through different books in the series.
I'm known as the co-host at StoryChats @ InspyRomance who reads series books out of order, and cherry picks which books I read. Often that's a time issue decision, and I'd love to have more leisure reading time!
Some CCR (contemporary Christian romance) series are loosely connected via a setting or a theme, and can legitimately be read in any order.
Trinity Lakes Romance series was designed to have stories that are more closely connected than a shared story world setting. I'm planning to send an additional newsletter in July or August where I'll share behind the scenes information on how my book 1 (Never Find Another You) is linked to later books in the series.
If you'd like to receive an occasional second newsletter email per month, please complete the Google form at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sjGiVXxhNY3_LFt_K155rElWCeEThQg5iIZcK8ETYuA/
If you've replied to my May newsletter and said you're happy to receive additional emails, and have received an email confirmation from me, you're already on the list and don't need to complete the form.
I'm taking an opt-in approach to managing the frequency of my newsletter emails because I personally dislike being bombarded with emails, especially multiple emails within a few days.
If you're happy to stick with my monthly email, that's absolutely fine and I appreciate your support. If you'd like to know more about my writing and my books, and hear from me more often, please complete the Google form.
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 131: A Beginner's Guide to CCR
Episode 130: The Billionaire's Backup by Elizabeth Maddrey
Episode 129: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
Episode 128: CCR Set in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana
Episode 127: Amnesia Trope
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – A Wide and Pleasant Place by Valerie Comer
Book Recommendation – The Billionaire’s Backup by Elizabeth Maddrey
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 - July 2023
Paperback Giveaway - A Novel Proposal Or The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley
My CCR selection is A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter. This story is a fun beach read romance set on a beautiful North Carolina island. Sam is the grumpy introvert who wants to be left alone. Sadie is the sunshine extrovert living next door to Sam for the summer who loves meeting people and making new friends. They're drawn together to solve the mystery of an engagement ring found in an old book in Sadie’s free library that she sets up on her back deck. I recommend A Novel Proposal to contemporary romance readers who like grumpy sunshine beach reads with an intriguing mystery and a light faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation for A Novel Proposal here.
My alternative paperback selection is The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh. The publisher has described the book at Amazon as Christian womens fiction. I would describe the book as contemporary fiction with romantic elements from a subtle Christian worldview. The story is delightful, and I empathized with Isadora's situation and her social awkwardness. I recommend The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley to contemporary fiction readers who like single point-of-view romances with strong womens fiction themes that focus on Isadora's journey to found family. Read my book recommendation for The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley here.
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 JULY 22, 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 (A Novel Proposal or The Secret Life of Isadora Bentley) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by JULY 25, 2023 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our June winner, Tina from USA, chose The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese.
Questions for You
Do you enjoy romances from a single character viewpoint, or do you prefer dual viewpoint romances that include thoughts from the heroine and the hero? Have you read any books by Courtney Walsh or Denise Hunter?
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.
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 family and my writing. Especially prayers that I'll release my August book with minimal stress. I appreciate all your prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
0 comments