What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?

Dear Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving week to my American reader friends. :) We sadly don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia, but at this time of year I do think about the things I’m thankful for. I’m thankful I was able to release 2 books in 2023.

This time last year I was struggling through my fourth month of Long Covid with brain fog, fatigue, and migraines hindering my ability to write to deadline without major stress. I’m thankful I don’t have any preorder deadlines looming over my head.

My newsletter is late this month because I had Covid again a few weeks ago. I’m taking it easy during the recovery to try and not reactivate the Long Covid that knocked me about for six months or so. While I was offline with this latest bout of Covid, my mum was admitted to hospital because her kidneys weren’t functioning well (she has congestive heart failure). Thankfully I had no Covid symptoms by the time my mum was ready to be discharged from hospital, and she's now recovering well at home.

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 149: Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter

Episode 148: It’s Your Love by Rachel D. Russell

Episode 147: Their Surprise Second Chance by Lindi Peterson

Episode 146: CCR set in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho

Episode 145: Mama Dated Santa by Amy R. Anguish

Book Recommendations

I’ve shared a few book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.

Book Recommendation – Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet

Book Recommendation – Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter

Book Recommendation – Their Surprise Second Chance by Lindi Peterson

Book Recommendation – It’s Your Love by Rachel D. Russell

Book Recommendation – Mama Dated Santa by Amy R. Anguish

Book Recommendation – A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy by Valerie Comer

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 - November 2023

Paperback Giveaway - A Wide and Pleasant Place or Indigo Isle

My CCR selection is A Wide and Pleasant Place by Valerie Comer, the first book in her Farm Fresh Market series. I'm a big fan of Valerie's books, and I loved going back to Galena Landing, Idaho, where Valerie's Farm Fresh Romance series is also set. Brittany is a side character from the Urban Farm Fresh Romance series in Spokane, and I loved reading Brittany's romance story with single dad Trey. I recommend A Wide and Pleasant Place to contemporary romance readers who like small town friends-to-more romances with a strong faith element and characters who appreciate farm fresh food and sustainable living. Read my book recommendation here:

https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-a-wide-and-pleasant-place-by-valerie-comer/

My alternative selection is Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe. The story content is edgy, and the book could be categorized as either contemporary fiction/women's fiction or contemporary romance. Sonny hasn't had an easy life. She's a location scout for a production company, and workplace sexual harassment is sadly a normal part of her working life on Hollywood film sets. Hudson is a reclusive former New York attorney who lives on an isolated island off the South Carolina coast. I recommend Indigo Isle to readers who like gritty and edgy Christian fiction that addresses hard issues with prodigal daughter, grumpy sunshine, and beauty and the beast story themes. Read my book recommendation here:

https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-indigo-isle-by-t-i-lowe/

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 NOVEMBER 28, 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 Wide and Pleasant Place or Indigo Isle) that you'd like to win. 

The winner will be contacted by NOVEMBER 30, 2023 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book. 

Our October winner, Paty H from USA, chose Positively Penelope.

Questions for You

Have you read books by Valerie Comer and/or T.I Lowe? Do you read edgy Christian fiction that addresses hard 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. 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. In particular, please pray that Long Covid doesn't return and I’ll have the time and energy to work on my Chapel Cove book. I appreciate all your prayers, good thoughts, and support. 

Blessings and love to you,

Narelle xo