What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to August! Winter is almost over here in Canberra, Australia, and we haven't seen any snow. I live in hope because we have seen snow fall in late August and early September.
I'm excited to share that Her Cowboy Blind Date ebook will release on August 25. Paperback is coming soon. I've loved writing Sam and Bek/Becky's story set in the fictional small town of Gilead in Kansas. I've appreciated all your prayers and support as I encountered one obstacle after another in my path to finishing and publishing the book.
For those who are wondering how Her Cowboy Blind Date is connected with my other books: Bek (who's calling herself Becky while studying at Gilead Bible College in the US) is Zach Montford's youngest sister. Zach is my hero in Seaside Proposal (Sydney Sweethearts, Book 3). Zac and his wife, Billie, also make a cameo appearance in Never Find Another You (Trinity Lakes Romance, Book 1).
I'm finalizing the edits for Her Cowboy Blind Date and I'll be sending out ebook review copies (ARC's) in the next few days. A big thank you to all my readers who have filled out the Google Form and will receive an advanced reader copy via BookFunnel. Here's the link below if you're interested in reviewing Her Cowboy Blind Date. All reviews posted at Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub are very appreciated.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VTY4w0AMsOp9CCskQR1BLIYmSUnEv7fzrbhK9f6dunQ/edit
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 release on AUGUST 25.
Here's the Book Description:
He’s a small-town guy, a cowboy at heart. She’s a city girl from the other side of the world. Will a blind date lead to a love that lasts a lifetime?
Farm mechanic Sam Williams is on the cusp of realizing his dream of being a rancher after inheriting a share in his family’s Colorado ranch. He’s keen to make plans and leave Gilead in the dust after his friend’s Easter Saturday wedding. First he needs a plus-one for the wedding, to avoid a super awkward encounter with his high-school girlfriend who has just married the best man.
After a devastating public betrayal by her high-profile ex, Bek Montford is hiding out in Kansas. She’s calling herself Becky, licking her wounds and focusing on the things that make her happy. Drawn to the annual passion play at Gilead Bible College where she’s living, she volunteers to work behind the scenes.
Since Becky is only in Gilead until June, a blind date with a suitable plus-one before the wedding seems like the perfect solution for Sam. No strings and no commitment.
But the blind date turns into a not-so-fake relationship when Sam and Becky must work together on the passion play. Can they overcome past emotional wounds and geographical distance to create a future together?
An opposites attract, different worlds, blind date and fake relationship contemporary Christian romance.
I'm excited that No Matter How Far (Trinity Lakes Romance Book 7) by Sara Beth Williams is releasing on AUGUST 29.
Here's the Book Description:
He ran away to escape his fear. She faces her fear every day.
After the death of his late wife, associate professor Dylan Mackay never thought he’d fall for another woman, until the stubborn and beautiful Jocelyn rescues him from the top of a ski slope—though he needed no such rescuing. The blissful whirlwind week spent together at Trinity Lakes Ski Resort is one of the happiest in recent memory.
After a messy breakup followed by her parents’ sudden divorce, local Trinity Lakes paramedic Jocelyn Monroe had sworn off dating, until she is forced to rescue an injured Australian against his will while volunteering for the mountain ski patrol. Dylan is stubborn, handsome, intelligent and honorable, with a swoony Aussie accent to boot and she finds herself falling head over heels before the week is out.
Once down the mountain, the spontaneity and carelessness of their rushed relationship comes full circle in devastating blows. Each one grapples with life-altering decisions that would result in moving out of Trinity Lakes—her a short distance away, him across the world. Neither one wants to leave the other, nor do they want to leave the charming town itself. Can they lean on God and trust that He will hold onto them no matter how far they go?
A second chance, opposites attract, small town Contemporary Christian romance.
Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-after.
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 looking forward to reading:
If you've read Valerie Comer's Her Unlikely Hero (Easter in Gilead, Book 1) you'll remember meeting Connor's friend, Tate, who's the hero in A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy, the first book in Valerie's new Sweet River Ranch Romance series.
She's never done a spontaneous thing in her life. Neither has he. But a marriage-of-convenience seems like a good idea to this embattled woman and grieving sudden dad in this Montana Ranches Christian Romance.
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 135: August Recent CCR Reads
Episode 134: The Love Script by Toni Shiloh
Episode 133: CCR set in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
Episode 132: Alcohol in CCR
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – The Love Script by Toni Shiloh
Book Recommendation – If I Belong With You by Cindy Kirk
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 2023
Paperback Giveaway - Love in the Headlines Or Second Time Around
My CCR selection is Love in the Headlines by Penny Zeller. I loved reading this book, and I read it fast because I couldn’t put it down. If you're a dog lover, and like reading about adorable and mischievous pets who play an important role in the story, then this is the book for you. I recommend Love in the Headlines to contemporary romance readers who like small town enemies to love romances with romcom and cozy mystery elements, and a relevant faith thread in the story. Read my book recommendation for Love in the Headlines here.
My alternative paperback selection is Second Time Around by Melody Carlson. The story is set on the Oregon Coast, and the small town is like a character in the story. I loved Mallory, and I enjoyed her journey in renovating the Main Street store she inherited from her aunt. I recommend Second Time Around to contemporary fiction readers who like small town Christian fiction novels with mature characters and a second chances romance thread in the story. Read my book recommendation for Second Time Around 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 AUGUST 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 (Love in the Headlines or Second Time Around) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by AUGUST 25, 2023 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our July winner, Colleen from USA, chose A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter.
Questions for You
Do you enjoy romances that include pets in the story? Have you read any books by Penny Zeller or Melody Carlson?
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.
Inspy Romance Back to School Giveaway launches today! Check out the prizes here: https://www.inspyromance.com/2023-back-to-school-bash/
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 overcome the writers block I encountered with Honor Me (my unfinished book in the Chapel Cove Romance multi-author series) after Marion's passing. Grief is hard, and it can impact us in unexpected ways. I'll be working on Honor Me next. I appreciate all your prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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