What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year and welcome to January! I'm sending my newsletter a little later this month (I usually send between 11th - 15th) because FaithBooks have their one day free book blast happening today. My ebook, Her Tycoon Hero, is free at Amazon. Scroll down to find the FaithBooks free books link.
I'm enjoying our Aussie summer. Hot days are perfect for hiding indoors and reading a good book. I've also continued my healthy eating and daily exercise schedule and I'm seeing the results. We had a nasty storm front pass through Canberra a few days ago that left a trail of damage, including fallen trees, in our neighbourhood. Storms usually trigger my migraines and I was happy to remain migraine-free. Fewer (or zero) migraines will help me implement a manageable schedule this year that includes self care and provides the space to write more books.
It's a brand new calendar year and I've started 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. I'm redoing my 2024 Bible reading plan and we're currently in Genesis with a few detours into Chronicles. Are you doing a Bible reading plan this year?
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/
New in Trinity Lakes Romance - Always in My Heart by Iola Goulton
Check out Iola's second book in the series that's available in Kindle Unlimited.
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a couple of fiction book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh
Book Recommendation – The Billionaire’s Secret by Meghann Whistler
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 - January 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: 1/17/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 1/10/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 1/3/25
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 12/20/24
Paperback Giveaway - Lowcountry Lost or Tea with Elephants
My contemporary Christian romance selection is Lowcountry Lost by T. I. Lowe that's set in a small South Carolina ghost town. Avalee is restoring the town and has to work on the project with Rowan. I loved how their enemies-to-love romance vibe deepened into something that’s complicated and messy and beautiful. I recommend Lowcountry Lost to readers who like childhood sweetheart second chance romances with a strong Southern USA flavour and a faith element organically woven into the fabric of the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-lowcountry-lost-by-t-i-lowe/
My alternative selection is Tea with Elephants, a women's fiction vacation story by Robin Jones Gunn. I loved armchair travelling with Fern and Lily and discovering the culture and beauty of Kenya. Their safari was amazing, and I loved seeing Fern's faith journey in the story. I recommend Tea with Elephants to readers who like charming friendship travel stories in an African setting with strong faith elements. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-tea-with-elephants-by-robin-jones-gunn/
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 JANUARY 24, 2024 (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 (Lowcountry Lost or Tea with Elephants) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by JANUARY 27, 2024 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our December winner, Donna G, chose Mistletoe Season.
Questions for You
Have you read any books by T. I. Lowe or Robin Jones Gunn? Do you like arm chair travelling to faraway places via fiction books?
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.
Happy New Year Reader’s Giveaway – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card and over 25 eBooks in Celebrate Lit’s Happy New Year Readers’ Giveaway!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5467/
FaithBooks FREE BOOK BLAST – Discover your next Christian Romance Read – One Day Only – January 17, 2025.
https://books.bookfunnel.com/faithbooksfreeblast/q14vip4u8m
January Featured Author ~ Lisa M. Prysock
I've enjoyed reading Lisa's books and I'm happy to share that CHRISTMAS AT CASTLE CARRICK is available as a FREE ebook download for her newsletter subscribers.
Here's the Book Description for Christmas at Castle Carrick:
Sadie Lynwood's cozy Christmas reunion at Castle Carrick in Scotland shatters when her estranged husband, Douglas, arrives unannounced.
Her heart races as she wonders why he's there. Does he plan to save face with the family or rekindle their marriage, now shattered beyond recognition? As snow blankets the castle, Sadie and Doug must confront the past and take a leap of faith into the unknown if they want a second chance at love.
Christmas at Castle Carrick is available at the following link:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ybay4rjihr
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 and writing. I'll learn more next month via routine blood tests if my recent dietary changes and daily exercise schedule is helping to regulate my insulin and blood sugar levels. Ideally, I'd like to improve my health and move back into a pre-diabetes situation. Please pray that I can implement my 2025 writing schedule. This afternoon I had a revelation that has helped me define my writing goals for 2025. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
0 comments