What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to February! I'm now calling February the month of medical appointments and hospital stays for various family members. Everything seems to happen at once, and my dear Mum was admitted to hospital last week. As a result, I've made zero progress on my Chapel Cove book that I was planning to work on last week. I'm thankful I took the time in December and January to review my time management and volunteer activities because it has clarified the importance of making tough decisions regarding how I use my time.
One thing I have stayed on track with this year is my Read the Bible in a Year Challenge. I listen to the daily readings in The One Year Chronological Bible and the Daily Bible Podcast - Audio Bible Reading Plan with Tricia Goyer and her friend Michelle. The audio option is working really well for me. In January I read through the books of Genesis and Job. When life is challenging, Job's story can be a source of comfort and inspiration. His faith was tested in extreme ways and he stood firm, despite all the horrible things that happened in his life.
New Release from Trinity Lakes Romance series - Over the Rainbow by Meredith Resce
I'm excited to share Meredith Resce's new book in Trinity Lakes Romance series -- releasing next week -- February 21, 2024. Over the Rainbow will be available to borrow in Kindle Unlimited in late March.
Book Description for Over the Rainbow:
What a difference a year makes.
Last year, Arianne Rayne was playing college basketball and looking forward to a permanent future with her boyfriend.
This year, she is learning to live with disability.
After walking away from an accident he’d caused by reckless driving, her boyfriend walked away from her. The uncertainty of how life would look now that she had lost mobility was enough for him to break the relationship, and her heart.
Coming to Trinity Lakes to live with her stable, unflappable grandparents is hope for a new beginning and a chance to heal her heart. Away from her parents’ cloistered, cotton-wool approach, she hopes to learn how to live independently with the help of physiotherapist and trainers at the local gym.
Until she meets Matthew Kennedy. He might be buff and good looking, but he has no idea about how to relate to someone living with disability. He’s eligible, and he is certainly accessible, given he is one of her personal trainers, but will he ever see beyond her wheelchair? Arianne’s heart tells her it’s unlikely.
Until she is stranded, and Matthew is her only hope of getting home.
Book #8 of the Trinity Lakes Romance series (can be read as a standalone)
An enemies to love, small town, contemporary Christian romance.
Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-after.
Book #9 TANGLED UP IN LOVE by Carolyn Miller (March 2024)
Book #10 IN TRUTH AND LOVE by Jenny Glazebrook (April 2024)
StoryChats @ InspyRomance Podcast/YouTube
Here's the list of our recent StoryChats @ InspyRomance episodes that I recorded with Valerie Comer and/or Elizabeth Maddrey for the Podcast and YouTube.
Episode 160: Is Romantic Suspense CCR?
Episode 159: One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey
Episode 158: CCR Set in Alaska and Hawaii
Episode 157: CCR Set in California and Nevada
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – The One Who Got Away by Tara Grace Ericson
Book Recommendation – Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn
Book Recommendation – Rocky Road by Becky Wade
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 - February 2024.
Paperback Giveaway - Pixels and Paint or One Wrong Move
My first selection is Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter, a contemporary romcom set in Atlanta, Georgia. Emma is neurodiverse and a geek at heart who, according to her pretentious family, doesn't project the right social status image. Carter is a successful artist who's lost his passion for painting. I loved their meet cute in an art gallery and their adorable romance with many LOL moments. I recommend Pixels and Paint to contemporary romance readers who like opposites attract romcoms with depth that are connected to the art world and have a relevant faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-pixels-and-paint-by-kristi-ann-hunter/
My alternative selection is One Wrong Move, the first book in Dani Pettrey's new Jeopardy Falls series set in New Mexico. I loved reading this book and I read it quickly because I had to keep turning the page to find out what happened next. Andi is a former FBI agent who's now working as an insurance investigator. Christian is a security expert who meets Andi when an art heist crime is committed at his client's art gallery. I recommend One Wrong Move to romantic suspense readers who like action packed suspense with high stakes mixed with a compelling romance and a relevant faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation here: https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-one-wrong-move-by-dani-pettrey/
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 FEBRUARY 20, 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 (Pixels and Paint or One Wrong Move) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by FEBRUARY 23, 2024 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our January winner, Kathy D from USA, chose It's Your Love.
Questions for You
Are you a fan of romantic suspense books? Would you prefer to read a romantic suspense book or a romcom? (I love reading both, lol)
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.
February Featured Author ~ Valerie Comer
If you’ve been reading my newsletter for a while, you’ll know I’m a longtime fan of Valerie Comer’s books. The Cowboy’s Forever Crush — the prequel novella in Valerie’s Saddle Springs Romance series — is available as a free ebook download for her newsletter subscribers.
Here's the Book Description for The Cowboy’s Forever Crush
Eli Thornton’s father took his family and fled the Flying Horseshoe Ranch after a devastating accident. Now Eli’s back to make amends, but he definitely didn’t expect to run into his best friend’s sister he’d crushed on as a teen.
Meg Carmichael emerged from her era of rebellion with a baby, a battered heart, and a new appreciation for Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. But when Eli, now every inch a man, accepts a job as mechanic for her family’s guest ranch, this single mom finds a gentle, godly man who might love her and her son forever. If she can let him.
How can a teenage crush mature into a forever love?
The Cowboy’s Forever Crush is available at the following link: https://valeriecomer.com/subscribe-crush
We Love Our Readers Giveaway (February 12-18)
Valentine's Day is on Wednesday and I've partnered with Celebrate Lit for a giveaway just for you. We love our readers and we're grateful for our supportive reader community.
Here's your chance to win 45 books or a $500 Amazon card to buy a ton of books in Celebrate Lit's We Love Our Readers Giveaway.
Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/28cdb/2024-we-love-our-readers-multi-author
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, my family, and my writing schedule. I appreciate all your prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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