What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to April! It's autumn in Australia and the pretty leaves are falling where I live in Canberra. The month started out warm and we're now experiencing cooler weather in the lead up to winter.
During March I've stayed on track with my Read the Bible in a Year Challenge. I 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. In March I read through the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua. It's a hard part of the Bible to read because there's a lot of boring census data and so many people lost their lives for a range of reasons. That said, it was encouraging to read about how God was faithful and had a plan for His people. I've always loved Rahab's story and how she was rewarded for helping the spies in Jericho.
PREORDER - Romance in the land down under (Sydney Sweethearts Novella Collection)
I'm excited to share that I have compiled my three novellas connected to Zach and Billie from Seaside Proposal (book 3) in my Sydney Sweethearts storyworld into one collection that will be published in ebook and paperback format. The ebook collection is on preorder for 99c at Amazon and releasing MAY 10, 2024.
The collection includes:
Seaside Christmas - currently my free ebook novella gift for newsletter subscribers. Seaside Christmas hasn't previously been published in paperback format.
Solo Tu - from A Tuscan Legacy multi-author series that is currently available in ebook (Kindle Unlimited) and paperback format from Amazon.
His Perfect Catch - set in the fictional coastal town of Sapphire Bay. The ebook has been available in SPLASH! and Love, Faith & Tender Kisses multi author box sets. His Perfect Catch hasn't previously been published in paperback format.
A paperback version of Romance in the land down under will soon be available to order from bricks and mortar retail stores in addition to Amazon.
Romance in the land down under ebook is exclusive to Amazon because Solo Tu (and the other 9 ebooks from A Tuscan Legacy series) are in Kindle Unlimited. As per Amazon's rules, Romance in the land down under ebook collection won't be available in Kindle Unlimited.
REVIEWERS WANTED:
I'll have ebook ARC's of Romance in the land down under available soon.
Please complete the form below if you'd like to review an ebook ARC of the novella collection that will be delivered via BookFunnel.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13GLDlhKq1Honqc_2XbssOnrGtqFit0HsfFSoe8BYq2A/edit
Have you already reviewed my ebook novellas?
If you've already posted reviews for one (or all) of my novellas, firstly, thank you! I really appreciate your support because reviews are important for book visibility and also helping other readers decide if it's a book they'd like to read. I'd love if you'd consider copying and pasting your reviews on the new Romance in the land down under book pages at Amazon and/or Goodreads when it releases.
New Release from Jenny Glazebrook in Trinity Lakes Romance series
I'm delighted to share Jenny Glazebrook's new book in the Trinity Lakes Romance series -- In Truth and Love -- releasing on April 30, 2024.
Jenny's books are some of my favourites from the series, one reason being a few of her characters have some interesting history and family connections with my characters from Never Find Another You. It was a God thing in how these characters developed and found themselves in complex and difficult situations that we'd all prefer not to encounter in our real lives. Christian fiction can delve into those deeper places and expose the awful truth behind the sweet masks and good Christian facades that some people use to hide their lack of honesty and integrity.
Here's the book description for In Truth and Love:
She wants to leave before she gets hurt again. But what if it’s too late?
Jodie Ladan is tired of goodbyes. People have come and gone her whole life, and this time she refuses to be the one left behind. It’s time to take control, move to New York, and live out her dream of being a journalist. She’s already been accepted into NYU and her plans are coming together.
Brandon Taylor’s life is unraveling before his eyes. His mother is dying, he has seriously wounded a friend, and to add insult to injury, a distant relative is trying to have his father’s house demolished.
Can anything else go wrong? Or can God use what others have meant for harm, for good?
Brandon and Jodie discover that when they speak the truth in love, God gives them every weapon they need to demolish the strongholds of the enemy.
Trinity Lakes is about to witness a battle for truth that only God can win.
A SEEKING TRUTH AND HEALING HEARTS, REDEMPTION ROMANCE.
StoryChats @ InspyRomance Podcast/YouTube - final episode aired March 22, 2024.
I'm sad to share that StoryChats @ InspyRomance has closed. Here's the list of the last two episodes that I recorded in January with Valerie Comer and/or Elizabeth Maddrey for the Podcast and YouTube.
Episode 166: Fish out of water trope
Episode 165: The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese
I'm also sad that the Inspy Romance blog closed in early April. As a result, I'm now only blogging at my author blog and Australasian Christian Writers (ACW).
ACW is a blog for both writers and readers that we established in 2013. The group admins are Jenny Blake, Iola Goulton, and myself. Iola is an editor from New Zealand who independently published her debut novel in 2023. Jenny (aka. Ausjenny) is an avid reader who hosts a weekly Tuesday Book Chat on the blog. ACW welcomes international blog members, guest bloggers, and readers. We also have an active Facebook Group where the ACW blog posts are shared.
If you're looking for a Christian book blog to follow, and you'd like the option of receiving the blog posts via email (ACW is a self-hosted Wordpress site), please read my post on ACW on my author blog at the following link.
https://www.narelleatkins.com/where-i-blog-australasian-christian-writers-acw/
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese
Book Recommendation – Love in Tandem by Becca Kinzer
Book Recommendation – To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad
Book Recommendation – The Mapmaker’s Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan
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 - April 2024.
Paperback Giveaway - Hero Debut or Never Fall Again
My contemporary Christian romcom selection is Hero Debut by Angela Ruth Strong, the second book in her fabulous Love off Script series set in Portland, Oregon. I loved reading this book and couldn't put it down. Gemma is a Barbie-beautiful actor who has a complicated relationship with her identical twin sister. Gemma enrols in the Citizen’s Safety Academy that Karson, the guy who's avoiding her, runs at the police station. The course is absolutely hilarious with Gemma involved in one disaster after another. A poignant and heartwarming romance unfolds as Karson and Gemma challenge each other to deal with their emotional wounds. I recommend Hero Debut to contemporary romance readers who like LOL romantic comedies with depth and a relevant faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-hero-debut-by-angela-ruth-strong/
My alternative selection is Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn, the first book in her Gossamer Falls romantic suspense series. Landry is a widow and single mom who lives at The Haven, an exclusive private resort where she creates and sells her pottery. There’s a long standing feud between the three founding families of Gossamer Falls and I loved reading about the town and the quirky characters in the story. Landry contracts Cal to build her house and they're drawn together when an unexpected fire at The Haven puts Landry and her daughter in danger. I recommend Never Fall Again to romantic suspense readers who like small town romances where the suspense builds to a nail biting crescendo, and a relevant faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-never-fall-again-by-lynn-h-blackburn/
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 APRIL 23, 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 (Hero Debut or Never Fall Again) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by APRIL 27, 2024 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our March winner, Trudy C from USA, chose Rocky Road.
Questions for You
I had tears in my eyes from too much laughter while reading Hero Debut. Do you LOL when reading romcoms or are you more likely to smile and occasionally chuckle? Have you read any books by Angela Ruth Strong or Lynn H. Blackburn?
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.
April Featured Author ~ Janet W. Ferguson
I've enjoyed reading Janet W. Ferguson's Coastal Hearts series. The Art of Rivers — a full length novel in the series — is available as a free ebook download for her newsletter subscribers.
Here's the Book Description for The Art of Rivers
Faith Hope Love Readers Choice Award Winner!
Her scarred heart is falling for the man she should never risk loving.
Rivers Sullivan bears both visible and invisible scars—those on her shoulder from a bullet wound and those on her heart from the loss of her fiancé during the same brutal attack. Not even her background as an art therapist can help her regain her faith in humanity. Still, she scrapes together the courage to travel to St. Simons Island to see the beach cottage and art gallery she’s inherited from her fiancé. When she stumbles upon recovering addicts running her gallery, she’s forced to reckon with her own healing.
After the tragic drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days trying to make up for his past mistakes. He not only dedicates his life to addiction counseling, but guilt drives him to the water, searching for others who’ve been caught unaware of the quickly rising tides of St. Simons. When he rescues a peculiar blond woman and her sketch pad from a sandbar, then delivers this same woman to his deceased grandmother’s properties, he knows things are about to get even more complicated.
Tragic circumstances draw Cooper and Rivers closer, but they fight their growing feelings. Though Cooper’s been sober for years, Rivers can’t imagine trusting her heart to someone in recovery, and he knows a relationship with her will only rip his family further apart. Distrust and guilt are only the first roadblocks they must overcome if they take a chance on love.
The Art of Rivers is available at the following link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/yt91p8u5qo
Win a Bundle of Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction!
Enter for a chance to win 10+ Inspirational Reads from your favorite bestselling and award-winning authors via BookSweeps, plus a brand-new Kindle Fire!
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. In particular that I'll have a run of time to prioritise working on my Chapel Cove book without unnecessary distractions. I appreciate all your prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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