What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Welcome to mid-June! This month is flying by way too fast. When I sent out my May newsletter, I shared the sad news that my dear mum had passed away in early May. At that time, I was in the middle of making funeral arrangements.
My sister is temporarily living with us while she waits for her new home in Queensland to be built. They're installing her kitchen this week and the completion date is not far away. I'm looking forward to my nephew visiting with us soon during the winter school holidays.
It has been a time consuming process to sort and clear out my mum's apartment. The hard process of finalising stuff has been made more difficult than necessary by our government (in Canberra, ACT) taking their sweet time in issuing death certificates. We still haven't received it and the delay is creating additional problems. My writing is temporarily on hold while I take care of estate matters and grieve the loss of my dear mum.
I've fallen way behind with my Read the Bible in a Year Challenge. I try 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. The time pressure from having to move my sister and vacate my mum's apartment ASAP has totally distracted me from doing everything else in my life. I'll listen to the current daily episodes this year and work on completing the full year plan in 2025.
New Release from Sara Beth Williams in Trinity Lakes Romance series
I'm delighted to share Sara Beth Williams' new book in the Trinity Lakes Romance series -- Yesterday Now And Always -- releasing next week on June 25, 2024.
Here's the book description for Yesterday Now And Always:
He never expected to fall in love with her all over again.
After high school, Jake Monroe had the future all mapped out for him and high school sweetheart Audrey Wright. When Audrey is gifted a trip to New Zealand after her graduation and then spontaneously extends the trip from three months to twelve months, Jake is shattered.
From the age of six, Audrey Wright grew up in Trinity Lakes Washington as a dual NZ-US citizen. Adopted as a toddler, she’d never known her biological parents. During a whirlwind trip to New Zealand at eighteen to visit relatives, Audrey encounters a half-brother she never knew existed and makes the split decision to remain in New Zealand to rediscover the family she never dared to dream she’d find. But the cost of her spontaneous decision may be much higher than she realizes.
Eight years later, Jake returns to Trinity Lakes to fulfill his childhood dream of owning his own restaurant. Encountering Audrey again throws a wrench into his carefully laid out plans and dredges up old attraction that should’ve died when she’d chosen New Zealand over him. Regardless, he’s drawn to her as he was years prior. But mending the past and overcoming the anger and bitterness will take a miracle.
A small town, second chance high school sweethearts' reunion, contemporary Christian Romance, part of the Trinity Lakes Romance series.
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a couple of book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon
Book Recommendation – Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter
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 - June 2024.
Here's the link for my May post: Christian Fiction New Releases: May 2024
Paperback Giveaway - The Love Script or Celebrity Pastor
My contemporary Christian romance selection is the The Love Script by Toni Shiloh. I'm a big fan of Toni's books and I love how she always weaves a solid faith thread into her stories. The Love Script is set in Hollywood. I loved how the fake relationship between the adorable hairdresser-to-the-stars Nevaeh and the charming actor Lamont Booker played out in the story. I recommend The Love Script to contemporary romance readers who like compelling fake relationship romances set in the Hollywood celebrity world with a strong faith element in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-love-script-by-toni-shiloh/
My alternative selection is Celebrity Pastor by Creston Mapes. A brilliant thriller and suspense story set in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm also a big fan of Creston's books and I started reading Celebrity Pastor the day it released and landed in my Kindle. It's a hard-hitting story that explores the wide ranging and devastating consequences of a power hungry mega-church pastor who has lost his way. I recommend Celebrity Pastor to suspense and thriller readers who are prepared to put aside preconceived ideas about how pastor’s should behave and discover a murky and dangerous world that repels people from wanting to belong in a church community. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-celebrity-pastor-by-creston-mapes/
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 JUNE 26, 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 (The Love Script or Celebrity Pastor) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by JUNE 29, 2024 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our two May winners of the Amazon US $10 e-giftcards are Carol G and Joannie S.
Questions for You
Are you a fan of celebrity romance stories? Do you like reading thrillers and suspense books? I tend to fall into the book hoarding category and rarely start reading books on the day I receive them. Do you read books straight away or put them aside for later?
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.
June Featured Author ~ Milla Holt
I've enjoyed reading Milla Holt's books, and I especially loved Falling for the Foe, the first book in her Color-Blind Love series. Last Flight Home — a novella from her Color-Blind Love series — is available as a free ebook download for her newsletter subscribers.
Here's the Book Description for Last Flight Home:
Dumping him was the right thing to do… Wasn’t it?
Five years ago, Macey called off her engagement to the love of her life. She wasn’t expecting to ever see him again, but now she’s stuck next to him on a transatlantic flight…
Caleb prides himself on doing the right thing, no matter what. He once made a choice that cost him the woman he loved. Now, when he’s trying to make up his mind about a possible new relationship, he finds himself seated next to his lost love, Macey, for the next nine hours. Is it too late for him to find a way back to her heart? Should he even try?
Last Flight Home is available at the following link: https://millaholt.com/grab-this-book-for-free/
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The FaithBooks Update is sent twice per week and includes the best deals and new releases in Christian Romance and exclusive giveaways.
If you love Jesus, reading, and happy endings -- you're in the right place. FaithBooks is a one-of-a-kind email newsletter for lovers of Christian romance. Which means, each Wednesday and Saturday, you'll receive a curated list of Christian Romance Recommendations.
Subscribe to their newsletter: https://www.faithbooksromance.com/
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 prayers for my sister, especially as she prepares to move into her new home. I'm feeling the exhaustion of the last few months and I haven't had a chance to rest and grieve. I'd love prayers for the energy I need to get stuff done and also that I can allocate protected time for self care. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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