Blog - Page 60 of 66 - Narelle Atkins

Heartsong Presents May New Releases

My second book with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line, The Nurse’s Perfect Match, is officially releasing in print next week on May 6, 2014.

I’ll be giving away 2 print copies (worldwide giveaway) right here on my blog on May 6. Check out my May 1 post (ebook release date) for more information on The Nurse’s Perfect Match online book launch and additional blog giveaways.

NURSE AMY WILKINS HAS COME HOME

After her marriage ends in tragedy, Amy returns to Snowgum Creek to rebuild her life. There she meets widower Ben Morton, who’s not looking for romance, though his young children are eager for Amy’s attention. She’s given up on her dream of being a mother, but can’t ignore how she’s drawn to Ben’s little ones, and to their handsome farmer dad.

As love kindles between Ben and Amy, she worries how she’ll ever measure up to the wife he lost. And Ben is concerned about how Amy will ever truly fit into life on the farm. They could be the answer to each other’s prayers—if the secret Amy is keeping doesn’t tear them apart.

Read a FREE sample at Amazon.com

SAILING IS MADDIE CRAMER’S ESCAPE

Now she’s counting on it to bring her closer to the biological father she’s just met. But her chances of winning the regatta—and his approval—are in jeopardy unless she can find a new crewmate. Enter Grady Stone, a perfect fit for Maddie’s crew in more ways than one.

Maddie and Grady grow close as they spend time together on the water. But Maddie, wary of emotional entanglement, guards her heart closely. And Grady’s here only to help Maddie win the race, then he’s off to a new job. The day of the race will test their ability to sail together—and the trueness of their love.

Read a FREE sample at Amazon.com

WHITAKER HUTTON ALWAYS GETS HIS WAY

When cattle go missing from the Bar-HB Ranch, the tenacious foreman will stop at nothing to find them. But his boss’s granddaughter, Olivia Hartman, is more than Whit bargained for. Once the victim of Whit’s childhood pranks, Livvy has grown into a feisty beauty.

Livvy can’t forget the way Whit used to tease her. Even worse, he doesn’t think she’s capable of helping in the roundup. She could stay mad at him forever—if he wouldn’t act all sweet toward her. But when he literally rides to her rescue, Livvy starts to wonder whether her old enemy might turn out to be much more than a friend.

Read a FREE sample at Amazon.com

CATHERINE VanDORN IS NO THIEF

Catherine, Lady Bisterne, returns to Tuxedo Park cloaked in scandal, the widow of a nobleman who’d loved only her fortune. As she sets out to repair her family’s reputation, another Englishman in her midst is seeking reparations of a different sort. While Lord Tristram Wolfe may suspect that Catherine has stolen the Bisterne jewels, he looks at her in a way her husband never had.

As Tristram’s investigation continues, one thing becomes clear: the only thing Lady Catherine has ever stolen is his heart. But can he convince her to trust another English nobleman…and take a second chance on love?

Read a FREE sample at Amazon.com

USA trip: Oregon Mountains – Mount Hood

A few weeks ago I shared my highlights from the second part of my trip to the Oregon Coast. Today we’re heading east to the mountains. We drove north-east, via Portland, to Mount Hood. The mountain drive and surrounding scenery was spectacular, and different to the gum (eucalyptus) trees I’m used to seeing back home in Australia.

We stopped for lunch at the historic Timberline Lodge, overlooking the snowcapped Mount Hood.

The chilly outdoor temperature didn’t stop us from exploring the grounds around the lodge. The sweeping views were magnificent.

We warmed up inside the lodge, relaxing on the sofa, and watching the flames leap around in the stone fireplace. I could easily have curled up on a sofa for the whole afternoon with a good book.

I enjoyed the delicious, award winning Creamy Clam Chowder for lunch. I’d seen Clam Chowder on the menu at other restaurants during my trip, but this was the first time I’d ordered it. And, I wasn’t disappointed.

The photo below was our lunch view from a window beside our table. Gorgeous. I occasionally see snow during winter on the far distant horizon (Brindabella Ranges) from my home in Canberra, although it rarely snows where I live.

I’d love to visit Mount Hood again, and spend more time there absorbing the peaceful environment. And, eating Clam Chowder! Next week I’ll share more highlights from my trip, including a visit to Multnomah Falls.

Balancing book marketing and writing time (plus book giveaway)

Today I’m blogging on the International Christian Fiction Writers (ICFW) group blog. I’m talking about balancing book marketing and writing time. The post includes my first print giveaway of The Nurse’s Perfect Match, releasing In May. Next week I’ll post my complete book promo schedule here, including book giveaways. The ICFW link is below, and I hope to see you there!

http://internationalchristianfictionwriters.blogspot.com/2014/04/balancing-book-marketing-and-writing.html

Good Friday Book Recommendation: A Stray Drop of Blood by Roseanna M. White

A Stray Drop of Blood is Roseanna M. White’s captivating debut Biblical fiction novel. The story is set in Jerusalem and Rome around the time of Jesus’ ministry.

Eight year old Hebrew girl Abigail is orphaned and sold into slavery by her stepfather. She is purchased by a Roman prefect as a companion for his Hebrew wife.

Abigail is educated and raised as if she was their own daughter and her immense beauty is both a blessing and curse.

Six years later her master’s son, a Roman soldier, returns home after a six year absence and claims Abigail as his own before she can be given in marriage to her fellow slave and best friend. Abigail is forced to accept her new situation and feels abandoned by her God.

Tragedy befalls her Master’s household and Abigail’s encounter with Jesus on the day he is crucified both challenges her faith and transforms her life. Her faith is tested as she loses loved ones and cannot escape being treated as a Hebrew slave despite changes in her circumstances.

A powerful love story unfolds and Abigail struggles with her seemingly futile desire to be with the man she loves.

A Stray Drop of Blood is an honest story that explores the best and worst of human nature. Realistic and compelling character’s struggle with temptation and the differences between the Hebrew and Roman society create strong emotional conflict.

The story is action packed, with masterful plot twists and the spiritual element flows seamlessly through the story. I recommend A Stray Drop of Blood to those looking for a challenging and exciting Biblical fiction story.

Read a FREE sample at Amazon.com

Book Recommendation: Angelguard by Ian Acheson

Back cover blurb:

Within a period of weeks, three horrific bomb blasts devastate areas of London, Los Angeles and Sydney. No explanation is offered, no victory claimed for these acts of terror. Yet behind the scenes a Machiavellian European businessman is planning to bring the G8 nations to their knees for his own larcenous purposes, aided by the dark forces to whom he has sold his soul. Jack Haines, an Australian academic, is grieving the loss of wife and children in the Sydney blast. Against his will he finds himself thrown into a war that transcends the physical world, a conflict in which angelic guards have a special mission for him. A gripping novel of the unseen forces that throng our world.

Narelle: I really enjoyed reading Angelguard, the debut novel by Australian author Ian Acheson. The cover looks scary, but I was quickly drawn into the physical and spiritual story worlds. The book starts in the middle of the action, with the main characters caught up in horrific terrorist attacks. We live through their pain and angst over losing loved ones, and journey with them as they rebuild their lives and face even greater challenges.

I loved the way the plot intertwined, and all the story threads came together in an exciting and thrilling finale. I found the interplay between the angels, demons, and humans both fascinating and plausible in the context of the story. The power of prayer, in particular intercessory prayer, is an important theme in the story. The characters had depth, and I also liked the romantic element in the story that added to the core conflict. I recommend Angelguard to those who like reading supernatural thrillers.

USA trip: Oregon Coast Part 2

Last week I shared my highlights from the first part of my trip to the Oregon Coast. Today we’re heading south from Seaside to the lovely little town of Cannon Beach. A few surfers braved the cool temperatures in the ocean. I find it fascinating that the Pacific Ocean, as far south as San Francisco, is too cold to swim in without a wetsuit, even in summer. We have warmer water temperatures in Australia on our mainland southern coastline.

We meandered along the main street in Cannon Beach, visiting an art gallery and browsing in a number of stores. The photo below was taken during our stroll through Cannon Beach.

We drove a short distance and walked on the sand at Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach. The weather was pleasant and sunny, with a light breeze off the water. A gorgeous September day to visit the beach.

We travelled south from Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast Highway. We reached the western shoulder of Neahkahnie Mountain, and stopped at the lookout. I was blown away by the magnificence of the scenery, with mountains and the Pacific Ocean close together. The view south toward Manzanita was stunning.

We visited the Tillamook Cheese Factory, and I sampled their famous icecream. Delicious and creamy, I’d definitely go back for more.

I wish we’d had more time to spend at the coast. I loved the scenery, and the laid back atmosphere of the seaside towns. Next week I’ll share more highlights from my visit to Oregon as we head inland to the mountains.

ACRBA Tour Rocky Mountain Romance by Lesley Ann McDaniel

7th – 11th April 2014

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Rocky Mountain Romance

by

Lesley Ann McDaniel

About the Book

SHEILA MACINTOSH IS HEAD OVER HEELS FOR BEN JACOBS

But they haven’t spoken since his sister Courtney’s wedding last summer. Now that they’re back together again on Courtney’s Montana ranch, Sheila’s wondering if she only imagined that Ben cared for her—and their time together was just a beautiful dream.

Ben’s crazy about Sheila, but he’s too shy to tell her, and he’s praying for another chance to win her affections. Can this sweet computer expert overcome his shyness and show her that sometimes dreams really do come true?

About the Author

While earning a degree in acting, Lesley Ann McDaniel fell in love with theatrical costuming, and pursued that as a career while nurturing her passion for writing on the side. Through God’s guidance, she has shifted her focus to honing her skills as a writer of women’s and young adult fiction. She is a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association and of a wonderful critique group. A native Montanan and a Big Sky girl at heart, Lesley now resides in the Seattle area.

Narelle: It’s great to see Lesley’s February release being toured by ACRBA. If you’re a contemporary inspirational romance fan, check out Lesley’s latest release from Heartsong Presents. Rocky Mountain Romance is set on a ranch in a beautiful part of Montana.

USA trip: Oregon Coast Part 1

Last week I shared my highlights from Chicago and my road trip to Indy. I attended the ACFW conference in Indy and flew from Indy to Portland, Oregon, via Chicago. I visited for a few days with my husband’s uncle and aunt in Oregon, not far from Portland. Allan and Norma were generous hosts, and we enjoyed our road trips to different parts of Oregon.

Our first stop on our day trip to the Oregon Coast was Camp 18 Restaurant in Elsie. Camp 18 Logging Museum and Restaurant is located on Highway 26, the main road between Portland and the coast. We don’t have many log cabins in Australia, and I was fascinated by intricate detail in the wood carvings. Below is a photo of a Smokey Bear wood carving.

I’d heard about cinnamon rolls. The restaurant provided an opportunity to taste a real American cinnamon roll. I wasn’t disappointed. I initially thought it was served with ice cream. I soon realised it was a scoop of butter, not ice cream, on top of the bun. A very decadent treat that I’d love to taste again.

We drove along Highway 26 to the Oregon Coast Highway. The scenery was gorgeous. I live on the east coast of Australia, and I’m used to the sun rising over the ocean and setting over the mountains. It was amazing to look out over the Pacific Ocean, knowing Australia is many thousands of miles away to the south-west, far beyond the horizon.

We visited Seaside, a lovely coastal town with an enormous sandy beach. You could sit there for hours and relax by the ocean. It was interesting to see a children’s swing set on the sand rather than in a park beside the beach.

We reluctantly left Seaside and headed south. Next week I’ll share more highlights from my visit to the Oregon Coast.

ACRBA Tour Dave the Donkey by Andrew McDonough

31 March – 4 April 2014

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Dave the Donkey

by

Andrew McDonough

About the Book

Jerusalem. A lone rider approaches. The cheering crowd swarm to greet him. The King has come, mounted upon his mighty steed Dave the Donkey! Join Dave, his Grandpa and Jesus in this epic Easter tale of power, courage, death and resurrection. If you like Black Beauty you will love Dave the Donkey.

About the Author

Andrew McDonough is the creator of the popular Lost Sheep resources. He has written and illustrated 21 children’s stories that are used in schools and churches around the world. Based in South Australia, Andrew belongs to the WestCare community, an inner city mission working amongst the homeless, supporting people struggling with addictions and advocating for refugees. He regularly visits schools & churches to tell stories, conduct workshops, preach and lead all-age worship services. He and the Lost Sheep team have a passion to provide high quality Biblical storytelling resources to children’s workers, pastors and parents. Andrew’s stories including Cecil the Lost Sheep, Jesus and the Children, Echidnas on Everest and his latest book, Tina the Tree.

https://www.lostsheep.com.au/

Narelle: My daughter and I enjoyed reading Dave the Donkey. Grandchildren have a special relationship with their grandparents, and Dave is excited to tell his grandpa that he carried the king to Jerusalem. Dave asks his grandfather to tell him what happened to the king in Jerusalem, and he’s surprised to learn the truth.

Dave the Donkey is a sweet story that provides a lovely and easy to understand explanation of what happened at Easter in Jerusalem. It’s written and illustrated in a way that will appeal to younger children. There are 21 books in the Lost Sheep series. I highly recommend this book to parents looking for a fun, Bible-based story that can help their children learn more about Easter.

Many thanks to the author for providing a review copy.

A book giveaway of Dave the Donkey is currently running on the Ausjenny blog as part of the ACRBA Tour.

http://ausjenny.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/acrba-tour-dave-donkey-by-andrew.html

USA trip: Chicago and road trip to Indy

Last week I shared my highlights from the Great Train Adventure. If our itinerary had run according to plan, Suzie and I would have spent two hours in Chicago before boarding a train to Indy. Instead, we were still in Wisconsin when the train to Indy departed from Chicago.

The Amtrak staff were helpful, and we decided to accept their offer of a free night’s accommodation in Chicago. We were given a room in the gorgeous Swissotel overlooking the Chicago River. Our dinner ended up being room service at midnight. This was the start of nearly a week where my Aussie body clock decided that 2am was an appropriate time to fall asleep! I never adjusted to the eastern time zone in Indy that is ten hours different to Australia. Needless to say, I wasn’t feeling at my best in the mornings at the conference in Indy.

The next morning we decided to hire a car to Indy instead of waiting for the train that departed later in the day. The ACFW conference was starting the following day, and we wanted to arrive in time to get settled the night before. Plus, we had dinner plans with writing friends that we didn’t want to miss. I was disappointed that we didn’t have time to explore Chicago, and I’d love to visit again. I was looking forward to our road trip and seeing the countryside between Chicago and Indy. This was my first visit to the midwest, and we drove past miles of corn fields on the interstate. But, the real challenge was leaving Chicago and ending up on the right road to Indy.

I had started adjusting to being on the wrong side of the road while we were in Washington (our cars are right hand drive in Australia). The freeway system south of Chicago was an experience. Our car rental company wouldn’t provide us with a GPS because we were travelling interstate from Illinois to Indiana. We were given a map and told which interstate turn off we needed to make. I concluded there was a road to every city in the US out of Chicago! I’ve never seen so many turn offs in such a short distance. Suzie was driving and it was my job to navigate. Well, that was a big fail on my part when we worked out we were on the road to Detroit, Michigan and had somehow missed the Indy turnoff! After turning around and putting the smart phone to work, we ended up on the correct interstate and crossed the Illinios state line into Indiana. We eventually reached Indianapolis and made it to dinner at the hotel with our friends on time. If you’re interested in learning more about my 2013 ACFW Conference experience, I blogged about it here. I farewelled my travelling companion, Suzie, in Indy. Next week I’ll continue my journey from Indy to the beautiful state of Oregon.