Spring Fever e-Giveaways: 1 Box Set, 1 eBook

By Marion Ueckermann

This morning I walked outside, carrying my bowl of rice crispies, and breathed in the awesome freshness of the changing of the seasons as we slowly creep into autumn. Normally my mornings are rushed—once I’m dressed it’s a dash to the car (no time to stop and smell the roses, or the morning breeze), drive to work with my nose stuck in my laptop (no, I’m not driving, hubby is), and then a dash inside the building where I worked. Stay there until 6pm and repeat the sequence in reverse. So I savored the time this morning, because today feels like the first day of the rest of my life—my life as a full-time author.

But, this blog is not about that journey. This blog is about the abundance of spring happening in the northern hemisphere. Love Blossoms is a collaboration by 7 authors from all corners of the globe, bringing readers 7 spring-fresh romances in one neatly packaged box set. And this weekend, this amazing collection went on sale for just $0.99c (an 80% saving off the normal price). But hurry, sale ends today though. If you haven’t yet bought your copy, you can do so now by following this link.

On Friday the authors ran a Bookbub ad, and when we quickly got the Amazon orange ribbon—No. 1 Bestseller—and placed No. 1 in all three categories the set was listed in, the weekend was spent watching the Amazon author rankings for Religion and Spirituality. I started Friday off not having seen the Amazon Top 100 for some time. By Saturday, we were all in the top 18, with five making it to page 1 (top 10).

Forget about spring fever ... we were all Bookbub frenzied. It was so exciting.

But, besides Love Blossoms, I had more spring fever happening last week when I released Spring’s Promise. And to share the fever, I’m giving away one copy of Spring’s Promise, and one copy of Love Blossoms. Leave a comment to be in the draws (and if you only want to be in one draw, please state so in your comment).

1972. Every day in Belfast, Northern Ireland, holds risk, especially for the mayor’s daughter. But Dr. Olivia O'Hare has a heart for people and chooses to work on the wrong side of a city where colors constantly clash. The orange and green of the Republicans pitted against the red and blue of those loyal to Britain. While they might share the common hue of white, it brings no peace.

Caught between the Republicans and Loyalists’ conflict, blue-collar worker Ryann Doyle has to wonder if there’s life before death. The answer seems to be a resounding, ‘No’. His mother is dead, his father’s a drunk, and his younger brother, Declan, is steeped in the Provisional IRA. Then he crosses paths with Olivia O’Hare.

After working four days straight, mopping up PIRA’s latest act of terror, Olivia is exhausted. All she wants is to go home and rest. But when she drives away from Royal Victoria Hospital, rest is the last thing Olivia gets.

When Declan kidnaps the Lord Mayor of Belfast’s daughter, Ryann has to find a way to rescue the dark-haired beauty, though it means he must turn his back on his own flesh and blood for someone he just met.

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

MARION UECKERMANN's passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. She now lives in South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally.

You can connect with Marion in the following places:

Website / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Returning to a favourite series

By Narelle Atkins

I loved writing the books in my Snowgum Creek series, and I was delighted to have an opportunity to return to Snowgum Creek and write a novella.

The Bridesmaid’s Hero is a contemporary Christian romance novella in my Snowgum Creek series. The story is set in a fictional town in the Snowy Mountains region of Australia. I had a chance to reunite with Jack, the hero in my debut book, Falling for the Farmer.

Falling for the Farmer was the second book I wrote, and I first started writing it over a decade ago. It was great to see Jack again, and get a glimpse of his life with Kate in-between the first two books in the series.

I've always been a big fan of series books. As a reader, I love visiting familiar settings and seeing characters from previous books after the excitement of their romance and wedding is over. I want to believe that the hero and heroine will live happily-ever-after and their relationship will survive the challenges of life. Series books can provide a window into the lives of the characters we grew to love. They can give us an insight into their new life as a married couple.

Book Description:

Pastry chef Serena Blaxland isn’t staying in the small Australian town of Snowgum Creek. She’s there for her sister’s wedding, and to help out at the family B&B until her mother’s arm heals. Sparks fly when the handsome driver of their bridal car saves Serena from disrupting her sister’s perfect wedding day.

Harry Westmore’s dream of becoming an equine vet was put on hold when his father passed away. He’s working several jobs in his home town to pay his bills and prepare for his future career. He can’t stay away from the beautiful chef when he visits the B&B each day to look after her mother’s horses.

Serena’s home is in Canberra, where she has built a successful career. When Harry’s offered an opportunity too good to refuse, they must decide if their love and faith can overcome all obstacles.

The Bridesmaid’s Hero is a standalone novella and Book 1.5 in the Snowgum Creek series.

The Bridesmaid's Hero is part of the Love Blossoms contemporary Christian romance box set. Marion Ueckermann and Autumn Macarthur also have novellas in the collection, and we add an international flavour to the spring theme.

Here’s a short excerpt from Chapter One of The Bridesmaid's Hero:

Serena Blaxland leaned back into the soft leather rear seat of the white BMW hire car, her bare shoulders tense. Wedding planning had transformed Debbie, her easygoing older sister, into Bridezilla in her quest for a perfect day. She’d never forgive them if they kept her waiting.

The front door of their parents’ Snowgum Creek home remained open. Serena’s younger sister was inside the farm house. Why was it taking Gina so long to find a missing tube of lipstick? She’d been in there ten minutes already.

Serena fidgeted with the hem of her knee-length pale pink bridesmaid dress, her immaculate French manicure catching the early afternoon sunlight. Her nails had never looked this good, but the manicure failed to hold her interest.

The handsome driver of their hire car had captured her full attention.

He paced the length of the front veranda, his elegant suit accentuating his tall, muscular physique. Harry Westmore. The name suited him.

Harry returned to the car and crouched beside her open window, his fair hair ruffled and eyebrows drawn together. “The rest of the bridal party left fifteen minutes ago. Should I find out what’s holding up your sister?”

She shook her head, meeting his concerned gaze. “I’ll give her a few more minutes before I go inside and yell. Unlike Debbie, Gina has no concept of punctuality.”

“The bride was determined to leave on time.”

“That’s Debbie for you.”

His eyes, the color of the cloudless sky overhead, hinted at his impatience.

An idyllic September spring day, and they had a long drive ahead. The bride had left with her parents in a matching BMW. The chief bridesmaid had snubbed Serena and Gina by catching a ride to Sunny Ridge with her boyfriend in his luxury sports coupe. Debbie hadn’t been impressed by Crystal’s last-minute change of plans.

Gina flounced onto the veranda, slamming the front door behind her. Two inch heels didn’t slow her progress across the lawn. “I found it, finally.” She held the lipstick in the air as if it was a precious gem.

Serena let out a deep breath. If Harry drove the speed limit, they should make it on time to Sunny Ridge Community Church in the large town west of Snowgum Creek. Pre-wedding photos were scheduled in the adjoining park.

He opened the car door for Gina and she slid into her seat behind the driver, her skirt a tangled mess around her thighs.

Gina bit her lip. “I hate this skirt.”

“Be thankful it’s not floor length.”

“True, but I wish Debbie had asked what we thought before she chose our dresses.”

“It’s her wedding.”

“And don’t we know it.”

She let Gina’s comment slide. Her younger sister’s relationship with Debbie was fraught with issues, and Harry didn’t need to hear their complaints. He’d already witnessed Crystal’s emotional outburst. Debbie’s best friend had refused to travel to Sunny Ridge in the bridesmaids’ car.

Harry started the car, a quiet purr compared to the cough and splutter of Serena’s aging hatchback. “Ladies, are we ready?”

“Let’s go.” Gina buckled her seat belt. “I hope we won’t be late.”

Serena suppressed a groan. “Me too, because Debbie doesn’t need the extra stress. Harry, I’m ready.”

“Okay.” He maneuvered the luxury car over the cattle guard at the front entrance next to the prominent Blaxland B&B sign, onto a short dirt track leading to the main road. “We have enough time.”

“Oh, good.” Gina stashed her lipstick in her purse. “I’m already in Debbie’s bad books.”

Serena tightened her grip on the door handle. “What did you do this time?”

Read more in the sample at Amazon.com.

A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia.

Website: http://www.narelleatkins.com

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