Wandering Wednesday | Cricket Down Under

By Iola Goulton | @iolagoulton

You can't live in Australia (or New Zealand) and not play or watch cricket.

If there isn't a law against it, there should be. Cricket and rugby are our staple sports, and there is more than a little international rivalry between the teams.

But cricket isn't a sport I see in fiction. I've read books where the hero played baseball or football (that's American football, not soccer). I've read Falling for Maddie Grace by Meredith Resce, which featured Australian Rules football. While there are some general market romance novels featuring rugby players (go the All Blacks!), I've never read a novel with a cricket scene.

So I was thrilled when I opened Solo Tu by Narelle Atkins, which starts with beach cricket. Beach cricket, backyard cricket, school cricket, provincial cricket, international cricket. All variations of our national summer sport.

I decided to share some cricket basics with you today, in honor of the release of Solo Tu. 

(Click here to read yesterday's post from Narelle Atkins and be in to win a paper copy of Solo Tu.)

Cricket is a team sport. There are two teams with eleven players on each side, and it's played on a grass oval. The picture above shows my local ground, the Bay Oval.

Each team takes a turn to bat, like in baseball. There are two batters on the pitch, one at each end of the wicket. Here's the wicket. You can see the batters at each end, getting into position for the next ball. The two men in red are the umpires:

Batting

One batter is "on strike", which means they are facing the bowler. There are two sets of wickets, and the two batters run between the wickets to score. If the ball goes all the way to the boundary, that's a "four"—four runs are scored. If the ball goes over the boundary on the full, it's a "six". The batters don't have to run if a four or six are scored, which is an incentive—a batter can be at the crease for hours.

Unlike in baseball, several bowlers take turns to bowl. Each bowls an "over" at a time, which is six bowls or "balls". The next bowler then bowls from the opposite end of the wicket, so each batter gets a chance to face the balls—to be on strike. Bowlers bowl overarm, rather than the more sideways throw of a baseball bowler.

The main ways batters get out are by being caught out, by being bowled out (if the batter misses the ball and it hits the wickets), or run out (if the ball hits the wickets while one of the batters is still running). There are lots of other rules—here are the basics from a recent game I attended:

(Simple? Yeah, right.)

The innings is over either when all the batters are out, or when a certain number of overs have been bowled. The most common games are 20/20, where each team faces 20 overs, or a one-day game, where each team faces 50 overs.

So cricket is kind of like baseball, except where it isn't.

But baseball has nine innings in a game, whereas cricket only has one or two. School and one-day cricket have one innings each, while test cricket has two ... spread over five days. Tests are international games, and usually played as part of a two or three-test series. That's a lot of cricket. The best part? (Or worst part, dependig on your point of view).

A test can result in a draw. Which means you play cricket for fifteen days, and there is no winner. That's testing.

Beach cricket is less formal. It's usually one innings and the boundaries are flexible—the sand dunes and the water. The teams will be even, but won't necessarily be eleven players on each side. Men, women, boys, and girls all play together. The rules bend depending on who is playing, and where. We have lots of space on the beach:

And it's a lot of fun—as you'll see if you read Solo Tu. These days I prefer armchair cricket to playing, but it's still a staple of the Aussie and Kiwi summer.

What's your favourite summer sport?

You can read the cricket scene from Solo Tu below:

Bookish Tuesday: Introducing Solo Tu in A Tuscan Legacy plus #Giveaway | Narelle Atkins

By Narelle Atkins @NarelleAtkins

I'm thrilled to introduce my tenth book - Solo Tu: Only You - Book 7 in A Tuscan Legacy - a contemporary Christian romance novella series spanning three continents.

Solo Tu is releasing today on Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.

I've always wanted to write a book for a continuity series that has shared characters and a connected story world.

A Tuscan Legacy is the brainchild of my author friends Marion Ueckermann and Autumn Macarthur. I was delighted to accept their offer when they asked me to join them in their journey to write an indie novella series based in Tuscany.

The series has an overarching family mystery plot that links all the books together. I've loved working with my authors friends in the group who live in England, South Africa and USA. Marion Ueckermann introduced the series back in January - Wandering Wednesday: Beautiful Tuscany.

Here's the video trailer introducing A Tuscan Legacy:

Let me share Solo Tu with you and introduce you to my characters - Sienna Rossi and Dave Maxwell.

If you read A Tuscan Legacy series from start to finish, you'll meet Sienna in That's Amore (Book 1) and Ti Amo (Book 4) before journeying to Sydney, Australia for Book 7.

Home means everything to Sienna Rossi.

Four years ago, Sienna defied her father by moving to Australia to obtain her teaching qualifications. Her grand plan is shaken by her father’s unexpected death and a trip back to Tuscany for her grandmother’s eightieth birthday where she renews her close bond with her sister, Alessa.

Teacher Dave Maxwell likes the freedom of his nomadic lifestyle. He works contract-to-contract, moving to different high schools around Australia. He’s in Sydney for a season, caring for his grandma while his aunt is on an extended overseas vacation.

Back in Sydney, Sienna moves in with her Aussie cousins and starts her first teaching job, torn between her dream for a future in Australia and her longing for home. Sienna and Dave work at the same school, attend the same church, and quickly become friends. They are drawn together by circumstances and an undeniable attraction.

But their idyllic time together is temporary. Can the girl from Tuscany and the boy from Australia risk everything for love?

A Tuscan Legacy series - Amazon Kindle and coming in print

A Tuscan Legacy novellas are available on Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. The books will be releasing in ebook format first, and will later be available in print. Please check out A Tuscan Legacy series page on Amazon.com for more information.

Here's the complete A Tuscan Legacy series list and the Amazon Kindle release dates.

AVAILABLE NOW:

THAT'S AMORE: That's Love Book 1 by Marion Ueckermann - set in Tuscany, Italy.

LUNA ROSA: Blushing Moon Book 2 by Elizabeth Maddrey - set in Washington DC, USA.

RAPSODIA: Rhapsody Book 3 by Alexa Verde - set in Texas, USA.

TI AMO: I Love You Book 4 by Marion Ueckermann - set in Rome, Italy.

LA FIAMMA SACRA: The Sacred Flame Book 5 by Clare Revell - set in England.

BELLA NOTTE: Beautiful Night Book 6 by Heather Gray - international setting (Europe and USA).

SPECIAL PRE-ORDER PRICE OF 99 CENTS (US):

SOLO TU: Only You Book 7 by Narelle Atkins - releasing MAY 29 - set in Sydney, Australia.

DOLCE VITA: Sweet Life Book 8 by Autumn Macarthur - releasing JUNE 5 - set in Wales.

LA RISPOSTA: The Answer Book 9 by Autumn Macarthur - releasing JUNE 12 - set in Tuscany, Italy.

A Tuscan Legacy Reader Group on Facebook

A Tuscan Legacy has a Reader Group on Facebook. If you'd like to follow the series and keep up-to-date on the latest news, please join our Reader Group.

Giveaway

I'm giving away a print copy of Solo Tu. The giveaway is open to international entrants with a mailing address where Amazon USA delivers.

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on this post and/or the May New Releases post on May 21. Receive two entries in the drawing by commenting on both posts.

The giveaway closes on Tuesday June 5 and the winner will be announced soon after in a comment on this post and the May 2018 New Releases post.

The winner can claim their prize by leaving a comment on this post with their email address or by contacting Narelle via social media. A redraw will take place if the winner doesn't claim their prize by June 30, 2018.

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 | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

International Christian Fiction - New Releases | May 2018 #giveaway

Solo Tu: Only You (A Tuscan Legacy Book 7) by Narelle Atkins 

Home means everything to Sienna Rossi.

Four years ago, Sienna defied her father by moving to Australia to obtain her teaching qualifications. Her grand plan is shaken by her father's unexpected death and a trip back to Tuscany for her grandmother's eightieth birthday where she renews her close bond with her sister, Alessa.

Teacher Dave Maxwell likes the freedom of his nomadic lifestyle. He works contract-to-contract, moving to different high schools around Australia. He's in Sydney for a season, caring for his grandma while his aunt is on an extended overseas vacation.

Back in Sydney, Sienna moves in with her Aussie cousins and starts her first teaching job, torn between her dream for a future in Australia and her longing for home. Sienna and Dave work at the same school, attend the same church, and quickly become friends. They are drawn together by circumstances and an undeniable attraction.

But their idyllic time together is temporary. Can the girl from Tuscany and the boy from Australia risk everything for love?

Giveaway

Narelle Atkins is giving away a print copy of Solo Tu. The giveaway is open to international entrants with a mailing address where Amazon USA delivers.

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on this post and/or Narelle's Bookish Tuesday post on May 29. Receive two entries in the drawing by commenting on both posts.

Check out Narelle's post on Tuesday May 29 for more information on the giveaway that will close on Tuesday June 5, 2018.

Available at Amazon.com

Harvest of Love: Garden Grown Romance Book Three (Arcadia Valley Romance 17) by Valerie Comer

Hot on the heels of a failed relationship, Kenia Akers focuses on her bookstore along with granting her aging grandfather’s desperate desire to get his hands in the dirt through a program at Grace Greenhouse. Reminding herself she’s on the rebound isn’t enough to keep her from falling for the hunky activities coordinator from Granddad’s facility.

Zane Russell is amazed that the fun-loving, pretty bookstore owner is attracted to him, a guy who’s not even in her league. As their relationship deepens, he avoids explaining why he seems allergic to books. Admitting his failures has never been a good move in the past.

Will they find a way to let openness, trust, and acceptance blossom into a harvest of love?

Available at Amazon.com

Digging up Secrets by Sandra Orchard (Victorian Mansion Flower Shop Mysteries)

Nothing is coming up roses for Kaylee Bleu. Not only are all of the plants in her flower shop going thirsty because of a busted well pump, but a competing florist of Orcas Island is stealing customers from The Flower Patch. As if that wasn’t enough to turn her into Florist Grump, a new client who could be Kaylee’s golden ticket to the lucrative country club set is also her most persnickety yet–and continuously threatens to take her business elsewhere.

But all of that seems like no big deal when Kaylee’s plumber discovers a fractured skull in her shop’s yard. The remains belong to Danny Lane, a troubled teenager accused of killing a high school girl in a boating accident thirty-five years ago. The consensus around Turtle Cove was that the boy fled town shortly after the accident, but Kaylee thinks the holes in that story are as big as the grave-size pit dug up around her well pump.

Unfortunately, somebody on Orcas Island wants Kaylee to leave the past buried. At first, she refuses to be intimidated by menacing messages and frightful pranks. But when suspicious accidents begin to befall witnesses close to the cold case, Kaylee’s seeds of doubt blossom into dread. She must decide how deep she’s willing to dig to determine if Danny’s death was an accident . . . or murder.

Available via subscription to the series at Annie's Attic

Rapsodia: Rhapsody (A Tuscan Legacy Book 3) by Alexa Verde

A risk taker with a crushed spirit and a control-addicted businessman with a crushed heart... Can they surrender themselves to God's healing love?

After the woman he loved left him for a richer guy, Marco Carter turned all his passion toward the chain of pizzerias he founded. He can control his business, unlike love. Then his world is turned upside down. He meets Samantha Jenkins on his flight home to Texas after his grandmother's eightieth birthday. Many hours with the guarded but beautiful Samantha has him questioning his career-centered mindset.

A born risk taker and fiercely independent, Samantha misses her former life as a travel photographer and extreme sports aficionado. But more than anything, she grieves her fiancé. On her trip from Italy on the anniversary of his tragic passing, the last thing she expects is to become drawn to her neighbor on her flight. Deep inside, she still blames herself for her fiancé's death...

Though Marco is determined to forget Samantha, the arrival of a mysterious painting reminds him of all that is missing in his life. Hoping for a new chance with her, Marco opens a pizzeria in Samantha's hometown in south Texas. Spending time with her, he's learning to surrender control to the Lord. But apparently it's easier to earn millions than to make Samantha open her heart again. What will it take for her to heal enough to trust in God and take the biggest risk of all-to love again?

Available at Amazon.com

Ti Amo: I Love You (A Tuscan Legacy Book 4) by Marion Ueckermann

She never wants to get married. He does. To her.

The day Alessandra Rossi was born, her mammà died, and a loveless life with the father who blamed the newborn for her mother's death followed. With the help of her oldest brother, Rafaele, Alessa moved away from home the moment she finished school--just like her other siblings had. Now sporting a degree in architectural history and archaeology, Alessa loves her job as a tour guide in the city of Rome--a place where she never fails to draw the attention of men. Not that Alessa cares. Fearing that the man she weds would be anything like her recently deceased father has Alessa vowing to remain single.

American missionary Michael Young has moved to Rome on a two-year mission trip. His temporary future in the country doesn't stop him from spontaneously joining Alessa's tour after spotting her outside the Colosseum. And being bold enough to tell her afterward that one day she'd be his wife. God had told him. And he believed Him. But Alessa shows no sign of interest in Michael.

Can anything sway the beautiful and headstrong Italian to fall in love? Can anyone convince her to put her faith and hope in the Heavenly Father, despite being raised by an earthly one who never loved her? Will her sister's prompting, or a mysterious painting, or Michael himself change Alessa's mind? About love. And about God.

Available at Amazon.com

La Fiamma Sacra: The Sacred Flame (A Tuscan Legacy Book 5) by Clare Revell

Forged in love's sacred flame, can a firefighter and a widow find the path God set for them?

Ric Rossi left the family farm in Tuscany and never looked back. Working as a firefighter in Reading, England, he has everything a man could ask for—a secure job, a firm faith, and a neighbour who cares for his cat Noci when he goes away. The only thing missing is a woman he can share his life with.

Widowed when her son Deforest was a week old, Bracken Hughes isn’t prepared to open herself to the heartache a relationship can bring. Especially with her handsome neighbour who risks his life each time he leaves for work. No matter how good the man is with her son.

Ric finds Deforest to be an appealing child who captures his interest. And the mother has that certain something that pricks his heart. But the unhealed wound in Ric's soul might just spoil any chance he has at love.

Available at Amazon.com

Bella Notte: Beautiful Night (A Tuscan Legacy Book 6) by Heather Gray

He likes to play the field. She's content to wear her goody two shoes.

Piero Carter packs light and travels often. He loves adventure and manages to keep his life simple by sticking to a two-dates-only rule. The longest relationship he's had -- aside from family -- is with his camera. As a photographer who works primarily with fashion, he's used to having his pick of beautiful women who want to be seen by his side.

Felicity von Wolff is a makeup artist whose job takes her around the world. That's all the adventure she craves. She has little use for Piero the Playboy. Being seen on his arm means getting tied to his reputation, and that's the last thing she wants. Yet, somehow, they keep getting thrown together. What's a girl to do?

Piero finally meets a woman who makes him want more than two dates, but does that mean he's ready for one of life's greatest adventures -- falling in love? When Felicity peeks over the wall she's built, she discovers there's more to the people around her than she ever realized. What will it take for Piero and Felicity to stop hiding from life and open their eyes to the rich beauty God has in store for them?

Available at Amazon.com

The 49th Mystic by Ted Dekker

Some say the great mystery of how one can live in two worlds at once died with Thomas Hunter many years ago. Still others that the gateway to that greater reality was and is only the stuff of dreams.

They are wrong. In the small town of Eden, Utah, a blind girl named Rachelle Matthews is about to find out just how wrong.

When a procedure meant to restore Rachelle's sight goes awry, she begins to dream of another world so real that she wonders if Earth might only be a dream experienced when she falls asleep in that reality. Who is a simple blind girl to have such strange and fantastic dreams?

She's the prophesied one who must find and recover five ancient seals--in both worlds--before powerful enemies destroy her. If Rachelle succeeds in her quest, peace will reign. If she fails, both worlds will forever be locked in darkness.

So begins a two-volume saga of high stakes and a mind-bending quest to find an ancient path that will save humanity. The clock is ticking; the end rushes forward.

Ready? Set?

Dream.

Available from Amazon.com

Becoming the Talbot Sisters by Rachel Linden

Twin sisters Waverly and Charlie Talbot have drifted far apart as they pursue opposite dreams of stardom and service to the poor. On an astonishing journey across Central Europe, they must come together to face their fears, find their courage and fight for what they love.

Celebrity chef Waverly Ross has built a successful career with her home-entertaining show Simply Perfect. Yet she and her husband, Andrew, have never been able to realize the true desire of Waverly’s heart: to become a mother. Meanwhile Waverly’s twin sister, Charlie Talbot, buries her bitter disappointment and shattered idealism beneath a life spent serving others as an international aid worked in Budapest, Hungary.

When the beloved aunt who raised them passes away, Waverly and Charlie come together in their grief after living years on separate continents. Struck by a fierce desire to bridge the distance between them, Charlie offers Waverly and her husband the selfless gift of surrogacy.

But soon the sisters find they are each in danger of losing their jobs, seemingly putting their dreams on hold once again. When Waverly shows up unannounced in Budapest with a plan to rescue Simply Perfect, the sisters embark on an adventure across Central Europe that could save them both from occupational hazards. Though the twins haven’t had to rely on each other since childhood, an unforeseen dangerous turn in their journey across Europe forces them to stand together to save their careers, the baby, and each other.

Available from Amazon.com

No Less Days by Amanda G. Stevens

David Galloway can’t die.

How many lifetimes can God expect one man to live? Over a century old, David Galloway isolates himself from the mortal humans who die or desert him by making a quiet life as a used bookstore owner in Northern Michigan. But then he spots a news article about a man who, like him, should be dead.

Daredevil celebrity Zachary Wilson walked away unscathed from what should have been a deadly fall. David tracks the man down, needing answers. Soon David discovers a close-knit group of individuals as old as he is who offer the sort of kinship and community he hasn’t experienced for decades—but at what cost?

David finds himself keeping secrets other than his own. . .protecting more than himself alone. He’ll have to decide what’s worth the most to him—security or community. When crimes come to light that are older than any mortal, he fears the pressure is more than he can stand. What does God require of him, and is David strong enough to see it through?

Available from Amazon.com

Print Book Giveaways for International Readers | Narelle Atkins

By Narelle Atkins  @NarelleAtkins

Do you see a print book giveaway on a blog or social media and hesitate to get excited? 

If you're an international reader who lives outside the USA, you'll know to read the fine print on the giveaway to check to see if you're eligible to enter.

At International Christian Fiction Writers (ICFW) we don't do a lot of giveaways, but when we do a giveaway here we try to make sure there's an option for international readers to at least win an ebook, if not a print book.

There is a reason why print book giveaways from US-based authors are often limited to US mailing addresses: postage costs. For authors who are sent print books from their publisher to give away, it's only around $3 US to mail the books within the US. It's significantly more expensive to mail that same book to an international mailing address.

The Book Depository has traditionally been our go-to place at ICFW to buy and send print books to winners of our giveaways. They offer competitive prices and free worldwide shipping.

A few of us at ICFW who write contemporary Christian romance also blog with Inspy Romance. At Inspy Romance we're celebrating our 4th birthday and offering 10 giveaway bundles - 4 print book bundles (US only) - 4 ebook bundles (international) - a Grand Prize (US only) - PLUS a print book bundle for an international reader to win.

Yes, Inspy Romance is offering a print book giveaway containing 6 books specifically for international readers. How often do you see a multi-book print giveaway for readers who live outside the US? 

If you like reading contemporary Christian romance, stop by the Inspy Romance blog and enter the Birthday Bash giveaway.

Have you discovered many print book giveaways that are open to readers who live outside the US? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.      

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 | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Bookish Tuesday ~ A Season to Dance by Patricia Beal plus #giveaway

By Narelle Atkins @narelleatkins

Today I'm sharing a book recommendation for A Season to Dance - the debut novel from ICFW blog member Patricia Beal.

Book Description

Ana Brassfield has her path to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House all figured out until her first love, renowned German dancer Claus Gert, returns to Georgia to win her back. Despite a promising start towards her ballet career and pending marriage to landscape architect, Peter Engberg, Ana wonders if her dreams of dancing at the Met are as impossible as her previous romantic relationship with Claus.

Then, an on-stage kiss between Ana and Claus changes everything.

Convinced the kiss is more than a one-time mistake, Peter breaks off their engagement. With an old dog crippled by arthritis and dreams deferred but not left behind, Ana moves to Germany to be with Claus. But the ghost of his late wife, Ana’s own feelings for Peter, and the pressure of earning a spot in a large ballet company are a high price for a shot at success. Ana seems on the verge of having everything she ever dreamed of, but will it be enough?

Narelle’s Thoughts

I absolutely loved reading A Season to Dance. I read the book within twenty-four hours, during the time I should have been using to write my own book, because I just couldn’t put it down. I needed a bunch of tissues to mop up my tears toward the end of the story and my family had a late dinner because I lost track of the time.

It was a powerful story and an emotional read, but before I go into more detail there’s something I’ll share with you first. This wasn’t the first time I’d started reading this book.

Patricia’s debut novel released in early May 2017 and I’d planned to read and review it for my May posting date on the Inspy Romance group blog. I’ve known Patricia online for a few years and I was thrilled to see her debut book release. A Season to Dance had great endorsements and early reviews, and I’d set aside time after the release date to read the Kindle version.

There was only one problem. I read Chapter One and the ending chapter hook triggered a deep fear I’d been grappling with for eight months. The fear of losing my husband to a life threatening health issue. I read Chapter Two but it became too hard to continue reading. The characters were too real, the writing too vivid, the story too good and too painful to read at that point in time.

For Inspy Romance in May last year, I used this reading experience to springboard my ideas for the post I wrote on Hot Button Issues and Trigger Warnings in Christian Romance. And I prayed. A Season To Dance had revealed to me an issue in my life that I needed to work through and hand over in prayer. I made the decision to put the book aside and read it in His timing. At the same time I won a print copy from a giveaway. The print book sat at the bottom of a pile of books on my bedside table, waiting for its turn to be read.

Ana is a girl from small town Georgia who has big dreams of an international ballet career. Her goal is to dance at the Met in NYC.

Ana isn’t a Christian at the start of the story. This means she doesn’t hold Christian values and doesn’t follow Biblical principles regarding morality. She’s real and she makes mistakes. Her life is complicated and messy as she lives out the consequences of her unwise decisions. The bedroom door is closed but the reader is aware of the physical nature of Ana’s romantic relationships in the story.

A love triangle plays out between Peter, the landscape architect from back home and Claus, a successful German dancer who travels the world. I’m not usually a fan of the love triangle romance trope, but the unique twist it adds to the plot is brilliant.

We journey with Ana to Germany and Prague and also experience the angst in her complex journey to faith. The setting in Europe and Georgia is stunning. I enjoyed travelling with Ana and gaining an insight into the world of ballet.

The opening chapter doesn’t reveal the identity of her husband and it may seem odd to jump ahead in time at the start. In the second half of the book the importance of the placement of Chapter One makes sense and adds to the building tension in the story.

I loved the ending and closed the book with a smile on my face.

The gospel message in the story is clear and powerful. The author’s note at the end of the book explains how the author herself became a Christian while writing the book.

A Season to Dance is a contemporary romance I’d recommend to Christians and seekers who are exploring Christianity. It addresses the hard issues in life and how our inherent selfishness will hurt others, including the people we love.

Many thanks to Patricia for blessing me with a print copy. It’s now on my keeper shelf. Learn more about Patricia and her book at her website and stop by our blog tomorrow to read about Patricia's real life journey in the book setting with her characters.

Have you put aside a Christian fiction book that was too hard or challenging to read, and later been blessed by reading it? I’d love to hear your thoughts and feelings.

*Remember to comment to participate in the giveaway. The prize is one autographed print copy of A Season to Dance (open worldwide, void where prohibited). The deadline to comment is 11 p.m. EST on Friday, January 12. Participants can comment on the A Season to Dance review posted by Narelle Atkins on January 9 and/or on Patricia Beal's Wandering Wednesday real life settings post on January 10. People who comment on both posts get two entries. Winner will be selected via random.org and announced on Saturday via comment on both blog posts. Thanks!

About Narelle Atkins

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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor
Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins

Book Recommendation ~ Unnoticed by Amanda Deed

Book Description:

Plain Jane O’Reilly is good at being unnoticed. Detested by her stepmother and teased by her stepsisters, Jane has learned the art of avoiding attention. That is until Price Moreland, an American with big dreams, arrives in her small town.

Does she dare to hope someone might notice her?

However, Price Moreland may not be the prince that the whole town thinks him to be. Was his desire to be a missionary a God-given call, or just a good excuse to run from his past?

Complete with an evil stepmother, a missing shoe and a grand ball, Unnoticed takes the time-old Cinderella fairy tale and gives it an Australian twist.

Narelle's Thoughts:

I'm a fan of the Cinderella romance trope and enjoyed reading Unnoticed. The story is set in the 1870's in Hay, a small Australian town in the western Riverina region of NSW.

Jane O'Reilly is your classic Cinderella heroine. She lost her beloved mother when she was young and her father remarried a woman with two daughters. Jane's stepmother has no qualms about treating Jane as if she is a second class citizen and her personal slave. Jane's father seems to turn a blind eye to his wife's blatant favouritism of her own daughters over Jane.

Jane has very low self esteem that's reinforced by the horrible treatment she receives from her stepmother and stepsisters. Her Aunt Ruby, who is their cook and her stepmother's sister, is one of the few people who treats Jane with respect and dignity.

Forced by her stepmother to dress in old and ugly clothing, the townsfolk of Hay call her 'Plain Jane' and treat her as if she's the town joke. Jane believes she's ugly and feels powerless to change her life circumstances.

Price Moreland is an American who recently moved to Hay. He sets up a Barber and Dental Surgery in town but his main goal is to share the gospel with the unchurched townsfolk in Hay. He has a complicated relationship with his wealthy rancher father and is troubled by his experiences of living in the south during the American Civil War.

Price meets Jane when she turns up at his dental surgery with an infected tooth. He's the prince charming who is intrigued by Jane and sees both her inner and outer beauty. Jane struggles to believe she can be worthy of Price. They become friends and a sweet romance develops between them as they overcome many obstacles in the story.

Their spiritual journeys are explored and the faith element in the story is both overt and compelling. Price and Jane are challenged on a spiritual level and draw on Biblical truths to resolve their faith issues.

The story addresses social issues of inequality and racism in both Australia and the USA. My husband has Chinese ancestors who migrated to Australia during the 1850's Gold Rush and lived in the Riverina region of NSW. My personal connection to the setting added to my interest in the social class dynamics in the story.

I recommend Unnoticed to readers who like historical Christian romances set in Australia.

Learn more about Amanda Deed and her books here.

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

Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor

Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins

International Christian Fiction ~ We've Come a Long Way

By Narelle Atkins

I was recently chatting online with Valerie Comer about how the publishing world has changed and evolved during the last decade.

Back in 2007

Ten years ago I was an unpublished writer on the contest circuit. The vast majority of fiction writers were seeking traditional publishing contracts. Literary agents and acquisition editors at traditional publishing houses often talked about their large manuscript slush piles. Only a tiny portion of the manuscripts that crossed their desks were contracted. Becoming a contest finalist was one way a writer could skip the slush pile and place their manuscript at the top of the reading pile on an editor or agent's desk.

International Christian fiction books were often considered a risky financial proposition. I heard editors from traditional publishing houses talk at conferences about how Christian fiction with foreign settings didn't sell as well as US settings. 

A contest judge in 2007 wrote the following feedback on one of my contest entries:

"If she is an Aussie, you’re going to have a harder time with American publishers. I only bring this up as a published author who loves foreign settings, but knows the resistance of the CBA. Your main characters need to be American. There are exceptions, yes, but overall, this is the situation right now."

Seven years later my contest entry with new title Her Tycoon Hero became my fourth release from Harlequin's Heartsong Presents line. But the contest judge was right: In 2007 it was almost impossible for a debut author to sell a book with international characters and settings to a traditional publisher in the Christian fiction market. 

Fast forward to 2017

We've seen massive market disruptions in the publishing industry over the last decade. Independent publishing and the rise in popularity of ebooks have changed the face of publishing. 

The market barriers that existed in 2007 have fallen away. Authors can publish and sell their books directly to readers using distributors eg. Amazon, and effectively create their own publishing small business. Authors can contract services eg. editing, book covers, book formatting, or DIY. Authors have the option to traditional publish or indie publish or both (hybrid publishing). 

In recent weeks we've celebrated the success of one of our own. Kara Isaac is a double Rita finalist for her debut book, Close to You, set in New Zealand. The Ritas are a prestigious romance book award judged by published author members of Romance Writers of America. We're thrilled for Kara and excited to see an international Christian fiction title final in the Best First Book and Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements categories.

Our International Christian Fiction Writers blog was launched in November 2009. In the last eight and a half years our blog members have published more than 140 books set in more than 30 countries. At least 100 of those books are set outside the US in what is considered a foreign or international setting. Many of the recent releases are independently published. 

Our blog was started by a group of writers who connected in ACFW's Beyond the Border's Zone group. We started with a dream and a vision to see our international Christian fiction stories published and reaching our target audience of readers. 

It's a blessing to see the hopes, prayers, and dreams of our group members bearing fruit. Hopes and dreams that may have seemed almost impossible when we started our blog. My prayer is we'll continue to be inspired and encouraged to write for His glory.   

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

Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor

Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins

Book Recommendation ~ The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller

Book Description:

Handsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions.

That's the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister's daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won't take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia's pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother--who stole the most important person in Livvie's world.

Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he's just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there's already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect.

That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn't the only heart that needs to change.

These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society's opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.

Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister's daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God's grace and the true strength of love.

Narelle's thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading The Elusive Miss Ellison, Book 1 in the Regency Brides series. The regency era is one of my favourite historical romance time periods, and it was a pleasure to read Carolyn Miller's excellent debut novel.

Lavinia Ellison has a heart for the poor people who live in her village. Her faith inspires her to care for the poor and needy, even if there's a personal cost to her own welfare. Lavinia has lived with the trauma from witnessing the accident that killed her mother when she was a young girl. She was raised by her church minster father and devoted aunt who encouraged her to pursue her love for music. 

Nicholas Stamford never expected to become the seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, a title he inherited after the death of his irresponsible older brother. A former soldier, Nicholas is a handsome and honourable man who is adjusting to his new life and responsibilities. 

Lavinia is on a mission to convince the Earl that he needs to repair the dilapidated village homes. She is wary of him, knowing that his brother was involved in the accident that killed her mother. Lavinia is convinced that Nicholas' questionable character, lack of faith, and higher social standing rule him out as a potential suitor. 

Nicholas is intrigued by Lavinia, charmed by her beauty, and appreciative of her sharp wit. His mother is scheming to match him with a lady of means who will add to the family fortune and maintain their social status. A delightful twist in the story changes everything, forcing both Nicholas and Lavinia to move in a different direction and question their long held values and beliefs.

The story is beautifully paced with lively banter and plot twists that raised the stakes and kept me turning the page. Nicholas and Lavinia develop a friendship and the rules of society dictate how they relate to each other. The faith element is a natural part of the story and we journey with Lavinia and Nicholas as they grow in their faith.     

I highly recommend The Elusive Miss Ellison to regency romance fans who enjoy a fast paced and entertaining Christian romance. Book 2, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, will release on June 27, 2017.

Learn more about Carolyn Miller and her books at her website.

Professional Development for Writers

By Narelle Atkins

I started writing my first book last century. Fourteen years later I sold that book to a traditional publisher in a six book deal. My writing apprenticeship of fourteen years is long by today's standards.

A debut author has options in 2017 that didn't exist when I started writing. They can pursue traditional publishing opportunities or independently publish their first book. Both options are legitimate. The wisdom lies in an author discerning which publishing path (traditional, indie, or hybrid) is best for their writing career and whether or not their book is ready to be published.

Writing quality matters. In many ways it matters more in 2017 than it did last century. The book market is saturated with books that aren't going out of print. The supply of new print, digital, and audio books available for readers to purchase or borrow increases every day. Millions of books are available online. Readers are no longer limited to reading what's available on the shelf in their local book store or library. The best quality books will stand out in a crowded market where word of mouth marketing sells books.

My fourteen year writing apprenticeship was largely spent on two key things. Firstly, I invested time and money in learning the craft of writing. I took writing classes, read craft books, attended writing conferences, worked with critique partners, and entered unpublished writing contests.

Secondly, I learned how to write a marketable contemporary Christian romance that attracted the interest of an editor at a publishing house. Both of these endeavours required skills that aren't born from natural talent. A writing career requires persistence, hard work, and a willingness to learn.

The hard work doesn't end when your debut book is published. Marketing and book promotion activities become part of an author's life. Readers who enjoyed your first book eagerly await your second book. And your third book. They want to be wowed again and again by the stories you create.

Writing professional development is a lifelong pursuit for authors. Traditionally published authors have to wow their editor to obtain their next contract. All authors have to wow their readers to inspire them to buy their next book.

In March I'll be blessed with the opportunity to attend a Margie Lawson Immersion Master Class over a holiday weekend. In Australia. In Canberra. Only a fifteen minute drive from my home. I've wanted to work with Margie for years, and I'm thrilled that I can fit the Writing Intensive Master Class into my 2017 schedule. The timing is perfect for a bunch of reasons.

Have you made plans in 2017 to pursue writing professional development opportunities? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

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

Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor

Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins

Join us for An Aussie Summer Christmas!

By Narelle Atkins 

I love reading Christmas romances. I often dream about experiencing a white Christmas like the characters in the inspirational romances I read by my favourite North American authors. My real life Aussie Christmas experience is very different to the winter-themed stories.

I grew up on the northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. My aunt and uncle lived across the road from Long Reef Beach in Collaroy. When I was younger I'd enjoy our Christmas day family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings. After lunch I'd head to the beach with my sister and cousins. Swimming in the ocean on Christmas Day is a foreign concept to most of my friends who live in the Northern Hemisphere.

The contemporary inspirational romance novellas in An Aussie Summer Christmas are set in coastal Australia and reflect our hot summer Christmas. We play in the sun instead of the snow and love our outdoors lifestyle.

My ninth release, Seaside Christmas, is part of An Aussie Summer Christmas novella boxed set available on Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. 

Australian and New Zealand readers can read An Aussie Summer Christmas in Kindle Unlimited from Amazon Australia.

Next month I will start independently releasing my out-of-print Heartsong Presents back list titles from my Snowgum Creek and Sydney Sweethearts series on Amazon Kindle. The six books will have brand new covers, and three of the books will have new titles. Join my newsletter list to receive an email when the ebooks are available. 

Falling for the Farmer (Snowgum Creek Book 1) will be available before Christmas. 

Book Description:

Chelsea Somers is the girl he never called back. Six years later, former bad boy Gus Donovan is intrigued by Chelsea, but his past mistakes continue to haunt him. Gus is determined to prove he’s a changed man—prove it to his friends, his family, his father. And prove it to Chelsea. 

Chelsea has embraced the faith she once mocked, and she’s focused on furthering her career in health promotion and staying away from politics. She’s drawn to Gus, although his busy role as an advisor for an Australian senator doesn’t impress her. When she’s forced to confront her fears and deal with a past family tragedy, can Gus convince her to trust him and take a chance on him? 

A heartwarming Christmas romance novella set in Sydney, Australia. 

Seaside Christmas is a standalone novella and Book 3.5 in the Sydney Sweethearts series.

~~~~~~

What do you love about Christmas? Will you be having a white Christmas, or a summer Christmas, or something in between? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.