I love reading books where the characters spend a lot of time outdoors doing fun and cool activities. Being a sports fan, many outdoor summer sports are near the top of my love-to-read list. Cycling, swimming, hiking…the list could go on if I included everything I love about the outdoors. I love stories set at the beach, on the farm, and the cowboys and cowgirls on the ranch. I love the small town settings where the town is like a character, and we experience nature with the characters in the surrounding region.
Winter outdoor activities (and anything to do with snow) also makes my list. It’s fun in real life to stay safe and warm inside a log cabin, curled up with a great book. In a story, we don’t feel the cold or risk frost bite if we’re stranded outdoors in a blizzard or exploring the Alaskan wilderness.
Water sports, boating, and fishing are super fun to read, especially when the story is set near a lake, river, or the ocean. There are no bugs to worry about, or wild animals to watch out for, or seasickness to manage. Sunburn that could lead to skin cancer is not a concern from my armchair unless, of course, I’m reading outdoors in the sun.
Experiencing fictional adventures with characters we love can have many advantages over real life. Travel is expensive, and we can jump onboard the fictional billionaire’s private jet and fly anywhere in the world. Of course, it’s not the same as actually being there and visiting international locations. But, sometimes it’s the next best thing if I’m absorbed in the story world and feel like I’m really experiencing life with the characters. Those are the stories I love the best.
In a few weeks I’m releasing a new book that introduces readers to a fictional small town called Trinity Lakes. Never Find Another You is the first book in the multi-author series, and my hero and heroine love the outdoors. Joel is an Aussie who loves sports and is a tiler by trade. Hannah grew up in Trinity Lakes and runs the community rowing club. Hannah and Joel share a love for kayaking and rowing, and they spend a lot of their leisure time outdoors. I loved writing Joel and Hannah’s romance story, and journeying with them in a variety of new-to-me outdoor settings in the Pacific North West.
Here’s the Book Description for Never Find Another You:
Giveaway:
Never Find Another You is releasing on February 21. I’m giving away a copy to a reader who comments on this post – ebook (worldwide) or paperback (USA and Australian mailing addresses only).
The giveaway will close on Friday, February 17, 2023 and the winner announced in the Sunday Edition.
Questions for you: Do you like reading contemporary Christian romance (CCR) books with characters who love the outdoors? Can you recommend any CCR books or series with a large part of the story taking place outdoors? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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 and international locations.
Good morning Narelle! Living in Michigan with 4 seasons, this retiree enjoys reading small town outdoor inspired stories. Being over 70 years old, it is fun to participate in outdoor activities from the comfort of my home. One series with an outdoor setting, I enjoyed was Valerie Comer Pot to Gold Geocaching. Best wishes. Happy Writing.
I love your new book cover! Yes, I enjoy CCR stories with characters who enjoy the outdoors. It’s five in the morning here, and I’ve been awake about 20 minutes. Consequently, my brain isn’t firing at 100%. I can’t recall a single CCR book that takes place mostly outdoors.
The thing I love most about reading is experiencing activities and settings I never normally would in real life – so I love books with interesting outdoor activities and learning more about all sorts of things. I’ve never been within touching distance of a horse, but I really enjoy reading about cowboys and ranches and rodeos, there are so many CCRs with these settings.
I love reading books that are set outdoors. I’m not great at recalling book names though, so I’m afraid I don’t have a recommendation for you.
I love CCR stories! I’m learning how to include the setting in my own writing!
Yes indeed I do. Especially in the midst of a steamy, hot, stormy summer here in Sydney I love experiencing CCR in the outdoors in air conditioned comfort without all those mosquitoes who just love me. My favourite time for an outdoor setting is autumn with all those crunchy leaves and crisp air.
It might be interesting to read about outdoor activities especially since I am a city girl with more love for indoor activities and exercises.
Oh, your book sounds like it’s right up my alley!! I love books like this! I love the Chapel Cove series (which I think you’re going to be a part of), and Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series, and Mandi Blake’s series, where quite a bit happens outside!
I enjoy reading about outdoor sports too. I’m not much of an outdoors person but I find it fun to experience different things vicariously through characters. Who knows, after reading about it I may try it myself!
I’m not really an outdoors person, but happy for characters to explore.
I enjoy walking and hiking in nature, and I enjoy reading about the outdoors as well as stories set in the wild.
yes, can’t think of any
Yes, I enjoy reading books with characters outdoors. I have been reading a lot of romantic suspense with outdoor activities. I enjoyed Alaskan Avalanche Escape by Darlene L. Turner, Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard and Detecting Secrets by Sami A. Abrams. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I like books with outdoor settings, and I like Christian books so, I am sure I would like them together in one story.
yes I don’t mind outdoor activities. Things like snow skiing that are so foreign to me (having never seen fresh snow fall). But I like hiking etc. not as big on the fishing. I know I have read books in the outdoors (Some of your earlier ones come to mind)
I also love books set in Alaska. One of my favourites was a heartsong presents by Tracie Peterson under her pen name. It featured the Iditarod. What I love was experiencing it without being cold or having to deal with my fear of dogs!
Reading books you don’t have fears.
Hi Renate, yes, I enjoyed Valerie’s Pot of Gold series and geocaching outdoors with the characters. By memory, her Riverbend series also has books with an outdoors focus. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kimberly, We’re really happy with what our cover designer has put together for the series covers. 5am is too early for me to think, too, lol. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Ruthie, I haven’t been horse riding since I was a teen, and I do love reading books with horses. Ranches and rodeos are fun settings to read. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Melynda, I think co-hosting StoryChats has trained me to pay attention to book titles, lol. When I’m reading CCR, I’m thinking ‘how could this book fit an episode theme.’ Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Angie, Setting is fun to explore in our writing and reading. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Dianne, Summer humidity in Sydney is not fun, and the mosquitoes and sand flies are a pain. Autumn will be here before we know it! Air conditioned comfort works for me, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lilly, It’s fun to read about activities that are different to our normal lives. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trudy, I hope you’ll enjoy the Trinity Lakes series. Irene’s Oregon Coast series and Mandi’s cowboy series are fun reads.
Yes, this year I’ll finally finish and publish my Chapel Cove book. That book has been a journey. But first, I’m working on a book in a new multi-author series that’s been mentioned here at Inspy Romance a couple of times. I’m writing the last book in that series and I’m running way behind schedule. I have a lot of writing to do on that book ASAP before I upload a preorder, and I’m excited to explore the shared story world in a new-to-me location. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Megan, It’s fun to live vicariously through the characters and doing and experiencing new things. I often wonder if books do inspire people to try new activities. I’m always adding new locations to my ‘I can dream about one day travelling to…’ wish list from books I’ve read, lol. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Mary, It’s fun to explore the outdoors with characters. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lisa, I love walking outdoors and exploring nature. I’m a bit hesitant to go bush walking at the moment because our wet spring and summer weather has brought more snakes out of hibernation than usual. Reading feels safer, lol. Stories set in the wild are super fun to read. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi bn100, Outdoors stories are fun. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Debra, The Elizabeth Goddard book you mentioned was one of the books I was thinking about when I wrote this post. I adore reading books (especially romantic suspense) set in Alaska. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Linda, yes, it sounds like this combination would be good for you to read. Books that could be categorised as a romantic adventure sub-genre of CCR are stories I want to read. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jenny, yes, I’ve noticed the sporting/outdoor themes seem to pop up in my own books. Alaska is one of those settings that I can keep returning to as a reader and never get bored. Not having to deal with real life fears (and danger) is definitely a benefit from reading. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Although I am not an outdoor person, I do enjoy reading books about characters who enjoy the outdoors.
Hi Angelina, It’s fun to journey on outdoor adventures with the characters. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I like books that are the characters enjoy the outdoors instead of sitting indoors watching TV or something like that as we don’t watch television and my family loves outdoors
Hi Kendra, I’m sure most characters do watch tv, and there’s books where it definitely makes sense for those scenes to be included in the story. I agree, it’s fun when a lot of the story is taking place outdoors. Thanks for commenting. 😊