Welcome to July! How is it possible that half the year is already gone? And, we’re less than six months away from starting a new decade! In Australia, my teens are starting their winter school holiday break. Our winters in Canberra are cold, although not cold enough to have seen any snowfall this year.
Many of our readers are sweltering through summer in the northern hemisphere. And, our US readers may also be enjoying an extra long weekend after celebrating Independence Day on July 4th. I’m looking forward to summer and beach weather later this year.
I live in Canberra, and it’s a two hour drive east to the closest ocean beaches on the South Coast in New South Wales. Canberra is a young city, being just over a century old. It was the site chosen as the national capital due to its location between Sydney and Melbourne – our two largest Australian cities. Lake Burley Griffin was formed by damming a river, and the Ngunnawal people are the traditional owners of our land in Canberra. We’re part of the British Commonwealth, and the British monarch is our head of state. The question of when and how Australia gains full independence and becomes a republic is a political debate we’ve been having, on and off, for thirty plus years. It may happen during my lifetime, lol.
Picnic at Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, Australia. Photo by Melanie Shires.
My knowledge of the US Independence Day celebrations was gained primarily through reading books and watching movies. Have you learned about holidays in other countries by reading or travelling overseas? Did you celebrate the fourth of July last week?
Winners this Week
If you’re a winner, you should have received an email from the author in charge of the giveaway. If not, please email us at: prizes at inspyromance dot com.
Sally Bayless’s winner was Pam Whorwell!
Alexa Verde’s winner was Lila Diller!
Our gift card winners for June were AusJenny and Linda Hogue!
Congratulations!
Don’t forget… every comment you make qualifies you to win one of the monthly Amazon card giveaways!
Specials this Week
Operation Fireworks by Elizabeth Maddrey is 99c through today!
Reader Gathering
Did you know Inspy Romance hosts a Christian Romance Reader Gathering group on Facebook? Join us… but don’t forget to answer the questions for admittance!
Join us on Friday, July 12 from 7-9 pm Eastern US time when Janet W. Ferguson takes over! It’s always a fun time of discussion and prizes.
Have you seen our Back List Book Club in Christian Romance Reader Gathering? During July we’re featuring books from Jaycee Weaver and Ginger Solomon.
Last Week on Inspy Romance
On Monday, Ginger Solomon discussed mentoring relationships and how to Help me Help You
On Tuesday, Marion Ueckermann talked about her experiences at My Big Fat Greek Reception
On Wednesday, Melanie Snitker shared her love for Photography: A Source of Peace and Inspiration + Giveaway
On Thursday, Inspy Romance was closed for 4th of July.
On Friday, Liwen Y. Ho shared a character interview including 20 Questions with Firefighter Darren Spark + #Giveaway
On Saturday, Heather Gray talked about how 1 Baker + 1 Florist = Romance (& a #Giveaway!)
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Julie Arduini
Tuesday: Jolene Navarro
Wednesday: Lindi Peterson
Thursday: Merrillee Whren
Friday: Jan Thompson
Saturday: Toni Shiloh
New Releases
July 2019
Starting Anew (Life Unexpected 3) by Melanie D. Snitker
Call You Home (Savannah Sweethearts 10) by Jan Thompson
At First Spark (The Spark Brothers 4) by Liwen Y. Ho
Seized (Murrells Inlet Miracles 5) by Laurie Larsen
August 2019
Her Forgotten Cowboy (Cowboy Country) by Deb Kastner
Moments: Savannah Sweethearts Books 9-10 & Bonus Novel (Savannah Sweethearts Boxed Set 4) by Jan Thompson
A complete list of Inspy Romance books by our authors is always available on our BOOKS tab. Find our audiobooks, our permanently free e-books, and our thank-you gifts for newsletter subscribers there as well!
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.
Hi Narelle! Yes, I have learned about other countries holiday traditions from reading books, like Thanksgiving and July 4th. I love exploring other countries through fiction!
I learnt a lot about American traditions mostly from pen friends, tv and books. I learnt a lot more about America when I did the Historical highlights tour in 2013. I learnt more about Canada Day which was July 1 from Canadian friends. Books to enhance the days as well.
Thanks for the chance to win the gift voucher it was an unexpected surprise. The schools in South Australia start holidays this week also. I think Queensland and Victoria had last week off.
Hi Carolyn, Thanksgiving is a tradition that I’ve always wished we’d adopt in Australia. Thanks for stopping by. :)
Hi Jenny, The school holidays did start a week earlier in Queensland, and I’m not sure about Victoria? Guided tours are a fabulous way to learn more about the history of places we visit. I first learned about Canada Day from blog posts by Canadian authors eg. Valerie Comer. Congrats on winning the gift card. :)
In Canada, we celebrated Canada Day on July 1. As far as I know, there is no current official movement to separate from the British Commonwealth. Our bigger independence issue comes from Quebec’s desire to separate from Canada, but we don’t hear much about that (at least in the West) these days.
I tucked some Canada Day celebrations into my novella Sweet Serenade!
I’ve enjoyed reading about other country’s holidays, and having lived in Hong Kong and Cambodia, have gotten to experience quite a few in person.
This year all we did for July 4th was walk 10 min. to watch the city fireworks. Often we’ve had family or neighbors over for a barbecue for lunch or dinner, but all the close family were elsewhere this year.
I did celebrate the Fourth of July by watching A Capitol Fourth on PBS. It’s too hot to be outside with fireworks!! The holiday I know the most about by reading, not experiencing, is Boxing Day in England. I could even explain it to my nephew-by-marriage who is a Kiwi!! He knew they observed it, but didn’t know the background. He and my niece still live in NZ, with my two little Kiwi’s.
Have a blessed Sunday!
I don’t really know about holidays in other countries. America celebrates Cinco de Mayo and that is about as close as I get. LOL
Hi Valerie, Yes, I remember now reading about Canada Day in Sweet Serenade. :) The Royal weddings and babies hasn’t helped the republican movement gain momentum here in Australia.
Hi Margaret, Yes, living overseas would definitely provide opportunities to learn about the cultural significance of different holidays. It’s fun watching the fireworks. :)
Hi Trudy, I hope you get a break soon from the hot weather! Boxing Day is a Public Holiday in Australia, and like in NZ, many Aussie’s probably don’t know the English history behind the holiday. We traditionally associate Boxing Day with sports eg. first day of the Boxing Day cricket test match in Melbourne and the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. :)
Hi Natalya, thank you! Blessings to you. :)
Hi Susan, I’ve never heard of Cinco de Mayo. When I visited San Antonio a few years ago, I learned more about the Mexican history in the south western states of the US. Elizabeth’s Sunday Edition posts last month on San Antonio were fascinating and educational. :)
Sadly, observing the date (May 5th, of course) is mostly used as an excuse to party and get drunk. I am unsure why it is popular here, as we had no involvement in the cause it is celebrating (some victory Mexico had).
It’s disappointing when the cultural significance is lost.