Happy Sunday! It’s summer in Australia, which means beach weather for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere who can visit the coast. The photos I’m sharing today are from my vacations a few years ago at the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
After a twelve month break from hosting Sunday Editions, I’m back on board this week for the month of February. When I agreed to host for February, life was rolling along smoothly (or, as smoothly as it can during a global pandemic). My father is currently in the hospital and recovering well with his new pacemaker after giving us a little bit of a scare last weekend. My original plan to start writing a new CCR on February 1 is temporarily on hold. I hope to make some progress this coming week. Do you have any exciting plans for the week ahead?
Gold Coast looking north to Brisbane
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’ winner is Margaret Bunce!
Congratulations!
Don’t forget… every comment you make qualifies you to win one of the monthly Amazon card giveaways!
Winners of the January gift cards are Trudy and Mary Preston!
Specials this Week
Julie Arduini’s Match Made in Heaven and Restoring Christmas are free on Kindle from February 12–14.
Gold Coast looking south to NSW
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!
StoryChats @ InspyRomance
Story Chats is back this week with an all new episode launching Friday! Elizabeth, Valerie, and Narelle will be talking about our annual Birthday Bash and the fabulous prizes in the book bundles. You won’t want to miss it!
Listen to our new weekly show on your favorite podcasting app, through the player on our podcast tab, or watch us on YouTube! Wherever you listen or watch, please be sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!
Last Week on Inspy Romance
On Monday, Toni Shiloh shared an excerpt of An Unlikely Proposal + #Giveaway
On Tuesday, Jaycee Weaver shared a Valentine Excerpt & Devotional
On Wednesday, Heather Gray shared a short story A Day in the Life (part 6)
On Thursday, Janet W Ferguson discussed Real Life Novel Settings: Oxford, Mississippi + #Giveaway
On Friday, Elizabeth Maddrey introduced her upcoming series So you want to be a Billionaire
On Saturday, Valerie M Bodden hosted The Second Annual Inspy Valentine’s Awards
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Staci Stallings (Coincidence)
Tuesday: Valerie Comer (Dear Dakota…)
Wednesday: Hallee Bridgeman
Thursday: Andrea Boyd (Family Connections + Giveaway)
Friday: Birthday Bash Kickoff!
Saturday: Marion Ueckermann
New Releases
February 2021
Give Me Another Chance, Cowboy (Cavanagh Cowboys Romance 2) by Valerie Comer
Protected by the Cowboy (Blackwater Ranch book 4) by Mandi Blake
Longing for Lily (Bloom Sisters 5) by Tara Grace Ericson
Pray for Me (Vacation Sweethearts 5) by Jan Thompson
March 2021
Hope at Last (Hope Ranch 6) by Elizabeth Maddrey
A Texas Bond (Hill Country Cowboys 3) by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Marrying Emma (Brides of Clearwater 6) by Melanie D. Snitker
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! Happy Sunday. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures of Australia. The bottom picture reminds me of the Magnificent Mile in Chicago along the shore of Lake Michigan. Winter has arrived with snow and the coldest weather this year. Good day to stay indoors and read. Enjoy the warmth and sunshine. Prayers for you, your father, and family.
Hi Renate, I’ve only stopped over in Chicago for one night, and I would love to visit again and explore the city. Stay warm and enjoy your reading weather. I appreciate your prayers. My father will hopefully be going home from hospital this week. 😊
Hi Narelle! I am happy your Dad is doing well & hope his recovery goes smoothly from here on. What beautiful pictures and your weather sounds so nice. As Renate says we are in a very snowy & bitter cold time here so even thinking of warm weather is refreshing. Isn’t that the way it goes when we commit to something everything bombards us between the time we say we will do something and when it arrives? I hope you have a good week and enjoy the sun and beauty God has created all around!
Hi Deb, yes, it’s frustrating but we keep moving forward with doing things despite the obstacles. I appreciate your good wishes for my father. We’re having a wet summer (La Nina) and I’m enjoying the summer rain mixed in with sunny days. Thankfully the humidity has not been too high. Stay warm and enjoy your week. 😊
Hello! It’s been raining here this morning, and Florida has actually been having cold weather!! This week, we’re to have highs in the low to mid 80’s. Hopefully, they won’t last long as they’ll be around (followed by 90’s) soon enough!!
Hi Trudy, Your Florida weather is similar to Gold Coast where they have mild winters with occasional cold snaps. I do remember being surprised many years ago to hear that it can snow in parts of Florida. Enjoy the rain and cooler weather. 😊
No plans…more snow and rain.
Hi Lucy, Stay warm indoors. Hopefully the sunshine will return soon. 😊
Hi Narelle, happy to hear that your dad is doing well, that is good news. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. This week Godwilling we are going to go watch our 9th grade grandaughter play in a HS tennis match, which is taking place here in town. Other than that , not doing much except for things around the house. Have a Great week and stay safe. Gob Bless you and your family.
Hi Alicia, Enjoy your granddaughter’s tennis match. We have the Australian Open tennis starting here in Melbourne and I’m hoping to have time to watch a few matches on tv. 😊
Thank You!!
I head to The Sunshine Coast at every opportunity.
Hi Mary, The Sunshine Coast is beautiful. Enjoy the Queensland summer weather. 😊
Congratulations!
Beautiful photos.
Hi Denise, I’m looking forward to visiting Gold Coast again. 😊
Happy Sunday (a day late) Narelle! I am glad your dad is doing better and recovering well.
My mom lives in New Zealand and has been to the Gold Coast a few times. Her husband’s (not my dad obviously) son lives near there so they’ve taken a holiday to visit. She adores going there and I can see why from the pictures you’ve shared! Makes me want to go someday :-)
Welcome back to hosting!
Hi Trixi, My apologies for the very late reply. Crazy week. My dad is gaining strength and recovering well. I hope you’ll have a chance to visit our beautiful Gold Coast. Thanks for commenting. 😊
After a wonderful weekend…back to work!
Hi Natalya, My apologies for the late reply. I hope your work week went well. Thanks for commenting. 😊