Happy Sunday! It’s the last Sunday in August, and spring is around the corner here in Australia. One of my August highlights was watching a blues rock performance by Australian band Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows.
I’ve always loved live music. When I was a teen, my church held outreach events with local Christian music artists. Back then, I was too young to see live acts in the pubs. I worked weekends at a deli when I was in high school. There was an old pub nearby, Hotel Manly, that had bands playing on Saturday afternoons. I’d take a late lunch break, find a patch of lawn outside the town hall, and listen to the bands playing across the road in the pub. The Black Sorrows played at Hotel Manly, and their performance a few weeks ago brought back memories from my teen years.
The concert was held at Tallagandra Hill, a winery near Canberra that’s also a wedding venue. We enjoyed a relaxing dinner and, as you can see in the photo above, our table was next to the stage and close to the speakers. I forgot to bring ear plugs, but I didn’t need them because the venue had fabulous acoustics. Are you a fan of live music?
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Contest News
The Carol Award winners were announced yesterday at the annual ACFW Conference in St. Louis. Congratulations to Inspy authors Emily Conrad (semi-finalist – To Believe in You) and Toni Shiloh (finalist – To Win a Prince) in the Romance category!
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.
Valerie Comer’s winners were Andrea Connor and Margaret Nelson!
Amy Anguish’s winner was Cherie J!
Congratulations!
Specials this Week
Emily Dana Botrous’s Forever Yours, Lucy is FREE through August 28.
Valerie Comer’s Sprouts of Love will be 99c US/UK through August 29.
Reader Gathering
Have you visited Inspy Romance’s Christian Romance Reader Gathering group on Facebook lately? Come on over… but don’t forget to answer the questions for admittance! Angela Ruth Strong is our hostess this week!
StoryChats @ InspyRomance
Story Chats releases an all-new episode every Friday. This week on Episode 137, Elizabeth, Valerie, and Narelle talked about CCR set in Iowa, North and South Dakota, Missouri, and Nebraska. You won’t want to miss it!
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Last Week on Inspy Romance
On Monday, Angela Ruth Strong shared Hero Debut Makes Its Debut *Excerpt and Giveaway*
On Tuesday, Erin Stevenson discussed The Power of a Posse
On Wednesday, Julie Carobini shared How to Read More Books!
On Thursday, Emily Conrad discussed being Bookish Wherever I Go
On Friday, Merrillee Whren talked about The Storms of Life
On Saturday, Deb Kastner shared Llama, Llama, Love My Mama
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Carolyn Miller
Tuesday: Narelle Atkins
Wednesday: Meghann Whistler
Thursday: Tara Grace Ericson
Friday: Heather Gray
Saturday: Teresa Tysinger
New Releases
August 2023
A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy (Sweet River Ranch Romance 1) by Valerie Comer
Muskoka Spotlight (Muskoka Shores 4) by Carolyn Miller
The Love Script by Toni Shiloh
Window of the Heart (Stained Glass Legacy 3) by Amy R. Anguish
Her Cowboy Blind Date (Easter in Gilead 4) by Narelle Atkins
Unkissable by Jaycee Weaver
Hero Debut (Love Off Script 2) by Angela Ruth Strong
September 2023
The Billionaire’s Teacher (Billionaire Next Door 5) by Elizabeth Maddrey
You Make it Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
Their Surprise Second Chance by Lindi Peterson
Perfect Light (We Three Kings Collection) by Angela Ruth Strong
A complete list of Inspy Romance books by our authors is always available on our BOOKS tab. Find our audiobooks and our thank-you gifts for newsletter subscribers there as well!
Ausjenny says
being from the country we didn’t get a lot of bands here. They did have live music at the hotels but I wasn’t into that scene.
We did get some that came to the town hall at times. I saw the 4 Kinsmen a few times which were fun to see. We also had some Christian groups like Endless Praise, Continental Singers, Steve Grace come at different times.
We have had others come but I wasn’t interested.
Now I would struggle with going to a concert as I struggle with noise and even earplugs doesn’t help with loud music.
Andrea Conner says
Yes, love live music.
Bonnie says
I really enjoy live music. We have a Spring and Fall concert every year downtown.
RuthieH says
Hi Narelle,
I do enjoy live music but I can’t remember the last time I saw any. It’s great to see a band that brings back good memories.
I’m enjoying ‘Her Cowboy Blind Date’, it’s a great addition to the Easter in Gilead series.
Happy Sunday to you all.
Trudy says
I do like going to concerts! Mom and I used to go together, and then a friend and I went to a couple together. I haven’t been to one in awhile, as those costs are really going up!! I’m glad your Spring is almost there! We have a storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico that I’m supposed to get rain bands from starting Tuesday afternoon. I’m hoping it wobbles just a bit further west so I don’t get much more than rain, since I’m waiting for my new roof to be put on after hail damage back in April!
Lori R says
I enjoy live concerts. It’s been awhile that I have been to one. Congrats to Emily Conrad and Toni Shiloh!
Audrey Stewart says
So weird, that you are seeing signs of Spring and we will soon see signs of Fall. I despise the cold. I am so miserable all winter. I love the Sunday Edition blog because I always like to read what’s coming next week. Have a good week everyone!
Kendra Muonio says
Don’t listen to music or go to concerts. My sibblings start school Wednesday and tomorrow is my nieces 3rd birthday so kids only have a few days left of summer break.my mom is ready for them to go back to school as we have had a busy summer.
Melynda says
Sounds like a great time! I don’t often see live music, but always enjoy it when I do.
bn100 says
looks fun
Jessica B. says
I’m not a big fan of live of live music because I often find it uncomfortably loud.
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Jenny, I can relate re. loud music causing issues. I stopped going to the movies a few years ago because the light effects, combined with loud volume, brought on migraines. I was so happy the acoustics at the concert were brilliant and I could enjoy the music without any issues. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Andrea, yes, it’s fun! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Bonnie, Your Spring and Fall concerts sound great! We have outdoor concerts coming up in a few weeks as part of Floriade – our annual tulip festival. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Ruthie, Nostalgia music is always fun. I’m glad you’re enjoying ‘Her Cowboy Blind Date’ – happy reading and thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Trudy, I’m sorry to hear there’s a storm brewing, and I hope it stays away from you. The last thing you need is rain when you’re waiting on a new roof. The cost of everything is going up here, too. We live in interesting times. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Lori, It’s exciting to see our Inspy authors having their books acknowledged via Awards. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Audrey, yes, and I’ve gotten used to talking about our Back to School blog giveaway when our school year started in February. I’m glad you’re enjoying our Sunday posts. Thanks for commenting.
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Kendra, I remember being very ready for Back to School when my children were younger. Enjoy your niece’s birthday and your last few days of summer. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Melynda, It was a fun concert. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Jessica, I can relate, and I won’t go to stadium concerts because the noise levels are too much. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
It was! 😊
Debra Pruss says
Congratulations Emily and Toni. Congratulations to this week’s winners. We have not been to a live concert in years. We used to really enjoy them. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
TexasMomma says
How fun! I love live music & we try to get out to see our favorites as often as we can.
Cherie J says
I do enjoy live music as long as it is not so loud that it makes my head pound with a headache. I went to restaurant like that once and I usually enjoy seeing the local bands perform but it was so loud that I ended up not enjoying it. It was so disappointing.
Priscila Perales says
Hi Narelle,
I’ve never been to one, but they sound fun. So glad you had that nice experience. :) Thanks for sharing!
Megan says
Sounds like a nice concert.
Betty Armstrong says
Yes, I am a fan of live music–all kinds! I grew up in a musical family. My parents met through music–my mother accompanied my father for a college choir solo–and my three siblings and I grew up singing and playing instruments in school and church groups and as a family. As a result, I’ve been to lots of concerts! I’ve also been to quite a few Christian music coffeehouses, festivals, and concerts over the years. The person I have seen the most live in concert is Phil Keaggy–an incredible guitarist!!
Natalya Lakhno says
Congratulations!!
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Debra, I’m glad I had an opportunity to see this concert. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
It was a lot of fun, and I hope you’ll have a chance to see your favorites perform live soon. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Cherie, I agree on not wanting a headache. I’m sorry you’ve had that experience at a restaurant. I’ve had migraines that were triggered by live music in church services. The acoustics in a venue really matter and do make a difference. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Priscila, It was fun, and very enjoyable with a lovely dinner. The best vegetarian gnocchi with mushroom sauce that I’ve had in a long time! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Megan, It was lot of fun! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Betty, Thanks for sharing your lovely story about how your parents met. My husband would love to see Phil Keaggy play live, and wishes he’d tour Australia! If we vacation in the US, Phil Keaggy would be near the top of my husband’s want-to-see list. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Natalya, It’s great to see Toni and Emily’s books acknowledged in the Carol Award. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Elizabeth Litton says
I like some live music as long as it doesn’t blast my eardrums or leave me with a headache. :)
Angeline says
Congratulations to the winners!
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Elizabeth, yes! Headache-inducing music is not for me. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Angeline, Thanks for commenting. 😊
Michelle says
I am subscribed to the YouTube channel. Thank you for the chance at the giveaway.
Doris Lankford says
I haven’t been to a live concert in years but I do like to listen to music, country is my favorite.