Welcome to October! It’s spring in my part of the world and I live in the tulip capital of Australia. Canberra is known for its beautiful Floriade festival by the lake. Yesterday my husband and I visited Tulip Top Gardens, a flower farm that’s only a short drive out of town. We enjoyed a lovely morning wandering around the fabulous gardens, taking lots of photos, and drinking good coffee. A pleasant way to start our three day holiday weekend (Monday is Labour Day).
This weekend is football Grand Final weekend for our two most popular professional codes. The AFL (Australian Rules) Grand Final was held on Saturday afternoon in Melbourne (Victoria), and the NRL (Rugby League) Grand Final will be held tonight in Sydney (New South Wales). AFL is historically the dominant code in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia whereas NRL is from New South Wales and Queensland. Both codes are played around the country, including women’s leagues. Victorians enjoyed a public holiday on Friday called “Friday before the AFL Grand Final” (they don’t have the Monday public holiday in Victoria).
Reader Gathering
Have you visited Inspy Romance’s Christian Romance Reader Gathering group on Facebook lately? Lindi Peterson is our hostess this week, so come on over… but don’t forget to answer the questions for admittance!
StoryChats @ InspyRomance
Story Chats releases an all-new episode every Friday. This week on Episode 142, Valerie, Narelle, and Elizabeth chatted with Sara Beth Williams and talked about No Matter How Far – her recent release in the Trinity Lakes Romance series. You won’t want to miss it!
Listen to our fun 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, Tabitha Bouldin discussed Love in Fiction
On Tuesday, Lindi Peterson celebrated RE Day-Join the Fun!
On Wednesday, Carolyn Miller talked about Books That Make Me Cry
On Thursday, Laura Ashwood discussed Sparking Romance with Fall Traditions
On Friday, Megan Whistler talked about Nerds and the Creatives They Love
On Saturday, Tara Grace Ericson shared Story Inspiration: The real rodeo cowboy who inspired the book
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Heather Gray
Tuesday: Robin Merrill
Wednesday: Teresa Tysinger
Thursday: Narelle Atkins
Friday: Valerie Bodden
Saturday: Valerie Comer
New Releases
October 2023
Once Upon a Starry Night (collection) by Laura Ashwood, Valerie Comer, Jan Thompson, and 9 others
More Than Enough by Jaycee Weaver
Sinclair Sisters Trilogy: The Complete Series by Jaycee Weaver
Amid the Ashes (Seasons of Faith 4) by Milla Holt
Mama Dated Santa by Amy R. Anguish
November 2023
A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy (Sweet River Ranch 2) by Valerie Comer
Muskoka Holiday Morsels by Carolyn Miller
Not Until The End (Hope Springs 10) by Valerie M. Bodden
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!
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.
Your morning at the tulip garden sounds lovely!
I love tulips, they are one of my favourite flowers what a lovely day out.
Enjoy your holiday weekend and happy Sunday to all.
The tulip garden sounds great!! I don’t follow any sports! I used to follow baseball, but not so much anymore.
Good morning, tulips are Beautiful! Have a great Sunday and a Great week.
Hi Ellie, It was lovely and relaxing. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Ruthie, We’re enjoying our holiday weekend and warmer weather as well. Tulips are one of my favourites, too. I’m always amazed by all the different varieties and the vibrant colour combinations in the gardens. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trudy, The tulip gardens are more interesting than football, imho. I could have spent the whole day there if I wasn’t concerned about the risks of too much sun exposure. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Alicia, I love seeing all the tulips in bloom during spring. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Thank you for sharing the beautiful picture. God bless you.
Love the photos. One day I want to go to a Tulip festival. I love tulips,
It would be nice to be that close to be able to go see some and this places looks well set up
OK, adding Canberra in October to The List! I absolutely love tulips. We can only grow them here in Florida if you put the bulbs in the freezer. I’ve tried to plant these “fake frozen” bulbs, but no result… I did successfully grow tulips when we lived in Alabama, though. However, my dream has always been the Netherlands at tulip time. Maybe, however, I simply need Canberra in October:)
Thanks for sharing,
Jennifer
Hi Debra, You’re welcome. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jenny, It’s handy living close by and the weather is usually nice at this time of year, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jennifer, Canberra’s tulip season runs from mid-September through mid-October, and the Dutch influence is very evident. Tulip Top serves the delicious Dutch pancakes, too. Spring is a lovely time of year to visit Australia, and you’ll find the mild weather a lot cooler than Florida. Thanks for commenting. 😊