When you read this, I will have just returned from a beach vacation. Even as I write this I’m anticipating digging my toes into the sand while I let the waves rush over my feet. I can see myself reading a book, if my granddaughters will let me, but I might be building a sandcastle […]
Hometown Settings in CCR
I enjoy reading books that are set in places where I’ve lived or visited. I grew up on the northern beaches in Sydney, Australia, and I’ve always loved reading books set in Sydney. I’ve even read books in genres I don’t usually read because they’re set in Sydney. Reading is a sensory experience and writers […]
Book Recommendation + Interview with Meredith Resce + #Giveaway – Organized Backup
I’m delighted to welcome my Aussie author friend Meredith Resce to Inspy Romance. Meredith and I are talking about her upcoming CCR release, Organized Backup (Luella Linley: License to Meddle Book 1) and Meredith is also giving away 2 Kindle ebook copies. Narelle: What was your inspiration for writing Organized Backup? Meredith: Funny story. I actually […]
When a spelling mistake is not a mistake… plus #Giveaway
A few weeks ago my young adult son finished reading a book by one of his favorite authors. I asked him what he thought of the book. He said it was a great story but…he was shocked to find a spelling mistake in the book! I was intrigued by my son’s comment because I’ve enjoyed […]
The Chaos of Covid for a Downunder Writer
It’s Narelle here. I hope and prayer everything is well in your corner of the world. In recent months we’ve all had to adjust the way we live to facilitate a safe path through the pandemic. I thought I’d share with you today an insight into my life in Australia. My part-time job is classified […]
Travel to Australia in A Girl’s Guide to the Outback with Guest Jessica Kate + #Giveaway
Narelle here. I’m delighted to welcome my Aussie author friend Jessica Kate to Inspy Romance. Jessica and I may live in the same country, but if you listened to our different Aussie accents you’d think we lived worlds apart, lol. Check out Jessica’s broad Aussie accent by tuning into her Story Nerds podcast. Last year […]
A Weekend of Refreshment
A few weeks ago I drove with my family to Sydney, Australia, from our home in Canberra, to attend the Omega Writers Conference. The 2019 conference was held in the Winbourne Edmund Rice Conference Centre at Mulgoa – located in the western outskirts of Sydney near the Blue Mountains. We drove the scenic route via […]
Hello Again.
After an eighteen-month hiatus, I’m pleased to be back with the Inspy Romance authors. The last post I made here on the blog was in 2017 just a few days before we took a month-long trip to Australia and New Zealand. I’d love to share all of my photos, but I’ll settle for just one. […]
Being Thankful
On Thursday our US authors and readers will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. Unfortunately in Australia we don’t have a Thanksgiving tradition like the US and Canada. Many years ago an American friend taught me how to make a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Roast turkey and mashed potato served with gravy and cranberry sauce is often […]
My 2018 Writing Retreat – Gold Coast, Australia plus #giveaway | Narelle Atkins
Last month I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit with my writing friends Andrea Grigg (pictured, right) and Catherine Hudson (pictured, center) for a week long writing retreat. The retreat was timed to coincide with Andrea’s birthday celebrations on the weekend. We stayed in Andrea’s home on the gorgeous Gold Coast in sunny […]