If you’ve read Valerie Comer’s Her Unlikely Hero in the new Easter in Gilead series, you’ll know that her hero, Connor, wanted the role of Judas in the passion play. Connor auditions with Judas in mind, and is stunned when he’s cast in the lead role as Jesus.
Connor doesn’t feel equipped to play Jesus, and he doesn’t actually know a lot about who Jesus is at the start of Valerie’s story. I loved seeing Connor’s journey to faith in Her Unlikely Hero. Sam, my hero in Her Cowboy Blind Date, is one of Connor’s friends who encourages him to read the Bible and learn more about Jesus.
The person originally cast to play the role of Judas drops out before opening night. A week or so before the first performance, Hollywood heartthrob Logan Miles arrives in Gilead (using the name Miles Davies) to take on the role of Judas.
There’s a whole story behind why Logan is in Gilead and performing in the passion play. His cover is blown when the play opens, and many in the audience recognise the famous Hollywood actor on the stage.
There is one person who instantly recognises Logan when he turns up for his first rehearsal. That person is Becky, the Aussie heroine in my story. Logan and Becky first met in Australia. Logan recognises Becky, too, and wonders why she’s not known as Bek.
Becky is hiding out in the small Kansas town, but for different reasons to Logan. She’s in a fake relationship with Sam that’s not looking fake to the people around them, and she’s curious to know why Logan is in Gilead. Logan’s presence is a complication for Becky and Sam’s relationship, but there’s no love triangle romance in the story.
Logan is not in Gilead looking for romance. He’s looking to strengthen his love and relationship with Jesus. That’s the whole point of the passion play. Jesus paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross and rising again, conquering death. His great love for us is the bridge that provides us with the opportunity to have an eternal and loving relationship with our Lord and saviour.
I hope you’ll take the opportunity to read the books in the Easter in Gilead series, and discover how the characters explore and deepen their faith in the stories.
My book in the series, Her Cowboy Blind Date, is now on preorder at Amazon. It will be releasing in July and available in Kindle Unlimited. I have a special 99c preorder price running through April 15.
He’s a small-town guy, a cowboy at heart. She’s a city girl from the other side of the world. Will a blind date lead to a love that lasts a lifetime?
Farm mechanic Sam Williams is on the cusp of realizing his dream of being a rancher after inheriting a share in his family’s Colorado ranch. He’s keen to make plans and leave Gilead in the dust after his friend’s Easter Saturday wedding. First he needs a plus-one for the wedding, to avoid a super awkward encounter with his high-school girlfriend who has just married the best man.
After a devastating public betrayal by her high-profile ex, Bek Montford is hiding out in Kansas. She’s calling herself Becky, licking her wounds and focusing on the things that make her happy. Drawn to the annual passion play at Gilead Bible College where she’s living, she volunteers to work behind the scenes.
Since Becky is only in Gilead until June, a blind date with a suitable plus-one before the wedding seems like the perfect solution for Sam. No strings and no commitment.
But the blind date turns into a not-so-fake relationship when Sam and Becky must work together on the passion play. Can they overcome past emotional wounds and geographical distance to create a future together?
An opposites attract, different worlds, blind date and fake relationship contemporary Christian romance.
Check out the other books in the Easter in Gilead series that are available in Kindle Unlimited:
Her Unlikely Hero by Valerie Comer
Her Billionaire Benefactor by Elizabeth Maddrey
His Runaway Crush by Heather Gray
Have you started reading the Easter in Gilead series? Do you like reading seasonal CCR (contemporary Christian romance) books? If yes, will you read them out of season eg. Christmas CCR at other times during the year? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’m giving away a $10 Amazon US gift card (or $15 Australian dollars gift card from Amazon AU store) to a reader who comments on this post. The giveaway will close on Thursday April 13, and the winner announced in the Sunday Edition.
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.
I love to read that coincide with holidays and seasons.
Loved the Easter in Gilead series. I loved that the first 3 stories came out in time for Easter, but don’t have a problem reading seasonal stories any time. I look forward to your story and thanks for the heads up re pre order price!
I have really enjoyed the Easter in Gilead series so far. I read books regardless of the specific seasons, maybe because winter wonderlands aren’t really Christmassy and Easter isn’t springtime for us in the Southern Hemisphere
I love reading books that are seasonal, I’ll read them any time of year, but then I usually reread them when that season hits again! I have read the first Easter in Gilead book so far!
I love to read seasonal CCR books any time of the year.
I have not read any book in this series. The series sounds really good, especially since they’re Easter related. I would enjoy reading seasonal books all year.
Hi Narelle! Happy Easter! This retired German Oma and avid reader has read the entire Easter in Gilead series and enjoyed the common tread of a Passion Play. As a German I am familiar with the world famous Oberammergau Passion Play, which is only preformed every 10 years. Unfortunately in 1984, when I decided to visit my German grandmother the tickets were already sold out. I have also seen the Eureka Springs Passion Play in Arkansas. As a pastor’s wife, our church has performed Easter cantatas and plays for Good Friday and Easter. Our church did several Easter Sunrise Services on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Thank you Valerie Comer, Heather Gray and Narelle for this inspiring series. Reviews have been posted.
I enjoy reading CCR stories in season, but have read them all year around. Blessings and Happy Easter to all.
I’ve read the first three, and LOVED them!! I’ll be checking yours out, too, though Amazon won’t let me pre-order. I read “seasonal” books any time of the year!!!
Yes I love reading it & I read whenever I’m in the mood! My reading all depends on my moods lol. But this book sounds great & I would love to read it!! Ty for sharing!
I love reading CCR seasonal books. I will read them anytime. If I happen to read them during the season, that’s a plus.
OH good, I’ve found an author who actually writes a book where the guy doesn’t get the girl. I’ve been wanting and waiting for this because every book I find the guy is the hero and/or gets the girl.
You’re new to me so no haven’t started to read Easter in Gilead series. Yes I like some contemporary Christian Romance. Yes I will read them out of season.
Series sounds like a good one.
Happy Easter
I haven’t had the pleasure to read any in this series, but they sound so good. I love reading seasonal/holiday books. And yes I also read them all year round, not just that season/holidays. Thank you for this amazing chance!!
No I haven’t read that series yet.i read seasonal books yea long.
I haven’t read these stories yet, but they sound really good. I like books set in different seasons and I’ll usually read them whenever the mood strikes.
read all year
I’m loving the Easter in Gilead series, your story sounds great and can’t wait for it to come out! I do enjoy reading seasonal CCRs, I haven’t read any other Easter ones though. I will happily read Christmas romances all year round though. I tend to re-read my favourites at the correct time of year so will look forward to reading Easter in Gilead again next year too.
I am enjoying the Easter in Gilead series. I have finished Valerie’s and am currently reading Elizabeth’s. Heather is up next and I will be preordering yours. I do enjoy reading stories based around the holidays, but will read them any time.
welcome and thanks for sharing today. I love stories that are set around holidays but I read seasonal books all year long.
I have loved this series and remember Logan Miles from one of the books.
I prefer to read Christmas books around Christmas time (in the lead up and just after) but other holidays it doesn’t matter as much. Partly cos being in Australia we often get spring in autumn, winter in summer etc. Also as has been mentioned there isn’t a lot of Easter books and if I would get the LI ones with Easter it was normally after Easter.
I have not started reading the Easter in Gilead series yet.
I always enjoy seasonal reads, especially Christmas.
I have not read that series of books. I will have to change that in the near future. I love seasonal books and I will read them other times of the year.
No, I have not read this series. I love to read seasonal stories anytime of year. Thank you for sharing. God bless you. Happy Easter.
Hi Audrey, yes, it’s fun to read book that line up with the holidays and seasons. I’m usually searching for southern hemisphere settings to make this work for me in Australia. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Margaret, I’m glad you’re loving the series. In an ideal world all of the books would be available to read by now, but it is what it is. I’m happy to share the preorder price special and I’m sorry that my story won’t be available sooner. I appreciate that you and other readers are willing to follow through and read the whole series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jeannette, yes, I think I’m flexible with seasonal reading for the reasons you mention. The only white Christmas we’d likely see where I live in Australia is one we don’t want to see (severe hail storms). I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Sarah, yes, rereading in the right season is fun. I hope you’ll have a chance to read more books in the Easter in Gilead series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lori, yes, I’m the same. I’ll read Christmas CCR (and watch Christmas movies) anytime of the year. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kathleen, I hope you’ll have a chance to read the Easter in Gilead series. They’re Easter-themed, but I do think they could be read any time during the year. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Renate, I’d love to visit the Bavarian town where the passion play is held. The history is fascinating. I’m sorry you didn’t have an opportunity to see the play with your grandmother. I’m glad you’re enjoying the series and we appreciate your reviews. An Easter Sunrise Service on the shores of Lake Michigan would be lovely. Happy Easter and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trudy, I’m glad you’re loving the series. Please contact me if you’re not able to preorder my book. I’m in discussions with Amazon atm over my book and the ordering of the series. Her Cowboy Blind Date is currently sitting to the side as related content. It’s supposed to be book 5, but it may end up being slotted into the #4 position on the Amazon series page. The stories all take place simultaneously and could be read in any order. I often read CCR series out of order, but I know I’m in the minority. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I have no problem reading in-season romances outside of said season!
Hi Dreaa, yes, I can relate to reading what I’m in the mood for, lol. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read the Easter in Gilead series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Bonnie, It’s fun when the seasons align with our reading. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Crystal, I’ve found Miles Davies/Logan Miles an intriguing side character to include in my story. He’s not interested in a romantic relationship while he’s in Gilead, despite his status as a Hollywood actor with women around the world clamouring to be his plus-one. In contrast, Sam has a strong faith and, despite his objections to the contrary, he is ready in the story to fall in love with Becky.
As a reader, I’m a fan of CCR (and Christian fiction, in general) that affirms singleness. A recent read that ticked that particular box for me was Second Time Around by Melody Carlson. I hope you’ll have a chance to read the Easter in Gilead series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Joannie, You’re very welcome. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read the Easter in Gilead series. I read seasonal books year round, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kendra, I’m the same and read seasonal books year round, too. I hope you’ll have a chance to read the Easter in Gilead series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Megan, I hope you’ll have a chance to read the Easter in Gilead series. I will read books out of season, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi bn100, That sounds good to me! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Ruthie, I’m glad to hear you’re loving the series, and I’m sorry you have to wait until July for mine to release. Rereading in-season is something I’ll do as well. I call it comfort reading, knowing I’ll appreciate the story and it won’t be a DNF. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Bonnie, I’m glad you’re enjoying the series, and I’m sorry my book is delayed. I’ve learned a lot about American holidays eg. Thanksgiving, from reading seasonal books. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lori, You’re very welcome. Seasonal books are fun to read. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jenny, I’m glad you’re loving the series, and remember Logan Miles being mentioned. I do remember the seasonal print books always took longer to be available in Australia. I appreciate ebooks and instant access to stories on their release day. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Mary, I love Christmas books and read them year round. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read the Easter in Gilead series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Cherie, I’m the same, and read seasonal books year round. I hope you’ll have a chance to read the Easter in Gilead series soon. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Debra, Seasonal stories are fun to read. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read the Easter in Gilead series. Happy Easter and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lilly, I’m with you, and read seasonal books year round. I hope you’ll have a chance to read the Easter in Gilead series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I love seasonal books and will read them whenever and not just in that season. I’ve loved the Easter in Gilead series and am really excited you’re still releasing yours even though you weren’t able to do it by Easter.
I read the first book in the series (and loved it!) but haven’t had the chance to put money in my Amazon account for the next one. Maybe I’ll win :)
I haven’t started reading the Easter in Gilead series, but I’m intrigued!
I like reading seasonal CCR books all year round :)
Have a blessed week!
I love reading seasonal stories whenever I am in the mood year round! Happy Spring!
I always enjoy seasonal books.
Marilyn
Hi Melynda, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed reading the Easter in Gilead series. I appreciate your enthusiasm for my upcoming story, and I’m thankful for all my readers who are willing to wait and read it out of season. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kathy, I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read all of the Easter in Gilead books. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Natalya, I hope you’ll have a chance to check out the series. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Colleen, Being in the right mood for reading definitely helps! Enjoy your spring weather and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Marilyn, Seasonal books are fun to read. Thanks for commenting. 😊
It’s so fun to find a series set at Easter – it’s not a typical holiday setting for books. I’m excited to check them out!
Hi Hilary, yes, I’d love to see more Easter CCR series. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read the Easter in Gilead books. Thanks for commenting. 😊