Highlighting Members Recent Releases

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our Facebook page and blog.

Today's blog will highlight some of the recent releases and soon to be released books of our members from February 2026 - October 2026

NB Books have already been released unless otherwise stated. 

Historical Fiction

The Lifeboat Girls

Stormy Days for the Lifeboat Girls
Rachel Sweasey

The first book in a sweeping WW1 era saga series: 'Vividly brings to life several major periods in history: the Titanic, the Great War and the Suffragettes, binding them together through the warmth, friendship, strength of faith, and courage of the Lifeboat Girls. Warning: tissues need to be on hand'

Buylink: https://mybook.to/LifeboatGirls

The Lifeboat Girls at War (Book 2 in The Lifeboat Girls saga series)

Rachel Sweasey
To be released 10th December 2026

1915: As war rages across Europe, the women of Poole Quay must do whatever it takes to keep their community afloat. For lifelong friends Kathy, Betsy and Julia, that means stepping into roles they never imagined possible, helping to keep the harbour and its lifeboat service running as more local men leave for the Front.


Rachel Sweasey is a historical fiction novelist whose stories are set in Poole, Dorset, where she grew up. Beautiful Poole and its harbour are the backdrop to all Rachel's novels: three WW2 dual timeline stories and a new series set in WW1.

Buylink: https://mybook.to/TheLifeboatGirlsat

Romance

The Enemy's Sister

The Enemy's Sister
Dienece Darling

He learned a lot of things in the army. Falling in love with the enemy’s sister wasn’t one of them.

If you love a historical romance with frontier-flare and rediscovered faith, you’re sure to enjoy The Enemy’s Sister.

Dienece Darling calls Melbourne, Australia home these days with her husband and sons. She writes first person inspirational historical romance, and her first name is a variant spelling of Denise.

Buy Link: https://books2read.com/the-enemys-sister

Mystery

Murder at Crayfish Cover

Murder at Crayfish Cove (Hester Maccaby Mysteries #1)

Suzie Peace Pybus

When crime novelist Hester Maccaby follows a mysterious envelope to Crayfish Cove, she discovers it was meant to contain an invitation to a soirée. Before she can uncover why she was invited, the host is found dead. Can she solve the murder before she becomes the next victim?

Suzie Peace Pybus writes women's fiction and mystery. She lives in Tasmania on a small fruit and vegetable farm with her hubby and their springer spaniel, Pepper.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0HF1BVRCD

Speculative Fiction (Sci-Fi & Fantasy)

Elizion Restoration

Elizion Restoration, Book 4
Elizabeth Klein

Young Sky Host Zarin embarks on a solo mission to find his Father when he is captured by sky city Edifice. He finds solace with fellow captive Hana, who helps him survive. But he soon realises something ancient and very powerful holds the city captive to its malevolent will.

Elizion Restoration made the Long List of the Ozma Awards in the Chanticleer International Awards 2026.

Elizabeth Klein lives and writes in a caravan and has over 100 published works. These include short stories, articles, plays and poems, YA and junior fiction books, as well as educational books.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GY28TS9P

Dragons, Doorways and Destiny

Dragons, Doorways and Destiny
Edited by Lynne Stringer and Jeanette O'Hagan

Release Date November 2026

A shapeshifting dragon must save her brother from the slayer's curse. A girl starts to fade away when she feels left out. A faerie offers a traveller a difficult choice. A poor girl decides that she definitely doesn't want to marry the handsome prince. These are just some of the stories in Dragons, Doorways and Destiny.

Each of the 15 stories from 15 different authors will transport you to worlds unknown, some closely linked to this one, others from times past.

Lynne Stringer has been passionate about writing all her life. She is the author of young adult novels and novellas set in worlds of contemporary, historical and speculative fiction.

Jeanette O'Hagan's Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations and cyborgs. 

Buy Link: https://wombatrhiza.com.au/dragons-doorways-and-destiny-short-stories-in-fantastical-worlds/

Jewel of The Stars

Jewel of The Stars Season 1 Episode 4: Strange Alien World
Adam David Collings

The crew and passengers of Jewel of The Stars discover a planet where they can stretch their legs. When a plague sweeps across the alien locals, Doctor Clarke must find a cure. The discovery of a rare element sets a conflict in motion that could destroy their new friends.

Adam David Collings is a sci-fi and fantasy author known for Jewel of The Stars. He lives in Tasmania. Adam draws inspiration from his imagination, life experiences and his faith.

Buy link: https://books2read.com/jewel4

Chrstian Life and Reflection

21 Gifts

21 Gifts: A Sacred Dance Through Grief and Healing
Raewyn Elsegood

When grief becomes an unexpected dance partner, how do we keep moving? 21 Gifts offers 21 gentle, faith-filled gifts drawn from personal loss, inviting grieving hearts to notice God’s presence, honour their story, and discover their next right step through grief and healing.

Raewyn Elsegood is an Australian author, speaker and disaster recovery chaplain whose lived experience of grief shapes her compassionate, faith-filled encouragement for those navigating loss.

Buy 21 Gifts: Amazon - https://amzn.asia/d/09FRU5yp

Creation Speaks

Creation Speaks
Denise Roberts

Creation is constantly speaking of its Creator. Creation Speaks invites readers to slow down, notice God’s fingerprints in the world around them, and discover spiritual truths hidden in everyday moments. Through reflections, Scripture and personal insight, Denise Roberts encourages readers to hear God’s voice in unexpected places.

Denise Roberts is an Australian Christian author, devotional writer and speaker who loves helping people recognise God’s voice through Scripture, everyday life and the beauty of creation.

Buy Link:  https://amzn.asia/d/084usX5D

No Standing Zone

No Standing Zone
Nola Lorraine

 

It’s easy to remain strong in our faith when life is sweet. But what happens when difficulties come our way? In this 40-day devotional, Nola Lorraine uses scripture, personal anecdotes and heartfelt reflections that provide keys for being fruitful in any season, especially the challenging ones.

Nola Lorraine loves to weave words of courage and hope. She is the author of a novel, two devotionals, and more than 150 short pieces in a variety of genres.

Buy link – https://koorong.com/products/no-standing-zone-a-40-day-devotional-on-moving-forward-with-god-in-difficult-times-678308

Young Adult and Middle Grade

The Casting Dilemma

The Casting Dilemma
Lynne Stringer

Kate wants to be an actor but when she looks in the mirror, she doesn't like what she sees. How she longs to be like Ashleigh Monahan, a girl in her grade, who has the perfect looks for the lead role in the school musical. Will Kate get a role?

Lynne Stringer has been passionate about writing all her life. She is the author of young adult novels and novellas set in worlds of contemporary, historical and speculative fiction.

Buy link: https://wombatrhiza.com.au/the-casting-dilemma/

Harriet & Will

Harriet and Will: The Secret Gold
Debra Clewer

On a school history excursion, a mysterious red phone booth appears, ready to play gold rush stories. But the ancient phone booth does much more, and two friends find themselves back in the gold rush days! Will Harriet Cooper be allowed to keep the historic gold items that she discovers?

Middle-Grade for readers aged 9-13

Debra Williams (pen name Debra Clewer), is a Tasmanian author of both adult and children’s novels and short stories.

Buy Link: https://www.clewerbooknook.com (paperback & e-book)

Sephen and the Heroes

Stephen and the Heroes Book 1: A Tilt in Time
R A Stephens

Stephen’s new friend is named after the famous illusionist, Harry Houdini. But what does it mean to be named after the first Christian martyr?

Stephen, along with his rescue kitten, Demi, accidentally discovers a mysterious gate that takes him into a strange new world … or is it a strange old world? About 2000 years old, in fact.

Stephen and the Heroes Book 2: For Such a Time
R A Stephens

The first time Stephen time travelled he went back 2000 years and met St Stephen. When Stephen and his friend Harry take their rescue kittens to the park, a new gate shows up. Where or when did he go this time? There’s a palace, a dusty road and a girl named Hadassah. Who is this girl and what is Stephen doing in her time? And why didn’t he think about how to get home? Travel with Stephen as he meets Bible heroes as kids.

R. A. STEPHENS: Rochelle writes children’s and young adult fiction and non-fiction with a focus on science and maths. She has a Masters in Editing in Publishing with a thesis exploring middle fiction for teens, and works in publishing.

Graphic Novels

Izzy & Bart

Izzy & Bart: The Case of the Unidentified Creature

R. A. Stephens and Tamlyn Teow

Giant isopods, Izzy and Bart, live in the twilight zone. Bart draws every sea creature he sees, while Izzy dreams of being a reporter. Together they discover an unidentified creature and venture into the midnight zone, hopeful to identify the unknown animal. But when things get too dark, they realise they’re lost. Will Izzy and Bart find their way home

Picture Books

Karen Brough

One Nest or Two

Karen Brough and Hiruni Kariyawasam

Five siblings. One broken nest. Many BIG feelings.

When a storm separates the Bird family between two nests, five young birds learn that every feeling belongs, love doesn’t disappear when a family changes shape, and home is more than just a place.

Buy link: https://karenbrough.com/product/i-cant-believe-theyre-gone-faith-edition-a-gentle-grief-story-with-scripture-to-comfort-help-and-bring-hope/


I Can't Believe They're Gone: Faith Edition
Karen Brough and Hiruni Kariyawasam

The bestselling grief picture book I Can’t Believe They’re Gone, now gently woven with the hope-filled words of Scripture. Follow the Mouse family as they navigate big feelings after loss, with the guidance of Wise Old Bear. This special Faith Edition also includes prayers, a blessing, and support for children’s big questions.

Karen Brough is a former teacher and multi-award-winning children’s author who creates books that hug the heart. She writes from her sunroom in Melbourne, Australia.

Buy link: https://karenbrough.com/product/one-nest-or-two-a-story-about-big-feelings-divorce-separation-and-finding-home-again/

R. A. Stephens

Connected
R.A. Stephens & Tamlyn Teow

Chloe has a dot on her shirt called a node. So do her friends and family. They are joined by lines called edges. The edges spread out and connect people all around the world. Connected introduces children to the mathematical concept of networks, while emphasising that no one is alone. Everyone is connected. Introducing the mathematical concept of networks, where no node (or person) is left unconnected.


How to Wait for Christmas
R.A Stephens and Novia Heroanto

An adorable contemporary picture book, celebrating Christmas traditions, Advent and the joy of waiting for Christmas.

Jemma can’t wait for Christmas, especially the presents. But there are lots of sleeps to go... With Mum, Dad, and her brother Luke, she counts down the days with carols, baking, cards, paper decorations and giving gifts. Maybe Christmas isn’t just one exciting morning. Maybe it’s a whole season filled with joy, kindness, and wonderful waiting. For every child counting down to Christmas Day.

R. A. STEPHENS: Rochelle writes children’s and young adult fiction and non-fiction with a focus on science and maths. She has a Masters in Editing in Publishing with a thesis exploring middle fiction for teens, and works in publishing.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements.

Jeanette O'Hagan & CWD team

Writing Life Stories — of Living People by Ruth Bonetti

Over decades of writing my heritage trilogy, I wrangled relatives, opening closet doors to skeletons, shotgun weddings and shame on the family. I resisted cranky maiden aunts who threatened legal action if I divulged a century-old illegitimate birth. Black sheep were drafted from white; truths sifted from myths;
‘Change the names and turn it into a novel’ some siblings urged, not trusting me to honour the family.

Magical realism gave me a tool to avoid relatives’ rancour. I wrote conversations with dead relatives, posing questions like ‘Karl Johan, I bet you were in the thick of the Battle of Brisbane?’ No answer but the possibility hangs in the ether. (Don’t you talk with your long departed?)

 

I gave him new life, channelling his own FaceBook page. This long-deceased bachelor author received little encouragement until I gave him credence in his book Burn my Letters and on Soundcloud.

Now, writing stories of living people, I face new challenges. Valued critique groups focus on writing tools like Spot the ‘Show don’t tell.’ With living people it’s ‘dare I show or tell without asking permission? 

 

Recently I’ve been led to write stories of a diverse group of living people: Justen, a Sudanese child soldier, refugee to Australia and now studying for the ministry; my indigenous ‘Bestie’ from Boigu Island in Torres Strait, who was so buoyed to have a short story in Mosaic of Grace that she wants to publish a whole book of her testimonies as well as short stories for children.

My book-in progress Victorious Voices will release stories of three friends including a Neapolitan tenor and Tuija, a Finnish singer who I was led to Estonia to meet. Why Estonia?

 

‘That’s all I have to write about Finland,’ I decided after the third book of my trilogy Midnight Sun to Southern Cross was published. But that shut door left a hole in my heart and head. Until I stumbled onto a documentary called The Singing Revolution. It described how Estonians won freedom from Soviet rule with unique powerful weapons—their singing voices. The three Baltic states endured oppressive regimes under Russia until 1991. They won independence through silent protest and singing! 

At Estonia’s Song and Dance Festival (see my 2025 blog) I bonded with Tuija and discovered we share similar issues, even reaching back to utero. To communicate our murky dark issues sparks triggers.

 

What to reveal in print? What might malcontents use against me? Why reveal chinks in my armour for insensitive prodding? I am blessed with wise counsel, spiritual direction, beta readers and editors to vet words before they’re printed. With a small team of like-minded nonfiction authors meet, some digitally, I meet to pray through far deeper issues than show-don’t-tell. 

 

Digital platforms like FaceTime are invaluable for interviewing distant friends and transcribing in first person viewpoint. Messenger’s green dot alerts when Tuija is awake in Finland. It tempts me to jump in with a searching question, skipping introductory pleasantries. The three dots wave in response while I double guess if I’ve been too abrupt or disturbed her sleep.

 

One luminous full moon I tossed before sleeping. Text pings woke me at 2:30am. Bestie’s mother had just died following the recent death of her younger sister. I rolled over, remembering I had stumbled into a cultural sensitivity by asking about their health and funerals. After wriggling a while I replied with the compassion she then craved. (Next day I reset the ‘do not disturb’ function.) 

At such times how to balance objectivity and sympathy? While I’ve promised to help Bestie edit her stories, my role is to enable and empower her to own her stories. It’s her voice, and she knows culture better than me. When I upgraded my iPad, I donated the old one to her worthy cause and sent videos showing how to record her stories to Notes or Voice Memos using the mic icon. Transcribe, even. 

 

Pitfalls lie in wait when writing of different cultural situations but there’s deep satisfaction in enabling living stories to reach readers.   

 

What stories could you share before they’re lost to dementia or the grave? Do it now!

 

HEAR Ruth Bonetti speak at Koorong on 'Writing Life Stories of Living People'.

WRITING PROMPTS:

·      If I’d known what lay ahead, when I took that first step…

·      The photograph sent prickles down my spine. These were real people!

·      If only I’d shared my story, another life might have been saved.

Ruth loves writing true stories of real people overcoming adversity. She is grateful to her team of prayer supporters (yes, including Tuija in Finland) to overcome the Attack of Tech Gremlins that messed with blog formatting and her head. 

Ruth co-edited a third collection Mosaic of Grace with Anne Hamilton and Rosemary New. Ruth is thrilled by the prolific harvest of published authors since founding Omega Writers in 1991 and co-founding Christian Authors Showcase Queensland. 

Website

Mosaic of Grace

Buy Ruth's books

Midnight Sun to Southern Cross Trilogy

Book Narrations

The Singing Revolution

Power in Writing Community.

 

    In the beginning God created family. He created man and woman and he saw that it was very good. God also noted it was not good for man to live alone and so he gave Adam a mate.

Early members of Sunshine Coast Omega 

Likewise it is not good for a writer to be completely alone.  I’ve heard many say that it’s a lonely experience being an author, and, yes, there is always a lot of time when we pound the keys in our bubble. However, there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. An author, needs a community, people around that support and understand her.

Writers together celebrate the release of Symphony of Grace

Jesus spent time alone, but he also spent much time in community, where He modeled different levels of relationship. He had three close friends, chose twelve disciples, and related to many others in the crowds. When he needed company, it was always available.

 

I find my writing community invaluable so when writing I purposely involve other people. I need people to bounce ideas off, to share wins and get feedback. Equally, I watch for others to help, support, read and critique.

 

When I write anything, my friend Sue wants to read every word. I email my books chapter by chapter. She knows my characters and keeps me encouraged. The wonderful thing about this arrangement is having someone I can discuss a character’s dilemma or a plot difficulty. Sue isn’t an author but an avid reader. She’s been an invaluable help to me as I have written various novels and articles. She’s also edits the document at the first level.

My little critique group. Jo, Miranda, Jeanette, Arlene.

 

I am part of a small critique group of four writers. This blog will be emailed to them today.  Next week when we meet they will edit it and critique it. They suggest changes and highlight obvious mistakes. As I’m a master at mistakes this group saves me from publishing bad writing. Each of us submits three pages each month and we all comment on one another’s writing. Our writing has improved as we’ve learned from each other.

 

Last Saturday, our sunshine Coast Omega writers group met in my lounge room. There were ten of us, investing our time to share each other’s knowledge and experience. It’s an incredibly rich place to be as we talk about our wins in our losses. One person has created a new app for the group to help with our editing. The members of this group are quick to help each other with knowledge and assistance. Some of the members are more experienced with many published books. Others have done a lot of study and bring knowledge about writing craft. Others are only just beginning their writing journey. Some understand technology and others struggle with it. It’s a fun, supportive group and its great to have people you can ring and seek help.

Sunshine Coast chapter celebrates with Julie as she launches Oscar was Here

 

And of course, there is the online writing community. Facebook groups like Australasian Christian Writers and Christian Writers Downunder feed encourage and teach me. Through these sites and others, I have met so many interesting people, discovered their writing and learned from their experience. Recently I sent El Gibbor, my next book, to a few beta readers requesting feedback before publication. One of those readers was Paula Vince in Adelaide. Paula and I met years ago at writers’ conferences. She published Picking up the Pieces the same time I published Though the Bud be Bruised. Both books look at different responses to sexual abuse. I knew she would be interested my latest book. She very graciously sent me three pages of suggestions, sharing how I could improve the book.

 

The wider internet community is a great forum for questions.  How do I self publish? Where is the best place to get this? What’s the best app for that?  So many questions mine the combined knowledge of writers. This help is invaluable.

 

Part of this community dynamic is our willingness to share our wisdom and time. Time invested in helping others reaps much reward. We champion each other, acknowledging wins and giving help when needed. Book launches are a great place to support community and build it. Julie Modra, one of our members, launched her book, Oscar was Here, at the Mad Hatter’s Bookshop last weekend. It was a great occasion and an opportunity to mingle.

Julie Modra at Mad Hatter's Bookshop

 

Wider community again is the Omega Writer’s conference that brings people together from Australia and New Zealand. Many of these occasions have equipped me with new skills, corrected bad habits and warmed me with great fellowship. There are many similar conferences from other Writers Centres, but I really enjoy the Christian fellowship.

A team of contributers celebrating Mosaic of Grace. 

Anthologies develop from community. Tabor College in Adelaide have printed one every year for ten years. There are many books on my shelf where my writing is published.  Keep your eyes open. There are lots of anthologies where your short works can be highlighted. I’m thankful for the community that works together to produce top quality books.

 

How do you find a group? I’d start on Facebook or similar sites. Join groups. Become a member of Omega Writers. And ask the simple question… Does anyone live near me? Join an online group like Grace Writers. Just hunt until you find your family

 

And remember a Christian is never alone. We carry the Holy Spirit within and he’s a great source of creative ideas and fellowship. 

Jo Wanmer lives on the northern outskirts of Brisbane with her husband of 55 years, Steve, and a lively needy toy poodle called Barclay. She is used to dodging him on her knee as she writes.She is excited to see her book El Roi named as a finalist in Caleb Christian fiction awards this year. Her book El Shaddai is leading a series. It is followed by El Roi, and El Gibbor is with the publisher. Two more books in the series are on the computer. Exciting books written with Holy Spirit as co-author.

 

Not the Droids We're Looking For

 by Rebekah Robinson

Tick the box: I’M NOT A ROBOT. Identify the pictures with traffic lights or what-have-you. Grimace, or grin, according to the day. Think fondly of C-3PO and rather less fondly of Hal 9000.

Image: Rawpixel|iStock

These days, it’s getting harder and harder to tell fact from fiction. Bots sound like us now. I had two almost identical-sounding conversations with ‘Sharon’ on my phone before it occurred to me to ask, ‘Wait, wait, Sharon … are you a bot?’ The reply I got was extremely huffy: ‘I am a Digital Assistant!’ (Clippy at least never rang us up repeatedly to talk about solar!)

Not only that, but world events are the stuff of fantasy, and grimdark, at that. On the author front, people are now feeding bits of very old manuscripts to the Beast to see if it cries ‘Plagiarised!’ And — you guessed it — it sometimes does! Who knew Mary Shelley was secretly using ChatGPT in 1818?

For a very interesting, slightly heartbreaking, but ultimately helpful article on proving your from-scratch authorship, you might find this relevant.

(Yes, yes, Beck, we’re all very outraged about AI, stealing our fun, our voices, our work. Where are you going with this?) ←Hat-tip to the mighty Ruth Bonetti for this technique!

Do you remember the grunge/deconstruction phase of the 90s? All the glamorous excesses of the 80s were eschewed in favour of dressing down, gritty music, drilling fiercely to find the authentic. My prediction is that the current surfeit of airbrushed unrealism will soon wane in popularity against an upsurge in appreciation for the artisanal and the genuine.

This is especially relevant to writers because we are artisans. We take language and make it dance. We are not auto-tuned. We are the coalface of art, bespoke and irreplaceable. The Bible tells us our very hairs are numbered.* Science tells us our fingerprints — even those of twins — are unique.

Further, the presence of God is always supposed to be carried on the shoulders of humans. From the time He manifested His presence between the cherubim of the Ark to the incredible privilege of having Him live inside each redeemed heart, He has always wanted to include us in what He is doing. A cart won’t cut it. An answering machine won’t cut it. And so no matter how correct-sounding a sermon written by an LLM might be, it cannot by itself impart life. That is something God Himself does, and He seems to enjoy doing it through us. The Gospel is and always has been incarnational. He became one of us to invite us to become one with Him.

Within the scope of what God does on the earth, He calls us into community. Across our millions, we can do even greater works that He did rolling 12 deep.* Even in shopping, there's something about great customer service which far outstrips ‘Add to Cart.’ This goes double for writing stories that amaze and inspire, and interacting with people who are searching for connection to the Lord.

Your testimony matters, and so does your fictional narrative idea, and so does your gift of insight. Now and then, perhaps, we reinvent the wheel; but the wheel must be reinvented every generation. You might have noticed this in church songs: yesterday’s I See the Lord becomes today’s You Are Holy. Jesus, Just the Mention goes through What a Beautiful Name and comes out at Jesus, Be the Name. Each iteration of each great truth carries the flame of the Lord and the flavour of today's firebrand. All the glory is the Lord’s, but He stoops to share the joy with us.

AI will never replace or command the presence of God, and it will never be a substitute for the fellowship of believers. Trust Him — He knows what He’s doing. Remain at your post and stay the course, ‘for God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.’*

Rebekah Robinson loves God and people, and writes about Christian living. A missionaries’ daughter, she was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and lives in Brisbane, Australia. She and her husband have two adult children. Freelancing as a graphic designer specialising in books, she enjoys singing, songwriting and worship leading, and may have a slight digital scrapbooking addiction.

Beck's Website . Facebook