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 of our members from Aug 2025-Feb 2026
Historical Fiction
The Hunter fo Macquarie Collection
by Sara Powter
This collection of stories offers insight into life in the colony during the early days of settlement, as seen through the eyes of the governors and trusted convicts. Of the first ten governors, seven were recalled to face inquiries, and all were later exonerated.
Book 1 When Upon Life Billows
Book 2 The Saddler’s Song
Book 3 Tuppence to Pass
Book 4 His Majesty’s Pageboy
Book 5 A Fist Full of Holey Dollars
Book 1 When Upon Life Billows
Book 2 The Saddler’s Song
Book 3 Tuppence to Pass
Book 4 His Majesty’s Pageboy
Book 5 A Fist Full of Holey Dollars
Sara Powter worked with her mother, Sheila Hunter, to research their family history. Through this, they discovered many wonderful Australian Colonial stories from the four Convicts they found in their tree.
Romance
A Heart to Treasure
A Heartto Treasure
by A Heart to Treasure by Dienece Darling
The vicar’s son and the draper’s daughter have fought against all odds to be together, yet both are ignoring the cracks in their relationship. And a storm is coming. One that will shatter everything. Can two hearts torn apart by pride find their way back to each other?
Dienece Darling is a former Georgia Belle who calls Melbourne home these days. She writes first person inspirational historical romance, and her first name is a variant spelling of Denise.
Find Dienece on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/
Not Running Away
Not Running Away
Melissa Gijsbers
Gemma Duncan isn’t running away — she’s running towards something new. A temporary job in Sapphire Bay was meant to be a quiet escape, but friendship, community, and an unexpected connection with Adam make her question everything. When a permanent opportunity arises, she must choose familiarity… or the life that feels like home.
Author Bio: Melissa Gijsbers is a late-diagnosed AuDHD woman and Gippsland-based author who can't stick to one thing. She has written picture books, middle grade books, novellas, and more. You can find more about her on melissagijsbers.com or https://www.facebook.com/
Holly Hartmann Romances
One Cabin For Christmas: A forced proximity, second chance, fade-to-black, holiday romcom with rescue horses and a gassy beagle (Christmas in Vermont Book 1)
By Holly Hartman
One job. One cabin. One second chance at forever.
☃️Expect:
☃️Expect:
- Small-town Christmas magic
- Forced proximity
- Second chances
- Found family
- Veterinary workplace
- Rescue horses
- Heart and humour
- Swoony, fade-to-black chemistry and guaranteed HEA
Or get it free: www.hollyhartmanbooks.com/bonus-Christmas-romance
Running from Christmas: A Grumpy-Sunshine, Snowed-In, Christmas Romance with Heart (and Paws) (Christmas in Vermont Book 2)
By Holly Hartman
She hates Christmas. He lives for it. One rescue dog thinks they're perfect for each other.
☃️Expect:
- Small-town Christmas magic
- Reverse grumpy-sunshine
- Aussie veterinarian fish out of water
- Snowstorms with great timing
- A huge rescue dog
- Widower finding love again
- She’s leaving town (ticking clock)
- Swoony, fade-to-black chemistry
- Guaranteed HEA
A Very Merri Christmas: A Second-Chance, Snowed-in, Holiday Romance About Brave Love and Finding Home (Christmas in Vermont Book 3)
By Holly Hartman
She's marrying the safe choice. He's the deputy who never stopped loving her. One blizzard means there's nowhere left to hide.
☃️Expect:
- Small-town Christmas magic in snowy Vermont
- He’s always loved her / she’s been playing it safe
- Animal rescue
- Snowed-in survival intimacy
- Poignant and funny
- Swoony, fade-to-black chemistry & guaranteed HEA
Bio: Holly Hartman writes contemporary, small-town romance, with warmth, wit and swoony fade-to-black chemistry. Her stories are filled with longing glances, emotional misfires, and love that feels like coming home.
Contemporary
Spiralling Solo
Spiralling Solo (book 3 of the Spiralling Trilogy)by Michelle Dennis Evans
Podcaster and YA contemporary author exploring life’s challenges, victories and the joy of hope. Michelle Dennis Evans balances her writing by empowering others to live with health, vitality & freedom.
MDE link:https://michelledennisevans.com/
Buy link: https://www.booktopia.com.au/spiralling-solo-michelle-dennis-evans/book/9781923533073.html
Paint the Walls Red
Paint the Walls Red
by Suzie Peace Pybus
by Suzie Peace Pybus
Meg has carried the weight of one devastating choice for forty years. Now as strange events unfold in the hospital where she works, she senses they are tied to her past. With her memory failing, she must race to uncover the truth before she forgets completely.
Suzie lives on a small fruit and vegetable farm in Tasmania. She writes distinctly Australian stories about courageous women facing social challenges, each threaded with mystery.
Suzie lives on a small fruit and vegetable farm in Tasmania. She writes distinctly Australian stories about courageous women facing social challenges, each threaded with mystery.
Suzie's website: https://www.suziepeacepybus.com/
Buylink: https://tinyurl.com/y3u4s9nv
Restoring Hope
Restoring Hope
by Philippa Cleall
After escaping harm, Hope returns to Wombat Valley to rebuild her life. But when a charming, dangerous figure from her past returns, can she stand firm in the new faith and friendships that she’s found? Restoring Hope is a heartfelt story of resilience, rediscovery, and finding a safe place to call home.
Philippa Cleall is a Children’s and Family Counsellor and volunteer Court Chaplain. She has a heart for seeing faith communities become more trauma informed so they can care for those hurting with greater wisdom, compassion, grace, and truth. www.philippacleall.com
Speculative Fiction (Sci-Fi & Fantasy)
The Wells of Callystra
The Wells of Callystra Book 8 (published 31st October, 2025).
by Elizabeth Klein
by Elizabeth Klein
A perilous journey to the mountains of Karakor is undertaken by elf prince, Aeron Bregolas. Once there, he manages to unite his elven tribe with the largest dwarf kingdom in Bethloria. But at a terrible cost. To save both himself and his men, he is forced to activate an ancient talisman with devastating consequences to himself.
Elizabeth Klein lives and writes in a caravan and has over 100 published works. She enjoys writing YA fantasy and fairytale retellings.
Website https://www.elizabethkleinauthor.com/
Buy Link: https://www.ama:zon.com/-/e/B07ZBTVVX4
Flare Up
by Adele Jones
Eighteen-old, Jett Faraday is pushed to the limit when gym manager, Luca, discovers his interest in a bodybuilding competition and pressures him to take an illicit performance enhancer to accelerate his gains. When Luca makes physical threats, and he grows increasingly erratic. Jett digs deeper, unearthing a high-tech operation formulating ingestible products for engineering mind-manipulable super-humans. When that technology is turned on him, Jett faces a fight for survival that may cost him everything.
Adele Jones writes fringe and near young adult "Science fiction for the real world". Fuelled by her passion for family, faith, music and science, she tackles complex teen issues including self-worth, disability, loss, domestic violence, youth crime and more. To learn more visit: www.adelejonesauthor.com
Buy link:
Rise of the Consortium
Rise of the Consortium
by Jeanette O'Hagan
A young blind woman, an ambitious math genius, a rejected splice clone, a cynical detective, an angry post-doc student, or an agent trying to correct the mistakes of her father?
Nine interwoven stories that stretch from the seat of Nardvan power in Pelinor to the far reaches of the sun-system. Ten different and diverse people forced to face their own demons and overwhelming power, privilege and corruption. A growing band of rebels fighting against the might of Endira Corp.
Will their courage, choices and resolve save Nardva or will they die trying – or worse – be transformed into one of Endira’s mindless cyborg slaves?
Find out in Rise of the Consortium, a thrilling collection of sci-fi short stories by Jeanette O’Hagan, set in the future of the world of Nardva.
Jeanette O’Hagan began spinning tales in the world of Nardva from the age of eight or nine. Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations and cyborgs.
Christian Life and Reflection
Stories of Life - Turning Ten
Turning Ten
Edited by Claire Bell (Editor), Pete Court (Editor), Esther Cremona (Editor)
The Title Story (Jenny Woolsey): Explores a child's ordeal with major surgery, featuring themes of comfort, support from adults, and faith during a challenging time. Turning Ten is, appropriately, the title story of this tenth annual Stories of Life anthology. Once again, ordinary people have sent in wonderfully varied stories of how God met them in everyday situations readers can identify with. Some stories span many years, others a single afternoon. Some are a little sombre, and some are laugh-out-loud funny. Many, like the title story, recall childhood experiences of God’s comfort and provision in difficult times. Other writers drew inspiration from road trips, hospital trips, family life, and walking in nature. But one theme shines through them all. No matter how small or large our need, God always watches over us in love, to guide, protect and equip us.
CWD members include authors Karen John Roper, Jenny Woolsey & Barbara Jean McKay & editors Claire Bell, Peter Court and Esther Cremona.
Buy link: https://storiesoflife.net/product/turning-ten/
Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements.
Jeanette O'Hagan
Jeanette O'Hagan
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