Annette M. Irby



Annette M. Irby has enjoyed writing since her teen years. If she’s not writing, she’s reading for review, editing for clients, or perhaps out gardening. Her book, Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington, won the Selah Award in 2019. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She has over twenty years of experience as a professional editor and several books released. Married more than thirty years, she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more at her website, and blog (Net’s Book Notes).

 
 
Annette's Books 
 
 
Sequel to the award-winning novel, Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Peyton McKinley owns a bookshop on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Her love of reading prompts her to write novels herself. Unfortunately, a past breakup has soured her on relationships. When a literary agent wants to see her holiday romance manuscript as soon as she can finish it, writer’s block stalls her progress.

Best-selling picture book author and illustrator Eli Jaxon has relocated to Puget Sound to be nearer to his family. He's on deadline for his next Prescott the Proper Peacock edition, but worry for his niece distracts him. Past mistakes keep him closed off to dating.

When Peyton needs help with her story, previously married Eli volunteers to help her brainstorm. Can they deny their attraction, or will they live their own Christmas romance?
 
 


Sequel to Finding Love on Whidbey Island, Washington.

Following a breakup, professional cellist Kate Fleming’s well of inspiration has run dry. Her musical ensemble is counting on her to write several cello and piano compositions for their next album. She’s rented a beautiful beach house on Whidbey Island for the Christmas season. But the atmosphere may not be inspiring enough.

Church music director Zach Tillmon would love to book a professional musician for the upcoming Christmas program. His number-one choice is out of reach. But perhaps the newcomer wouldn’t mind sharing her talents with the congregation.
When these two perform together, sparks fly. But their lives aren’t settled, so a romance is out of the question. Or is it?

Join them near picturesque Puget Sound at Christmastime for a delightfully musical love story.

A Christmas Duet was originally published as one novella in the anthology titled Melodies of Christmas Love, 2020.


Finding Love on Whidbey Island, Washington

Whidbey IslandCould what drove them apart be what draws them back together?

Liberty Winfield lives with loss every day. She’d rather leave her history behind her, but when faced with moving back to her hometown, the past becomes unavoidable. She takes a job at the florist shop owned by her ex-boyfriend’s family from a decade ago. Now he’s unavoidable.

Clay Garrison knows the pain of ruing his mistakes. Most of his regrets center around Liberty. If he could undo his poor choices, he would. Liberty is back. He has one more chance to make things right. She doesn’t believe anyone could love her unconditionally, so he sets out to prove her wrong. He must also try to right the biggest wrong of their past, knowing that in doing so, he could lose her forever.

Will addressing the past together help them find love?


Free on Kindle Unlimited.


Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Selah Award winner 2019!

Neither of them is ready for a relationship, but love may not give them an out.

Jenna-Shea Brown considers herself a broken therapist. Years ago, she witnessed something that caused PTSD. She can’t let her boss or her patients know about her battle. Who would want to trust her to help them, when she can’t help herself? She’s finally able to find a fresh start in her family’s beach cabin, but the renovations aren’t complete. Her parents have hired her ex-boyfriend to finalize them, but his negligence led to her being in the wrong place at the wrong time all those years ago.

Liam Barrett is trying to prove he’s nothing like his deadbeat dad. He’s working hard, yet still failing. Adrenaline and adventure offer him a diversion, but maybe he can’t escape his genes. He’d like to make things right with Shea, but he’s unsure if she’ll forgive him. Meanwhile, he’s challenged to forgive his father. He’s also worried about Shea and all these episodes she won’t explain. Now that they’re back in close proximity, he’s falling for her again. But can anything heal the past? 


Free on Kindle Unlimited.


Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington

Friday HarborWill keeping his promise lead to another broken heart—or help them find love again? 

Professor Mikaela Rhoades has a plan: she’ll encourage her students’ marine biology research through an exclusive program while helping an old family friend’s whale touring business stay afloat. The challenge is the tour captain is her first love and ex-fiancé. Mikaela longs to help his family in the wake of his father’s death, but she’s keeping secrets. She’ll have to face her past and overcome her concerns about the future to make it through the summer.

Captain Hunter Cahill has taken over the family touring business after his father’s death. Unfortunately, he’s drowning in grief and accumulated debt. He’s hoping the incoming stodgy professor will help resurrect the failing business, but he’s not prepared when that professor turns out to be Mikaela, his former fiancée. To make matters more difficult, he’d promised his father to pursue her if she ever returned to the island single. The more time they spend together, the easier it is to keep that promise, though she still plans to leave at the end of the season. How much will it cost him to spend the summer romancing Mikaela?

Free on Kindle Unlimited.


I Choose You: A Contemporary Christian Romance Collection

I Choose You
I Choose You boxed set


Seven full-length contemporary Christian romance novels in one collection from several authors (Angela Ruth Strong,  Christa MacDonald, Patricia Lee, Kimberly Rose Johnson, Annette M. Irby, Miralee Ferrell, and co-authors, Deborah Dulworth and Linda Hanna). This "boxed set" is available in e-book format only, for $2.99, or free on Kindle Unlimited. Annette's novel, Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington, is included in this set.




Her Nerdy Cowboy

Her Nerdy CowboyWhoever heard of a bookish cowboy? When Logan McDaniel’s brother-in-law dies, he steps in to help his beloved sister run her ranch. But what does a city boy know of herding cattle?

Claire Langley loved her cousin. After he dies, she agrees to serve as a temporary nanny for two heartbroken children. Claire and Logan find they share a love of books, and Claire can’t resist the nerdy uncle who is great with children and who reads to her of pirate romance, but Claire’s ailing mother needs her in Seattle. Can she break away? And if she does, can there ever be a future for Logan and her?




Husband MaterialWyatt Hansen has no fears about commitment, but only three years have passed since his beloved wife died, and he can't bring himself to break their annual dinner date—that is until he meets restaurant owner Lara Farr.

Lara doesn't have time for romance; she has a business to run. At least that's what she tells herself so she doesn't have to admit that commitment scares her. But Lara's business is failing, and it just may take a miracle—or marketing analyst, Wyatt Hansen—to save it.

Can Wyatt rescue Lara’s restaurant, help her overcome her fears, and prove to her that he is good husband material?




What makes people read your work book after book? Reader loyalty. As a writer, you want to capture the attention of your readers and compel them to read your books every time you release a new one. Their commitment is based on how satisfied they are with your work. Did you meet their expectations? Did you endear yourself to them? How do you do that? Let me help.

I've served as an acquisitions editor for a Christian publisher and seen lots of submissions, and I've studied the CBA marketplace and current trends. I am a thorough, detail-oriented person, and I bring that to my editing. I have a deep understanding of fiction as I’ve read, written, and studied the craft of writing for nearly two decades. My critiquing services will offer you insight into where your project’s strengths and weaknesses are. See my website for more information. (http://www.amiediting.com)

Editing Services Testimonials:

Annette has provided a valuable service to Summerside Press as a critical reader for several of the books in the Love Finds You™ series. She is a perceptive and careful reader, and she has offered several shrewd insights. With meticulous editing skills and a strong sense of what makes a story work, Annette has my recommendation! ~Rachel Meisel, previous Senior Fiction Editor, Summerside Press

I've greatly enjoyed working with Annette Irby. She has a keen sense of story and pointed out weak areas in my story that I'd missed. I'm looking forward to working with her again! ~ Tricia Goyer, author of over thirty books, including co-author of Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington

* Author Photo credit: Sarah Irby Photos




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