Jane Porter's Blog, page 18

A Sweet Life: Supporting the fight Against Diabetes

May is one of my favorite months because it brings the annual Brenda Novak Auction for Diabetes.  I have tremendous respect for Brenda and if you’ve been with me for a while, you know I love to support the Diabetes cause and as always, I need your help to spread the word about A Sweet Life, a boxed set I’ve been asked to be a part of!

Priced at only 2.99 (regular price 7.99), A Sweet Life is a stunning limited edition (1500 page collection!!) of fourteen contemporary romances by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors, and includes a foreword by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber and stories from some of today’s most fabulous authors.  Please help me support this cause and order your copy today of A Sweet Life.

Have your cake and eat it too–your purchase of A Sweet Life helps fight against diabetes!
Priced at only 2.99 (regular price 7.99), indulge in this stunning limited edition collection of fourteen contemporary romances by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors…
You can make a difference while you read! All proceeds from the sale of A Sweet Life will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.
Featuring a foreword by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber.
Get your copy today!
1500 pages/ 675 000 words
I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre (The Sullivans)
The only woman wealthy Irish pub owner Jake McCann wants is the one he can’t have–Sophie Sullivan, his best friend’s off limits sister. But when the beautiful librarian appears on his doorstep as his every fantasy come to life, even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn’t the right thing to do…how can he possibly resist?
On A Night Like This by Barbara Freethy (Callways #1)
From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the first book about the Callaways, a big Irish family born to serve and protect, many as San Francisco firefighters.
May Day! By Heather Graham
Members of the Krewe of Hunters team plan a relaxing vacation to jolly old London for the English celebration–they never figured that a May Pole just might be murder.
Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent
When mystery shopper Shannon Jacoby meets billionaire Declan McCormick with her hand down a toilet in the men’s room of one of his stores, it’s love at first flush.
Built to Last by Susan Mallery
The tale of Aaron Cross, a man who doesn’t know he needs saving…until he meets Marissa Spencer, a heroine inspired by the real life founder of the Motheread/ Fatheread Literacy Program.
A Baby of Her Own by Brenda Novak
Delaney is tired of waiting for the right man–all she wants is a baby. After seducing a handsome stranger, she returns to Dundee to find that same man is actually taking up residence on a ranch just outside of town–where he will very likely realize she’s expecting.
Dare to Love by Carly Phillips
In relationships, Ian Dare offers the bare minimum–until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor changes his perspective. Their affair heats up and love comes into play, but Riley’s secret past just might cost them everything.
Executive Seduction by Jennifer Probst
When Chandler Santell turns to Logan Grant, the most ruthless CEO in the finance industry to save her beloved Yoga and Arts Center, she never intended to have seduction as part of the plan…
In Too Deep by RaeAnne Thayne
Though fiercely drawn to the comfort of Andrea McPhee’s arms, Will Tanner isn’t sure he can find room for a woman like her in a life focused on vengeance–until he discovers she has secrets of her own.
Every Girl Does It by Rachel Van Dyken
Amanda gets a flash from the past when the nerdy kid she rejected in high school suddenly reappears in her life…dead sexy, he’s all man and he wants her.
Homecoming Season by Susan Wiggs
Miranda Sweeney and her family find hope and healing while spending an autumn at Willow Lake after Miranda survives breast cancer. Inspired by the founder of Cottage Dreams.
Unspoken by Lauren Hawkeye
Once, Ellie Kendrick was the only thing that Dominic Gabriel wanted. Now she’s back and her version of what happened between them so long ago makes him question everything he knows about himself as a man…
Sweet Memories by Steena Holmes
Thinking her marriage is over, Tessa is shocked to fall into the arms of her husband… literally. What’s a girl to do when her heart still goes pitter-patter for a man who ran out on her once but comes back determined to take another chance?
Take Me, Cowboy by Jane Porter
Jilted at the altar, Jenny Wright is devastated that bull riding champ Colton Thorpe witnesses her shame, but tough sexy Colton is a man who knows what he wants… and he wants Jenny.

Also, Brenda Novak’s auction opens this month, too, and once again I am supporting it through donations from Tule Publishing.

 

From TULE Publishing: KINDLE Loaded with Books + Fun TULE Swag

Item: 3353668

$ 45.00
05/31 08:17 PM PT
05/01/14


   REGULAR LISTINGS    (sorted and displayed after any featured listings)          Hide Thumbnail Images



FULL Manuscript Critique & Meet with the TULE PUBLISHING TEAM @RWA 2014 in San Antonio, TX

Item: 3353669

 

So, do grab your copy of A Sweet Life today here at Amazon and don’t forget about Brenda’s amazing auction and all the wonderful things you can bid on for writers, readers, and wonderful women!  http://brendanovak.auctionanything.co...

Feel like winning something?  How about a JP surprise mystery box that is LOADED with great great stuff!  Books, gift cards, treats, sweets….it’s awesome and I’d love for you to win.  How to win?  Just comment below and let me know what you’d bid on at Brenda Novak’s Diabetes Auction if you could bid on anything.  Contest ends Saturday and winner announced Sunday.  Good luck and have a terrific day!

Original article: A Sweet Life: Supporting the fight Against Diabetes

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

My new book – Beauty’s Kiss

I have a new book, Beauty’s Kiss, out today, and even better it’s available for FREE at Amazon right now, so download your copy this weekend!  Once you’ve had a chance to read it, if you have a moment and don’t mind, I would be grateful if you’d post a review on the story, too.  Although it’s only available as an ebook now, it will be available in print in the next thirty days.

Beauty’s Kiss is my third story set in Marietta, Montana, and the second story of my newest series, The Taming of the Sheenans. If you’ve read my books before, you know I love connected stories, and have written numerous series featuring families for Harlequin Presents (The Galvans, The Princess Brides, The Desert Kings), Grand Central Publishing (Marta from Odd Mom Out and her friends) and my Brennan Sisters trilogy from Berkley Books.

The Taming of the Sheenans, is about five brothers from Marietta, Montana and boy oh boy do these men know how to take over a scene and own the room! The Sheenans are big, tough, rugged men, and as different as the Montana landscape. I launched the series in December with Christmas at Copper Mountain, my story about widower Brock Sheenan, the oldest brother, a taciturn rancher and single father who has been alone too long.

Now the series continues with Beauty’s Kiss, featuring the ‘good’ Sheenan twin, venture capitalist Troy, named Marietta’s Most Eligible Bachelor by the Copper Mountain Courier several years ago. But thirty-six year old Troy is more than a pretty face. He’s brilliant and ambitious, loyal to this family, and has a secret soft spot for historical buildings, small towns, and brainy book girls and meets his match in new Marietta librarian, Taylor Harris.

Taylor Harris–Marietta, Montana’s new librarian–is the quiet type who likes her glamour between the book covers. When she’s pushed into attending the formal Valentine Ball with Marietta’s Most Eligible Bachelor, Troy Sheenan, Taylor can’t imagine a worse pairing. What in the world would she have in common with a wealthy playboy like Troy?
Technology tycoon Troy is forced by business concerns to return to his hometown and take the town librarian to the Valentine Ball… what he doesn’t expect is that Taylor is even less excited about the prospect than he is! Intrigued by the only woman in town who wouldn’t be thrilled to take his arm at the big event, he’s determined that she will not just agree to be his date… bur she’s going to like it. Can Taylor turn a cold shoulder to Troy’s heart-melting charms, or is this about to be Marietta’s hottest Valentine’s Ball yet?

To celebrate the release of Beauty’s Kiss , I’m giving away a $10 Starbucks gift card, chocolate and the print collection of one of my series in a JP tote bag.  If you win, you get to choose the series! You can pick from one of my connected series by checking out the listings on my website…and its your choice… the Galvans, the Desert Kings, the Brennans, the Odd Mom Out quartet, or one of the others!  Contest ends on Monday night and winner will be announced on Tuesday.  Good luck!!

Original article: My new book – Beauty’s Kiss

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Carly Phillips Release Day!

I’ve known New York Times bestselling author  Carly Phillips for a long long time and I’ve been a fan even longer.  I’m very excited that she has a brand new release out today, Dare to Desire, and this story once again delivers her trademark hot, sexy characters and fun, fantastic plots!

NY Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips turns up the heat in her newest sexy contemporary romance series, and introduces you to the Dare family… siblings shaped by a father’s secrets and betrayal.
“One of my favorite reads this year.” HM Ward, NYT Bestselling Author on Dare to Love
Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all — an all-star football career and his choice of willing women — until injury forces him into early retirement. When he is offered a ground-breaking position with a rival team, he’s intrigued, but there’s a catch. He’ll be working alongside the same woman he callously hurt when she got too close for comfort. Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows what it means to have-not. She isn’t impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests.
This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily. But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. Can he convince Madison to take a risk and dare to love?

Because enquiring minds want to know, I emailed Carly and asked her some very important questions.

Q.  Carly, which do you like better Beach or Mountains?

A.  Jane, the Beach

 

Q.  Carly, Historical romance or Paranormal?

A.  Paranormal (give me some shifters, baby!)

 

Q.  And Carly, the most important of all.  Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate?

A.  Milk chocolate!

 

There you go!  A deep, insightful chat with one of my fav author gals.  Look for Dare to Desire on Amazon or Barnes & Noble today!  Carly’s giving away a copy of Dare to Love to one lucky winner!  For a chance to win, comment below and you’ll be entered in the contest.  Have you read books by Carly before?  What’s your favorite one?  Contest ends Sunday night and winner will be announced on Monday.

 

Original article: Carly Phillips Release Day!

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

You’re Invited… to the Montana Born Brides Series

I’m crazy about brides and weddings and have loved Bridal Magazines since I was a girl.  There’s something about those gorgeous white dresses–puffy, sleek, shimmery, silky, slinky–and how they transform an ordinary girl into a princess.

I think every girl at one point has secretly flipped through a glossy Brides magazine, wishing she could be that Bride, which is how Montana Born Books new Spring series  came about.  We wanted great writers to give us a great bride…and it was up to the author to find her inspiration.  The only rule?  The heroine had to be in or from Marietta, Montana, and by the story’s end, she had to be a bride.

And the stories are wonderful.  So very very wonderful.

They’re even better than the beautiful glossy brides covers Lani from Storywonk gave them.  (Thank you, Lani!  You’re a dream!!)

Last week Tule Publishing launched the Montana Born Brides series with Kelly Hunter’s What a Bride Wants, and the reviews have been pouring in–65+ so far and they’re fabulous.  I think her cover is perfect, too.  It’s fun, flirty, and sexy which suits Kelly’s great characters and  voice.  When questioned about her heroine, Kelly said, “I adore Ella Grace Emerson from this story. She’s such a blend of confidence and insecurity. She’s a strong woman. A capable one. I also gave her a go get it attitude and a little touch of princess. I think I want to be her.”

What a bride wants…
Ella Grace Emerson adores her father, but he keeps trying to marry her off to every eligible rancher in Montana. When he puts an ad in the paper on her behalf – for a docile house-husband – Ella retaliates with one of her own, pinned to the noticeboard of the local saloon. No husband required, housebroken or otherwise. What she wants is the perfect lover.
What a bride needs…
Newcomer Cam Sawyer is perfectly willing to tear up the sheets with Ella and be her partner in chaos. She wants a bad boy and he’s had experience aplenty. But what she really needs is a strong and loving partner, and until Sawyer stops running from his past he can never be that.
Sawyer’s the one Ella wants. But can he be the man she needs?

Just yesterday,  Tule released Trish Morey’s Second Chance Bride, the second story in the Brides series, and it’s only $0.99 cents on Amazon today so be sure to get your copy right away.  Sometme tomorrow, on Tuesday, the price will go up to $2.99 so don’t miss your chance.  (And see what I mean about gorgeous covers?!?  Trish’s cover makes me want to dance!)

When I asked Trish what she loved most about her heroine, Scarlett, she said – “I love that Scarlett is flawed and knows it. She adores her twin sister, Tara, (even if she’s not too crazy about her choice of boyfriend) and wishes she were more like her. Tara’s the sensible twin while Scarlett has always been the one to get in trouble and need bailing out. But she’s strong too, and resilient, and she’s nobody’s fool, and by the end of the story, she’s getting her act together and finding her place in the world.”

Scarlett Buck has always been flaky in comparison to her sensible twin sister Tara, so nobody is really surprised when Scarlett spends all her money on a one way ticket to Australia to be with the man she’s met on the Net. But she hasn’t reckoned on the guy already being married, or her mom getting sick, and now she needs money for a flight home to Marietta, MT—quick. Signing on with Bella’s Belles in Kalgoorlie isn’t be the proudest moment in her life but it will get her home fast. After all, it’s just sex.
Or is it?
Mitch Bannister’s ex is about to marry his best friend, and he could really do with a cold beer and a hot woman. But the cowgirl he takes a shine to at Bella’s is surprisingly skittish, and in the end he leaves without hooking up.
Later, when Mitch spies the cowgirl in the local pub begging for a job, he shrinks into the shadows–he’s not looking for complications, and something tells him that Scarlett Buck is a whole handful of them. But soon it’s clear she’s not just trouble, she’s in trouble, and like it or not, he’s not about to turn his back on this stray from the States. Especially if she can do him a favor in return. After all, it’s just a helping hand.
Or is it?

Then coming up next week on the 15th of April will be the 3rd Brides story by the incomparable Sarah Mayberry.  Sarah’s Almost A Bride, features Trish’s heroine, Scarlett’s twin sister, Tara and another stunning cover.  Sarah’s story is amazing…all these authors are amazing and I am so excited for you to discover these talented authors, too.

Tara Buck has always been the good sister, level-headed by comparison to Scarlett, her flaky, impulsive twin. But when Tara learns her fiancé has been cheating on her with one of his school students, the orderly world she’s created for herself suddenly feels as if it’s falling apart. For years she chose the safe option, but from now on she’s going to live a little, stretch her wings…be a little daring. And if that means acting on the long-suppressed feelings she’s always had for Reid Dalton, then so be it!
Reid has wanted Tara from the moment he met her, but she’s always been out of bounds. Not only is she his patrol partner at the Bozeman PD, she’s also engaged. But then her relationship blows up, and Reid finds himself battling his own instinct to stake his claim with the finest, hottest woman he’s ever known.
Even if anything did happen between them, it would only ever be temporary – Reid’s a born wanderer, while Tara’s roots run deep in Marietta. So even if things are good between them, it seems their romance is destined to be short and sweet…

And if you love these first three stories as much as I do, you’re in luck.  There will be five more Brides novellas by talented authors Katherine Garbera, Joanne Walsh, Kathleen O’Brien, Megan Crane, and Anne McAllister.  Lucky luck us!

But before I get ahead of myself, let’s launch this first stories in style!  I’ve got a terrific giveaway for one of you consisting of a beautiful teapot, teacup, tea, 3 brides stories by Harlequin super star talents Trish Morey, Kelly Hunter and me, plus lots more fun reader goodies –

For a chance to win this pretty bridal prize, talk to me!  Tell me, are you a fan of wedding stories?  Have you read the first book in this new Montana Born series?  If so, what did you think?  Or tell me when was the last time you attended a wedding!  Fill me in and you’ll be entered for a chance to win.  Contest ends Thursday night with winner announced Friday so enter today!  (And don’t forget to get your copy of Trish’s book for just $0.99 before the price goes up!)

Original article: You’re Invited… to the Montana Born Brides Series

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Brenda Novak’s RITA nod & Brand New Release!

This was an exciting week for romance writers as the nominations were announced for this year’s Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards.  The RITAs are my industry’s version of the Oscars and I was absolutely stunned–but also delighted–to get a phone call Wednesday morning informing me that my novella, Take Me, Cowboy, published by Tule this past October as part of the Montana Born Books imprint,  was selected as one of the best novellas of the year.   Several of my close friends were nominated for awards this year, too,  including Harlequin author pals, Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews, Maisey Yates, and Sarah Morgan–all authors I’ve featured here on my Blog.

Marie Force, my guest author this past week, was also a RITA nominee, and so is my friend, Brenda Novak.  Brenda and I date back many, many years.  She’s so terrific and giving.  Most of you are familiar with her auction, and how she is so dedicated to raising money for diabetes research.  Brenda wants a cure, and so do I, and I love supporting her in every way possible.

I was so very happy to hear about Brenda’s RITA nomination for HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK.  I have loved, loved loved her Whiskey Creek series, and if you’re reading the books, yoU know that her latest in the series, COME HOME TO ME, just released.  It’s always exciting to have a new book out, but its also stressful because you’re anxious to hear what all your readers think.  I wanted her to know how much I love her and how proud I am of her RITA nomination and her tremendous success.

If you’re reading the Whiksey Creek series, you probably know that COME HOME TO ME is getting rave reviews (4 1/2 stars from RT!!) and it’s also on sale right now for 30% off!  You can learn more about the entire series on her website or her social media:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

Here’s a very quick synopsis of the new book: When Presley returns to Whiskey Creek, she has completely changed her life. There’s just one catch. She hasn’t been able to get over bad boy Aaron Amos. But she can’t fall back into his arms…or his bed. There’s a secret she’s been guarding—a secret she’ll do anything to protect.

Brenda is my girl.  She always has my back and if you are looking for a terrific warm-your-heart-make-you-feel-great read, COME HOME TO ME is it.

And since Brenda knows how much I love to share the love with my readers, we have a great giveaway for one of you–the Whiskey Creek series in a darling Brenda Novak tote!  I’m throwing in a ton of reader goodies, too, so grab your copy of COME HOME TO ME while it’s on sale, and if you want to enter the contest, comment below.  You can congratulate Brenda on her RITA nomination, or comment on one of the books in the series.

The contest ends Tuesday night with the winner announced Wednesday morning so please be sure to enter soon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  I’m still on deadline, writing like mad, but sometime next week, Beauty’s Kiss will be out and for a couple days…free!

 

 

Original article: Brenda Novak’s RITA nod & Brand New Release!

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

A Chat with Marie Force

 I’m so happy to have Marie Force here with us today as a featured author on my JaneBlog.  Marie is literally a force of nature.  I’ve followed her career, impressed, dazzled, and then–pencil out, taking notes.

I love Marie’s commitment to her readers, who are her #1 priority, and yet she’s also managed to scoop up the indie published authors and make them a community, too.  Can you tell I’m a fan?

We’re lucky to have Marie with us today, on her big release day for FATAL JEOPARDY, out right now, so without further delay, help me welcome Marie!

Marie, what do you love most about being an author?

I love everything about being an author, but mostly I love the readers. They are so incredibly loyal and supportive of me and my books. A distant second to that is the opportunity to do exactly what I love every day and to work with some of my favorite women who support me in a number of important ways. Plus I get to live in my own little fantasy worlds where everyone is happy and things usually work out. What’s not to love about that?

Is there anything that has surprised you about self-publishing your books?

To be entirely honest, I’ve been astounded by how profitable self-publishing has been. For years I was stuck in the low four figures when it came to my books, and I honestly never expected to ever make any real money as a writer. Self-publishing changed my life in every conceivable way, and it has changed the lives of several of my friends who are now working with me. That never would’ve happened without my self-published books and the ability to manage my career proactively.

 What’s your version of success for an indie author?  

Speaking for myself, I would say first and foremost was the ability to leave my day job. I’d worked for the same company for sixteen years and I loved the job and the company. I wasn’t sitting there hoping to be rid of it until my books took off to the point where I simply couldn’t manage to do both. Being able to write full time happened about ten years sooner than I had expected with the first of my two kids heading for college a year after I left my job. It’s been an incredibly amazing and wild three years, to but it mildly.

 What’s the best thing you ever did for yourself in your career?

I took chances that not many people were taking yet in late 2010. When I self-published my first book, I had two publisher books coming soon after, so I self-published the first two and kept quiet about them until I got past those publisher releases. At that time, no one really knew if you could get sued for self-publishing while under contract, so it was a bit of a crap shoot—and one I’ve never regretted. The other really great thing I was able to do was releasing the first three books in the McCarthys of Gansett Island Series three months in a row in 2011, which gave that series an amazing start and propelled the momentum that continues today as I write book 11 while the readers clamor for more.

How do you stay creative? 

I don’t have any special tricks to staying creative. Writing is my one creative outlet, so my attention is always focused on my books. I joke that I have more ideas for books than I have years left to live. That’s why I spend very little time fretting about books that might remain outside of my control for many years to come. Shrug. Who cares? I’ll write new books.

What’s your typical day like when you’re between writing projects?

I’m never between writing projects. With three series going straight out right now, I’m always writing the next book. I go from one to the other and often have two going at the same time.

How do you prioritize every day to stay on track with your writing goals?

I write just about every morning, seven days a week. Morning is my most productive time of day, which took a while to happen. I had written at night for years when I was working for someone else and raising little kids. Recalibrating my brain to write during the day took about six months after I left my job. I don’t set actual word count or page count goals. The no-goals philosophy goes back to when I was still working full time and didn’t want to set myself up for failure by setting goals I could never achieve. To this day, I keep deadlines in mind and power through to The End without spending too much time obsessing about each day’s output. Some days my brain just isn’t interested in writing. So I spend those days doing other things that need to get done. I’ve learned not to fight the days when it just isn’t happening. It always comes back the next day.

Was there anyone or anything that helped inspire you to be a writer?

I have been a writer since I was a kid, but when my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, that got me motivated to stop talking about writing a book “someday.” She got to read part of my first book, Treading Water, before she died in 2004. I like to think she is up there actively working on my behalf to drive sales and send me fantastic ideas. My dad is very engaged in my career and likes to know all the latest developments. I’m very glad he’s been able to share in the excitement with me. Everywhere we go, people want to talk about my books, and he loves that.

Please tell us about your current release.

My latest book—out on Monday, March 24, is Fatal Jeopardy, Book 7 in the Fatal Series, which debuted back in 2010 with Fatal Affair. Carina Press and HQN are bringing the series out in paperback this year, beginning with Fatal Affair and Fatal Justice, both of which are available now in stores, with three more print releases coming this year and several more next year until the print and ebook releases are synched. I’m so excited to see the Fatal Series out in bookstores and getting so much love from readers. Sam and Nick have become extremely popular, and it’s been a very exciting ride for me with this series that I’ve now been writing for five years!

Book seven of the Fatal series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Force
Washington, D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland and her husband, U.S. Senator Nick Cappuano, have been looking forward to a quiet Thanksgiving with their son. But any thoughts of a restful holiday are dashed when Sam and Nick return home to a gruesome scene: Sam’s seventeen-year-old niece Brooke, barely conscious and covered in blood on their front stoop.
With lines between personal and professional blurring in this emotionally charged, deeply personal case, Sam is relying on Nick more than ever for support. But when suspicious images from the night in question appear on social media, Sam begins to wonder if her niece is telling her everything she knows about what really happened. And when Nick questions her tactics—and her ethics—as she races against the clock, Sam will need to decide how far she’s willing to go to prove Brooke is a victim, not a murderer.

What’s coming up next for you?

I hope to release the eleventh McCarthy book, Gansett After Dark, in May and then I Want to Hold Your Hand, Book 2 in the new Green Mountain Series, is out on June 3, followed by Book 3, I Saw Her Standing There, on November 4. I hope to have McCarthy Book 12 out this year, too. So I’m staying very busy!

What would be your two most important tips for other indie authors?

First would be to remember this is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t look at authors like me or others who have done well and think it happened overnight. I love to say I was a ten-year overnight success story. I worked for YEARS on this “project” before I made a dime from my efforts or saw a moment of success. I wrote seven books before I sold one back before self-publishing was an option. I think all the time about what I would’ve missed if I had given up when the first six books didn’t sell. It took twenty-five books to make the New York Times bestseller list, and I’m proud of the fact that I stayed with it long enough to get there. Since that first time on the NYT list last March, five other books have hit the list, which is incredible. So remember, nothing happens overnight. Second would be to expect to work harder than you ever have in your life. You are a “one-man-band” in a lot of ways, with your attention divided between a lot of competing demands. We hear all the time that it’s not enough to “only” write great books, and that is SOOOO true. Writing great books has to be the top priority. But you also need to be adept at marketing in the digital age and savvy about running a business. It’s a lot to juggle, so be prepared for an insane workload if you chose the indie path.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

To run my business the way a man would. I know that might seem sexist, but it was excellent advice—that came from another woman. As women, we tend to be pleasers and we come at things (often) from an emotional standpoint. Again, speaking in sweeping generalities here, men tend to be more pragmatic and less emotional. There’s a time and a place for emotional responses, but they don’t belong in business, even a creative business like ours. You have to be tough and look out for yourself and your career because NO ONE will ever care about it as much as you do. So as the very wise woman who gave me this advice said, “Grow a set and man up.” I liked that. It resonated with me, and I have never forgotten it.

Three things you know now that you wish you’d known before publishing your first book?

1. That I was about to embark upon a journey unlike anything I could ever have imagined.

2. That it’s all about the journey—the destination is almost secondary.

3. Patience and perseverance are the most important qualities to anyone pursuing a creative endeavor.

Name 5 words that fit your personality according to you.  And 5 words that fit your personality according to your best friend.

1. Mother

2. Ambitious

3. Focused

4. Friend

5. Fun-loving

1. Mother

2. Irreverent

3. Unfiltered

4. Klutz

5. Friend

*

With more than 2.5 million books sold, Marie Force is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 contemporary romances. Her New York Times bestselling self-published McCarthys of Gansett Island Series has sold more than 1 million e-books since Maid for Love was released in 2011. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press, as well as the Treading Water Series and numerous stand-alone books. All You Need is Love, book 1 in her new Green Mountain Series from Berkley Sensation, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller in February. The second book, I Want to Hold Your Hand, will be out in June, and the third book, I Saw Her Standing There, is coming in November. In 2014, Marie will have eight mass-market print releases—the first five Fatal Series books from Harlequin and the first three Green Mountain Series books from Berkley. While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and two feisty dogs, Brandy and Louie.

~~

Have you read Marie before?  What are you reading now, or what’s on your TBR pile?  Fill me in and you’ll be entered to win a Marie Force extravaganza gift with 3 Marie Force ebooks of your choice, a $10 Amazon gift certificate and tons of Spring sweets and treats!  Contest ends Thursday night with winner announced Friday morning so enter today!

Original article: A Chat with Marie Force

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

The Return of The Frog Prince!

After years of being out of print– and totally unavailable because it wasn’t even an ebook– my first chick-lit/women’s fiction novel, The Frog Prince, is back…now…. at Amazon.  It’s the same story my readers loved in 2005 but now, with a brand new cover.  Even better is that for this weekend, The Frog Prince is just .99 instead of $4.99.

This is a favorite story with a twenty-five year old heroine from my hometown of Visalia, California, learning to make her way in ‘the big city’.  It was my first book for Warner Books, and I sold it ten years ago Monday.  It’s amazing to think I’m able to re-release it on it’s ten year anniversary.

For my readers who love print, next week you can order a print copy of The Frog Prince from Amazon.  In the meantime, here’s the brand new ebook version:   http://amzn.to/1dacZcf

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE FAIRY TALE IS OVER?

Once upon a time, a lovely maiden from Fresno married the man of her dreams. After the honeymoon, she waited for the “happily ever after” part…until her Prince Charming turned out to be a toad.

Now Holly Bishop is about to write a new chapter in her life. She moves to San Francisco to become an event planner—only to find she is dealing with a gorgeous fairy godmother for a boss and corporate witches wicked enough to sabotage her future. Not to mention the egomaniacal frogs Holly finds lurking at the bottom of the dating pool. With no one to save her, will Holly slay the dragons herself and stand on her own for the very first time? Will the man behind the mask at her costume ball make her believe in love again? And will she risk giving up her dreams to become the heroine of her own story?

And before I leave you to get back to writing (I’m wrapping up a Harlequin Presents and I’ve just signed a new contract with Penguin for another Berkley Trade novel), I think we need to celebrate this re-release with a great giveaway!   Since the story is set in San Francisco, I’m making the prize be a San Francisco-Frog Prince terrific one, with a Starbucks San Francisco mug, a Starbucks City by the Bay gift card, a $10 Amazon gift card, Frog Prince reader treats and much more!  For a chance to win, just let me know if you read ever The Frog Prince, and if so, how did you find it, and if you haven’t yet read it, just tell me that, too!

Contest ends Monday night so check back Tuesday morning to see if you won!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jane

Original article: The Return of The Frog Prince!

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

The Memory Child by Steena Holmes

I had the pleasure of reading a wonderful new book, The Memory Child by the fabulous Steena Holmes some weeks before it was out.  Then last month I had the pleasure of meeting Steena who also happens to be really good friends with my dear friend CJ Carmichael.  Steena is even more wonderful in person and I’m thrilled to know her!

I really enjoyed The Memory Child and had to invite Steena to visit my blog to share more with about her book with all of you because I know you’ll love her book too!

Here’s Steena Holmes:

Finding friends with similar dreams, passions and cravings is rare and something I’m learning to hold on to with both hands. Jane, you are fast becoming one of those friends, someone I can connect with in regards to our goals for our present and future as well as we both share a similar craving.

Chocolate.

I tend to remember events by the chocolate memories associated with them. For The Memory Child – I celebrated completing it and handing it into my editor by taking a chocolate tour to Brugge, Belgium. It was exactly a year ago this month – and I started off in London to attend the London Book Fair before heading to Paris and then to Brugge, where I fell more in love with chocolate than I’ve ever been.

When Brian finds out that his wife, Diane, is pregnant, he is elated. He’s been patiently waiting for twelve years to become a father. But Diane has always been nervous about having children because of her family’s dark past. The timing of the pregnancy also isn’t ideal—Diane has just been promoted, and Brian is being called away to open a new London office for his company.
Fast-forward one year: being a mother has brought Diane a sense of joy that she’d never imagined and she’s head over heels for her new baby, Grace. But things are far from perfect: Brian has still not returned from London, and Diane fears leaving the baby for even a moment. As unsettling changes in those around Diane began to emerge, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems.
A woman’s dark past collides head-on with her mysterious present in this surreal and gripping family drama.

In Paris, my goal was to amble the cobbled streets to find those out of the way little patisseries and chocolate shops. I armed myself with books and maps and knew exactly where I wanted to go…but once I got there, I forgot all about those maps and just got swept along the amazing tide of what is Paris in Spring. I still found those shops and I ate a lot of tempting treats and confirmed that a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) and hot chocolate were the perfect pairing for a early morning stroll.

But it was in Brugge that I indulged and savored. From the moment I arrived until the moment I left I had one mission. To find the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted. And I succeeded. Over and over and over again. This small village held over 50 chocolate shops – can you believe that? Even though I was alone on this trip, I made sure to blog daily and posted pictures on my Facebook page so that my readers could come along for the ride – and I even brought home chocolate for them (see…I do share despite the rumors out there).

I add chocolate to all my books. There is always a scene (or two or three) where my character is eating, baking or savoring a chocolate moment. They say authors should write what they know – so trust me when I say, I know chocolate. But not only do I add chocolate to my books, I celebrate with chocolate.

Today, since The Memory Child is finally released (what a fabulous chocolate year it has been), I’m celebrating with the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted. But not only that … if you pop on over to my Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/SteenaHolmes.Author - I’m giving chocolate away too.  But don’t think I’ve left you all out…as a special thank you to Jane for celebrating with me today – one lucky chocoholic reader of hers will get a sweet chocolate treat as well as a copy of my novel, The Memory Child!

Oh … and did you know, I just submitted my recent novel to my editor? Any guesses on how I am celebrating? Yep, you guessed it…another trip to Paris (amazing how writing conferences seem to happen just as I end a novel).  And I’m headed on a ‘hidden’ chocolate tour of Paris on the day I arrive and then heading over to a chocolate festival in London the day before I leave.  Yes, I really do love chocolate!

Steena 

~~

Thank you, Steena for sharing with us!  Everyone, please check out The Memory Child.  I promise you’ll really love the story!  And in keeping with Steena’s love for Chocolate, I’ve got a treat for you!  I’m giving away some delicious special chocolate from San Clemente, a $20 Amazon gift card and other fun reader goodies!  For a chance to win, leave a comment and tell me about your favorite kind of chocolate.  Contest runs through Thursday night and I’ll announce the winner on Friday!

Original article: The Memory Child by Steena Holmes

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Jane & CJ: Good Together!

I’ve been focusing on family for the last couple months, needing to be available to one of my sons who needed medical care and lots of love and support.  I missed several deadlines for my books but fortunately my wonderful agent and editors understood and allowed me to step back from work committments to do what I needed to do.  But now I’m finally starting to write again–its never easy after a long break!–and I’m slowly finding the words, and hoping that I’ll be able to finish my novels and get them out to you, my readers, very soon.

Fortunately, there are wonderful novels out right now to read, and one of my favorite new romances is the powerful, emotional (wonderful!!) new story, Good Together, by one of my best friends, CJ Carmichael.

I asked CJ to join me on my blog and share with you a little bit about how she and I met, and our friendship, which I very much cherish.

So here’s CJ.  I hope you’ll enjoy her guest post on my blog!

From CJ

Jane and I met at a conference in Victoria before either of us were published. Somehow she, Barbara Dunlop and I gravitated to one another. Within a year all three of us were published! (Maybe we were each other’s good luck charms…) I’ll always remember the nights we sat up late in our hotel rooms talking about our hopes and dreams. Just to have a book with our name on the cover seemed like the big goal then. We’ve all come a long way since that time. But we remain great, supportive friends, and try to get together, just the three of us every one or two years.

I think we just “clicked” – it’s hard to explain. We definitely respect each other’s talent and share a drive and passion for writing. But we also just enjoy spending time together. We feel safe talking about things that are most important to us. And having lots of laughs along the way.

Loyalty is big part of friendship for me. I know that if I need something, and ask Jane, she’ll be there for me. It works the other way, too. I also like friends who care about the world, appreciate nature and want to be around it. Jane’s love of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta is one of our bonds. I head to Banff and area regularly to go hiking, and this is one of Jane’s favorite places in the world, too.

Typically Jane and I will see each other at the RWA National Conference where we’re swimming in a sea of thousands. We generally carve out a little time to be alone and talk, but we have our best visits when we do our 3-5 day retreats with Barb. We’ve met in Banff, Kelowna and Salt Spring Island. We love going to quiet places, surrounded by beautiful scenery. One of my most memorable meetings with Jane was about ten years ago when she came to Banff for her fortieth birthday. She was traveling alone–a lot of crazy things were happening in her life at the time. The two of us went out for a celebratory dinner, but also spent time hiking to Bow Falls, talking and reflecting. The mountains are a great place to put your life in perspective.

I had already dabbled in the Indie publishing world by the time Jane told me about her idea for Tule Publishing. I felt boxed in at Harlequin and was ready to plunge right in. I love the immediacy, the creative freedom and the feeling of being closer to my readers that I get with e-publishing. Plus Jane’s vision allows me to work with other creative people without sacrificing control over my own career. Jane excels in areas that are my weakness–such as just about everything to do with marketing!

I love the fact that besides being empowered to write my stories, my way, I now get to spend a lot more time with Jane. Through her I’ve met other amazing writers, reconnected with old writing friends, and had a chance to really get to know Lilian Darcy and Megan Crane (awesome people, funny, smart and talented). The four of us, Jane, Lilian, Megan and I, wrote the inaugural Montana Born books (Copper Mountain Rodeo). It all began with a week we spent together in Montana last May. After that I knew this new venture was something I’d never regret!

~~~

I asked CJ to join my Tule adventure because she’s not just my close friend, but one of the most talented writers I know.  CJ (like fellow founding author friends Megan Crane and Lilian Darcy) has serious writing chops.  She knows her craft and is constantly pushing herself to grow and deliver fresh, original and powerful stories that readers will love, and I think she’s written her best novel yet in Good Together, the first book in her Carrigans of Circle C Trilogy.   I absolutely loved Good Together and so have all the readers at Amazon that have discovered it (there are 68 5 star reviews!) and best of all, right now, Good Together is just .99 for the next 5 days.

So if you’re looking for a great read, check out Good Together, and if you ask me what goes good together, well, it’s amazing, loyal friends like CJ Carmichael, who always have your back.

For a chance to be entered to in my Good Together contest, which has an awesome good together mystery prize that includes three gift cards and lots more fun things, tell me what you think goes good together and you could win!  Contest runs through Thursday night with the winner announced on Friday morning so share with me now and then check back Friday to see if your name was drawn.

Original article: Jane & CJ: Good Together!

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

It’s Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

My long time readers know how much I love Valentine’s Day and the week surrounding it.  I’ve a birthday just a few days after Valentine’s Day and so I’ve always liked to celebrate hearts and candy and all things pink and red all month long.

This year I’m having one of those ‘big’ birthdays and I’m surprisingly excited about turning 50.  My forties were amazing and I think life is just going to keep getting better as I continue to take risks and embrace change and learn new things about me, life and love.

To celebrate my birthday and the one year anniversary of Tule being founded, Tule Publishing and I are teaming up to do a special giveaway for one lucky reader of a handmade heart quilt, print copies of The Sweetest Thing by Lilian Darcy and the Love Me, Cowboy anthology by Lilian, me, CJ Carmichael and Megan Crane, plus lots of chocolate for a cozy winter escape.

You can enter the Tule Anniversary Contest by commenting below and sharing either what you did for Valentine’s Day, or what you’re reading, or anything at all.  The contest runs through midnight Feb 20th with the winner announced Friday morning, February 21st.

In meantime, if you’re looking for some great reads this long President’s Day weekend, pick up a ebook copy of both books, The Sweetest Thing and Love Me, Cowboy at Amazon for just .99 for the next two days.  It’s Tule’s way of wishing you a very special Valentine’s Day.

Buy at Amazon

Buy at Amazon

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

love to all,

Jane

Original article: It’s Valentine’s Day!

©2014 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.