Jane Porter's Blog, page 20

Books, Treats & Holiday Sweets!

I’m thrilled to share that Montana Born now has two anthologies out in print, Love Me, Cowboy, filled with four fun, sexy and sweet stories by Megan Crane, Lilian Darcy, CJ Carmichael and me, and Montana Born’s gorgeous Christmas collection, A Copper Mountain Christmas, featuring warm, magical and festive romances by Katherine Garbera, Melissa McClone and JP (me again!).

Coming home to a Copper Mountain Christmas…
Tis the season of mistletoe and magic in Marietta, Montana. Snuggle up with these sexy, heart-warming holiday stories by three best-selling authors, in which love at first sight and second chances prove that, at Christmas time, dreams can be realized and wishes will come true!
Christmas at Copper Mountain by Jane Porter
Widower Brock Sheenan needs things taking care of at the Copper Mountain Ranch over the holidays, and Harley Diekerhoff seems like the ideal hard-working housekeeper. Until she discovers he and his kids have never had a proper Christmas together. Suddenly, the ranch is full of festive cheer—and the passion between Brock and Harley steams like mulled wine! But Harley’s not looking forward to the New Year… because she’ll be saying goodbye to this handsome, taciturn Montana cowboy, who doesn’t know how to open up, or share or love…
A Cowboy for Christmas by Katherine Garbera
Annie Prudhomme may have lost almost everything, and she’s daunted by having to return to her native Montana, penniless and alone. But seeing cowboy Carson Scott again, the guy she dated in her teens, soon injects some sparkle into her homecoming—his eyes are still as blue as the Big Sky. However, Annie’s still not sure if Marietta is where she truly belongs—she needs to decide over the holidays if she must move on once more. Though, when Carson helps her find the perfect pine at the annual Christmas Tree Cut, and then delivers it with some hot, hot loving, she feels that, just maybe, her deep-frozen heart might be beginning to thaw…
Home for Christmas by Melissa McClone
Rachel Murphy’s spending the holidays at the Bar V5 ranch with her older brother. She loves Christmastime and the scent of gingerbread, almost as much as she enjoys creating custom edible houses. But, after being burned in business, she’s wary when handsome venture capitalist turned dude ranch owner, Nate Vaughn shows a real interest in her baking. Then there are his tempting mistletoe kisses… he’s good enough to eat! But mixing business with anything else could be another recipe for disaster. Can Nate convince her that, here with him in the snowy mountains of Montana, she’s found her real home?

We’ve been selling the stories as ebooks but if you’re one of my readers that prefers print, you can now order both anthologies on Amazon, and here’s a link so you can order your copy for A Copper Mountain Christmas easily.

I’ve been busy this week trying to finish up on my revisions for my next Harlequin Presents.  I’d hoped to have the revisions done before leaving for Las Vegas in the morning, but it didn’t happen.  Now I’ll be writing in the hotel room during the day and then ducking out at night to catch all the rodeo action.

With the holidays approaching, things have been busy here with all things Christmas and that also includes a lot of baking.  Mac loves to bake and we’re taking a break from chocolate chip cookies this week to make some roll out sugar cookies and these pretty pink peppermint pinwheels.

I’m sharing the  Peppermint Pinwheels recipe in case you’d like to try them, too!

Ingredients-

3/4 cup butter

softened 3/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

1/4 tsp red liquid food coloring

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Divide dough in half; add extract and red food coloring to one portion.

On a work surface, roll out each portion of dough between waxed paper into a 16-in. x 10-in. rectangle.  Remove waxed paper.  Place red rectangle over plain rectangle; roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate overnight or until firm.  Unwrap the dough and cut into 1/4-in. slices.  Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until set.  Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

I hope you enjoy them!   I like to roll them out very thin and cook them crispy and then dunk in hot cocoa or my morning coffee.  Yum!!

Before I sign off, I also have a fun festive giveaway to thank you for your awesome friendship and support.  The festive giveaway includes a copy of the Love Me, Cowboy anthology, a stack of books by Montana Born authors, a Starbucks giftcard, the movie DVD of Holiday and lots more!  For a chance to enter, leave a comment and tell me  if you’ve done any holiday baking so far this year?  Do you plan to?  And if yes, what will you make?  Maybe I’ll get some delicious baking ideas from you!  The Fun Festive Giveaway contest will run through Saturday and winner will be announced on Sunday!  Please check back on Sunday to see if you won.

Happy Holidays and much much love!

Original article: Books, Treats & Holiday Sweets!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

The Pieces We Keep

[image error]Many of you already know this but I’m happy to say it again: Kristina McMorris is one of my favorite people and I love to meet up with her every chance I get.  I find her fascinating and engaging and just so interesting to talk to.  She’s beautiful and warm and witty… and so smart!

I also love her books and she’s been a guest on my blog before.  She joined us last year in March to tell us about Bridge of Scarlet Leaves, a novel I absolutely adored!  So it should come as no surprise that when I found out she had a new release coming up, I wanted to know more and here’s what Kristina shared about her new book,  The Pieces We Keep :

 

The Pieces We Keep features a young boy, whose violent, recurrent night terrors uncover family secrets that trace back to WWII. The idea for the novel was originally inspired by a news segment about a skeptical mother and father who became convinced that their son’s nightmares of dying in a fighter plane were actually memories from a past life, supported by his knowledge of verifiable historical details.

The story immediately piqued my interest, since my own son suffered from night terrors as a toddler and would even speak of a grandmother who didn’t exist. Could they have been just the creative ramblings of a youngster? Absolutely. Nonetheless, they ultimately laid the foundation for a novel, its premise completed by a true account of Nazi saboteurs on American soil in 1942. The declassified case captivated me with elements of love and tragedy, deceptive dealings by J. Edgar Hoover, and even a secret military tribunal convened by FDR. Needless to say, I hope readers feel the same about The Pieces We Keep. 

The deepest bonds are never broken…
Two years have done little to ease veterinarian Audra Hughes’s grief over her husband’s untimely death. Eager for a fresh start, Audra plans to leave Portland for a new job in Philadelphia. Her seven-year-old son, Jack, seems apprehensive about flying – but it’s just the beginning of an anxiety that grows to consume him.
As Jack’s fears continue to surface in recurring and violent nightmares, Audra hardly recognizes the introverted boy he has become. Desperate, she traces snippets of information unearthed in Jack’s dreams, leading her to Sean Malloy, a struggling US Army veteran wounded in Afghanistan. Together they unravel a mystery dating back to World War II, and uncover old family secrets that still have the strength to wound – and perhaps, at last, to heal.

 

Doesn’t that sound really good?  There’s a book trailer too -

I’ve just added this book to my Kindle and have plans to read it soon.  I hope you’ll add it to your reading list too!  Kristina has graciously offered a copy of The Pieces We Keep for giveaway and I’m adding some holiday treats and sweets including a $5 Starbucks drink card to the prize!  Leave a comment for a chance to win.  Contest ends on 10th and I’ll announce winners on Tuesday and I’ll announce the winner on the Wednesday!

Original article: The Pieces We Keep

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Karen Doornebos

Last December, I had the lovely Karen Doornebos visit for a guest blog and she told us all about her book Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, a book I absolutely adored!   I have been waiting impatiently for Karen’s new book, Undressing Mr. Darcy, and it is out now!  It actually just released yesterday and I begged Karen to come back and tell us about her new story as I know many of you are Jane Austen fans like me.  So here’s Karen, and she’s taking us far far from Montana, and all my crazy Marietta fuss, whisking us to the Roman Baths!

UNDRESSING MR. DARCY – The Blog Tour & Giveaway!

 

Hello from the Roman Baths!

As an ice-breaker to each leg of the Blog Tour, I’m taking you along for a ride to England, where I traveled during the summer of 2012 to do some research for UNDRESSING MR. DARCY. Where am I on this stop? The gorgeous Roman Baths in Bath! I love a good spa, don’t you? Well, this was how the Romans treated themselves back in the day with all the natural hot springs that bubbled up and continue to bubble up in the city once known as “Aquae Sulis.” Roughly translated, that means waters of Sulis, bright goddess of sun and hot springs. At the Baths themselves, some “Roman” stonecutters posed for me in their garb, which brings me to one of my favorite subjects, and that is how we moderns love to dress up in costume and reenact, whether it’s for ComicCon or a Jane Austen conference…

Shall we talk Undressing?!

ISBN 978-0-425-26139-2

First of all, I’d like to thank the fantastic Jane Porter for having me back here on the JaneBlog—this time just a day after my new book UNDRESSING MR. DARCY released. I have a thing for Janes, you know! I’m a fan of both Jane Austen and Jane Porter!

So, here’s the scoop on my new book: there are two gorgeous men in my book. One is from England and wears “Mr. Darcy” clothes complete with sexy boots, tight breeches, billowy shirt and cravat. The other is American and evokes Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. He can often be seen in his pirate garb. But…the book isn’t a Regency or historical…it’s set in modern day America and England.

My heroine? Doesn’t really like costumes—at first! Here’s the back of the book synopsis:

Taking it off in the name of history…

Thirty-five-year-old American social-media master Vanessa Robert lives her thoroughly modern life with aplomb. So when her elderly Jane Austen-centric aunt needs her to take on the public relations for Julian Chancellor, a very private man from England who’s written a book called My Year as Mr. Darcy, Vanessa agrees. But she’s not “excessively diverted” as Jane Austen would say.

Hardbound books, teacups and quill pens fly in the face of her e-reader, coffee and smartphone…

…until she sees Julian take his tight breeches off for his Undressing Mr. Darcy show, an educational “striptease” down to his drawers to promote his book and help save his crumbling estate. The public relations expert suddenly realizes things have gotten…personal. But can this old-fashioned man find his way into her heart without so much as a GPS? It will take three festivals filled with Austen fans, a trip to England, an old frenemy, and a flirtatious pirate reenactor to find out…

JaneBlog readers, you can check out the first chapter of UNDRESSING MR. DARCY here!

Keep reading, Jane (Porter) fans, because there are lots of ways you can win below!

And Jane, thank you once again for hosting me here—so kind of you!

WIN!

JaneBlog readers, up for grabs are THREE copies of UNDRESSING MR. DARCY! Contest is limited to U.S. readers, but just leave a comment below—any comment. Have you ever been to England? Worn a pirate costume? To increase your chances of winning you can share this post on your Facebook page or Twitter—let me know you’ve done that! You can also increase your odds by following me on Twitter or Facebook, or, if you’re not already, following Jane on her Twitter or Facebook—don’t forget to let me know about it in your comment, thanks!

Mr. Darcy’s Stripping Off…

His greatcoat. At each blog stop Mr. Darcy will strip off another piece of clothing. Keep track of each item in chronological order and at then end of the tour you can enter to win a GRAND PRIZE of the book, “DO NOT DISTURB I’m Undressing Mr. Darcy” door hangers for you and your friends, tea, and a bottle of wine (assuming I can legally ship it to your state). US entries only, please.

Karen Doornebos is the author of UNDRESSING MR. DARCY published by Berkley, Penguin and available here or at your favorite bookstore. Her first novel, DEFINITELY NOT MR. DARCY, has been published in three countries and was granted a starred review by Publisher’s Weekly. Karen lived and worked in London for a short time, but is now happy just being a lifelong member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and living in the Chicagoland area with her husband, two teenagers and various pets—including a bird. Speaking of birds, follow her on Twitter and Facebook! She hopes to see you there, on her website www.karendoornebos.com and her group blog Austen Authors.

JOIN THE BLOG TOUR:

12/2: The Penguin Blog

Launch! 12/3: Austenprose

12/4 Laura’s Review Bookshelf & JaneBlog

12/5 Chick Lit Plus – Review

12/6 Austen Authors

12/9 Fresh Fiction

12/10 Writings & Ramblings

12/11 Brant Flakes & Skipping Midnight

12/12 Risky Regencies Q&A

12/13 Books by Banister

Jane Austen’s 238th Birthday! 12/16 Jane Austen in Vermont, My Jane Austen Book Club & Author Exposure Q&A

12/17 Literally Jen

12/18 Savvy Verse & Wit – Review

12/19 Kritters Ramblings

12/20 Booking with Manic- Review

12/23 BookNAround

12/26 My 5 Monkeys – Review

12/27 All Grown Up – Review

12/30 Silver’s Reviews

1/2 Dew on the Kudzu

~~

Thank you, Karen for sharing about your new book.  It sounds so good and I can’t wait to read it!  Readers, Karen’s offering up a great prize so I hope you’ll leave a comment for a chance to win!  Contest ends December 6th and I’ll announce winners on the 7th!

Original article: Karen Doornebos

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Prizes Galore! Celebrating Marietta’s 12 Days of Christmas!

Christmas at Copper Mountain, my second story for Tule Publishing’s Montana Born Books, is free right now!  It will also be free tomorrow and then it’s back to its regular price of $2.99 so download today if you can.  http://amzn.com/B00H0LKQPG

I have so many people to thank on this Montana Born Books adventure….my author friends:  CJ Carmichael, Megan Crane and Lilian Darcy who helped create Marietta and the wonderful founding families of Marietta; authors Katherine Garbera and Melissa McClone who created the Copper Mountain Christmas Collection with me; the incredible team of Lani and Alastair at Storywonk for our covers, our branding, our MontanaBornBooks website, and the beautiful print anthologies that will be for sale soon.

I also have to thank you, my readers.  Today so many of you downloaded Christmas at Copper Mountain that it hit the Top 100 Free Books list at #31, and became the #1 Holiday Free Book, which is such a thrill.  One of my family members asked why ‘free’ was so exciting and it’s because ‘free’ gets me out in front of readers who have probably never heard of me, or read me, and maybe with my story free and with prominent visibility they will ‘discover’ me.

Yes, I’ve written 43+ books but publishing is always so competitive and the market is so jam-packed with great new releases and talented writers that every little bit of exposure and support can truly help make a difference.

Readers, I love you.  I’m grateful for you, and so I’m trying to give you another peek behind the creation of Marietta with a few more fun photos from my last research day in Montana back in May when Megan Crane and CJ Carmichael headed out, and Lilian Darcy and I got to spend an incredible day sightseeing with my wonderful friend, Kari Andersen, my original Montana girl who is a big part of my Montana inspiration.  Kari made Montana come alive for me, and has filled my head with stories and characters and I wouldn’t love Montana so much if it weren’t for her.

Lilian and I spent our last night in Bozeman at the Voss Mansion (recommended to us by Kari!) which has become a charming B&B in Bozeman’s historic district.  Lilian and I each had our own rooms, decorated with Victorian era wallpapers and lace and linens, but shared a yummy breakfast in the morning before going to the airport.  The sight-seeing with Kari and the night at the Voss Mansionwas the perfect way to end our Montana ‘expedition’.

And as a thank you to you all for being part of my Montana Born Books journey, I wanted to share some festive holiday giveaways happening right now, today.

Most of these are one day giveaways so enter, enter, enter before you forget.

1)  The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway at www.MontanaBornBooks.com

There will be an awesome different giveaway every day for the next 12 days, as Montana Born features a different Montana Born author every day until December 14th.  I am the first author in Marietta’s 12 Days of Christmas, and so head over and leave a comment on the blog for a chance to win my prize box:  http://montanabornbooks.com/12-days-o...

But remember, the giveaways continue for 12 straight days…new prizes every day…go back every day to enter the new one!

2)  The 12 Days of Christmas in Marietta on Facebook!  

Go comment on the post over at https://www.facebook.com/MontanaBornB... for a chance to win the adorable tea pot and treats for today’s 1st Day of Christmas there.  Each day there will be a giveaway, too, but on Facebook, each day the contest grows….Day 1, 1 prize and 1 winner.

Day 2, 2 prizes, 2 winners.

Day 3, 3 prizes and 3 winners.

See how that works?  Nice, huh?  :)

And lastly, there’s a prize here happening just for commenting below.  Tell me something good. It could be something you read, something you made, something you felt, something you saw.  Just share something good and you’re entered to win something GREAT!  (How does 3  gift cards, books and treats sound???)

The GREAT! Contest runs through Thursday night, midnight PST, winner announced Friday morning.  So talk, talk, talk and maybe you’ll win!  :)

 

 

Original article: Prizes Galore! Celebrating Marietta’s 12 Days of Christmas!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Christmas at Copper Mountain!

Christmas at Copper Mountain, my second story for Tule Publishing’s Montana Born Books is now available exclusively at Amazon as a Kindle download and you can find it here, http://amzn.com/B00H0LKQPG

I loved Brock and Harley’s story and knew their story could only be a Christmas story as these two need a miracle to bring them together and give them the happy-ever-after they both deserve.  This story is filled with snow flurries, snowballs and snowmen, as well as faith, hope and love.

But if you can handle waiting, do wait to buy Christmas at Copper Mountain until Dec 3rd and 4th as its going to be free for two days then, and I want all my loyal readers to have the chance to read it for free.  Its my way of saying thank you to you.  I would not have this incredible career if it weren’t for all of my readers who love my books and continue to get excited about each new release!

I’m grateful for you, my readers, and so very grateful too for my writer friends that have been there in the trenches with me, encouraging me as a writer, pushing me to grow, and helping me weather storms and change.

My trip to Montana last May with CJ Carmichael, Megan Crane and Lilian Darcy was such an awesome escape.  I was truly inspired by the week long trip with my friends, where we brainstormed, talked story and created our beautiful little town of Marietta that is very loosely based on Livingston, Montana and then…embellished.  :)

It was fun writing Take Me, Cowboy, which is set on the North side of Marietta, and even more fun writing this second story which is set on Brock Sheenan’s rugged, remote cattle ranch in Paradise Valley.  I wrote the story listening to Chritmas music (all Fall long!) and my favorite album for this book has to be Sugarland’s gorgeous Christmas album, Gold and Green.  I shared my holiday playlist at the MontanaBornBooks website, http://montanabornbooks.com/good-stuff/playlists.

What is your favorite Christmas carol or song?  Share with me one or two of your favorites in the comments section below and you’ll be entered to win a special Christmas at Copper Mountain prize that includes an Amazon gift certificate, a Starbucks gift card, chocolate, a holiday ornament, and a stack of signed Jane Porter novels.  It’s a one and a half day contest with the winner announced on Monday, December 2nd so be sure to check back by Monday night to see who won!

Happy December to all, and thank you so very much for your friendship and wonderful support.  And please don’t forget to tell your friends that Christmas at Copper Mountain will be free at Amazon for two days on December 3rd!

Jane

Original article: Christmas at Copper Mountain!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Bringing my friend Hope Ramsay back!

In October I attended the NJRWA conf, Put Your Heart in a Book Conference, held just outside of Newark and it was so awesome.  My seond Brennan sisters novel, The Good Daughter had finaled in their mainstream with romantic elements contest, and most wonderful of all, I had the pleasure of dinner with Hope Ramsay.

I’d “won” dinner with Hope in Brenda Novak’s auction last May and was thrilled to finally have the chance to sit down with her, have dinner and a drink, and talk about, books, writing, faith, and life.

I’ve always loved Hope’s writing, but our dinner together made me a forever and ever Hope fan.

Hope is…incredible.  Inspirational.  And so when I heard she had a new book out I had to share because she’s got this huge heart and I’m a fan.

So, yes, many of you have met her before.  For others, she might be new to you.  Either way, I do hope you’ll enjoy her guest post, as Hope Ramsay tells us about her new release, Last Chance Knit & Stitch.

Busy Hands, Warm Hearts (and Heads)

My mother was a knitter.  She always had knitting needles in her hands.  And I have deep, deep memories of the sweaters she made me.  Putting on one of her hand-made sweaters was like wearing a hug.  And I remember putting in orders for specific kinds of sweaters.  I will never forget the beautiful argyle sweater vest she made me when I was in high school – at a time when argyle was not popular.

Mom tried to teach me how to knit, and I did learn how to do it, but my projects were. . . well. . . ugly.  I was so much better at crochet and sewing, so I stuck to those things.

Until Mom passed away in 1997, and I inherited her knitting needles.  In my sorrow, I tried to take up knitting a second time, and I failed.  This time I think it was because holding her needles was just too emotional for me.  I needed time to come to terms with losing her.

And then a few years ago, several of my author friends found out that I knew how to knit but had given it up because, well, I basically sucked at it.  Let me just point out that these dear friends were complete yarn junkies.  And they were determined to make me one, too.

I got emails with patterns.  I got links to yarn blogs. I got pushed and shoved.  And then my son announced that I was about to become a grandmother.  I suddenly realized that there was no one to knit the new baby a blanket and sweater using the pattern Mom used for every baby born from 1948 until the day she died.

I couldn’t stand the idea that my grandbaby would be denied a hand-knit lace blanket and newborn sweater.  So I picked up the knitting needles again.  And this time, for whatever reason, I found myself utterly lost in joy of knitting.  I’ll be honest, when I knit I feel as if Mom is right there in the room with me, warming my heart with so many memories.  And, of course, I now have a bunch of dear friends, all of whom are as addicted to yarn as I’ve become.  I’ve come to see that knitting is a way to keep my restless hands busy.  But it’s also a way connect to past and future generations of the mothers, sisters, and friends in our lives.  Knitting, I’ve discovered, is a blessing.

Just recently, one of my readers contacted me, and knowing that I knit, she asked me if I would spread the word to my knitting friends about The Hatbox Foundation, Inc., a non-profit group that provides hand-made hats to patients undergoing chemotherapy.  I was happy to spread the word, but I quickly decided that I could do more than that.  So I’ve organized a cyber-knit along in support of this charity.  I’m asking knitters and crocheters to make at least one hat this November and send it to me or directly to the Hatbox Foundation.  The details of my knit along can be found here, and I invite any of you who knit to join with me.  Knitting for others is one of the best thinks about this hobby.

Given all this backstory, no one should be surprised that I have included knitting in some of my books.  My new book, Last Chance Knit and Stitch, which goes on sale tomorrow, is all about the yarn shop in the little town of Last Chance, South Carolina.  It’s the story of Molly Canaday, a yarn whisperer, who happens to also be an auto mechanic.  As much as Molly loves to knit, her dream is to start her own body shop where she can restore classic cars.  But Molly’s mom, the proprietor of the yarn shop in town, throws a big monkey wrench into those plans.  Mom runs away from her less-than-thrilling marriage and leaves Molly in charge of the shop.  Enter the Purly Girls, a quirky group of charity knitters who are not about to let Molly permanently close the yarn shop.

And if dealing with a group of slightly senile knitters isn’t enough, Molly’s plans are also upset by the tall, dark, and handsome Simon Wolfe, who has just returned to Last Chance on the occasion of his father’s death.  Simon wants to deal with the estate quickly and get back to his life as an artist in California.  But his father’s estate is more complicated than he imagined.  So he’s stuck in town for a while and takes a short-term lease on an abandoned building that would be perfect for studio space.  Unfortunately, Molly had her eye on that same building for her car restoration business.

Of course the sparks fly — in more ways than one — when Molly and Simon butt heads over the real estate.  Leading to the question: can two headstrong people, both of them commitment phobic, ever find happiness?

It was fun writing about a group of quirky charity knitters that wreak havoc on Molly’s life.  I’m pleased that they also managed to teach Molly a few lessons along the way.  Knitting will do that, you know.

So, are you addicted to a craft like knitting or scrapbooking or quilting?  Tell me about it.  And tell me about how you learned your craft and how doing it makes you feel.  One lucky commenter on today’s blog will win a free, autographed copy of Last Chance Knit & Stitch.

~~

Thank you, Hope, for joining us today!  I am so glad you could join us to talk about Last Chance Knit & Stitch.  I love having you around!  :)

Readers, I’m adding to Hope’s giveaway a $10 Starbucks drink card, a digital copy of my new cowboy story, Take Me, Cowboy, and some treats and sweets.  So comment below and you could win.  The giveaway will run through Wednesday and we will announce the winner Thursday morning.

And don’t forget, you guys are amazing.  Each and every one of you!

Have a wonderful week!

xoxox

Original article: Bringing my friend Hope Ramsay back!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Smart Girls Doing it For Themselves! Rodan + Fields

Many of you have read about all my launch parties in Bellevue that I threw for each of my books.  One of my best friends in Bellevue, Lisa Johnson, would host the launch party at her Bellevue restaurant, Ooba Tooba’s, and we’d have cocktails and food and terrific fun.

Lisa Johnson at Ooba Tooba’s

Lisa and Jane at the launch party for Mrs. Perfect

Lisa has been my friend for nearly fifteen years, ever since our oldest sons became best friends in pre-school.  Lisa has been my go-to-gal for everything….decorating tips, recipes, holidays, parenting help.  She’s also one of the hardest working moms I know, running five different restaurants, creating recipes for the restaurants, and now on the side, she’s doing something for herself, and I had to share it with you since I know a number of my readers are entrepreneurial in spirit, and always interested in different ways to earn money, support their family, and network with other women.

Lisa and Jane in Hawaii

Rodan + Fields was founded by two of the most successful names in skincare, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, who were the creators of Proactiv® Solution.  Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields trained at the Stanford University School of Medicine and  have taken a unique approach that is a win-win for entrepreneurs: the chance to be part of a movement to bring transformational products to market, and in the process, give women (and men!) the  opportunity to create a new source of income.

As a writer, I’ve gone into hybrid publishing to add to my income and give me new financial opportunities to provide for my kids, and so I really get excited by financial opportunities for women, which is why I’ve asked Lisa to join me on blog today to talk about Rodan+Fields.  And now, I’m handing off to her!

—–

Hi everyone!

Jane asked me to share a little bit about why I chose to represent  Rodan+Fields when I’m not someone that finds ‘selling’ appealing.  I’m not a saleswoman.  But I do love opportunity, and although I am part of a business with my husband and brother-in-law, I wanted my own little niche, my own business where I could thrive, and earn money that was mine.

After learning about Rodan and Fields, I became impressed with the company’s products, and how Rodan and Fields can be a vehicle for women to become successful, independent entrepreneurs.

Here is what I like about working with Rodan and Fields:

 I can create a business that works around my schedule and not the other way around
I can build a business that can help pay for bills, children college tuition and possibly even more.
The efforts I make in the business directly translates into results.  I don’t have to rely on anyone else.
I enjoy introducing people to products that they love.  They are so happy and grateful to see improvements in their skin.

Today, Rodan + Fields is joining forces with entrepreneurs like you and me to deliver breakthrough skincare solutions AND the opportunity to participate in an independent business ownership program with a very low cost of entry and the potential for meaningful income creation.

After redefining the market for acne skincare with Proactive, they started their new venture, Rodan + Fields, and with it they are redefining anti-aging skincare (which is the part Jane likes so much!!).

The doctors were also smart about how to market their products.  They knew that transitioning to a direct sales model would allow the Company to reach more Customers, sell more product, and ultimately, help individuals become successful entrepreneurs.  Here is a short video of the two doctors as they explain their motivation.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLMbk6DwenU.

If any of this sounds interesting, or if you have any questions, you can contact me  Lisa@LovingMySkin.org.  I also have  more info on my website.   LovingMySkin.org

Thanks, Jane, for having me here.  I know you usually talk books, but as your former work-out pal and friend, I know how much you love hair, make up, and skin care so I appreciate you letting me join you to meet your readers and friends.

Lisa

~~

Lisa is right.  :)

I am fascinated by skin care and the advances in skin care.  Women today look so much younger due to cool, new products, and because I’m nearly ten years older than my hot surfer guy, I am always testing those products.  Why?  I don’t want to look ten years older than my hot guy.  I want to look like his…well…hot girl.    Which is why I try to eat healthy and experiment with skin care products, and I’m hooked on Rodan and Fields, and have been hooked for quite some time now.

A couple of my author friends asked me about my skin care stuff when we were rooming together at a recent conference, and I couldn’t wait to play beauty salon with them, and so I decided to share with you here, too.

I’m not part of the business.  I’m just a customer.   But I’ve become a devoted customer,  and use both the Redefine (the line for aging skin…oh no!) and Reverse to help keep my skin looking good.  I have  my two teenage sons using the skin care line, Unblemish, to help with acne, break outs and post acne marks.   And now even my surfer guy uses their Reverse products to help with sun damage from his years of living in Hawaii’s sun and sea.

The products work.  I’ll be fifty in February and my skin is as good, if not better, than it was when I turned 40 so I’m a big believer in great skin care and love what Rodan+Fields does to my skin, and how its helping my boys with their teenage skin.

So contact Lisa if you are at all curious about any of the products, or trying products, or wanting to become part of the Rodan+Fields team, and as a thank you to Lisa for being here, and to you, my readers, for being so loyal to me over all the years, I’m giving away an awesome box filled with Rodan+Fields skin care products, gift cards, books, and treats (the value s over $250!!).

To enter today’s giveaway, just comment below.  You can tell me about your week, what you’re reading, or plans for the weekend.  That’s it.  Contest runs through Friday night, and winner will be announced Saturday morning.  Please be sure to check back Saturday to see if you won!

Have a great day everyone, and don’t forget to take some time for yourself.

xoxox

Jane

Original article: Smart Girls Doing it For Themselves! Rodan + Fields

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Christmas at Montana Born Books

I’m on the road again, this time in College Station, TX to see my son, Jake.  It’s been several weeks since I saw him and it’s so good to hug him and catch up!

I’m also excited about Tule Publishing’s first two Montana Born Christmas novellas, Home For Christmas by Melissa McClone and A Cowboy For Christmas by Katherine Garbera that just became available for sale!  Both books are for sale on Amazon and readers are already raving about the stories.

Home For Christmas
Melissa McClone
Ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Rachel Murphy loves the scent of gingerbread baking almost as much as she enjoys creating custom edible houses at Christmastime. But she needs a bigger kitchen if she wants to make the most of her impromptu holiday business.
Enter Nate Vaughn, handsome venture capitalist turned Montana dude ranch owner and her brother’s boss. Nate’s commercial kitchen is perfect for the baker. And he thinks she might be perfect for him…as a business partner.
After being burned by a celebrity baker, Rachel’s wary of Nate’s interest in her gingerbread houses, not to mention his mistletoe kisses. She should leave the Bar V5 ranch and return to Arizona. Or can Nate convince her she’s already home?

A Cowboy For Christmas
Katherine Garbera
Annie Prudhomme never expected to be back in Marietta, MT and her family is fond of reminding her that she left them and the town behind in search of better things. A humiliating divorce that cost her everything she’d gained has driven her back home and her family isn’t about to welcome her back into the fold. She’s in town to rebuild the old home that she inherited and to move on once again.
Carson Scott never forgot Annie or the way she left. Now that she’s back in town he’s realizing that the old flame still burns hot but he can’t risk his heart the way he did last time now that he has his son to think about it. Being trapped together during a December snowstorm gives them a chance to rekindle their romance but is Annie back for good or is she just looking for a cowboy for Christmas?

If you love warm, cozy feel-good Christmas romances full of deliciousness, gorgeous imagery and unforgettable characters, I hope you’ll grab a download of Home For Christmas and A Cowboy For Christmas from Amazon soon!

To celebrate these new releases, I’m giving away a stack of books, yummy treats and a Starbucks drink card.  For a chance to win, leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win.  Contest ends on Friday and I’ll announce the winner on Saturday.  Good luck!!

Original article: Christmas at Montana Born Books

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

My new story Take Me, Cowboy is out now!

I have been traveling a lot.

A lot, a lot, a lot.  I’ve been on the road for the past 4 out of 5 weekends, and the one weekend I was home, I had a house guest and threw a girls night out book party.

I’m a little of tired of traveling, and am very ready to stay put and  focus on my family, and Halloween, and doing fun things with my littlest guy who loves this time of year.  Because of him, I really love this time of year, too.  :)

But there is something cool happening, and it’s this:   I have a new story out…TODAY!

Take Me, Cowboy wasn’t supposed to be officially on sale until tomorrow, but Amazon has it available–and at a very special intro price of .99.  It’s a great deal, a great price and it’s only temporary, so if you’re looking for a sexy, sweet, emotional story for less than a buck….this is it!

When Jenny Wright’s fiancé leaves her standing at the altar in a Vera Wang bridal gown she can’t afford, she’s humiliated and heartbroken. To have Marietta hero bull riding champ Colton Thorpe witness her shame – makes the rejection even more devastating.
Jenny and Colton grew up in the same rough neighborhood and they both left home right after school to pursue big dreams. Now they’re both back, with Colton as the celebrity chair for the 75th Copper Mountain Rodeo, and Jenny in disgrace.
Sexy, rugged Colton didn’t get to be a national champion by chance. He’s a man that takes risks and goes after what he wants. During the rodeo weekend, Colton makes it clear he wants Jenny. Flustered but flattered, Jenny finds it difficult to resist his charm. But what happens when the rodeo ends and Colton leaves town? Will she dare to dream again?

If you’re interested in downloading a copy, you can get one at Amazon.

Not an ebook reader yet?  Good news!  In a couple weeks there will be print anthologies of all four cowboy novellas for sale, too.  I promise to let you know when that happens.  But the cover is gorgeous and it includes all the great Copper Mountain novellas in it by my amazing author friends Megan Crane, Lilian Darcy, and CJ Carmichael.

And to celebrate the release of Take Me, Cowboy I’m giving away a special Halloween treat book filled with books, sweets, and awesome treats.  Comment by midnight PST Oct 30th for a chance to win, and the winner will be announced on the 31st sometime Thursday morning.  To enter you can tell me anything…I just want to hear from you!

Happy Monday, enjoy all your fun Harvest and Halloween activities this week, and I do hope you’ll enjoy my Colton and Jenny’s love story!

Original article: My new story Take Me, Cowboy is out now!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Author: Susan Crandall

I met Susan Crandall, years ago at an RWA national conference.  She and I (and Megan Crane and Kristen Harmel and Karen Rose, among many others!) had the same editor at Grand Central Publishing, and Susan was up for a Rita award and I was dazzled by her.  She’s an incredible writer and lovely and warm and several years ago Susan decided she wanted to try a different path in writing, and stepped back to just write the book of her heart.

Well, the book of her heart is amazing.  I was so happy to see Susan at the Decatur Book Festival at the end of August and I listened to her speak on a panel and then waited in a long line to get a signed copy of her new hardcover release, Whistling Past The Graveyard.  (I actually picked up two signed copies, one for me, and one for one of you!)

I asked Susan to join us here on my JaneBlog, and she was kind enough to answer my questions.  So help me welcome the lovely, extremely talented Susan Crandall!

Susan, what’s your typical day like when you’re between writing projects?

I’m pretty much always involved in a writing project on some level: researching, writing, pondering, copy edits, proofreading, promoting.  Many times multiples of these all at once.  I’m not a speedy writer.  I like to “wallow” in my work, so there’s always something happening.

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

My younger sister began writing first.  She, knowing I was an avid reader, asked me to help her edit her first manuscript.  From there, we co-wrote five novels—which I consider my “education” in novel construction.  She moved on to other things, but I was totally hooked on the process.  My first solo novel, BACK ROADS, was my first published work.  She’s been very supportive of my writing career, and her fiery, impetuous, personality helped me create Starla Claudelle in WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD.  So I’d say she’s had a big hand in things all around.

Do you have a writing schedule or any writing rituals to help you achieve your daily writing quota?

I hate to admit this, but I will because it may help some writer out there struggling to follow the “rules of successful writers.”  I do not have a daily writing quota, ever.  After experimenting with many other writer’s tried and true processes, I’ve come to accept my creative process is uniquely my own. I do best when I write every day, no matter how little I actually accomplish on a given day.  It keeps my head in the game.  The first third of every novel is painfully slow in coming.  I could sit at the computer all day and not reach a quota—I’d also be totally frustrated.  A lot of my best storytelling breakthroughs come when I am not writing, but doing other things.  I write when I feel like it, which is much easier now that my children are grown and out of the house.  I don’t beat myself up about it, because all that does is dam up my creativity.

Tell us about your new release in 2 – 3 sentences.  What do you personally love about this story?

Whistling Past the Graveyard is a coming of age story set in 1963 segregated Mississippi.  Feisty nine-year-old Starla Claudelle runs away from her strict grandmother to find her momma in Nashville, where she’d gone when Starla was three to become a famous singer.  Starla is aided by a black woman suffering loss and abuse, who has a newborn white infant in her care.  The trio embark on a sometimes dangerous, sometimes humorous journey that will lead Starla to the maternal love she’s been long been denied.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a novel set in 1923, featuring three people from very different backgrounds set adrift by life-altering circumstances and bound together by mutual need; a teenager on the run from the law, a WWI veteran pilot, and a newly penniless debutant with a wild streak.  Conflicting goals and blind obsessions threaten not only the success of their barnstorming act, but their lives as they cross America in a rickety airplane, encountering farmers and tycoons, tent revivalists and rum runners.

What do you love most about being a writer?  What do you hate?

I love what I call the layering process.  I do not draft.  What I write one day, revisit those words the next and the next, adding layer after layer, until I have a finished chapter.  I inch forward a little each day, add to it tomorrow.  By the time I leave a chapter behind, it’s pretty much in its final version.

Frankly, I detest the blank page.  When I sit there with a cursor blinking and any avenue is open to the story.  I like it better when I’ve made the basic decisions of direction (plot, point of view, characterization, pacing) and then get to make it the most engaging it can be.  That said, I never stop writing at the end of a perfect chapter.  I always force myself to get that first paragraph of the next chapter down.  It makes it so I really look forward to sitting down the next day.

Name five items sitting on your desk right now.

Ha! Is there a desk under there?

Stacks of research notes for my work in progress (messy, unorganized stacks). A fan letter awaiting response.  A book on barnstorming. The remote control for the awning on the balcony off my office. A cocoa butter stick for my lips.

Name 3 books you hope to read soon.

The Tilted World, by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly.  Dr. Sleep, by Stephen King.  The Funeral Dress, by Susan Gregg Gilmore.

Title and author of the latest book you read?

Mrs. Poe, by Lynne Cullen, it was an advance reading copy and I really enjoyed it.

What’s your astrological sign?

Virgo … and I’m the poster child for the sign.

Are you superstitious?

Mildly.  You won’t find me walking under a ladder and I always say “bread and butter” when I walk on the opposite side of an obstacle from someone I’m walking with (can’t risk getting in a fight before the day is over).

If you could meet one person who has died, who would it be?  What would you want to discuss with him/her?

Mark Twain.  I would just sit and listen to anything he had to say.  I find his mind fascinating…plus I think we’d share the same sarcastic sense of humor.

Five favorite things to do on a weekend?

Work in the yard.  Read.  Go to the movies.  Have the family over for swimming and food (Colts game and food in the winter). Share wine with friends.

What do you do in your spare time?

Spare time?  Is there such a thing?

What does success mean to you?

In my writing world, it means I’ve created characters and a story that readers care about, that stick with them after they’ve finished that final page.  Anything else in this crazy publishing industry is out of my hands, so I focus on the part I do have some control over.  A note from a happy, satisfied reader is success.

Rock or country music?

Both, probably leaning more toward rock.

Sweet or savory?

Definitely savory.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Vanilla …yes, it counts as a flavor!

~~

Susan, thanks so much for joining us today, and readers I do hope you’ll take a few minutes to check out her books.  I absolutely loved Susan’s latest release, and I’ve got that signed copy of  Whistling Past The Graveyard to giveaway to one lucky reader here, along with a Starbucks gift card and fun reader goodies!

For a chance to win, tell me in the comment section below if you’ve ever read any of Susan’s book, and let me know what you’re reading now, and you’ll be entered.   Winner will be announced Friday morning.  Good luck and I do hope you’ll have a terrific week!

Original article: Featured Author: Susan Crandall

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.