Jen Gilroy's Blog, page 2

Tax season: Not “the most wonderful time of the year”

As I write this post, I’m surrounded by bits of paper covering both my desk and home office floor.

Why?

It’s tax season in Canada, and with a filing deadline of April 30, the pressure is on.

When I wasn’t self-employed, tax season, although still involving some work, in retrospect barely caused a ripple in my world.

Nowadays, it’s much different—and a lot more stressful.

Taxes for the self-employed author

Instead of a small folder of tax slips, I have a large box filled with taxation paperwork.

Throughout the year, I retain receipts for everything related to my author business—from book purchases to website hosting, marketing costs, museum entry fees, printer paper, ink and more.

I now earn and incur costs in three different countries and currencies: Canada, the United Kingdom and United States.

Each country also has a different taxation year and system.

So, after paying most of my Canadian taxes in advance in quarterly instalments, I compile all my receipts and other business information for a tax preparer who specializes in international and small-business taxation.

Why did I leave it until April to do my annual paperwork sort?

Because there always seemed to be something more pressing!

This year, I’ve had tight writing deadlines, a publisher closure and other life and professional stresses that took immediate priority.

As a result, I still have several last pieces of information to compile.

Not “the most wonderful time of year” … But still memorable

Tax season is my least favourite time of year.

However, my piles of receipts also evoke special memories, including time with friends and learning.

This year, they’re also a record of my summer 2024 UK trip researching my upcoming Rose Warner, WW2 British home front Teacher Evacuees series.

Author life

Over the past few years, my tax preparer has probably learned more than he ever expected about how much of the author life involves things other than writing.

And if he looks closely at any of my 2024 travel meal receipts, he may be puzzled by “Vic Sponge” and “Wens/Carrot.”

One is a Victoria Sponge cake, pictured. The other denotes a Marks & Spencer Wensleydale Carrot Chutney sandwich. I ate both these favourites in England last summer.

The first book in my new Rose Warner historical series, The Teacher Evacuees, is out in September and I’ll share a cover soon.

And while wartime rationing means my characters are restricted in terms of cake choices, they eat carrots in many forms, including chutney and in sandwiches.

For the love of old books

As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved and collected old books, especially those for children.

The gorgeous covers. The thick paper, sometimes with foxing (age-related browning). The scent of old binding. The faded inscriptions in elegant cursive writing.

Yes, I’m a bibliophile and openly admit it!

While all books are passports to different worlds, old books are that and so much more.

Books I’ve inherited from family members were often given to them as school prizes, or presents for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions.

For long out-of-print second-hand books I’ve found in specialist shops, online and at library and community sales, I wonder about the people who owned and read them before me.

All these books are part of my life, and both personal and family history. They sit on shelves in my home, taken out when I need a comfort read or now, as an author myself, occasionally as a reference for a book I’m working on.

While collecting old books is in part about nostalgia, there’s also the thrill of browsing second-hand bookshops and thrift stores/charity shops. I never know when I might find a hidden gem or title I didn’t know I needed.

Even more exciting is finding a vintage book signed by the author. I’ve come across several of these in the past few months, and I may have squealed a bit at the moment of discovery!

I do read e-books, a lot of them, and my Kindle is especially useful for new releases or when I’m on holiday.

However, the books that bring me the most joy are the old ones on my physical shelves, collected throughout my life and holding parts of my past.

My latest find? This beautiful, illustrated 1943 edition of Hitty: Her First Hundred Years, a children’s book by Rachel Field.

Hitty was recommended in “Vintage Chapter Books for Children,” a lovely Facebook group I belong to. So, when I spotted this copy in Toronto last month, I couldn’t resist.

Books and book collecting are also about community and sharing favourite reads with like-minded readers.

And as a lifelong bookworm, it’s a community I cherish.

Making a book cover & why I have “cover love” for “The Hero Next Door”

Earlier this week, I shared the gorgeous cover for my next Jen Gilroy book, The Hero Next Door (first in my Strawberry Pond miniseries for Harlequin Heartwarming), with newsletter subscribers.

This new cover might be my favourite of my Harlequin books so far.

However, what I didn’t share in my newsletter was how my Harlequin covers are made.

What’s The Hero Next Door about? 

It’s a sweet, small town, opposites attract, fish-out-of-water contemporary romance.

When Josie, a New Hampshire farmer, meets Heath, the city guy who moves in next door, sparks soon fly.

With small-town shenanigans, an escapee dairy cow, a rescue dog named Cookie, a multi-generational family and more, the cover designer needed to capture the “feel” of the story in one, definitive image.

The “Art Fact Sheet”

For Harlequin authors, every cover design begins with what’s called an “Art Fact Sheet” (AFS).

Via the AFS, I note aspects of the book’s setting—in The Hero Next Door small town, rural and New Hampshire all feature.

I describe (with photos) what I imagine the main characters look like and their clothing style.

I summarize key scenes, and the fears and false beliefs the romantic leads must overcome to earn their happily-ever-after.

I also summarize the plot, the action propelling the story forward from beginning to end.

From “facts” to cover

Once I complete the AFS, the art department has the information they need to, in consultation with Harlequin’s editorial and marketing teams, develop a cover.

Unlike self-published authors, those, like me, who publish through a publisher, don’t typically have much say in cover design.

However, with many years of experience, Harlequin knows what designs work for paperback and e-books, how a cover fits with other books being published and what appeals to their readers.

If, in the end, I spot something in the cover that’s truly at odds with the book, it’s corrected. However, publication is a team effort, and my job is to write the best story I can.

Why do I have cover love for “The Hero Next Door”?

Although Harlequin’s art team worked from the AFS and haven’t read my book in its entirety, the cover for “The Hero Next Door” nevertheless captures the warmth and emotional depth readers say characterizes my writing.

The hero and heroine, Heath and Josie, look much as I envisage them, as does Cookie, Heath’s adorable rescue dog.

The cover also has a sweet, romantic and contemporary rural feel that tells readers exactly what to expect from the story.

Find out more & pre-order The Hero Next Door (out September 30, 2025) in large-print paperback or e-book here.

As the saying goes, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but sometimes I do. You too?

If you don’t already subscribe to my reader newsletter, sign up on my website here.

My monthly mailing is the best way to keep up with my life and writing, and make sure you don’t miss a release, sale or other news.

A marvelous March mini break

Last week, I left Tech Guy and Floppy Ears at home to spend a four-day weekend with my dear sister-cousin. She had a work conference in downtown Toronto, Canada and invited me to join her.

While she was in daytime meetings, I enjoyed a lovely hotel, savoured city life (skyscrapers, oh my!), and had some much-needed rest and relaxation.

In the evenings, we caught up on our lives and families in ways we can’t as readily do via email, text or phone and video calls.

Refilling my creative well

It was a treat to meander and discover some hidden Toronto gems.

I enjoyed visiting The Toronto Reference Library, including a gallery showcasing vintage postcards from the library’s collection.

The exhibit included cards like the leather one shown to the right, “Greetings from Toronto: Canada, The Maple Leaf Forever,” circa 1905.

Other highlights were great bookshops, and a café with a European feel where I lingered and people-watched.

Stress, health and well-being

Away from my regular routine, I walked more, slept better and felt as if I’d done a ‘mental spring cleaning.’

Thanks to a change of scene and staying offline and away from social media, I returned home significantly less stressed in both mind and body.

Connections old and new

Family ties are precious, and in-person time with my sister-cousin was good for my soul. Her friendship nurtures me, and I value her wise advice and a sense of humour similar to mine.

While in Toronto, I also had the joy of meeting Beth Dranoff, a friend and “writer of things fantastical” I previously only knew online.

Although there’s much that can be toxic about our digital world, as an author it’s helped me forge important professional connections. I’m blessed that some of those have become true meetings of minds and could have chatted with Beth for much longer than I did.

Recharging, refreshing, renewing…and reading

Although I was only away from home for four days/three nights, it was as beneficial as many longer vacations.

My usually busy mind had a rest, allowing me to recharge, refresh and renew.

I also had uninterrupted reading time which nowadays is rare.

A marvelous March mini break

After what’s felt like a very long and dreary winter, this short break was exactly what I needed.

A bonus? Following the adage of “Live the Story You Want to Tell,” I even got some new book ideas.

 

 

Celebrating my overflowing TBR pile ~ Can you relate?

My name is Jen, and I have too many books, physical and electronic, in my TBR (to be read) pile!

That’s partly because as an author I read widely to learn, improve my writing craft, research topics I’m writing about and keep up-to-date with what’s popular in different kinds of fiction.

However, I always have too many books I want to read because I’m a booklover and have been since childhood.

My devotion to reading means I often “fit in a few pages” when brushing my teeth or on hold for a call centre.

Last weekend, when I was tidying a bookshelf, Tech Guy asked me how many of my books I’d read again, and how many titles I had on my TBR list.

As any bookish person knows, his first question, how many of my books I’d re-read, is beside the point! Books are like good friends. I may not see them for years, but they’re always there when I need them.

However, Tech Guy’s second question, how many books are in my TBR pile, made me think.

While I’m not about to admit to the number (I stopped counting once I got to a hundred), I realized that I’ll reach the end of my life with still many more books to read.

Is that a bad thing?

Not to me! I love getting lost in stories and would choose reading over most other leisure-time activities.

While waiting in a grocery store line recently, I noted that the teenager serving customers wore a book-themed sweatshirt, and a book was propped on a shelf behind her—open to read in quiet moments.

When I reached the checkout, we talked about books while she scanned my purchases.

She said she never worries about running out of books because along with old ones to discover, new ones are always being published!

Like my friend Susanna Bavin (who also writes as Maisie Thomas and Polly Heron) said to me on Twitter (now X) in 2014, a comment I printed out to save: “Think of TBR pile as bibliographic pet. Enjoy it. Be happy, not stress. TBR does essential job. You’ll never run out of reading.”

So, there’s your answer, Tech Guy.

My name is Jen, and I’m celebrating having a lifetime of books in my TBR pile!

I hope you’ll choose to add some of my books to your own TBR pile. I have two new releases in 2025, both in September:

The Hero Next Door as Jen Gilroy from Harlequin Heartwarming (first in a new sweet, small-town contemporary romance miniseries set in Strawberry Pond, New Hampshire).

The Teacher Evacuees as Rose Warner (first in a new WW2 saga/historical women’s fiction series set on the British home front).

The best-laid Valentine’s plans…What could go wrong?

Although I write romance, I’m more about romancing the everyday than going all out for Valentine’s.

However, since a Covid Christmas and New Year meant we couldn’t spend the holiday season at our lake house, Tech Guy and I were looking forward to going to that special place for a long Valentine’s Day weekend.

Walks in the snowy woods. Cozy times in front of the fire. Romantic dinners for two overlooking the frozen lake.

What could go wrong?

Intermittent freezing in the septic system means we currently have no functioning indoor plumbing there.

Instead of romantic togetherness, thawing the pipe ‘blockage’ will necessitate time, effort and mess.

And although there’s an outhouse, I’m not keen to use it in February in Canada!

So, Valentine’s Day plan B.

Take Floppy Ears to dog day care and leave our small town to spend a romantic Saturday in the city.

Walk along streets rich in Canadian history. Enjoy a cozy lunch in an intimate bistro. Hold hands overlooking another frozen waterway.

What could go wrong?

As I write this blog post, two major winter storms in rapid succession are forecast to hit my part of Canada over the next few days.

With public safety warnings to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare emergency kits, it’s likely none of us will be going anywhere, anytime soon.

Valentine’s Day plan C.

Always resourceful, Tech Guy has picked up a prepared meal from our favourite Italian restaurant near the office where he currently works one day a week.

The food is in the freezer, and we’ll reheat it to celebrate Valentine’s Day on either February 14th or the weekend.

This plan assumes we’ll still have electricity, but I’m hoping for the best while also preparing for the worst.

The soft glow cast by my great-grandmother’s oil lamp could be romantic, right?

Life happens

In almost twenty-nine years of marriage, I’ve become pragmatic. There are lots of days and ways to celebrate love and most don’t involve hearts, flowers and carefully planned moments.

As for my fictional characters, true and enduring romance is about learning to navigate life’s storms both literal and metaphorical.

No matter how you spend it, Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope it brings love, comfort and kindness to you and yours.

And if things don’t go as planned?

Laughter—and in my case, the leftover chocolate I was too unwell to eat at Christmas—help!

Some of my favourite things

Following the holiday season, January seems like the longest and dreariest month of the year to me.

However, in the past few weeks, focusing on small joys close to home has been cheering.

The Sound of Music was my late mother’s favourite musical, and we often watched the iconic 1965 film together.

Given my recent prolonged bout of Covid, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from that playlist feels apt, but I’m instead looking to “My Favourite Things” for a morale boost.

To help you get to know me better, and except for obvious things like family and friends, here are five other “favourites.”

Favourite colour: Pink. Soothing, nurturing and calm, pink is also associated with romance so it’s fitting for a romance author. From teacups to socks, sweaters and everything in between, rosy hues feature prominently in my life.

Favourite ice cream flavour: Chocolate chip or, when I’m visiting my hometown of Winnipeg, Canada, a Bridge Drive-In (BDI) special “Twist cone” (soft serve chocolate and vanilla ice cream “twisted” together).

Favourite holiday: UK Mothering Sunday. While North American Mother’s Day in May is bittersweet and a poignant reminder of losing my own mom too soon, British Mother’s Day in March celebrates my joy in becoming a mum to English Rose.

Favourite month: September because it feels like a fresh start. I also love sapphire, the official September birthstone. Although not my birth month (that’s July), my engagement ring from Tech Guy is a beautiful sapphire.

Favourite season: Spring in England, when new blooms seem to pop out weekly, and Fall (autumn) in Canada when trees are draped in vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves.

Does remembering favourite things bring you cheer?

If, like me, you now have the song “My Favorite Things” running through your head, watch and listen to this clip from the movie on YouTube here.

A very Covid new year: Choosing to ‘rewind’ on 2025

Happy New Year…or not! As those who follow my author Facebook page know, I haven’t had the best start to 2025.

A very Covid new year

I rang in the new year with Covid and spent most of the holiday season either unwell myself or caring for sick family.

I’m behind with writing work and had to ask for an extension on a book due in March.

I’m also, as with my first Covid bout in 2023, experiencing debilitating migraines.

While ill, I lost part of an old tooth filling so am now waiting for a dental appointment to have it repaired.

I’m dealing with various other issues too, and in ways large and small, life feels like more of an uphill battle than usual.

Add in January snow, cold and grey skies, it’s easy to feel gloomy.

However, I’m trying to make the best of things and, as my late mom would have said, count my many blessings.

Our season of Covid meant English Rose couldn’t return to university when planned so had more time at home. These days, having my “nest full” is both rare and precious, and I savoured it.

I also appreciate the friends who have helped with grocery shopping (“paying it forward” to quote one), shared meals and sent caring and supportive messages.

And as natural disasters, war and other unsettling events ravage various parts of the world, including the ongoing devastation of wildfires in California, I’m grateful for my safe and cozy home. In a place that anchors me in family, memories and security, my heart goes out to those suffering immense loss, uncertainty and grief.

Choosing to rewind

Over two weeks in, I’ve decided to press a metaphorical rewind button and, for a fresh start, relaunch 2025 in writing and life.

I’m looking forward to celebrating a belated Christmas with friends who were away over the holidays.

I’m excited about the books I’m releasing this year:

As Jen Gilroy, The Hero Next Door from Harlequin Heartwarming, first in a new Strawberry Pond sweet romance miniseries set in rural and small-town New Hampshire. It’s already available for pre-order so find out more here .As Rose Warner, The Teacher Evacuees, my WWII women’s fiction novel from British publisher Canelo.As Jen Gilroy, updated e-versions of my two previously-published Wishing Tree books.

I’m happy to have returned to ballet and Zumba classes because exercise helps with both my mental and physical health.

And although I haven’t yet chosen my word to live by for 2025, ideas are percolating.

In the meantime, I’m holding to “Hope,” one of my previous annual words, and an acronym a reader on social media this week commented means “hold on, pain ends.”

That’s wisdom and inspiration no matter where and how I find myself.

My happy holiday season bucket list

It’s December and although part of me doesn’t know where 2024 has gone (shouldn’t it still be early September?!), we’re now in the midst of what for many is the holiday season.

After a busy year in life and writing, I’m set for a slower-paced December complete with a “happy holiday season bucket list” to help make the next few weeks merry and bright.

What are some of the things I’m planning to do?

Make my mother’s chocolate chip cookies

These childhood favourite “drop” cookies are a special treat, as valued for their loving memories as yummy taste.

When I make them, I feel my late mom by my side. And as the sweet scent of baking fills my home, it’s like a warm, motherly hug.

Although my mom’s recipe is a family secret, find a similar one (with imperial and metric measurements) here.

Enjoy The Nutcracker ballet

As a ballet fan, The Nutcracker, the story of a young girl who receives a nutcracker toy as a Christmas Eve present and embarks on a magical adventure, is a long-time seasonal favourite.

This year, I’m going to Ottawa, the nearest city, to see a local performing company stage this festive dance treat.

Take a snowy woodland walk 

We’ve just had the first snowfall of the season here in Eastern Ontario, Canada and my world is a winter wonderland.

With a gorgeous park and forest trails nearby, it’s a joy to bundle up in my parka, woolly hat, boots and mittens and take Floppy Ears for a Sunday afternoon walk.

Another joy is returning home to a cozy house for popcorn and hot cocoa.

Watch movies

With the holiday season comes holiday films.

I’ve already watched “Hot Frosty” currently on Netflix in North America. Since many outdoor scenes were filmed near me in Brockville, Ontario, Canada it was fun to spot familiar landmarks.

Intrigued? Watch a YouTube piece about “Hot Frosty” in Brockville here.

On a chilly weekend, I’m also looking forward to watching a new-to-me Audrey Hepburn box set.

Read!

With multiple tight writing deadlines recently, my reading time has been limited.

Since I have a towering paperback and digital to-be-read list, I’m spoiled for choice but this month I’m reading for pleasure, not writing work, and lots of seasonal, holiday stories feature.

Catch up with family and friends

Especially at this time of year, I’m grateful for the family and friends who make my life better.

And those connections with loved ones near and far either electronically or in person, make the festive season bright.

No matter what you celebrate, I hope it’s a happy, cozy time filled with people and things you love.

As usual, I’m taking a blogging break for the rest of the year returning in January 2025. 

Happy Holidays! 

 

Sharing the power of a smile

I’ve been looking at old family photos and it’s fun to see how certain characteristics continue through generations.

From noses (unfortunately for me!) to height, ear shape and even gestures, I see many similarities between late relatives and myself and English Rose.

For me, though, one of the most special links with those who’ve gone before is a smile.

My paternal grandmother had a beautiful smile as did her daughter, my dear aunt.

When English Rose smiled at me for the first time, glimpsing a bit of that special, familiar smile lighting up her baby face and blue eyes is still a cherished memory.

At any time, a friendly smile makes life better but now especially, when our world is so troubled and frightening, its power is even greater.

Whether from a friend, neighbour, store staff or dog, a warm smile makes me hopeful and gives me happiness, calm and connection.

Smiling also spreads joy and reminds me to appreciate simple pleasures.

Since I live in a small town, smiling is more frequent here than in a large city.

I don’t smile as freely or often in London, England, for instance, where despite campaigns to encourage it, smiling at strangers on public transport or elsewhere is more suspicious rarity than norm.

Still, in the right context, a smile costs nothing and when intended as a friendly gesture it can brighten both a day and a life.

Even though things seem grim, I’m focusing on smiles as an easy mood booster.

It’s why I have a print of the cover for A Family for the Rodeo Cowboy, part of my Montana Carters sweet romance series for Harlequin Heartwarming, displayed in my home office.

That joyous little girl makes me smile too!

Besides, the power of a smile may travel far beyond any one of us.

Like kindness, if you receive a friendly and generous smile, pass it on.

It doesn’t take much to make a positive difference, and we can all start with a simple but powerful smile.

And to my American readers…I wish you a happy (and smiley) Thanksgiving!