Jade Lee's Blog, page 13

What I Do When It’s Cold!

So it’s definitely cold outside. February in Illinois tends to get that way. Guess what I do when the temperature dips below freezing. (And, BTW, it’s definitely more than just one.)

 

Complain bitterly as I push the thermostat into the 80s.
Plan a vacation to anyplace with a sundrenched beach.Here’s one from my December trip to Maui. Isn’t it beautiful? 
Force my cat to sleep on my lap.    
Take pictures of the weather and tweet about it.
Explore hot drinks, including hot toddies, hot chocolate, and hot tea. (Hot coffee goes without saying. It’s the only way I open my eyes in the morning.)
Snowball fight!
Barely notice. I’m a writer. I sit inside and write. Who cares what’s happening outside?
Scream as my cat burrows her cold, wet nose beneath my clothes to press it against my belly.
Have fun with weird thermal leggings.

Answer: 4, 5, 8 and 9

I do complain bitterly, but my husband would cut off my hands if I messed with the thermostat.
I dream about vacations, but planning is not my forte.
Nobody forces my cat to do anything. I have the scratch scars to prove it. That picture was just lucky. And BTW, I really, really had to go pee. But she wanted to sleep, so I stayed put. (The things I do for my cat!)
I do tweet about the weather, but mostly about my cat being annoyed at the weather. Follow me on twitter @JadeLeeAuthor
Yum! I’ve discovered certain specialty teas. Quite delightful.
No snowball fights. That’s too much work. Though I will watch and give commentary as the neighbor’s kids have at it.
I notice the weather all the time. My writing chair is right next to the window so I can stare out and pretend I’m thinking when I’m really just watching the geese crap on my back lawn.
My cat loves pressing her cold nose against any skin. And she knows how to burrow beneath tee shirts and sweats.
I do love my thermal leggings! See! Here’s a picture! 

 

The post What I Do When It’s Cold!   appeared first on Jade Lee / Kathy Lyons.

The Life of the Historical Writer

Hello everyone!

Here’s another of my unique interactive blogs! This one focuses on my thoughts about writing historical fiction. Tell me what you think and remember the answer can be more than one or none of the above. And don’t worry, you’ll be rewarded at the end.

Question number #1 is, as a historical author, guess which of the following “facts” was most interesting to me.

Martha Washington was really a ninja superspy!
I was born near NYC, a city which is near and dear to my heart!
In the Regency period, Prinny was actually the creator of modern aerobics. He loved to have the orchestra play music while he hopped around on stage.
In the Regency period, brides didn’t wear the big white dress. That came about in Victoria’s reign. Instead, the bride’s shoes were special with her name, the groom’s name, and the date written on the sole of the shoe and set on the mantle for remembrance. 

Answer: 4 – I found the way they remembered the bride’s shoes fascinating and even wrote a book about a cobbler’s daughter marrying…well, in my mind she married Benedict Cumberbatch from Sherlock. Check out Wedded in Sin by Jade Lee.

As for the other possibilities, I think Martha Washington could have been a ninja superspy, but I have yet to find any evidence to support that. Same with fat Prinny inventing aerobics. Ah well, he could have, right? And yes, I was born near NYC, but that’s hardly the most interesting thing about me!

Question 2 – Describe my favorite heroine archetype.

Archetype? What’s an archetype? I can type ARCH. See!  There, my favorite heroine earns her happily ever after by typing!
Snow White – sweet girl who falls asleep and is woken by the handsome prince. But to earn her happily ever after, she has to keep house and clean for seven dwarves. Yuck!
Cinderella – Take me away to the ball! In magic clothes! But to earn her happily ever after, she has to keep and clean for her stepmother and stepsisters, plus all those mice and birds and stuff. And what does the hero do? He has to smell all the stinky feet across the country!
Wonder Woman – Forget falling in love. She’s going to fly in an invisible plane and kick bad guy ass. She earns her happily ever after by living it every day! 

Answer: All of the above – Honestly, the key phrase in all of the above is “earn her happily ever after.”  I was raised by good solid, Midwestern folk who talked constantly about earning your living, your happily ever after, your future. Grace of God? Well, maybe. But only after you’ve studied hard, worked from dawn to dusk, and gone to church and prayed for your sins. Which means that every heroine I write has to earn her happy ending. I don’t usually force them into cooking and cleaning for short people, but she does have to fight hard for what she wants. It makes the winning all the sweeter!

Question #3 – Do I prefer print or ebooks?

Holding a book in my hand, smelling the print, feeling the weight of the story? There’s nothing better than print.
1000 ebooks don’t weigh down my suitcase when I travel. Ebook all the way.
Stone tablet. Please. Talk about weighty, that’s the word of God when it’s chiseled in granite.
I don’t care about the delivery device. It’s all about the staying addicted to fiction in whatever form is available at the time.

Answer: 4 – I read anything and everything that’s at hand. E-tablet, stone tablet, print, or phone. It’s all the same to me!

So how’d you do? Tell me!

And while you’re thinking romance, check out my latest Regency novel, ONE ROGUE AT A TIME.  If you want to see what it’s like, read an excerpt here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VACATION FUN!

I just finished the fabulous Coastal Magic Conference in Daytona Beach, FL. Guess what the highlights were…

Hanging out with Damon Suede. He’s a great guy, awesome writer, and a ton of fun anytime. Anytime I can hang with him, I’m in heaven.
Watching Abduction (in which there was no abduction, no one thought about abducting anyone, or even attempted it) as part of Cinema Craptastique. It is so much fun to be snarky about a film with a room full of equally snarky people!
Live flash fiction in which the audience picked a character, location, and item and we had to just fly with it. OMG, the stress! The fear! The Muskrat LOVE!  Check it out here! http://bit.ly/24184S7 http://bit.ly/1XnWEDx http://bit.ly/1WhPOOK

4. Readers, fans, writers, people – You know me. It’s all about the people. I talked with everyone and anyone. Plus I got a ton of free books and found some others that I bought because I wanted to read them RIGHT NOW!

Having a great time with my friends, Asa Maria Bradley (center) and Paige Tyler (right)

Answer: All of the above, but mostly 4 – I’ve found a new Zen about life and this was the first conference I’ve been to where I really stepped into the energy of just talking about books. No selling, no promoting, no stress.  It was just hanging and gabbing about stories. It was wonderful and that’s my new plan from now on. Let’s just gab about stories.  Though, I have to admit, Flash Fiction was amazingly fun.

And now that I’m done with the conference, my husband and I are taking a few more days in Orlando to vacation. Guess what the absolute best part of Orlando is right now. The sun! The heat! I’m soaking up the rays!

 

The sex. Hell, when else are we going to get our groove on? We’re relaxed. And if a Doubletree cookie doesn’t get you in the mood for sensual delights, then I don’t know what else will!
Amusement Parks! Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, Sea World—you name it, it can be found in Orlando.
Time to read, read, read. All those books I got this weekend, now is the time I dive right in. HEAVEN!   Time to read, read, read. All those books I got this weekend, now is the time I dive right in. HEAVEN!
Time to read, read, read. All those books I got this weekend, now is the time I dive right in. HEAVEN!

Answer: It’s not 1 – because Florida in February isn’t always sunny. *sigh*. It might be 2—all the hot sex—but my husband would hurt me if I confessed those secrets! It was once 3 because we had children and loved running around the parks. We’re older now and really prefer not to walk that far just to get nauseous on a ride. Boring, much? Yes. So it must be 4 – all that READING! WOO HOO!  Though I did stop to write this blog.

And now…I’m diving into Loving the Chase by Sharla Lovelace.

***

Check out my latest novels: ONE ROGUE AT A TIME and SEDUCING THE SKEPTIC.

 

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COVER REVEAL! – GUESS WHICH ONE!

The third book in my Rakes and Rogues series comes out August 2nd. It continues my focus on making sure you laugh until your sides hurt as you root for the happily ever after. And—for long time readers—you get to guess which animal features in the plot.

Turkey – a battle to the death between suitors and a waddling fowl!
Pig – Ale soaked mash is his favorite!
Parakeet – Teach him to say something scandalous! Er, I mean proper!
Cat – Who doesn’t love a fluffy kitty cat that is so snooty she won’t let anyone pet her?

Answer: 3  – the parakeet. The turkey/suitor battle was featured in 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE. The drunken pig harassed the hero in ONE ROGUE AT A TIME. The parakeet is indeed the center of a scandalous wager between the hero and heroine. She’s trying to teach it to say, “happy day.” The hero’s phrase is a great deal more shocking. And finally, the cat is my own difficult creature who plagues me with her constant fickleness. Her typical morning routine consists of ordering me to pet her so she can change her mind. She’ll walk away and then come back clearly annoyed because I haven’t worshiped her. And yet, I adore her. Go figure.

And now you get to see a choice I had when deciding on the cover for AS RICH AS A ROGUE. I was asked to pick which cover I preferred. Take a look…

Can you tell the difference? It’s in the color of the title and my name. In the end, everyone preferred option B. Do you think we picked correctly?

 

 

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Get it while it’s hot!

THE PLAYER NEXT DOOR is on sale through March 3, 2016. Your chance to add some extra romance to your Valentine’s Day!

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Have you seen it? Cover for Newest Novel is Out!

Greetings all!

Just wanted to share the good news. The cover for AS RICH AS A ROGUE has been approved.  Isn’t it amazing?

The post Have you seen it? Cover for Newest Novel is Out! appeared first on Jade Lee / Kathy Lyons.

A Short Vacation

I recently took a short vacation. The reason was pretty simple. It’s cold outside and my husband wanted to be somewhere warm. Ergo…we spent our Christmas money on a 5 day trip to…

Hawaii. Pineapples, girls in grass skirts, ripped boys in little board shorts. What’s not to love?
Aspen. It’s cold outside, but we wanted to be really cold while skiing, then really warm in a hot tub.
Cancun. Things are cheaper in Mexico, right? Well, maybe not in Cancun, but we thought they were cheaper there.
Florida. Just how much money do you think we got for Christmas? Not enough for a long, expensive trip. *sigh*

Answer: 4 – We went to Key Largo and Ft. Lauderdale. Sadly, it was rainy or overcast for most of the trip, but I still managed some sun. I also listened to two books on audio. My favorite? The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook. Best steampunk I’ve ever read/heard. It may be the only steampunk book I’ve ever read, but it’s still fabulous. She deserves her reputation as an awesome writer!

 

So, here’s a picture of the view out my hotel window. Really pretty. And, of course, the worst part is that I had to come home. *sigh* But I’m back now in my recliner writing again with my kitty nearby.

 

Life is good. Even if it’s cold!

 

If you’re looking for a book to keep you laughing despite the cold, take a look at SEDUCING THE SKEPTIC. You’ll laugh until your sides hurt as you root for their happily ever after!

 

 

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My January Revelation

We’re in January now. The holidays are over, but not the post-holiday cleaning. Family has left but not the post family colds and flus. Presents have been opened and adored, but the credit card bill is looming. Let’s face it, add in the dreary weather and January just sucks. That’s why I take the time in January to…

Catch up on my email. I can spend hours reading about the best way to lose holiday weight.
Catch up on shopping. Post-holiday sales? My favorite!
Sleep. Who wants to face January anyway? Hopefully, I’ll take a nap and wake up in February.
Meditate. It’s what I do when I don’t want to face what needs to be done. A few minutes of “ohmmmmm” are a few minutes when I don’t have to launder clothes that are too tight anyway from the holiday desserts. (Those clothes should stop eating like that! Lame joke, but it made me smile.)

Answer: 4– I certainly catch up on email and sleep, as much as I can. And I have enjoyed a few post holiday sales, though mostly I’m trying to shrink the credit card bill, not add to it. So this January, I’ve been meditating. A lot. Now don’t picture me in the lotus position looking serene for hours on end. The longest I’ve been able to sit still in silence is 20 minutes, and that was HARD. I’m talking about 2-5 minutes in a comfortable chair. I close my eyes and just try to center myself in my body and silence my constantly yammering mind. I do this often throughout the day and it really helps.

A few days ago, I was trying to shut up my brain when a question rose to the surface. One that stuck and had me thinking…or meditating…or just musing. Here it is:

What do you do to most love yourself? Or in a rephrase—What is happening when you most love yourself? Guess my answer.

Shop. Buying stuff I can’t afford and often don’t need still gives me a rush. It isn’t logical, but it does.
Massage. That’s my me-time. Lying on a table letting someone else rub my worries away.
Read a book. Nothing says love like immersing myself in a good love story.
Clean house. Go figure, but I’m thrilled when I have a neat space to live in.
Write well. Sure there’s satisfaction in writing anything, but I most love myself when the words are RIGHT.

Answer: 5 — To be honest, I’ve felt self-love for all of those. Who doesn’t like buying stuff for themselves or getting a massage? Plus I love stories in any form. Novels, TV, movies, my neighbor’s drama. I can lose myself in any of those and be very happy. And yes, I do like a clean house, though I usually hate the cleaning part. But if you’re asking (and I was) when do I most love myself? It’s when I’m writing. My job as a novelist isn’t a JOB. It’s the way I love myself.

SHOCK! REVELATION! ENLIGHTENMENT! OMG!

Of course, there are times when the writing is hard. Moments when I’d rather do anything but put words to the page, but those are also the most satisfying times because I’m working my way through it.

Well, doesn’t that just put my whole career in a new perspective? It’s not a job. It’s love. Go figure.

So what about you? What do you do to love yourself? One lucky commenter will get a copy of my four Bridal Favors series plus a mouse mat based on 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE.

And don’t forget my latest historical novel  is out now! ONE ROGUE AT A TIME is an engaging story of a bastard son of nobility and a lovely English rose of a girl with a deep secret who use each other to get what they want.

And my alter ego, Kathy Lyons, has a new fantasy out, too.  SEDUCING THE SKEPTIC is the first in my Accidental Angels series. 

 

 

 

 

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NO PLACE FOR A LADY on sale now!

It’s only 99 cents for a limited time! Get NO PLACE FOR A LADY from my Regency Rags Riches series at Amazon.

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Holiday Recovery!

I am sitting at my (brand new!) computer for the first time in a week. Everyone has left from the holiday and it took me an hour to re-assemble my writing space from where I’d thrown things to hide them from company. I still don’t know where the new book outline is, but that’s okay. I wasn’t using it anyway. My cat is in blissful, purring heaven as she reestablishes her dominion over our house. She spent the entire holiday hiding from the dogs. We think she was under my bed, but my husband also saw her wedged into a corner behind furniture and a curtain. Amazing how tiny a space my chunky kitty managed to wedge herself into.

But all is done. Company (and all dogs!) are gone. Guess what I’m feeling.

Exhausted. I will sleep for a week and then think about taking a shower.
Confused. Who bought all this food that is now living in my refrigerator? And who is going to eat it?
Blissful. The house is quiet again except for happy cat purrs. Why did I ever think I wanted 18 people here for Christmas?
Terrified. I haven’t looked at my email in a week. Nope. Not even before I wrote this blog. What thing did I forget that is lurking there ready to explode into my consciousness?
Nostalgic. Ahh, the good times we had watching my sister deal with three kids melting down at once. Remember when we finished off the third bottle of wine and discovered that I had bought a six pack so we had three more? Remember the joy of having a four year old wake us up at 5 am on Christmas morning? After we’d stayed up playing Catchphrase until 3?
Braindead. There is simply no way to go from a week of family holiday gathering to the serious work of a writing career. No way. No how. Who can I call to delay the inevitable stack of work a little bit longer?

Answer: All but 3. You thought it was everything but 4, didn’t you? Because I’d never go a week without my email. True, I wouldn’t but somehow…I did! And now I really am terrified to look. As for blissful, regular readers know I’m an extrovert. I was blissful for about an hour. And then I started to feel lonely. Where did everybody go? When would I see them again? I swear I write books so I can have people to play with every moment of the day and night.

As for the rest, I’m still a little tired. Maybe not exhausted, but worn out maybe because I’m trying to go back on the caffeine-free wagon. And my refrigerator is bursting. Anyone want the extra pork loin I didn’t cook? How about the vegetables my healthy daughter bought and nobody ate? Or I know, the five bags of Christmas cookies that remain after we ate the other six bags? But truly, I would rather deal with laundry and dishes than face my workload. I just can’t face my Jan 15 deadline yet.

As for nostalgia, well, the ghost of Christmases past still lingers in my thoughts. And in case you thought you weren’t going to get to see any pictures, we did an afternoon craft activity of food architecture. Guess which one is mine!

Answer: The empty plate. Chocolate, candy, and frosting goes in my mouth. It never manages to find its way anywhere else!

So now it’s your turn. Tell me how you feel after your holiday. One lucky commenter will get a copy of all four of my Bridal Favors series plus a mouse mat based on 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE! Looking forward to hearing from you! 

 

And remember, I’ve got two new books out: ONE ROGUE AT A TIME by Jade Lee and SEDUCING THE SKEPTIC by Kathy Lyons! Happy reading!

 

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