Jade Lee's Blog, page 22

#MondayMusings with Jade Lee

For today’s Monday Musings:
I am a very goal-oriented person. According to a book on writing that I’m currently reading, everyone is goal-oriented to a point. But I make a game of it. After all, who doesn’t like games? It makes it more fun to say, yes! I’ve done it!

So I’m going to list some of the goals that I’ve had over the years. Your goal is to guess which really were my goals, and how often I’ve succeeded: always (hahahaha), usually, sometimes, rarely, never.

1. Lose weight – I’m starting out slow for you. This should be easy.

Answer: duh. I’m a middle-aged American female. Nearly all of us have this goal. Accomplished…sometimes. Okay, more like rarely or constantly fail or…well, you get the idea.

2. Win the www.pogo.com challenges. This is a dual one since they have daily and weekly challenges.

Answer: well, I love this site. Enough games to keep me entertained, enough challenge to keep me entertained, enough … okay, you get it. I’m entertained. (Easily)

 

Here’s a picture of my mini. Isn’t she pretty? And blue. Yes, sometimes I just become a color. I have no

A. Weekly – Usually. I love these challenges. Have even paid for more.  And btw, that’s not pathetic. That’s…um…supporting the economy. idea why. Must be my creative soul.

B. Daily – Rarely. I stayed on top of the daily challenges for about a week. Now I mostly ignore them unless it’s a game I already like.

3. Keep my cat on my lap so I can love and adore her.

Answer: Never. My cats do what they want, when they want. I have never been able to make them do anything including stay on my lap, not bring critters into the house, or not wake me up in the middle of the night with a gift of said critter. Which makes the happy purring-on-my-lap time all the more special. Even when it’s 100 degrees and they’re hot as hell on my lap.

This is a picture of Cinnamon when she was a kitten. She’s now a cat and sleeps all day and is only a fun kitten between 1-5 am. (pause now while I go get more coffee)

4. Do a daily #squidge picture, just because they’re fun.

Answer: sometimes. I go in fits and spurts. I’m relying on you all to send me pictures so I don’t have to be on top of them all of the time!

So get on it! And oh, by the way, here’s today’s picture. It will give you a hint for the next question.

5. I love holiday decorating and I’m always doing it. Rugs, bows, lights, flags. If it’s a holiday, I’m there with my glue gun.

Answer: HAHAHAHA. I mean, never. I love holiday decorations. Not actually doing the decorating. In fact, I’d do away with the Christmas tree if my kids didn’t throw a fit every year. Yes, I’m that lazy.

6. Get to work. Yes, that’s a goal. How often do I succeed? Well, I wrote this blog, didn’t I? Oh wait, I’m supposed to be writing a book. *sigh* Okay, I’ll go to work now. But maybe after another game of Monopoly at www.pogo.com>

Answer: usually. Eventually. After…well, you get the idea!

 

Keep Reading!

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Monday Musings w/Jade Lee

I am in the midst of my writing retreat. The good news? I’ve written around 25 pages a day and finished the rough of my manuscript, The Duke’s Cunning Plan which will come out in the fall of next year. (I hope).  My other co-retreat people are also being massively productive. BTW, I have the scoop on Elizabeth Hoyt’s newest Maiden Lane book, but I’m not sharing.  WAHAHAHA And Cindy Dees has finished not one, not two, but three books. Yes, we hate her but only in the I-want-to-be-you kind of way.

So here are today’s questions. Ready? Winner gets a squidge and a book! (Unless they want a hotpad bowl instead!)  What am I talking about? Well, here’s a picture.

When Cindy and Elizabeth saw my hotpad bowls, they:

a. Thought it was an amazing idea and immediately paid me $100 to make them one.

b. Laughed until their sides hurt at the idea of me doing a craft project.

c. Picked it up and said WTF is this? And why would you buy HOW MANY of them?

d. Asked me when I started cooking.

e. Immediately renamed them travel bowls.

Answer: A – I wish.  No, it’s really B. And C, D, and E.  So really if you answered anything but the first, you’re right. And you know what? It’s day 4 of the retreat and they’re still fracking laughing.  HARUMPH! Also, they are now officially named travel bowls (because they hold your earrings, rings, and stuff in hotels so they don’t fall down the sink)

Cindy Dees just express crushing disappointment in me. Can you guess why?

a. I won’t let her make her own travel bowl.

b. I accidentally dropped the hottub cover on her iPad. Yes, she did break my arms in retaliation.

c. I don’t track metrics on my goodreads contests. In fact, aren’t metrics like a bad way to talk about kilometers?

d. I forgot to buy chocolate at the Chocolate Monkey.  Oops…

Answer: C! She has signed a travel bowl, but sadly has no interest in making one. I dropped the hottub cover on her phone but it miraculously survived so my arms are not broken. And forget to buy chocolate? HAHAHA!  I even took a #squidge picture there. And btw, this was HER idea! The caption is: Squidge had an accident…

Cindy also had alternate suggestions for some of my ideas. WARNING: Offensive material below.  They were:

a. For the squidge picture, she wanted to caption it: Squidge Squeezings.

b. For my book title, instead of The Duke’s Cunning Plan, she (and Damon Suede) wanted The Duke’s Cunning Linguist

c. For the hotpad…er, travel bowl, she asked: Is that a weenie warmer or a penis quilt?

Perhaps four days into a writing retreat, none of us should be writing blogs. What stays in Pigeon Forge really ought to stay here. But oh well. I’m going to hit send because I’m done writing for the day! BOOK IS DONE!  WOO HOO!

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Monday Musings w/ Jade Lee

Monday Musing Tennessee:

I leave for a writer’s retreat on Wednesday. It’s a week at a Tennessee cabin with fellow writers Cindy Dees and Elizabeth Hoyt. I’m sure those on FB will see all sorts of interesting squidge pictures there. So here are a few interesting musing in (what is to become) my standard format.

1. We found this cabin

a) while hiking. Elizabeth Hoyt broke her ankle and Cindy and I carried her to the door and met a god of a lumberjack who nursed her back to health.

b) by googling “random cabin somewhere to hide and write.” Also known as drink and talk about fantasy men

c) cabin choices are always filtered by superimposing Starbucks locations in a 2 mile radius. No retreat is possible without mochas.

d) at the Brenda Novak auction

Answer: D In truth, the idea of retreat in Tennessee sounded so good, we just bid without looking too closely at it. We’re not exactly sure how rustic it will be. Fortunately, there is a Starbucks nearby, so at least we’ll have coffee. Also…(A) did happen, but only in Elizabeth’s …um… nighttime musings… (And OBVIOUSLY, the god of a lumberjack was Mr. Hoyt. And she reminds me now that her leg wasn’t broken, she’d just twisted her ankle. But she did wilt into his arms from the pain before he dropped her. Fortunately, she ripped off his shirt as she fell.)

2. In case it’s too rustic…

a) Elizabeth knows how to start a fire with only 1 match. Truck question: will any of us remember to bring matches?

b) Cindy has had Air Force survival training. She can defend us from marauders while catching fish and forcing us to eat the eyes balls for the salt.

c) Jade has no wilderness skills whatsoever. But she does have the car keys, so that makes her vital in the search for caffeine.

d) all of the above.

Answer: Duh. D. And yes, I’m completely useless.

3. Our favorite writing food is:

Elizabeth Hoyt: peanut butter M&Ms or liver and onions?

Answer: M&Ms

Cindy Dees: Cheez-its or York Peppermint Patties

Answer: Cheez-its (which, apparently are better than crack)

Jade Lee: Dark chocolate Peanut M&Ms or cereal

Answer: It’s ALWAYS the M&Ms. Just because I have survived for weeks on cereal alone doesn’t mean I won’t eat every M&M in sight first.

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Kung Fu Shoes

Kung Fu Shoes Sometimes the magic is in the accessories […]

The post Kung Fu Shoes appeared first on Jade Lee / Kathy Lyons.

Amazing book deals for under $3 #booksunder3bucks @jadeleeauthor

Amazing Book Deals during the OverDrive Price Promotion,
For a limited time: 2/8-2/28

Look at all the reduced books now available at Amazon for $0.99 and $2.99! Jade’s Winning a Bride is on sale too. Scroll down to find the link.

Bite Me, Your Grace: Ann, Brooklyn 2.99

Bound to Be a Bride: Mulry, Megan 0.99

Captain and a Corset: Wine, Mary 2.99

  

Checkmate, My Lord: Devlyn, Tracey 2.99

Cowboy Tough: Kennedy, Joanne 2.99

Double Enchantment: Kennedy, Kathryne 2.99

  

Flirting Under a Full Moon: Chase, Ashlyn 2.99

For the Love of a Goblin Warrior: Husk, Shona 2.99

Free Fall: Mann, Catherine 2.99

  

Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl: Lamm, Gina 2.99

Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes: Lamm, Gina 2.99

Heart of Iron: McMaster, Bec 2.99

  

Hot Ticket: Cunning, Olivia 2.99

How to Date a Dragon: Chase, Ashlyn 2.99

Howl for a Highlander: Spear, Terry 2.99

If You Give a Rake a Ruby: Galen, Shana 2.99

India Fan: Holt, Victoria 2.99

It Takes Two to Tangle: Romain, Theresa 2.99

Jaguar Fever: Spear, Terry 2.99

Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal: Fresina, Jayne 2.99

Lady Vivian Defies a Duke: Grace, Samantha 2.99

Little Night Mischief: Greenwood, Emily 2.99

Love on a Midsummer Night: English, Christy 2.99

Magic of “I Do”: Falkner, Tammy 2.99

Man of Honour: Ashford, Jane 2.99

Officer Breaks the Rules: Murray, Jeanette 2.99

Once Again a Bride: Ashford, Jane 2.99

One Day in Apple Grove: Admirand, C.H. 2.99

Outcast Prince: Husk, Shona 2.99

Paradise Valley: Bittner, Rosanne 2.99

Prince of Power: Staab, Elisabeth 2.99

Shivering Sands: Holt, Victoria 2.99

Smoking Hot: Kelley, Karen 2.99

  

Spy Wore Blue: Galen, Shana 0.99

Summer He Came Home: Stone, Juliana 2.99

Surrender to Sultry: Beckett, Macy 2.99

Tall, Dark, and Vampire: Humphreys, Sara 2.99

This Magic Moment: Rice, Patricia 2.99

To Wed a Wicked Highlander: Roberts, Victoria 2.99

 

Undone: Humphreys, Sara 2.99

Wait Until Dark: Buchman, M. L. 2.99

Waking Up with a Rake: Mason, Connie 2.99

Wedding in Springtime: Forester, Amanda 2.99

Wildcat: Brooks, Cheryl 2.99

Winning a Bride: Lee, Jade 0.99

X Marks the Scot: Roberts, Victoria 2.99

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The MacGregor’s Lady by Grace Burrowes, Guest Post & Ipad Giveaway

My Favorite Traits of the MacGregor Series Heroes

The MacGregor series (so far!) has three heroes—Ian and Asher MacGregor, and their English, cousinly in-law, Tiberius Flynn, Earl of Spathfoy. These guys are all tall, dark, green-eyed, and shrewd, but they’re each deserving of true love, too, for different reasons.

Ian, of The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, was my foundation hero in this series, though he’s not the oldest brother. He’s a spare pressed into service as the titleholder, tired of that role, scrapping for every groat, and determined to marry for money, even as his heart is telling him such a plan is arrant folly. He’s trying mightily to Do the Right Thing for his family… only to fall arse over teakettle for an entirely unsuitable woman.

Ian would not be hero material—rigid adherence to duty falls well short of endearing—except that he also has a sort of humble courage. He can admit he’s tired and lonely, admit he dreads a loveless union, and because he confides in a lady worthy of his trust, he ends up far better off than if he’d simply made a mercenary marriage.

Tiberius Flynn, of Once Upon a Tartan, isn’t looking for love at all. He’s looking to collect his late brother’s little daughter, and get himself out of the Highlands and back to English civilization. Tye doesn’t count on Fiona’s step-aunt, Hester, opposing this plan, and resorts to wooing the enemy before disclosing his true agenda.

Tye, for all his big vocabulary and aristocratic airs, knows gentlemen don’t lie. What he eventually sees is that snatching Fiona away from her loved ones will not fix what’s wrong with Tye’s own family—which suffers from chronic mendacity—and that having betrayed Hester’s trust, all that remains to him is to see to her happiness. When Tye stops trying to be a perfect son and brother, and instead lives up to Hester’s expectations of him—and his of himself—the happily ever after lands on him with both feet.

Asher MacGregor, hero of The MacGregor’s Lady, has been wandering in the Canadian wilderness for years, ignoring his proper job description, which is Earl of Balfour. Asher comes home because his family needs him, and then he’s roped into hosting an American heiress, who refuses her assigned task—marrying a title Englishman, any titled Englishman, according to her step-father.

Asher is stoic, hard-working, honorable, and determined to protect himself from ever losing at love again. When he falls for Hannah, though, he learns that love does mean letting go—of the past, of expectations, of fear. When his grip on those miseries eases, he’s free to accept Hannah’s heart, and a happily ever after with her too.

If there’s a common thread through these three stories, it’s that each man—brave and honorable in his way to start with—becomes a hero when love give him the courage to risk his heart. Just when they think love will cost them everything, their courage is rewarded with more joy and happiness than would fit in a 100-page epilogue.

My kinda guys!

To celebrate the release of The MacGregor’s Lady, Grace Burrowes is giving away EIGHT iPads during the first two weeks of February! To enter to win, leave a question for Grace to answer in the comments. A random commenter will be chosen as the winner and notified via email. US and Canada only.

  A second commenter will also be chosen to win a prize pack of The MacGregor Series books: The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, Once Upon a Tartan and The MacGregor’s Lady. US and Canada only. 

 (TO COMMENT, YOU’LL FIND THE “REPLY” BUTTON NEXT TO THE TITLE OF THIS POST, ON THE RIGHT)

Be sure to follow along in February for your chance to win an iPad from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Grace Burrowes. She’s visiting some blogs and chatting with fellow Sourcebooks authors!

2/3 Carolyn Brown

2/4 Jayne Fresina

2/6 Fresh Fiction

2/7 Debbie’s Book Bag

2/10 Jade Lee

2/11 Christy English

2/12 Bad Girlz Write

2/14 Megan Mulry

 

THE MACGREGOR’S LADY BY GRACE BURROWES – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2014

  What if the steps they take to avoid marriage…

The last thing Asher MacGregor, newly titled Earl of Balfour, wants is a society wife, though he has agreed to squire Boston heiress Hannah Cooper about the London ballrooms. When he’s met that obligation, he’ll return to the Highlands, and resume the myriad responsibilities awaiting him there.

 

…Lead instead to impossible love?

At her step-father’s insistence, Hannah Cooper must endure a London season, though she has no intention of surrendering her inheritance to a fortune hunter. When she’s done her duty, she’ll return to Boston and the siblings who depend upon her for their safety… or will she? The taciturn Scottish earl suits her purposes admirably—until genuine liking and unexpected passion bring Asher and Hannah close. For if the Scottish earl and the American heiress fall in love, an ocean of differences threatens to keep them apart.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes hit the bestseller lists with her debut, The Heir, followed by The Soldier and Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal. She has a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, and Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish was awarded Best Historical Romance for 2011 by the RT Reviewers Choice Awards. Burrowes is branching out into Victorian and contemporary romances with Sourcebooks, as well as short stories. Grace is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland. For more information, please visit http:///www.graceburrowes.com.

 

 

To purchase The MacGregor’s Lady:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-a-Million

iBookstore

IndieBound

Sourcebooks

 

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#ReleaseDay for What the Groom Wants by @jadeleeauthor

Love is in the air…

and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

What better way to spend it, than reading a Steamy Regency Romance? Why, I have just the book for you! My next novel in the Bridal Favors Series is out TODAY!

Run, don’t walk; to pick up your copy of WHAT THE GROOM WANTS.

I’ve had some great feedback from reviewers:

“4 Stars/ Lee spins an intriguing tale, illustrating not only her knowledge of the era and her  ability to write a suspenseful plot, but also her talent for drawing readers into a story. Readers will enjoy the simultaneous building of the romance and the suspense—one never overshadows the other.” – RT Reviews

“Strong, vibrant characters and a compelling plot that doesn’t ignore the grittier aspects of Jane Austen’s world will keep readers engaged in the latest sexy addition to Lee’s Regency-set  series  revolving around a London dress shop.”  -Booklist

“4 Stars/ What the Groom Wants is unlike any romance novel I have ever read. It was traditional yet unconventional. The boy-loves-girl-and-girl-does-whatever-she-has-to-in-order-to-save-her-family-with-boy-trying-to-save-her-the-hardship was what you would expect from a Regency romance but that’s where it stops being a typical romance. The delicious twists and turns(and  love scenes) ke pt me, as the reader, hooked.” -Goodreads

“5 Stars/ I definitely recommend this book to everyone, historical fan or not. It’ll be a book you won’t soon forget and one that you’ll want to read over and over again.”  -Goodreads

Available at:

     

 

Has everyone gotten an invitation to the Jade Jewels Facebook page? If not, email my assistant Kelly (booksavvykelly@gmail.com) and she will get you invited to this exclusive page. I always like to give my Jewels special sneak peeks and goodies.

 

Did you get your copy of The Groom’s Gamble?

It was released on January 7th and it is now FREE for a limited time at Amazon. 

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Jade Lee is Coming…

Ever have the pleasure of meeting me in the flesh? If you’ve met me, you’d remember. I leave a lasting impression to say the least. But if you haven’t, here’s your chance!

I  will be visiting a few states in 2014 and maybe there’s an event near you. Check out my “Appearances” page for details.

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Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

It’s holiday time and as much as I hate cleaning, pretending I know how to cook, and shopping (UGH on the malls!), I really do love this time of year. I like connecting with my family again, seeing my sisters’ kids grow and my own flourish. But I also want to take time to thank you, my writing friends and family. You’re all family to me! Fans, creepy stalkers, and most especially the ones who just love a good book. So thank you all! Happy holidays! May the coming year bring your everything you need in abundance!

HUGS!

-Jade

And PS. Here’s a hunk just because… 

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The Groom’s Gamble #NewBook #BookRelease #HarveyGaudun-Stables

A Groom’s Gamble is coming in January!

An original novella linked to Jade Lee’s hot new Regency bride series, a prequel to What the Groom Wants. Caroline Lyncott, great grandaughter of the Duke of Bucklynde, has a secret. Years ago she was attacked and still bears the terrible scars. To escape the scandal and the reminders, she left everything behind to become housekeeper to a Scottish brother and sister. Gregory Murray, the Earl Of Hartfell, has a secret as well – he harbors a deep attraction to his housekeeper, Mrs. Lyncott. He knows she has a past, but doesn’t know how to fix the pain that still haunts her. His investigation leads him to the darkest London gaming hell and a villain too powerful to destroy. Can his love overcome her desperate past? Can she risk her heart despite the evil that still haunts her nightmares?

Read Chapter #1 of The Groom’s Gamble

ORDER The Groom’s Gamble AT THESE ONLINE RETAILERS:

 

Do you recognize that handsome guy on the cover of Jade Lee’s next novel?

Meet Harvey Gaudun-Stables,

Harvey Stables is an ex-pro-football player, ex-firefighter, entrepreneur, public speaker and fitness model.

(That’s Harvey on the far right, but I’m sure we are all OK with the other guys in the photo)

Harvey was born in Belleville, Ontario as a painfully shy and equally painfully skinny kid that loved sports. Slow but driven, Harvey worked hard to gain speed and coordination that came so easily to others.Work ethic has always been his strong suit and Harvey worked his way to become the Highschool City Athlete of the Year his graduating year. He was also voted MVP of football, rugby, hockey.Still, Harvey was skinny. He graduated from highschool at 6’4″ and 160 lbs.Larry Cook taught Harvey police sciences at Loyalist College and took Harvey under his wing. Larry taught Harvey how to eat properly and train properly for his goals which started Harvey’s great passion: fitness and nutrition, and left Loyalist College at 180 lbs.

Realizing that Police work wasn’t where his passions lay, Harvey decided to go to open tryouts with the Wilfrid Laurier University Varsity Football team. Dedication and hardwork again paid off and Harvey earned himself a spot on the team, one of the few recievers that also played Special Teams because of his ability to hit hard.

In 1999, thanks to his mother-in-law, Harvey was entered into and won the Mr. Romance International competition in Toronto, the only year the Romantic Times convention ever came to Canada. Gracing the cover of 5 books, Harvey took a break from modelling to focus on his football career.

In his final year of football, Harvey got drafted to the Montreal Alouettes where he played at 220-225lbs from 2000-2002 (3 seasons) two Grey Cup Appearances and one they won: 2002 Grey Cup Champs! The BC Lions traded for Harvey for the 2003 season, his final year.

Following football, Harvey continued to be passionate about fitness and nutrition while he studied for and became a firefighter until he found his true calling of promoting health full-time. Harvey is an extremely successful entrepreneur and promotes the Visalus 90 Day Challenge full-time so he can work and be home with his wife, Natalie Gaudun-Stables and his two boys, Titan and Nikon.

Visalus recognized Harvey’s great physique after Natalie entered him into the Vi-Model contest and he made it to top 5 contestants. Harvey now graces many promotional pages for Visalus and was chosen as the face of Fitness for that category. (There is weight-loss, Fitness, and Activity)

Find Harvey on Twitter @harveystables and “Like” him on Facebook

We are so Happy to have Harvey on the cover of The Groom’s Gamble, his looks are only a small part of his appeal. He is truly the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. We hope to see more of him on Jade’s Books!

Now don’t forget to put Groom’s Gamble on your TBR list and Pre-Order now.

Happy Holidays!

 

 

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