Jennifer Probst's Blog, page 14
March 17, 2016
The Number One Lesson for Writers…
Did my headline get your attention? I hope so, peeps. I wanted to pop into my blog and touch base with the world out there – hopefully many of my loyal readers and writers who occasionally stop by to read a post of mine.
First off, Happy Spring! I have been holed up in the writing cave for the past two weeks cranking out 5K per day. Deadlines are a nasty word, but part of the job. I’m happy to say I passed another one and shall collapse for a bit before I get back to work. I want to feel the actual sun on my face and breathe fresh air. I want to see something other than my dog, my coffee cup, and my office.
I’ve been thinking about the craft and journey of writing a lot. Especially staring up at the ceiling, not able to sleep because the voices of my characters chatter nonstop in my head. I’m excited about a future book I will be releasing called Write Naked, with Writer’s Digest Books. I’ve been delving deep into the writing career and all its interesting nooks and crannies, and I thought it would be a good week to leave you with some valuable lessons if you are one who writes.
Actually, though, it’s not my lesson at all. I recently secured permission to reprint this amazing essay by Michael Ventura, titled, The Talent of the Room. I first came upon this essay when it was mentioned in an article by Writer’s Digest magazine, being cited from another author as key to her understanding writing. This intrigued me, so I looked it up on the internet and read it.
Then I read it again.
And again.
It’s brilliant and hits home with me. Instead of me doing the teaching or talking, I’m going to leave you in Ventura’s capable hands.
I thought about how my life, and how everything always led up to me, in a room, writing. Wherever that room was, it was about the journey I took with words, and with my butt in the chair—any chair.
I think it’s important to remember what we seek in this solitude, and that as much as we want to teach, or share secrets, or speak at conferences to other writers, this is what it’s about in the end.
You. In a room. Writing.
I hope you enjoy Ventura’s essay as much as I did.
The Talent of the Room by Michael Ventura
Letters at 3am – 1993
© Michael Ventura. Used with the author’s generous permission. Originally published in LA Weekly, 21-27 May 1993
http://michaelventura.org/the-talent-of-the-room-1993/
People who are young at writing — and this does not necessarily mean they’re young in years — ask me, now and again, if I can tell them something useful about the task. Task is my word, not theirs, and it may seem a harsh and formal word, but before writing is anything else it’s a task. Only gradually do you learn enough for it to become a craft. (As for whether writing becomes your art — that isn’t really up to you. The art can be there in the beginning, before you know a thing, or it may never be there no matter what you learn.)
“The only thing you really need,” I tell these people, “is the talent of the room. Unless you have that, your other talents are worthless.”
Writing is something you do alone in a room. Copy that sentence and put it on your wall because there’s no way to exaggerate or overemphasize this fact. It’s the most important thing to remember if you want to be a writer. Writing is something you do alone in a room.
Before any issues of style, content or form can be addressed, the fundamental questions are: How long can you stay in that room? How many hours a day? How do you behave in that room? How often can you go back to it? How much fear (and, for that matter, how much elation) can you endure by yourself? How many years — how many years — can you remain alone in a room?
I know people who, when young, had wonderful talents: prose of grace and resonance that came without effort, sentences that moved intelligently with that crucial element of surprise, never concluding quite where one expected, so that you were always eager to read the next and the next. Promising work as they say. But to write anything that would keep the promise, to go beyond the letters, verse and stories of their youth, written with such enthusiasm, friends and teachers praising them, little magazines publishing them — to take the next step meant that they would have to sit alone in a room for years.
Some sat just for weeks. Some lasted months. Some kept saying that next summer, or next winter, or after they graduated, or when they moved to Europe (which they never did), or when they got a grant, or when they weren’t so busy, or when they could afford a place that gave them the space (because they needed an actual room; it couldn’t be just the bedroom or the kitchen)… sometime in the foreseeable but not the immediate future, then they’d write the novel or complete that sequence of poems.
A few of these talented people would even arrange the room. A good desk, a clean well-oiled typewriter (a computer now), the paper, the pencils, the stereo, maybe a hot plate. But after the room is ready you have to sit in it. For a very long time. (Sometimes it takes weeks or months even to begin writing.) And that’s the talent they didn’t have.
There’s no harm or blame in not having a talent. But it is very painful to have some of the talents, almost all of the talents, except the one you really need.
* * *
The teachers who fawn on your early work (if you were lucky or unlucky enough, as the case may be, to have such teachers) don’t usually tell you about this because they’re not writers, they’re teachers. They may do some writing on the side, but few have staked their lives on writing. Their wages, their prestige, their social life, their surroundings, the rhythms of their days and of their years, are rooted in the profession of teaching, which is an activity done in a room with other people, surrounded by rooms filled with people, upstairs and downstairs and down the hall. You cannot teach the demands of solitude in such places. Even if you talk about it, you’re not teaching it — the surroundings contradict the lesson.
The surroundings always are the lesson. That’s the trouble with college. What it teaches, more than anything else, is how to go to college. Thus most writing courses, by their very nature, ignore the fundamental thing you need to be a writer. That’s why, although thousands teach such courses and tens of thousands attend them, precious little work results. You’ll notice that the ratio of teaching to work accomplished is much better in med school or in truck driver’s school, because those involve skills that can be taught.
Nobody can teach you how you, in particular, are going to behave when you’re alone for hours a day over long periods of time trying to deal with unknown quantities: what you have to express, what experience your expression draws on, how that experience relates to the solitude necessary for its expression, the form in which it comes out (which is never quite the form you planned on), how that form changes as it progresses, and, most important, who you are — all these are just a few of the unknown quantities that are locked up with you in your room.
If you’re Sharon Doubiago, your room is your van; if you’re the young Ernest Hemingway, your room is a café table; if you’re Emily Dickinson, your room is your garden; if you’re Marcel Proust, you write in bed; if you’re William Faulkner, you compose As I Lay Dying in six weeks in a humid shack while you work days in a factory (or was it work nights and write days?). But whoever you are, whatever shape it takes, that room is the center of your life and it’s very crowded. Everything you are and everything you’re not backs you up against the wall and stares at you. You stare back. And eventually you get some writing done.
The thing about the room is this: it’s likely you’ll have to remain there for years before you even know whether or not you’re any good — and it may be years more before anyone else knows. Because you can have the talent of the room and can spend years there but still not be much of a writer. Or twenty years can go by and you are good, but you don’t get published; or you get published, but nobody notices; or they notice, but they hate it; or you’re a lousy writer, but they love it and you get rich. Whatever. The only thing you know you’ll have twenty years down the line is the experience of the room — how you behaved, what you felt, what you thought, what you dared, what you fled, how you lived life, how life lived you, alone, in that room.
Remember, even if you’re financially successful at writing, and even if success comes early, you still have to spend the rest of your life in that room. Money and recognition make many things easier, but they don’t change the basic conditions of writing. You may furnish the room better, but you still have to enter it alone and stay there until something happens. And if your livelihood and your family’s well-being now depend upon your behavior in that room, then the quality of that behavior becomes crucial in many new ways. Your honesty, your originality, even the accuracy of your memory may very well become financial liabilities.
Most people can blame their sellouts on the institutions they work for, or on the way everybody else does business, or on the political climate, or whatever. The vast majority of us are simply hired to do a job and then ordered to cut corners, and we feel we have little choice. But nobody orders anybody to become a writer. And nobody becomes a writer without dreams of glory and art. Writers do their selling out consciously, alone in their rooms, where they can’t help but know what they’re doing, adjusting sentence after sentence to what’s saleable, to what the publishers or the editors or the studios want. It takes a while for those adjustments to become reflexes — a long while of whittling away what’s best in yourself. When the process is over you have a face to match it, which is why most screenwriters and freelancers look the way they do.
* * *
When it’s all over, if you’ve stuck and had some luck, you have a few things published that you’re proud of and a pretty good idea of who you are. Without the first you probably wouldn’t have stayed in the room so long, and without the second you’d have gone crazy a long time ago. Crazy as a writer would define it: too unbalanced to work. If you can still write, then how crazy can you be?
Plenty crazy, is the answer. The room can become a hole. Your talent of the room, your ability to be there with all your soul, can overwhelm you. Then the rest of life becomes unreal and, worse than unreal, a kind of unlife. So you find yourself writing with a very sophisticated consciousness but living in your relationships with other people far beneath what you write, because it’s gotten so you only really exist in that room and you don’t care about outside. And since you write necessarily from memory — for writing in a sense is memory, is what you cared about yesterday, or last month, or in your childhood — your lack of feeling for the present may not show up in your work for a while. But when it does, you’re through. You may still be published, still make money, still be read, but people won’t care the way they used to — and they’ll know it, and they’ll let you know it.
The room, you see, is a dangerous place. Not in itself, but because you’re dangerous. The psyche is dangerous. Because working with words is not like working with color or sound or stone or movement. Color and sound and stone and movement are all around us, they are natural elements, they’ve always been in the universe, and those who work with them are servants of these timeless materials. But words are pure creations of the human psyche. Every single word is full of secrets, full of associations. Every word leads to another and another and another, down and down, through passages of dark and light. Every single word leads, in this way, to the same destination: your soul. Which is, in part, the soul of everyone. Every word has the capacity to start that journey. And once you’re on it, there is no knowing what will happen.
Locking yourself up with such things, letting them stir, using these pure psychic creations as raw material, and deciding, each time, how much or little you’re going to participate in your own act of creation, just what you’ll stake, what are the odds, just how far are you going to go — that’s called being a writer. And you do it alone in a room.
February 25, 2016
Writing and the Way You Handle the Waves…
Oh, my poor neglected blog.
Let’s hope my regular readers haven’t given up on me, and understand that to deliver consistent quality reads in regular intervals, sometimes my blog suffers a bit.
I took a vacation last week. An overdue one. I met up with my big Italian family and headed to Puerto Rico for some sun. I have that horrible winter seasonal disorder so I struggle, and a bit of sun and beach always heals me in all the right ways.
We had seven children with us, which made it even more chaotic and fun, and my cheeks and stomach hurt from smiling nonstop.
We had the pleasure of being able to visit Flamenco beach, which was rated number 3 in the entire world. Pretty cool, huh? Like all things worth doing, the trip took effort and time. Someone had to get up at six am and get on line to buy tickets for the ferry, then had to wait in that line till 9am when people actually began showing up. The ferry ride was an hour, and when we got to the small island, we rented Jeeps. This also took a while, and we stood in blistering heat, eating ice cream, while we waited for the Jeeps to be delivered. It took us a while to get to the beach because most of the narrow roads were blocked, and we ended up backing up and praying nonstop for survival while we negotiated between honking trunks and confused construction workers.
But once we arrived there, we feasted on paradise.
Turquoise waters, powdery sand stretched out in unspoiled glory. The mountains shimmered in the distance as if looking over his ward, making sure all was well. The waves were just big enough to have fun, but if you got pulled under, there was no undertow like the Long Island and NJ beaches I’m used to.
We all jumped into the water and for a while, I soaked in the sun and watched the children play. Then noticed something important.
They all had different techniques for dealing with the waves. The two girls were fearless—they went out as far as possible and took on each crest with an aggressive intent to beat Mother Nature. When they got dragged under, they got right back up, teeth gritted, and determined to wrest victory from the next one.
My oldest liked the middle. He didn’t want to go too far in, nor be too far back. He analyzed each wave to decide how he’d attack it. If it was too big, he’d dive under. If it was manageable, he chose to try and ride it to shore. The mini ones he just jumped like a little duck and got wet.
My youngest stayed far, far back. He watched his cousins with puzzlement that they’d try to take on the ocean and think they’d win. Tentatively walking a few steps, gaze focused on each wave, he’d quickly run back to safety and then jump them on his own terms. It was obvious he thought the others were not that intelligent.
My other niece liked to dive. Didn’t matter if they were big, medium, or small. Each obstacle was an opportunity for her to go deep, and smiling at her victory, she believed she’d beaten every last wave.
As always, my mind went to my writing, like it does for every analogy of life. I am currently in the midst of writing Any Time and Any Place and searching for the loose threads of the story, trying to pull them through and figure out the deepest levels of my characters to make them real.
It struck me with each part of my books I write, I have imitated each child’s unique plan on taking on the ocean.
In the beginning, I am fearless. I wade deep, sure I’ve got this book nailed, full of superhuman ego that zaps in my veins like fire. God, I love that part. It’s too fleeting, and disappears way too quickly to be replaced with….
The first quarter. This is the time in my book I’ve slowed down, and am studying the map of where I’m going. Did I make a wrong turn? Should I dive quicker, back off, or just let the mini waves carry me to shore? I don’t mind this part as much because the next phase is the worst for me…
The middle. I hate the middle. I become my youngest, trapped in a story I can’t really figure out and refusing to take a step further. I make a bit of progress here and there, maybe one scene goes well for a while but then the wave crests and I need to run back quickly before I get pummeled. It is a time I’m testing my story, deciding where it’s leading, and not sure yet whether I can trust my instincts.
But then, oh, then, I get to dive. I pass the middle and see the final stretch ahead of me, and there is no fear left. I know what I’m doing again, and I’ll go back and fix the rest of the crap later. This is the time I dive under every wave and come up smiling, not noticing anything but how good it feels. I am one with nature. I am one with the book.
Every aspect of life can relate back to writing. Where are you in your writing journey right now? Is there a life experience you can note down that reminds you of writing?
BTW: My newest Searching For novella is out at Amazon for only 2.99. The reviews have been amazing, so please help me get the word out and recommend the book to a friend, buy it, or leave an honest review. It is so very appreciated!
February 3, 2016
The Anti-Hero Challenge…and the Payoff…
I cannot wait to introduce readers to the newest installment in my Searching for series — Searching for Mine.
This book kicked my ass. Yes, it’s novella length and I should’ve been able to whip right through it, but this story reminded me of why I think writing is the best career in the entire world.
Every time I think I may have this all figured out, I start a new project, and feel like I’ve been slapped around by the bully in school (I used to get threatened in gym class cause I sucked at catching the ball!), with her satisfied shrieks echoing through the air.
You think you know how to write? Take that!
You think you can crank this sucker out in a week? Take this!
You think you know what you were doing? Insert the knock-out punch.
Yep. Every time I sat down at my desk I began to panic. Connor Dunkle was like no other hero I’ve ever written. He wasn’t even supposed to be more than a secondary character from Searching for Perfect! How did I get myself into this?
Then I was reminded my readers clamored for his story, believing he deserved a happy ending even though he was a pain in the ass. And I agreed, so I wanted to give him this book.
But it wasn’t easy. I needed a heroine I’ve never written before to match him. And imagine my surprise when ten year old Luke suddenly writes himself onto the page, with a stubborn look that told me not to even think he was stepping back.
Eventually, I gave up and gave in. I sat for hours, staring, thinking, and trying to follow them. As with all writers’ block – there is none. There is simply waiting it out in sheer stubborness until your story appears, and it always does.
There hasn’t been a time in my life I haven’t won over my cranky Muse. It may be bloody, and long, and agonizing, but I’m still the victor.
Anyhoo, I learned a lot with this little book that packs a power punch. Sometimes, the best stories are the surprises, or following the paths you never thought you could. I was afraid of writing Connor’s story, and that is exactly why I wrote it.
I hope you all find your inner fears and unleash them onto a story that will try to break you, and probably become one of your favorites.
NOW, here’s the blurb, and I hope you all check the link and hit the PRE-ORDER button so it will be waiting for you on 2/9, all shiny and new.
The Ultimate Anti-Hero Meets His Match…
Connor Dunkle knows what he wants in a woman, and it’s the three B’s. Beauty. Body. Boobs. Other women need not apply. With his good looks and easygoing charm, he’s used to getting what he wants—and who. Until he comes face to face with the one woman who’s slowly making his life hell…and enjoying every moment…
Ella Blake is a single mom and a professor at the local Verily college who’s climbed up the ranks the hard way. Her ten-year-old son is a constant challenge, and her students are driving her crazy—namely Connor Dunkle, who’s failing her class and trying to charm his way into a better grade. Fuming at his chauvinistic tendencies, Ella teaches him the ultimate lesson by giving him a special project to help his grade. When sparks fly, neither of them are ready to face their true feelings, but will love teach them the ultimate lesson of all?
Happy February everyone!
January 6, 2016
The New Year: Resolutions, Writing, and Promises We Won’t Keep
How the heck did it get to be 2016?
I seemed to have missed the passing of the end of 15. I’m usually more savvy with blogging about my Top Ten Lists and the books that changed my life. I’m usually more active on Facebook and Twitter, connecting with my readers and the outside world. But I pretty much crawled out of my cave, bloody and beaten, dove right into Christmas, and never went back into my office.
For a whole week.
It was kind of like taking an expensive tropical vacation with a swim up bar. It’s quite rare I deplug like that, unless I’m in Disneyworld and I end up believing I really do personally know Mickey Mouse. My husband took some time off, and being with him and the kids was a gift. We did a lot of nameless things that meant the world to me. We played board games, went to the movies, visited friends overlooked for too long, and spent way too much time in feety pajamas.
Umm, the kids. Not me.
I also read a lot. Tons. I averaged a book a day which reminded me of summer vacations when I was a kid and I had no real responsibilities. I stayed up too late every night reading, slept in, then woke up and read some more. When this past Monday came, I was inspired and ready for work, so I’ve been back in the writing cave and quite happy.
I also read a ton of summaries on writing and publishing for the upcoming year by many well known sources. Smart people. People who earned my respect and people I always listen to because I learn things. I read about print sales increasing, and then the rebuttals. I read about ebooks decreasing and then the rebuttals. I read about traditional publishing reemerging as the best route, and the rebuttals. I read about the market glut and the writers jumping ship and then I read the rebuttals.
It’s so wonderful to be able to take all that valuable information and educated opinions and then decide how you want to use it. I agreed with a whole bunch of people, and the ones I didn’t agree with still gave me solid points to consider.
I won’t rehash what’s been summarized beautifully in many a blog. Here’s the one item I took from all of it:
If you want to be a writer, no one’s going to stop you. Just yourself.
The bad reviews won’t stop you, or the glutted market, or the multiple rejections, or the crappy sales. If you want to be a writer you will just write. End of story. Get too caught up in the minutia that can freeze the moody Muse and you’ll have a harder time writing. Yes, you need to educate yourself on market and craft, make solid business decisions, and know the obstacles you face. But you don’t need information overload or to immerse yourself deeply in everyone else’s junk so you begin screaming to others that the sky is falling.
If you want to be a writer, no one’s going to stop you. Just yourself.
Now, let’s talk about resolutions. I think they’re so much fun, even when you think you may fail. It’s a great starting point for an upcoming plan and you get a brand new, blank slate. Like a clean piece of paper, ready for you to write Chapter One.
Exciting, right?
So, here are mine and my analysis on my odds of success.
Lose weight and get fit.
I’m tired of making them separate. I’m tired of explaining I want to be healthy. When I say that, people nod and agree much more vigorously than when I say what Kevin Spacey said in the movie, American Beauty:
“I want to look good naked.”
My analysis? I’ll lose a good ten pounds, and put it back on by the end of the year.
I will drink more water and less alcohol.
Analysis: Not gonna happen unfortunately. But I like to write it down because I may lower my intake from two glasses of wine each night to just one. Then drink at least one more glass of water per day. Win/Win.
I will not stress myself out with deadlines and new projects.
I failed at this last year, so now I’m paying for it this year. I am going to do better this time, so if I’m at a writer’s conference and we start drinking and talking about the awesome, fun, new project we want to write together, for God’s sakes, don’t follow up with me.
Volunteer more.
I want to walk dogs at the shelters and help learn to rehabilitate them and do more for my local rescues. My problem is always the same. I don’t want to leave my house. I am a hermit who hates any person to come near me while I’m writing. Since I’m constantly writing, it’s extremely hard for me to clear those hours and drive somewhere to work with the animals. But I”m keeping this on my damn list because every time I do, I’m so happy.
Stop making resolutions and stressing myself out.
Done.
Happy New Year my lovelies!
December 22, 2015
From My Family to Yours…
IT’S BEEN A HELL OF A YEAR.
I RELEASED NINE BOOKS.
Searching for Beautiful and Searching for Always – two of my all time favorite books I ever wrote. I launched two huge promo campaigns to celebrate – the Bride on the Run, and Searching for Rescues.
An installment in the Rising Storm series – the very first soap opera created by J. Kenner and Dee Davis, which I think is a brilliant concept and one of the most addicting series of the year.
The re-release of my Steele Brother series which I created additional material for: Catch Me, Play Me, Dare Me.
A brand new novella for the Steele brother series – Beg Me.
A brand new novella in the Hot in the Hamptons series – Summer Sins.
And a re-release of my holiday novella, Searching for You.
Wowza.
I attended the RT and RWA conferences this year and taught many workshops and hosted reader parties.
I achieved my dream to sign with Nora Roberts at her bookstore, Turn the Page, in Boosnboro, Maryland.
I travelled to Montreal and Philadelphia to meet my readers and sign books.
No wonder I had some crankiness and break downs this year. Still, it was all worth it. I’m so proud of what I was able to offer readers this year, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow as an author and keep things fresh. Each year, I try to push myself as a writer, and make sure I expand my reach to meet new readers all over the world.
Here’s a working itinerary of what to expect in 2016!
1. The release of my brand new Billionaire Builders series – Everywhere and Every Way! It releases in May and I’m really excited about introducing these new characters to everyone. Think Property Brothers meets The Marriage Bargain. I wrote some scenes that made me laugh out loud. That’s always a good sign.
2. Searching for Mine – February 9th.
The Searching for series continues with Connor’s story. You met Connor in Searching for Perfect – the older brother of Nate who had so many issues, I never thought he could be the hero of his own story. But readers insisted, and I love a good challenge. Connor almost killed me trying to find his story, but once I did, it was an emotional, joyous ride and I hope you love it as much as I do.
3. Searching for Disaster – Fall 2016.
Izzy’s story from the Searching for series! Finally! I don’t have a blurb for this one since I write it this spring, but get ready because I have high hopes for this one!
4. Miscellaneous.
A holiday novella in an anthology. The 2nd and 3rd books after Dante’s Fire to finish up the trilogy. Maybe a spin off of the Steele Brother series. Maybe a sequel to Executive Seduction. Maybe a brand new erotic story I’ve been secretly working on. A story for Mama Conte? So many ideas…so little time…
5. Write Naked – my very first nonfiction writing book coming out from Writer’s Digest. Technically it will be released February of 2017 but you’ll be getting lots of goodies before then, like articles and excerpts from the book, so I wanted to put this on my list.
Travel includes these exciting places and maybe some surprises along the way!
1. RT – April – Vegas. This is gonna be epic.
2. August – Sydney, Australia. The trip of a lifetime. I can’t believe this is really going to happen. I can’t wait to hug my Aussie readers.
There are other conferences and signings popping up consistently, I just haven’t committed to any others yet until I confirm my final schedule.
Any places you are dying for me to visit? Any series or books you are dying to see from me in the future?
Finally, and most importantly, I want to express my gratitude and love to each and every one of you. You’ve read my books, told others about it, supported me, been my friends, and family, and every damn day I get up to do this job, I thank God. That’s the simple truth. I’m living the dream. It took a lot of work to get here. And perseverance, patience, faith, belief, and practice. Then more work. And a little good luck. But I never take it for granted. I wish all of you the same type of happiness in your life, and healing if you are going through a difficult time.
Blessings, peace, and love, from my family to yours.
Merry Christmas.
December 1, 2015
Searching for You is LIVE!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I took some time off and spent it steeped in food, wine, desserts, family chaos, movies and books! Best holiday ever.
We took the kids to see the famous Eggbert at Christmas on the Farm – a Hudson Valley tradition – and embarked on a fabulous ice cave hike to work off all the fabulous pies we feasted on.
I haven’t been as active on social media due to holidays and tight writing deadlines, but I have some goodies coming your way this week!
First up, Searching for You is LIVE and available in cyberspace everywhere for only $1.99! I loved this novella from the Searching for series which is full of sass, heart, and steam, all packed in a shorter format to fit into your busy schedule. The Kinnections crew is back to introduce two new characters who knew each other in college and are stranded in a snowstorm. I adore the enemies to lovers trope and hope you will, too!
**Please note this was originally published in the anthology Baby It’s Cold Outside, so if you read it, there are no further updates and no reason to purchase again!**
When a high-powered CEO and a playboy billionaire get stranded in a snowstorm, sparks will fly…if they can make it through the night together! This sexy e novella from Jennifer Probst’s heartwarming Searching For series—originally published in the sizzling anthology Baby, It’s Cold Outside—depicts an encounter almost too hot to handle.
Successful and determined executive Riley Fox has everything a modern woman could want…except for the love of her life. But she didn’t get to the top of her field without setting stringent expectations, and when it comes to finding a partner, she’s leaving nothing up to chance. Until her car breaks down in a blizzard, trapping her with the one man she’s always loathed and secretly crushed on: wealthy womanizer Dylan McCray.
Tired of his reputation as a ladies’ man, Dylan longs for a serious relationship with the woman of his dreams. Countless casual dates and hook-ups have left him with no idea what that gut-clenching moment of rightness feels like…until he rescues the stunning woman who has always tempted his fantasies. Will these staunch opposites repel rather than attract, or will sunrise bring everlasting romance after a steamy night in the snowy mountains? – See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Sea...
Check out Special Bonuses with a Map of Verily and The Official Family Tree of Characters!
Today is #givingtuesday so I encourage everyone to hop on my Author Facebook page and participate in my Tag A Friend for Charity event. Let’s remember to give generously and be grateful for everything we have this holiday season.
Finally, the Searching series continues with Searching for Mine, up for preorder NOW! Isn’t the cover gorgeous? Connor is Nate’s older brother from Searching for Perfect, ready for his own happy ever after, but as usual, you do not need to read any other books in the series as they are all standalones.
Happy December everyone!
November 23, 2015
Dream Chasing and Happy Thanksgiving
It’s almost Thanksgiving! I love that this is my son’s favorite holiday. Somehow, even young he recognizes family, friends, and incredible food are the basic items in life to make everyone happy. That just doesn’t come in a box with pretty paper.
I’ve been off and on my blog this year because of my heavy writing deadlines. I like to drop in though because it’s here I get to share my random thoughts, or life experiences, or touch base with everyone in between newsletters and Facebook posts.
First off, with all the sad things happening in the world, I decided I wanted to do one thing for good and to show the kindness in people. Click on this link for the Tag A Friend For Charity post. It’s very simple – you give something to one charity of your choice and tag a friend to do the same. I’m hoping to touch a lot of people during this time where we all need a smile on our face and charities need our hard earned dollars.
Second, I was fortunate to be able to visit Hollywood during my niece’s Showcase weekend. She’s trying to get into theater and acting, so this was a way for her to perform and get noticed by various talent agencies or agents.
What struck me throughout the weekend over and over was the dedication and passion of so many people in the room. Young people. Oh, the parents were total wrecks – but the kids there to make an impression reached deep and brought it. From spending hours in line, crazy schedules, wardrobe changes, endless monologues, runway shows, and meetings galore, it was a jam packed three days that was NOT for the faint of heart.
Since I knew I wanted to be a writer from the time I could read, I was fascinated by studying this group of kids who had been pulled to this industry that was passionate, competitive and heartbreaking. Like writing.
We were told over and over that my niece had shined bright, but she needed more experience. She needed to learn craft, and keep showing up. She had to keep her eye on the prize and not give up. Like writing.
There were many kids who were much better than my niece. There were many kids who didn’t perform as well as my niece. And again, it reminded me of writing.
All creative pursuits have one thing in common. The dedication and pursuit of craft in the face of every conceivable obstacle. Including ourselves.
A trip like this reminds me to dig deep and keep forging along. It also reminds me of that young, starry eyed girl full of passion and promise, determined to make it in the big scary world.
Thanksgiving is a good time to thank everyone who helped me along the way. To thank my readers, and bloggers, and friends, and family. The road goes up and down, has tons of bumps, and sometimes a gorgeous, big hill where you can coast for a long, long time with a smile on your face and the wind caressing your face.
Yeah, sometimes you crash at the end of the hill.
Sometimes, not.
Either way, it’ s a hell of a ride.
Love to all of you.
Jen
October 26, 2015
Release Day, Cover Reveal, and an Exclusive short story!
Happy Almost Halloween everyone!
Wow, I thought the summer was busy, but October has been just as fun and crazy! Tuesday is a BIG day on all levels. How do I love thee, Tuesday? Let me count the ways….
The Mets are playing in the World Series! My beloved team begins Game 1, and I will be there loudly cheering them on with my Mets gear on. There is simply nothing like post season baseball – see my last blog post on A Time for Baseball to see how crazy I am about the game and my team.
Catch Me is released!
Rick Steele has avoided relationships since he caught his fiancée cheating, but when his friend refers him to the exclusive agency, FANTA-C to experience the night of his dreams, he’s not prepared for his emotional and physical reaction to his date. Tara shows him a raw passion and honesty he’s never encountered. For the first time, Rick wants more than one night, but he needs to catch her first…
Tara Denton escaped a brutal past and needs one night with a stranger to get beyond her sexual and emotional limitations. On the brink of recovering her strength and independence, she wants nothing to do with a relationship. But Rick Steele does more than rock her body…he rocks her heart. Tara has to make a choice, but is she ready to get caught?
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1jKjxmg
Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/1MbdOMZ
Apple/ITunes http://apple.co/1MbeAtz
My Steele brother series are short novellas with BDSM themes so please don’t read these if you like tamer love scenes or are easily shocked. These books are NOT for readers who only like lighter contemporary romance, with a sexy feel. The Steele brother series contains graphic and erotic sex. Of course, there’s a beautiful love story wrapped around each one, but I’d never want my readers to feel like they bought something that was misrepresented. And my mother will not be reading these – hee hee!
Now, if you like your romance on the erotic side, I got you covered! As always, each book is a standalone but if you like to read your series in order it’s Catch Me, Play Me, Dare Me, and Beg Me. There’s some huge giveaways at my wonderful bloggers sites so make sure to check my author facebook page for all of the opportunities to win some goodies.
Cover Reveal!
I’m so excited about my upcoming book – Everywhere and Every Way – which is the first in a brand new series called the Billionaire Builders. As a huge HGTV fan, and having watched my own house built step by step, I’ve been fascinating with construction, renovation, and real estate.
The Pierce Brothers are smokin hot, know their way around a drill and a hammer, and appreciate the beauty of…wood. I know you will love this new series so to celebrate and kick it off, and my cover was revealed over the weekend – what do you think? It’s up for pre-order so don’t miss out – just click to my HOME page and hit the BUY link!
Short Story Exclusive from The Marriage Bargain!
My newsletter subscribers are treated like royalty. Besides picking two winners each month to win prizes, I like to give you exclusive treats! I hope you enjoy my short story, Love & Baseball, featuring Nick and Alex from The Marriage Bargain! My newsletter releases Tuesday to all my subscribers. There’s still time to sign up if you missed out!
http://www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter
Enjoy!
October 19, 2015
A Time For Baseball…
A long time ago, there was a little girl who loved the NY Mets, but even more so, loved baseball.
Something about the game just got to her. It was like a beautiful dance unfolding on the field. It took patience to get to the payoff. While others got bored, looking for that quick hit of adrenalin, I breathed deep with pleasure and let the game take me away.
I began to appreciate the nuances of a pitch, from the shock of a sinker ball dropping to the ground, to the subtlety of a good curve ball enticing the hitter to chase, from the bullying, let’s-see-whose-dick-is -bigger challenge of the fast ball. God, it was beautiful.
There is nothing like getting to the ninth inning, with two outs, and having a batter come to the plate. The surge of energy and breathtaking anticipation for each pitch to unfold. The sheer joy of a homer sailing over the field and disappearing into the crowd.
I was lucky to find a soul-mate in my love for Mets baseball. My best friend and I lived for games, and spent years studying the players, meeting them at signings, and discussing all things baseball. When the Mets won the series in 1986, we’d attended a play-off game, and drove Roger McDowell –one of the relief pitchers – to the airport after a signing. We got to actually talk to him for almost two hours about the game, what it felt like to win the series, what the team was like, and everything in between. Till this day, it ranks as one of the greatest moments in my life.
In our late twenties, we funneled all our angst and uncertainty into watching our team battle its way through the year, and attended Spring Training camp at Port St. Lucie. We attended many games, and during one, we waited for over 2 hours with our Mets umbrellas in the pouring rain, in an empty stadium, waiting for the final call. I remember when I told people I was a baseball fan, they smiled. I remember when I told people I attended spring training every year with my girlfriend, their smiles disappeared under shock. Because I didn’t just talk. I walked the walk of a super fan. I showed up as much as possible to be involved in my passion for baseball.
Fast forward to the current year. My best friend and I settled down with husbands, children, and the usual chaos of domestic bliss. The Mets, somehow, slipped away. We didn’t have time to watch the games anymore, or go to Citifield. We lost touch under the demands of toddlers, and sleepless nights, and new priorities. We got tired of consistently losing, and the frustration of never going hard after the players we needed.
Sometimes, I’d look up at my signed baseball from those years of spring training, of my Mike Piazza shelf of goodies I’d collected, and sigh. I’d remember who I was, and had been for that period of time. Then return to my life.
This year, the Mets became exciting. And my best friend and I began to watch baseball again. Slowly, the players worked their magic on us, and we’d watch the games with our iPhones at our sides, texting back and forth furiously about each run, or pitch, or inning. I began to look forward to game nights, and the lure of the World Series. I began to feel alive again in a way I’d thought was gone forever.
The Mets are in the Playoffs and battling toward the World Series. But this blog isn’t just about the Mets and how happy post season has made me. It’s about the reminder of who we are and what was once important. Yes, things change as life makes its own demands, but watching baseball games and cheering on the Mets gave me a whole new perspective.
I’ve re-discovered myself. I connected to the passion I once had, to the beauty of baseball, to the lure of the win and the hope that shimmers around me each time I tune into a game.
I like the person I am when I watch baseball. I’m not ready to give her up again, and maybe, just maybe, one day my girlfriend and I will re-visit Port St Lucie for Mets spring training. Next year, I plan to go back to Citifield. I’m not going to let that part of myself slip away again so easily.
We all have something in our life that brought us great pleasure. That reminded us of youth, and zest, and fun. I know many of us have had to give things up for the greater good, for the daily grind, but maybe just today, maybe we can find the time to re-connect with the person and passion we remember.
Maybe we can remember again who we really are.
Let’s Go Mets!
October 3, 2015
New Releases, A LIVE Chat, and A Big Storm is Coming!
Happy October everyone!
So many things going on this month. Make sure you keep checking back on my FB page and blog to keep up with all the fun stuff. Let’s start it off with this!
What’s better to curl up with on a cool fall night than a little BDSM read? I’m re-releasing my Steele Brothers trilogy with not only a 4th book, but additional scenes in each book. Oh, and delicious new covers! Each book will be released separately from October 27th thru November 17th and are available for pre-order – click on the title!
Rick Steele has avoided relationships since he caught his fiancée cheating, but when his friend refers him to the exclusive agency, FANTA-C to experience the night of his dreams, he’s not prepared for his emotional and physical reaction to his date. Tara shows him a raw passion and honesty he’s never encountered. For the first time, Rick wants more than one night, but he needs to catch her first…
Tara Denton escaped a brutal past and needs one night with a stranger to get beyond her sexual and emotional limitations. On the brink of recovering her strength and independence, she wants nothing to do with a relationship. But Rick Steele does more than rock her body…he rocks her heart. Tara has to make a choice, but is she ready to get caught?
Professional gambler Sloane Keller is tired of dating weak willed men and longs to meet a man who challenges her dominant personality and forces her to submit. As the Queen of Cards, she’s used to making her own rules and craves the excitement of Vegas. But her inner heart cries out for someone who can be her match, both inside the casino and in the bedroom.
As the new dealer in town, Roman Steele is burnt out on women looking for a quick penny and a man to take care of them. He craves a woman with fire in her soul and a keen intellect who can challenge him. When his brother recommends the exclusive agency, FANTA-C to give him one perfect night, Rome is amazed at the complicated woman who challenges both his body and soul. But when the evening is over, will she be gutsy enough to offer him forever?
As a military leader back from the war, and the youngest of his two dominant older brothers, Rafe Steele struggles with a secret. He craves surrender in the bedroom under the controlled hands of a Dominatrix. When his brothers offer him an experience through the exclusive agency, FANTA-C, he jumps at the chance to experience one perfect night. After one experiment, he’s sure he’ll be able to move on. But he never counted on Summer Preston to strip down his walls and make him want more so much more…
An elementary school teacher with a girl next door, fresh face, Summer is constantly barraged by men who want to take care of her, but she longs to meet a strong man who can handle her dominant ways in the bedroom. Trapped in her own storybook life, she books a one-night stand to finally experience her fantasy. But she never counted on Rafe Steele to push her boundaries in both the bedroom…and her heart.
Remington Steele comes to Vegas to be with his brothers and try to get over the one woman he’s never been able to forget. As childhood sweethearts, she hadn’t been able to handle his Dominant tendencies, choosing to run without a good-bye and build a new life. But when he’s suddenly face to face with Cara Winters, all grown up and finally ready to be his, Remington needs to make his own choice. To leave the past behind forever, or forgive and be with the woman he’s always loved?
Cara wasn’t ready to be the type of woman Remington needed in his life, so she disappeared. But she’s changed, and is ready to embrace the woman she always wanted to be. She begs him to take her for one night, but will the scars left behind be too deep to give them each a second chance?
These are shorter, erotic stories that are NOT like my sexy contemporary books, so be sure you are 18+ and enjoy BDSM aspects in your read! For those of you who prefer my tamer books – read on – I have you covered too this month!
The Storm Has Arrived!
The Rising Storm series has been receiving rave reviews everywhere! It’s like reading the best soap opera ever invented – and every Thursday a brand new episode is revealed!
Don’t forget to sign up for the Rising Storm newsletter to receive Episode 1 for FREE and get hooked! Sign up right here!
Look for my episode 4 coming on October 15th and Pre-Order the whole series at the link above!
A LIVE chat with me!
I’m thrilled to be partipating in a LIVE chat on Goodreads all week from October 4 – 10th hosted by #ShhIndieSTARchat ! I’ll be joined by these amazing featured authors ALL WEEK:
#LiliStGermain, #KATucker and #NashodaRose
Check out IndieSTAR chat CALENDAR for the featured authors list.
IndieSTAR chat is hosted by Shh… [Smut, Heroes & HEAs…] with Alessandra, a Goodreads fan group of New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Alessandra Torre.
IndieSTAR chat October Thread https://goo.gl/0ZZOy8
IndieSTAR chat CALENDAR https://goo.gl/HUWNUw
IndieSTAR chat RSVP https://goo.gl/u1M3Ls
Join Shh…: http://goo.gl/OmQUZv
VOTE on Shh… Goodreads Listopia https://goo.gl/MmK3lO
PLEASE SHARE WITH ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND LET’S GET DOWN AND DIRTY WITH OPEN Q&A!
