Jennifer Wilck's Blog, page 7

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's the most romantic day of the year for romance writers, and I'd be remiss in letting it pass by, even if it is a Hallmark holiday (according to my husband, as well as the heroine of Better Together in Boston). Despite his feelings, he knows me well, and he knows what to give me on this "kiss on command" holiday:

I, in turn, will take any chance I can get to dress my daughter's puppy. I mean, come on, how cute is she in a dress:

Before I get back to writing and editing (I have a book coming out in two weeks, and a manuscript to get to my agent, and a 30K writing challenge I'm determined to conquer), I wanted to let you know that one of my books, A Reckless Heart, is on sale for 99 cents. The next book in the series is the one that comes out in two weeks, so now is a great time to read the first one if you haven't already.

Happy Valentine's Day!

VALENTINE’S DAY CHOCOLATE GIVEAWAY

Feb 1st-14th

Goodies Given Away Every Day Totalling Over $150

https://ellenmint.blog/valentines-day-countdown-giveaway/

Cupid‘s brought you a magical box of chocolates. Every day, the heart-shaped box reveals a new treat. Take a bite to discover both what flavor is lurking inside the tempting chocolate shell and a new giveaway.

Each day, return to the site to click on the box of chocolates and discover another fantastic prize. Be swept away this holiday season by gripping romance, pampering treats, cozy gifts, and an amazing offer hidden inside the box of chocolates.

The giveaway is sponsored by these wonderful authors:

Ellen Mint • AE Lister • Tanith Davenport • N.J. Adel • Jordyn Kross • Aurora Russell • Kara Kendrick • Megan Slayer • January Bain • Jennifer Wilck • Sue London • Seelie Kay • Angela Addams • Kerry Blaisdell

Thief

 My father accused me of being a thief. Actually, he accused my husband, but after being married for almost 27 years (whoa), it’s almost the same thing (not legally, I know, but for this purpose of this blog, it is). Especially since he called me, and not my husband. 

I’m almost 52 years old, and it’s like the man doesn’t know me. At all.

 

I mean, come on. I’m his daughter. His only daughter. His only child, for that matter. So, it’s not like he mistook me for his other child, the one he’s ashamed of. He doesn’t have one of those (that I know of). As I’ve said to him multiple times, there was no way they could have done better than me, so they stopped at one. 

 

He should know he taught me better than to steal something. And if I were going to steal something, does he really think I’d waste my energy and time and freedom for batteries? I’d go for something way more expensive, like jewelry or money or chocolate. Does he not remember taking me shopping? Does he not remember complaining about my expensive taste (and then buying it for me anyway)? 

 

Now, why does he need batteries? I probably don’t want to know. He says it’s for their wall clock. I’m going along with that, because when a man who’s married to my mom for more than 50 years, and who does everything with her like a matching pair of socks, claims to need batteries, those of us who are related to him really don’t want to ask too many questions. Covering my eyes and my ears and singing very loudly to drown out his protestations.

 

Oh, and about that only child thing? In the future, he might want to consider very carefully what he accuses me of doing. Because as his only child, I’m in charge of his future nursing home. Just saying.

 

***This blog has been thoroughly vetted by my dad prior to publishing. In addition to teaching me not to steal, he’s also responsible for my sense of humor. Lucky him.***

Bon Voyage

 Well, she made it to Israel. After umpteen bumps along the way including:

 

·      Missing the original emails inviting her to apply for the fellowship;

·      Not submitting her documents to her school in time to get her visa over Thanksgiving;

·      Being advised by her university not to go abroad;

·      Being told by her university that abroad classes held remotely won’t count for credit;

·      COVID spikes;

·      Israel closes its borders;

·      Program doesn’t have a clear path forward due to COVID uncertainty;

·      Israeli Consulate in NYC cancels her visa appointment (COVID’s fault);

·      Israeli Consulate in Washington, DC won’t make visa appointments for NJ residents;

·      Israeli Consulate opens up, but earliest visa appointment is a week after her flight takes off;

·      1st Covid test taken too early;

·      Plus a myriad other things that my brain has blocked out because there’s only so much I can endure before I completely shut down.

 

But we got her to the airport, through the scary Israeli security who made her recite the Ve’ahaftah in the middle of the airport (hee hee). Her baggage made it onto—and off—the plane. At least, I assume so since I didn’t get a call or text about it (her bedding and towels didn’t make it, and I did get a text about that, but I think she’s dealing with it). And she is now in her apartment quarantining with the rest of the fellows. 

 

I feel twelve pounds lighter and miraculously, I don’t have a headache for the first time in about a month. Who’d a thunk?

So now I can concentrate on other things, like my upcoming book, which is available for preorder. 

 

Welcome, Alana Lorens

People ask me often about my “writing process.” Mostly other writers, I guess, since we all read craft books and watch videos by authors trying to share what works for them, or attend workshops, or sign up for Masterclass spreads. We’re all trying to find the one way, the key to opening that door to the next big bestseller.

I’d love to say that I have jimmied together some marvelous pattern that has led me to fame and fortune. Alas, not so, yet far otherwise. (nod to Rudyard.) I honestly just…well…write.

I don’t use a formula—i.e. must meet in first chapter, must kiss by page 45, must have mad sex by page 50, etc. I don’t even write consistently in one genre. I write romance and suspense as Alana Lorens, sci-fi, fantasy and paranormal as Lyndi Alexander, and even have a how-to divorce book under my last married name, Barbara Walton. I start with some “what-if?” and roll from there.

In my latest second-chance romance the question is, what if a mommyblogger using an assumed name and avatar to write an edgy column supporting the life of a single mother reveals her true self at her high school reunion? And what if her former boyfriend is a member of a group that dislikes said name and avatar—but he wants to be with the mommyblogger? What happens when the truth comes out and shocks everyone?

Blurb:

Russell's marriage to the golden girl, however, ended in a nasty divorce, and he has been systematically excluded from his sons' lives. In his Internet wanderings, he's found feminist blogger named Jerrika Jones, who glorifies single motherhood, essentially putting a stamp of approval on what's happened to him. His group of single dad advocates have vowed to take this woman down.

What Russell doesn't know, when he thinks to rekindle what he had with Marisol, is that Marisol and Jerrika are one and the same. When his group discovers the truth, will their drive for revenge derail any chance the couple have to reunite? Or will they find they have more in common than they ever expected?

Excerpt:

Debbie grinned at Russell. “I was hoping you’d come. We’re just planning some events for the dance at the gym tomorrow night, the eighties splash, you know, and I remembered you and Tiffany doing the Pee Wee Big Shoe Dance.” 

A flash of embarrassment ran through him as he remembered it, too. What a geek he’d been. “Oh, geeze, Debbie. Can’t you remember some of what I did on the basketball court instead?”

“We haven’t forgotten that,” Angela purred, her eyes hungry as she watched him. “Those thin jerseys didn’t cover much.” 

Russell swallowed hard. “Well. I…ah…” Maybe not that much remembering. “What about that Pee-Wee thing again? What was that song?” 

“ ‘Tequila,’ ” came a quiet voice from behind him. He turned slowly to see who spoke. Marisol Herrera. Marisol Herrera Slade now. He’d seen her name in one of the interim emails from the reunion committee. So she must have gotten married after she left school. At the moment, she sat alone, though.

 Marisol hadn’t changed much at all: a little older through the eyes, a little tired-looking, her smile faint as if it would fade away if the light didn’t stay focused on it. But she still carried herself well, her figure slim, and her sharp white tank and skirt showed it off. Older, and better, apparently. He’d always liked her. They’d had some real good times. She was smart, kinda pretty, and always pleasant. 

She just wasn’t Tiffy.

  

Buy Links

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KQWTDPF/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3

 

Paperback 

 

 

 

 

Author Bio

 

Author Links

http://Alana-lorens.com          https://alana-lorens.com/a-rose-by-an...

Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/AlanaLorens/

Goodreads   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4829967.Alana_Lorens

Amazon Author Page  https://www.amazon.com/Alana-Lorens/e/B005GE0WBC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8qEjPOBzds&t=3s

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alana-lorens

Twitter:  @AlexanderLyndi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexander_lyndi/ 

 

Cover Reveal

 Guess what? I can finally show you the cover for my upcoming book!

Isn't it pretty? I love it, and I love how The Wild Rose Press cover artist created something that goes well with A Reckless Heart, Book 1.

Here's the blurb: 

Abby Marlow, computer security expert, lands a job at the best IT security firm in the country. Her sole focus is financial independence so she never has to rely on others again, especially a man. But why does her boss make her wires short circuit?

 

Ted Endicott, CEO and founder of the IT security firm, is hard of hearing. Although an expert in his field, he’s still uncomfortable admitting his difficulty hearing to his clients or employees. So why is he willing to accept Abby’s help?

 

As Ted and Abby work together, barriers fall away, and soon the lines blur between colleagues and lovers. But a security glitch in a client's system indicates one of his employees is the hacker, and all signs point to Abby. Can they get past the suspicion and find a future together? 

And, if you want to preorder, here's a link that will take to you some of the retailers (more will be added between now and release day): 

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3yK1De

I���ve Got News!

I���m thrilled to announce I���m an agented author. After months of querying and talking and thinking and considering and negotiating, I signed the contract this weekend. Thank goodness we signed it before she reads that sentence. 

Anyway, I���m now represented by Cathie Hedrick Armstrong of The Purcell Agency. She���ll be working with me to place a manuscript I���ve written that���s a cross between The Gilmore Girls and Crossing Delancey. It���s not an overnight process by any means, but I���m looking forward to getting started with her and having someone on my team. She has a great sense of humor (and seems very nice), so we���ll get along just fine.

 

Finding an agent is different from finding a publisher. The agent has to believe they can sell your work, and the agent and author have be able to get along. In addition, there needs to be transparency. One of the things I loved when interviewing her���because while she has to decide whether or not she wants to work with me, I also have to decide if she���s the right agent for me���was she took the time to tell me what she does for her clients. She went over every step of the process, including how much of a collaboration it will be. Because while she is definitely the one with the sources and connections, I need to be comfortable with how she���s representing me and my work. In addition, she gave me the names of all her clients, not just the ones she���s had success with. I loved that. 

 

I hope to have more news to share in the future, but in the meantime, I can���t wait to get started.

I’ve Got News!

I’m thrilled to announce I’m an agented author. After months of querying and talking and thinking and considering and negotiating, I signed the contract this weekend. Thank goodness we signed it before she reads that sentence. 

Anyway, I’m now represented by Cathie Hedrick Armstrong of The Purcell Agency. She’ll be working with me to place a manuscript I’ve written that’s a cross between The Gilmore Girls and Crossing Delancey. It’s not an overnight process by any means, but I’m looking forward to getting started with her and having someone on my team. She has a great sense of humor (and seems very nice), so we’ll get along just fine.

 

Finding an agent is different from finding a publisher. The agent has to believe they can sell your work, and the agent and author have be able to get along. In addition, there needs to be transparency. One of the things I loved when interviewing her—because while she has to decide whether or not she wants to work with me, I also have to decide if she’s the right agent for me—was she took the time to tell me what she does for her clients. She went over every step of the process, including how much of a collaboration it will be. Because while she is definitely the one with the sources and connections, I need to be comfortable with how she’s representing me and my work. In addition, she gave me the names of all her clients, not just the ones she’s had success with. I loved that. 

 

I hope to have more news to share in the future, but in the meantime, I can’t wait to get started.

How To Fail At Car Salesmanship In Eight Easy Steps

Background: My car is older than dirt and repairs are expensive, so my time has FINALLY come to replace it. We went to the dealer in October to get an idea of what we wanted and what kind of timeline we had. Met a very nice saleslady who was helpful, and we decided to go back to her in December. Then the Princess totaled her car. I called the nice saleslady and explained we now needed TWO cars and made an appointment with her. Pretty much guarantee her that we are buying from her (also, we’re terrible at bargaining, so honestly, we’re easy). Saleslady calls back and explains she’s been called away, but her manager has assigned a guy to us who will help us.

 

How-To List

1)   Start with the Princess and show her the car in the showroom, which is a higher model than what we want, but close enough. Sticker price is a little more than the insurance money, but we can bargain.

2)   Discuss with us her needs for a car and the desired amount we want to spend (we are sticking to our insurance money because I’m still not a fan of buying my child a new car for no reason).

3)   Return with a sheet that lays out the car with a price $18,000 more than we want to spend, and $8,000 more than the sticker price on the actual car in the showroom.

4)   Call over manager.

5)   Repeat process with manager. Be so confident that you remove the car from the showroom and start preparing it to go home with us.

6)   Return with a sheet that lays out a barebones version of the car with a price $12,000 more than we want to spend and $6,000 more than the one on the floor that’s a higher model.

7)   We say no thank you and get up to leave.

8)   Ask us, “Do you still want to talk about YOUR car?”

 

Conclusion: Lose an easy sale of two cars at the end of the calendar year, at the end of the month, and tick off the saleslady who was banking on part of the commission. 

 

Moral: Never ask a salesman to do the work of a saleswoman. J

Take A Treat, Leave A Treat

 If you know me, you know I’m on Facebook a lot. Not because I like it—it’s gotten political and depressing and stressful—but because as an author, I find it necessary. It’s one of my most effective ways of reaching people to not only tell them about my books, but to interact with them, as well. And yes, it’s also my “water cooler” since I work at home and have no one to talk to but my husband (whom I love dearly, but you know, variety).

 

Well, Facebook is also useful for learning things, especially from my friends, most of whom are far wiser than I am. One of those friends, Rebecca, posted what she’s doing this holiday season, and I loved it so much, I decided to steal it copy emulate her*. 

 

I love this idea! While we don’t get a ton of packages, especially now that the girls are gone, we do get some. And delivery drivers have been coming to my house through wind, rain, sleet, snow, and pandemic. I’ve often wanted to tip them for their service, but not all of them are regulars and I never know precisely when they would arrive (while I’m fine leaving food treats outside unsupervised, I’m less inclined to leave money outside—sorry neighbors). 

 

But a basket of treats? What a fantastic idea! It’s a great way to help them celebrate the holidays. And yesterday was the first day we had a delivery. I saw the truck arrive and stood in the window waiting for the driver to come up to the porch. Couldn’t have cared less what the package was (it happened to be dog food, but really, I wouldn’t have cared if it was jewelry), I wanted to see the delivery guy’s reaction.

 

This guy is a regular. He knows our dog, calls her by name, waves at her or pets her, depending on where she is. Truthfully, I think he’s probably more of a dog person than a food person, since he gave her a bigger reaction than he did to the treats. But, I saw him take one, and I was excited enough for the both of us. 

 

I might do it year round.

 

*Rebecca’s not the only one doing this. I’ve also seen others, but she was the first I saw, so she’s my source. Kudos to everyone else who have been doing this far longer than I!