Jaymee Jacobs's Blog, page 8

Thank You!

I just wanted to take the time to say a big, huge, GINORMOUS thanks to you, my readers.





How many ways can I say "thanks?"
I first published Play the Man in March 2013, so it's been a year since I started this crazy journey. In the span of a year, I published three titles. A lot of it was pre-written material that was edited many times over with a couple of changes here and there, a new ending for an old story, and covers slapped on front.

Writing had been a hobby and a habit for years. I always had a hard time seeing a project through to the end, so I started posting a story online in a public forum, figuring that if I thought someone was reading it, then I would be motivated to see it to completion.

And man oh man, did you guys ever come through for me. I got a ton of readers, many of whom left me great comments, and pushed me to write and post—from start to finish—a bunch of stories.

Some of you encouraged me to take it to the next level. Eventually, I said, "Why the hell not?" and gave it a go. I figured that I would try, give it about a year, and then I would check in and see if it was worth my while.

And man oh man, was it ever worthwhile.

The transition from writing serials to novels is big, but novel-writing has always been my dream. Right now, I am living my dream. I'm getting paid to write, by people who want to read my writing. Just writing this makes me well up with emotion and gratitude. I can't thank you all enough for helping me achieve my dream.

Some day, hopefully, I can quit my job and write full-time; that's my ultimate goal. But for now, I'm happy to write in my spare time and share it with you.

Hearts and hugs and kisses,

Jay

Newsletter

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Now Available for Nook!

My novels are now available as Nook books from Barnes & Noble!
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I've updated the links on the side bar to show all the retail options for all my eBooks.
I'll share more news about the availability of my books as it continues to roll in. Stay tuned! Big things are happening!

Call for Bloggers: Seduced by the Game Review Tour and Release Day Blitz

Sign up for our <i>Seduced by the Game</i> cancer charity anthology Release Day Blitz on April 10 or the Review Tour starting on April 11!

Help spread the word about the anthology and support the fight against cancer!

Now Available on Kobo!

All three of my novels are now available on Kobo. Neat!

So if you don't have a Kindle or any of the Kindle apps, Kobo might be an eReading service for you.

Check it out!

Seduced by the Game: Excerpt

Seduced by the Game 2014 will be released next month!

Eight novellas compiled into one collection, featuring some of the best hockey romance writers in the biz, for one price. And 100% of the list price gets donated to Hockey Fights Cancer*.

Check out Seduced by the Game on Goodreads and add it to your to-read shelf!

I'm giving you an exclusive sneak peek at my story for the anthology, "A Valuable Trade." Here it is:

“Dallas.” Fuck.“We’ll pack up your things and send them along for you. Thank you for your years of dedication, Bryan. Good luck with your new team.” The general manager of the Tornadoes stretches out his hand, which I reluctantly shake. Then I shake my coach’s hand—well, my ex-coach’s hand. I can’t look either of them in the eye.As I leave the GM’s office and head for the exit, the threshold from my old life to my new one, I run into a couple of my teammates. My former teammates now. They express their regrets regarding my trade and say they’re sorry to see me go. That they’ll miss me. But it’s not like that matters.Soon after my conversation with my old GM, I get a call from my new GM of the Dallas Comets. He’s excited to bring me on board and talks a lot about how I’m going to fit in with their team and help them make the play-offs. He lets me know that they’re going to take care of everything for me and help arrange my move; that way, I only have to focus on my play.I don’t want to go, but I don’t really have a choice. So I head home to my girlfriend Corinne to break the news to her. Somehow, though, she already knows. As soon as I walk through the door, she stands and asks, “Is it true? Are they sending you to Dallas?”My shoulders fall. “Yeah. Just got the news.”“How can they do that? How can the Tornadoes just give you away?”“It’s the business side of hockey,” I explain to her. “The Tornadoes needed a forward, and the Comets needed a defenseman. Unfortunately, I’m the guy caught in the middle.”Corinne frowns and crosses her arms over her chest. “Don’t be selfish, Bry. You’re not the only one involved in this. What am I supposed to do?”“Come with me, of course. I’m flying out tonight.”“I can’t! I have to pack everything up, arrange to move it all, get this place listed...” Her voice fades out as she thinks about all the things that need to be done.“The Comets’ll take care of all that. Cory, baby,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her body into mine. I need the comfort more than ever now. “I just need you with me. Please come with me to Dallas.”She takes a deep breath; I feel her body expand and then shrink back down. “I think I should stay, though. Oversee everything. And then I’ll follow you down.”It makes sense, but that doesn’t mean I like it. I’m getting traded, and I could use the familiarity of a friendly face to keep me company in a new place. But what else am I supposed to say? I’m saddened that she won’t be joining me on my flight. “Okay.”“Texas,” she spits out. “I can’t believe we’re going to Texas. Why couldn’t they have traded you to the Rangers? I would’ve loved New York City.”I wish I had an answer for her—or yet, a better locale to take her to. Dallas is a great sports town in general but not necessarily a great market for hockey. Corinne doesn’t sound very pleased with it either. She and I met our freshman year at the University of North Dakota, where I had been playing with the Fighting Sioux. Once I went pro and started playing for the Tornadoes, she kept up with her studies and graduated with great grades. She wanted to move to New York to start her career, but I persuaded her to come with me to Raleigh by telling her that long-distance relationships don’t work. I don’t think she ever really adjusted to North Carolina.Because of a freak snowstorm in Raleigh that lays down more snow than anyone expected, I’m stuck here until the following morning. I know I won’t have a chance to make it to the morning skate before the game they’re playing tonight, so I’ll have to play without getting a practice under my belt. It’s bad enough getting traded...but how am I supposed to make a good first impression when I have no practice and no chance to learn the new systems?The flight feels both too short and too long. I want it to be over, but I want it to never end, either. But I can’t have it both ways. When I get off the plane and pick up my bag, I keep my head down and head toward the taxi stand. As I navigate through the crowd, though, I see my name scrawled on a poster board and tentatively head toward the holder of the sign. It’s got to be a joke, though. The person picking me up is a caricature of a Texan. She’s wearing dark jeans with a hole in the knee, a clingy white tank top, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. Or is it a cowgirl hat? Is there a difference?“Hi, Bryan, I’m Georgiana Pierson. I’m from the Comets. Welcome to Dallas! We’re so excited to have you.” She has a southern drawl, but it’s anything but slow. The smile on her face is wide and genuine. She extends a well-manicured hand. I expect a weak handshake, but she surprises me with a firm grip and vigorous pump. “We’ve got housing set up for you, and I’m going to help you get settled in before tonight’s game. If you need anything as you get acclimated here—and I do mean anything—then I’m your girl. Let me help you with your bag.”I’m kind of overwhelmed by her. She talks fast and moves even faster; before I can tell her that I’m more than capable of handling my own stuff, she takes the duffel bag of mine and hoists it over her shoulder. The sight is reminiscent of something out of a rodeo, the way she manhandles it. She’s solidly built, but not in a masculine kind of way. No, she’s all woman, with curves and dark brown curly hair that spills out of her hat almost like a wig. Her brown eyes smile just like her mouth. It’s kind of catching, except I don’t feel like smiling. As we head for the door, I wonder if she’s picking me up from the airport on a horse.

Want to check out some other excerpts of the other stories? Find them here:

Toni Aleo - "Tangled in the Laces"

Cassandra Carr with Cindy Carr - "Hooking Hannah"

Jami Davenport - "Crashing the Boards"

Catherine Gayle - "Taking a Shot"

V.L. Locey - "Heir Apparent"

Bianca Sommerland - "Blind Pass"

Nikki Worrell - "Captain, My Captain"

I hope you'll support the cause!

*Seduced by the Game is no way affiliated with the NHL, NHLPA, and Hockey Fights Cancer.

Seduced by the Game/Cover Reveal!

I am so very happy to share news about the upcoming hockey romance anthology, which I'm so excited to be a part of. The anthology will be released in April, with proceeds going to Hockey Fights Cancer.

Firstly, it's named Seduced by the Game. Hooked yet? And the cover is gorgeous. Take a peek:


So, what do you think? Feel free to tell me in the comments!

The Game On Chronicles: Publication!

Game On is now live on Amazon's website!

This is the end stage of work on an eBook. The story is finished and is uploaded to Amazon—just waiting for you to purchase and review (/shamelessplug).

But now I have to switch modes from writing to marketing. It's time to get the word out! Announcements on Twitter and Facebook. Updating GoodReads. Blogging. Is there anything I'm missing? Probably.

I'd like to relax a little bit after wrapping up a big project, but there's no time for that now. I still have to work on my story for the Hockey Fights Cancer anthology, which will be released in just a few months. Besides that, I have some other ideas to open my writings up to a bigger audience. And of course, I already have plenty of ideas about my fourth novel. There's a teaser at the end of Game On for this fourth book, which I'm already excited about. Check it out and let me know what you think!

In other news, today's the last day to get a copy of Play the Man for free. This is the last free promotion I have planned, so now's the chance to score your free copy!

I hope you all have a good weekend! I'm going to spend it typing away....

FREE: Play the Man

That's right, Play the Man is free right now on Amazon! And it will be until Friday, February 28, which is the release date of Game On.

Want a free advance copy of Game On before Friday? Contact me, and I'll send you an ARC.

Happy reading!

Jay

More Good News!

I'm very happy to announce that I will be published in anthology of hockey romance compiled to raise money for Hockey Fights Cancer!

I'm really very happy to be included with the likes of Toni Aleo, Cassandra Carr, and V. L. Locey, (who you may have checked out during the Hottie Hockey Hunks Blog Hop), among others like Bianca Sommerland, Nicki Worrell and more!

The as yet unnamed anthology will be released in April, and proceeds will be donated to Hockey Fights Cancer, which I'm sure we can all agree is a great charity. My paternal grandfather succumbed to lung cancer, and my maternal grandfather is currently undergoing treatment for bladder cancer. Needless to say, this is a cause that very important to me.

My submission is the short story A Valuable Trade, a former Quickie, which will be adapted for publication in the anthology.

Of course, I'll keep everyone in the loop once publication nears!