Jamie Beck's Blog, page 11

Milestones and Measures

Yesterday I turned forty-nine (or seven squared, as my math geek friend noted). Basically, I’m almost at the mid-century mark, and very likely past the halfway point of my life, too.

That’s a breathtaking thought. I’ve less time left than I’ve already burned through.

Naturally, it forces me to reflect on how wisely I’ve spent my time. I suppose, on paper, one might think I’ve accomplished quite a lot in my life. The resume reads pretty well: college, law school, M.B.A., law career, writing career. And the personal life is not too shabby either: marriage in its seventeenth year, two kids (no pets), close extended family relationships. Last but not least would be a decent list of avocations and hobbies, such as skiing, music, cooking, hiking, and so forth.

But that string of data is not reflective of whether I spent my time wisely. For example, those graduate degrees weren’t really my dream. At that point in my life, I still didn’t believe enough in my dream to pursue it, so I chose the safe, easily-defined (and “job will be waiting for you”) path. That’s not to say I didn’t learn a great deal that I can now use in my life, but had I died at twenty-eight, I surely would have had less personal satisfaction in my life than I do today.

I suppose that is a roundabout way of encouraging you to sit in a quiet space and get to know yourself. Figure out who you are and what excites you. Then go for it. Don’t wait for the right time. Don’t worry about what other people expect or think. Set attainable goals leading up to the end game, and then move forward, steadily ticking off those smaller items until you end up where you dreamed of being.

There will always be sacrifices, over-scheduling, and other loved ones who need attention. But those things don’t prevent you from reaching your goals, they merely slow you down (which really goes back to the idea of setting attainable benchmarks). Don’t let the “I’m too busy” mentality keep you from making the most of the days you are given to live.

I hope I’m here for another forty-nine years, but I’m going to act like it could all end tomorrow. That way I know I’m not taking anything for granted.

Before I sneak off to eat a few cupcakes, tell me one attainable goal you could reach by year-end if you made it important?

XO-Jamie

 

Let’s Raise Some Money

On September 1st, I sent out my first newsletter. It included a few fun things, like a recipe for pumpkin bread, some insider info about the town I used as the basis for the fictional setting of my upcoming release, Accidentally Hers, and a chance to (a) vote for a charity to which I’ll be donating ten percent of my first week’s proceeds, and (b) win a signed, early-release copy of the book.

Sterling Canyon Book One, Coming October 6th

I’m thrilled to announce that CASA for Kids will be the recipient of my intended donation. I’ll admit, it was a very close race between CASA and Kids in Crisis. I would’ve been happy either way, but the fact that CASA was the charity I’d modeled “Child Advocacy Association” after (In the Cards) makes it a little special for me.

And, the winners of the book giveaway are Lori Raines and Julie Ayling! *applause* I’ll be sending those copies out right away.

If YOU want to help me raise money and awareness for CASA, please encourage fellow romance readers to pick up a copy of Accidentally Hers the week of its release! And if you want to have a chance to help me pick the charity I’ll make a donation to with the release of Worth the Trouble in February, make sure you sign up for my newsletter (see right-hand sidebar).

Finally, if I don’t say it enough, thanks so much for being part of my romance community. It’s brought me a lot of joy these past few years, and none of what I do would mean anything without each of you.

xo-Jamie

“D—– in a Box”

No, no…this isn’t a blog about the infamous SNL film short. Had to capture your attention because, after a long absence, Katherine’s back on the blog to talk about her latest culinary adventures:

With the start of school (where I work), kids’ sports, and helping with homework, the ease of summer grocery store trips and menu planning vanished. While I love cooking, the school-day afternoons just get away from me, and the family never seems to be able to eat at the same time. I needed help, and I think I found it!

You’ve probably heard of the new trend: dinner in a box. Multiple companies now deliver ready-to-cook meals to your doorstep.  Inside the box are all the ingredients you need for the meals you select, which typically take less than 60 minutes to prepare.  No deciding what to make for dinner.  No trip to the grocery store.  Everything you need is right at your fingertips.

I’d been debating whether or not to try one of these services for about six months while I wallowed in a rut of making the same meals over and again. I finally decided, why not try!

Last week I received my first box from Hello Fresh.

Here’s my verdict:

The box came with a large recipe booklet that included a list of all ingredients and step-by-step instructions.  Each of the recipes was easy to follow (even while shouting at my kids to turn down their music and do their homework). The meal came together very quickly, which was key! It was also extremely convenient to grab it from the fridge knowing everything I needed to make dinner was in that cute little white box.


I have to be honest, my only worry was whether the meals would provide a solid dinner for four people (which includes two hungry teenagers).  Happily, we actually had leftovers two out of the three nights. Better yet, all three meals were absolutely delicious!

I was most surprised by the Zucchini Noodle Lasagna.  At first I wasn’t sure that my teen son would buy in, but, he didn’t just like it, he loved it, and my entire family is still talking about it.

I really loved my first week of dinners from Hello Fresh. It’s on the pricey side (about $110 for 3 meals), but I’d probably spend close to that at the grocery store for similar ingredients. This way, I saved myself the shopping trip and I didn’t have to “think” about what to make. Back to school is such a busy time, so buying these healthy, balanced, tasty meals was a win-win.

I am a little excited because box #2 arrives this week! All I need to have on hand is a glass of wine to sip on while preparing my family dinners.

Cheers!

XO-Katherine

Rolling with Change

My jaw dropped today when I realized it had been ten years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf Coast. Apparently the past decade of my life came and went faster than the puff of smoke trailing behind the Roadrunner each time he outsmarts Wyle E. Coyote.

Much in my life has changed since Katrina. I’m now staring down fifty instead of forty. My kids are catching up to me in height, and needing (or possibly wanting) less and less of my attention, too. I’ve discovered a new career, and my husband has changed jobs twice. Friends and relatives have married and/or divorced.

On a more global scale, we’ve witnessed a historic Presidential election, suffered through years of war, YouTube, FaceBook, and Google appear to be taking over the world, and the King of Pop died.

Pretty much everything has changed.

And today brought more changes to the Beck household. My eldest started high school, my youngest entered seventh grade, and I got a new editor (who I’m excited to work with, by the way). I’ll admit my kids and I began the day with a bit of anxiety about the new expectations and people we’d be partnering with this year. But happily, none of us met with disaster (not yet, anyway).

That’s the thing about change. The anticipation of the difference is usually much worse than the reality.

We’re trained, I think, to be leery of the unknown (“better the devil you know,” and other such sayings). But that fear can cause us to stagnate if we let it. And so, like I did this morning, I try to focus on the possible positive outcomes of change (new friends, new teachers, new leaf), because the thing I fear most is failing to thrive! Thriving requires growth, which in turn requires change, which means I best embrace each and every opportunity for change that comes my way.

And just because this post made me fondly remember Saturday morning Looney Tunes:

xo-Jamie

Family + Vacation + Silliness = Love

Can you tell from the title that I’ve just returned from my extended family’s annual trip to the beach?  This is the gang (minus three who couldn’t make it this year): These trips began many moons ago with my mother (and step-father), her sister’s family, their parents, and my brother and me. We’ve carried on the tradition for decades (although it still amazes me to now find myself being that in that middle-tier of the family tree).

Michael J. Fox once said, “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” I couldn’t agree more.

I grew up in Pittsburgh within a stone’s throw (literally) of two sets of cousins and one set of grandparents. The rest of my close-knit family all lived within a five-mile drive. Time changed all that, and now we are scattered across Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Connecticut, making large family get-togethers rare.

Of course, the Hilton Head Island beaches are beautiful (see?), the weather is reliably warm and sunny, and the rental homes fabulous as one could desire, but none of that is what makes these trips our favorite.

What makes them so special is the level of silliness we achieve together, and the life-long memories that creates. For instance, this year some of the dads decided to dress up in old-time bathing suits, glue fake mustaches above their mouths, and stroll the beach to the nearest resort hotel pool bar. They mimicked 1920s radio voices for the duration of the “show,” and needless to say, drew lots of attention, questions, and requests for photos. The kids were extremely amused and oddly proud, and it will certainly remain a memorable, if ridiculous, day in our lives.

Another fun ritual is enjoying a meal at the Frosty Frog. Grown-ups like the frozen drinks (Fruit Loop is a particularly tasty one), and the kids like to dance to the live music with the restaurant mascot.

This year, my cousins and I decided to go out on the town and hit the dueling piano bar. My one cousin (a former rock singer turned elementary school teacher) ended up on stage belting out Janis Joplin’s Bobby McGee while the crowd cheered her on. Of course, that’s something the kids didn’t get to see, except via video the next day.

Then there are the other traditions, like my cousin’s constant fishing along the coast. Often he’s caught rather large shark and stingrays. This year he got one big stingray, while an even bigger shark snapped his line. He did manage to reel this baby shark in for the kids to pet. Yes, my daughter found this all very entertaining, while I decided perhaps my body surfing days were at an end.

So much in our daily lives is regimented, it is wonderful to get away to laugh and play and remember what it feels like to be a kid again. I’m grateful for this opportunity to relax with my cousins, and for my kids to form the special bonds of kinship with distant cousins. I hope we can continue our “family” vacations for decades to come, even if it means my kids will need to wheel me onto the beach. That might make it a little hard for me to participate in our annual family vacation video, but I’ll find a way.

I’ll end on that note, with the video we made this year, as a reminder to all to be happy with who you are and don’t let others tear you down:

xo-Jamie

 

The Joy of Romance

When Bobbi Dumas and Lorelei’s Lit Lair invited me to participate in Read-a-Romance Month as a derivative author via Lorelei’s RARM post, I was honored. When I learned the central theme of the month was “the joys of romance,” I knew this could well be the easiest blog post I might ever be asked to write! The real challenge would be keeping my response short and sweet.

People often ask, “Why do you choose to write romance?”

My answer: I write romance because no mystery, suspense, sci-fi, fantasy, or crime novel contains more thrills, or evokes more emotion, than a journey to love.

And therein lies the joy of romance for me.

I defy any reader to pick up a well-written romance novel and not be whisked away on an emotional roller coaster that will literally awaken her body and rev up her heart while also stirring her soul. Like a good love song, a romance novel will engage its reader by tugging at universal passions that resonate deep in our chest: yearning for, finding, and/or losing love.

Who among us doesn’t enjoy reliving the butterflies of new love, experiencing the lump in the throat caused by a heroic grand gesture, and, let’s be honest, picturing that sexy hero? On that last note, many contemporary covers can also inspire quite of bit of “joy,” right? Yes, joyful would be an apt description of what I might feel if asked to sit in on a cover shoot with the open-shirted cowboy on Laura Moore’s Once Tasted cover…*coughs*

St. James Book One

But all joking aside, an authentic, layered love story can provide hope when we need it, or catharsis, or the comforting knowledge that we are not alone in our own relationship ups and downs.

Romance novels connect us through our collective desire to be known, understood, and loved just as we are. In real life, that can be hard to find and too easy to lose. But with a romance novel, we’ll not only experience that connectedness for a few hours, but we’re also assured of a happy ending.

And truly, what greater joy could one take away from any book?

 

Author Q & A

Tell us about a moment in your life when you experienced sheer joy. Aside from the obvious (marriage, birth of my kids, publication of my debut novel), one indelible, joyful moment of my life occurred during a 28-day Outward Bound program (many moons ago), when I found myself dangling from a cliff on my first-ever rock climbing and rappelling experience. The odd combination of terror and mastery, set against a stunning backdrop of the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, provided quite a powerful feeling of success and possibility. To be pushed beyond what I thought I could do also taught me not to let fear dictate my decisions.

Sterling Canyon Book One, Coming October 6th

Tell us about a place that brings you joy, or is attached to a memory of joy. As you might guess from my prior answer, one place that always brings me tremendous joy is traveling to the mountains, particularly the Rockies. The majesty of the peaks—whether sheer rock faces or slopes littered with fir trees—never fails to awe and inspire me. I love to hike or ski them whenever possible!

Tell us about a sound that brings you joy. My daughter’s singing. I’ve spent my life being a music lover, so I absolutely adore hearing her practicing piano and singing. When the house is filled with music, it is a happy place indeed.

What recent book have you read that brought you joy? So this one is a little weird, because sometimes I find joy and beauty in sorrow. I know…like I said, weird. A “relatively” recent book that has affected me this way is JoJo Moynes’s Me Before You. Oh, boy, did I cry. Rivers of tears. That “barely breathing” kind of pain in the throat. But underneath the sorrow, that story exemplified the power and beauty of the kind of love that understands, accepts, and encourages, which is why I think it’s such a best seller. Technically it may not be a “romance,” but for me, it was a wonderful love story.

Chris Pine

A joy of choice ~ “pick your Chris” (Hemsworth, Pine, Evans, Pratt, Rock, or Plummer). This is a tough choice, but ultimately I think I need to go with Chris Pine because he’s got beautiful eyes, a very nice set of lips, and has a bit more of a refined look than the others (which I like).

GIVEAWAY! I’m giving away two signed copies of either of my books (reader’s choice) along with some little goodies. To be eligible to win, simply leave a comment to this post telling me why you love romance (the comment link is just beneath the post title). The little contest widget will pick two winners from those who choose to participate. I’ll announce a winner on August 14th (in order to give people time to read and participate).

Recommendations. Where to begin? My favorite romance subgenre to read is historical romance, and my favorite authors in that genre are Lisa Kleypas and Sherry Thomas. I’ve read all of their books and, if forced to pick favorites (an unfair and impossible task), must choose Lisa’s Love in the Afternoon and Sherry’s Ravishing the Heiress.

But recently I’ve also read a few good contemporary romance novels from newer authors: If you enjoy sharp humor and a whimsical story, try Tamra Baumann’s It Had To Be Him. Want heartwarming with a dash of sexy? Sara Richardson‘s No Better Man is for you. Other author’s to try? Gail Chianese, Sugar Jamison, Miranda Liasson, Jeannie Moon, Regina Kyle, and Sheila Athens.

Bio. Jamie Beck is a former attorney with a passion for inventing “realistic and heartwarming” stories about love and redemption, including Amazon Kindle store Top 10 best seller, Worth the Wait. In addition to writing novels, she also enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking, and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.

xo-Jamie

4 Things I Learned from U2

Last night I went to see U2 play at Madison Square Garden. Whether or not one is a fan of the band, it is impossible to be unimpressed by its nearly four decades-long career. Few artists in history have been able to sustain relevance over that span of time. And unlike so many other musicians today, who churn out meaningless songs about sex, clubs, and partying, U2’s success is built on soul-stirring lyrics about love, hate, injustice, faith, and politics—about the human condition.

As I stood dancing among a sea of people, it occurred to me that I could learn a lot from U2’s example.

Write what you love. I think one of the keys to the band’s ability to sustain such a long, impressive career is that it not only constantly experiments with its work, but that it does so while staying true to the voice/message that inspires its individual members (as opposed to chasing trends in music). The authenticity of its music and lyrics resonate with its audience, which enables the songs to endure, and the band to constantly inspire and provoke. As a writer, it is a good lesson. There are always trends in fiction (especially romance fiction), but I believe the best way to build a long career is to ignore those fads and write from my heart. That’s my plan, and I’m sticking to it!
One. Not only is this word the title of one of my favorite U2 songs, but it also represents a variety of themes. One person can make a difference. One moment in time can alter the world. All people can come together and act as one to affect change. Last night’s audience was comprised of people, young and old, from all points of the globe—a diverse group that became unified by passion for this music. Through art (music, paintings/film, and literature), we are unified—our differences momentarily forgotten—by a shared yearning for understanding, meaning, peace, and love. Perhaps if we remembered this when faced with conflict, we could all do our part to eradicate prejudice.
Change is good. Throughout the concert, Bono repeated something to the audience (watch it by clicking on the highlighted phrase/link). He said, “America is not just a country. It’s an idea. Still being shaped. Still being born.” That struck me on two levels. First, that we Americans most likely take our rights and freedoms for granted, and that we forget how much power we, collectively, can wield as citizens if we choose to act. And second, that change is not only good, but critical to survival (as a country, but also as a person making his or her way in the world). And like our country, we have the ability to adapt to the world around us, to improve, to grow, and to make each day a truly new opportunity to leave an impact.
Sexy at Any Age. Middle-aged woman in contemporary society are under constant pressure to look young. This “feeling” of mine is verified by dozens of sources, most recently by Time Magazine’s somewhat frightening article Nip. Tuck. Or Else . But watching Bono and the band last night, all of whom are over fifty, helped me to remember that sex appeal comes from within. It comes from knowing who you are and what you want, as well as having the confidence to go after it. When framed in that light, it is easier to ignore the deepening creases in my face, the sunspots on my legs, and the slightly looser skin around my middle (of course, I still don’t like that last bit).

Ultimately, I have to thank U2 for not only delivering the goods last night on stage with their music, but also for inspiring me to take a fresh look at my life and the world around me.

I hope I’ve passed along a bit of that inspiration to you.

xo-Jamie

Technology and Merging Cultures

As some of you know, I’ve just returned from a twelve-day trip to Italy.

Colosseum

I’ve been there a few other times in my life, but it has been sixteen years since I’ve traveled to Europe.

I couldn’t wait to take my kids on their first Italian adventure. We’d planned a trip that included a nice balance of sight-seeing, shopping, and leisure activities.

Not surprisingly, their favorite “tour” was the one spent in Pompeii, and their favorite days were the ones they enjoyed swimming in Lake Como.

Pompeii street

City kids they are not!

Pompeii

Throughout our trip, I couldn’t help but compare my prior visits and memories to present-day Rome, Venice, and Lake Como.

Interior of St. Peter’s Cathedral

Naturally everything changes with time, but what struck me most was a sense that the country didn’t seem as “foreign” anymore. Part of that could be due to some familiarity, but I couldn’t help but wonder if technological advances throughout the past sixteen years hadn’t also affected the culture.

Venice

The Pantheon

With much of the planet’s population now having instant and continual access to people, products, and cultures around the globe thanks to the internet and other media, it shouldn’t be surprising that once-unique cultures might start to adopt aspects of others. It made me a little sad to think that such a trend might continue and, sooner or later, countries around the world will lose their individuality (excepting certain physical features, such as the ruins scattered throughout modern Rome).

Parking, Rome-style

Am I alone in my perception, or have you experienced seeing such changes when you travel to other countries?

In any case, I hope you enjoy some of my vacation photos. Italy remains a beautiful country in which it is much too easy to gain weight!

xo-Jamie

An Italian Escape

Today is my sixteenth wedding anniversary, and I am packing for our trip to Italy. We were married in Rome, so it is fitting to be flying there tonight. I’m extremely excited to take our children on their first trip to “the Continent” (and to my favorite country outside of our own).

We are starting in Rome (with a side trip to Pompeii), and then going north to Venice, and ending our 12-day trip in Lake Como in the picturesque town of Bellagio.

Of course, our kids are only twelve and fourteen, so I suspect they will not have the stamina to take in all the sights and guided tours available. Fortunately, they’ve both studied ancient Rome in Latin class, so they will likely be more versed in history than I am at this point.

I confess, one of my favorite things to do in that country is eat! Pedestrian, I know. But I love pasta! When you next see me, I will be a few pounds heavier.  Hopefully all of the walking around Rome, Venice, and Bellagio will help burn off some of the extra calories.

I think I most look forward to the few days we have planned on Lake Como. Isn’t it pretty?

I will be posting photos of our trip on my Facebook page, so if you care to follow our journey, check out the page.

Until July 9th, Bon Giorno!

XO-Jamie

Summertime Sweet Tooth

The summer solstice has come and gone. It’s officially summer!

Those of you who’ve been following me for a while know of my rabid sweet tooth. I’ve tried–many times–to break or curb it, but it’s hopeless. I’m addicted to sugar. As vices go, I suppose it’s better than alcohol or shoplifting, although it doesn’t exactly do wonders for my waistline. Nonetheless, I choose to embrace it.

Now, any dessert connoisseur will tell you that there are seasonal desserts. One wouldn’t bake a spicy pumpkin pie in April, right?

Summer calls for light, refreshing desserts, like strawberry shortcake (I bake a good one with homemade French whipped cream). Or perhaps you prefer a fresh fruit sorbet?

No matter the season, I still favor somewhat hearty desserts. Imagine my delight upon finding this yummy creation: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie.  Better yet, no baking involved!

My husband and kids love ice cream, so I’m positive this will be a hit in my house.

I’d love it if you’d share your favorite dessert recipe with me. One can never have too many options when it comes to the best part of any meal!

xo-Jamie