Jamie Beck's Blog, page 5

Read-A-Romance Month

It’s back, and once again, I’m thrilled to contribute to the month-long celebration of romance literature. Read-A-Romance Month is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the authors who write in this genre and the motivation behind their work. This year we were asked to talk about the power of romance (whatever that means to us). Bonus–there are plenty of giveaways to boot.

There are 93 posts (3 authors per day), so I’m sure some of your favorites will be there. Here’s mine, which just posted today. Good luck, and happy reading!

Enjoy!

xo-Jamie

The post Read-A-Romance Month appeared first on Jamie Beck | National Best-Selling Author.

Book Birthday!

I remember meeting with my editor about the Cabot novels back in 2016. His enthusiasm for the project matched my excitement, which made me eager to get started on BEFORE I KNEW. Fast-forward to today. As I write this short post, I’ve got the manuscript for the third book in this series printed, and my red pen in hand. Needless to say, it’s been a busy year, which is how this book birthday sneaked up on me.

That said….YIPEE!!! My eighth book hits the shelves tomorrow. That’s hard for me to believe. I’ll be donating 10% of my first week’s proceeds to Bring Change to Mind to celebrate, so please help me spread the word.

I’m really proud of this story, but, rather than toot my own horn, let me share some of the lovely early feedback it’s received to date:

“A multilayered and tightly plotted journey that’s sure to tug at the heartstrings.” —Publishers Weekly

“Before I Knew kept me totally enthralled as two compassionate, relatable characters, each in search of forgiveness and fulfillment, turn a recipe for heartache into a story of love, hope, and some really good menus!” —Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Beach

“Jamie Beck’s deeply felt novel hits all the right notes, celebrating the power of forgiveness, the sweetness of second chances, and the heady joy of reaching for a dream. Don’t miss this one!” —Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A tender romance rises from the tragedy of two families—a must-read!” —Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author

I hope you’ll put a copy in your to-be-read pile, and root for Colby and Alec to overcome their demons and earn that second chance they both need.

XO-Jamie

The post Book Birthday! appeared first on Jamie Beck | National Best-Selling Author.

My Tribe!

I just returned home from a five-day long Romance Writers of America conference in Orlando. It’s quite shocking, frankly, as I was convinced I would melt in that heat. The trip confirmed, once again, that I could never retire to the Deep South!

As always, I learned from some of the best mentors. I met new friends and caught up with old ones. I gave thought to the direction of my career. And I even got to dance!

The very best part is always reconnecting with like-minded friends. There are so many talented authors who share my desire to create a stories that take readers on an emotional journey and deliver them to a happy ending.

Because pictures are often better than words, here’s a quick recap of my week. Enjoy!

My conference badge.

Blogger Lorelei (from Lorelei’s Lit Lair), and authors Gail Chianese, Virginia Kantra, Katy Lee, and others!

Reader gift (*waves to Shari*) at a book signing. A first for me, and very special.

From left to right:
1st Row: Authors Taryn Leigh Taylor, Tara Leigh, Regina Kyle.
2nd Row: Authors Shana Gray, Gail Chianese, and Stefanie London. I’m in the way back!

Author Liz Talley

Post from someone who attended a workshop I gave with Kristan Higgins and my agent, Jill Marsal.

Chocolate Souffle! OMG. Heaven.

Post-RITA dance party!

Author Brenda Jackson

Blisters from all of the conference activity.

Security line at the airport.

“Welcome Home” roses from hubby!

Inspiration and Creative Expression

People often ask me where I get my story ideas. Some assume they are ripped from the lives of my family and friends, to which I reply, “Of course!” I say this because, in some form, my experiences certainly influence my work. However, I also find inspiration in a good song lyric, a wonderful quote about love or life, interesting documentaries, and art.

This week, I had the opportunity to visit the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. Wow! I am awed by the creative genius of so many people, who combine every day things (including trash) to make something that is both visually exciting and often educational.

When I sit down to write, I try to do the same thing with words. I think, however, that as powerful as words are, and as much as they can stimulate the imagination of readers in infinite ways, when words are combined with other art forms (like music or paint or video), their power multiples exponentially.

 

 

     

Perhaps one day I’ll take on the challenge of writing a screenplay so I’d get to create something that combines words, photography, and music. The trifecta! For now, I have to settle for Pinterest boards and Spotify playlists to give my readers a multimedia experience of my stories.

If you’re interested in seeing and listening to my vision, check out my extras page!

XO-Jamie

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Summer Reading Recommendation

I haven’t offered a reading recommendation on my blog in quite some time, but I’m inspired to do so today. I spent the better part of my free time this past weekend reading Elinor Lipman‘s On Turpentine Lane. This author had been highly recommended by many, but I’d never actually read her work until now.

To orient you, here is the book blurb:

At thirty-two, Faith Frankel has returned to her claustro-suburban hometown, where she writes institutional thank-you notes for her alma mater.

It’s a peaceful life, really, and surely with her recent purchase of a sweet bungalow on Turpentine Lane her life is finally on track. Never mind that her fiancé is off on a crowdfunded cross-country walk, too busy to return her texts (but not too busy to post photos of himself with a different woman in every state). And never mind her witless boss, or a mother who lives too close, or a philandering father who thinks he’s Chagall.

When she finds some mysterious artifacts in the attic of her new home, she wonders whether anything in her life is as it seems. What good fortune, then, that Faith has found a friend in affable, collegial Nick Franconi, officemate par excellence…

Ms. Lipman has drawn a wonderful, kooky cast of characters and combined it with great wit, snappy dialogue, and a nice little mystery to keep you guessing. This is the first book I’ve read in a while that I resented having to put down throughout the day in order to attend to chores and other matters.

My only quibble with the story is the fact that, at times (especially the first half), Faith could be somewhat dim-witted when dealing with Stuart (although she did wise up before the halfway point in the story). In all other regards, she was quite worthy of affection for the way that she handled her family and co-workers. Her neuroses made her quirky in the best way.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story’s secondary characters, all of whom were well-developed and interesting. The Frankel family certainly encountered its fair share of drama–some manufactured, some real, and always portrayed with real warmth and endearing peculiarity. There were several moments when I laughed aloud and recognized some of my own family dynamic being played out on the page.

If you enjoy humorous fiction with a hint of romance and mystery, I highly recommend this book. If you grew up in a big, nosy family, I also recommend this book!

And although it wasn’t a romance, Faith’s friend/crush Nick will make your heart flutter with his humor and thoughtfulness. Without spoiling anything, let me also add that I was extremely glad with how Faith’s mother ultimately handled her marital woes!

Now I’m off to decide which other of Ms. Lipman’s other books I should read next.

xo-Jamie

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Summer: Bring It On!

Here comes summer!

Temperatures have jumped dramatically. My kids are currently taking finals. And the gardens are in full bloom. Yes, summer is officially here. As usual, our family calendar is stuffed with various out-of-town sports and leadership camps, as well as pleasure trips and family visits. My car will gain thousands of road-warrior miles, along with plenty of battles for control of the radio. But wait! This is supposed to be a season to kick back and relax, right? Yet you can probably feel my anxiety tripling because I’m unconvinced I can balance family time with my work obligations. Add to that the pressure to “have fun” and all of the hiding from the sun to prevent skin cancer and premature aging, and summer can be anything but relaxing.

This year, I’m determined to map out a daily plan so that I can both accomplish my work and enjoy my kids’ time off. They’re teens now, and I know I only have a few precious years left before they no longer spend their summers in this house. That thought forms a lump in my throat, so I won’t dwell on it.

I look forward to reconnecting with my cousins in Virginia, Maryland, and on Hilton Head Island. I also look forward to hearing about my kids’ adventures at camp (which hopefully won’t be tales of misadventures!). I have a lengthy “to be read” list that I hope to tackle at the beach. Grilling and eating outside is always one of my favorite things about summer evenings. And I’m particularly fond of the summer day dress. Is there anything more comfortable on earth? I doubt it.

So I’m breaking out the bright nail polish and reminding myself to smell those gorgeous roses in my yard.

What’s your most-anticipated summer activity? And tips for keeping cool on a hot, busy afternoon?

xo-Jamie

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Goodbye, Stitch…

Our neighbor’s cat, Stitch, was a fixture on our street for a dozen years. He’s been in everyone’s home from time to time–sometimes invited, other times not. As he aged, he became rather bold, lying in the middle of the road or driveway and refusing to budge for cars. Love him or not, no one would deny that he was a bit of an old soul and a vagabond (often being spotted a mile or further away from our street).

My husband adored this cat. Several times per week he’d sit on the front or back porch with Stitch, feeding him milk and tuna. He’d purr at that furry friend while petting him. In truth, he and my kids considered Stitch “our” cat, and based on the number of hours he spent with us, maybe they weren’t wrong.

On the other hand, I’m allergic to cats. I could also get easily annoyed by Stitch barging into my house or racing to the grill and standing at my feet whenever I cooked. I’d have to watch for him in the driveway and physically move him so I could come or go. He’d chase me into the garage, too, which would make me grumble when trying to carry the groceries inside the house without letting him slip past me.

Although he could be a nuisance, when I noticed how slow he’d been growing–how hard of a time he had getting up and down–I worried about how my family would deal with his inevitable death. In order to preserve his memory, I wrote him into my upcoming release, BEFORE I KNEW. When I made that choice, I didn’t know how or when the end would come, just that it would come.

Well, it came today. I wish I could say it was peaceful and that his owners informed the  neighborhood. Sadly, I discovered him in our yard this morning, clearly the victim of a coyote attack. It was heartbreaking, to say the least, which surprised me because I had not loved him like my family had.

But tonight when I go to the grill, I know I’ll feel his absence. Even now, writing this simple post, my eyes are a little dewy. My husband was right all along: Stitch was a cool cat. I now wish I’d appreciated that more before it was too late. This isn’t the first time I’ve been slow to realize something like that, but I hope it’s the last.

It’s a good reminder for me to be more present and to appreciate all the little things that are part of my journey. And when we all face the sad reality that nothing lasts forever, perhaps we should emulate Winnie the Pooh’s attitude and think to ourselves: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

xo-Jamie

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5 Things To Do With Your Friends

Being a woman can be hard. A lot is expected of us. Not only do we hold jobs, raise kids, and keep a household running, but we’re expected to do it all with a smile (and to look fit and pretty, too!). It can be daunting at times, which is why it’s so important to keep connected to our friends.

Sure, your mom and sisters can be a source of support, as can your partner. But there’s something special about friends–the people who choose you to be a part of their life journey–that nourishes the soul and rejuvenates the spirit. Here are a few of mine on a recent girls’ trip we took to Arizona, where I laughed more in five days than I have in the past month. I can’t tell you how much that hit the reset button on my stress level.

But you don’t need to spend a ton of money to enjoy the benefits of friendship. Here are five inexpensive things you can do to keep connected with your friends:

Start a book club (or another club involving a mutual hobby or interest, like knitting, hiking, or music). Naturally, talking about books is a favorite pastime of mine, but book club evenings eventually evolve into sharing stories and laughs over wine as the evening proceeds.
Host a potluck. This sounds old school, but it’s a nice way to host a party without doing all the work and spending all the money! The host can prepare the main dish, but assign others the salad, sides, and dessert (dessert to be given to your most-trusted friend, as it is the most important part of the meal!).
Take an exercise class (or meet for a long walk). The long walk allows for lots of catching up, but going to Pilates with a friend make the endeavor less painful.
Watch a series together—literally. When I was young and single, I did this with a friend (Melrose Place, anyone?). More recently, a friend and I did this for LOST and American Horror Story. We’d take turns going to the other’s home to watch, leaving the hubby and kids to fend for themselves for an evening each week. It turned TV watching into a social endeavor, and it was fun to snack away while discussing the episode (my husband hates when I ask questions during a show–and during LOST I had a lot of questions).
Plan at “at home” spa day. Drug stores sell a ton of inexpensive face masks and nail products. Pick up some collagen masks, Emory boards, and brightly colored polish and call your friends. You might want to send your partner and kids out to the movies so you have the place to yourself, but it can be fun to engage in these girly activities no matter your age, and you end up feeling fresh and pretty when it’s over.

Those are a few of my ideas, but I’m sure there are plenty more. If you have a good idea, please share!

xo,

Jamie

 

 

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A Change of Venue

Who else goes on vacation and wonders why they shouldn’t just up and move to an exotic location? I doubt I’m alone and, if you’d been with my family and me in Turks and Caicos, you’d might’ve decided to stay there.

Vacations are a wonderful way to rejuvenate the spirit, reconnect with your family and friends, and explore a different part of the world. I love taking my kids to new places so they can learn about and experience different cultures, foods, and ways of life.

The family

Of course, this was just a four-day trip, so we didn’t do much exploration of the island–just a lot of relaxation, and perhaps a little internal exploration.

So this is what I learned:

View from plane

The colors of the sea there are the most striking variation of turquoise that I’ve ever seen. Whether seeing it from the plane or the shore, the ocean is simply breathtaking. Better yet, it is crystal clear when you swim.

The beach

2. It’s windy there. Really windy. I’ve never been so cold while basking in the sun. On the upside, it made for excellent sailing and parasailing!

3. Jerk chicken rocks. My son, in particular, ate more than his fill of this Caribbean favorite.

Ford sailing

4. It was a treat to put aside work. During the past two years, I haven’t gone more than 24-hours without writing. That’s right, even when on vacation, and every weekend, I usually do a little work. This trip, I promised my family I wouldn’t pull out the laptop. Instead, I lounged around the beach reading books (if you haven’t read JoJo Moyes’s One by One, do so!), drinking smoothies, and sunbathing. I NEVER do that. By the fourth day, I had really unwound. Now I know I need to do this a little more often.

Parasailing

5. My list of “top places to retire” keeps expanding. I’d always wanted to go west, to a mountainous area, like Colorado or the Sierra Nevada range. Now I’m thinking island living might not be too bad. And I’m pretty sure my kids would like to come visit often if we chose someplace like this to live, right?

So how about you? Where have you been lately, and what did you learn while you were there?

xo-Jamie

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April Fool’s Pranks

Happy April Fool’s Day! I’m not much of a prankster these days, but when I was younger, my stepfather and I used to try to sneak up and surprise the other. I’ll admit, he won the best “scare” attack of our ongoing battle.

One school night in the early-mid 80s, my mom and he went to bed about thirty minutes before I did. When I finally got sleepy, I climbed the stairs–arms loaded with school books–without turning on the lights, as was my custom. On the left side of the top of the stairs was a set of double doors that opened to a hallway that led to two bedrooms (including mine, which sat at the far end of that hall). The right wall of that hall had a built-in set of drawers with a marble top for folding things, which unit was flanked by two sizable closets. That particular night, unbeknownst to me, my rather large and clumsy stepfather had crawled up onto that slab and huddled in a ball–hidden by the closet walls–and was quietly waiting for me to appear. If you could see that space and know his size, that feat alone is remarkable. When he heard me come through the double doors and start down the hall, he screamed and flailed his arms about, nearly toppling off his perch. My books flew into the air and I fell to the floor, heart pounding, flopping like a fish on dry land, spitting out the words, “That. Was. The. Best. Scare. Ever!” My mother came rushing through the house, yelling at him for giving me a heart attack. He was laughing so hard, he was bent over, unable to breath. Good times, I tell ‘ya.

Yes, we were a bit twisted, and I probably wouldn’t enjoy that kind of scare today nearly as much as I did back then. But I still smile when I remember that prank.

He died almost fourteen years ago, and I haven’t engaged in any kind of real prank in at least a decade. My kids are teens now, so maybe it’s time I did. It’s not child abuse to torment your kids a little, is it?

To prepare, I did a little web browsing, hoping to poach a clever idea from people with more practice. Some good pranks I discovered include: putting tape over the sensor at the bottom of a mouse or the TV remote, making caramel covered onions and watching that first bite, turning someone’s clock ahead by an hour while they are asleep, putting a donut box with veggie snacks on the table, and texting someone “What’s your ETA?” when you have no plans.

While cute and not too time consuming, none of those ideas strikes the right chord for me and my family. I’m hoping you might have a suggestion. Make it quick, ’cause I’m running out of time!

xo-Jamie