Jamie Beck's Blog, page 8

Let’s Connect

I’ll admit, at times social media can be painful to me. I’m not a natural born extrovert. Until I’m introduced to someone, I’m very shy, which can often be mistaken as aloofness. I’m not particularly witty, either, although I sure do appreciate those who are. And if given the choice between entering a serious debate or going to a cocktail party, I’d take the debate 9 out of 10 times.

However, it’s true that, the more you do something, the more comfortable it becomes. Since I began seriously pursuing a writing career a few years ago, I’ve become active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and this blog. I’ve learned how to link some of these things together, and make sure they also show up on my Goodreads and Amazon author pages. I’ve tried tracking which kinds of posts elicit the most engagement, but that remains a mystery because I still can’t identify a pattern. Well, except for husband tomfoolery posts. Those are always popular and, lucky for me, my husband’s a good sport!

The one thing that keeps me motivated is when others engage with me. Whether it’s a back-and-forth on Facebook, a response to a newsletter, or an “ask an author” question on Goodreads, those little moments of connection make the multiple hours spent curating content seem worthwhile.

So I’m coming directly to the source and asking, what kinds of content are you interested in reading? Fun, flirty, pop-culture topics? Psychological explorations about love and relationships? Reading recommendations and reviews? Something else or all of the above?

Please feel free to drop me a note (or leave a comment) with any suggestion. It will make this a better experience for all if I can hit upon things that you enjoy reading and thinking about.

Hope your summer is going well!

xo-Jamie

 

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Katherine’s 12 Months of Beauty–May/June

Katherine’s back with her on-going series, testing out the top-rated beauty products for you:

Wow…I blinked and somehow missed my May beauty product review. Sorry about that peeps!

Let’s get right to business on the product review:

Garnier Ulta-Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream is the product that uses essential oil, plant extracts, and Adenosine, to regenerate your skin’s surface layer while you sleep.

So what did I notice?

The scent is delightful- -lavender oil, and who doesn’t love that?
The cream was thick and lush, but absorbs quickly.
My skin did feel more smooth and hydrated.

Overall, I  liked the cream but felt it was a little heavy for my skin in the spring/summer. I think this is a better winter cream for my complexion. I was relieved that my easy-to-break-out skin didn’t react badly to this cream. When I did a little more research, I discovered that one of the key active ingredients is LHA, which is similar to a salicylic acid to fight bacteria and boost radiance. This is good news for anyone that has acne-prone skin.

Bonus: A few fine lines around the eyes didn’t stand out quite as much while using the cream.

I will buy it again and use it in the winter. Will you give it a try?

Coming up for July

Every weekend this summer I’ll be hanging out in the sun on the lacrosse field sidelines for 8-10 hours. My lips are already feeling very abused (so, so dry). I’m going to give the Best Lip Balm award, ChapStick Total Hydration 100% Natural, a shot.  

Along with the ChapStick, I’m going to use the Best Face Wipes, Simple Skincare Micellar Make-up Remover Wipes while traveling to all these lacrosse tournaments. These wipes are a disposable towelette that “promises” to take off everything from foundation to mascara with just a few swipes (hoping it removes the sweat from standing out in the heat all day, too.)

 

Look for the review of these two products at the end of July!

Have you tried any of the products that I’ve reviewed this year? Would love to hear from you if you have!

XO–Katherine

Summer Romance Giveaway: 11 Books to One Winner

Q: What’s more fun to read in the summer than a romance novel?

A: How about ELEVEN romance novels?

Yes, I’m giving away 11 Kindle ebooks (one for every week) to one lucky winner. I’ve picked a wide variety, including a sweet romantic suspense, a few heartwarming options, and some very spicy books, too. All of these authors do a really nice job, so I’m convinced that, even with varied tastes, you will like at least a few of them. Maybe I’ll even introduce you to your next favorite author!

That begs the question–which books!?  Here you go:

Marina Adair’s CHASING I DO

Tamra Baumann’s IT HAD TO BE FATE

Miranda Liaisson’s THIS LOVING FEELING

Shelly Alexander’s IT’S IN HIS SMILE

Gail Chianese’s FIANCE FOR KEEPS

Regina Kyle’s TRIPLE SCORE

Jamie Pope’s LOVE AND A LATTE

Erika Kelly’s TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT

Katy Lee’s BLINDSIDED

Megan Ryder’s GOING ALL THE WAY

Jamie K. Schmidt’s LIFE’S A BEACH

Some of these will be pre-orders (they release in July), but they should show up on your Kindle on their respective release days.

For a chance to win all 11 books, make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter and then leave a comment below telling me what you love most about romance novels! I’ll choose a winner on Monday, June 20th.

Good luck!

XO – Jamie

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5 Ways to Usher in Summer Fun

WOO HOO, it’s June! Time to enjoy the good weather. Kids love summer because school is out and every day becomes a “play” day. Adults…not so much. We still have work to do, housework to deal with, and all those other responsibilities that kids don’t realize go hand-in-hand with the alleged “freedom” of being a grown-up.

But being a grown-up doesn’t mean we can’t also make the most out of the summer. We work hard, we deserve a little playtime. Here’s my shortlist of things that should be on everyone’s summer calendar:

Theme Song. Yeah, this is kind of critical. Your summer theme song should be upbeat, catchy, and make you smile. This is the song you’ll crank in the car, or while at the pool or the beach. Your toes should tap of their own volition. It should make you smile. In fact, it should make you want to get up and dance. Mine? DNCE’s Cake by the Ocean. It may have come out last fall, but it is a summer song if I ever heard one.
Farmer’s Market. Local grown fruits and veggies are everywhere, so it is easy to eat healthy. I love strolling through our local farmer’s market and picking out fresh tomatoes and flowers. Mine also has one group that makes the BEST pesto (which, if I pick up fresh mozzarella, basil, and Italian bread, makes one great sandwich). So look around your ‘hood and grab some stuff you can use for item #3.

Copyright: alexraths / 123RF Stock Photo

BBQ. Yep, time to kick off summer by inviting friends over for a casual BBQ. Few things say summer like a grill and eating al fresco. Whether that means burgers, dogs, and corn on the cob, or fancy steaks, is up to you. The key to a successful BBQ is actually the company. So ice down some beer (or white wine) and call your besties!
Summer-Only Recreation. Take advantage of opportunities that can only come around at this time of year (well, at least for those of us who live in the Northeast). I’m talking about drive-in movies (yes, they still exist, although they are few and far between), outdoor summer concert series (we have great ones in Connecticut and New York), and swimming (whether you prefer a pool or a beach).

Copyright: Hbak / 123RF Stock Photo

Beach Books. This is the best time to pick up a few summer romances. Read those smarty-pants book club books some other time. It’s time for “summer lovin’!” Of course, I’d love for Secretly Hers to be on your summer romance reading list, but I’ll also recommend a bunch of other authors you can try:

Heartwarming: Kristan Higgins, Marina Adair, Gail Chianese, Liz Talley, Jeannie Moon, Tamra Baumann, Shelly Alexander, Miranda Liaisson *both Tamra and Jeannie are up for Booksellers Best Awards this year

Spicy: Regina Kyle, Jamie K. Schmidt, Erika Kelly, Megan Ryder *both Regina and Erika are up for Bookseller’s Best Awards this year.

Historical: Julie Anne Long, Lisa Kleypas, Elizabeth Hoyt *(I LOVED EH’s latest, Duke of Sin, and its amoral yet fascinating hero! Such fun). *Julie Anne Long is up for a RITA this year, with It Started with a Scandal…one of my all-time favorite books!

Hopefully this has given you a place to start your summer. I hope you have a great one! If you’ve got a tip or reading recommendation to share, please do!

XO-Jamie

Historical Romance Brought to Life

I’ve just returned from a whirlwind trip to London. In three and a half days, I squeezed in sight-seeing all around the city, plus trips to the Cotswolds, Bath, and Stonehenge. Suffice to say, my Fitbit got quite the workout!

Those of you who have been following this blog (or, more particularly, my Goodreads reviews) know of my love for historical romance. Well, this trip made me feel as if I’d stepped into the pages of some of my favorite books. Best of all, the settings exceeded my imagination (no easy feat).

For example, take Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and also the family estate of the 12th Duke of Marlborough (and his ancestors).

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire

I imagine this might be something like the Duke of Bewcastle’s grand estate (from Mary Balogh’s Slightly Dangerous). By the way, that’s still one of my favorite books. And yes, this was actually one family’s home. The current Duke still keeps apartments there, although obviously it is open to touring as well. This is where he and his family still celebrate Christmas dinner!

Then we have Windsor Castle, which is where the Queen sometimes lives, and is also home to St. George’s Chapel (where Henry. How many historicals mention the King’s court and St. George’s? Many! It was beyond exciting to be there.

Windsor Castle

I also toured the Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels are kept.

Tower of London

Sadly, we weren’t permitted to take photos of those, but those crowns had jewels as big as lumps of coal. This is also the place where many executions occurred, including Anne Boleyn. It was haunting to read the dozens of etched texts left by past prisoners.

Prisoner’s inscription

This one was my favorite. In case you can’t read it, it reads: Wise men ought circumspectly to see what they do, to examine before they speake, to prove before they take in hand, to beware whose company they use and, above all things, to whom they trust.

The history is phenomenal.

I strolled down “Rotten Row” in Hyde Park. Saw the former mansions in Mayfair. Visited Covent Garden and saw a show in a theater built in the 1800s. Luckily, however, I was not forced to do all of this while wearing a corset, long dress, and slippers!

Finally, we went to Bath, a beautiful little town. It’s been described in so many of my beloved historical romance novels, I nearly floated across its streets from the excitement of being there.

Bath

I wish I could return and spend time there writing (possibly in the very place where Jane Austen used to meet up with her contemporaries).

Assembly Room where Jane Austen used to hang out!

 

 

 

 

I feel so blessed to have been able to take the trip. Now every time I read another historical romance, I will be transported again and again.

Is there a setting you’ve read about in a story and would love to visit? Do share!

XO-Jamie

 

“Promposals:” A Good Thing or Not?

It’s that time of year again: Prom season!

Some things haven’t changed throughout the decades, like mothers and daughters going shopping for the perfect dress and shoes. Of course, gone are the flouncy princess dresses of yore. I still remember my purple silk-organza gown, with its ruffled, off-the-shoulder neckline, fondly. It looked perfect with my Eighties-style big hair, I swear! Sadly, all the pictures are at my mom’s, so I can’t share.

Other things have changed a lot, most notably the latest trend: the Promposal. Teen boys (for the most part) across the nation nervously planning some way to wow their prospective dates with an Instagram or YouTube-worthy plan.

I can’t decide whether or not I think these Promposals are a good or bad thing.

They range from the sweet:

 

To the touching/tear-jerker:

 

To the painfully awkward:

 

My initial response to the hoopla is that it is a result of the reality-TV / selfie-obsessed generation that’s been trained to believe every second of every day needs to be larger-than-life and recorded for posterity. That side of this craze isn’t healthy. Not only does it create a tremendous amount of pressure on kids to come up with bigger and better ideas, but it’s also proven that chronic social media focus is actually causing depression…but that’s a topic for another post.

On the other hand, and particularly when watching some of the cuter Promposals that go well, I have to admit that I love watching creative kids who are willing to make themselves vulnerable in such a public way. There’s something courageous and inspiring about it.

And maybe these bigger milestones deserve to be recorded. Honestly, I can’t remember how my boyfriend asked me to Prom. We’d been dating all year, so it’s possible he never formally asked at all. We just assumed we’d be going!

So what’s your take on the Promposal: yay or nay?

XOXO-Jamie

 

Love, Grief, and Characters

We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in. — Ernest Hemingway

I just turned in the final Sterling Canyon book to my editor, which means it’s time to start a new series. Similar to my St. James series, this one will be a set of connected stories (tentatively, the Cabot novels) centering around three siblings in a somewhat dysfunctional yet loving family.

One theme that will be layered throughout the first book will be grief (personal and professional). I know. I’m writing romance, so why veer toward heavy sorrow? Why give both the hero and heroine a material, complex loss to overcome?

Well, because, to me, I’m writing a love story. And not all love stories should be witty, sexy romps filled with banter and white-hot attraction. In real life, some true love stories are borne from the worst circumstances, and are all the more memorable for it. Of course, whether or not I’m up to the challenge of writing that bittersweet yet compelling love story is yet to be determined. I hope so.

I also suspect there are readers mourning things in their lives–not just deaths, but other losses–who might be inspired by characters who overcome grief. In most of my stories, I aim to create realistic and familiar scenarios that readers can relate to and, even better, that challenge their perspective with regard to “the norm.” I love a good debate, after all. In my opinion, nothing teaches us more about ourselves and the world than when we are forced to consider an opposing point of view.

Finally, how we handle grief says something about who we are. We can all agree that the basis of grief is a lost attachment. Some people choose to avoid deep attachments in order to prevent grief. Others may have had an unhealthy attachment or unresolved difference with someone from which they might forever struggle to recover. And finally, some may handle grief remarkably well because they focus on their gratitude for the attachment they had the privilege to enjoy for however long it lasted. In all these cases, you have a very different character in play, which gives me a lot of directions I can pursue in terms of character and story development.

Best of all, this kind of theme allows me to really explore the truth of Hemingway’s observation. I love that quote, not only for its simplicity, but also for its optimism. That is the goal–the endpoint–of any character arc, after all. From darkness to light. Hopefully by beginning at the lowest of lows, the high will be more satisfying.

Speaking of characters, if you’d like to help me build the foundations of new ones, share your take on grief. Have you seen someone handle it very well or very poorly? Do you have a process that speeds up your recovery time, or do you go dark and quiet for a while? Do you rely on faith or friends? Do you get angry? Let me know and you might see your note reflected in my new story next year.

xo-Jamie

 

 

12 Months of Beauty, Part 4

Hey Ho…Katherine here with the beauty updates on the two new products I mentioned back in March.

With spring here and summer knocking on our doors, I have found the perfect razor for you gals.  After over a month of using the SCHICK HYDRO SILK TRIMSTYLE, I’ve had a while to get acquainted with this 2-in-1 razor and bikini trimmer. Note: before trying this product, I was a daily shaver.  You heard me right! I’ve been shaving my legs and under my arms daily for the last 30+ years until I found this little beauty.  Overall, this product has made shaving a slightly less annoying experience for me.

This razor gives such a close shave, I don’t need to do it daily.  Also, it has a moisture strip that, in my opinion, works just about as well as shaving cream. The razor glided right over my skin, removing hair quickly and easily with little irritation.  I usually get a lot of irritation when using other razors, especially the disposable ones. Due to habit, I did sometimes use shaving cream with this razor, and that works, too. Either way, you get a very smooth finish!

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to sample the COMPLETELY BARE MOISTURIZING NO BUMP SHAVE GEL that I had wanted to test.  Why?  Because I couldn’t find it anywhere! I tried CVS, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens.  If you find it, please let me know where.  I would still like to try it (even though you really don’t need shaving cream with this razor).

I enjoyed the razor very much, and for this reason I would most likely be willing to purchase this product again.

 

As for the bikini trimmer…that was a winner for me too.

I haven’t ever used one before, so I have nothing to compare it to. As for the features, it has an adjustable guard to keep you from nicking your lady parts, which is good to have while you’re experimenting. You can also remove the guard, if you’re looking to get a closer trim. There are four adjustable lengths, but I didn’t really check those out.  I am a girl that likes a nice bikini wax, so this will not really replace that for me, but it does extend the amount of time between waxes (which is a good thing for the checkbook)! I’ll say that using a bikini trimmer can help you cut back on (or get rid of) the irritation you’d normally get with saving.  And if you’re completely intolerant of the pain you’d experience waxing, then this may be for you.

Another plus to add to the list of pluses-the whole thing is waterproof. I was highly skeptical of this at first. But when I turned on the electric trimmer after having gotten some water on it and safely avoided being electrocuted, it kept working.  Also, interestingly, the product twists open in the middle so you can replace the battery. One was included in the package, in case you were wondering. To date, I have not had to replace the battery.  Also, all of the trimmer parts are detachable for easy cleaning, yet another plus.

In summary, I would give this razor and bikini trimmer a 9/10 collectively. 

What’s up for May?  I am out of the Hydro Boost Water Gel that I liked so much over the winter months.  So instead of purchasing a new jar, I am going to try the Best Night Cream winner, GARNIER ULTRA-LIFT MIRACLE SLEEPING CREAM.  This product contains hydroxy acids that smooth your complexion, and lavender (I love anything lavender) oil that soothes your skin —while you are snoozing!

I’ll be back in May to review this product and introduce one or two others from the list of top beauty products I mentioned back in January. Until then, enjoy the beautiful spring weather!

xo-Katherine

The Joy of Celebrating Romance Readers

I confess, I’m in a great mood despite the fact that snow is falling outside. Yes, snow in April. Needless to say, spring weather in New England is unpredictable. But I digress. My point is that I can deal with the snow because I’m still riding the high from the weekend thanks to dozens of readers, librarians, and bloggers (*waves to Heroes and Heartbreakers*).

The Pond House

On Saturday, my Connecticut Romance Writers of America chapter hosted its first annual “Spring into Romance” luncheon, (which was open to librarians, book sellers, and readers) at The Pond House. When we conceived of the idea months ago, we had no idea whether or not it would work. I admit, at first I had that sick feeling you get when you start to plan a party and wonder whether anyone will show up.

 

 

My beta readers

Luckily, we ended up with 97 guests (including some of our chapter’s authors). Those of us on the board were pleased with that turnout considering this was our first attempt to organize such an event. Our president, Jamie Pope, offered some welcoming remarks, and Kristan Higgins gave a lovely keynote address to the crowd. Spirits were high, I tell you. Of course, it probably didn’t hurt that we loosened everyone up with a complimentary cocktail.

The Three Jamies!

Those who came enjoyed a great meal, played a fun trivia game (although my table did not fare so well in this), and mingled with other romance novel lovers, all of whom got to take home a goody bag with free books, frames, wine glasses, and more.

 

 

But while all of that is very fine and made for a pleasant afternoon, what stuck with me was the enthusiasm of so many who were interested in meeting some of their favorite authors.

Authors Kristan Higgins, Erika Kelly and guests

I really can’t describe how much having a reader tell you, “I love your books” means to me. It is what makes me sit at this desk day after day. It gets me through reading a less flattering review. It helps me quiet the self-doubt that starts screaming midway through any draft.

 

So, this post, like this past weekend, is my little love note to my readers.

Authors Sadie Hartwell, Katy Lee and guests.

I wish more of you lived in Connecticut so that you could participate in some of the activities my chapter organizes. In lieu of that, I appreciate your participation on my Facebook page, and cherish every single reader email I get (including the ones that tell me what should happen next in a series).

Author Gail Chianese and guests

 

 

I know I speak on behalf of my chapter and all of my writing friends when I say that you, dear readers, are the reason we keep writing. Thank you for spending your time with our stories!

xo-Jamie

Awards–What Do They Mean?

Yesterday was a monumental day in the world of romance authors, for some more than others. The Romance Writers of America announced the finalists is its annual RITA (published authors) and Golden Heart (unpublished authors) contests.

Copyright: krisckam / 123RF Stock Photo

Alas, my books did not make the cut. But in all honestly, I had no expectation that they would. Thousands of books are judged by an equal number of readers, and the scores are largely subjective. To final, a book must not only be of a certain quality, but must also fall into the hands of three judges who love it. Ever read a book a friend highly recommended only to think to yourself, “meh?” Yeah. That happens, as proven by the fact that some of my favorite stories and authors from last year did not make the cut.

Authors’ reactions to losing can range from anger, cynicism, and defeat, to mild disappointment and a commitment to do better next year. Apparently, this disparity in response is universal in any artistic industry in which awards are distributed (music, television, film). In fact, I’ve pulled a bunch of quotes by famous people about awards. What shocked me is to see that Tom Cruise had the most balanced opinion (or, at least, the one that most mirrors my own).

At one end of the spectrum, you have these:

Of course awards matter. Frank Ocean

It’s very validating when you are new in the industry to get awards. It boosts your self-esteem. Sheena Easton

I’ve won many awards and I want more. If you want to call it hunger then I’m hungry for awards. Shah Rukh Khan

At the other end, you hear this:

Awards are meaningless to me, and I have nothing but disdain for anyone who actively campaigns to get one. Bill Murray

Awards are so unnecessary because I think we get so much out of our work just by doing it. The work is a reward in itself. Natalie Portman

Do awards change careers? Well, I haven’t heard of many stories where that’s the case. It’s a fun excuse to meet colleagues and celebrate people who’ve done well that year in certain people’s eyes, and it’s nothing more than that. Benedict Cumberbatch

And then there is the Tom Cruise opinion, which is how I feel (except for the part about having won many, since I’ve yet to win any, LOL!)

Awards are wonderful. I’ve been nominated many times and I’ve won many awards. But my journey is not towards that. If it happens it will be a blast. If it doesn’t, it’s still been a blast. Tom Cruise

While Ms. Portman makes an excellent point, it seems a tad bit disingenuous. Yes, awards are not necessary, but they are fun. And I imagine it feels amazing to win (like Ms. Easton reports). However, I’d also guess that Mr. Cumberbatch is not wrong when he says it doesn’t necessarily change careers. For some it might, but there are certainly prior RITA winners whose names I’ve never heard before.

Basically, today I’m feeling proud of my friends who’ve been nominated and will cheer them on in July. Sure, I have a little envy for the thrill they must’ve experienced when getting the call, yet I am not depressed or jaded or bitter, because I know their accomplishments do not diminish my own.

I’ve released four books in my first fourteen months in the business. That feels amazing. I receive lovely emails from readers who’ve been touched by some of my work. Honestly, nothing could mean more than that to me. And I’m constantly making new friends in the industry, which has been such a gift for this stay-at-home mother of two.

Yes, next year I will ship off my work and cross my fingers, hoping I might get a turn in the spotlight. That nagging voice of self-doubt that says I’m an imposter might finally quiet down if I ever win a big award. But most importantly, I look forward to continuing to engage with my readers. They, after all, are the real prize to be treasured.

XO-Jamie