Jane's Blog - Page 15 of 93 - Jane Porter | New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

Fast Five with Beth Kendrick

February 3, 2015 by Jane · View all 76 comments

My good friend Beth Kendrick is celebrating the release of her latest novel, New Uses For Old Boyfriends, a second chances, small town, mother-daughter bonding story with a beach house and a hot marine too! I love Beth’s voice and writing style and am so looking forward to reading this one.

Here’s a bit more about New Uses For Old Boyfriends –

After growing up in privilege and marrying into money, Lila Alders has gotten used to the good life. But when her happily ever after implodes, Lila must return to Black Dog Bay, the tiny seaside town where she grew up. She’s desperate for a safe haven, but everything has changed over the past ten years. Her family’s fortune is gone—and her mother is in total denial. It’s up to Lila to take care of everything…but she can barely take care of herself. The former golden girl of Black Dog Bay struggles to reinvent herself by opening a vintage clothing boutique. But even as Lila finds new purpose for outdated dresses and tries to reunite with her ex, she realizes that sometimes it’s too late for old dreams. She’s lost everything she thought she needed but found something—someone—she desperately wants. A boy she hardly noticed has grown up into a man she can’t forget…and a second chance has never felt so much like first love.

Sounds really good, doesn’t it? I hit Beth up for a fun Fast Five earlier today and she responded –

Dark choc or milk chocolate?
Dark. I’m having some right now, actually. You have to eat chocolate on your book release day. It’s federal mandate.

Beach or mountains?
Beach.

Heels or boots?
Heels. I love the way tall boots look, but my calves get claustrophobic.

Coffee or tea?
Tea.

Morning or night person?
Night. I do my best writing between 8 p.m. and midnight. Or at least, I did before I had kids. Now I go to bed much earlier and try to convince my brain to get creative in the morning. (See above: tea).

For those of you who enjoy ‘books-to-movies’, Beth’s novel, Nearlyweds, a story about three newlyweds whose marriages are accidentally annulled due to a clerical error, is now a Hallmark movie starring Naomi Judd and Danielle Panabaker. If you didn’t catch it on tv in January, there are two more airings scheduled this month so be sure to check the link for more details! Meanwhile, I’ve got a fun Hallmark movie and book prize package for one of you! For a chance to win, leave a comment and tell me if you’ve read Beth’s books and which one you’ve enjoyed the most.

Contest ends Friday, the 6th and winner will be announced on Saturday, the 7th. Good luck!

Bachelor Fan? Check out Marietta’s 6 Hot Bachelors!

February 1, 2015February 1, 2015 by Jane · View all 234 comments

Dear Reader,

I’ve been bad. Instead of writing (and I should be writing) I’ve been reading the first of the Montana Born Bachelor Auction stories coming in and I love them. This exciting new series set in Marietta, Montana is sexy and sweet, emotional and real and I think they’ve got great covers, too.

Bachelor #1, Beau Bennett, is brought to you by the one and only very talented Sarah Mayberry in Bound to the Bachelor. Here’s the blurb –

Your date with Marietta local Beau Bennett includes a day on the slopes at Big Sky Resort, complete with a sumptuous meal in the Resort’s fanciest fine dining restaurant and door-to-door transport. Dig deep to secure the attentions of one of Montana’s most eligible – and elusive – bachelors.

Lily Taylor knows Beau Bennett dislikes her, but that won’t stop her from asking him to volunteer for the Bachelor Auction she’s organized to help her friend Molly provide for her tragically injured son, Josh. If Beau’s gorgeous face, piercing blue eyes and chiseled body inspires the women of Marietta to dig into their pockets for a good cause, then Lily will do whatever it takes to secure his participation.

Beau Bennett isn’t sure how he wound up on the auction block being eyed up by hundreds of eager women, but he knows who to blame for it – Lily Taylor, the sexy, distracting, off-limits best friend of his kid sister. As far as he’s concerned, the sooner this nightmare is over, the better.

The last thing either of them expects is for Lily to wind up bidding on – and winning – Beau, or that their date will lead to Beau stepping in to save Lily when her past comes back to haunt her. As Beau does his best to keep Lily safe, they discover that maybe they don’t dislike each other quite as much as they thought.

In fact, maybe it’s just the opposite…

***

After Sarah’s story, there are five more delicious bachelors in the line-up, brought to you courtesy of some of today’s best writers, all bestselling and award winning authors in the romance industry. I’m sure you’re already familiar with Kate Hardy, Dani Collins, Kelly Hunter, Megan Crane and Kat Latham, but if not, you soon will be.

Now do me a favor. Check out the six Bachelor Auction series covers above, and tell me which is your favorite bachelor and one of you will win my fun Bachelor Auction Cover Reveal prize consisting of 3 signed JP books, a hand glazed mug, chocolates, a $5 Starbucks gift card and reader treats.

So do comment now, tell me your favorite and check back Friday as the giveaway ends Thursday night and the winner will be announced Friday morning. Good luck and may the best bachelor win! 🙂

Taming of the Sheenans

January 25, 2015January 25, 2015 by Jane · View all 243 comments

Hi Readers,

I’ve been getting a lot of emails about the Taming of the Sheenan stories and I love hearing from you and how much you’re enjoying the series. I am enjoying the Sheenan family, too. These brothers are serious alpha heroes who also have serious heart–and the good news is that there are still three more Sheenan stories to come!

Three more stories you ask? How can that be? (I know…5 brothers, 3 stories written, how does that add up to 6?) Well, I know something those Sheenans of Marietta don’t know. There’s a mystery in the family, and it’s not just the mom’s tragic death. There are secrets and we discover all this year.

But before I tell you about the new books coming, let me answer some of the questions I’ve been getting about the series so far.

Reader Question #1: Did Beauty’s Kiss (Troy’s story) get a title change? Is Beauty’s Kiss now Tycoon’s Kiss?

Answer: Yes, the title did get changed end of 2014 because many of my loyal readers didn’t think the title, Beauty’s Kiss, reflected the story as well as Tycoon’s Kiss, because the heroine, Taylor, isn’t a great beauty, but a smart, pretty, and very bookish librarian. Tycoon was chosen instead as Troy is a self-made man, and wildly successful, so it made sense from an editorial and marketing perspective to rename the story to Tycoon’s Kiss. (And it’s definitely sold better since the title changed, too!)

Reader Question #2: What happened to Cormac’s story, Home to Me? Wasn’t it supposed to be out last May or June in 2014?

Answer: As many of my readers noticed, Cormac’s story didn’t come out as planned. Why? I reluctantly had to put it on the back burner last Spring when I fell behind on my deadlines for Harlequin and Berkley. I didn’t want to set Cormac’s story aside, but digital publishing is more flexible than print publishing, so it made most sense to shift from Cormac to my contracted deadlines for Harlequin and Berkley, and then by the time I’d wrapped up It’s You for Berkley, it was time to write Trey’s story, The Kidnapped Christmas Bride, which is a Christmas story and couldn’t wait.

Reader Question #3: So is the next book coming out now, Cormac’s story?

Answer: Nope! Cormac still has to wait a little longer as I’m currently working on Dillon Sheenan’s story which will be out a month from now. Dillon is an interesting Sheenan. He’s the youngest of the five Sheenan brothers, and has a mind of his own, which includes getting out of Marietta and returning to his high-tech job in Texas. But fate has other plans for him. Taming of the Bachelor will release late February, and then early summer ’15 we finally get Cormac’s Home to Me!

Reader Question #4: So what will you write for Montana Born after Cormac’s story?

Answer: A missing Sheenan returns to Marietta just in time for the holidays (November 2015) and its an explosive reunionstory that is fiery, intense, bittersweet and hopefully very satisfying.

Reader Question #5: I don’t buy my books from Amazon. Why are your Sheenan stories only available at Amazon?

Answer: Good news!! The first three Taming of the Sheenan stories will soon be available on all retail platforms, including iBooks, B&N, Smashwords, Google Play and Kobo. They are currently being uploaded to all platforms and by end of February will be available. Yay!

Reader Question #6: Is there an order to the Taming of the Sheenan stories?

Answer: Each story is a stand alone story and you don’t have to read them in order, but if you like to read books in order, here is how they were written and published:

Christmas at Copper Mountain (Brock’s story)

Tycoon’s Kiss (Troy’s story, formerly known as Beauty’s Kiss)

The Kidnapped Christmas Bride (Trey’s story)

And then these are the new releases for this year:

Taming of the Bachelor (Dillon’s story) out late Feb

Home to Me (Cormac’s story) out in June

and the surprise Sheenan Christmas story in November!

So tell me, if you’ve read any of my Sheenan romances, do you have a favorite? Or a favorite brother? Share with me in the comments below and one of you will win a gorgeous glazed mug, a signed set of 3 Montana Born anthologies (which each feature a Taming of the Sheenan story), a tin of amazing hot cocoa, a $5 Starbucks gift card and lots of fun reader swag. Contest ends on Thurs Jan 29th with winner announced on Friday the 30th so do comment now for a chance to win!

And thank you for being my reader! xoxox

Jane

Treat yourself to a Hot Aussie Hero!

January 23, 2015 by Jane · View all 119 comments

I’ve always loved Australia and visited there a few times with my family. I love the vivid colors, the stunning scenery, the wonderful, big-hearted people and just that punch of strong emotion this country always evokes in me. It always takes my breath away.

So it thrilled me to bits when Tule Publishing’s Holiday Books decided to introduce readers to four fun and sexy Hot Aussie Heroes from Australia! Each story is packed with a ton of emotion and a delicious, hunky hero and there’s plenty of gorgeous Australian scenery too, and I’ve invited the four authors of this great new series to join me here and tell you a bit about the stories.

Welcome authors!

Margareta Osborn – The Cowboy
Sexy, laid-back yet capable, Aussie cowboy, Jake Richardson, is the polar opposite of chic, tough, go-get-’em New York business woman Carina ‘Ree’ Chapman. And when these two meet, their instant antipathy (… or is it instant attraction?) causes sparks to fly.
I’ve always loved the idea behind the Crocodile Dundee movies – the “That’s not a knife. This is a knife,’ quirky kind of humor and it was a variation on this theme that sat at the back of my mind as I wrote ‘The Cowboy’. I’ve worked and lived on the land all my life here in Australia and met plenty of guys like Jake. Put them in an upmarket professional capacity in the inner city and they’ll be all at sea. Place them at home in the Australian bush and they can deal with most things in an offhand way that makes tough and often seemingly irretrievable situations look like a walk in the park. They’ve got that “she’ll be right, mate” attitude, and just knuckle down and fix whatever is the problem – snakes, wild horses, broken down trucks miles from home. It must be the caveman thing – very sexy.
Conversely, I’ve always admired women like Carina. They know the right clothes to wear in any situation, the difference between twenty different kinds of coffee, can put together a marketing plan in ten minutes flat, wear stiletto’s like they’re cowgirl boots and just ooze with confidence in any situation life throws at them. Even finding out their secretary has booked them into the wrong resort, in a place out the back of beyond owned by a sexy, tough cattleman who promises to deliver the five step method to an everlasting relationship. How on earth can an Aussie outback bushman know anything about that? Ree asks herself.

She’s about to find out.

Amy Andrews – The Hero
Finding inspiration for my hot Aussie heart throb was NOT difficult. Justin is an Australian actor who has made it big in Tinsel Town. And there’s plenty of inspiration around for that!
Exhibit A – Chris Hemsworth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1koL8tdLit4
Exhibit B – Hugh Jackman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNWbW8SbVjw
Exhibit C – Erica Bana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ9Peht2B44
Exhibit D – Simon Baker- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIFZ-Rp_0p4
Exhibit E – Sam Worthington https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QvvoTZkfFU
See? I was spoilt for choice. And Justin Wilde is just as hunky!

Madeline Ash – The Playboy
Thanks for having us on your blog today, Jane! I’d love to introduce Parker Hargraves, the sexy hero in my novella The Playboy. Parker was a player when he was younger: blond, gold-skinned and wealthy – and obnoxious to the point where he humiliated Alexia. Years on, he’s learned humility and compassion the hard way, and wants to make amends for how he treated her.
The character of Parker is actually from a manuscript I wrote years ago. I couldn’t get him to connect properly with that heroine, so put it aside. It’s like he knew he was meant to be with Alexia, because as soon as I put him on page with her, he couldn’t get enough! In this version, he owns a successful surf brand and beachside bar, rides the waves every morning, and will do anything to win Alexia’s heart. She’s one lucky lady, let me tell you…

Victoria Purman – The Millionaire
Don’t we all love someone who wants to change the world? Sure, we all love a handsome man too, but combine those looks with a commitment to making the world a better place and, phwoar. Instant hero material.
In The Millionaire, I wanted to explore what happens when suburban reporter Ellie Flannery meets international photojournalist Chris Malone, the man she’s admired because of his work in the world’s trouble spots and disaster zones.
But when she meets him in the flesh, and things get off to a rocky start, she decides that perhaps it’s best not to meet your heroes after all. I loved writing Ellie’s story and how she gradually sees more than his reputation and, for Chris, I wanted to show him coming to an understanding that that there’s more to life than running from one war zone to another and that he should be chasing Ellie’s heart instead.

Thank you, Authors, for sharing your insight with us. Loved reading it all! Readers, if you didn’t already do so, please go grab your downloads of each of these fantastic stories and enjoy some sexy fun. And speaking of fun, there’s more to be had! I’ve got a great Aussie prize pack worth $50.00 here for one of you. For a chance to win, leave a comment and let me know if you’ve been to Australia and what you loved most about your trip. Or if you’ve not been, would you like to visit one day? Winner will be announced Wednesday, the 28th!

Debra Salonen’s Montana Darling

January 9, 2015January 9, 2015 by Jane · View all 123 comments

I have been loving Debra Salonen‘s Big Sky Mavericks series and am really looking forward to reading book 3, MONTANA DARLING, which released today. An award-winning journalist and author of over 26 publishing novels, Debra has an amazing voice and infused humor and warmth in her stories which makes it so easy to fall in love with her characters.

I invited Debra to share more about the new story with all you because I know it’s one you’ll want to read! Please help me welcome Debra Salonen!

Thank you, Jane–and New Year’s greetings to all of your fabulous friends!

I’m so excited about my new Tule book, MONTANA DARLING.

I love connected books, and this is #3 in my Big Sky Mavericks series. It’s Mia’s book. Mia. As I wrote in my Dear Reader letter: “Poor Mia. That’s what everyone says. A breast cancer survivor and single mom, Mia’s fed up with having things taken from her. Look out, hot, gorgeous, interesting stranger camping on her land. You’re about to meet your match…your perfect match.”

I only had a vague idea of Mia’s hero when I started the book, but I knew he had to be exceptional. And…oh, my…Ryker is very special. I love what one reviewer wrote about him: “Ryker was just the sweetest and most understanding man a person can fall in love with.” I did fall in love with him. I hope you do, too. Who wouldn’t love a man who makes you see yourself through his loving eyes?

I’m working on Meg’s book, MONTANA MAVERICK. This book has been full of surprises, too, starting with the opening line: “It was a dark and stormy night…”

What? That’s been done before? LOL. Just wait. You’ll see…

Do you like description or dialogue to open a book? One winner will get the prize below.

Deb

Here’s an excerpt from Montana Darling:

They waddled quite gracelessly through the wet yard to the patio, which provided enough protection for Ryker to shake out the umbrella and stash it in a dry corner. He pulled a key from his pocket. “Side door,” he said, drawing her with him. “The slider is very sticky.”

Mia had been to Bailey’s workshop several times, but never at night. They kicked off their shoes and boots on a wide woven mat. “My socks are wet.”

“Mine, too. We can dry them on the register in my room.”

His hand was warm and comforting. “Want some tea or cocoa? Won’t be as good as Sage Carrigan’s.”

She squeezed his fingers. “Nothing right now.”

Was that signal clear enough? She wanted something that had nothing to do with food. She wanted him, God help her. She even brought along a couple of the condoms she bought in Bozeman the last time she was there. Not for fear of pregnancy, but because she hadn’t taken him up on his offer of a doctor’s report.

Her lack of female plumbing was another reason why this fling with Ryker could never go any further than a little temporary fun. He wasn’t even thirty. He’d want children at some point. He deserved a family of his own. She wasn’t the right woman for him…long-term, but for tonight? She wasn’t a sex fiend, but she felt fairly confident they’d both enjoy what was about to happen.

“What’s it like living in a jewelry store?” she asked as they passed the new showroom.

He shrugged. “Ask me in a week. When I was doing school pictures, I left in the morning before the ladies got here and they were gone by the time I got back.” He paused, his smile a bit mischievous. “But they’re really nice. They think I’m too thin so they leave plates of goodies for me. One of the ladies–I don’t know which–makes the best brownies on the planet. Do you want one?”

She did. “I cut sugar out of my diet because somebody told me or I read somewhere that sugar feeds cancer cells.”

He pulled her close. “But you got rid of the cancer cells.”

“I did, didn’t I?” What was her excuse for cutting pleasure from her diet? As a punishment for getting sick in the first place? “Okay. Give me a brownie.”

His smile triggered something silly, bright and magical inside her. She applauded when he danced like some crazy hipster down the hallway to the kitchen. He was a young Tom Cruise in white socks and blue jeans, with a mop of curls and laughing eyes.

He returned a second later in serious waiter mode–a yellow plate resting on his uplifted hand. “Madam,” he said with a phony French accent. “If you weel follow me. Your table..or should I say…bed…is waiting.”

Bed. The b-word. God, I’m really going to do this, aren’t I?

His bow was her answer. Tonight was about having fun.

Exactly what he made her want to feel again. Ryker Bensen was the right man to remind her she was still alive.

~~~

Thank you, Debra, for sharing with us today! Readers be sure to download your copy of MONTANA DARLING today and to help Debra celebrate her new release, I’ve got a special JP Friends Collection prize for you, filled with books, giftcards, a book necklace with your first initial, reader goodies and so much more! For a chance to win, leave a comment and you’ll be entered! I’ll announce a winner on Monday, January 12th.

Getting Going: Goals & Writing

December 29, 2014December 29, 2014 by Jane · View all 89 comments

I often get questions from fellow writers about the writing life, and I forget that Tule has put out a great book with articles and essays and writing tips with lots of my thoughts and advice on the writing life, but not everyone wants to read a book with tips and suggestions. Many people just want the short version, or the secret to getting words down.

Well, there is no secret. It’s work. It’s always been work, and yes, it was maybe more fun before I made it a full-time job, but it’s actually really fun being comfortable with what you do, and having some skills and the ability to manipulate craft to get the story you want.

So as I start a new story, Dillon Sheenan’s story, I thought I’d share with all how I keep on track with my writing. It’s not new, or revolutionary, it’s just three little things I do that are essential for me to getting the work done even when family and other commitments press in.

1) Set a goal or have a firm deadline for your WIP.

When a publisher gives me a deadline and money, I have to deliver. But before I was contracted or had sold a book, I gave myself firm deadlines, too. I HAD to meet those…which is how I sold.

2) Create a writing ritual.

Some authors work out, some take a bath or shower, some reread their work from the day before. Whatever it is that helps you settle into writing and focus, do it. My ritual is: clear off desk, make a cup of tea, light a candle, sit down, put on headphones and play music or white noise and get to work. I have to stay off the internet, too, and obviously the point is get your butt in a chair and to write. Not to fiddle or do Pinterest or answer email. The goal is word count. The goal is immersion in your story. Clear everything from your head–and desk–that isn’t related to the story.

3) Enjoy your story and characters.

If you don’t like them, and enjoy them, and believe in the world you’re creating…no one else will. Whenever I’m struggling with a story it’s probably because I don’t love them yet. So figure those characters out. Make them real. Make them honest and raw and give them goals and needs and dreams that matter. And then those characters become important…not just to you, but to your reader, too.

Still want more writing tips? You’re in luck! I’m giving away a writer’s giveaway, with a Grand Prize filled with my favorite writing reference books (several taken straight from my shelf as I have more than 2 copies of many) plus a copy of Tule Publishing’s Writing the Bestseller, along with a $10 Starbucks drink card, a Tule tote bag, water bottle, pens, notepads and fun reader/writer swag. But that’s not all…. I will also be drawing 3 runner up prize winners who will each receive a copy of Tule’s Writing the Bestseller, a $5.00 Starbucks card, a Tule tote bag, Tule water bottle, pens, and reader/writer swag. Winner will be announced on January 1st so please check back then!

Now go get writing, or if you’re not a writer but have another goal, something that’s important to you, focus on it, and make 2015 about you and what you want to do!

Did you win?

December 27, 2014December 29, 2014 by Jane · View all 25 comments

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas!

We have unclaimed prizes from previous posts and if I don’t hear from the winners soon, I’ll be doing a big giveaway for the New Year with mystery prizes.

So readers, if your name was picked as a winner on one of my recent blogs, please email me right away with your mailing address. I would hate for you to miss out on the goodies!

Happy Holidays!

December 21, 2014December 21, 2014 by Jane · View all 258 comments

Happy Holidays! It’s my middle son’s 16th birthday this week and we’re heading to Disneyland with my sister’s family and brother’s family for a Porter holiday.

I hope your baking is done and your shopping is finished and now you’re just left with wrapping and celebrating.

I’m sharing a few of my favorite carols to keep things festive and fun!

and this one:

What is your favorite carol, and do you have a song by a favorite artist? Let me know and one of you will win a box of holiday treats, sweets, great reads and so much more! Winner will be announced on the 26th of December.

Holiday baking – Such sweet goodness!

December 15, 2014December 21, 2014 by Jane · View all 96 comments

Hi Readers,

I’m hosting a cookie swap for the awesome Tule team this week and baking dozens of my favorite holiday cookies for the party, along with cookies and candy for the family.

Growing up, it was the tradition to begin holiday baking right after Thanksgiving and my mom would make roll out sugar cookies, butterscotch scotties, Spritz cookies, pralines, fudge, and so much more. But this recipe below is one my boys love, and so of course Trey Sheenan (The Kidnapped Christmas Bride) is one of my boys, too, so I’ve put McKenna in the Cray Cabin kitchen making cookies for Trey and TJ.

Trey’s Favorite Peppermint Pinwheel Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red food coloring
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and combine well. Divide dough in half; add extract and red food coloring to one portion.
On a work surface, roll out each portion of dough between waxed paper into a 16″x10″ rectangle. Removed waxed paper. Place red rectangle over the plain rectangle. Roll up tightly like a jelly-roll. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or until firm. Unwrap the dough and cut into 1/4″ slices. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

And here’s another favorite from Harley’s kitchen that she loves to make for Brock Sheenan’s family (Christmas at Copper Mountain) every Christmas.

Harley’s White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Ingredients:
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups white vanilla chips or 8 oz. vanilla flavored
1 (3 1/2 oz) jar macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
candy coating, coarsely chopped

Directions:
Heat oven to 375*F. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, sugar, margarine, and shortening; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; blend well. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Stir in vanilla chips and macadamia nuts. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375*F. for 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.

Do you have a favorite cookie you have to make every year for your family? Share with me—yes, I know, I know, I ask this every year but I love talking cookies!—and one of you will win a holiday box filled with great reads and festive cheer! I’ll announce the winner on Sunday, the 21st!

Did you win?

Happy Holidays!

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