Jane's Blog - Page 28 of 93 - Jane Porter | New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

Jane’s Favs: The Secretary’s Seduction

December 18, 2012 by Jane · View all 127 comments

I’ve written over 40 books now and of the 40 there are reader favorites, and critics’ favorites, and then there are my favorites. I don’t know why I love some books more than others. I put the same amount of effort and energy, passion and patience into each. But some books are a struggle, and you wrestle with the characters and the plot, and wonder why you’re even writing that story, while others just pour out in an easy, smooth draft.

I haven’t had an easy smooth draft kind of story in awhile. (Flirting was one, Mrs. Perfect was another, and then there was Lazaro’s Revenge, which is one of my all time favorite Harlequins, and my second Rita finalist for best short contemporary series). But smooth easy to write stories aren’t necessarily indicators of a book’s success. I’ve struggled over stories that become immediate bestsellers. Obviously, the reader doesn’t always know when I’m cried and sweated (and maybe bled!!) over a book.

But looking back over the past forty some novels I’ve written since my first sale in 2000, there are a few stories I truly love, and right at the top is The Secretary’s Seduction.

The Secretary’s Seduction was also the first (and only??) one of my Harlequin Presents that didn’t make it out into the market in regular retail. It was instead part of a collection, that only a few stores carried, and most of my readers never read it….until now.

The Secretary’s Seduction was also a turning point for me as a writer. It was a ‘lighter’ story than my previous Harlequin Presents, with a more playful tone, and the hero, while still an alpha, (and wealthy and gorgeous), was more contemporary…more modern. I think my editors were a little disappointed with this book, as it was sweeter than my previous Presents. Some readers said it felt more like a Desire than a Presents, but honestly, I loved it. It was fun to write. I loved writing a boss/secretary romance that was also an Ugly Duckling story. This was also the book I wrote before I wrote The Frog Prince, my first single title novel, which some dubbed chick lit, and I just call modern lit.

In Australia they recently re-released The Secretary’s Seduction as part of a Jane Porter bestsellers collection, which delighted me as its impossible to get copies of this story in print. And then this week, I received copies of the Japanese manga edition for The Secretary’s Seduction, and it just made my week. Its probably one of my biggest thrills right now as a writer…seeing these cartoon versions of my novels. The drawings are incredible–the stylized characterization…the heroines so gorgeous with tons of long hair and big eyes and lots of tears sparkling in their eyes. The heroes almost always have long hair, too, and strong jaws. I’ve scanned some of the pages of the new manga so you can see.

As I mentioned above, for the past six years The Secretary’s Seduction has been almost impossible to get in print, anywhere, but its now–happily, wonderfully–available as an ebook, through Amazon and B&N.com.

But…thanks to the wonderful Harlequin office in Australia who sent me three copies of the Australia Jane Porter bestseller collection, I have three copies of the book to share with you, my readers.

So in honor of the holidays, and the fact that I adore this fun, sweet, sexy story (no horrible brooding heroes here!), I’m giving away all three copies of the Secretary’s Seduction in a awesome prize box. Each prize box is packed with great things, including a signed copy of The Secretary’s Seduction (a book that has truly become a collector’s item now), a beautiful glass Christmas ornament that ties into the NY novel setting, a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card, a surprise Jane Porter novel, popcorn, JP water bottle and lots more JP reader goodies!

For a chance to win one of these fun prizes, talk to me about your upcoming holidays–what are your plans? how are you doing? what are your favorite part of the holidays? is anyone as stressed as I am?!? –and you’re entered. The contest is a shortie and will run through Thursday night, and in a rare twist, I will also announce the winners sometime Thursday night…not sure when, so enter early and don’t leave it to the last minute, as I’m hoping to mail the 3 prize boxes out Friday. If I don’t do it then, they won’t get out for awhile as I’m heading to Hawaii on the 26th where I MUST finish my current book.

In the meantime, happy happy holidays. Sending so much love to all of you!

xoxoxox

Unclaimed Prizes Reminder

December 17, 2012 by Jane · View all 38 comments

Hey everyone, just a quick reminder to check back through my last few blog posts to see if you’ve won a prize. I’ve got some unclaimed prizes here and I need to hear from the winners – Today!

I want to get these in the mail before Christmas so please take a few minutes to look through the comments on my last few posts, check to see if your name is mentioned as a winner and if it is, email me ASAP ( jane (at) janeporter (dot) com ) with your mailing information. Remember it’s your responsibility to see if you’ve won. I’ve got some fun, wonderful stuff in these boxes and would hate to see you lose out.

If I don’t hear from you today, I’m going to have to give your prize to someone else – so hurry!

Celebrating Jane with Guest Author Karen Doornebos!

December 15, 2012 by Jane · View all 108 comments

Readers, I love our guest today and am so excited that she made time in her schedule to write a guest blog for me. I discovered Karen Doornebos this past year, and was delighted to discover that she’s seriously talented and incredibly witty. Today Karen’s going to talk about how wonderful Jane is, as well as Karen’s brilliant debut novel, Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, which I devoured. I really loved and I know you’ll love her, too. Without further ado, let me hand over the blog to Karen!

Happy Birthday to Jane…Austen!

(But you, the readers, are the ones who get the presents!)

Hello fellow Jane Porter fans and many thanks to you, Jane, for inviting me to join you on your fabulous blog. How nice to be here with my cup of tea. I’m raising my teacup to you and your readers!

Much as I adore you, Jane, there is of course, another Jane in my life. She’s been with me since I read Pride and Prejudice at sixteen and it’s none other than: Jane Austen. Tomorrow, Sunday December 16^th marks Austen’s 237^th birthday, and celebrations across the globe have been going on for weeks already. The celebrations include tea of course, and here in Chicago, The Jane Austen Society of North America raises a glass of champagne and toasts Austen before indulging in a full array of tea sandwiches, scones, and my personal favorite, figgy pudding.

The Jane Austen crowd will be especially giddy this year as January 2013 will be the 200^th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice. It may call for two glasses of champagne!

Austen, an author born in 1775, has really become a pop culture figure—spurring an entire industry of not only books, but merchandise that rivals the Star Wars franchise. You can buy a Jane Austen Action figure, tea towels that read Keep Calm and Read Jane Austen and so much more. In fact, I Googled “Jane Austen gifts” and came up with 2,380,000 hits!

Austen appears in the news on a regular basis. Most recently, a gorgeous turquoise ring of hers that had been handed down through the generations went up for sale at Sotheby’s and none other than Kelly Clarkson bought it! Austen fans are everywhere it seems.

It’s this phenomenon that inspired my debut novel, Definitely Not Mr. Darcy and continues to inspire my work. (Along with of course, Austen’s dashing line-up of swoon-worthy male characters, including Mr. Darcy and the lesser-known Mr. Tilney.)

Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy only added fuel to that fire. If you’ve never seen the 1995 A&E version of Pride & Prejudice, treat yourself, ladies, I say!

Men dressed in sexy breeches and cravats, with elegant manners. Women in gossamer ball gowns and gloves. A civilized match of archery on the west lawn.

What’s not to love? What sparked my imagination for Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, though, was that it’s easy to romanticize Jane Austen’s era. But what was the reality?

That’s why I decided to explore the concept of a reality show where all the contestants had to live as if it were 1812 in England, and my romantically-inclined single mom heroine had to navigate the dating scene of the time. She did so without deodorant, without running water, and without under-eye concealer by the way!

I had so much fun researching and writing the book! I had just as much fun researching my new book, due to be released in the fall of 2013. You will be among the first to know my next novel will be (drumroll—by a man in breeches and boots, of course):

Undressing Mr. Darcy.

You heard it here first! In this next book, (not a sequel), my heroine isn’t an Austen fan and spends a week as PR agent for an Englishman, a “Mr. Darcy” who does a historical striptease down to his drawers to promote his new book. It isn’t long until my public relations agent realizes things have gotten…personal.

Does that intrigue? I hope so.

I raise my teacup to both Janes—Austen and Porter!

Seriously, Jane, thanks for hosting me and giving away Definitely Not Mr. Darcy for Jane Austen’s birthday! It’s a thrill to be here!

~~~~

Thanks for visiting with us, Karen. I really enjoyed your post and can’t wait to get my hands on your next book. I’m so glad you were able to share the exciting news about Undressing Mr. Darcy here with us first!

And readers, in honor of Jane Austen’s birthday and Karen’s wonderful book, I’m giving away two fun prizes. The festive Jane Austen birthday box includes a copy of Definitely Not Mr. Darcy (which I have read and adored!!), a glass Christmas ornament celebrating England, a glazed mug, a box of English breakfast tea, a $5 Starbucks gift card, and lots of JP reader goodies. For a chance to win one of these wonderful, festive boxes, tell me if you’re an Austen fan, and if so, do you have a favorite book by Jane Austen, or a favorite film adaptation of one of Jane Austen’s novels?

The contest runs through midnight December 16th, and I’ll draw the two winners on Monday and announce the names in the comments below. This is a very short contest so be sure to check back Monday to see if you won! Best of luck, everyone.

Thank you Karen. And Happy Birthday Jane!

Let’s Make It Beautiful & Keep It Real

December 10, 2012 by Jane · View all 207 comments

I announced this week that 2012 was about personal change, and 2013 is going to be about professional change.

So in 2013 I’m shaking it up professionally.

I’m not going to write what I’ve been writing for all the publishers I’ve been writing for. My choice. I let my agent go and have yet to sign a contract with a new one. My choice. I’m anticipating changing what I write, and how I write, and possibly how I’m published. It might even mean I don’t write for awhile if that’s what it takes to figure out what I still want to accomplish in my career, and which stories are the stories I need to tell.

After forty plus books, I know what I do well, and I know what I enjoy, and I know what a story needs. But the marketing now…the promoting…its internet gone wild! Myspace gone. Facebook gone public. Tweet, tweet, twitter. Interest in pinterest? Goodreads. Bad Reads. Instagram, baby. Let’s not even get into blogging…

So in 2013 I’m going to make it beautiful and keep it real by writing stories for women not just in the 30’s and 40’s, but women in their 50’s and beyond, because women of all ages are fascinating and beautiful. I want to write about 60, 70, 80, 90 year old women, and how we age, and what happens to our families and our friendships as we change.

It means I want to write about first love at 16, and young women starting careers, and the excitement of being a bride, and the work of marriage. I want to write about babies, and infertility, and children leaving the nest. I want to write about women who feel broken but are actually strong.

I want to write about love–hot, sexy guys that make a girl feel gorgeous and young–and maternal love, and family love. Platonic love. Spiritual love. And very very carnal love.

I want to write about community, and faith, trust, betrayal, heartbreak. I want to write about birth, death, divorce. I want to write about success and failure. I want to write about hope and pain. I want to write about falling down and dragging yourself back up.

And I want it to be good. Because I’m writing for you.

I’ve got some more holiday prize boxes that need a home before the holidays come. Want a chance to win one? Talk to me below. It can be about anything. Big, small, deep, trivial. I’m all ears. And I read every single comment—not just once, but sometimes again and again–because you make it beautiful. And you keep it real.

Giveaway ends Thursday night, and I’ll announce the winners Friday morning. Good luck and happy December!

Readers, Books, & A Great Discussion

December 7, 2012 by Jane · View all 64 comments

I truly enjoy talking books (and smack!) with women. I love hearing what people are reading and enjoying, as well as what doesn’t work for them and why. One of my favorite things to do–besides treat friends to afternoon tea–is join readers for their book club get together.

It’s not always possible for me to attend in person. Usually I call in or Skype, but I love it when I can be there. I enjoy sipping wine and noshing on the appetizers (book clubs do the best food!) and then sitting down to discuss the book.

I said this a few weeks ago, but I never truly understand what I’ve written until I hear it discussed from the reader’s point of view, and the reader matters. The reader is everything. I want to know what you think, and what you like, and what you don’t like and why.

It’s interesting to me how different real readers respond compared to the critics. Flirting with Forty was widely panned by the critics. One reviewer called it cheesy and schmaltzy, labeling it a “story perfect for the Lifetime movie crowd” (ha!), and another (it was a male reviewer from Kirkus Reviews) said Jackie and her friends were pathetic and self-indulgent.

But as you know from the popularity of my last blog, readers had a different take on Flirting with Forty, especially my readers who’d been through a divorce or had hit forty and felt a little too empty inside. They identified with Jackie’s struggles and her need to stop putting herself last and to start making choices that would make her happy.

With Melanie’s mom, Sarah Flowers. It was a fun night!

I’ve learned that there is a difference between what people, or society, thinks a woman needs, versus what a woman wants or needs. I want to write the stories women want. I want to write the stories women enjoy.

P1080326 — Issaquah Highlands Annual Book Club Holiday Party

So now I’m asking for your help. What do you enjoy reading? If you are to pick up a book, what are you looking for? And when you finish the book, what do you want to think or feel? I really want to know what readers–especially my readers–are looking for in a novel. I’ve been writing hard, very hard, for the past ten years, and I’m thinking of changing it up next year. 2012 was full of personal change–I left Bellevue after 16 years and moved to California–and 2013 is going to be full of professional and creative change. But before I throw the baby out with the bath water, let me hear from you.

You are free to say as much as you want, or as little as you want. You can send me a private email if you’re concerned about saying something in the comments you don’t want others to read, but be sure to post below if you want a chance to win one of the 5 holiday prizes I’m giving away.

The contest closes midnight PST on Sunday, December 9th and I’ll announce the 5 winners Monday morning, but you can share your thoughts anytime, as often as you’d like. What are the prizes? I’ve got 4 holiday boxes and 1 book club party giveaway. The book club party giveaway includes 12 signed copies of The Good Woman, 12 swag bags of JP reader goodies, a See’s gift certificate (what’s a party without chocolate), and a Skype call in the night of your get-together, plus a holiday prize box for the winner, too!. If you are interested in the book club party, please make a note at the bottom of your comment that you belong to a book club or women’s group and to enter you for that one, too.

Have a wonderful weekend. I love this community with you!

Celebrating Flirting with Forty

December 5, 2012 by Jane · View all 141 comments

Can you believe that tomorrow it will be four years since the Lifetime premiere of Flirting with Forty?

I can still remember getting the news that the book had been optioned by Sony, and then the regular updates after that…the hiring of a screenwriter, the outline of the screenplay, the script, the casting, and finally, the project being greenlighted. It was a whirlwind of activity, with filming taking place in Calgary and Hawaii. The cast and crew worked twelve hours a day, six days a week, to make sure the film was made in the 30 days they’d been allocated for budgeting purposes.

I flew out to Hawaii for the last week of the April shoot, and was able to meet the cast and crew and be on set for four days. I was an extra two of those days, along with Ty and his surf instructors. It was such a fun time, and such a novelty. These things don’t happen in everyday life and I knew I was part of something special…something special that might not happen again.

jane-heather-robert_2 — Heather (‘Jackie’), Jane, and Robert Buckley (Kai) on
the final day of the Flirting with Forty shoot.

I’ve been told by many of my readers, that Flirting with Forty is their favorite book I’ve written. I think a lot of people expect it to be my favorite, too. I’m not sure I have a favorite book, but I do know that Flirting with Forty changed my life—it brought Ty into my life, and the themes in the story resonated with hundreds of thousands of women around the world. I still get lots of reader mail from the book, and just received an amazing email this morning from a reader in Australia who discovered the book at a library in her hometown.

When promoting the movie, the Lifetime publicity machine asked me to do a radio tour Thanksgiving weekend in 2008. I did almost 60 radio call ins, spread out over 3 days, and every radio station had the same 5 questions, including, “What was it like having Heather Locklear play you in the movie?” And for the sake of good PR, I’d laugh and say it was pretty awesome, but Heather wasn’t me, as Jackie was never me. Yes, I was a single mom when I met Ty, and he and I did strike up a romance after I interviewed him for the book, but the book came first–with scenes and a plot and an ending–that had nothing to do with Ty and me in reality. The fact that Ty and I ended up together was a fluke…no, a miracle. But a wonderful miracle as we’ve cobbled together a very unique, and interesting life where we juggle his world of surfing and sea with my world of words and books, along with my boys, the dogs, and the son we had together. Have to admit, there is stress in doing the long distance thing, but there is also magic in our little Mac, and our complex and creative family.

To celebrate tomorrow’s ‘anniversary’ I’m giving away two wonderful Flirting prize boxes. Each box has a signed copy of the novel Flirting with Forty, a Flirting With Forty DVD, Hawaii coffee, a Hawaii Starbucks drink card, a Hawaii Christmas ornament and lots more fun goodie & JP treats. The contest will run through Saturday Dec 8th, and I’ll announce the winners Sunday morning with the goal to mail the prizes on Monday. How to enter? Just tell me in the comment section below, if you read the book and saw the movie, or have only read the book, or seen the movie, or neither… And, if you did see the movie, did you like the casting? Or was there someone else you would have cast for the roles of Jackie and Kai? Good luck and I think tomorrow night I’m going to make some popcorn and get cozy, and watch my Flirting DVD. I haven’t seen the movie in years and I think maybe it’s time for a trip down memory lane!

Behind the Scenes of the Brennan Sisters: Capitola

November 29, 2012 by Jane · View all 74 comments

Capitola, California is a little beach community ten miles south of Santa Cruz. I first visited Capitola in my late twenties when I was a teacher in Fresno at St. Helen’s, and dating a musician whose family owned a beach house in the heart of Capitola, just a stone’s throw from the beach. We visited the beach house a number of times, and I never loved Capitola more than when his big family was together (his family was Italian and full of brothers, not sisters!) and everyone crowded into the kitchen, or spilled out onto the porch. I love families, particularly big families that are passionate and spirited and full of love, and opinons, and I love the way brothers and sisters interact—the teasing, the laughing, the arguing. It might be too lively for others, but its comfortable for me. Its what life and love feels like to me.

Back in October, my wonderful surfer husband went to Capitola with me and I showed him all my favorite spots, as well as the places that show up in The Good Woman, and then again in The Good Daughter. We spent over an hour hanging out at Mr. Toot’s, having coffee, looking at books, taking pictures of ourselves. It was goofy and fun and a perfect way to spend a rainy, foggy day. I then dragged him on my mini-tour (here’s Margaritaville! Here’s Pizza My Heart! Here’s Paradise Beach Grille! Here’s the house the Brennans “own”…and the beach they walk on…)

I’m sharing a few pics of my Capitola with you. Get to know this little beach town because Kit returns there in The Good Daughter and meets one of my favorite characters ever…

Capitola’s Colorful Venetian Court, built in 1924 is today listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the first condominium seaside developments in California

The sign for Mr. Toots Coffee which is the Brennan sisters favorite hang out and cafe in Capitola.

Mr. Toot’s is a great place to read a book on a foggy day.

I’ve set the Brennans beach house here, as one of the historic Six Sisters houses facing Esplande and the famous Capitola beach. The six houses, designed by architect Edward Van Cleeck, were built at the turn of the 20th Century, and were owned by Capitola developer Frederick Hihn and his heirs until 1919 when H. Allen Rispin purchased the entire development of Capitola.

Do you have a favorite beach town? Or, a favorite scene in The Good Woman? Tell me about one of them and you could be entered to win one of two cool Capitola prizes, featuring a GREAT glazed mug from Mr. Toot’s (you can see one of the mugs in the photo above where I’m sipping coffee and reading a book. I bought three, and am keeping one, and the other 2 are for you!), a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card, chocolate, coffee, fun reads by some of my favorite authors, and lots more great goodies tucked in my brand new I Read Jane silver totebag. The contest runs through Sunday night and I’ll announce the two winners Monday morning. So, talk to me, and hopefully you will win!

Checking In

November 26, 2012 by Jane · View all 63 comments

It was a wonderful treat to have so many of my family here for Thanksgiving. We also had some of Ty’s best friends from Hawaii, Tucker and Nichole, here, too, which made it a full house, and a fun house, and with all the work we did, trying to get ready for our guests, this 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival finally feels like home.

I did spent Saturday and Sunday writing, and am about to get down to writing now. This book I’m working on is really interesting, and I love the story and how the characters are coming to life, but I’ve got a long way to go. Writing always takes time, and its the one thing (like so many of you!!) I’m short on.

I’m going to be writing long hours all week, until I head to Houston on Friday for Saturday’s tea in Houston, and then to Dallas Saturday night for the Sunday tea in Dallas at the Adolphus. If you can join me for one of my teas, please do as I’d love, love, love to see you! Invite details are here on my site on my events page, and email me if you’ve got questions. There is no charge for the tea, and you are welcome to bring any and all books for me to sign. And if you’re wanting a signed copy of The Good Woman to give to someone this Christmas, I’ll have books with me at both events.

Now I’m back to Sarah and Boone and Meg and Lauren (a new character I love!!). Please update me on your weekend and how your Thanksgiving went. I will be drawing a winner first thing in the morning from the comments below for a special Fall Harvest prize box sitting on my desk. The prize must be claimed tomorrow, too, so if you enter, check back to see if you’ve won because I want to get this prize out in the mail before I start my holiday giveaways this weekend!!

Love to all and let’s have a great week!

Let’s Ring in the Holidays Together

November 16, 2012 by Jane · View all 68 comments

Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving already? I L-O-V-E the holidays, especially holiday entertaining, and YOU ARE INVITED! Please come—I’m hosting not one, but TWO afternoon teas in Texas the first weekend in December. Readers in the Houston area are invited to join me at the Hotel Granduca on Saturday, December 1, and readers in the Dallas area— please join me at the Adolphus Hotel on Sunday, December 2. Come celebrate the holidays, the newly posted peek into The Good Daughter, and give me the opportunity to thank you all for the wonderful reception you’ve given The Good Woman.

Each event begins at 2 p.m — please RSVP so we can get a head count. I hope to see you there! There’s no cost to come and enjoy tasty treats and good conversation. For more details and to RSVP, please use this link: Jane’s Events Page on Facebook.

Copies of The Good Woman will be available for purchase, and I will happily sign as many as you need for your holiday gift-giving.

Giveaway to celebrate the Texas Teas! This weekend only! NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!

I have four lovely hardcover copies of Lisa Kelypas’ contemporary holiday novel Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor, plus some vintage Jane Porter swag (collectors item bookmarks, pens, etc from years ago — fun and rare).

To put your name in the hat, just leave a comment on this blog post telling me what you enjoy about holiday entertaining! Whether it’s a tea with friends, or family-only traditional sit-downs, comment by midnight PST this Sunday, November 18.

Triple your chances to win: share one or both of the Texas Tea events on Facebook (direct links: Houston and Dallas). Each share will count as another chance to win Lisa’s book.

Winners will be pulled at random on Monday and the books and goodies will be sent out in time for you to have them in hand before the movie premiere (December 9 on ABC — trailer and book summary is below), possibly in hand before your Thanksgiving holiday.

All my best,

Jane

Lisa’s holiday book:

Entrusted with the guardianship of his orphaned niece Holly, Mark Nolan plans to marry his longtime girlfriend Shelby. But an unwelcome and tantalizing distraction appears in the form of Maggie Conroy, a young widow who has recently opened a toy shop at Friday Harbor. Mark is a cynic and a realist, but Maggie is a dreamer who hopes to make him believe in magic…

Unclaimed Prizes Reminder

Celebrating Jane with Guest Author Karen Doornebos!

Happy Birthday to Jane…Austen!

(But you, the readers, are the ones who get the presents!)

Let’s Make It Beautiful & Keep It Real

Behind the Scenes of the Brennan Sisters: Capitola

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