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Heartstrings

August 17, 2009 by Jane · View all 50 comments

Saturday I was at Hickam Airforce Base doing a three hour booksigning in the BX when my cell phone beeped. I had no one in line at that moment so I checked my phone and this was the picture text I received:

: I Miss My Mommy

I have to say, I had a much harder time concentrating on smiling at strangers when I knew my little boy missed me. On the plus side, it made the drive back to the house extra fun.

Now I’m back to writing feverishly and trying to resist my Mac who is cooing and coughing at me from his bouncy seat. I do love this baby. He’s a ton of work but also such a joy.

Happy Monday everyone! Let’s all love, laugh, and have a great week.

EASY Sightings

August 13, 2009 by Jane · View all 10 comments

I want to thank everyone for the wonderful comments on my blog about Easy On The Eyes, as well as the private emails and reviews being posted at Amazon, B&N.com, and other sites. It’s so gratifying to hear from my readers as I’m in a serious writing mode and nothing helps fuel and soothe the muse like positive feedback. So hooray to all of you and massive thanks and lots of love!

Along with book praise, I’ve been getting pics from friends and readers that they’ve spotted Easy on the Eyes in stores and they’re so fun I thought I’d share. Below is my first Easy sighting and it comes from a Southern California Target store, sent in by brilliant author and lovely friend, Liza Palmer.

Have you seen Easy On The Eyes? Is your bookstore carrying it? I’d love to hear if you’ve seen it!

Hello from Hawaii

August 10, 2009 by Jane · View all 71 comments

Apologies for not posting sooner but I’ve been pouring all my time and energy into baby and book. Both are wonderful and interesting and very demanding! I love having Mac here but don’t ever want to have a baby and a book due at the same time again, and considering I’m 45, I probably won’t. But still. So many wonderful authors manage to do both, two talented author friends immediately spring to mind, Mia King and Beth Kendrick. They’re fabulous writers and moms of young children who’ve delivered babies and brilliant books on top of each other. My question is…how do they do it?!?! My brain honestly feels different. The writing is different. Not necessarily bad, just…different.

Last week I hit the end of Shey’s book, She’s Gone Country, and knew without being told that I hadn’t yet written the story I wanted to tell. Shey’s Texas world is filled with amazing men–her brothers, her sons, her first love–and I felt like I’d barely scraped the surface in this draft and wanted to the chance to add even more layers of emotion and tension and so I’m still at my desk, still writing hard.

In the meantime I take breaks to hug and kiss and feed my boys. Big boys return to Bellevue on Thursday and then Mac and I fly back on the 27th. Hopefully once book is finished I can take Mac out and about as this summer we’ve both been pretty much cooped up in the house. However, yesterday I took Mac outside to welcome his dad home from work and thought I’d share a few pics of Mac on one of his dad’s surf safari jeeps.

And because I appreciate you all being patient with me while I write, I thought I’d share a little aloha. This week I’m running a fun blog contest where I’m giving away three (3!!) wonderful Hawaii gift packs filled with all my favorite tropical treats, sweets and surprises. You won’t know what’s inside until it arrives, but trust me, it’s good. How to win? Post a comment below, update me on your life, tell me what you’re reading…anything! Contest will close midnight Friday the 14th and I’ll post the three winners Saturday morning. Be sure to check back to see if you won!

Event Planning

July 24, 2009 by Jane · View all 27 comments

I’ve one week left before Shey’s book, now titled, She’s Gone Country, is due, and a whole lot of writing still ahead of me. I’m putting in 12+ hour days now which are broken up every two hours to nurse Mac and I’m feeling good about what’s written but a little nervous about nailing the finish. But this is how I write. This is just me. Lots of nerves and lots of pep talks but in the end, I get it done.

I’m also looking ahead to events this Fall and eager to begin chatting with readers and friends about Easy On The Eyes. I’ve gotten some wonderful reader mail this past week on the book and it’ll be fun to join book clubs and hear what they have to say about Tiana’s story. For those of you in book groups, I have a reader’s guide here on my site you can download. I also have them printed in case you’d like one mailed with goodies for your book club. So if Easy becomes your book club pick, shoot me an email and I’ll make sure you have fun reader freebies for everybody in your group.

If you’re in the Seattle area, I now have two appearances scheduled and more is still to come, so keep checking in on my events page. I’ve also been asked by friends to join them in Southern California for some book parties in their home, so if you have a book group or a bunch of friends who’d like to meet me, let me know who and where and I’ll see if I can’t manage to visit you, too!

Here’s a pic from my RWA speaking engagement at the Aina Hina Library on July 11th… first time I’ve spoken since March and a lot of fun. It was great getting out and about and I can’t wait to see you. Let’s begin planning some events where I’m able to see my most loyal fans because you’re the reason I write, and you’re the reason I’m working very hard to make Shey’s book sensational.

Lynde Lakes, President of the Aloha Chapter RWA, Jane Porter, and Madalyn Purcell, vice President of the Aloha Chapter RWA

Confession

July 20, 2009 by Jane · View all 67 comments

I have thought long and hard about whether I should write this blog. I have struggled with its appropriateness as there’s nothing worse than writing something, having it go live, and then worry that it offends someone, or others feel compelled to ‘cheer me up’ as I don’t need cheering, just a frank conversation.

I wanted to write about this for a couple weeks but didn’t–wouldn’t since its personal and maybe annoying for readers who think I don’t have an issue–but the real me, not the author Jane, is struggling so I’ve decided to write about it anyway.

I’m heavy. And the weight isn’t falling off.

During the last 18 months as I underwent fertility treatments and the first round of IVF, I began gaining weight. By the time I delivered Mac, I’d gained well over 50 lbs, closer to 55 from my starting weight. Not the end of the world as I have a beautiful baby to show for it, but difficult as even now my normal wardrobe doesn’t work and my body doesn’t feel right.

I’ve lost 25 of those 50+ pounds, but easily have another 25 to go. Normally a size 6, I’m at 10-12 now. Again, not the end f the world, but something’s happening to me. Mentally. Emotionally. There’s something happening on the inside and its a deep loathing, almost despair.

I *know* I’ll eventually lose the weight but that day is far off, probably around Christmas and that’s too long from now. I don’t know how to live in this body and look in the mirror or present myself to the public as a chunky girl. I’m angry and disappointed and what scares me is how much I really dislike–yes, loathe–fat Jane.

Why is the loathing so strong? Why does extra weight change me, my value, my mindset?

Yesterday was my one day off this week as I’m working hard to meet my deadline for Shey’s book and I’d promised Ty I’d take Mac down to the beach but after trying on outfit after outfit, and swimsuit cover up after cover up, I gave up. I stayed home with Mac. I sat in a hot house because I hated how I looked in a swim suit, even though I’d covered up. You see, even with a cover up I know what I look like underneath. There’s so much of me. Too much. Jane apparently is only lovable without stomach rolls. Jane is only valuable if lean and tone.

Is anyone else like this? Does anyone else feel unlikable, or worse, unlovable, if your weight changes?

I know this sounds shallow. Ty Gurney doesn’t understand it. I don’t like it. But I need the old me back. I need the one that felt attractive and successful. Maybe she was an illusion. But it’s an illusion I apparently need.

VINTAGE JANE: Spotlight on Greece for Readers and Travelers

July 18, 2009 by Jane · View all 3 comments

With its ancient ruins, breathtaking architecture, and dramatic glimpses of sky and sea, Greece is a setting that inspires passion and romance. It’s no wonder then that I set three of my most beloved Harlequin Classics—Christos’s Promise, The Greek’s Royal Mistress, and At the Greek Boss’s Bidding—in gorgeous, romantic, sun-drenched Greece.

My Travel Spotlight on Greece features scenic photos, a list of useful travel guidebooks for the region, and information for travelers with disabilities. It’s a must-see for future travelers and readers enthralled by the setting.

Have you been to Greece? What were some of your favorite spots? If you plan to visit someday, what do you hope to see on your Greek travels?

VINTAGE JANE: Literary Lions

July 10, 2009 by Jane · View all 20 comments

This is one of my favorite blog posts because it’s just so me.

Yes, I can look glamorous in a headshot, but the truth is, I’m rather dorky. You’ll see in this blog why Surfer Ty calls me “Stumblelina.”

Literary Lions
originally posted to the JaneBlog on March 11, 2006

I hurt. Not mentally, it’s more of a bruised ego thing, as well as a shin, arm and shoulder thing, too. You see I fell down the stairs tonight at a big event. In front of everyone. Just when I was feeling so literary.

Back up–set scene, Bellevue’s big downtown library, elegant evening fundraiser honoring corporate sponsors and outstanding authors (yes, I was invited, and it might have been a fluke, especially after I tumbled down their grand cement staircase). I arrived alone and was nervous. No one knows I’m nervous because I wear so much make up and my hair is shiny and straight but I took my special badge, the one with the big black ribbon that reads ‘AUTHOR’ in fancy gold letters and headed up the staircase to find a glass of wine and mingle as instructed.

Bellevue’s big regional library has a prominent staircase with a landing in the middle. Halfway up the second flight, I glance above me, see all the elegant people in their black tie and formal wear, think to myself, I shouldn’t have worn brown, shouldn’t have come alone, should have brought Joan as she offered to come, especially as I feel self-conscious wearing my big black author ribbon.

And that’s when it happened. BAM. Blaaaah. Ooooof. Although it actually happened much faster than that. More like Bam, Bla, Uf. And because I was carrying my camera, I couldn’t let it drop so I used my shin and forearm to take the brunt of the fall. Super smart move. Shins, elbows and forearms are so well padded.

An elderly couple to my left rushed to my side, lifted me to my feet, and supported me the rest of the way up the staircase.

It was one of my finer moments, I can you tell that.

And I can also tell you this: I wished I was wearing black, not brown. I wished I had brought someone with me so elderly people didn’t have to support me up the stairs. AND I wished, oh how I wished, I wasn’t wearing my big black ribbon with the gold letters AUTHOR. Because standing red-faced and stiff (how does one stiffen up that fast? Tell me it’s shock, not age) at the top of the stairs I really felt like a Literary Lion.

No, make that a dinosaur.

Have you ever taken an embarrassing spill? Made a major faux pas when you were trying to be oh-so professional? Share one of your red-faced moments and I’ll love you for it!

Little Bits

July 9, 2009 by Jane · View all 8 comments

I’m writing in little bits, hoping they’ll add up to big bits and trying to stay calm (and cool!) as kids run wild and temperatures hover in the high 80’s to low 90’s–not hot if you’ve air conditioning but sweltering if you’re at a computer without a breeze.

Fortunately I’m feeling more and more settled here, but not so settled that I won’t be going back to Bellevue end of August for my kids school year. That’s right. For those of you worried that I’ve moved to Hawaii permanently, that’s a no, not happening, not possible until son Ty goes to college which is 7 years from now. So until then, Baby Mac and I will be making lots of trans Pacific flights to see Surfer Ty and Ty will be making the same flights to come see us in Washington, and if you’ve a private event scheduled with me for the Fall, I will be there as I’m only in Hawaii for the summer.

Speaking of emails, I’ve been getting quite a few emails about upcoming book events for Easy–which Amazon now says it starts shipping on July 11th instead of the official release date of the 22nd–and thought I’d brief you here as well as on my events page.

While my Bellevue book launch hasn’t been scheduled yet, I do have two events in Hawaii, one this Saturday at the Aina Haina library when I speak to the local RWA chapter, and the other on August 6th at Borders at the Ward Center. I’d love to see you at either event, so if you’re in Hawaii come find me, and if you’re not in Hawaii, rest assured that I will be doing some events in Washington and California this Fall. All the details will be on my site on the Events page so keep checking back.

And finally, as many of you know, Odd Mom Out and Mrs. Perfect were also optioned and remain under serious consideration by several production companies. Due to the current economy I’m not sure if and when the project would be green lighted, but I’ve had the most amazing feedback on the books and their stories and am honored to have such talented directors and producers reading my books and discussing them so thoroughly.

Mac is waking up from his cat nap so I better rescue him from his swing. Thank you to everyone for your emails, your reviews you’ve begun posting at Amazon, and your support. You guys rock! 🙂

Book Club Monday #9

July 6, 2009 by Jane · View all 23 comments

I hope you had a Happy 4th of July filled with fireworks, good food, and family. The celebration continues for me because Easy on the Eyes will be hitting shelves in just two weeks! Until the big day, the countdown continues with week 9 of my online book club! We’ve been talking about Odd Mom Out and Mrs. Perfect—my two books that feature some of the same characters from Easy on the Eyes. I love having a forum for your opinions and questions, but here’s the best part for readers: your comment on each book club question enters you to win an Advanced Reading Copy of Easy on the Eyes. This week is your last chance to win it before you can buy it, so please chime in!

Last week we discussed Odd Mom Out. This week let’s pull a question from the Reader’s Guide for Mrs. Perfect:

Nathan sugarcoated the true nature of the family’s finances for a while until he was forced to admit the truth to Taylor. Her reaction was a mixture of emotions. How realistic were their reactions to the situation? Should one person be solely responsible for the family finances? Was Nathan the right one to handle the finances?

Feel free to contribute without having read Odd Mom Out, but be warned that the comments that follow may contain spoilers.

For more Odd Mom Out, read an excerpt, download the whole Reader’s Guide, check out some book extras, and order your copy from Amazon!

About TIMING of PRIZES: The winner will be drawn (randomly, of course) shortly after the next book club gets posted. So, sometime next Monday, when I find a sliver of time between sleeping and caring for a itty-bitty baby, I will do the winner thing. If it waits until Tuesday, no one stress, okay? Thanks! And thanks for participating!

Please also read an important note about blog contests.

Heartstrings

EASY Sightings

Event Planning

Confession

VINTAGE JANE: Spotlight on Greece for Readers and Travelers

VINTAGE JANE: Literary Lions

Little Bits

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