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Historic Jefferson

January 16, 2009 by Jane · View all 57 comments

Jefferson, Texas has a population of 2,000, a historic downtown, a famous ghost walk, and alligator on some menus. Now I’m not much for alligator (I can’t even stomach chicken or beef right now) and I’m not about to do a ghost walk without Surfer Ty, but I can appreciate the incredible history and architecture of this East Texas town.

Nearly every building in Jefferson is historic and I can’t get over the wealth of beautifully preserved houses, hotels, and stores. Many of the buildings date to the 1850’s and my jaw drops as I drive the virtually empty streets–amazing house, amazing house, amazing house. Everything is just so cool. Some of the Victorian mansions have been lovingly restored. Others are available for sale. There are also mansions with huge columns and porticos and mansions with big lots and then other houses on lots that look as if they were subdivided one too many times. But this is a history lover’s paradise and I could almost live here. Almost. Except it’d make that flight to Hawaii even longer and right now I want to be closer to Surfer Ty, not further away.

The Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend is in full swing, too. I’m staying at the very comfortable and incredibly charming Delta Street Inn and enjoying visiting with the terrific guest authors staying here, too. I’ve bought a ton of books to bring home and am looking forward to speaking tomorrow at one and then its a drive back to the airport in Shreveport, Louisana and a couple flights back home. It was a lot of traveling for 2 days but so worth it. I’ll share more once I’m home, but in the meantime, tell me what you’re doing and if you’ve got any plans for the weekend. I have a fun prize package from Hawaii to give away, including your choice of one of my books. So bring me up to speed and hopefully you’ll win! The contest will close Saturday night midnight and I’ll post the winner’s name on Sunday. Good luck!

Golden Moment

January 14, 2009 by Jane · View all 25 comments

With my boys at their dad’s house last weekend, I spent Sunday night watching the Golden Globes alone, while also doing final edits and revisions on my Harlequin manuscript, and I have to tell you, it was one of my favorite nights in a long time.

The edits and revisions were hard—harder than I expected them to be—but the Golden Globes were wonderful, not just because I love film and award shows, but because I learned something important. I realized that it’s not enough to be recognized for one’s work. There must also be joy in it. Success means nothing if there is no pleasure in the process, much less pride and pleasure in the completion.

People ask me what drives me, and I say the creative impulse. (As well as a fair amount of neurosis.) But there’s something else that helps me weather the difficulties and ups and downs, and that’s the joy I feel in creating something new. It’s the joy I feel in collaborating with others—agents, editors, writers. It’s the joy I feel in building a community with fellow readers and writers. It’s the joy of being.

We have to make sure we don’t just get by.

We have to make sure we don’t subsist.

And we have to make sure we open our minds, our hearts, and lives to joy.

Unfettered joy. Which would also include exuberance, laughter, hope, and love.

We have to believe in our hearts that we deserve this joy, and we can have it, and we can share it.

Once I thought I had to be number one at things. Had to be a number one on a chart or list. Had to be a number one so I knew I was valuable. But then something happened. No, I didn’t become number one. I didn’t become a leader of anything. But I became hugely, immensely happy, and felt hugely, immensely blessed.

And this sense of peace came from shifting from external rewards to internal. Counting my blessings. Bleeping out negative self-talk. Making daily choices that made me feel good instead of bad. Surrounding myself with positive people and positive experiences. Accepting that I didn’t have to be perfect, and then coming to terms with failure. I will fail. People fail. Failure is part of life, as well as part of success. Now my life is rich and I’m calmer and so much happier.

Numbers and rankings, advances, reviews and other status symbols pale compared to the riches of my life—good friends, wonderful family, a complex inner world and an adventurous life. I’ll leave the numbers and rankings to the accountants and marketing gurus. Numbers and rankings—including the weight on a scale or the size of our paycheck—do not signify happiness, and they certainly don’t capture joy.

Joy is simple. Joy isn’t complicated. And best of all, joy is free.

Baby Update

January 10, 2009 by Jane · View all 95 comments

It’s Saturday morning and I’ll be barricaded in my office all weekend trying to get my revisions done. I had all week, and I did work on Zayed’s story (the third book of my Harlequin Desert Kings trilogy) when I could, but between doctors appointments and life stuff, I just didn’t get as much done on the writing front as I expected. Being pregnant has been a lot more work than I remembered! Maybe it’s my age, maybe it’s just a fuzzy memory, but I don’t remember being slowed this much by pregnancy in the past. I don’t remember struggling with my body this much.

With this pregnancy I subscribed to several mom and pregnancy magazines. In fact, I subscribed over a year ago when we were getting ready for our first round of IVF and all spring and summer I poured over the maternity fashions, studied all the new looks and discovered that today’s modern pregnant woman isn’t supposed to wear the tent dresses and loose tops, but snug knit pieces that hug the body and highlights the wonderful curves of pregnancy. I loved the idea. I couldn’t wait to wear the tops and clothes I’d ordered, some rather expensive, some from as far away as London. I’m six months along now and definitely with belly and boobs and those snug knit tops should be celebrating my shape. Unfortunately, I forgot that along with belly and boobs I also get butt.

And chunky thighs.

And thick arms.

The only thing all the wonderful snug knit maternity clothes do is proclaim me round, and quite possibly, fat.

I’m not complaining, at least not a lot, because something wonderful happened this week and its taken me five days to process the news and share it: the baby looks great.

You see, I haven’t been getting lots of consistent wonderful updates at the ultrasounds. In fact, at my week 20 ultrasound they gave Surfer Ty and me the news that the baby might have some serious problems. The baby–a boy, and yes, I’m thrilled to be having another boy, I just love, love, love my boys–was very very small and had a number of issues that indicated possibly serious life problems. Ty and I were shocked and worried and while he didn’t talk about it much, we both did lots of quiet thinking, as we adjusted the way we imagined our life to be after baby was born. Maybe baby wouldn’t be a little surf baby. Maybe baby would need special education. Maybe baby would be a special needs child. I prayed, and resolved to love this wonderful beautiful boy no matter what issues he faces because he’s the baby we’ve been waiting for.

The doctor did give me some suggestions to try to help the baby along. He said I need to up my protein as much as I could, including downing one or two protein shakes a day, to add baby aspirin to my daily diet, to up my folic acid intake, and to rest when I could. I did all that, as well as asked close friends to pray and keep the baby in their thoughts.

A month later, at this week’s ultrasound, we got really great news. Baby Mac, yep, his name’s going to be Mac, had doubled his weight and size, and all the problems they saw a month ago appeared to have been resolved. He’s so active lately I knew he had to be healthy. He’s a bundle of energy and always moving and kicking and thumping and hiccuping. It’s just amazing that after a month of worry and more, to know that Mac now will have a chance to start life as a healthy baby boy.

But still, keep baby Mac in your thoughts and prayers. He’s a little fighter, but I’m not leaving anything to chance. I want this baby to know he’s dearly loved and very wanted and we can’t wait to meet him and welcome him to the family.

To celebrate Mac’s good news, I’m doing a weekend contest with the prize being a signed copy of your choice of one of my books (Frog Prince, Flirting with Forty, Odd Mom Out, or Mrs Perfect), a cool Starbucks mug, a Starbucks drink card, plus lots of other fun JP goodies. The contest will close Sunday night midnight and I’ll post the winner’s name Monday morning. To be entered, all you have to do is post a comment this weekend, and that’s it. You can tell me what you’re doing this weekend, how your week went, or your plans for next week. Just talk to me and you’re in!

Crazy Day

January 8, 2009 by Jane · View all 38 comments

I am supposed to be hard at work on the revisions for my Harlequin book, but am instead struggling to figure out how to be in Jefferson, Texas next weekend for the 2009 Girlfriend Weekend and how to get my kids to the right places this weekend when their sports and activities completely overlap.

But in all the craziness is excitement, too, because today I’m able to share my new cover for Easy on the Eyes, my July book with 5 Spot. This is Tiana’s story and it’s a great cover for her book. I’m very pleased with it and I’d love to hear what you think, too.

If any of my Texas fans are up for a fun book and girls weekend, check out The Pulpwood Queen’s Book Club for more information as I’d love to see you there. Jefferson, Texas is an hour or so from Shreveport and a two and a half hour drive from Dallas but its a wonderful historic town and I can’t wait to join in all the fun.

Resolutions

January 2, 2009 by Jane · View all 71 comments

I’m not big on making New Years resolutions anymore. Once upon a time I did. I made lists of all the ways I’d try to change, and all the things I’d do differently–

eat better

exercise more

lose weight

Maui Bliss

December 30, 2008 by Jane · View all 55 comments

Have just arrived in Maui with my two boys for New Years and finally have some internet connection and a working password for my blog again! I somehow got locked out but I’m back again. I did get to Hawaii on the 21st and then my boys arrived on the 26th, and that’s when we all finally celebrated Christmas. We’ve been passing the time on Oahu by playing on the beach, redeeming Christmas gift cards, and eating out since our new house is missing a working kitchen at the moment. But now, after four days of this and that, we’ve arrived on Maui to celebrate the new year. We thought it’d be fun to stay for a few days at a resort with an amazing pool so boys could swim and I could read. And read. And read.

It rained most of the day but Jake and Ty didn’t mind. It’s a warm tropical rain and the view of the ocean is gorgeous regardless. They spent the afternoon in the pool with the slides and chutes while I ate lunch and then found a dry spot to read a Mary Balogh novel. I know I’ve said this before–maybe even many times–but I adore Mary Balogh’s historicals. They are my favorite comfort read, so warm, so wonderful, so perfectly suited to my personality and my idea of a great historical romance novel. I used to read hotter romance, but I’ve discovered in the last few years that I’m happier with a book that offers more characterization and less explicitness. It’s not that eroticism isn’t appealing, but when I read I want to be swept into a world of interesting characters that are well motivated, and Mary’s novels do just that.

I heard from my editor in the UK about the book I turned in the first week of December and she wants a few tweaks but nothing too drastic so once I’m home, I’ll jump on those. In the meantime I have a stack of fun books next to my bed and hopes that surfer Ty can jet over from Honolulu tomorrow to join us for New Year’s Eve.

Tell me what you’re doing for New Years Eve by posting a comment below and you’ll be entered in my New Years contest. I’m bringing home tons of sweets and treats from Hawaii, including coffee and chocolate macadamia nuts, a Hawaii Starbucks card and a Hawaii 2009 calendar. I’ll draw a winner midnight on New Year’s Day and post the winner’s name on January 2nd. So bring me up to speed…tell me what you’ve been doing these past couple weeks, and/or your plans for the new year, and you’re entered! Good luck and fingers crossed, you’ll win. 🙂

Snow, Oh No!

December 19, 2008 by Jane · View all 69 comments

It’s Friday noon and I’m still sitting in my house in Bellevue having been unable to get to the airport this morning to catch my Hawaii flight. I couldn’t get a cab company or limo driver to pick me up and Surfer Ty didn’t want me to try driving my Tahoe because there would be no one to come help me should I spin out somewhere. So I try again Sunday. Even though another snow storm is expected to hit Saturday night.

But it is beautiful. The view from my windows show powdery glittering white in all directions and with the blue sky overhead, it’s a winter wonderland. My boys are being picked up by their dad in a couple hours and I’ll spend the next day and a half reading. I bought a couple Georgette Heyer novels at the Barnes & Noble Tuesday during my signing so I’m looking forward to curling up in front of the fire with carols playing and just reading. Yes, I’d rather be with Ty in Hawaii, but considering all, reading by the fire isn’t a bad way to pass the time (As long as I can get on the plane on Sunday!!)

And because I’m still here, I’m doing a shortie contest giveaway. Tell me what your favorite Christmas carol is, and you’re entered. The prize is another festive holiday box filled with sweets and treats, including a signed copy of Mrs. Perfect, See’s candy, a CD of carols, a box of peppermints, my JP heart candle and lots more. So share with me your fav carol, and anything else you feel like chatting about, and you could win. I’ll draw the winner Saturday night midnight and post the winner’s name Sunday. Now remember, I’m hoping to be on a plane Sunday so if it takes me a little while to post winner’s name, please forgive me!!

Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope your holidays will be festive and fun and most of all, filled with love. Lots, and lots, and lots of love.

Bellevue Book Signing

December 15, 2008 by Jane · View all 21 comments

It’s Monday late morning and we’ve snow glittering on the trees and rooftops and temperatures are hovering in the mid twenties. With a a bright clear blue sky I can see the Olympics with breathtaking clarity and they’re just gorgeous–thickly powdered in snow and jutting jagged and white against the sky. The Seattle skyline looks miniscule compared to the mountains and doing errands this morning I felt so lucky to live here. Sure, we get our share of rain, but the combination of mountains and lakes and trees is truly majestic and it’s such a book lovers haven. We have great bookstores, libraries and librarians, writers and readers–I’m truly blessed.

Tomorrow I’m meeting some of my close local writer friends for a festive holiday lunch in Bellevue and then immediately after I’m zipping over to the Bellevue Barnes & Noble for a casual 2-4 pm signing. It’s to make up for my cancelled event last week when I had the flu and if you’re in the area, and have time, stop by and say hello. I’ll have special gifts for everyone who shows, so drop by if you can, but there’s no pressure if you can’t.

Now it’s back to wrapping last minute gifts and candy making and cookie baking. I can’t believe I leave for Hawaii in just four days. I guess I better think about packing, too!

Mmm, Holiday Baking

December 13, 2008 by Jane · View all 12 comments

My post yesterday about doing some holiday baking has become my obsession. After reading everybody’s favorites and family traditions I began to crave–and I mean pregnant lady CRAVE–some of the recipes I used to make with my mom and sister as a little girl. I’ve made most of them as an adult, and many with and for my kids, as my oldest son enjoys baking with me, but there are a couple I don’t make often as I’m not quite sure that I’ve got the recipe down right.

I, too, usually make fudge at Christmas, three varieties from traditional creamy, to Rocky Road, to peanut butter. I also make Spritz cookies, roll out sugar cookies which we frost and decorate, an amazing melt in your mouth cream cheese horn with a bit of jam at the end, apricot bars, Butterscotch ‘scotties’, and the recipe below for peppermint spirals. Growing up, my mom whose family is Southern also used to make the most wonderful pralines (had to make them on the very dry, cold days so they’d set) and then my grandmother Porter made divinity. I don’t make candy other than those easy fudge recipes but wish I did when it’s this time of the year.

Now, with my mouth watering and my fingers itching to begin measuring flour and sugar, I’m posting one of my favorite recipes, one that I’ve made for years. This cookie tastes best when its baked a little crisy and then to make it absolutely perfect, chop up a candy cane and sprinkle each pink and white spiral cookie slice with crushed peppermint before baking. That way hhen when it comes out of the oven, it sparkles and is as festive as the season itself.

You are the most wonderful group of women. I wish I could have you all over this weekend for a good old fashioned tea and a holiday cookie exchange. It’d be such fun to get us all in my living room talking around the Christmas tree! Enjoy my recipe and if you’ve got one to share and you’re not shy, do!! I love hearing from you and learning new things.

Peppermint Spirals

1 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 ½ c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp peppermint extract
2 ½ c. all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
red food coloring

Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and peppermint extract; beat well.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture, beating just until blended.

Divide dough in half; tint one portion with desired amount of red food coloring. Cover and chill both portions.

On sheets of floured waxed paper, roll each portion to a 16 x 8-inch rectangle. Invert plain dough directly on top of red dough. Roll up jelly-roll fashion, beginning with long side, removing wax paper while rolling. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut into ¼-inch slices and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes (check after 6-7 min.—they burn quickly!). Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: about 5 dozen. (Or 3 doz. Bigger cookies)

Snow in Forecast

December 12, 2008 by Jane · View all 42 comments

I did it. The copy edits for Tiana’s book, Easy On The Eyes, got Fed Exed to New York last night leaving me just errands and housework today. It’s so nice to have no writing on my plate for the next few days, especially as the weather guys say we’ve a Canadian storm front bearing down on us here in the Pacific Northwest and snow is predicted for tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.

My boys are very excited about the first snow fall. Last week I bought new shovels and sleds for the kids so they can enjoy it to the fullest. My only concern is that I have tickets for the Nutcracker in Seattle tomorrow afternoon, but hopefully the roads and bridges won’t be too icy scary. I do have four wheel drive and a nice big strong car, but I’m also a little bit of a weenie when it comes to driving on slick streets. I learned to drive in the Tule fog–thick and gray and soupy–but snow? Ice? Not so much.

The boys are also looking forward to seeing the Nutcracker tomorrow, too. But that’s because they don’t really know what the Nutcracker is. Yes, they’ve read the story and I’ve read it to them, but they’ve never dressed up, gone to a theatre and sat for two hours watching a ballet. I think they think there will be some talking and singing and rap. Or talking and singing to break up ballet sequences. I’m kind of giggling a little (nervously) that at intermission tomorrow they’ll be giving me some serious maybe-we-should-drive-home-now-talks. Either way, it’s an adventure and a first for the three of us, although I grew up dancing and performed in the Nutcracker every year in Visalia as a little girl.

Sunday I’m taking the boys to a Santa brunch at Overlake and maybe I’ll even tackle some holiday baking. I’ve got my shopping done, my decorating done (well, surfer Ty did my outside lights and helped put up my tree for me) and all that’s really left is to finish my cards and find some good books to take to Hawaii with me. I leave on the 19th for a couple weeks in Hawaii and it’s the first time I’ll be back there since July!

I’m doing a fun holiday contest this weekend, and the prize includes a signed copy of The Frog Prince, a frog prince Christmas ornament, a CD of carols, a box of See’s chocolates and a $5 Starbucks drink card. If this festive gift sounds like something you’d enjoy, tell me what you love to bake at Christmas, or share your favorite holiday cookie/recipe. You don’t have to post the recipe (although yum, my mouth is watering at the thought of some of those amazing recipes out there…) just let me know what special bakery item says “holiday!” to you. Contest runs through Sunday night and I’ll draw the winner Monday morning.

Golden Moment

Crazy Day

Bellevue Book Signing

Mmm, Holiday Baking

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