Relaxation...I need some!

Doesn't that just look peaceful? 

This time of year is always busy. With four kids and it being the end of the school year, there are lots of concerts, programs, ceremonies to attend. Add in the hubby's busy work schedule and some tight deadlines of my own, "busy" can sometimes seem like an understatement. (and I know many people out there, writers and non-writers alike, who can relate!)

I've made some changes recently to help ease the stress and chaos that is my life. The main one being I've left my day job so I can focus on my family and writing. It is very odd, to say the least, but I'm adjusting and working out new routines and schedules that work better for me and the fam.

I am very much looking forward to the writers retreat I'm going to with a group of friends in June. We started this "tradition" last year and I hope it is something we continue for a long time. We rent a house on the lake for a week and write, hang out, write, have fun, sing karaoke at a local bar, write... :-D It is going to be a wonderfully relaxing time, but also a productive time. I can't wait. 

I'm also planning a girly day after I finish the current book. We're talking mani/pedi, shopping and maybe even some yummy food. I'm going to take my 12yo daughter with and we'll have a blast. She is my girly girl and I absolutely love that. I can always count to help me with her fashion sense and to make my time even more enjoyable. Mom-daughter dates rock. :-D

I'm going to be thinking long and hard about some other things to do to reward myself after I finish a project. Nothing like a little extra motivation to knock the words out. 

Hugs

~J

Writing...it's in the blood.

One of the best things about parenting? Seeing your kids develop into young adults and watching them figure out what they want to be when they "grow up". This week I had the awesome experience of watching my 14 year old daughter, who will admit without hesitation she has no clue what she wants to be in the future, show more determination and discipline than most people I know--including myself! 

B decided to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo this month. She set a goal of writing 50K words, and had a schedule, a quota to meet each day. One evening, I walked by, and she had a spoon with a heap of Nutella on it sitting on the table next to her. I teased, "Aren't you going to eat that?" She replied, without taking her eyes off the screen and her typing fingers barely slowing, "It's my reward when I get all my words for today written." :-) 

Now, she has changed her goal. Increased it, in fact, to 75K, because she hit 50K today. -D

Keep it up, B! I'm so proud of you, and I can't wait to read the book. I know I'm going to enjoy it immensely. :

Hugs,

~J (aka Proud Mama)

My crazy boys....and a quiet night.

So, as I shared earlier, winter is lingering.... Yet my boys--16yo, 10yo and the hubby--are at a scouting campout this weekend. Yes, camping. In the snow. IN TENTS! CRAZY!!! While I admire their...adventurous spirits, I'm quite happy to be here at home, inside, where it's warm and dry. 

I'm hoping all the layers of clothes and many blankets and sleeping bags are keeping them sufficiently warm. *worried mama frown here*

With them off, it was just the girls (14yo and 12 yo) here for the weekend. Then, the 12yo decided to go have a sleepover with my niece, who is 4. She wanted her big cousin to come have a sleepover before their family left on their big trip out of the country, and my girl was more than happy to oblige. She is really fantastic with kids--opting to spend her spring breaks with aunts and uncles helping care for kids--and it's so much fun to see what a nurturer she is. So, off she went. I know for a fact they are having tons of fun, including dress up and hair styling, because they FaceTimed me a bit ago to see how I was doing and to tell me about their night so far. :-) 

Now, it's just me and my older daughter. And we're both on computers writing. So it's oddly quiet here at Chez Jarman. I plan on taking full advantage and getting a lot done. :-)

Hugs
~J

Spring, I'm Waiting...

I'm a bit impatient for spring, I will admit. I have a love-hate relationship with the season. I love the warming up and easing into summer; I hate the allergies I suffer while everything is coming to life.

But instead of warm winds, buds and green, this is what I'm seeing in April, for Pete's sake.

To top it off, I have the head cold from hell, so I can't even take comfort in the absence of allergies because I still have the sinus pressure, draining and all that. :( 

So, Spring, please, hurry up. I would love to go outside without bundling up and maybe even open my windows for some fresh air. And I promise I won't even complain about the allergies this year. ;) 

And so I leave you all with a much happier image than the ones above... Here is my lake (aka Lake Superior) in her glory. And I will be on her shores in a two month's time for a writing retreat.

*images sitting on the shore listening to the waves roll in with a glass of wine in my hand*

Hugs,

~J

Oh my crazy life...

Things have been...for lack of a better word, crazy. Busy and crazy. Writing and all things related have taken a back burner for a little bit. I've written, but just what I've had to, since my focus needed to be on other, family related, things. Not ideal, but it was necessary.

Now, however, things have settled back into normal. Well, normal for me. Writing is in the forefront again and I'm happy to be back online regularly and being able to connect with readers and other authors again. :)

Getting back into the routine of writing again is taking some adjustment but I'm getting there. And enjoying being in the stories and spending time with my characters again. I have some fun ones who have been (not so) patiently waiting for me to get my act together and write their stories.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and here's to an awesome week.

Hugs
~J

I'm Baaaack...

Well, it's been a long time since I've post. Lots has been going on--personal/family things that I won't bore you with and writing stuff that I will bore you with. LOL 

I've had a couple releases since I've last been here. 

Loving, BookTwo

Ana Harris has always known marriage and all it entails isn’t for her. She’s happy with finding Mr. Right Now and enjoying him for a night before walking the other way…fast. Then, Riley Walsh walks into her life and has her questioning everything.

Riley is all for passion and hot nights, but he wants more than that. After meeting Ana, he wants it with her. He just has to convince her that happily ever after is not only possible, but with him, she’ll find more than she ever thought possible.

And the first two books of Timeless Blood, a new vampire trilogy released. 

As head of the Enforcers, Traian knows the dangers of his life. Hunting traitorous vampires and keeping peace for his people could very well kill him. What he never expected was one of his own—another Enforcer—to stab him in the back, literally.

When Becca Stewart finds a man bleeding on the street, her first impulse is to call an ambulance. When he tells her not to, and she feels compelled to obey, she does the only thing she can do. Take care of him herself, not knowing the risks and dangers involved.

When it is clear that what happened is part of a bigger plot than merely killing him, Traian needs to figure how far up the ladder the betrayal goes. But now he has a human to look after. Can he find his answers and keep Becca safe—especially now she's wrapped herself around his heart?

 When Griffon goes to his queen, the Regina, to ask questions about his brother’s death, the last thing he expects is to be introduced to the mate she has chosen for him—her own cousin. He recognizes this for what it is, a ploy to get him to stop asking questions, and sets out to investigate on his own.

Charlotte is part of the inquiry of Griffon’s brother, who was part of a plot against the royal family. Her assignment is to find out if Griffon knew of his brother’s betrayal and if he is a part of it. Being Griffon’s intended gives her the ability to get close and find the truth.

 

As they both secretly investigate on their own, a passion builds between them neither can ignore. Soon, information surfaces and brings to light truths that are difficult for Griffon to accept. In the midst of lies and betrayal, can he and Charlotte’s newfound love survive?

 

 

I am doing a "version" of NaNoWriMo this year. Since I have more than one project to work on and can't do the pure and true NaNoWriMo, I'm teaming up with some friends and my kids for a little competition. My daughters and even my 10 yr old son are joining in the fun, as is Bronwyn Green and Jennifer Armintrout. I think a young woman Bron knows is joining us as well. Which is awesome--then it's not just playing around with Mom's friends for my kids. Though honestly, they somehow manage to kick my tail. Though I will say it makes this mama happy to be discussing plot twists and characterization with 3/4 of my kids over dinner. :-D 

 

Now, I'm off to finish getting my word count for the day in. :) It's good to be back and (hopefully) past all the craziness that has plagued Chez Jarman these last couple months. 

 

Hugs

~J

 

Out of Print....For Now

Hi all.

Just wanted to give a heads up that right now The Fey series (Fate's Song, Waters of Fate, and Shadows of Fate) and Tease Me, Please Me (Book 3, Into the Shadows) are no longer available for purchase.

After a lot of thinking, I decided not to renew the contract on these books. I plan on revising and expanding them, as well as completing the rest of the books in both series. All to make them better. :)

Hugs,
~J