That which does not kill us...

This has been the year from hell.
Between the family health issues, DH's unemployment issues, friends having to relocate due to problems in their lives it's just been the worst year on record to date. I pray the job situation with DH works out soon because I'm not sure how much longer we can keep the shredded nail fibers dug in! Please pray that it happens soon? That we get GOOD job news I mean, not that we go tumbling down...LOL

I've also been working on my upcoming release Demon's Fall. Looks as if we're on schedule for an October release--FINALLY! WOOHOO!!!



Of course with everything that has been going on, I've not had time to work on any new material. I had the idea for an interesting SteamPunk/futuristic novel but I'm not sure about it right now. It's kind of a grown up Pinocchio...The Pleasure Clone Who Wanted to Be a Real Woman is the (long ass) working title. But like I said I haven't had much time to work on it lately. The concetration just isnt there for some reason. Please pray I get it back soon? Thanks!

Well I just wanted to drop y'all a quick little update to let you know I'm not dead--contrary to any rumors you may have heard!

See y'all soon! Huggles and HAPPTY READING!
JJ

It's been Such a Long Time

Life's rocky terrain has kept me from my computer, from my blogs...and have I missed y'all!

My grandmother seems to be better for the moment. This is actually good news. For the time being I feel perfectly comfortable with letting her live on her own. How long this can go on, we're not sure, but for now this is where we stand: I am home! YEEHAW! I am desperately trying to get back into my work mode. I'm so far behind I doubt I'll ever catch up.

While I was away there were some decisions made. The first being Demon's Fall: We're holding off on this book for a while--it's going to end up being an October release! Just in time for Halloween, WOOHOO!

I also heard on my submission of Morgan's Creek. There is a contract offer in the future if I am willing to make some changes to the manuscript. The problem is, I'm not sure I want to make the requested changes. A couple of them are no big thing, but there are some that directly affect the plot of the story. Since I'm in love with the story, I'm not sure how I feel about making the changes.

But, being as its been almost 6 months since I've had any REAL, restful sleep, my brain, my emotions and my concentration are completely out of whack--making this the wrong time to make any important decisions. Fortunately my editors over at Resplendence Publishing ROCK! They're extremely patient and have agreed to give me as much time as I need to make a decision. I'm hoping to have something figured out within the next couple of weeks.

Well, I have a ton of business to catch up on so I can't stay long but I wanted to let y'all know I wasn't dead...yet...LOL

Take care, keep safe and HAPPY READING!
JJ

How excited am I?

VERY VERY EXCITED!

No, I do not have a definite release date for Demon's Fall yet. No my excitment comes from the fact that I have once again torn open Morgan Creek and am writing like a fiend on this book.

With just a few minor adjustments I have taken it to a while new level!

In fact since opening the file just yesterday morning I've written 5K! Yes, I realize it hasn't grown very much or very quickly but after not having written anything on it in a while I'm impressed if i do say so myself!

The change has added such a wonderful, new dimension to the story that I'm anxious for the tale to be finished just so I can see what happens and how it ends!

I dont have a projected or word length goal I'm just planning on writing until I feel the end is here and then wrap it up.

HEHEHE hope it comes to a conclusion soon so I know what happens but I'd prefer if the book would make itself at least 50K. That would be a nice round number. Guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Well, better get back to work! See y'all again soon!

Hugs
JJ

PS: please be watching for some changes coming soon. I'm always looking for ways to update and expand myself and my internet presence. This includes websites and newsletters and I plan on making a move before long. I'll be developing a wordpress account where I can have all my work in one place. That change is a slow process as I'd prefer to write than mess with this other stuff so it will be a long transformation. Just wanted to give y'all a heads up on the plan.

JJ

Demon's Fall

I now have a cover for Demon's Fall and trust me when I say that it was WELL worth the wait! This cover KICKS and ROCKS!



I still have no word on a release date but that's okay. They were kind enough to give me some wriggle room so I'm happy as a pig in mud!

As a reminder, here is the blurb:

What happens when a demon falls for an angel?

Tangela Teshua just recently buried her parents and has given up her city apartment to move back to the country house they left her. However, their deaths and her move are not the biggest changes coming to Tange’s life. Tange learns she is a guardian angel—or at least she will be when she over comes the challenges Satan will put in front of her.

Andras Belial’s father assigned him the task of destroying the newest being on the lighted path. But another battle looms on the horizon for Andras. His inner demon struggles against the strange formation of feelings, of a conscious growing to life. He falters even more when he meets Tange, the beautiful angel just might be able to save him.

Lucifer, infuriated that not only has Andras turned his back on his heritage but he has joined forces with an angel, sends an assassin demon after both Andras and Tange. Can they keep the demons at bay long enough to find happiness?

I hope to have a date soon!
hugz!
JJ

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I'm so very sorry folks! I've gotten so that I Twitter, or Tweet (whichever) rather than take the few minutes to pop in here and blog.

I do hope y'all had a FABULOUS Christmas and the HAPPIEST of New Years!

My next release, Demon's Fall is to release in the next couple of weeks and I'm SOO EXCITED! I just can't wait! I don't have a cover to share yet--but have been assured that it will be ANY day now. With the talented artists over at Respledence Publishing I KNOW it's going to be an AWESOME cover! As soon as it gets in, I'll be SHOUTING it out for all the world to hear.

I've done the January newsletter but I'm trying something a little different so it's going to be a day or three before I can have it finalized to be released--unless you're part of the newsletter group, in which case you should have already received it.

It's odd for me to be on the computer on a Saturday but with the holidays my schedule has been thrown completely off kilter. I always say I'm not back in my office, not until Jan 4--that is the day I officially return to work.

Migrain's trying to come back so I'm going to head off--have a turkey loaf in the oven that needs my attention so I'll say goodbye and see y'all monday!

Hugz
JJ

Chainsaw Autopsy

In my latest work, Demon's Fall (coming January 2010), my demon hero has a demonic brother who loves Death Metal. Well writing a specific scene my editor asked me to name a band, maybe use some lyrics. After much thought this was discarded due to possible copyright issues. Then I thought wait a minute. I'm a writer, surely I can INVENT a band, right? The hard part was finding the names of current or previous musicians so I wasn't unintentionally copying them. Chainsaw Autopsy (suprisingly enough) is NOT a current or previous band.

This task was relatively easy. Now for the harder part...writing lyrics. Then the words just sort of formed in my head. I have an entire song lyrics written. I'll be sharing it at a later date--I plan on it being included in the book.

I had no trouble imagining the band screaming the words out, in growling, gravelling voices, ear bleeding chords, skull cracking percussions, oh yeah. Funny, I'm not really a death metal fan but my son is and I've heard enough from him to figure it out.

So now that Chainsaw Autopsy has been born, I wonder what else I can do with them. Donica had a few ideas if I can come up with more lyrics. Shame to abondon them after only one book, right?

Well better go and finish the edit read through. The weather has my head all torn up and I'm going to end up takikng a couple of massive pills and passing out before long.

hugz!
JJ

Getting ready to leave

I'm going to be shutting down my office in the next day or two. Vacation is rapidly (but not rapidly enough) approaching. I leave Saturday at the butt crack of dawn and will be gone for the week. I will be gone until Monday the 27th. So there won't be any more updated to this blog until then.

When I get back I have to dive in to edits on Demon's Fall with both feet. I'm ready to get to work on that...of course after this week of relaxing, riding, swimming and maybe even a little reading (of material I DIDN'T write, LOL) I'll have my batteries nice and recharged--I hope!

See you all in a couple of weeks!

Hugz and HAPPY READING,
JJ

New Video

I've been trying to create a video for my newest book, Demon's Fall. I have come up with one that I like but the music has me a little hung up. I aksed my friend Rebecca Goings to help me choose. She did, God love her! She chose this one:

However we both agree the music to this one is very beautiful.

So, gentle reader, which one did you prefer?

Please leave me a note in the comments to let me know your preference!

I'm leaving in just 10 short days--and trust me, short SOOO applies. I've got a ton of things still to do before I load up and take off.

Have a fabulous week! I'll see you again soon,

Hugz

JJ

Need to keep up

Today I was trying to creatre gthe stills to create a promotional video for Demon's Fall--the new title for Heaven's Torment--when i decided to do a mock up of a book cover--just an idea of what I think it should look like.

Interested in what I came up with? Have a look:

Yes I know it won't look exactly like this, but you have to admit it is kind of cool, right?

As to the video, well, I never actually finished it...I was distracted and then ran out of time. I'll get back to it soon enough--until the edits arrive, which according to my wonderful editor should be any day now! WOOHOOOO

The edits should help the time just fly. See, in 18 days I'm headed for my week long vacation...ready and raring to go!

I guess I better take off. My wee one is here to spend hte evening with me so I need to head off and play with her.

See y'all again soon!

Hugz

JJ