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

May Newsletter is OUT!

If you're not a part of my newsletter group--WHY NOT?

Okay, tell you what, I'll give you the chance to view it anyway but soon you're going to have to join up to receive my newsletter!

Here is the link to view the May Newsletter

I need to pop off. Weather's getting bad again and we're battening down for another ripsnorter!

Hugz and see ya soon!
JJ

It's been a while!

I've been scary busy lately.

Just this minute...okay two minutes ago I finished the first draft of Morgan Creek! WOOHOO!! the book hit a total of 40927 words. It's a very rough draft but thats okay, it is only the first draft of the book. When I do my read through and polish segment of the job, I'm hoping to push it to 41K.

Here's the Blurb:

In peaceful Morgan Creek Arkansas four people have been brutally murdered and it’s up to Sheriff Alvarro Schmidt to find the killer that can’t possibly be real.
Agent Sage Lee works for the DOSR, Department of Scientific Research and she’s been dispatched to recapture a secret weapon that isn’t supposed to exist.
Sage and the sheriff work against the clock to find this particular science experiment gone wrong before anyone else dies—but how do you track something that was created for its agility, stealth, intelligence and strength?

Sounds great, right? I'm so excited I can't WAIT to get this all cleaned and submitted. Then KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED FOR ME!

Hugs
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

April News

Interested in seeing what I'm up to this month? Check out the newsletter:

Have a fabu day and I'll see ya soon!

Hugs
JJ

Talk about a FREAKY DEAKY DEAL!

So last week I had some restless nights. I dreamed some pretty awesome dreams but there was one that DEEPLY disturbed me.

Thursday night I was having my usual sleeping issues, finally went to sleep and dreamed of one of my dearest friends. She's going through a rough patch--starting her life over while going througha divorce. I dreamed of her. Her and a strange new man in her life. In the dream we were sitting in her house and this man came in. She introduced us and I HATED him on the spot! He made my flesh crawl, he made my stomach ache and basically I just couldn't tolerate being in the same room with him.

I begged her to listen to me--that there was something not right about this man, there was something she couldnt trust and I pleaded with her to leave him. She grew angry that I was interferring in her life and she asked me to leave. In the dream i was phoned to let me know she had died. She had been murdered--violently and bloodily--by this man.

When we were at her place Friday night I'd been sullen and silent, unsure how to speak or what to say. Finally I bit the bullet and I told her about the dream. She was slightly tense because she knows my dreams usually mean something...when I've dreamed of people dying they have passed on.

She showed me a photograph and asked me if it was the same man. I said no. I described the man to her. She got real funny. Seems as if she had gone out with a man who fit the exact descrioption of Nightmare Nathan to a T. She had gone out with him THAT THURSDAY NIGHT!

I got all goosefleshed and slightly freaked out. I told her that just because I dreamed this DIDNT mean anything. But that if she could just BE CAREFUL then it would be all right. She assured me she'd be careful and had no intention of ever seeing the man again.

We all know dreams are subjective. If all mine came true...well, lets just say that my money worries would be over, all the normal married people issues would NEVER arise and I'd be too exhausted to sit and write 90% of my life--hehehehe! It could be that the stress of my life colored my dream. It could also be as simple as I was dreaming that her divorce wouldn't be a simple and smooth meeting but end up being a heated, decidedly unpleasant battle.

Death doesnt always mean a physical thing--it can equate change. The end of her old life and the beginning of a new.

However, knowing that she went out with the man who matched the one iIN MY DREAM the NIGHT OF THE DREAM is still QUITE unsettling...

Well off to work! HAPPY READING!
JJ

Fly By Hi

Hey everyone! Man it's great to be back on my computer even if it is only for about 5 minutes. I'm not home much these days but hope to be back in action very soon. My grandmother had a small accident and needs me to keep her company for a while--until she heals or gets tired of me, whichever comes first. My cousin popped in today so I was able to come home for a little bit to shower, pack up a few more belongings and check out my emails.

I appreciate the patience I've received from those awaiting replies from me. Hope to be back in regular circulation soon. In the meantime...






















HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Love,
JJ

Miss the Good Ole Days

A friend of mine is writing a hostorical novel. It's AWESOME but she had some questions and that got me thinking. The questions involved law and order. Basically what happened to criminals.

Now back then they did the RIGHT THING. There was none of this crap of the common man paying to keep these slime bags alive. You're a killer? Hang 'em high. You're a rapist? Hang 'em High. You're a child molester? Hang 'em.

Over crowding wasn't a real problem in those days.

Since we became so "civilized" crime is out of control, prisons are crowded to capacity, and there is no end in sight.

I've got news for you--I WISH the bleeding heart liberals would pull their namby pamby heads out of their asses. Why should people who can barely make ends meet be forced to support those who don't give a shit about other people?

People like Manson--the tax payers have had to provide him medical care, three squares a day, clothes, dental...and there are those who have commit NO crime who can't afford medical care. Where's the justice?

It just makes me sick to think about how people like us who are barely making ends meet due to job loses are forced to pay for the care and feeding of murderers, rapists, molesters, abusers, drug peddlers etc.

Time for a change!

Possessed

Well this has certainly started off as an interesting year. I recently sat down at my computer determined that I was going to try writing one of the other girls in my projected Immortals series. (I haven't even sold the first one so it may be a wasted effort. )

Imagine my surprise when instead of lighthearted romance a serious Thriller/Horror came pouring out! I had no idea it was in there but now that it began I'm having trouble shutting it off. Not that it's a bad thing. I mean I'm actually writing. But this story is one of the most intense ones I've ever written.

The working title is Morgan Creek and I have to admit it's kind of freaking me out a little. I wonder if I might be slightly unhinged to come up with such an idea--okay, I've always been slightly unhinged, ask my family (GGG) as the book nears completion I'll share some of it with you. Right now about 30 pages have basically written themselves. I love it when that happens. Usually my books that write themselves tend to be better than anything else I've done. They're more popular and get higher reviews. Plus I don't stress over how/what to write next.

This book isn't a romance, not technically. There might be a romantic element in there, depends on what the voices dictate.

Well I need to get moving. The voices are back and keeping my concentration at an end.

Hugz!
JJ

Didja Miss Me?

It’s been so long since I’ve had a chance to get back in and do any updates. I’ve been busy in my other life and I’ve sorely neglected this one.

First and foremost, Heaven’s Torment was rejected—again…I’m wondering if it’s worth the stress and struggle to try and rewrite it again. I LOVE my demons but there’s just something about it that’s not clicking.

In order to force my muse into doing his part I tried a free type. This is where I empty my mind (stop that snickering!) open a blank file and just type whatever pops into my head. I turned on some music (As a side tracking thought, I found this AMAZING band! Nox Arcana—they ROCK!!!)

So turned on Nox Arcana, placed my fingers on the keys and suddenly my mind filled with images. Here’s the beginning:

Audra Atreyu passed between the rusted metal gates. One side hung askew from the decay. The monolithic mansion made of stone stood before her. It might have been glorious in its day but from years of neglect and abandonment; it was nothing less than a husk of its former self.

She climbed the crumbling stone steps to the battered and rotted wooden porch. The heavy oak door stood partially open as if to welcome her inside. She passed the barrier and scraped at the heavy cobwebs that brushed against her skin. Buried beneath the odor of mold was the distinct smell of death. She hated places like this. While they weren’t all mansions, they all held secrets clutched tightly as a child would hold their favorite toy.

At a rasping sound in the darkness, she froze mid-step and reached for the dagger in her waistband. She focused her attention to the location of the noise and through the darkness she spotted a rat as it raced across the floor to disappear into a hole in the wall. She shivered and relaxed slightly.

Her steps were padded as she searched the house for her target. This wasn’t how she enjoyed spending her nights. Damn rules. She couldn’t hunt during the day even though she know who her enemy.

Another sound drew her attention. A smile crept across her lips. There he was. The dagger didn’t make a sound as she slid it from the leather case and palmed it. The silver handle waved in perfect alignment with her hand. Fit like a glove.

Sounds pretty interesting, right? I’m not sure where, or IF, it’s going. But it was kind of nice to free associate again. I’ve been trying to stick with certain things and they just aren’t working.

Now to see if I can share any of the Nox Arcana music with you. I’ve checked YouTube and there isn’t any actual videos for their music. However, there are a couple that have plain artwork associated with them. So let’s see if I can get a couple loaded here.

The first is Transylvanian Overture


And next we have The Awakening


And finally Castle Dracula:


There are many more but I'll be content with those three--for now!

Have to run. See you all again as soon as I can.
Hugz
JJ