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

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

THIS JUST IN...

Jinger needs to develop patience.

If I had displayed patience in following my own schedule I'd have had more news to share in the newsletter I sent out yesterday. But, because I was in such a rush to feel as if I'd accomplished something I sent the newsletter out three days earlier than planned.

So, I'm sitting here lamenting the fact that my DH is still unemployed and making my writing nonexistent when I get an email alert pop into the screen. The subject header is Heaven's Torment. My stomach knotted and pitched, persperation beaded along my brow, my palms itched and sweated. This is it. The big R, I thought to myself. Don't read it now. Read it tomorrow...you know right before you load up to leave town....even better! Dont read it until you come back on Monday! Yeah! That's it. You know if it's a rejection you'll be miserable all weekend because you LOVE Heaven's Torment.

The internal debate continued. Voices shouting reasons to read the mail now--reasons to wait until Monday--all the while my hand had a mind of their own. They pulled up the email account and brought the message up on the screen.

Dear JJ (so far, so good)

My heart is pounding. My hands are shaking...

HOLY SHIT! WOOHOO!!! YAY!!

The screams bring my hubby and daughter running--"what's wrong? What's happened?"

"Congratulations! We are happy to offer you a contract for HEAVEN'S TORMENT" I read to them!

DH's response? "Does this mean I can quit looking for a job?"
DD's Response? "So, Are you going to finally start making money?"

Yeah...The support I felt at that moment was enough to raise a single finger...

Now to the rest of the email. I have to rename the book. No worries! I have a slew of ideas for new titles.

Here's the logline and 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.

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?

Ideas for the title are:

Demon’s Dolor*
Double Dealing Demon*
Demon’s Torment
Demon’s Fall*
Double Dealing the Devil
Hell’s Horror
Angel’s Anguish
Demon’s Rush In Where Angels Dare Not Tread

The titles with the asterisks are my top choices. What about you? What do you think?

I'm just SO EXCITED! WOOHOO I have loved this story since it's inception and have been dying for it to happen. Now it has I can't quit happy snoopy dancing!

WOOHOO

Well, guess I better boogie. I've got to get back to work.

Hugz
JJ

Been MIA

I'm running behind in everything. I haven't posted a new blog entry since...wow! January! Shame on me. My February newsletter still hasn't been released, and it's been ages since I've checked MySpace.

Why? Writing--thank goodness! I've been buried in 5 different ideas and trying to work on them is like juggling burning elephants while walking a tightrope across the Grand Canyon. So why am I working on them simultaneously?

Imagine this scenario: You have five children. Each one is shouting at the same time for something different; "Mom I'm hungry!" "Mom, it's time for football practice!" Mom, I need to get to ballet class!" "Honey? I'm home. When's dinner?" "Mom my car broke down and I need a ride to work."

Which one do you tell to shut it? And let's be honest, you might tell them to stifle, that doesn't mean they actually do. There's still the not-quite-beneath-their-breath grumbling.

That's what it's like for me. The voices nearly make me crazy--er, crazier. This (hopefully) explains why there isn't a new release looming in my future. It's mighty damn hard to get anything accomplished quickly.

Guess I better get back to the circus...

Tomorrow I'm blogging at Gems of Romance blog (http://resplendencegems.blogspot.com/) hope you'll stop by and say hello.

Huz and Happy Weekend!
JJ