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

Lady with a 'tude

The Infamous New Arrival

This is Snuggles. I'm soooo not a cat person. Anyone who knows me can attest to this, heck I've said it enough on this blog.

During the past week Snuggles and I have come to an uneasy truce. Actually, today, she lay down, stretched out and wanted me to pet her. I obliged. I figured if we're going to be living under the same roof for the next couple of years, we may as well try to get along.

The past couple of days I've noticed a change in her. Thursday night was the last time she growled, hissed and sounded as if she'd love to fillet my skin. Today, as I moved around the house trying to get my things ready for a series of trips, she was attempting to be friendly, rubbing against my leg, rubbing into my outstretched hand.

This is definitely progress.

Unfortuntately it has wreacked havoc on my immune system. My hands, legs, any exposed skin she touches, burns and itches like wildfire within minutes. My nose is consistantly set on run, my eyes on water and my throat feels as if I've swallowed a series of cacti. we should own an option in Benedryl because I've been taking more than a normal share since Snuggles arrived.

As soon as we can get her evened out--accustomed to the household, she's being taken for a grooming with some anti-allergen shampoo. Supposedly that should help my reaction to her. I'm not holding my wheezing breath...LOL

At least we have an uneasy truce. Thank the Lord she isnt like every other cat I've met--wants to snuggle on my chest, lap, shoulder, etc. I dont know I could take that.

And another bonus--I dont have to vaccumm any more--DD wanted the hair ball she has to clean up after it, which includes vacuuming the hair left by a wandering feline.

Well, I'm off. I have packing to do, laundry to finish and food to make. I'm leaving for a three week (working) vacation. I'm hoping that three weeks of nothing but Netbook--no internet, tv, phone etc, to interrupt, I'll be able to get some writing done.

See y'all when I return!

hugz
JJ

Pins and Needles

I so hate waiting. I'm horrible with the patience thing. I submitted Heaven's Torment, an erotic horror a few weeks back and I heard from my editor that she enjoyed it and now we're just waiting on final approval from senior editorial staff. Keep fingers crossed it sells please!

I also submitted the completed rewritten manuscript Hawk's Rayne on this past Thursay. I know it will be a while before any decisions can be made but it doesnt stop me from checking my emial every single day in hopes of finding the offers sitting in the inbox!

I should be working on a new manuscript--an idea thats been brewing for a while--but I've just submitted three books this past week and I think I earned a bit of a break. In six weeks I'm headed for Arkansas with a couple of girlfriends for our annual week long break--ATV, swim, hike, relax NO WORK, no worries week. However, I'm ready for a short break right now. I'll use part of this week to catch up on neglected housework and the rest of the week on delving into tid new work.

Well, guess thats all the update I have for now. Be watching for the June newsletter coming soon!

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

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