tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66176673494820430252024-03-12T20:03:46.750-05:00A Thought, Here and ThereRandom rambling thoughts and mutterings from Paranormal and Erotic Romance author Missy Jane.
*Make reading a guilty pleasure...*Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.comBlogger339125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-77976434385929751242023-10-20T19:28:00.001-05:002023-10-20T19:28:37.687-05:00New Release: Noah Chinn<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.noahchinnbooks.com/my-books/lost-souls-copy/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="311" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2pg1ggy5oS5oAgLYuJlQy8aaGW_CvElToUeXNQ9pEq2wV7P4Pq44XQvahEhl6Corg4vEbJSI7Wriwe6ULaNKsq2SKu_UxR4rqnD7FzgnFsVnGhqheBBlcZx3zu5t31OHFm6GW9OAhQyghSVo5SE2A5gAkqmw8YvhDVxKgiVL3S5sz7sBNWUT6SUHOOw/w268-h400/81YxUQsM00L._SY466_.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you've read any of the books in my Gargoyle Masters series, then you've read work edited by the awesome Noah Chinn. Not only is he a great editor, he's an author as well. The second book in his Get Lost Saga is available for pre-order. Here's book one:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.noahchinnbooks.com/my-books/lost-souls-copy/" target="_blank">Lost Souls</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Maurice "Moss" Foote used to be somebody. Then nobody. Then somebody again, for a while. Now he's back to square one, using his last hundred credits to try and get back his old ship and start over. Again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hel doesn't have a last name. Or maybe she does. She was born a slave. Or maybe she wasn't. It's all rather confusing to her, just like the strange compulsion that has her trying to build... something out of spare ship parts in the junkyard she calls home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When she sees an opportunity to escape on board a rebuilt transport, she takes it, not realizing what she's getting herself into. All she knows is the answers she's looking for are on board that ship. Or maybe they're inside her head.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Roy "Hellno" Herzog left the Silver Legion in favour of becoming a pirate, only they didn't like his attitude any more than the Legion did. Now he's got a lead on a prize so big it could set him up for life, if he can stomach working with other people.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">All he's got to do is track down one runaway slave.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.noahchinnbooks.com/my-books/lost-souls-copy/lost-souls-excerpt/" style="background-color: white; border-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Droid Sans"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; outline-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="border-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box;">Read an excerpt here</strong></a></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And book two will be available on November 1st: </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.noahchinnbooks.com/my-books/lost-cargo/" target="_blank">Lost Cargo</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnDuuxjabeytJaN2RhPSqI0yVPBNV4S5zJqCxYOs-Auw-OlPD5tW1GlVGX3iZnFgdc2fSrDYNK0HH0UOPAG26g1QetRIXcpWGpSZAiLHIErOCYTNshoMyvXVFqGdepbQ22Jvx00yKSs_j4i70UJvaojSdBV3nt0x5N7Xtq6yrnZR2a6w0wD017lSroyQ/s445/41ecWUqqE+L._SY445_SX342_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnDuuxjabeytJaN2RhPSqI0yVPBNV4S5zJqCxYOs-Auw-OlPD5tW1GlVGX3iZnFgdc2fSrDYNK0HH0UOPAG26g1QetRIXcpWGpSZAiLHIErOCYTNshoMyvXVFqGdepbQ22Jvx00yKSs_j4i70UJvaojSdBV3nt0x5N7Xtq6yrnZR2a6w0wD017lSroyQ/w266-h400/41ecWUqqE+L._SY445_SX342_.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Out of fuel and captured by pirates in his beat up chimera of a ship, Maurice "Moss" Foote is having a bad day, until he gets a lead on the score of a lifetime. Easy pickings, if his crew doesn't mind doing a bit of pirating themselves.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Moss certainly doesn't. His ship's computer, Violet, might. And his co-pilot, Hel, definitely will. But one tiny little lie might get them both on board.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What's the worst that could happen?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Roy Herzog is having a worse day. He lost everyone he could stomach working with, then crossed paths with the Silver Legion, the very organization he deserted to become a pirate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately for him, the Legion does not forget, and does not easily forgive. But there might be a way out, and perhaps a shot at revenge against the pilot who nearly killed him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A pilot who flies a chimera.</span></div><p><a href="https://www.noahchinnbooks.com/my-books/lost-souls-copy/lost-cargo-excerpt/" style="background-color: white; border-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Droid Sans"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; outline-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="border-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box;">Read an excerpt here</strong></a></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">All of Noah's current releases can be seen <a href="https://books2read.com/ap/nEk5Pk/Noah-Chinn" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-9526823134815616242023-08-03T09:24:00.002-05:002023-08-03T09:24:19.559-05:00Love Beyond Barriers is Available Again<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwGh514lRK_zrufOLBU1hImbP2g4uZaI_8SUoLqKg8hxvrKW12n317iXmdDeNcDcx_OyFEZVoi3EE9geRi7LK1MlJUEV_7Az1ynueZj7SLvwDGqGgF0lcQWqttJqp_rFVC0PHBeyqFU7p0erTga5Vcbks-clt7szisN6oCr6ohyGwM3okJQfjF_WR5iQ/s680/LoveBeyondBarriers_MSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwGh514lRK_zrufOLBU1hImbP2g4uZaI_8SUoLqKg8hxvrKW12n317iXmdDeNcDcx_OyFEZVoi3EE9geRi7LK1MlJUEV_7Az1ynueZj7SLvwDGqGgF0lcQWqttJqp_rFVC0PHBeyqFU7p0erTga5Vcbks-clt7szisN6oCr6ohyGwM3okJQfjF_WR5iQ/s320/LoveBeyondBarriers_MSR.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Way back in 2014 I had four loosely linked novellas released through Ellora's Cave publishing. Then EC closed it's doors and the rights reverted back to me. I've been ignoring those books for the most part but finally decided to take a look at them again a few weeks ago. After some light re-editing to update things like my characters not using cell phones or Google maps, I'm releasing them back into the world. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4uVOwKtnqkFHm9pRp-ZgEXlw2SRsMJcdBn6cXhY67uedkrsRAJJS-5DlF_8al6wHPdFfTxB42JK353aIyztQ_ziKqS8jJ1UuHSRV-JcNzTlUsJGXGSfA4SVen4QIcWJDfjzfkIVUBIgyOVbjwxkVJgSEWha0FIWRRBJSzL7ZZXJ2OUrQHMcqSEBzNlw/s680/TwoCanPlay_MSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4uVOwKtnqkFHm9pRp-ZgEXlw2SRsMJcdBn6cXhY67uedkrsRAJJS-5DlF_8al6wHPdFfTxB42JK353aIyztQ_ziKqS8jJ1UuHSRV-JcNzTlUsJGXGSfA4SVen4QIcWJDfjzfkIVUBIgyOVbjwxkVJgSEWha0FIWRRBJSzL7ZZXJ2OUrQHMcqSEBzNlw/s320/TwoCanPlay_MSR.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">All four books will be available as individual ebooks tomorrow through Draft to Digital (currently available for preorder) and the two print books (two novellas each) are already available for order from Barnes and Noble Press.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have included content warnings this time, as all four books mention domestic abuse and past trauma, one also includes a short fight scene, but none of the books are graphically violent. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cKyV5FiK4Zq4UWv_Uw41h8x9pz76fsTY9IJhFyJZy0A2uJx6sSNGUyDwoJEF9gjhvAuM9cDcDO-9Zwinwy0YInR06_0xk4KIGftzqi4Y_fRi0FvZbLSfPIYmR-ALOIB05V3vGcUHM8SMlIp2Ruig6NeCvLDCTh4iY1K9rEboADXeQNd7KJTvPVv64iE/s2250/2Week%20Trial%20ebook%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cKyV5FiK4Zq4UWv_Uw41h8x9pz76fsTY9IJhFyJZy0A2uJx6sSNGUyDwoJEF9gjhvAuM9cDcDO-9Zwinwy0YInR06_0xk4KIGftzqi4Y_fRi0FvZbLSfPIYmR-ALOIB05V3vGcUHM8SMlIp2Ruig6NeCvLDCTh4iY1K9rEboADXeQNd7KJTvPVv64iE/s320/2Week%20Trial%20ebook%20cover.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">This was also my very first venture in creating the covers completely by myself for both ebook and print, so if the formatting is a little wonky please ignore it. I love my cover artists and plan to keep using them, but the cost for these re-releases is prohibitive. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivkDfWN1pgGPepC-WPFHVzwtzmDBbU_cYcbPM6HU5g0Hc4qq4e4dkITm4vuxUq3ffyDf-qB-mrwKzMg7vOOeqrPvTLPjcEMbbq3znY49tv3SJIo75EWOyMeX3JUAb584MBXWNCZvIcW8DTbN3frRy3fGLuKcd-5qp3jCLRnTXAn8tVTni3w94avfobgw/s2250/2Dates%20Max%20ebook%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivkDfWN1pgGPepC-WPFHVzwtzmDBbU_cYcbPM6HU5g0Hc4qq4e4dkITm4vuxUq3ffyDf-qB-mrwKzMg7vOOeqrPvTLPjcEMbbq3znY49tv3SJIo75EWOyMeX3JUAb584MBXWNCZvIcW8DTbN3frRy3fGLuKcd-5qp3jCLRnTXAn8tVTni3w94avfobgw/s320/2Dates%20Max%20ebook%20cover.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Also, please note that I will never knowingly use AI in either my writing or cover art. For these books I used Canva and chose their free photos that looked the most realistic to my inexpert eye.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuQSEitWV01cQjX3WQX8ZAvLmAMicRnSRgapTpMhjAtJqvjh7sJwQTO12Fpl8cUftuvmiOLQSrDLuzSJ1OYW951z7Z7coXJg7foHWeDw0FvsqFDnccKfkgeuBYSfeubo6Dm6pLpSRv1m290ZZkEiOf8UDwgmTJL2ASLhGoDn7jcokSnunjxZB-ZwC6gU/s2250/2Hard%20to%20Break%20ebook%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuQSEitWV01cQjX3WQX8ZAvLmAMicRnSRgapTpMhjAtJqvjh7sJwQTO12Fpl8cUftuvmiOLQSrDLuzSJ1OYW951z7Z7coXJg7foHWeDw0FvsqFDnccKfkgeuBYSfeubo6Dm6pLpSRv1m290ZZkEiOf8UDwgmTJL2ASLhGoDn7jcokSnunjxZB-ZwC6gU/s320/2Hard%20to%20Break%20ebook%20cover.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Links to order my ebooks books:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Two-week Trial: <a href="https://books2read.com/u/3nNg2P">https://books2read.com/u/3nNg2P</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Two Dates Max: <a href="https://books2read.com/u/bPLWyj">https://books2read.com/u/bPLWyj</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Too Hard to Break: <a href="https://books2read.com/u/baB16P">https://books2read.com/u/baB16P</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Too Much to Lose: <a href="https://books2read.com/u/b6W1Rx">https://books2read.com/u/b6W1Rx</a></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittXyZYLzeZk3KoZf2NCMWaEd-G2FV2BHLY9wmjmaKh8dCzMnBfrA5B2mgjwQikkL5bUTX1lqtcpzjbWbltFWADbvdgFDvwEa1W4bgr82Rh2-2VMx6NSm8UlIcLb_kbbg97hkA5znxrsVrxuO8RSGo2z1nBqsEBLNMw2qKsCy3nNmFobVw5XBuPDVC35A/s2250/2Much%20to%20Lose%20ebook%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittXyZYLzeZk3KoZf2NCMWaEd-G2FV2BHLY9wmjmaKh8dCzMnBfrA5B2mgjwQikkL5bUTX1lqtcpzjbWbltFWADbvdgFDvwEa1W4bgr82Rh2-2VMx6NSm8UlIcLb_kbbg97hkA5znxrsVrxuO8RSGo2z1nBqsEBLNMw2qKsCy3nNmFobVw5XBuPDVC35A/s320/2Much%20to%20Lose%20ebook%20cover.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Links to order my print books:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Love Beyond Barriers: </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-beyond-barriers-missy-jane/1123601165?ean=9798369287750" target="_blank">Love Beyond Barriers by Missy Jane, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)</a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Two Can Play: </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/two-can-play-missy-jane/1124089426?ean=9798369291481">Two Can Play by Missy Jane, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)</a></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-85513514413708904272023-06-20T18:50:00.003-05:002023-06-20T18:50:10.790-05:00New Release: Kismet on Wings by Cornelia Amiri<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kismet-Wings-scorching-generational-romance-ebook/dp/B0C7J1DPL2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QD29CNC9VHDY&keywords=kismet+on+wings&qid=1686861642&s=books&sprefix=kismet+on+wings%2Cstripbooks%2C180&sr=1-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="323" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3uWwv5MED6KS-730OyAbB9JbXdt0665TQuP8Ov1gHiChsnsG6H6rP8aY3NlqASL8niqHXLhqJdcCI_yOvFHq081wcVYf4iV660AMLAylITL0YwN4EPL_tQwGsTzPjoIs77oEIhU-PAUHA1oMxukS4N4nBB4ThZAqDd9bw9KQD7PE1IiiSdNWRSBP9QM/w259-h400/B0C7J1DPL2.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_SX500_.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;"><i>The magic of ancient Egypt and a time traveler’s pocket watch…spark two adventures of spells, passion, and peril.</i></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />From the hot sands of Ancient Egypt, walk along with Seshat, a seductive priestess, and Ricard, a French Restoration/Regency gentleman…she can’t resist…as they discover a love that enflames their souls.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And follow Felicity, the Victorian Lady Egyptologist, and Heru, the Ancient Egyptian epitome of male perfection who makes her breathless… on their steamy, time travel journey.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Will these two couples overcome time itself or will their love be lost to the centuries between them?</span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Cornelia Amiri is an author well-versed in ancient civilizations. Her previous works include books about the Celts, Druids, and other fascinating characters from long ago. I've had the pleasure of speaking on various panels with Cornelia and she really knows her stuff. If these subjects interest you, I highly recommend any of her books. You can find more on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Cornelia-Amiri/author/B002BLFENY?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-20506624493921007432023-03-05T00:00:00.002-06:002023-03-05T00:00:00.171-06:00Read an Ebook Week 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://books2read.com/ap/nmPmpN/Missy-Jane" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc7XkGiP2xVIxXAPP9BIdYxKbwa3VNpP6n__R66teRa-KmQQ3gkuu2MemxhWqpBuPhSDv4YI3vrLIACCoDUPXtLPx7C2Cb-c6ikBVCO1hrERJUpctTzlOOm7UC9YW7rXLf9yoTOJusDV0VMPPXinOfzeW7q8BYTrjlVXBdreyFWiOqXvJtnlah9-_/w320-h320/IG%20image1.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It's Read an Ebook Week, so all of my ebook titles are 25% on Smashwords (this week only) and Educating Macey is FREE! You can find them<a href="https://books2read.com/ap/nmPmpN/Missy-Jane" target="_blank"> here </a>at the discounted price from March 5th - 11th. Just choose Smashwords as the store for the selected book. Go get them while you can at the discounted price, and I would sincerely appreciate any reviews. And please spread the word, including this hashtag: </span><p></p><h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">#ebookweek23</h3><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks!!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-16235160821589431372023-02-22T19:58:00.000-06:002023-02-22T19:58:16.709-06:00Proof of Life: Author Edition<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYRk3FUlgJyEYRZSQzZjY1nxxglY5J3Op0zC3KCD5lD1Gd2j9eMqV8UTqBgI-xKgd3Sw3WQk8hHYyjVcCWccHxKmYBzCRlFSJ_jAM1ezmxCShcxmi31e6kB9CizkoMwOw0W4ANWM_CkvbLrPeRWFpWQNpl1P9CxaS-Zhq4sltxVnLjoeKmWaYlzlP/s1500/I%20like%20my%20stories%20steamy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYRk3FUlgJyEYRZSQzZjY1nxxglY5J3Op0zC3KCD5lD1Gd2j9eMqV8UTqBgI-xKgd3Sw3WQk8hHYyjVcCWccHxKmYBzCRlFSJ_jAM1ezmxCShcxmi31e6kB9CizkoMwOw0W4ANWM_CkvbLrPeRWFpWQNpl1P9CxaS-Zhq4sltxVnLjoeKmWaYlzlP/s320/I%20like%20my%20stories%20steamy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">So...I'm still alive. I haven't been writing much lately though. Nothing on any of my pending books since November, and not much on social media either. But things have been getting better the past couple of weeks. I started going through my plethora of writing files and found two completed novels that need a home. So, I participated in a pitchfest last week. EEK! I won't know the results until the end of the week at the soonest. So everyone cross your fingers for me.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I currently have two books I'm concentrating on: Gargoyle Masters book four, and Archangels book four. They're tentatively titled Born of Prophecy and Loving the Demon respectively. We'll see how it goes. I expect to self-publish each of the remaining books in both series, so it's slow going as I save up the money for editing, covers, etc. If you'd like to help with that endeavor please purchase one of my currently published books, and tell your friend to as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While perusing my writing files I also found a cute little short-story I had written for a contest a few years ago then forgot about. I didn't place in the contest but still think it's cute romance. No heat level basically, as the contest was for general fiction not specifically romance. So, here is my gift to you loyal readers:</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hearts On Fire</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Julia is a Houston firefighter and Trevor is the news reporter who loves her. Trevor wants to keep their steamy relationship going by proposing marriage, and plans to do it in the most memorable way he knows how.</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Trevor cursed under his breath as he stumbled out of the news van and into another humid Houston night. His polo shirt stuck to him like a second skin and beads of sweat gathered on his upper lip. This was really going to suck.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ahead of him by about one-hundred yards, a warehouse was engulfed in flames. Ash fell from the sky like confetti to dot the dirty concrete, along with his brand new military style boots. He rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair, unsurprised to find flecks of ash had already fallen within the raven locks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hey, man, you ready?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Trevor turned to find his cameraman, Nick, already pointing the camera toward the raging fire. If Trevor didn’t hurry up and say his piece there would be nothing left to report. “Yeah. Let’s go.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In less than a minute he had his game face on and was answering questions from the anchors sitting in the air-conditioned studio across town. The whole clip lasted about two minutes, and then he was turning off the microphone while Nick took a few final shots.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Trevor was standing in the open door of the van putting equipment away when Nick whistled low. “Damn, there she is. Almost makes me wanna set my house on fire.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Trevor’s pulse sped up and sweat broke out for a different reason than the heat as he turned to see who had gotten Nick’s attention. And there she was, all five feet-three inches of warm-blooded, Texas woman. Her dark brown hair was covered by the HFD helmet and the protective gear hid her curves, but Trevor had spent most nights of the past two years learning every single one. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Damn. I forgot she was on call tonight.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">He scowled at Nick who was still ogling Julia, but Trevor knew it was just to rile him up. “Put your eyes back in their sockets. You know she’s taken.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Nick laughed and brushed passed him to put the video camera away. “Yeah, yeah. So when are you gonna make an honest woman outta her?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“None of your damn business. But keep next June open just in case.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Nick chuckled. “Ready to go?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Nah, you go ahead. I’m waiting around for this one to end.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Trevor stepped back as Nick slid the door shut. After clapping Trevor on the back, Nick climbed into the van and drove off. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The fire was still blazing but seemed to be more in control. Luckily it was the only building on the block in the older industrial area. The firefighters were still hosing it down as the humid night filled with the acrid scent of burnt wood and metal. Trevor made his way to the closest fire truck and sat on the bumper, as out of the way as he could get while still close enough to watch Julia work. She amazed him. When not in uniform the small woman looked quiet and almost shy, but she hid her boisterous personality well. She was the most generous woman he’d ever met, and one of the hardest working. It had taken a while for him to get over the danger she put herself into every time a call went into the station.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Their two year anniversary was only a few hours away. He planned to make this one memorable, and hoped she wouldn’t be too exhausted to celebrate a little early. Now all he had to do was wait and watch as she did the job she loved, even while his heart stayed in his throat the entire time.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Julia knew the moment Trevor arrived on the scene and almost wished he hadn’t been called to report on the warehouse fire. She had always loved her job. Being a firefighter was a calling, a career, and part of her blood. She had been born into a family of firefighters and never thought to be anything else. Finding a man who wasn’t threatened by her career had been a miracle. The fact that he could sit and watch her do the job without freaking out was a revelation. He was one in a million.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Now she fought to concentrate on the task at hand and forget him sitting a few feet away. Two years was the longest relationship she had ever been in and it almost scared her, but being with him felt too right to question. They had clicked from day one and almost always saw eye to eye. She just hoped they could have at least another two years of bliss.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It took another hour to get the blaze down to simmering embers. After a few more minutes, Julia’s team was dismissed back to the station. They rolled their hoses back up and packed it in. She looked around for Trevor but didn’t see him anywhere. As her team climbed into the truck she asked if anyone else had seen him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah, he was here, but I saw him jump in a truck and take off,” Scott said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“You two have a fight?” Oscar asked. “He kinda looked pissed off.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The others gave her some good-natured ribbing about fighting with her man, and she joked right along with them. But in the back of her mind was a nagging doubt about why Trevor would have left without saying a single word to her. It wasn’t odd for him to be on the scene. It didn’t happen all the time, but had happened before. They both stayed in professional mode until the fire was out, and talked if they had a chance. He knew he couldn’t ride in the fire truck with her, but who had picked him up?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">By the time they pulled into the station she had gone from confused, to mad, to worried. She hopped out and did what needed to be done before hitting the shower. Her shift had ended thirty minutes ago, but of course fires paid no attention to schedules. As soon as she was dressed she tried calling Trevor. It went straight to voicemail but she didn’t leave a message. He would see she called. She texted him a simple message to call her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dawn peeked over the horizon as she walked out of the station toward her car. She had just thrown her bag into the passenger seat when someone yelled her name.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Julia!” She turned to find Scott jogging toward her. “We just got a call. Come on. We need you on this one.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“What? I didn’t hear the alarm. Didn’t day shift just come on?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He waved away her questions with one hand while grabbing her arm with the other. “Cap says we need you. Your boyfriend called it in.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“What? Trevor?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fear fueled her veins as she pulled away from Scott and ran back into the station. The trucks weren’t even running but one rear bay door was up and the Captain’s large pick-up was raring to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Julia,” the Captain called to her from the driver’s window. “Let’s go.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She glanced around in confusion even as she ran to his passenger door. As soon as she was inside he put the truck in drive and flipped on his lights and siren. She pulled her seatbelt on as her heart raced. What the hell was going on and how was Trevor involved? He knew fire was nothing to play around with and he’d never seemed like the daring type before. Maybe he had been called to report the fire and noticed the department wasn’t on the scene yet?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">They drove for less than fifteen minutes when the Captain pulled onto a dirt road between two heavily forested areas. Julia’s apprehension spiked. Houston had suffered one of the worst droughts in recent history. A forest fire could spread quickly. She looked through the trees as they drove, praying she wouldn’t see smoke. All she saw were green trees and an overabundance of squirrels.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">They pulled into a clearing and stopped at the edge of a sheer drop. Julia recognized the area as Spring Creek, though it was barely a trickle of water at the moment. On the other side was a sandy flatland where people often rode their four-wheelers on the weekends. A lone figure stood waiting.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“What the hell is going on?” she asked. “Is that Trevor?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He was about two-hundred yards away and below them. She walked as close to the edge of the drop as was safe and raised her arms in question. He waved and turned away.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yer boy there called me n’ said I needed to git you to the scene of a far,” the captain said. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Julia almost laughed at the familiar sound of his Southern drawl. Now that she could see Trevor with her own two eyes, the fear and tension slowly drained from her body. “Oh yeah? I don’t see a fire.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She turned to smile at him but he looked passed her. “I do.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He pointed across the way and she returned her attention to see lines of fire slowly making their way across the sand. Trevor stood a few feet away, but too close for comfort.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“What’s he doing? Trevor!”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Panic was beginning to take hold when the Captain grabbed her shoulders. “Whoa, girl. Hang on n’ look.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Her pulse was racing as she fought the urge to slide down the embankment and run to Trevor. After a few seconds her brain finally clicked to what was happening. “Oh my god.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The line of fire finally stopped spreading and Julia’s eyes registered the full pattern. Written in flames in the sand were the words Marry Me. Trevor moved away and lit another match. He dropped it onto the sand and a flaming heart quickly formed with J+T inside of it. Julia clapped her hands over her mouth as tears burned her eyes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Captain laughed. “There’s yer far.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Commotion behind Trevor drew her attention and she saw the rest of her team walking out of the trees with extinguishers. They all looked up toward her and Trevor spread his arms.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Well?” he hollered.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Girl, he’s waitin’ fer yer answer,” the Captain said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“I don’t have a light,” she replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He threw back his head and laughed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Oh, all right.” She cupped her hands around her mouth so there would be no doubt on Trevor’s part. Then she hollered out, “YES!”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The men below cheered as Trevor dropped his arms and smiled up at her. He blew her a kiss before turning to accept backslaps from her teammates. She could hardly wait to be in his arms again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It took a few minutes for the men to put the fires out and clear the scene Trevor had created. She hated to see it go but the Captain confessed Nick had been nearby photographing the whole thing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Oh my god. I better not see that on the news tonight,” she said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He just laughed before leading her back to his truck. She expected to be dropped off somewhere nearby, but they drove all the way back to the station. Two other pick-up trucks arrived right behind them and soon Trevor found her waiting at her car. He approached slowly, looking almost unsure of himself. Julia didn’t want to make a scene in front of the men, but couldn’t stop from falling into Trevor’s arms as soon as he stood close enough.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“I can’t believe you did that,” she said with tears in her voice. “The guys scared the hell out of me when they said you were at the scene of another fire.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Trevor held her close and kissed her forehead before tilting her chin up with one finger. “I didn’t mean to scare you, baby. I just wanted to do something special, to show you how much you mean to me.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She sniffed back her tears and smiled up at him. “I love you.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“I love you too. And I’m going to keep loving you for as long as you let me. You set my heart on fire the moment we met, and I don’t ever want it put out.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That made her laugh even as a couple of tears slipped free. “That’s so cheesy. Are firefighter puns what I have to look forward to for the rest of our lives?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He chuckled and planted a soft kiss on her lips. “Oh yeah. I got a million of them. Ready to go home and burn up the sheets?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She laughed harder. “Are you hot for me?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hotter than hot, baby.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Then we better get home before you go up in flames.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She tried to pull away from his arms but he held tight. “Hang on. One more thing.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Trevor dropped to one knee and pulled a small black box from his pocket. He popped it open before holding it up to her. Inside rested a beautiful silver ring, with tiny diamonds in a peculiar shape.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Is that…is that what I think it is?” she asked.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“It’s in the shape of a burning flame.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Oh my god.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She pulled the ring free and slipped it on as he stood. Then she jumped into his arms again. “I love you so damn much. Even with all the silly fire references.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“You light up my life.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She was laughing so hard he could barely kiss her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Okay, okay,” she said. “Enough already. I’ll need to think of some news reporter puns to say to you.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He sighed dramatically before kissing her again. “Here’s a newsflash, I can hardly wait.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She groaned and kissed him to keep him from saying anything else.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hey, cool it off over there before we hose you down,” Scott called out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Trevor and Julia turned to find most of the station watching them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Oops. I kinda forgot about them,” she said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Me too. We better go.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“You got it, news man.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He started humming Great Balls of Fire and she laughed all the way home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope you liked Julia and Trevor's story. Until next time, take care and happy reading!</span></p><p></p><p><br /></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-71867204720342415092022-12-03T06:00:00.001-06:002022-12-03T06:00:00.177-06:00East Texas Book Bash<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nHhmDa_vt56C2TbYA2n48GOo_-Gj-Cqvnt9WELimqCI2C8RsxgjWePe0JwJv4L3jPLvEP0hgobNSrD4LiTNzIltHvPMQDpjkNoaHrjGYyUAoZhsCSNRMu49IneUu51ogjXCIrcf3BDD5fIhXxm7ODMhqwDUafavtPLApNyEJ3fCC2vGOsYXvs-oe/s1640/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nHhmDa_vt56C2TbYA2n48GOo_-Gj-Cqvnt9WELimqCI2C8RsxgjWePe0JwJv4L3jPLvEP0hgobNSrD4LiTNzIltHvPMQDpjkNoaHrjGYyUAoZhsCSNRMu49IneUu51ogjXCIrcf3BDD5fIhXxm7ODMhqwDUafavtPLApNyEJ3fCC2vGOsYXvs-oe/w400-h225/2.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I won't be doing many in-person events in 2023.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I don't prefer to fly to events. I like road trips, especially in Texas, so I like to drive to events all over this great big state. BUT, gas has gone up, my car is getting older, I'm getting older, it's just getting harder all around to make these trips I love. So, I decided a few months ago to not do any events in 2023, however, I'm already committed to at least two in Seguin, TX. With that in mind, I'd like to stress that if you're interested in meeting me and purchasing a print book straight from my hands, this is one of the last chances to do so for a while.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Grab your tickets today for the East Texas Book Bash being held at Mill Creek Ranch & Resort in Canton, TX on December 10, 2022!! VIP is SOLD OUT!! Only General Admission is available. There will be wine during the event!!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Facebook event - <a href="https://fb.me/e/9FA3tYOcT">https://fb.me/e/9FA3tYOcT</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Eventbrite - <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/196292675677">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/196292675677</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I will have limited copies of:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Born of Stone, Born of Magic, Born of the Forbidden, Trusting an Angel, Desiring a Demon, Saving Her Angel, and Lunchtime Sex. So, if you already know you want one, please feel free to reserve your copy here: <a href="https://forms.gle/x2HLpw58CBuB2zLP8">https://forms.gle/x2HLpw58CBuB2zLP8</a></span></p><div><br /></div>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-2384992635239572372022-12-01T17:34:00.005-06:002022-12-01T17:34:44.170-06:00NaNoNope<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wKP42-5lBCz9FF__jYHxgFLBTf9e59LV4FYaBDQ9jbA8fulu4W8k5PibRS0avpY7sITbZ4jilbArYUL8FvGPDEFedkLXfF9wo2NKryZegWN5C63qjhFLY4qP5ECR5kNJdsw1E-s3QmJJKtEe7pIs4ZWFLIiKrk4osxw4Gzj0ZDWvazJp3FUk6Z4H/s299/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="299" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wKP42-5lBCz9FF__jYHxgFLBTf9e59LV4FYaBDQ9jbA8fulu4W8k5PibRS0avpY7sITbZ4jilbArYUL8FvGPDEFedkLXfF9wo2NKryZegWN5C63qjhFLY4qP5ECR5kNJdsw1E-s3QmJJKtEe7pIs4ZWFLIiKrk4osxw4Gzj0ZDWvazJp3FUk6Z4H/w320-h181/download.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">I tried. I looked through all of my Works In Progress (WIPs), took my time selecting the one that called to me, made sure my laptop was charged, considered my schedule and when I could get writing done, updated my NaNoWriMo profile, found online writing buddies, and joined two different groups...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">None of that mattered by day three. I'm sorry to say I just can't write right now and I don't know why. I actually feel it's a bit of a miracle I'm able to write this blog post. In the past, I've used this blog to get the writing juices flowing again, so maybe I'll feel like writing this weekend, but who knows. Is it writer's block? Is it depression? Is it general laziness or apathy? I really can't say, but it sucks. The desire is there until I plug in my external hard drive and all those little file folders pop up to mock me. Perhaps it's intimidation. It's almost definitely a little bit of imposter syndrome.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever it is, I'm hoping to move past it enough to get book four of my Master Gargoyle series finished. It's about two-thirds of the way done. I even have a cover all ready to go. As my early Christmas present to you, dear reader, you get first peek at my new cover below. Once that book is done and back to my editor I plan to finish book four of the Archangel series. I know that's been a few years coming. I also am considering rereleasing my Love Beyond Barriers books: Two-Week Trial, Two Dates Max, Too Hard to Break, and Too Much to Lose. They need a little bit of updating to current times, but there won't be many changes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope all of you are ready for the Holidays and have started out December on a positive note!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMK1UeVvSuQVxKQULbNKEcBIq0yDP8uq60n7Sa0VudqASKDpQuMkngcAskGTXwCnt0qDNb7r1X-J4VPM5ymxqk0aC8BLe2iIfmGMxtnibNMbG-qMZx-bwiyUCk0Wlj-HyzluqV574AyOL9Sxa4SfWKzbbM9_zQKndZwEnZXkXAPc2XGMsQsaEBlLi/s2700/Born%20of%20Prophecy_Digital_HighRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMK1UeVvSuQVxKQULbNKEcBIq0yDP8uq60n7Sa0VudqASKDpQuMkngcAskGTXwCnt0qDNb7r1X-J4VPM5ymxqk0aC8BLe2iIfmGMxtnibNMbG-qMZx-bwiyUCk0Wlj-HyzluqV574AyOL9Sxa4SfWKzbbM9_zQKndZwEnZXkXAPc2XGMsQsaEBlLi/w266-h400/Born%20of%20Prophecy_Digital_HighRes.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-50602973095485062862022-03-21T09:16:00.000-05:002022-03-21T09:16:37.772-05:00Something Close to My Heart<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_YpsyJzRCGxuSAE4VCdqs--v2s1jbR9BtvguwLDHzv-BqwKsxNesYo4oo4cjSIP2vRpmYjGbUNu6AM-pdXoMbpQbJnNeY8Px6JcgzwleIQbN6rONUhlZk7R5odgKRBo-tgbyqpnAdNWo4RrbcK6pHX-PMLSMcKoaDloBQ7Dx7lgzEeGL-apNs_7f/s1500/TexasTwitterCoverReveal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_YpsyJzRCGxuSAE4VCdqs--v2s1jbR9BtvguwLDHzv-BqwKsxNesYo4oo4cjSIP2vRpmYjGbUNu6AM-pdXoMbpQbJnNeY8Px6JcgzwleIQbN6rONUhlZk7R5odgKRBo-tgbyqpnAdNWo4RrbcK6pHX-PMLSMcKoaDloBQ7Dx7lgzEeGL-apNs_7f/w280-h320/TexasTwitterCoverReveal2.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those of you who don't follow me on social media might not be aware that I'm a LGBTQ+ ally, and VERY much an ally of #trans rights. My youngest child is a transgendered person, something I've put out into the world more than once, and we live in Texas, not necessarily a good mix right now.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I love being Texan. If you've ever met me, you might've noticed my purse or something on my person or author table with the state of Texas on it. I consider it part of my identity. However, I love my children more. They always come first, especially at a time like this when some people in this state don't think one of them has a right to live as his genuine self. I'll be the first to admit I had doubts when he first told us he was born as the wrong gender. But there comes a time in a parent's life where we have to take a step back and come to terms with our child knowing their own mind, making their own decisions, and taking those first steps away from us. In our case, this was a big one, but his conviction and absolute belief that this was true was irrefutable. I'm so glad we listened to him. What would any parent do when faced with the choice of believing their child or losing them? We honestly thought that might happen, and it made our choice easy. He knows his own mind, he knows his own body. What can we do to help?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">My son was able to have top surgery last March (double mastectomy) and he had started taking testosterone a few months before. Luckily, we live in Houston and had resources all around to help us with this journey. It was relatively easy, if not a little expensive, but we got it done. Name changed, the paperwork of his life straightened out, and at seventeen my child became a young man in the legal eyes of Texas. If that had happened in 2022 there's a good chance it would be considered child abuse. As it is, at least one Texas parent is being investigated retroactively for their now adult trans child transitioning while being a minor. I might still have a legal battle ahead, but it is nothing compared to what the actual transgendered youth in Texas are dealing with. To help ease some of this burden, a <a href="https://heafortranskids.com/" target="_blank">group</a> of authors and concerned others have gathered together to raise money for groups actively fighting these hateful laws in Texas.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMivdsL6ZUz1e03oEHdnEJge1Z8dKQFuwSiRyxzm2X77-sM8O1FHReC_w1OC_GrP_OPIF_h__gdQfJ_ArdQS126ho_yGHrYjf-nz2NrN3CsVH76sMm_K8Uil9SFwMAjZUxJ0C8PD1ZbO8kK6xbKqvbHgXRDf0Ss736q7L4vKeKQ7hFizWwJOH2uFmH/s960/TexasBoxset-Web-WhiteBG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMivdsL6ZUz1e03oEHdnEJge1Z8dKQFuwSiRyxzm2X77-sM8O1FHReC_w1OC_GrP_OPIF_h__gdQfJ_ArdQS126ho_yGHrYjf-nz2NrN3CsVH76sMm_K8Uil9SFwMAjZUxJ0C8PD1ZbO8kK6xbKqvbHgXRDf0Ss736q7L4vKeKQ7hFizWwJOH2uFmH/s320/TexasBoxset-Web-WhiteBG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> The first offering is a bundle of books collectively called </span><a href="http://texas.heafortranskids.com/" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank">Spooky Spring</a><span style="font-size: large;">. These thirteen books (yes, full novel-length ebooks) can be purchased with a donation of at least $25. Every penny goes to an organization on the ground in Texas fighting for the rights of our kids who have done nothing but live as their authentic selves. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't want this particular book bundle? No problem, there will be more! I'm offering a book in one of the future bundles as well. <a href="http://ec2-54-202-43-228.us-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com/x/d?c=20269121&l=71487b5b-cd1b-4c66-8fc2-aa3a2d4d4e57&r=1e35df9b-8549-402f-a73a-2e54a8afbef8" target="_blank">This link</a> will take you to the newsletter sign up to be alerted to future book bundles for this cause. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Unsure if you want to help because this cause isn't a part of your life? No problem. I sincerely appreciate you reading this far. Please help us get the word out on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/heafortranskids" target="_blank">social media</a>, or to other readers any way you can. On the fence because you just don't "get it"? No problem. I'm absolutely open to questions. Though I'm not a transgendered person, my son is also open to answering questions about being trans and what it means for him. I can tell you what it means for my family and how it has affected us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">All we're trying to do is help #trans kids live with the freedom that many others in Texas enjoy. Thank you for reading this post.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxoj686rsHdULUpBxeqQatWSuAfJtbC_kO6UCxKxtwWgFCemq_s2ID5rc5ynOZkds2LDHKsuxMCG7HQIhggpQA78WqbnZreXr3HX0bDwRh5zbUDVxyeAF4F9o6GcWCwYsSev5tO_aXZ6OB4hIPQiDYHPvgH13i8nFh5W2Xjum34mnpTkhXaKcAE6G/s1200/TexasEmailList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxoj686rsHdULUpBxeqQatWSuAfJtbC_kO6UCxKxtwWgFCemq_s2ID5rc5ynOZkds2LDHKsuxMCG7HQIhggpQA78WqbnZreXr3HX0bDwRh5zbUDVxyeAF4F9o6GcWCwYsSev5tO_aXZ6OB4hIPQiDYHPvgH13i8nFh5W2Xjum34mnpTkhXaKcAE6G/w400-h225/TexasEmailList.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><br />Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-62382391775176843472022-02-27T09:54:00.003-06:002022-02-27T09:54:31.832-06:00First In-Person Event of 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN6ZCcdbsiyGDmmhgEvijHWJrlGjXsj-MOutAGgjfBg_Oo7Wrclz_g8X2YImLcDeoft7_lyJDAa2qz8MyLLEJ51Pz84zF8Dx34vBkj8vIp8oMsFCrTSCrcozeJ27CtXdNz6wBBty8yBe-F5QOFkEPLio29Q_mcs6CCPlPTZNVtvIaCSJMf7553xF5e=s1000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN6ZCcdbsiyGDmmhgEvijHWJrlGjXsj-MOutAGgjfBg_Oo7Wrclz_g8X2YImLcDeoft7_lyJDAa2qz8MyLLEJ51Pz84zF8Dx34vBkj8vIp8oMsFCrTSCrcozeJ27CtXdNz6wBBty8yBe-F5QOFkEPLio29Q_mcs6CCPlPTZNVtvIaCSJMf7553xF5e=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's almost here! My first in-person event of the year is once again <a href="https://allthebooksevent.wixsite.com/atbevent" target="_blank">All the Books</a> in Houston, TX. Over 30 authors of multiple genres will be joining me at the <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/houapdt-doubletree-houston-intercontinental-airport/" target="_blank">Doubletree - Intercontinental Airport</a> this Saturday, March 5th from 10 - 4. The event will close in the afternoon so we can eat lunch from 12:30 - 2.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I will have print copies of all three of my Gargoyle Masters books, all three of my Archangels books (both old and new covers), Lunchtime Sex, and I have one copy left of Love Beyond Barriers. I'll also have my "I Like my Stories Steamy" t-shirts in women's cuts from S- XL. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you want to pre-order anything please fill out the form below to guarantee I'll have what you want. I can also invoice you through PayPal ahead of time to save your cash and hassle the day of the event.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hope to see you there!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="1589" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcnu-IEzRo1s4i2-z98O9oQlSwKO9XJkS4cY_mqtonsb58TA/viewform?embedded=true" width="640">Loading…</iframe>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-23194363510357608912022-02-06T06:00:00.082-06:002022-02-06T06:00:00.187-06:00New Release from Tina Donahue: Privilege<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRVjJc20EobUHASdDpG658AoiX0JuU1PiHjSozldkJ7Y4L3cKF83dsjHz2OU2UzuxLcCCZsuanhiS26A3vv2j4BwHD5Rjd2JmIR3oOP74LAnGuTGOIAsjB1V5HlRld6Gi935kQZKEQ_FulUiSuq8Hyj9Tx37G5udGUgQWfyNOsWqhWwwWWDUoaBTPw=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="410" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRVjJc20EobUHASdDpG658AoiX0JuU1PiHjSozldkJ7Y4L3cKF83dsjHz2OU2UzuxLcCCZsuanhiS26A3vv2j4BwHD5Rjd2JmIR3oOP74LAnGuTGOIAsjB1V5HlRld6Gi935kQZKEQ_FulUiSuq8Hyj9Tx37G5udGUgQWfyNOsWqhWwwWWDUoaBTPw=w274-h400" width="274" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">My friend and fellow author Tina Donahue has a new book out!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Privilege</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Valesky Crime Family Book 2</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>She’ll destroy the mobsters who murdered her brother... unless they kill her first.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>District cop Lia Blosky warned her twin brother not to get involved with the Valesky Crime </span><span>Family. He didn’t listen. Now, he’s dead, tortured horribly before mobsters murdered him. Out </span><span>for blood, she’ll do anything to see these monsters dead.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>FBI Special Agent Adrian Kalin is connected to the Valesky Family in a way he loathes and </span><span>doesn’t want. His stepfather rules the syndicate and is tired of Lia threatening to kill him and </span><span>others responsible for her brother’s death. To shut her up for good, he orders Adrian to murder </span><span>her. Who better than an FBI agent who has no connection to her and knows how to hide </span><span>evidence? </span><span>Adrian resists, but if it comes down to saving Lia or his brothers and mother from Dimitri’s rage, </span><span>he’ll have to choose family.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>In a deadly game between each other and the mob, Lia and Adrian fight to survive... while also </span><span>surrendering to their undeniable attraction to each other. </span></span></p><p><b>This is book two in the Valesky Crime Family series, can be enjoyed independently and has an HEA.</b></p><p><b>Publisher’s Note: This contemporary dark mafia romance contains elements of mystery,</b></p><p><b>suspense, action, adventure, adult themes, and possible triggers for some readers.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Goodreads: </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60169480-privilege">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60169480-privilege<br /></a><span>Buy Links:<br /></span><span>Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QLBZ89H">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QLBZ89H<br /></a></span><span>Books2Read: <a href="https://books2read.com/u/4Elpno">https://books2read.com/u/4Elpno</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><br /></p><p class="Standard"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Giveaway<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p class="Standard"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;">$15 Amazon<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="Standard"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Follow the
tour </span></b><a href="https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/privilege-book-tour-and-giveaway"><b><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">HERE</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> for special content and a giveaway!</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="23d974a93274" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a93274/" id="rcwidget_bilqco3t" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>About the Author</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Tina’s an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes passionate romance for </span><span>every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, </span><span>Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. She’s won Readers’ Choice </span><span>Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year award, The </span><span>Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place </span><span>in the NEC RWA contests. She’s featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before </span><span>penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On a less serious note: she’s an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brakes for Mexican </span><span>restaurants, and has been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally while wolfing </span><span>down tostadas. She’s flown a single-engine airplane (freaking scary), rewired an old house </span><span>using an ‘electricity for dummies’ book, and is horribly shy despite the hot romances she writes.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Author Links</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Website: <a href="http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/?zx=95d61d0b25f33bf4">http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/?zx=95d61d0b25f33bf4</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">MeWe: <a href="https://mewe.com/i/tinadonahue">https://mewe.com/i/tinadonahue</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/tinadonahue">https://twitter.com/tinadonahue</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tinadonahuebooks">https://www.instagram.com/tinadonahuebooks</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Bookbub: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tina-donahue">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tina-donahue</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tina-Donahue/e/B001IZPJXO">https://www.amazon.com/Tina-Donahue/e/B001IZPJXO</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146988.Tina_Donahue">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146988.Tina_Donahue</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX_mmHv36J-dHiJHjQjS-rHIE0zYEb_1e5TuFKkt60-M1YzDF8ZPtmjqTmHOC2mB6SCJBBE2i5z7mAcgQuOVQkcBZJJO3jU1MDRBZ86q19siKFakXKR0tlHniabDj7_eftWP3orOxW4bEDAChXi3eQ_7SeSyklUX11d6KS7-J_z1922mI3UvTOXlkI=s1275" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX_mmHv36J-dHiJHjQjS-rHIE0zYEb_1e5TuFKkt60-M1YzDF8ZPtmjqTmHOC2mB6SCJBBE2i5z7mAcgQuOVQkcBZJJO3jU1MDRBZ86q19siKFakXKR0tlHniabDj7_eftWP3orOxW4bEDAChXi3eQ_7SeSyklUX11d6KS7-J_z1922mI3UvTOXlkI=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-19677738992656163982022-01-01T11:38:00.002-06:002022-01-01T16:35:36.146-06:00New Year New Giveaway<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRdJ0HSnXHyKzMOYdOHvsVP059sYNmJdhdphOnzhcs6XS-ITCR4fv9eQQxyrttFMHVRpIyKWUailkY4voYQL844X4liUx3LaCQ6NXFilh5AKpSwM8sFIEVnuYp10x3PdtAZmJ3jZHWuf3OOKt74ee4ez_PQMdmv3lDysNaIDh17ybWEATPfPqGQvTJ=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRdJ0HSnXHyKzMOYdOHvsVP059sYNmJdhdphOnzhcs6XS-ITCR4fv9eQQxyrttFMHVRpIyKWUailkY4voYQL844X4liUx3LaCQ6NXFilh5AKpSwM8sFIEVnuYp10x3PdtAZmJ3jZHWuf3OOKt74ee4ez_PQMdmv3lDysNaIDh17ybWEATPfPqGQvTJ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div>Happy New Year! I know 2021 wasn't what we all hoped for, but it's time to start fresh with a new year. Here's hoping all of you have a better 2022. I wish for everyone to be healthier, happier, and more successful than last year. I'm hoping I get more writing done, eat less chocolate, and move around more. I'm not making actual resolutions though because honestly, I don't know that I'll keep to them past this weekend. But I'm hopeful. We'll see.<p></p><p>To start the New Year off right I'd like to give away some prizes. I am a huge fan of Jodi Thomas and Madeline Hunter and entered contests to win their books. Then, I thought the contests had ended with someone else winning and I bought the books. But behold, I actually did win a copy of each book! So, I'm giving away three prize boxes:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3cGmC3vI5FsRefxYvRyPjbS1V1cqVAufI8WmRdbk6u2AV-idJCZdfiGTAX9s0uHOhVVKDmeTbe7mMjU8gs9mc-EYhKgiuDhNPDm1Dy7v4PVXwovm-pCQImPdHotrWM4yPg0MPfHGstvRXV3_4hv6vKe29SmT7kjmxJGwnXtgzFHYnulIxYmKSb1P1=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3cGmC3vI5FsRefxYvRyPjbS1V1cqVAufI8WmRdbk6u2AV-idJCZdfiGTAX9s0uHOhVVKDmeTbe7mMjU8gs9mc-EYhKgiuDhNPDm1Dy7v4PVXwovm-pCQImPdHotrWM4yPg0MPfHGstvRXV3_4hv6vKe29SmT7kjmxJGwnXtgzFHYnulIxYmKSb1P1=w113-h200" width="113" /></a></div><p>The first box has a new copy of Madeline Hunter's <a href="https://www.madelinehunter.com/books/heiressinredsilk.php" target="_blank">Heiress in Red Silk</a>. It's an excellent historical romance, just as all her books are, and I highly recommend it. I'm also including a read copy of RaeAnne Thayne's Riverbend Road, a coffee mug, and one of my goody bags. <br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGqfHUhwOMZiBp2i_i3Iwq9B4tarzdmq_GjwyeHLTaPOkKYUrIvxa37oNc_gUbhSNq5cBQZypAp5RoOxOYKtLo79YxZhDkEdv1OObdkDV3idPhdXzCZn6LrolKr4ykO5s51q_z1hZf2dVmbGwDhGXuwmJEwaHsIytUVHjX0qqtW6FpEtUTXflDjfGq=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGqfHUhwOMZiBp2i_i3Iwq9B4tarzdmq_GjwyeHLTaPOkKYUrIvxa37oNc_gUbhSNq5cBQZypAp5RoOxOYKtLo79YxZhDkEdv1OObdkDV3idPhdXzCZn6LrolKr4ykO5s51q_z1hZf2dVmbGwDhGXuwmJEwaHsIytUVHjX0qqtW6FpEtUTXflDjfGq=w113-h200" width="113" /></a></div>The second box includes a new copy of Jodi Thomas' <a href="https://www.jodithomas.com/honeycreek" target="_blank">Dinner on Primrose Hill</a>. I'm about to start reading it, but I absolutely love all of her sweet romance books. They're not spicy like what I write but her characters and settings are memorable. The box also includes a read, signed copy of Nicole Flockton's One Hot Texas Summer, a cute little notebook, and one of my goody bags.<br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipzSNjRZa_HQPu3QAqLC8obgSIOR2NF5T1mz8DRU7AjVBu4VC_sDRzH0hFvNSpODPa93C-H5sfvSmHrlOJKQBf3mGsEkkByvH8ogMDIf3oOgjwiCYJfL2o2sq5V5xB0iLigA-ZKtGeNfV4fMlI2YrWZxFN40-exJu46q8cnm33Amu7DYYvcm4ROjtD=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipzSNjRZa_HQPu3QAqLC8obgSIOR2NF5T1mz8DRU7AjVBu4VC_sDRzH0hFvNSpODPa93C-H5sfvSmHrlOJKQBf3mGsEkkByvH8ogMDIf3oOgjwiCYJfL2o2sq5V5xB0iLigA-ZKtGeNfV4fMlI2YrWZxFN40-exJu46q8cnm33Amu7DYYvcm4ROjtD=w113-h200" width="113" /></a></div><br /><p>The third box includes a new copy of <a href="https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/rochelle-alers/innkeepers/" target="_blank">Room Service</a> by Rochelle Alers. I cracked open this book, but a few pages in realized it would better to read the other books in the series first. Unfortunately, my TBR pile is preventing me from buying them at this time. The box also includes a magnetic 2022 calendar, a cute magnet, and one of my goody bags.</p><p><br /></p><p>To enter to win one of these prize boxes all you have to do is visit this <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/40dd6d4b8/?" target="_blank">Rafflecopter</a> and use one of the methods to be entered. Commenting on this blog post is one of the ways to enter. Feel free to comment below with your New Year's resolutions, your favorite book from 2021, or anything else you'd like to say. The contest ends on January 9th and is only open to those in the continental U.S. due to shipping costs (sorry!). Good luck!</p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-47304156435802767262021-09-15T12:37:00.004-05:002021-09-15T12:37:52.126-05:00National Hispanic heritage Month: Being LatinX<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TjtkpB5C3OTCiKVLCG1iXL2fhLXH-Jtn7Ox-g1SoKZ78kMGPwzKohQFxjnzsDM73viqjG-aJz_agKotK_XcPUU2RLEc8vh_eqHxL8mQ0jn_noWRmTcGn-24xKbXOqUBFajqJovP2KI8/s2048/242071847_105598125207013_669682709162063139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2040" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TjtkpB5C3OTCiKVLCG1iXL2fhLXH-Jtn7Ox-g1SoKZ78kMGPwzKohQFxjnzsDM73viqjG-aJz_agKotK_XcPUU2RLEc8vh_eqHxL8mQ0jn_noWRmTcGn-24xKbXOqUBFajqJovP2KI8/s320/242071847_105598125207013_669682709162063139_n.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>Today is the first day of National <a href="https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/" target="_blank">Hispanic Heritage Month</a>, a month of celebration that began in 1968. I have never really celebrated it before, though I am Mexican-American, Hispanic, LatinX, or whatever you want to call me. I jokingly say I'm slightly more tan than average. So, what does being Hispanic really mean to me?<p></p><p>Growing up it didn't really mean anything because I was surrounded by a lot of different ethnicities. In middle school that changed a bit when I went to school in Fifth Ward, but heritage and culture weren't things 80s kids really talked about. Then we moved north as I was entering high school, and suddenly I <i>felt </i>like a minority. Bottom line, I wanted to be White, but I never realized how much I denied my heritage until I became an adult.</p><p>I took Spanish in high school and my entire family is bilingual, except for me. I was even in the Spanish National Honor Society. But as a teenager, "Mexican" had a bad connotation to me. It meant less, illegal, dirty, foreign, other. I honestly didn't realize I felt that way for many years, but it's something I've been actively working to overcome as an adult.</p><p>When I chose the pen name Missy Jane it was purely for convenience. Missy has always been my nickname and Jane is my middle name. But there have been instances of people believing I'm White. The first time that happened I was so surprised, then I really looked at my pen name and though "Duh". It doesn't sound like a Hispanic name. So, now that I plan to venture into other genres of writing I've decided to have a second pen name: MJ Aragon. Aragon was my grandmother's name, and Jane is also in honor of her first name Juanita. I doubt she would've approved of most of what I write under Missy Jane, but hopefully she would have found MJ's stories entertaining. </p><p>A few weeks ago my Missy Jane profile on Facebook was hacked and they set up two-step verification, successfully locking me out. FB has no work around apparently, or at least, they ignored my plight. So, I've now created a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMJAragon" target="_blank">new FB profile</a> under the new pen name. Feel free to send me a friend request if you'd like. </p><p>I hope y'all are all celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with tacos, even if it is a Wednesday.</p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-58782041461357019552021-02-14T06:00:00.027-06:002021-02-14T06:00:00.404-06:00Cover Reveal: Born of the Forbidden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jlUnhRLjEHtlyIgotAwQah5TSXvXtwsPwx2zVrb3HLR5Hc19640HZNjZrpW9Agot6b3AQYbRy9VYJ4bqXxIPiX8THBW4Ul-xW7EhxFNRAdZXyoFPNJJZbwUbh_EehzSe3z0pSOp5IS0/s2048/BornOfTheForbidden_Digital_HighRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jlUnhRLjEHtlyIgotAwQah5TSXvXtwsPwx2zVrb3HLR5Hc19640HZNjZrpW9Agot6b3AQYbRy9VYJ4bqXxIPiX8THBW4Ul-xW7EhxFNRAdZXyoFPNJJZbwUbh_EehzSe3z0pSOp5IS0/w266-h400/BornOfTheForbidden_Digital_HighRes.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Happy Valentine's Day! As my special treat to my readers I'm revealing the cover for my soon to be released third installment in the Gargoyle Masters series, Born of the Forbidden. The tentative release date is March 13th, but I'll post on social media as soon as that's set in stone. Thank you to the amazing Kanaxa for another gorgeous cover!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blurb:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some
desires are too strong to be denied.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Master Steinn is loyal to his brothers, his King, and
his people, but his desire for another man is leading him into unchartered
territory. As a Master Gargoyle he protects the realm, but did he inadvertently
bring on a threat from the Varish with his taboo encounter? Despite being made
of stone, the strength of his feelings for Zephyr may be more than he can
fight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Brónach’s gift of foretelling is often a curse. The
jumbled images she dreams aren’t usually helpful, but this time the danger is
clear. Relaying the message is the easy part, the challenge comes in ridding herself
of the one gargoyle who stops her heart. Adalstan has no clue she’s desired him
for years. Now she finally has his attention at the worst possible time. Will
he hate her once the full foretelling is revealed?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Twelve brothers turn to stone to protect the human
realm, but they can’t protect their hearts once they find the mates who call to
their souls. As they battle the unexpected feelings within, a battle wages in
their city, a prophecy comes to light, and the fate of the entire continent is
at stake.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-71778993127162208232021-01-10T15:50:00.003-06:002021-01-10T15:51:53.642-06:00Sunday Reflection: Who TF Can Create Right Now?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgKMWTukl0-7mQcMT2brUfMFPoXdinTvB1uXMrnfHIjEkNqCb_2EE0aogGtlYGAOAEDf916VWdhbc6R36uO_oCX3H9kPcNaRErVUXpzTbIwZcUWhaqIX_IoizxCjfFPktfr9YAWMmfJ4/s621/USFlag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="621" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgKMWTukl0-7mQcMT2brUfMFPoXdinTvB1uXMrnfHIjEkNqCb_2EE0aogGtlYGAOAEDf916VWdhbc6R36uO_oCX3H9kPcNaRErVUXpzTbIwZcUWhaqIX_IoizxCjfFPktfr9YAWMmfJ4/w400-h266/USFlag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It's almost 4 pm on Sunday afternoon, January 10th, and I've only added a handful of words to my current Work in Progress all weekend. Like many people all over the world, I've been scrolling through social media looking repeatedly at images and articles from Wednesday's attempted coup at the U.S. Capitol. I can't help myself. I can't stop. I keep seeing different takes of the same events of that horrendous day and I read every one.<p></p><p>The information hasn't changed, nor has my opinion of the President and his part in this embarrassing and infuriating moment in US history. I've never been a Trump supporter. I've never been a Republican. From the moment Trump decided to run for the 2016 election I've said he's an idiot and an embarrassment to our country. He brought up penis size during one of the first debates, yet people still followed him. He mocked a disabled reporter on live television, and still people voted for him. I'm beyond disgusted. As if that's not bad enough, I live in Texas, firmly in Cruz's district. I absolutely can't stand him. He's just as responsible for the events that have led us to this moment. </p><p>I'm so distracted with no end in sight. When will this BS end? I, like many Americans, am looking forward to the inauguration. But will that be the end of it? What are Republicans even now planning to do? They no longer control Congress. Is that enough to right the wrongs they've done over the past four years to the middle and lower class? To marginalized communities? To the environment? To the LGBTQ+ community? To the families of those dead or dying from Covid-19? To anyone who doesn't have the cash or stocks and bonds to garner their respect and attention? God I hope so.</p><p>For now, I'm writing this post so I can feel like I've written some words this weekend. It's the best I can do for now. I'm listening to some heavy, angry music to get that energy out. Once I'm done, I plan to switch to classical and try to write an actual story. If the words won't come, I'm going to snuggle with my cat and watch the rain.</p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-2855722525760938752021-01-01T11:59:00.003-06:002021-01-01T11:59:24.065-06:00Obligatory New Year's Post 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NDGU-NyduOA_s20hO-C7ro6Gtxuqc4JKWpF44AViYobVDzqQ3Pov0MEAVWeQCkZNe0sHE_o9N-uaFOnna5XQeBvxYKsjdVVYZjIyU5lUz2eRfTgJbHrYmxtPx6cvPXrwGlIJIwwpoWw/s1080/104481253_3015477238488218_3967863259509498769_o+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NDGU-NyduOA_s20hO-C7ro6Gtxuqc4JKWpF44AViYobVDzqQ3Pov0MEAVWeQCkZNe0sHE_o9N-uaFOnna5XQeBvxYKsjdVVYZjIyU5lUz2eRfTgJbHrYmxtPx6cvPXrwGlIJIwwpoWw/w200-h200/104481253_3015477238488218_3967863259509498769_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>For every person on this planet, 2020 will be a year that lives in infamy. I honestly don't know a single person that didn't suffer in some way due to the pandemic, and all that it wrought. Today begins a new chapter in all our lives. Hopefully, a much more positive chapter. One we will be a little sad to see end this time next year.<p></p><p>In 2020 there were a few changes in my family. Daughter #3 decided to end her college career for now but stayed in Denton. Daughter #2 moved back home. Our son was officially renamed in the eyes of the state of Texas and we're still getting everyone else officially on board. My husband and I were able to work from home for a few weeks, but for the most part still had to go out in public every workday. We were lucky to keep our jobs and have not forgotten it for a second.</p><p>My son's box turtle disappeared, and I had to say goodbye to my beloved cat Cheetoh on the same day my son's tortoise died. At nearly the end of the year daughter #1's girlfriend's cat died of cancer. It was a rough year on us for pets.</p><p>In my writing life there were some positives. I finally finished book three of my Gargoyle Masters series. It's being edited and I already have the new book cover ready to go. I'm hoping for a March release date. I won NaNoWriMo for, I think, only the second time of my life, though I've been attempting it for many years. My long neglected blog saw a lot of activity from me in September because of a 30 Day Challenge hosted by Angela James that kicked my writing butt back into gear. Overall, it was the most productive I've been in a long time. </p><p>So, what about this year? Here are twenty-one things (in no particular order) that I'm looking forward to in this new year:</p><p>1. Empty Nesting. I love my children with a sometimes fanatical intensity that drives them nuts, but I've been taking care of them for nearly twenty-seven years. In the Fall we will be taking my son to Tulane University and beginning our Empty Nest days. Daughter #2 might still be living with us, but she'll be 24 by then and no longer needs me to the degree she did as a child. I'm looking forward to having a little bit more time for myself.</p><p>2. New Orleans. On that note, with our son in New Orleans for school we'll have a lot more opportunity to visit one of my favorite places to visit. We've promised him to remember to swing by and say hi while we're in town, lol.</p><p>3. In person book events. I might be overly optimistic, but I have at least four in-person events planned for 2021. </p><p>4. The first is All the Books in March in Houston. Hopefully, it will be safe enough to still have this event at that time. If not, the next is in May. Fingers crossed.</p><p>5. The May event is The Lone Star Book Festival.</p><p>6. Comicpalooza is expected to also make a return in Houston in May.</p><p>7. At some point Copperfield Books will reschedule it's Annual Author Fair.</p><p>8. In October, Authors in the Alamo City is expected to still take place.</p><p>9. Publishing new books. As stated above I will definitely be releasing the third Gargoyle Masters book this year. </p><p>10. I also plan to rerelease at least two of my contemporary erotics that were previously published by Ellora's Cave. I also have a completely new contemporary erotic romance I'm working to have out soon. It's book three in my Erotic Arts series that began with Erotic Images.</p><p>11. Reading new books. With the new year comes new books from my favorite authors. One of the ones I'm most looking forward to is Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs. It's book 6 in her Alpha and Omega series which I <i>highly</i> recommend if you enjoy urban fantasy. Even if you're not sure, Patricia Briggs is one of the best story tellers I've ever come across. Well worth the read no matter which series you try.</p><p>12. I'm also looking forward to Nalini Singh's newest Psy-Changeling book Last Guard. Though waiting until July is going to be painful.</p><p>13. Christine Feehan is releasing a new book in each of three of her series that are on my auto-buy list, and I honestly don't know which I'm looking forward to the most: Reckless Road, Lightning Game, or Shadow Storm.</p><p>14. Seeing family again. I'm really hoping by October it's safe to visit my mom. Since she lives in San Antonio I'm hoping to see her when I attend Authors in the Alamo City. Even if I have to put on a hazmat suit, I want to see my mom in person.</p><p>15.Travel. It might still be a while before it's safe to really travel and have a vacation somewhere, but we already know we're heading to Louisiana in August because of my son. He is also having top surgery this year which will necessitate a trip to Austin where daughter #1 lives. Then there will be those in-person book events. One is in Seguin, TX, which I've driven through more times than I can count. However, I don't think I've ever actually stopped there. It will be nice to road trip again.</p><p>16. New cat? When our son leaves for college he will be taking one of the cats with him. Claire really only loves him and barely tolerates the rest of us, so she gets to go to Tulane too. That means Jessie will be all alone in our house during the workday. So, we will most likely look into getting her a companion shortly after Claire leaves for college.</p><p>17. Eating out. Though we've continued to order food from area restaurants in order to support them, we haven't eaten in a restaurant in a while. There was one breakfast we attempted in an outdoor courtyard a month or so ago where we were attacked by bees. I told my husband it was a sign that we should've continued to get our food to go. I'm looking forward to being able to sit in a restaurant again. Hopefully it will happen this year.</p><p>18. Movies, and other indoor entertainments. Will we be able to safely watch a movie in a theater in 2021? I hope so. I'm honestly more concerned with going to a musical performance or play. No matter what it is, I truly hope it's safe to support the arts in person this year.</p><p>19. Camping. Before our rainy camping trip in December it had been many years since we'd loaded up the tent and headed into the woods. We all missed it. Being that it's one of the safe things we can do during a pandemic, I'm looking forward to more camping in 2021.</p><p>20. Photography. I've been taking photos since middle school when my father bought me a Canon AE-1. It's a hobby I haven't indulged in much the past couple of years. However, I plan to take my DSLR with me a lot more in 2021. There are so many great photographs I've missed because the phone is not always a great substitute.</p><p>21. Everything. 2020 was such a dumpster fire that there's just nowhere to go but up at this point. If you follow my social media you know where I stand politically. I can't wait for Biden and Harris to take office. I'm almost giddy with relief at the thought of the changing political climate in the US that is coming. I know things aren't going to improve overnight, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDbNOxpHMDfc9spnfewE1XXH6TlR0l759iPmcLTOZwuKdfr290pSzy2OmRJm9TjJYCQ5iW3Olbt2h3tc9_w81Iu0QtV7E4P5fT3gpyftacGFdKbvMYZ6KsYm5NnQxtD2rGEUEtKALxwQ/s2890/22555443_1970623789878427_7781237757680274005_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="2890" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDbNOxpHMDfc9spnfewE1XXH6TlR0l759iPmcLTOZwuKdfr290pSzy2OmRJm9TjJYCQ5iW3Olbt2h3tc9_w81Iu0QtV7E4P5fT3gpyftacGFdKbvMYZ6KsYm5NnQxtD2rGEUEtKALxwQ/w216-h81/22555443_1970623789878427_7781237757680274005_o.jpg" width="216" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmBDn7Y3A4dgM6YWISN6f2UoPYvO0AwDSwfN_GiLFztcW6KjQ4iojkkzzTIKCMsE-hOVLIXCa0SLRPUcprl_iMdx8v419lGAUanQ9JfnI6m4tb30s3IsJA2s_AoId4O2kn-dfNznLd-M/s267/EocFCmyWMAIorJH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="200" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmBDn7Y3A4dgM6YWISN6f2UoPYvO0AwDSwfN_GiLFztcW6KjQ4iojkkzzTIKCMsE-hOVLIXCa0SLRPUcprl_iMdx8v419lGAUanQ9JfnI6m4tb30s3IsJA2s_AoId4O2kn-dfNznLd-M/w120-h160/EocFCmyWMAIorJH.jpg" width="120" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsW76He6l91jrS47bmL0haf76IIxnomGeTU-5Ruq1dUbpwzr06qM8z8RraazBPIZLrS4Dq8I7h_pQb4ut_LipUugQ53wo9-CZM0ofN6zxNrgndEz4Bmoje1bA_URa-HdeNPihUz1AWmw/s1200/57454684_405428366677474_8842780652450349056_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsW76He6l91jrS47bmL0haf76IIxnomGeTU-5Ruq1dUbpwzr06qM8z8RraazBPIZLrS4Dq8I7h_pQb4ut_LipUugQ53wo9-CZM0ofN6zxNrgndEz4Bmoje1bA_URa-HdeNPihUz1AWmw/w206-h108/57454684_405428366677474_8842780652450349056_o.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-88933123508733248942020-11-22T08:00:00.001-06:002020-11-22T08:00:01.328-06:00Sunday Reflection: I've Been Remiss<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOrbuaulb7Wu0TnuAWGssWmUgYCfjBAQrT84vlpy7Tm_xmqffTHf9KBYh0NTk6Y9SI1Mc3Reak0KfxxPmAOz4kf0sBjuVuzq-3W3TJwa9wQRpfvQgTeYfU4toD9YhAZ4BcEflHmrVON8/s800/damngina+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOrbuaulb7Wu0TnuAWGssWmUgYCfjBAQrT84vlpy7Tm_xmqffTHf9KBYh0NTk6Y9SI1Mc3Reak0KfxxPmAOz4kf0sBjuVuzq-3W3TJwa9wQRpfvQgTeYfU4toD9YhAZ4BcEflHmrVON8/w400-h225/damngina+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Alas, I've been remiss in posting anything to my blog in the month of November. Oops! To be honest, I didn't stop to think about what participating in NaNoWriMo would do to my blog, any other writing I have going on right now (Which is a ridiculous amount). I knew I absolutely had to finish Born of the Forbidden: Gargoyle Masters Book III, because I had promised myself I would get it out into the world by the end of 2020. After all, I need something positive to show for the hell this year has been.<p></p><div>So far, NaNo is going fairly well. It was a little slow going at the beginning because I was finishing BOTF also, but I completed that within the first week of November and it's the in the capable hands of my editor now. There's a sense of freedom that comes over me once I've sent a book off to my editor. I refuse to open that file again until edits are sent back to me, because I know I'll want to alter or add something. So, because I can't look at it anymore, I'm free to move on to something else. I really like that feeling. Right now I'm writing an erotic romance for NaNo. I've been saying it's the sequel to Lunchtime Sex, however, it may actually be book 3 in my Sophisticated Women series instead of book 2. I'd tentatively started book 2 a while back, and I think this current story will fit better in the timeline as the finale. We'll see.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sophisticated Women book 2 is currently titled Breakfast in Bed, and book 3 is Dinner for Two. Both of them will follow the theme of an older woman with a younger man. Breakfast in Bed involves a hot pool boy, and in Dinner for Two the heroine falls for a college student after she poses nude for his art class. I'm having a blast writing this one, and I hope y'all will enjoy it once it comes out. Before it's release, however, Born of the Forbidden will be available. As soon as I have a release date I will let the world know. The first people to be told will be my newsletter subscribers. They're going to get the first peek at the cover as well as an excerpt from the book. Not a subscriber? Sign up <a href="http://eepurl.com/cAzTkT" target="_blank">here</a>. I promise you won't be inundated with emails from me. I only send them out to announce new releases and personal appearances. So, most likely you'll get about four a year.</div><div><br /></div><div>All righty, break time's over. Back to my NaNoWriMo WIP!</div><div> </div>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-77970146983364017962020-11-01T11:05:00.003-06:002020-11-01T11:05:14.404-06:00Sunday Reflection: Writing Again for NaNoWriMo<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://nanowrimo.org/participants/authormissyjane" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cpWr9nylaWH_bSrC3MQg9u-pNdrTR3xpKhbAkwoZRQhz-o7SsmX-ZuqQC5vlwCb48r_NiwipBH1P8ytAyzy-N7tk80YNMpjktt1uASYYV3E8z5RXZZgL8yjNDP6lBq441EdfII8vN7U/s320/NaNo-2020-Writer-Badge-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />It's November! <a href="https://www.si.edu/blog/5-facts-about-dia-de-los-muertos-day-dead" target="_blank">Feliz Día de los Muertos</a>! Happy <a href="https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?19988.donation=form1&df_id=19988&s_src=FDRS-FY21-PRMY-SL_DON-google_cpc&s_subrc=79159123855-juvenile%20diabetes%20research%20foundation-b-409151902278&gclid=Cj0KCQjwufn8BRCwARIsAKzP696C28HDRChSDIn2VGdCv413Bz88Qir5mv5w_VLTvo3pyw65N6jt7QMaArHxEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Diabetes Awareness</a> month! And if you're participating, Happy NaNoWriMo! As you've probably guessed by the picture to the left, I am <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/participants/authormissyjane" target="_blank">participating this year</a>. It's been a while since I did so, but the words are finally flowing again so I decided why the hell not. I'm hoping to end 2020 with a completed book or two to add to my published page next year.<p></p><p>This year's NaNo offering will be a sequel to Lunchtime Sex, tentatively titled Dinner for Two. I actually already started another book in this series that I thought would be the sequel but I guess it's going to be book three now. We'll see which one gets finished, edited, and covered first. That one will most likely be titled Breakfast in Bed (see the theme there?) All three are part of my Sophisticated Women series, which is an older woman/younger man series of forty-something women getting their groove back and the twenty-something men who help them with that groove. They are erotic romances, and definitely have HEA endings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6hx3tZJIyL4qTkEiPLRzlyKIkhQ4HzRJdzTm5Pi64Z0-GHGwKy5tXX_Puz3LJTroIOsGAC6h1NH6D75G-F6nVDsNYRTp4BHU975jnDMKbVlzVjPzo5xnEaV7y2q6-Rcwh-YjGWZeVT4/s2048/20201031_203119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6hx3tZJIyL4qTkEiPLRzlyKIkhQ4HzRJdzTm5Pi64Z0-GHGwKy5tXX_Puz3LJTroIOsGAC6h1NH6D75G-F6nVDsNYRTp4BHU975jnDMKbVlzVjPzo5xnEaV7y2q6-Rcwh-YjGWZeVT4/s320/20201031_203119.jpg" /></a></div>Being Hispanic, <a href="https://www.si.edu/blog/5-facts-about-dia-de-los-muertos-day-dead" target="_blank">Día de los Muertos</a> is a holiday I've always been aware of but don't technically celebrate in the traditional way. My mother used to create an altar every year but I never have. My son expressed an interest this year but it was too late to make one. However, this is definitely on the list of to-dos for next year. To anyone who is celebrating with an altar, post pictures! I love to see the creativity that goes into celebrating our loved ones. Mine will probably be mostly about my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather. I also have two cousins I'd like to honor. Do people include their pets? This year I lost my beloved cat Cheetoh and years ago I lost my dog Baby who was seven years old. I think they both deserve a place on my altar.<div><br /></div><div>November is also Diabetes Awareness month which is important to my family, too. My seventeen-year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age seven, and my husband and I have been diagnosed with type 2 in the years since. As a family we strive to do the things necessary to stay healthy and support the efforts of organizations like JDRF. We usually participate in their walk every November. It's going to be virtual this year and I'll admit we did not sign up for the first time since my son's diagnosis. With everything going on in 2020 I just didn't have the mental bandwidth to handle the fundraising efforts required for that endeavor. Though it makes me sad we won't have a sign with his smiling face this year, I knew it was too much to ask of my family, friends, and myself. Here's hoping 2021 will return to normal.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?19988.donation=form1&df_id=19988&s_src=FDRS-FY21-PRMY-SL_DON-google_cpc&s_subrc=79159123855-juvenile%20diabetes%20research%20foundation-b-409151902278&gclid=Cj0KCQjwufn8BRCwARIsAKzP696C28HDRChSDIn2VGdCv413Bz88Qir5mv5w_VLTvo3pyw65N6jt7QMaArHxEALw_wcB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="53" data-original-width="144" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7C702HYE9VlQ8Ef1_YmRsHC52JRDu7reUykHGvRTfUIsY4uiqcA4ZCYaPI_W4k_WRItlA3gBcC1iwNfxnnilJSsOUqH3KuVSKHSKDQjSo-RAa8dU5v343oBRwbdsvzRNkH9Hq7jxn20/w320-h118/JDRF.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-90760354637072237352020-10-25T08:00:00.019-05:002020-10-25T08:00:05.355-05:00Sunday Reflection: Social Media After the U.S. Election<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QVnljgmu6opZDEczw2f6kvYrEdjX1EjSHRWJZdHVPQlDKVYEETP2MOghSvkTwuL2hSgMBNY3BUhl-NwMM2dT8CqPwPFdajAZuUVayiQDQJCPkKcrM94tcyh80xxeckvYPsCap7Oh1VE/s122/twitter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QVnljgmu6opZDEczw2f6kvYrEdjX1EjSHRWJZdHVPQlDKVYEETP2MOghSvkTwuL2hSgMBNY3BUhl-NwMM2dT8CqPwPFdajAZuUVayiQDQJCPkKcrM94tcyh80xxeckvYPsCap7Oh1VE/s0/twitter.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> I can't wait for November 4th. Actually, I should probably say January 21st. Whatever date when my social media feed isn't bombarded, rightly so, by the mess that is the political atmosphere in this country. I'm not naïve enough to think everything is going to get better immediately after the election, or even on Jan. 1, 2021. However, once the results are in there isn't a damn thing we can do about it one way or another. So whether my guy wins or not, I expect to be sharing and posting a LOT fewer political posts once it's done. I'm not saying we should ignore injustice and turn a blind eye to the racial disparity in the U.S., and world. I'm not saying I plan to stick my head in the sand. I just hope there will be fewer lies spewed as absolute truths soon.<p></p><p>So, what are we going to rage about once the election is over? Again, there will still be racial injustice to fight. There will still be a HUGE gap between our wealthiest and poorest. There will still be rampant homelessness in a country covered in empty housing. But can we take a break for a bit? Like, maybe just the first week of December can we all agree to just talk online about books, movies, TV shows, whatever entertains us? Let's talk about anime and manga, graphic novels and comic books, video games and puzzles. Let's talk about gardens and walks in the park, or whatever outings you're able to do in your part of the country. Let's celebrate the lives of those we've lost to Covid-19 by remembering the good times instead of railing at the gods that we've lost them. Just for a few days, or a few hours, or a few minutes.</p><p>Starting December 1st I'm going to make a conscious effort to put more positivity out in my social media world. If I see something negative that I feel others need to know about I will still share it, but I'm hoping things will quiet down a bit by then. December does mark the end of hurricane season after all. Hopefully it will also mark the end, or close to it, of political chaos season. Even if it doesn't, I'm really going to try to post more non-political positives rather than almost all political mostly negatives. Hopefully, I'll also have a new release by then. We shall see. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts.</p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-24013062934509502452020-10-22T12:37:00.003-05:002020-10-22T12:37:51.099-05:00Thursday Review: Matthew McConaughey talks to Dwayne Johnson<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRmhXE83njLk3-YQHGbuyyH-0DWY1rJPCp7fpZ3tLoMGZpLafQzaeHspzSZvjT5QJsLAqMWzqizIp3Qa7uCNLS4QFAf7juYwrO4X489Sa_aWvnL6MGrQWCs2-15L6Kx3f1FnaPUwMMyM/s1500/retro-television-960666.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRmhXE83njLk3-YQHGbuyyH-0DWY1rJPCp7fpZ3tLoMGZpLafQzaeHspzSZvjT5QJsLAqMWzqizIp3Qa7uCNLS4QFAf7juYwrO4X489Sa_aWvnL6MGrQWCs2-15L6Kx3f1FnaPUwMMyM/s320/retro-television-960666.png" width="320" /></a></div>When I read an announcement about another celebrity book being published, I usually roll my eyes and move on. Not so when I saw the news about <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000190/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0" target="_blank">Matthew McConaughey's</a> new book <i>Green Lights</i>. As a Native Texan, I think I'm obligated to like MM, but even if I wasn't he's an easy celebrity to like.<p></p><p>Most people my age think of MM as he was in Dazed and Confused, which came out the year I graduated High School. To be honest, I've never watched the entire movie and remember very little about it that isn't regularly shared on social media. What I do remember when it comes to MM, is his awesome portrayal of lawyer Jake Brigance in A Time to Kill. That is a movie I will never forget, though I think I've only seen it once.</p><p>So, his acting chops in that movie are usually the first thing I think of whenever his name runs across my social media. But, being a Texan, I've seen various tales of him just generally being a great, down to earth guy at various times. The talk aired online by B&N this past Tuesday only reiterated my opinion. From the advertisement I expected it to be Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) interviewing Matthew McConaughey about his new book. However, it was actually more like MM interviewing DJ. They spoke about the book and it's premise of there being green lights in our life, basically good things that come along, or opportunities we're given. They also spoke about yellow and red lights and how they've dealt with them.</p><p>One of the more serious parts of the talk happened when MM brought up that both of them have lost their fathers (which I didn't know). DJ spoke about being evicted from his home at age 14 and the effect that had on him. Seeing his mother cry was a driving force in him striving to be the successful man he is now. MM spoke a lot about his father and how much he misses him, which was very obvious in his voice. It was such a real, human moment to witness between these two men that can seem to far above us. </p><p>Probably my absolute favorite part, was when MM talked about knowing at age 8 what he wanted to be when he grew up. You'd think actor or artist, right? Someone famous and/or important. Actually, he said a father. That just melted my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed the talk, and the Q&A MM held afterward, answering questions that had been sent in before the event. Though I haven't received my copy of the book yet, I expect <i>Green Lights</i> to be just as satisfying as hearing that talk.</p><p>Now that virtual events are our new normal, I look forward to attending more author events such as this. A few weeks ago, I attended one hosted by <a href="https://freshfiction.com/" target="_blank">Fresh Fiction</a> in which they interviewed Lorraine Heath. If you follow me on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/missyjane" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> it's pretty obvious I've recently become addicted to her books. I plan to also host some virtual readings of my <a href="https://authormissyjane.wordpress.com/paranormal/born-of-stone-gargoyle-masters-book-i/" target="_blank">Gargoyle Masters</a> series. Hopefully, book three will be ready soon. Once that date is set I'll plan three events where I read from each of the books and discuss their world. I hope you'll join me.</p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-80238757294805356972020-10-11T07:00:00.001-05:002020-10-11T07:00:07.239-05:00Sunday Reflection: Suburbs and Subdivisions<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="949" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7Wx5JGIbfJiMzmUGmiMZ2txzDH6fIyySot_h3ab2Vc3tJHnVf1jyuBrb843pBaYU4bRDPBv_UpEtsZCsFeCOZpFuoQL6tYbIGmoCCrRxTXJeevGYSVPq7ze58S4qihp8m_WX1lDyOFE/s320/citymap_houston_tx.gif" width="320" /></div>Growing up, until my Freshman year of high school, we lived within Houston city limits. It wasn't like living "downtown" exactly, but it wasn't the suburbs either. If you're not familiar with Houston, a glance at the map to the left shows it's HUGE. Over the past thirty years, since I lived within city limits, the suburban areas outside of Houston have exploded and expanded. Recently on Twitter I came across a post about suburbs being started as a segregation tactic. There were other posts, all negatively referring to suburbs as basically things of evil. I find this funny because back when I was in high school, I would've agreed.<p></p><p>At the time of our move out of city limits I was a lonely teenager with zero friends or acquaintances in the school district I was moved into as a Freshman. We moved into a "subdivision", which honestly freaked me out a little bit. The only things I knew about subdivisions at the time were from <a href="https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31533155/Rush/Subdivisions+%5BR30%5D" target="_blank">Rush lyrics</a>, and none of it was flattering. That put a definite damper on my expectations of my new school and classmates. It actually turned out really well for me. I graduated with good friends, many I'm still in touch with, and tons of great memories. Did I conform? Yeah probably. At the time I didn't think much of it, but I realize now how much of my Mexican culture I sacrificed during my teen years. However, all teens go through the transition of identity phase and that was mine.</p><p>Years later, after many more moves, I talked my husband into moving back into the general area of my high school years because of those fond memories. We wound up, and still live, in a subdivision in the suburbs. But let me tell you about the suburbs where we live. It's quite diverse. I'm not surrounded by white housewives when I go to the grocery store. I don't see a plethora of Trump for President signs as I drive down the street. There's a feeling of community here, even though most of us stay to ourselves and only smile and wave to each other in passing. Once when walking into the local grocery store, a lady was struggling to push her cart and pull a carpet cleaning machine behind her. I immediately headed her way, but before I could help her two other people got to her and aided her to her car. <br /></p><p>Another time, my husband and I were walking into the same store on a rainy day and a lady slipped and fell in front of us. The manager rushed out and a few other people stopped with us to help her. The store manager, who I knew well, talked her into letting me drive her home while my husband followed. No one thought anything of it because we're all neighbors. We're all a community. Sure, we have our problems like anywhere. I see Ring and Nextdoor alerts of stolen packages and car break-ins, but luckily it's not a daily occurrence. As mentioned, there are Trump supporters just like there are Biden supporters, but I've yet to see any public arguments. Everyone walking into the local grocery store wears a mask. When lost pet notices are posted people respond to help. I like living in my subdivision in the suburbs.</p><p>That being said, I DO NOT find Mike Pence in any way sexy or attractive. In fact, I laughed out loud when I saw that making the rounds on Twitter. I think a big part of the problem with the negative view of suburbs right now is the misconception that only one type of person lives in them. Well, that's certainly not true where I live and I have a feeling it's not true for a lot of suburbs around the U.S.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EYYdQB0mkEU" width="320" youtube-src-id="EYYdQB0mkEU"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-49563326789020205582020-10-08T07:00:00.017-05:002020-10-08T07:00:00.378-05:00Thursday Review: Metallica's S&M2<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh_WZTAPmu0_k85ea3EBBNG1OfOZTGr-tIFq5yLcvnCJIO_UUWcWscWRkMh3Fc8IL5PHjyyV59OQb6fnP-CTVB2KqwywGxYacUSUO-j6n42Ur_eeRHXzVh9DQaNHKlEOFKSFO3KMMCgc/w517-h291/1602111469196366-0.png" width="517" />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">High school marching band was a savior for me. As a Freshman I moved not only to a new school, but a whole new district. I knew absolutely no one and, having gone from the city to a suburb, had no idea how to fit in. Then I was put into band class and suddenly had something in common with about 300 other students. It was a game changer. The very first show, where I just kind of stood on the sidelines, was also a huge eye-opener. Up until then I had listened to very little Classical music. I knew who Beethoven and Mozart were, but that about summed it up. Hearing that first show created a love for Classical music that has expanded over the years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">I've never been a big fan of recorded live shows. Too often, live music doesn't live up to my expectations either because the songs sound too different, or the band just doesn't sound as good live. However, Metallica has never had those problems. I've seen them live a few times and each time has been a great experience that stayed with me for weeks, if not months, after. They are one of my top five all-time favorite bands, so getting not one, but two CDs that mix Metallica and Classical music rates in my top favorite all time things of 2020. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Live music is what I miss most in these Covid times, so I really enjoyed listening to this 2 CD set of live Metallica. It starts out with my favorite of their instrumentals, The Call of Ktulu, and the symphony slips so seamlessly into the song that it's as if they've always been there. Disc one hits on at least four different albums, with an enthusiastic crowd singing along with James throughout. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Disc 2 starts out with Lars thanking and welcoming Metallica Club members. He thanks San Francisco and points out the many countries represented in the audience. Then he introduces the musical director, who thanks the symphony and Metallica. Then the symphony (alone) plays the Scythian Suite, a short tribal sounding piece that's very drum heavy, which I like. After that Metallica joined them for The Iron Foundry. The rest of the disc includes more classics, including my favorites Wherever I May Roam and Master of Puppets. Hearing James sing an almost acoustic Unforgiven III is a reminder that the man has an awesome voice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">But, the absolute highlight of the whole thing was the tribute to Cliff Burton with the symphony's take on (Anesthesia)-Pulling Teeth. It began with a slow standing bass solo that I could honestly listen to for hours. Then Robert Trujillo joined in to add the electric bass sound. Not gonna lie, it gave me goosebumps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Overall, it was money well spent and I honestly enjoyed it more than S&M 1, which I think I only listened to all the way through once. If you're a Metallica fan who has been missing live music you'll like the Metallica songs on this 2-disc set. If you're a Classical music fan who's favorite section of the symphony is the percussion section, you'll like disc 2 for certain. If you're like me, both a Metallica and a Classical music fan, you'll enjoy both discs even as they make you yearn to attend a live show again. </div></div>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-90378004187686773372020-10-04T08:00:00.001-05:002020-10-06T19:00:25.910-05:00Sunday Reflection: Getting Older<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0RI24jreAg5zp4GRS_IAkFJzBzSaGdEUqx1RqEcSfXQnXPGNKV-hNqTsA5jq_GNDFTI6IRiPsH2YK8Iuvrfzx1Pwl4HU47STlmisZYizOa6mMwJpT-HAjD3IB5Yrm6M4FiYc62yLxxI/s896/me1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="896" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0RI24jreAg5zp4GRS_IAkFJzBzSaGdEUqx1RqEcSfXQnXPGNKV-hNqTsA5jq_GNDFTI6IRiPsH2YK8Iuvrfzx1Pwl4HU47STlmisZYizOa6mMwJpT-HAjD3IB5Yrm6M4FiYc62yLxxI/w404-h325/me1.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>It's October, which for me means something a little more than Halloween. Time is chugging on. On October 1st my mom turned seventy, on October 3rd my third child turned twenty. Where has the time gone?! If they're getting older then I am too. I'm no longer the toddler covered in chocolate with way too much curly hair as pictured to the left. I'm a mom, a wife, a daughter, an aunt, a sister, an author, a professional, and a woman who can look back on my life (even during this horrifically crazy year) and be satisfied that I've accomplished much and had many moments of true happiness.<p></p><p>When I was in high school I was an aunt to four rambunctious boys and one rambunctious girl. I loved all of them dearly but swore I wouldn't be having any of my own anytime soon. My plan was to become a photographer for either Sports Illustrated or National Geographic, hopefully both, and travel the world indulging in my passion of photography. I graduated. Started college, then life happened. By the time my second child made herself known I realized my plans had been forever altered. I don't remember ever mourning the life I thought I'd live. I remember nothing but happiness when I first became a mom, even if it hadn't been in my plans. Plans change and people change, and I think it all worked out.</p><p>So, now I'm forty-five and indulging in writing, something that wasn't even on my radar back in high school. I've always loved to read and write. As a child I'd make up stories all the time but not write them down. I was the kid sitting on the playground reading a book instead of running around with everyone else. Though I'd never expected to become an author, when I think back to various times in my life I realize I probably should have considered it. The spark was always there, I just hadn't noticed it.</p><p>I know a lot of people hate getting older. They hate having their birthdays acknowledged and fussed over. I'm the complete opposite, not only about my own birthday but about those of my loved ones, too. Since we couldn't throw the big bash I wanted to give my mom for her milestone birthday, we hired mariachis to play at her house. My sister made signs for her yard and her sister baked a cake, covered in seventy individual candles (she's the youngest and had to rub it in mama's face). For my daughter, we drove up to Denton for the day to have a small celebration at her apartment. It wasn't all I'd hoped to do, but it was enough. </p><p>Getting older isn't a bad thing if you can look at what you've accomplished in the years you've lived. If you're happy with the person you are today, then all of the hardships have been worth it. </p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-81145379059065963412020-10-01T08:00:00.001-05:002020-10-01T08:00:08.025-05:00Thursday Review: Mulan<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRmhXE83njLk3-YQHGbuyyH-0DWY1rJPCp7fpZ3tLoMGZpLafQzaeHspzSZvjT5QJsLAqMWzqizIp3Qa7uCNLS4QFAf7juYwrO4X489Sa_aWvnL6MGrQWCs2-15L6Kx3f1FnaPUwMMyM/s1500/retro-television-960666.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRmhXE83njLk3-YQHGbuyyH-0DWY1rJPCp7fpZ3tLoMGZpLafQzaeHspzSZvjT5QJsLAqMWzqizIp3Qa7uCNLS4QFAf7juYwrO4X489Sa_aWvnL6MGrQWCs2-15L6Kx3f1FnaPUwMMyM/s320/retro-television-960666.png" width="320" /></a></div>The Disney animated movie <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3" target="_blank">Mulan</a> is one of those that sticks with you long after you've watched it. If your family is like mine, you trade quotes at random times (usually from Mushu), sing the songs together, and recount the funniest parts over and over. It's one we've loved and watched many times since it's release onto VHS. So, it was with great excitement that my family looked forward to the release of a live-action <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4566758/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1" target="_blank">Mulan</a>. Understandably, my kids were skeptical about this one being as good or better than the original but we decided to watch it anyway.<p></p><p>Shortly after the movie became available word got out online that the main actress and at least one actor had some troublesome <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-49373276" target="_blank">political views</a>. To be completely honest, in a good year I might not know what's going on in other countries, especially on other continents, that is causing unrest among their citizens. Everyone knows this has not been a good year, however, my son explained some of it to me so I wasn't completely unaware when we chose to rent the movie. My son decided to stay in his room while the rest of us watched the movie.</p><p>*Spoilers ahead*</p><p>It started out well. I liked seeing a glimpse of Mulan as a child that wasn't given in the original. It was odd seeing her have a sister instead of her wise and amusing grandmother, who had seemed to be the only one to cut her a little slack. But then the plot twisted into something far different from the cartoon. This wasn't a smart only child who was trying to make her father proud of her because of her love for him. This Mulan has inner power that she must keep secret because she's female living in a male-dominated world. Her parents are exasperated by her. Her father offended rather than the loving animated character who, while full of pride, still loves his daughter deeply enough to look past her flaws. This isn't necessarily a Mulan little girls could or would look up to when what they see in the mirror isn't who they hope to be.</p><p>The movie follows the events of the original for the most part, but then a different villain is thrust upon us. We meet a witch who is very powerful, but for some reason acts as a minion for the true bad guy, Böri Khan. Why? The entire characterization of Xianniang makes no sense whatsoever. She is the one sent in first to clear the way for Böri Khan and his elite group of baddies. He talks down to her and basically treats her like shit, but she follows him anyway. Why? What hold does he have on her, a magical witch who can turn into a bird and fly away at any time? What makes even less sense is the ending when she sacrifices herself to save Mulan based on little more than one meeting where she admits they have a lot in common (which Mulan disagrees with BTW). Xianniang was a very unsatisfactory addition to the movie. Without fleshing out her character, she shouldn't have been added at all.</p><p>Then there's the Big Reveal. In the cartoon, Mulan is injured saving Li Shang, a character that sadly didn't make the cut into the live-action version. Now, she fights the witch, loses, then I guess has an epiphany? The witch basically dares her to reveal herself so she strips off (and throws away!) her father's armor (probably a family heirloom BTW) and rides back into battle sans armor and with her hair down. This is the part that doesn't make a lot of sense to my American mind. Her hair had been up, but the guys still had to know it was long, right? I mean, I can fit a lot of hair into a bun, but her bun wasn't exactly small and discreet. Anyway, she rides in and saves the day. They appreciate it but immediately recognize she is a woman and must be banished. This is the part of the movie I liked the least (because I didn't really <i>hate</i> any of it). It makes no sense to throw away her dad's armor before heading into a battle. It makes no sense to reveal herself at that point in time. The animated version played this out much better.</p><p>I'm not going to go into the ending too much other than to say I understand now why Jet Li didn't want to be in the movie. Apparently his <a href="https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/jet-li-reveals-he-only-starred-live-action-film-mulan-daughters-sake" target="_blank">daughter talked him into it</a>, but really, they could've had a carboard cutout play the emperor for all the life they gave him in this movie.</p><p>Overall, it wasn't the worst remake I've ever seen. It wasn't the worst movie by a long shot. But I did miss the comedy and the music of the animated version. I do prefer that movies about other cultures stick closely to the truth of those cultures though, so I'm going on the advice of others to look for the 2009 version of <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1308138/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0" target="_blank">Mulan</a>, which some believe more closely follows the <a href="https://people.wku.edu/haiwang.yuan/China/tales/mulan.htm" target="_blank">original poem</a>.</p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-4796641958316820212020-09-27T07:00:00.001-05:002020-09-27T07:00:00.174-05:00Sunday Reflection: A Decision About My Writing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbG4vEDYNXu3Q0XE2QeRKEH6p_HmLDI5Z8FiBUUiPhbRqTzC8aibzjjHkSIcAqJ547DE99U30jqTLs_rlPgFHDNW21ihd1O-PAuv5mw_z03bWTfwFzCU-7ZYBeS_y74pUKQUKQ4JRsmU/s2048/EeMy0s7XkAEW-UG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbG4vEDYNXu3Q0XE2QeRKEH6p_HmLDI5Z8FiBUUiPhbRqTzC8aibzjjHkSIcAqJ547DE99U30jqTLs_rlPgFHDNW21ihd1O-PAuv5mw_z03bWTfwFzCU-7ZYBeS_y74pUKQUKQ4JRsmU/w277-h492/EeMy0s7XkAEW-UG.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br /> I signed my first publishing contract in the summer of 2008. Before that acceptance email that completely changed the way I viewed myself when it came to writing, I basically just wrote as stories came to me. I wrote because I wanted to know the rest of the story that was playing through my mind. I wrote for myself. The first time someone told me they liked what I had written I was shocked. These crazy stories I make up in my mind weren't supposed to actually go anywhere or do anything for anyone. Not even me.<p></p><p>Now it's been over ten years since my first book landed on the shelves of Barnes and Noble and I'm completely indie-published. I don't have a company to help me edit, publish, cover, and promote my stories. I'll be completely honest, there are days where it doesn't feel as if all the work is worth it. Does anyone care if I ever publish another book? Is anyone actually waiting for my 3rd Gargoyle book, 4th Archangel book, 2nd Shapeshifter book, or any of the erotic stories I have yet to republish? Maybe, maybe not. I've had to really think about this over the past few months because independent publishing is not cheap. I promised my husband at the very beginning of this journey that I would only spend money I make on my books on book-related things. I lied. Luckily, he's a wonderful man with a great job, and I work fulltime as well. However, I've had to take things very slowly with anything new that requires not only a book cover (of which I am barely capable), but also a real editor rather than a free Beta reader. This, my dear readers, is only one of the reasons I don't have more books available for purchase right now.</p><p>At the beginning of the year I had great hopes of having the third Gargoyle book out by the summer. Then Covid-19 happened and I've found it very hard to concentrate on writing. The plethora of blog posts over this past months are my way of getting back into the swing of things. I'm hoping oiling my writing muscles in this way will bring my mojo back. I think it's working. I certainly am not having any trouble writing the blog posts. But even once I get the book done I still have to pay for an editor. A couple of months ago I invested in another beautiful cover from the very talented Kanaxa. I can't wait to share it with y'all, but that's not happening until I have a release date. I have to finish the book first.</p><p>So, what was my great epiphany about my writing? What is the decision I've come to as mentioned in the blog title? I've decided to stop worrying about trying to keep up with the expectations other authors have for themselves and to be more realistic in the expectations I set for myself. I've decided to start writing for ME again. I still want to keep my readers happy. I love y'all and am completely humbled every time I sell a book. However, I can't live under that pressure right now. I'm going to once again look at each book as a story I want to tell rather than a possible source of income. Luckily, I have the ability to do that because as mentioned above my husband and I both work. I'm going to stop looking at my author brand as a business (at least for the moment) and consider it an expression of myself I want to share with the world. I hope you will join me on my journey.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbzDUCNr4GxLAJArI3DdeYZ3iVxa72Gc-egQrm3jxjp5bzerD9qVtfXmdSwSvUr47xi3zW0pgYkrvMuO0Wg8C8Q3k45BEZFedrFJa0Oq4ghw5O1nmHM9YhUundOGxLshSTKhA0GLRKNc/s1024/CLznmoWUMAAeYxp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbzDUCNr4GxLAJArI3DdeYZ3iVxa72Gc-egQrm3jxjp5bzerD9qVtfXmdSwSvUr47xi3zW0pgYkrvMuO0Wg8C8Q3k45BEZFedrFJa0Oq4ghw5O1nmHM9YhUundOGxLshSTKhA0GLRKNc/w421-h237/CLznmoWUMAAeYxp.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617667349482043025.post-39783930656401733312020-09-20T07:00:00.001-05:002020-09-20T07:00:07.018-05:00Sunday Reflection: Nonredeemable Heroes/Heroines<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnrHA5g1tjSRgiWT4lpHa8hp_FiEyowVWSXpBpDqA3SnZjlG2CuBEmIxeRTJX17gO91L0Wr00erf7C-LZYD6cY3QzsLTlwJcSC2Q4ryqu5p98pH2L4vhAzAGj9Ba-4ENtSqICI2QIK6Y/s320/heathersredemption_msr.jpg" /></div> There was a recent blowup online about a romance book that supposedly had a Nazi soldier as the hero. Once the dust cleared the publisher apologized for the confusing cover, which is full of swastika flags, and said the hero is actually a British soldier. I don't know whose bright idea it was to cover that book in swastikas, but in today's climate of hate from white supremacists, especially in the US, it was a terrible idea. But let's dig a little deeper into why there was such a swift, harsh reaction from #Romancelandia. If you're on Twitter at all you will notice there a few topics that get a large collection of romance readers, authors, and bloggers up in arms. The one this hit upon is a terrible choice in "hero". If you're reading a romance book, there is going to be a heroine and/or hero. So, let's look at the ones that shouldn't ever, ever, ever make the cut.<br /><p></p><div>Racists: it's always been a struggle for minorities in the US to get a fair shake at literally anything at all. Some things have gotten easier, some things have gotten harder, and some things have stayed the same. So, let's look at why using a Nazi soldier, or any flavor of white supremacist is not ever okay. Racism is a learned trait that usually takes some time. The average romance book only has so many pages, and usually sticks to a tight timeframe. If a person learned their racist traits from their parents then that's at least eighteen years of indoctrination the love interest would have to muddle through. I'm not saying it can't be done, but should it? The hero/heroine can start off on the wrong foot (see enemies to lovers trope) but it can't be so bad that we absolutely hate them from page one. The reader has to believe they are savable, that there are redeeming qualities to the character to make it worth our time to want them to become a better person. Sorry, but racists just don't fall into that category for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Murderers: I've had to have this talk with my teenage son who has a ton of great story ideas pouring out of him. If it's going to be a romance book the hero/heroine CAN NOT kill anyone in cold blood. Self-defense? Sure. But it has to be the absolute last resort. Odd accident? Maybe. It would really depend on the circumstances and the character must be left emotionally devastated to know they've taken a life. Adding a murder to a romance book can be tricky, because it has to have a Happily Ever After Ending to be romance. If it's the hero/heroine holding the smoking gun, then they better have a very good reason.</div><div><br /></div><div>Adulterers: This is my personal hot button topic. It's very hard for me to read a book where any cheating is going on, so I tend not to write them. There may be some past history mentioned, but nothing in the readers face, especially form the hero or heroine. My opinion is that cheaters will always cheat, no matter who they're with at the moment. So, there is no way a story with a cheater will end in a HEA if that cheater is a main character. In the book shown above the heroine starts off with the cheating boyfriend of the heroine from the previous book. I really struggled with whether or not to give Heather her own book, but quickly realized the story told in book one wasn't her whole story. It was the cheater's story. I was able to give Heather her redemption because she had been tricked by the cheater too, and then kicked him to the curb.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sociopaths: The essence of a romance story is that two people come to care for each other deeply and fall in love. A sociopath by definition doesn't care about others. No matter what sub-genre of romance book you have the couple (or polyamorous group) will care deeply for each other by the end and show it in various ways. Though any one of them could show a lack of empathy at times, they can't be completely without it to the end.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure I've missed a slew of characters that you would never want to read as the hero/heroine of a love story. Feel free to comment below with others, or if you disagree with any of the ones above, tell me why.</div>Author Missy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201687595333909283noreply@blogger.com0