Jennifer Lane Books Blog

Happy December to all Writers! Join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group, developed by Alex Cavanaugh and maintained by lovely writers everywhere. Visit today's co-hosts: Co-Hosts:  Julie Flanders, Shannon Lawrence,   Fundy Blue,   Heather Gardner! IWSG Question:  As you look back on 2017, with all its successes and failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently? After just getting weighed at the doctor's *gulps*, I would have set up the standing desk I bought. Amazon delivered it months ago and it sits still neatly packed in its box while I sit my life away as a therapist and author. One hour of exercise doesn't counteract fifteen of sitting. Sitting is the new smoking, they say, *coughs* How's your writing? I'm in the exciting phase of writing: preparing for publication! My editor is polishing and my book designer is creating a cover for the launch of  TWIN SACRIFICE . Inspired by a dream, I started this novel in 200...

The Resurrection of Dylan McAthie by Nancee Cain Series : Pine Bluff, #1 Genre : Contemporary Romance Cover Designer :  Shannon Lumetta Release Date : June 1, 2017 (I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS!) At seventeen, music legend Dylan McAthie ran away from his Alabama home to chase his dreams. Years later, he’s forced to return—coming full circle to escape the nightmare his life has become. Hounded by paparazzi and plagued by the aftermath of personal and professional loss, Dylan craves some quiet anonymity so he can regroup and sort out what lies ahead. Hired by his estranged brother, Jennifer Adams knows exactly who Dylan is. She grew up next door to his family and has followed his career. But the surly, overbearing man she’s caring for as a private-duty nurse is far from the charming boy she remembers. Nevertheless, she’s determined to be professional, do a good job—and not fail at her first time getting away from home. As her patient heals, his demeanor s...

Happy May to all writers! Pop over to Alex Cavanaugh's  blog  to join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group. Today's co-hosts:   Nancy Gideon,   Tamara Narayan,  Liesbet @  Roaming About ,   Michelle Wallace,  and  Feather Stone! How's your writing? I'm about 40% done with my romantic suspense WIP, Twin Sacrifice . Thank you to my awesome critique partner,  Nicki Elson , for her tremendous help. I love this month's IWSG question: What's the weirdest/coolest thing you've researched for a story? So many weird/cool topics to choose from! I know quite a few writers like me hope our internet search histories don't alert the authorities to possible subversive behavior. Here are my highlights: * Building bomb triggers * Layout of rooms in the White House * Effects of Rohypnol (Roofies) on the body * How to get a gun through airport security And my most fun research? Taking a Chicago architectural cruise. I lo...

Welcome to February's edition of Insecure Writers Support Group, the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. Hop on board at Alex's blog ! How was your January? I had to replace my furnace/AC/water heater and let's just say I'm relieved I don't have to survive on my measly author income after getting  that   bill. Luckily the system died when we had unseasonably warm temperatures in Ohio. Are you ready for Singles Awareness Day on February 14th? February Question: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader? Positive change: A greater appreciation for well-written books. Negative change: Less enjoyment of many books. Before starting as a writer, I didn't notice misspellings (like blond/blonde) or excessive verbiage. In the past, I skipped over cliches and telling instead of showing. Now those errors disgust me. I feel fortunate fellow authors had the patience to read my debut novel, considering all my fledgling writer mistakes. I just re-e...

Welcome to October's Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh. Join us HERE .  This month's question: When do you know your story is ready? My answer is simple: WHEN MY EDITOR FINISHES!  I've worked with the same bomdiggity editor --Jessica Royer Ocken-- for all seven of my novels, and I absolutely trust her ability to polish the manuscript. Then my amazing book designer, Coreen Montagna, swoops in to make it pretty.  I'm lucky I met Jessica and Coreen, along with my astute critique partner, Nicki Elson, through my publisher. Now that I self-publish, I feel so grateful for the team that readies my story for publication. I manage to publish one book a year, and 2016's book launch (Spiked) happened October 1st. Once your story is ready to be published, how do you market your novel? I'll share a couple of strategies I've tried. Facebook Party. My zesty marketing assistant Mitsy Princell convinced me to host...

J oin the celebration on FB by clicking  HERE !! Aug. 31 6 PM Angela Mcpherson 7 PM Tia Silverthorne Bach 8 PM Twyla Turner 9 PM Jennifer Lane  (that's ME! stop on by 9 PM EST) Sept. 1 6 PM A.M. Wallace 7 PM C.M. Stunich 8 PM Heather C. Myers 9 PM Brenda Pandos Sept 2 6 PM Mary Ting / M. Clarke 7 PM Alexandrea Weis 8 PM Erin Hayes 9 PM Wendy L Owens Sept 3 7 PM Heidi McLaughlin 8 PM Lila Felix   9 PM CM Doporto 10 PM N.L. Gervasio   Sept 4 6 PM H.D. Gordon 7 PM S.I. Hayes 8 PM Jaidis Shaw 9 PM Juniper Grove Book Solutions a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today I'm over at Liberty Falls Down talking about why I love college romance. Check it out HERE . On July 18, 2015 I had the pleasure of signing books at an event in my town, Columbus, Ohio. How lovely not to lug books through an airport! I signed copies of college volleyball romance BLOCKED. I'm working hard on the sequel, ACED, slated for release in November. I unveiled my new banner, purchased at Vista Print, at this event. It's uber tall! It was fun sharing a table with YA Paranormal author Stephanie Keyes . What a sweetheart! I also enjoyed the opportunity to meet spicy readers, like Elle from Elle's Friends and Books . She still likes to read fairy tales...they're just dirtier now. What do you love about book signings?

It's July already and the rain won't stop in Ohio, waah . How can I train for swimming in a triathlon relay when thunder closes my outdoor pool? Time for July's Insecure Writer's Support Group, the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. Join us HERE . Last week I delivered a presentation to swim campers about ways to build their confidence. I mentioned the technique "fake it till you make it". In other words, if you don't feel confident, sometimes acting confident on the outside can boost confidence on the inside. Head up, shoulders back, add a smile or serene facial expression, and you're good to go. Then I heard about a TED talk by social psychologist Amy Cuddy that takes confident body language a step further. According to Dr. Cuddy, our nonverbals affect how others see us. But can nonverbals affect how we see ourselves? Since I know you're busy and may not have time to watch the 21 minute video (it's worth it if you do have the t...

If you're near central Ohio, I hope you can join us for the Ever After Author Affair on July 18th. My college volleyball romance Blocked is up for three awards: *Most Memorable Cliffhanger *Most Original Storyline *Favorite Book Cover Vote and enter the giveaway HERE . I'm excited to unveil my new author banner at the event: This banner is HUGE! It barely fits beneath my ceiling. I'm standing on a chair to take this photo, hehe. I also have my faerie wings ready for the Ever After Ball. Blocked ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I'm happy to tell readers that I'm turning it into a series. Blocked now has an excerpt from ACED (Blocked #2), due out in late 2015. Readers and authors, what are your favorite parts about book signings?

Happy Insecure Writers Support Group, started by Alex J Cavanaugh ! I'm in Montana for a psychology conference. learning some cool things. Too bad I dislike skiing because we have major snow in Big Sky. But I've had a blast chatting with friends and learning stuff! The best presentation so far has been about MARIJUANA . As a psychologist who has witnessed the sadness of addiction, I was against legalization before the presentation. Now I'm totally against it. While you might think this brownie, candy, and beverage are for the munchies after you toke it up, these "edibles" are actually how THC is administered these days. One gummy bear has 4 servings of high potency THC. They're marketing to kids by infusing candy and drinks with THC. And, this isn't your grandparent's pot, your parents' pot, or even your pot. In 1960 THC was .2% concentration. Now it's 12%. Since it's been commercialized in Colorado, the lobby...

The week since my college volleyball romance BLOCKED released has been fantastic. We started off with a Facebook party-- thank you to these hosts with the most : Debra Anastasia (author of Poughkeepsie who alerted me to a key technological problem) Nicki Elson (author of Divine Temptation ) Darcia Helle (author of No Justice ) Matthew Alan (author of What We Leave Behind ) Jennifer Locklear (co-author of Exposure ) Rumer Haven (author of Seven for a Secret which I've just started reading--great!) Gwynn Evans Harrison (my bff who revealed all kinds of secrets about our time swimming and playing volleyball in college!) Julie from AToMR Tours (I just alerted the winners of the Release Giveaway ... scroll down for the Review Tour Giveaway including a $15 gift card.) ~*~ Speaking of AToMR Tours, they're hosting a Blocked Review Tour the next two weeks. Check out this fun review from Bookaholic Fairies . And I also loved this review ...

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming awesome reader friend Mitsy Princell to the blog, to interview creative storyteller  Cindy Mezni about book one in her Last Hope series: Shadow's Dangers. Get it HERE for only $.99. Appearances can be deceiving… Losing a loved one is never easy. Although Deliah learned to live without her parents when fate took them from her as a young girl, history repeats itself and causes her to face even greater challenges when Tess, the woman who raised her and was like a second mother to her, passes away. But even worse than dealing with her loss is the coinciding arrival of inexplicable nightmares that haunt Deliah’s nights. She becomes consumed with images she didn’t understand and a recurrent dream about her parents’ car accident. Oddly, this dream details different versions from what she had always been told about the accident. But when a new family, The Wates, arrive in town and begin to pay close attention to her, even stranger events ...

Today I welcome awesome author Elisa Dane to the blog! First I'll review her Young Adult romance Ex Factor , then I'll interview her. Stick around for the giveaway at the end. Ex-Factor by Elisa Dane My rating: 5 of 5 stars Truth and Consequences Teenager Nev is a former gymnast whose life has undergone startling transitions. She gets uprooted to live with her aunt and cousin in northern California when her father dies and her mother succumbs to a debilitating illness. Not only is she disoriented in this new place, but she's also overwhelmed by guilt. Just what secrets hide behind that guilt? Nev's cousin Livvie is on a competitive cheer team, X Factor, and Nev's tumbling expertise makes her a shoo-in for the team. At first Nev balks at joining the Diamond Girls squad because tumbling in a gym sparks painful memories of her mother. But by flying through the air again, she slowly finds her footing, and her recovery is a beautiful thing. It's cool to ...